"This is not that dwarf's place..." Lukas muttered aloud.
Black clouds swirled all around him. Grimacing as windy whispers hit his ear, Lukas walked forward.
The place was strange. It felt like a mix between a nice day at the beach and a heavy hurricane in the middle of the sea.
As if it were a horrible place painted over with a nice setting—or vice versa.
Shaking his head, Lukas decided he didn't care about the place much. If it was some dark, scary place that just gave him even more reason to leave as fast as he could.
Assuming that was possible.
After 30 minutes of aimless walking, Lukas hung his head in frustration.
"I'm never stabbing myself again!" he droned, wishing he had thought this through a little more.
Whish!! Whoosh!!
A sudden gust of wind rushed into Lukas, knocking him off his feet. At the same time, a soft sound that almost seemed like laughter echoed around him.
Placing his palm on the ground, Lukas pushed himself up. Then he glanced to the spot the wind had come from, wondering why that laughter sounded so familiar.
However, there was nothing different in that direction: it was simply the same black fog.
Sighing, Lukas turned around and almost tripped over Physsus.
"Bastard dwarf!" Lukas yelled, momentarily forgetting the entire reason he had stabbed himself.
Laughing, Physsus nodded his head and confirmed, "Yes, I'm a god."
"But you are no hero," Physsus continued, his eyes suddenly darkening as he spoke. "I told you, don't conspire against me."
"I'm not conspiring against you," Lukas said calmly, barely meeting the gaze of the dwarf. He was looking around this strange place, wondering why it had become so bright. Shrugging, he turned to Physsus and said, "Anyway, I want you to revive me right now."
Cocking an eyebrow, Physsus asked, "Oh? And why would I do that?"
"Because you want the chalice."
"Meh," Physsus responded, shrugging. "I can wait until you're my slave."
Lukas studied the dwarf for a few seconds, wondering whether or not that was true. The god was desperate enough to give him some op rewards. However, he had also been spiteful with those rewards, deliberately giving him stuff he couldn't use just yet.
There was a possibility he could wait. There was also a possibility he was bluffing.
"What will the other gods say when they find out about your missing chalice?" Lukas asked with an innocent face.
The god stared at Lukas for a few seconds, his expression unreadable. Then,
"Hahaha!" Physsus laughed, slapping Lukas's back. "You're funny!"
Pop!
An epic set of battle armor suddenly appeared on his body. A black helmet covered his head, its only openings being somehow darker holes where his eyes and mouth would be.
Spiky red and black heavy armor covered the rest of the body, seemingly leaving no room for his joints to move. However, he was still moving around with an easy grace.
Despite the fact he was unable to see the god's face, Lukas knew there was a smile under that helmet. He knew that Physsus expected this display to incite fear and obedience.
But Lukas had known plenty of posers in his life. He knew all about those who tried to lie and trick their way to the top.
They were his stepping stones up the ladders of the underworld, after all. Where most of them failed, he took lessons from each of their missteps until he was able to deceive his way into the top gangs.
It was a nice enough spot for a while, allowing him to sell his soul for his brother's well-being.
'Nothing lasts forever, though,' Lukas thought, seeing the mistakes Physsus made.
He carelessly flaunted his power, thinking it would give him more authority. Lukas knew that behind that armor was an endless insecurity.
Somebody who knew he was fucked. Somebody who thought putting on a strong facade would hide their abundant weakness.
Therefore, he smiled at Physsus as he asked, "What board games do you like? Me, I prefer Monopoly."
Sitting down as if he didn't mind the current predicament, Lukas sensed Physsus's complete shock. The god probably didn't even notice his slip-up: he had called out an Earth game. A game the extra Lukas, the divine simp, likely didn't know.
"Y- you're just gonna sit there?" Physsus asked, trying to force his breathless voice to sound menacing.
Shrugging, Lukas responded simply, "Well, I can't get your chalice, so... yeah."
For a few moments, the place was eerily silent. Even that weird wind from before stopped.
Then—
"Fine," Physsus muttered, his voice low and filled with contempt. "I'll revive you, but with one condition."
[Low-Immortal God Physsus is requesting an item exchange. Which item would you like to give him?]
Lukas's eyes widened at the system screen. He knew this was a possible drawback, but still...
[Options: Divine Perk: Infinite Wealth System; Legendary Sword: Kharevir's Fang; or A~SSS Rank Class Token]
The decision was very clear to Lukas.
[Class Token given to Physsus]
Instantly afterwards, Lukas found himself back in the goblin camp. He knew that Physsus was probably surprised and thought the decision was horrible.
But he had his plans.