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

#099Reader Mode

T/N: Othergod usually updates on Mondays and Fridays, so I’ll probably be back to my regular schedule by next week.

#099

You expect me to accept a blessing from a god convicted of treason? A god currently serving his sentence? Are you out of your mind?

I can’t imagine a faster way to utterly destroy my life.

Nope, not happening. Not in a million years.

Sure, Roklem might be as vile and cruel as any other Othergod, with a closet bursting with skeletons and atrocities hidden from public view.

But you know what? I couldn’t f*cking care less.

I didn’t submit to the Order because I thought Roklem was some paragon of virtue. No, I made a calculated choice. Living in his twisted version of reality was better than the alternative.

So what if it’s a totalitarian dystopia instead of a utopian paradise? The way I see it, I’ve only got two options: either live in ignorance and oppression, or fight tooth and nail to survive in a post-apocalyptic hellscape overrun by terrorists.

Dystopia might be soul-crushing, but at least it comes with luxuries like clean water, somewhat edible food, and a roof over your head.

If someone offered me a red pill to reveal the brutal, soul-shattering truth about my world falling apart, or a blue pill to forget it all and return to my normal life…you better believe I’m going for the blue pill.

I’m no “chosen one,” no hero destined to save the world. So why would I want to know the ugly truth? If someone who can’t cope with it takes the red pill, all you’re left with is another poor bastard who failed a SAN check from the horror of it all.

“A curse… you say?”

As soon as Athanas turned around, the letters on the tablet seemed to scatter in all directions, like cockroaches fleeing a sudden light. Disgusted, I shoved the tablet into his hands.

“Specifically, it looks like the God of Records has tainted it. Athanas, this tablet is telling me to sneak off to the library without telling you and accept the god’s blessing. It’s claiming I can uncover some truth the Order has supposedly erased. Can you believe this nonsense? I swear, I have no intention of siding with a god who incited rebellion! I want absolutely nothing to do with it!”

I laid it all out there, holding nothing back. The second the God of Records tried to come between Athanas and me by implying I shouldn’t trust him, any chance of me cooperating with that god went right out the window.

If you try to play off something like this as no big deal, that’s when things start to go terribly wrong.

Once you get slapped with the [Suspicious as Hell] label, there’s no coming back from that. How can you ever trust someone who’s lied to you before to be honest with you now?

Athanas had already given me a warning. He made it crystal clear that every time I do something that makes me seem untrustworthy, I’ll lose his trust, and he’ll start doing whatever he wants.

If he thinks I’m incompetent, I’ll just get tossed aside like trash and that’ll be the end of it. But if I come off as suspicious, he might see me as a threat that needs to be taken out.

That’s why lying to Athanas is a hard no for me. Even if someone tries to drive a wedge between us by spreading rumors about me, he should be thinking, ‘Hmm, I better go straight to the source and ask Fabio about this.’

At least this way, I should have a shot at explaining myself and pleading my case, right?

“Oh, and just so you know, Athanas, you were the one who actually wrote on that wax tablet. I was just holding it. So I don’t think I’m the cursed one here. If I had to guess, since it was a ‘record’ made inside the library, the God of Records was able to mess with it. So if we just destroy the tablet…”

“Hmm, what did I write down?”

“Well, since we were warned that as soon as we leave the main building, any unauthorized information will be forgotten, we decided to jot down a summary of what we learned,” I explained.

“…Could you fill me in on the specifics on what exactly happened in there?”

I described everything I could remember in as much detail as possible. I told him how Callister gave us a chance to ask questions to the great ‘collective unconscious’, how Athanas abruptly cut me off before I could ask my question, and how after making an excuse to leave, he shared his suspicions that the place seemed to be connected to the Research Director.

But I couldn’t mention the fact that I had confirmed through the system window that the Research Director was eavesdropping on us.

If I try to come up with some bogus excuse about using a detection ability, it’ll just land me in hot water the next time I find myself in a similar situation.

Based on how the window indicating Andrea’s deep emotional response didn’t pop up again even after he cried his heart out, it seemed like the ‘deeply moved’ effect was a one-time deal per person. So even if the Research Director is eavesdropping next time, I’ll have no way to know for sure.

If I’m completely upfront about the ‘deeply moved’ effect, it might raise some red flags for no good reason….

“…I can’t say for certain, but I think someone was eavesdropping on us. I didn’t sense anything directly, but you were acting like someone was listening in,” I said, choosing my words carefully. It was the best I could offer without revealing too much.

Athanas accepted my explanation with a simple nod.

