Chapter 52: Chapter 47: Securing the Blood Knight
After Luh Yao clicked "Yes," the screen went completely black.
After a vortex-like transition animation, the game interface changed to a vast, open field.
The words "Golden Field" slowly appeared at the top center of the screen.
The field was covered in golden leaves, flowers, and grasses. All the plants swayed gently in the wind, their vibrant life imbued with a subtle sense of sanctity.
In the center of the screen stood a giant tree that pierced the heavens, its branches spreading across the skyline and twinkling with light. Luh Yao thought, ’This must be the Silvanus Tree.’
He tried clicking on the giant tree.
Three cards flew out from the tree, each with a different image and description.
The [Apostle Mark] was a white stone tablet.
The [Secret Magic Robe] was a long robe woven from leaves.
The [Tree-Man Seed] was a brown pit.
Luh Yao moved his mouse over the three items, and their respective traits and descriptions appeared.
...
[Apostle Mark]: Select a willing target and convert them into an Apostle.
...
[Secret Magic Robe LV5]: Randomly obtain a living, ancient Spell from the robe. Either command it, or be commanded by it.
...
[Tree-Man Seed]: Plant it in a forest to harvest a loyal Tree-Man.
...
Of the three treasures, Luh Yao first ruled out the Tree-Man Seed. Isabel could already create Tree People, so getting one more didn’t seem very significant.
That left a choice between the [Apostle Mark] and the [Secret Magic Robe LV5].
Deep down, Luh Yao was more inclined to choose the Secret Magic Robe.
This artifact was the highest-level treasure he had seen so far. The Secret Magic Robe also came with a "living Spell," which sounded like it could be continuously strengthened and had growth potential.
However, the second half of the description made Luh Yao a little hesitant.
Either command it, or be commanded by it.
This meant the Spell had its own independent consciousness and self. It might help the Apprentice Deity player, but it could also backstab them at a critical moment.
The uncertainty of the draw made Luh Yao feel conflicted.
It seemed the only option with a guaranteed stable return was the [Apostle Mark].
With this special artifact, Luh Yao could gain another Apostle and find a deputy for Isabel, so he wouldn’t have to rely on her for everything.
’Wait a minute...’
’A second Apostle?’
Luh Yao right-clicked on the [Golden Field] to temporarily exit the map interface.
He typed a line of text in the dialogue box above Isabel’s head, asking about the feasibility of his idea.
"..."
Isabel contemplated this seriously for a moment before giving a cautious reply: "Lord God, the [Apostle Mark] is a mark generated after the completion of a wonder. It is extremely precious in itself."
"Using it on the Blood Knight is feasible."
"However, because it involves converting him from another God’s faction and repairing his currently lost sanity and crumbling self, it will consume a great deal of extra Power of Faith."
Luh Yao focused on the key point.
’It’s feasible!’
He clicked to enter the [Golden Field] again and double-clicked the [Apostle Mark].
[Do you want to choose the Apostle Mark?]
Luh Yao clicked "Yes."
The white stone tablet then transformed into a streak of white light and hovered in the top-left corner of the screen.
Apostle Mark: 1
At the same time, the other two artifact cards flew back into the treetop. Luh Yao tried to intercept them, but failed.
The giant tree on the Golden Field scattered into countless pixels and vanished without a trace, leaving only the endless golden fields on the ground.
A line of text appeared on the screen.
[The Silvanus Tree has fallen into a deep sleep.]
[The forest yearns to grow. Please cultivate a Forest Soul, and the Silvanus Tree will once again grant a treasure in gratitude.]
Luh Yao remembered that Forrest could summon a Forest Soul. ’What exactly is a Forest Soul?’
He asked Isabel.
"My lord, a Forest Soul is born from among the Tree People."
Isabel explained, "It is the condensed will of Forest Elemental Creatures, a special form of life."
"A Forest Soul can only be nurtured in an area with a large number of Forest Elemental Creatures. It is born by merging into a Tree-Man."
