Duel of the Forgotten Gods

Most players in Last Savior obtained their jobs through their Patron Spirits, but there were extremely rare cases where they got them via hidden quests or events.

The 'Apostle of the Ancient God' was one such example.

-Ancient God jobs aren't bad at all. With so few followers, the gods pamper them like crazy.

Patron Spirits, overwhelmed with users, had egos through the roof.

No matter how hard players tried to build affinity, they barely got a proper response.

Ancient Gods were the complete opposite.

They were desperate to hand out one more skill!

Once you completed the job change, filling your skill window with unique skills was a piece of cake.

Plus, you got every kind of support imaginable for smooth growth.

-But the penalties are no joke either.

By lore, Ancient Gods had been pushed aside by Patron Spirits, so you had ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠to give up your Patron Spirit to change jobs.

And crucially, you couldn't party with Patron Spirit users. The moment you changed, you became a forced solo player.

'That's a pretty big penalty. Even the Magic Fist Lord can still party.'

-But you have to grind like mad for rewards with that. Ancient God jobs have none of that. It's pure freebie heaven—just take whatever they give.

Among jobs without Patron Spirits, Magic Fist Lord and ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Apostle of the Ancient God each had their pros and cons.

Of course, that was only comparable if they were the same grade.

-Ancient God jobs, especially the first apostle at Epic grade, are worth the penalty... but it's meaningless for you. You're not picking it anyway.

'Yeah, totally meaningless. I got my hopes up since I met the hidden conditions.'

Anyone else hearing that would curse him for being spoiled rotten, but he had no choice.

What good was "first apostle of an Ancient God" or "Epic grade"?

To someone with a Mythic job, they all looked the same!

"First Apostle" wasn't even worth considering.

"I've kept the First Apostle seat vacant for over thousands of years just for today! You'll do it, right? I'll take real good care of you."

Unfortunately, Kero hadn't even considered rejection.

"Ah, thanks for the offer, but..."

The moment Carpe tried to refuse—

"Kero! You coward! Trying to jump the gun?!"

A massive rift tore open right next to Kero, and a man's voice boomed from it.

Kero's face fell in dismay.

"What the...?"

"Oh, it's nothing. Just something trivial, so don't mind and let's get to the job change fi—"

"Nothing?! You shameless god with no morals!"

The rift widened, and its source emerged.

Short and stocky, with solid muscles. Bushy beard, and crucially, a hammer gripped in one hand. Only one word came to mind.

"Dwarf?"

"That's right! I am Astel, god of the dwarves and god of blacksmithing! Human, hold on a sec. I need a word with this sneak."

The dwarf god who called himself Astel approached Kero after declaring that.

Flustered, Kero glanced around before averting her eyes.

"Ah, Astel. Hi. Long time no see."

"...Hi? Hiii? 'Hi' comes out easy, huh? You brazen god! You knew I claimed first dibs, yet you pull this?!"

"...Claimed? No idea what you're talking about?"

"You felt my blessing on this human! And you pretend not to know to cut in line?!"

"...Ah! Now that I look closely, it does feel faint. Sorry, it's been so long since I saw a human, I must've mistaken."

"Mistaken my ass. How does a god mistake another god's aura?! You knew and tried to slyly snag him—think I'm blind?!"

"Sorry. Sorry. We're meeting after ages—don't be so mad."

She seemed guilty, apologizing nonstop.

But Astel's grumbling continued, so Kero finally pouted.

"But Astel, this is my garden? Bursting in without notice is bad manners, don't you think? What if the Patron Spirits notice?!"

"...That's why I held back as long as I could. But you crossed the line first, trying to make him your apostle!"

"Whatever! Carpe visited my garden, so I have rights too. I'm not backing down!"

"I claimed him first! He'll be my apostle!"

"Says who?"

Carpe was baffled by the sudden squabble.

'What's going on here?'

-Who knows. Sounds like they're fighting over who gets you as apostle. Both want you.