“The God of Records likely acted that way due to their wariness of the Research Director,” he said. “The Apostle of Ledeia can detect all ‘Holy Flesh’ within the sanctuary, meaning anyone who has received the blessing of healing even once becomes the Research Director’s eyes and ears inside.”

“…Is creating a sanctuary without permission even allowed? Shouldn’t we report this?” I asked, unease settling in my gut.

“The higher-ups in the Order are probably aware of the Research Director’s secret laboratory in the main building. Among the information I couldn’t access were reports about inspections of that very lab…” Athanas revealed.

…I couldn’t believe it. They know about it but choose to turn a blind eye?

Are they out of their damn minds?

“Unless we find evidence that the experiments conducted inside violate the doctrine, accusing the Research Director will be difficult,” Athanas warned. “In fact, the real issue will be that you accessed secrets you weren’t supposed to know. Normally, oblivion would erase it, but since it doesn’t work on you, I’m unsure what kind of disciplinary action you might face.”

A shiver ran through me as goosebumps prickled my skin.

So, speaking up will only get me in trouble.

“Wait, have I ever actually said that oblivion doesn’t work on me?” I asked, suddenly doubting myself.

“You have.”

Hmm… Really?

“When?”

“…The fact that I know means you must have said it yourself at some point, doesn’t it?”

That’s… true.

I groaned, realizing he was right.

The way Athanas stated it so matter-of-factly made it clear I’d slipped up somewhere.

When did I let that cat out of the bag?

I must’ve brought it up when explaining why it was okay for me to be alone with Andrea, an Othergod’s servant. Or maybe I mentioned it while making excuses about running into the Distorted One’s creature, saying it wasn’t as dangerous as he thought…

“Now that I think about it, I guess I did talk about it,” I admitted.

“……”

“Anyway, looks like this investigation has hit a dead end,” I concluded.

We discovered that the Research Director was suspicious, but digging deeper seemed too risky.

Instead of snooping around the secret lab, it might be safer to just ask the Saint directly why he’s leaving the players alone.

Or maybe I should try calling out the usernames of all the players I know and see what happens.

If I get dragged into that lab, I’m sure they’ll put me through some seriously messed up experiments…

…But when Athanas mentioned horrific experiments, what exactly does he mean by that?

If an animal is subjected to pointless pain in an experiment, it’s hard to justify calling it science. Experiments should be about collecting data to test a hypothesis. If the researcher isn’t interested in measuring pain-related variables, there’s no need for them to go out of their way to torture the test subjects.

Even if they’re humans from outside the Order, their physiology can’t be that different, so dissecting them won’t yield much insight….

Experiments aiming to amplify the effects of holy relics through artificial-martyrdom don’t necessarily require subjects from outside the Order. Besides, with such a limited number of test subjects, they can’t risk wasting them carelessly….

What’s the Research Director’s primary research focus anyway?

Are there any papers or publications he’s authored? I’d be interested in reading them.

“Hey, has the Research Director written any books or articles?” I asked Athanas.

“…I heard that related records are stored on the 6th floor of the library.”

The moment I heard his answer, I immediately abandoned that idea. The floor housing the great ‘collective unconscious’ was none other than the 6th floor.

If I go there again in search of it, I’ll undoubtedly be in deep trouble.

If I were the Research Director and someone with their memory wiped came to the library, headed straight for the 6th floor, and started reading my books first? I’d be super intrigued and rush over to find out why.

“Are there any other strange places like that besides the main building?” I asked casually. Athanas shot me a sharp look.

“Why the sudden interest in the Research Director?”

I played it cool, shrugging. “Interest? No, I just want to get a read on the guy, you know? Figure out what makes him tick so I can anticipate his potential reactions and stay one step ahead. I’m curious about what he’s into research-wise too. That way, if our paths ever cross, I’ll be ready with some good reasons why I’m not the test subject he’s looking for.”

Athanas wasn’t buying it, his frown deepening. “…It doesn’t seem like a very good idea. It’ll only draw unwanted attention.”

I rolled my eyes.

I can’t exactly tell him about the whole forced persuasion thing…

“Yeah, I get that, but knowledge is power, right?” I pushed back. “Knowing what motivates people helps you avoid potential issues. That’s why I’m asking. Plus, I suspect that this ‘collective unconscious’ phenomenon is connected to his work somehow; it’s gotta be tied to the Watched Ones too…”

“Or it’s a carefully laid trap,” Athanas countered.

The mention of a trap caught me off guard. “…A trap?”

