Dark Knight Yoahim
"Um..."
Yoahim stammered as he opened his mouth, and Lilith curved her lips into a smile.
"I told you there's no need to be nervous. Between us."
Between us? What the hell are we? We just met today, right?
Well, technically, today wasn't the first time we'd met. It was one-sided, but Yoahim had seen Lilith plenty of times.
"Dark Knight Yoahim."
The moment Lilith's plump lips moved to form those words, Yoahim's heart went cold.
Knowing his name was one thing—Gregorius or Merilda could have told her. But she'd said it exactly: Dark Knight Yoahim.
Anyone could learn his name, but not that he was a Dark Knight.
Yoahim wasn't tense anymore. There was no reason to be.
"You know who I am."
"Ufufu."
Lilith let out a soft laugh, narrowing her eyes. Her breath carried a sweet scent.
"Of course I do. I don't have a habit of beating around the bush. The master of my soul, the father of my flesh, the navigator of my life. Dark Knight Yoahim—I know you had some hand in my creation, one way or another."
Yoahim nodded quietly. He'd made Lilith, raised her to max level. He'd picked her skills, geared her up. Calling him the master of her soul or father of her flesh was exaggerated, but not entirely wrong.
Lilith isn't me.
Yoahim had wondered if his soul had split, inhabiting all his characters. But meeting her proved otherwise. They were independent beings. They didn't share his soul or his thoughts.
Lilith was just Lilith. A new soul born inside the character he'd created.
"From the look on your face, it seems like it was a rough journey getting here. Ufufu, impressive."
Lilith drew closer, peering right into his face. Her chaste features clashed with the decadent tattoos, creating a uniquely alluring beauty.
Yoahim froze the moment she leaned in—like a frog facing a snake.
"Good work."
Her voice tickled his ear.
"You did well today too. Amazing."
Each breathy word sent shivers down his spine.
"Ufufu."
Fuck, this is dangerous.
Yoahim quickly pulled back, putting distance between them. Lilith tilted her head with a gentle smile.
"It was just pure encouragement."
"...No, that's fine."
"Then what do you want?"
Was my character always like this?
Yoahim sighed and said, "Just answer my questions."
"Alright."
Yoahim let out another habitual sigh before continuing.
"Lilith, you know who I am. So you must know the situation we're in. I've only got one question. Why didn't you come find me? Why not team up with the others to end this—like Riana or Radius?"
Lilith gave a small laugh, then lowered her golden eyes, a shadow passing over them.
"Saintess Riana and Holy Knight Radius? They know nothing. About you, or our situation. The other heroes are the same. Of course, I don't know everything either—but I'm the only one who knows even a part of it. Because I'm a mage who pursues truth."
Yoahim deflated at her words. If they knew nothing, seeking them out wouldn't yield much help.
"And I couldn't come find you because I can't."
"You can't?"
"Yes. It's instinct. No one reaches into roaring flames. It's the same. You're an impurity in this world. No one knows how your journey ends, so instinct recoils from it."
Yoahim realized something in that moment.
If I return to reality, what happens here?
He was the only outsider in this world. He had a place to return to, a clear goal. But the others?
If he beat the final boss and cleared the game, then what? Where would the people here go? This was their home. When the curtain falls on the world, where do they go?
That was the primal fear.
Lilith didn't know this was a game. But she knew Yoahim was the one to end it. The apostle of the evil god.
"...My presence isn't welcome, then."
"No. I don't care either way. The future isn't fixed. Claiming it is would be arrogance. Maybe there's an ending where everyone finds happiness?"
Her head's full of flowers.
Yoahim smirked and nodded.
"So you can't help me, then?"
"I can't adventure by your side. I have my role. But if a dangerous enemy appears you can't handle alone, call for help. If it's that strong, it'll be the world's enemy soon enough."
That was enough. Yoahim nodded again.
"Thanks."
Lilith shrugged her smooth bare shoulder with a charming little laugh. I customized her well. Yoahim felt a pointless swell of pride.
"By the way, I heard from the chairman that Haellagos's clone appeared in a dungeon?"
"Yeah."
"Wasn't trying to lure you in?"
He had. Haellagos had bestowed power and told him to come find him—planning to make the evil god's apostle his vanguard to drown the world in darkness.
Yoahim nodded. "Told me to come to him. Gave me power too."
"Then go meet him."
"What?"
It was the last thing he expected. The tower master telling him to meet the demon lord's apostle?
Wouldn't most people stop him?