'...No one's thinking about what I want?'

-Exactly. Chugging kimchi soup like crazy.

Carpe finally wedged between the bickering pair.

One thing nagged him above all: that dwarf god's "blessing."

"Sorry to interrupt, but... do we know each other? I don't remember at all."

"Huh? No, first time meeting face-to-face, but I've had my eye on you. Gave you a blessing too... until this brazen god cut in. Think I wouldn't get mad?!"

"...A blessing? Was there something like that?"

"See?! He doesn't even know. Means I'm higher priority than you!"

Carpe tilted his head, and Kero jumped in eagerly.

But no matter how he racked his brain, nothing clicked.

Maybe Astel was mistaken?

Astel's reaction was pure offense.

"How could you forget?! When you first crafted an item, I poured every ounce of power into blessing you!"

"...When I first crafted something?"

That would be when the Room function first unlocked.

'Lemme think. Explored the Room, then crafted gear in the workshop. Rhythm game style—super fresh.

Failed a few times but finally made it, even engraved runes with Magic Engineering.

And the crafting bonus stats... Ah!

-Ah! That? Double crafting bonus!

Now he remembered clearly.

The first time he crafted, a message popped up: [??? blesses the one walking the great path.]

The effect? Double crafting bonuses!

Cheonma had ranted about the ??? and broken balance, so it stuck.

"Aah! That was it!"

"Yes! Finally remember!"

Astel's affinity in Carpe's mind skyrocketed.

"See? No room for you, Kero. I spotted his talent first!"

"...Hmph. What if Carpe rejects you and picks me? It's his choice."

"Kuhaha! Good one. As if! Who'd pick a gambling scammer's apostle?"

Astel boomed with laughter and stepped up to Carpe.

"Didn't expect to meet like this... Anyway, how about it? Become my apostle? You've got artisan talent! I'll guide you to ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠the top."

Astel urged the job change, just like Kero.

"Carpe, you won't take that, right? Better than some sweaty job—relax, play, live easy. I promise top support."

"Hmph. Things gained without sweat always fly away. You don't even know labor's value, you uncouth god."

"Hmph. Easy living is best! Labor as virtue? What era is this? You boomer."

"What? Boomer?! You done talking?!"

As the gods geared up for round two, Carpe jumped in desperately.

"Th-thanks for the offers, but I'll pass."

"...Huh?"

"...Did I mishear?"

The two Ancient Gods were stunned—they hadn't dreamed of rejection.

"For real? Hate to agree with her, but this is a huge opportunity."

"Don't wanna side with the coward, but she's right. Depending on effort, you could even reach divinity... Why?!"

Why? Because your jobs suck compared to mine.

But he couldn't say that to friendly gods, so Carpe softened it.

"I'm plenty satisfied with my current class. No need to switch."

"No, you don't get it. First Apostle of an Ancient God is leagues beyond others—oh, sorry. Not dissing your job."

"Ughhh. It's really good. Hard to explain."

The rejected gods ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠exchanged glances and nodded.

"Carpe, wait a sec?"

"Be right back."

Kero and Astel stepped away for a huddle.

"Tricky. Never thought he'd refuse..."

"Ugh. We gotta recruit him. Can't let that talent go to a Patron Spirit."

"No worries there. Barely any Patron scent—must be some third-rate one. Probably ignores it."

Cheonma got dissed without knowing.

"Now what? Let him go?"

"Truce for now. Let him experience apostle perks firsthand. He'll change his mind."

"Right? Let's do that..."

After plotting, they returned.

"Sorry to keep you."

"Carpe, you say you're satisfied with your job, but we can't give up on your talent. So, we're asking for a chance."

"A chance?"

"Yes. We'll grant you temporary apostle authority. Try it—if you like, consider official change later."

The moment Astel finished, windows appeared.

No responsibility, all gain.

Carpe's freebie luck hit its peak.