Athanas nodded, his gaze steady. “Aren’t we using similar tactics to identify the Watched Ones? We dangle bait that only they would take. It’s entirely possible the director has crafted a similar ruse to catch anyone who exhibits certain behaviors. If you’re one of them, this trap would be designed to be irresistible.”

Was that place nothing more than a honeypot, designed to reel in players like me?

Athanas’ speculation was plausible, and a wave of nausea washed over me as the reality sunk in.

Hadn’t I just assumed it was some point-farming spot set up by another player?

I mean, wouldn’t any player do the same thing? Stumble across a magical device that can answer any question and test it out with something stupid-simple, like “What’s the capital of the US?”

If it spits out the right answer then you’d know immediately it’s another player messing around.

But what if engaging with it at all was the real trap? What if the second a question left your lips, you were compromised?

The thought sent another shiver down my spine. Especially since your memory gets wiped clean when you leave that building. You’d have no idea you’d been made, but the director? He’d have you right where he wanted you.

I shuddered, the reality of how close I’d come to outing myself hitting me like a punch to the gut. If I’d said the wrong thing in there…

“Hold on, how’d you figure that out?” I asked, my eyebrows shooting up. “I thought you said you couldn’t remember being in there…”

“You mentioned that I stopped you from asking questions, right? It’s logical to assume that something bad would’ve happened if I let you continue.”

I couldn’t help but be impressed.

Damn, this guy’s on another level. As expected of the game’s protagonist.

The fact that he was so sure of himself, even with his memory wiped clean – that took some serious confidence. If I were in his shoes, I’d be a nervous wreck, second-guessing every little thing.

“Seriously, how do you just…realize these things so quickly?” I exclaimed, trying to stroke his ego a bit. “That’s really impressive!”

For some reason, Athanas’ expression remained stiffly unchanged. “…It’s all the result of hard work and effort.”

Without warning, he suddenly snapped the wax tablet in half, causing me to flinch.

“W-wait, is it okay to just break it like that?”

“You wanted me to dispose of it, didn’t you?”

“Well, yes, but I figured there’d be some kind of specific procedure or something…”

“Breaking it is part of the process. I’ll burn the pieces later.”

He proceeded to rip the tablet to shreds with his bare hands. Okay, that was kind of terrifying to watch.

Holy shit, his grip strength is insane…

Then, he fixed me with this intense, penetrating stare. “…Remember your promise? Never enter the library alone.”

“Absolutely! I will definitely keep my word,” I assured him, my voice a little too high-pitched.

“That promise must be kept.”

“Oh, I will! There’s no way I’m going in there!”

Does he think I have a death wish or something?

I meant it! My words were 100% genuine, but Athanas still made me swear an oath, like I couldn’t be trusted to find my own shadow.

“I solemnly swear to never, ever, ever show the slightest interest in the Research Director or the God of Records ever again!”

It was the kind of promise where the only thing at stake was my ‘I’m-a-trustworthiness-person’ badge.

But hey, I knew I could keep it with no problem. I mean, come on, me? A coward voluntarily stepping a foot into that library? As if.

⋆⁺₊⋆ ☾⋆⁺₊⋆

I’d barely made it out the orphanage doors after finishing up my volunteer shift when a figure suddenly appeared from the shadows like some kind of ghost, nearly giving me a heart attack.

“Fabio.”

Ah F*ck!

The sudden jumpscare sent my pulse racing. I nearly bit my clean tongue off.

What the hell is Callister doing here?

Moonlight glinted off his corpse-pale face, the dark shadows around his raven hair made him look even more menacing. I swear, I could feel a cold sweat breaking out.

There’s no way he’s here for a good reason, right?

My mind spun into overdrive, desperately grasping for answers.

What could he possibly want from ‘Fabio’? Was this a test to see if I remembered him? To make sure Oblivion actually worked?

…Yeah, I definitely have to act like I don’t know who this guy is.

“Is your name really… ‘Fabio’?” Callister asked, his voice barely a murmur.

I zipped my lips, giving him my best wary-stranger stare.

Callister offered a smile that didn’t reach his eyes and held out a wax tablet.

“You left this at the library.”

“…Um, t-that’s not mine. Doesn’t look familiar at all.”

I crossed my arms and took a step back, just to drive the point home. Callister tilted his head, a confused frown creasing his forehead.

“How could that be? Strange. Your name seems to be written all over it… why don’t you take a look?” He flipped the tablet, revealing the carved letters on the wooden back.

‘Fabio, Fabio, Fabio, Fabio, Fabio.’

My stomach dropped. I was completely stunned.

Who the hell writes their own name on something FIVE damn times?!