Rise of the OtherGod Apostle: Not a Cult Leader, but a Serf?!

#025Reader Mode

#025

“Ah, there is just one more thing,” Apostle Adna added, her voice taking on a more serious note. “Fabio, if I recall correctly, you mentioned that your name is the only one you can remember, right?”

Her words sent a chill down my spine. It felt as if she could see right through my earlier lie…

“Should any other name come to mind,” she continued, “it is of utmost importance that you contact the Saint immediately.”

Another name? What was she getting at?

“Are you saying,” I asked, trying to keep my voice steady, “that there’s a chance I might have… a different name?”

“Precisely. Each Watched One is given a name—a name bestowed upon them by the beings from beyond the stars.”

A name from an Othergod.

She must be talking about usernames.

Hapenesus often referred to me as ‘My Evangelist’ too.

Thinking back to my alt account’s name, [Happy War Evangelist], this Othergod-given name was probably connected to that username.

“If you happen to recall that name, disclose it only to the Apostles of the Order. Do not write it down or even whisper it to yourself.”

Why? Was my username some kind of forbidden word here?

“And be extra vigilant when speaking of another ‘Watched One’s’ name.”

“What could happen if I did?”

“Well…”

Adna paused, contemplating her response before answering. “We can be certain of one thing: a Watched One will sense it if their name is spoken by another Watched One.”

Is there some kind of system notification that pops up when someone mentions your username?

If notifications only trigger when a player, not an NPC, mentions another player’s username…

There could be a private messaging feature already implemented.

Considering the presence of other players in this world, it’s plausible that the system has been updated to facilitate multiplayer interactions.

The Order might be a more formidable faction than I initially anticipated, especially if other players choose to ally with them…

Or, this feature could be intended for players to quickly locate and eliminate one another.

If the win condition is to be the last player standing, tracking down any player, even a lowly serf, becomes crucial.

If this messaging feature exists, experienced players are likely already in communication with each other.

I could recall the majority of the veteran players’ usernames.

That’s thanks to STGames, always displaying player names during gameplay videos or livestreams.

While watching, I had questioned the sanity of some players based on their gaming strategies…

Their weird usernames often seemed to mirror their playstyles.

Some usernames were truly unforgettable.

Like [Plague Stone Yeeter] for example.

Now that I think about it, the nonsensical rule of having your gameplay logs automatically recorded and turned into videos without your consent might’ve been implemented for players to recognize each other.

Wait, no one here knows my username yet, right?

Since my [Happy War Evangelist] account was primarily used for clocking in hours to obtain a title after reaching the 1,000-hour mark, it made sense that it wasn’t featured in any videos.

As for my main account, every single one of my Othergod gameplay clips—excluding those involving Hapenesus—had been published…

“Even if there is no direct harm, saying their names or ‘invoking’ their power could still have unforeseen consequences. Be extremely cautious if anyone requests that you chant or recite unusual phrases.”

“I’ll keep that in mind. Thank you.”

I’m really lucky that I didn’t come here with my main account.

Can you imagine what would happen if that unhinged player who’s obsessed with clearing the game remembered my username?

He’d exploit every available feature to track me down, no doubt about it.

And then what? He’d either try to kill me or force me to join his crazy cult.

Some choice, huh? Either become a traitorous heretic by betraying the Order or face certain death.

Instead of getting my ‘Happy Ending’ of [Living a Chill Life Under the Order’s Protection], one wrong move could land me in a world of trouble.

I think the best plan is to avoid other players as much as possible.

In this world, due to the player recognition system, even sane players might attract the attention of some deranged individuals. So, it’s probably better for both sane and insane players to remain oblivious to each other’s existence.

I guess there’s some truth to the saying “ignorance is bliss”.

“However, the greatest threat you should be aware of is…”

Okay, what could possibly be worse than a crazy player?

“…the Being that chose you as a Watched One, an anomaly from beyond the stars.”

Hapenesus?

Speaking of that bastard, I haven’t received any divine messages from him since I got here.

Maybe he’s broke when it comes to clear points, so he’s unable to interfere?

Technically, it was MotherGod who dragged me into this mess…

What if Hapenesus doesn’t even know where I am?

That actually makes sense, considering it’s Hapenesus we’re talking about. He seems to have zero understanding about the game system. Almost like he deliberately goes out of his way to not understand how it works.

If he had even the slightest idea, he would’ve figured out some workaround to earn clear points that suits his nature and essence long ago. MotherGod hinted that those points can do some really amazing things…

How the hell did that bastard manage to become an Othergod?

It’s mind-boggling how someone so unambitious and with such vague powers could rise to that status, let alone stay there. Did he just fly under the radar because he’s so unremarkable?

Impossible. Even I, who’s as insignificant as a rat’s tail, attracted attention. There’s no way an Othergod could stay incognito.

If the Othergods know about Hapenesus and still haven’t taken out an idiot like him…

What, are they afraid his stupidity will rub off on them if they absorb him?

Hapenesus’s whole shtick is offering salvation to anyone who prays to him. Sure, his methods are laughable, but he never turns away a soul. It’s the core of who he is. The essence, as they like to call it.

If another Othergod tried to consume Hapenesus and ‘merge’ with him, they’d also take on his essence. But there’s pretty much zero upside, just a massive downside. The Othergod would be stuck repeating Hapenesus’s idiotic antics.

Yeah, no thanks, I wouldn’t want to ingest that essence either.

No bird’s going to willingly eat a worm that’s loaded with nasty toxins. Evolving to make yourself too gross to eat – it’s a brilliant survival tactic.

But damn, when you get down to it, he only survived because he’s such a hopeless dumbass that the other Othergods can’t even be bothered with him.