Luh Yao understood.
’It’s an elite monster version of a Forest Elemental Creature.’
It required planting many trees, and also needed Tree People and a large number of Forest Elemental Creatures as prerequisites to meet the conditions for its birth.
’I’ll have to leave that one to fate.’
Luh Yao rubbed his hands together.
Now, for the most important event of the day.
He clicked on the [Apostle Mark] in the top-left corner and dragged it over the head of the Blood Knight behind Isabel.
A notification popped up on the game interface.
—To convert him into an Apostle of your Divine Hall, a large amount of Power of Faith is required. Do you wish to spend 3,000 Faith Value to convert this Apostle?
[Yes] [No]
Luh Yao unhesitatingly clicked "Yes."
’I might be short on everything else, but I’m not short on Faith!’
’Besides, I’m not building any wonders anytime soon.’
The Faith Value in the top-right corner plummeted again, leaving him with just over 1,000.
Two lines of text appeared on the screen.
—The lost Apostle has heard your call. Your Power of Faith has repaired his shattered shell and withered soul. He is rapidly reviving from the Sea of Mourning.
—[Apostle] Blood Knight Necied shall follow Your will, carry out Your oracles, and fight for Your Fire of Faith.
The Blood Knight, who had been like a walking corpse, was transformed in an instant. The filth and despondency covering his body were swept away.
He knelt on one knee before the screen where Luh Yao was, and a dialogue box appeared above his head.
"God above, I, Necied, offer you all my loyalty and Faith."
[Your second Apostle has been born. The Garlic Tribe’s Faith has become stronger.]
Luh Yao eagerly opened Necied’s panel.
...
[Apostle LV60] Blood Knight Necied
Life Value: 3850/3850
Mana Value: 937/937
Damage: 124
Defense: 68
Speed: 16
[Thick Hide]
Inherently possesses high Life Value.
[Indestructible]
Possesses special resistance to ranged damage.
[Moving Spellcasting]
Allows casting spells while moving in combat, at the cost of slow speed.
[Corruption Creation] (10 Mana)
Create Corrupters using corpses and salt. The Corrupters’ strength is dependent on the corpse.
[Enchantment LV25] (25 Mana/sec)
Attacks are imbued with Mana damage.
[Fleshly Weakness LV2] (150 Mana)
[Nevied’s Exclusive Ability] The Whistleblower bestowed upon Necied the ability to form a legion. Necied can raise the Tier of Corrupters through training and a Call, evolving them into the more elite Rotting Guard.
...
Luh Yao threw his head back and laughed, excitedly performing a set of Wing Chun moves in the air.
’A level 60 Apostle, completely intact, is mine!’
’This is the value and reward of grinding in the Newbie Village!’
’Having a LV60 Blood Knight Necied in a Fragment World that’s still a safe zone—what does that even mean? It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say I’m practically invincible, right?’
Luh Yao chugged a glass of ice-cold coke, put on "Stop Asking Me What Disco Is" by New Pants, and danced around his rented room by himself.
The simple joy he felt when he first started playing computer games seemed to return all at once.
Of course.
Invincibility is happiness.
This invincibility was something he had achieved step by step, through his own actions.
’I, Luh Yao, have grown all this way thanks to my own hard work and sleepless nights!’
Just as Luh Yao was savoring the details of Necied’s stat panel, a new notification appeared on the screen.
[The Whistleblower is showing hostility toward you.]
[The Whistleblower’s faction now considers you an enemy.]
Luh Yao gave a cold laugh, toying with the [Energy Staff] in his hand.
’Whatever. I’ve got Necied now, and this is my home turf. I’m not going out, so come and get me if you’ve got the guts.’
’Come to the Garlic Tribe’s territory, and you better hope I don’t see you. If I see your statue, I’ll smash it to pieces. I’ll definitely rub it in your face.’
...
After his moment of triumph, Luh Yao felt a little uncertain again.
’A safe zone... should be safe, right?’
