Chapter 49 - 45: Pseudo-God Trader

Chapter 49: Chapter 45: Pseudo-God Trader

The [Eye of Misfortune] was quite interested in Lian’s proposal.

"So, what is it you want from me?" the [Eye of Misfortune] asked.

"My demands aren’t extensive. There are only three."

Lian held up three fingers.

"Greed is a fine quality."

The illusory eye above the steeple blinked. It was beginning to admire Lian’s audacity; not many people dared to negotiate with it anymore.

’The more he wants, the easier it will be for me to control him.’

"First, Catherine is my fiancée. I must remove her Misfortune Entry. Otherwise, her Misfortune will interfere with my future plans."

"Second, you can give me a sacrificial incantation. To show my piety, I will sacrifice someone with a [Misfortune Physique] to you before each time we meet. This way, we can communicate freely without having to go through someone else’s subconscious, and I can gain your power through these sacrifices."

"Third, until you become a true god, please allow my faith to be my own."

The [Eye of Misfortune] narrowed slightly. It increasingly felt that Lian was a cunning fox.

’The first point cuts off my access to Catherine’s subconscious. The [Misfortune Entry] is the only thing that connects me to a human’s subconscious—it’s the channel for my projection to descend.’

’The second point is a refusal to let me descend directly into Lian’s body to grant him power. The power gained through sacrifice is actually obtained through another path. This guarantees the integrity of Lian’s body and mind.’

’The third point... he doesn’t want to be my believer, which means he doesn’t want to be marked by me. Freedom of faith means he can betray me at any time.’

Lian proposed these three points because he was certain that the [Eye of Misfortune] could only make a deal with him.

This was because he was the only one with the ability for Entry Cleaning. In other words, he was the first being the [Eye of Misfortune] had ever encountered within the subconscious of a Misfortune Physique who could communicate with it.

And the truth was, Lian’s gamble paid off.

The [Eye of Misfortune] agreed to Lian’s demands.

It preferred dealing with intelligent people; only someone intelligent could achieve its goals.

’As long as Lian desires something in the future, I will have a way to use him.’

This was the confidence of a Forest God.

"Fine."

[You have successfully convinced the projection of a Pseudo-God to foot the bill for your scheme, give up a high-quality anchor, and stirred its interest in attacking the Rose Territory. The [Master of Deceit] Entry has been upgraded to [Master of Deceit].]

[Master of Deceit] (Red): Your words possess a bewitching power, able to persuade others to sacrifice for your goals. The probability of being caught after absconding with funds is reduced by 50%.

[You have reached a deal with the projection of a Pseudo-God and obtained the new Entry: [Pseudo-God Trader].]

[Pseudo-God Trader] (Red): The Pseudo-God has noticed your special talents and is willing to trade with you. While this Entry is equipped, favorability with the Pseudo-God increases by 10%. The cost to redeem the [Heretic Believers] Entry is reduced by 1000 Points, and the cost to redeem the [High Level Believers] Entry is increased by 1000 Points.

Lian was stunned. ’How did I suddenly get two new Entries? And Red ones at that!’

’Does this mean these two Entries can be cleared by me?’

But for now, their positive effects outweighed the negative, so there was no need to clear them.

Lian’s consciousness smoothly withdrew from the Illusion Realm formed by Catherine’s subconscious.

The red [Misfortune Physique] Entry in his hand also vanished.

Catherine was lying on the bed, having passed out from the intense pain.

[Entry Points +2000]

A familiar notification sound echoed in Lian’s ears.

’These Points are even higher than what I got for clearing [Bordering on Loss of Control] for Miss Witch!’

This was a bit outrageous.

However, considering that the essence of the [Misfortune Physique] was an anchor for the primordial believer Jari, and that it would have had a much deeper impact on the world and caused greater disaster in the future, a value of 2000 seemed reasonable.

Besides, Miss Witch’s red Entry wasn’t the type that disappeared forever after being cleared once. As she frequently used her Magic Power, the magic within her body would fall into chaos again, and the red Entry would reappear. It was basically a perpetual motion machine.

So, getting 1000 Points from that one-time fix was also reasonable.

After gaining 2000 Points, Lian’s total accumulated Points reached 30,000.

The Item Mall finally refreshed with new Entries.

[Three-star Knight] (Silver): You have stepped into the domain of an Elite Knight. You have not only mastered exquisite Swordsmanship but also possess a transcendent physique, making you immune to most diseases. Even if you do fall ill, you can recover after a few days of rest. Physique +20, Swordsmanship +20, Speed +20, Power +20.

Redemption Cost: 30,000 Points.

[High Level Believer] (Silver): You have been chosen by the God of Tiger to become a High Level Believer, mastering the High Level Purification Technique, the ability to create High Level Holy Water, and the standard Healing Technique.

Redemption Cost: 31,000 Points.

[Three-star Assassin] (Silver): You have stepped into the domain of an Elite Assassin, capable of easily assassinating Knights below Three-star. Physique +8, Assassination Techniques +32, Speed +32, Power +8.

Redemption Cost: 30,000 Points.

’Three Silver Entries!’

’No wonder Teacher Bill, who taught me Swordsmanship, said that Knights undergo a qualitative change after reaching Three-star.’

The vast majority of mediocre people could only ever be Two-star Knights in their entire lives.

And Bill himself was only a Three-star Knight.

’If he knew that I’ve already surpassed his level after studying with him for less than a month, Bill would probably lose his mind.’

Thinking this, Lian decisively redeemed the [Three-star Knight] Entry.

[You have obtained the new Entry: [Three-star Knight].]

[Current Stats: Physique 48 (28+20), Swordsmanship 38 (18+20), Assassination Techniques 37 (37+0), Speed 63 (43+20), Power 45 (25+20), Shadow Bonus 20%]

[You are now a glorious Three-star Knight. Your physique has taken a qualitative leap, you have mastered exquisite Swordsmanship, and you possess formidable power. You are capable of being the captain of an Adventurer team, and your survival probability in the Bone Forest has increased to 30%.]

Lian felt that all the Physical Strength he had just expended was completely restored. Moreover, a surging power was coursing through his body, causing him to feel hot all over.

Lian took off his clothes and looked in the full-length mirror in the wooden cabin, seeing his own bulging muscles.

The lines of his physique had become even more perfect.

Not only that, his pores seemed to have shrunk, his skin was smooth and elastic, and his original skin tone had lightened by a shade, making him look even cleaner and more handsome.

Just as Lian was striking a pose, admiring his own muscular beauty, Catherine stirred on the bed.

She slowly opened her eyes, then shyly closed them again.

’I feel like I woke up at a bad time.’

Lian awkwardly put his clothes back on and looked at Catherine, saying,

"Miss Catherine, you’re awake?"

"I’m sorry, I passed out from the pain," Catherine said apologetically.

"There’s no need to apologize. Congratulations, you no longer have the Misfortune Physique. You don’t have to worry about losing anything else to Misfortune," Lian said with a smile.

"What... what else do I have left to lose?"

Catherine’s gaze suddenly dimmed.

Lian patted Catherine’s shoulder. "Since there’s nothing left to lose, then it’s time to start taking. Power, money, status, love... I will give you back everything that fate owes you, one by one. My beautiful fiancée."

Catherine was slightly taken aback. "That’s the most moving profession of love I’ve ever heard."