Lilith smiled innocently. "I know you won't fall. Even if you join Haellagos, you'll kill him in the end. Your fate is grander than you think."
Her lips touched and parted as she continued. "That's why I'm sending you. You'll kill Haellagos."
She was right. Yoahim had no intention of serving him. He'd squeeze every advantage, then backstab. Bonus items too.
"Still, going alone's kinda scary."
Yoahim was level 27. Haellagos was 150. The gap was huge, and no guarantee he wouldn't harm him. Maybe he was just using him?
"I didn't mean right now. Here, a parting gift for the road."
Lilith waved her hand in the air, warping space into a rift. She reached in and pulled out a staff.
"Inventory?"
"What's that? This is just sub-space."
Apparently, characters besides Yoahim couldn't use inventory. Lilith handed him the staff.
"A staff?"
"A gift."
"I'm not a mage, I'm a Dark Knight."
"But you know black magic, right? It'll help. And it's not just any staff—it's an artifact."
Artifacts had built-in skills. Yoahim took it and checked the info.
◈ A firmly crafted staff. Mysterious power flows through it.
◈ Intellect +30, Max Mana +100 when equipped.
◈ Enables Fireball skill use. If Fireball already learned, skill level +1.
"Oh?"
A staff that enabled Fireball. Definitely a rare item, hard to buy even for gold.
Yoahim imagined himself dual-wielding it and a sword. Like some battle mage.
Still, with this and Ha Meks Han, I could pass for a mage.
More roles meant more ways to grow stronger.
"Thanks for the gift. I'll put it to good use."
Any other presents? I spent so much time and effort raising you in the real world...
Yoahim cleared his throat and glanced at her, but no more gifts came.
"And show me that book."
"Book?"
"The one you wanted appraised."
Lilith extended her gloved hand, beckoning with a finger. She won't steal it, right?
Yoahim cautiously handed over Ha Meks Han.
"Hmm, this..."
Lilith flipped through the pages swiftly, nodded, and handed it back almost too quickly to have read it.
"You've already read it. No need for me to explain what it is."
"How'd you know I read it?"
"Your name's on the first page. That grimoire will only recognize you as its master until you die."
"Name? I can't read a single character."
"It's ancient script. Probably no one in this world can read it but me. Demons, maybe."
Lilith, who'd been smiling slyly, slowly wiped the expression from her face.
"Use it carefully. It's dangerous."
"I know. Thanks for the advice."
"Leaving tomorrow?"
"If nothing comes up."
"Be careful."
Having someone worry about him felt nice. Yoahim smiled and nodded.
"Haellagos? Don't worry. I'm not rushing to meet him. I'll get stronger first, then..."
"Not Haellagos. The other heroes. Watch out for them."
Yoahim shut his mouth and stared at her. Silence fell, then broke.
"...Why?"
"I know who you are. What the situation is. But they don't. Realize your position. You're the evil god's apostle, Kakar's knight. The other heroes won't understand like I do. Especially Riana and Radius—they're devotees of Laelro."
Fuck, so I might have to fight the characters I raised?
Yoahim grimaced bitterly. Then a thought struck him.
"One thing I'm curious about."
"What?"
"Did Kallagon really ascend? They say he vanished suddenly."
"Some say he ascended and claimed the divine throne in the heavens. Maybe he did. Or maybe he's off on another adventure somewhere. No one knows for sure. That's for you to find out now."
Yoahim nodded. He'd been wondering about Kallagon too and planned to look into it later.
"Then I'll head out. I'll cover for you with the chairman about the book, so no worries."
"Thanks."
"Sure. Let's have a meal before you leave tomorrow."
"A meal?"
"Yeah. You weren't planning to just go, were you? Between us."
Again with 'between us'?
"You're the tower master. Aren't you busy?"
"Even tower masters eat. A meal during mealtime won't interfere with duties. And besides."
Lilith's golden eyes gleamed.
"It's only natural for the created to revere their creator, right? Let me treat you to at least that much."
Yoahim was speechless for a moment. Lilith smiled sweetly and left the room.
Yoahim sighed heavily. Meeting her had been more exhausting than expected.
Looking out the window, the outside was already pitch black. With nothing else to do, he decided to sleep early for tomorrow.
He'd woken once earlier, but lying down brought sleep rushing back. This shitty world had taught his body a simple truth: sleep when you can.
Yoahim extinguished the lamp and closed his eyes.
He drifted off briefly, then snapped them open again. His eyes rolled toward the door.
"..."
Someone was picking the lock.