What a useless bastard.

“Should this Being ever attempt to communicate directly with you, or compel you to speak its name, resist with all your might,” Adna advised, her tone grave and urgent.

Her words got me thinking.

Wait, have I ever tried to call on Hapenesus?

I mean, I’ve interacted with the system, but never really called out to Hapenesus directly.

“Speaking the true name of a god, not just a title, is perilous. In doing so, you are attempting to establish a connection, and if they were to respond, the consequences could be unpredictable and dangerous,” Adna cautioned. “So, it’s often wisest to speak of these transcendent beings in a veiled and metaphorical manner.”

…Now that I think about it, the Order has always used descriptive terms for the Othergods.

In the game ‘Heretic Slayer’, the [God of Plague] was never directly called out by name. Instead, they used titles like [Lord of Disease and Pain], [One Who Inflicts Illness], [Disgusting and Filthy Being], or [Mass of Pus and Discharge].

Desperate heretics backed into a corner would often enthusiastically shout stuff like “By the power of the Lord!” while invoking the Plague God’s name.

Those immature bastards.

I thought the inquisitors were just trolling by getting creative with each Othergod’s name all the time.

So, when Athanas labeled the Plague God as ’Your Lord filled with pus instead of brains’, he wasn’t just provocatively mocking the heretics.

Such important info should’ve been included in the lore settings guide…

Learning this only after taking over this body!

What if I hadn’t thought of joining the heretic-friendly Order first?

I might’ve been doomed to die a stupid death.

Alright, from now on, I gotta keep my thoughts in check and focus solely on descriptors.

Don’t wanna accidentally summon an Othergod with a slip of the tongue, you know?

Descriptors, huh…

Mother Aelusia’s main descriptor is [Mother of Mutants].

Depending on their gaming style, players use descriptors like [Molder of Deformities], [Blasphemer of Life’s Order], [Contaminated Womb], [Cruel Mother], and stuff like that.

Well, just Mother God should do the trick.

That’s what all the players call her anyway.

I’m used to using that term for her too.

As for Hapenesus…

He shouldn’t have a descriptor, right? Since he doesn’t really have any influence in the game.

Not a single player who’s ever teamed up with Hapenesus has faced off against the Order.

See, the Order is all about conformity. You either fit their perfect little mold, or they slap on a descriptor that officially brands the leader and their followers as ‘heretics’.

Think of it like the police monitoring a violent gang. But here’s the catch: even the most hardcore gangs need to cause some serious mayhem and earn their reputation before the authorities take notice and say, “Well, well, well, looks like we’ve got a new crew of troublemakers on our hands! Wonder what we should call them?”

Now, imagine some random guy, let’s call him Kwak Doo Pal (38), who’s just casually bumping into people on the street with his friend. Yeah, he might be a bit of a pest, but a full-blown gang member? Not quite.

That’s basically Hapenesus in a nutshell. He’s like the Kwak Doo Pal of the Othergods – nobody can even agree on what to label him. Some call him the [Pseudo-Othergod], others the [Bullshit God], or the [Never-Updates God]. You’ll also hear him referred to as the [God of Trolling], [The Yet-to-be-Conquered], or even the [HappyHappy Happiness God]…the list just keep going.

And then there’s his actual name – Hapenesus. Yeah, good luck with that one. Players have nicknamed him everything from [Happiness] to [Herpes], [Hepenis], and even [Happy Penis]. It’s like his real name never stuck, so they’ve just run with every possible variation under the sun.

The forums were filled with players ranting, like, “Seriously? A god named [Happy D*ck]? WTF?!” But for some reason, that one seemed to stick the most.

But I’ll keep it PG and just call him ‘Happy God’.

“Be careful to never say their true names,” I said, repeating her warning. “It’s wiser to use metaphorical titles instead. I promise to take your advice to heart.”

“But that alone is not enough.”

What?

Metaphors aren’t enough?

What’s the next level of caution, then?

Do I need to recite some sort of legal disclaimer every time I open my mouth, like, [This name is totally fictional and any resemblance to actual gods, living or dead, is purely coincidental] just to keep the cosmic bogeymen at bay?

“…Certain names possess an inherent power,” Adna elaborated. “They are more akin to keys than mere labels. Speaking or even thinking of these names can act as a gateway, a conduit that allows powerful entities to infiltrate and access one’s thoughts and mind.”

What the f*ck? That’s scary…

One whisper, one fleeting thought, and suddenly your mind’s been hacked?

This is sounding more and more like a page ripped from an eldritch horror novel.

Sure, ‘Conclude’ might have that Lovecraftian vibe going on, but seriously…

There has to be a way to defend against this, right?

The fear of the unknown, the feeling of human powerlessness against insurmountable forces – it’s classic cosmic horror. But beneath its scary exterior, Conclude is still a strategy game at heart.

The [System] ensures balance among the Othergods, implementing limits and boundaries. No unfair, instant-kill abilities are allowed.

Let’s have some faith in the Order! They must have a plan to stop this!

“Only those with a strong divine power, like myself, can sense and defend against such invasions,” Adna concluded.

F*ck!

So, what you’re really saying is, without divine power, you’re basically subhuman?

In this world, safety doesn’t mean being invincible; it means having the divine juice to keep you alive!

T/N: MC seems pretty convinced that Hapenesus is a trash god, but I dunno about that. He’s never been cleared, Othergods avoid attempting to consume him, he’s never mentioned in the Dark Realm, and he always seems to have enough clear points to randomly doom people with his ‘HappyHappy’ blessing if they ask for it. Something isn’t adding up! Or maybe he truly is the [God of Trolling]. ( ;´ – `;)