#142

‘What should I even say?’

Cold sweat trickled down my back.

This bastard currently thinks every human who isn’t a player is just an NPC that can be killed.

‘If I explain that there was a reason for Athanas to act that way…’

…would he even listen?

‘I don’t know.’

If I were the loser I used to be, I would have played the “I’ve already compromised enough” card and thrown a tantrum, asking how he could possibly not listen to me after I’d gone this far.

But the man before me, with this unfamiliar face, had suspended a person in mid-air and threatened to kill them.

I have no idea what this guy is capable of or what he intends to do.

‘And he hasn’t even been Influenced yet.’

In a situation where I can’t even use Forced Persuasion, what on earth can I do?

“Don’t tell me…”

Pandemonium’s eyes began to narrow, so I answered hurriedly.

“It’s a cooperative relationship! It just sounds weird because I’m summarizing it, but everything he did had a context.”

“That’s really…”

“Actually, it’s because there’s something I hid! I didn’t tell you because I didn’t know if you were on my side or not!”

‘Fuck it, just wing it.’

“I brainwashed Athanas!”

“…What?”

“The reason Athanas keeps watch over the reliquary and comes to find me if something is wrong is because of a suggestion I planted. It’s a kind of insurance I set up for my own safety.”

To persuade a ‘player’ like Pandemonium, I have to think like a player.

Claiming that Athanas isn’t dangerous or that I’ve grown fond of him would be useless.

‘In fact, it would probably backfire.’

To risk everything for a duplicate, a fake, or mere data—he’d think my judgment was impaired.

It would be like hearing someone say they’re dropping out of high school just so they don’t have to let their pet hamster starve.

“The reason I called it cooperation… is that brainwashing itself is a bit unethical. I hid it because I thought you might be disgusted by it.”

“The possibility that this is Insanity’s trap still…”

“Athanas is not Insanity’s Vassal. That much is certain.”

“…How can you be so sure?”

“I can see the Status Window of units I’ve brainwashed. If they’re a Vassal, the title ‘Servant of the Othergod’ appears next to their profession. But Athanas was clean.”

I mixed truth with lies to spin a web of deception.

I had to make this broken bastard—who thinks smashing a person isn’t murder—stop doubting me.

“How did you brainwash him?”

“With an account-bound trait. It’s called the Miracle of the Silver Tongue; it’s a trait I received before coming here. Truly, this is the only Miracle I can use.”

“That sounds like a trait that suits you, hyung.”

“…Other than that, I have an account-bound mental defense trait and a Curse I received from Mother God. That’s all.”

‘Fabio’ has no Divine Power, no Sacred Relics, and no Helper.

Since game progression is completely impossible, he’s in a position where he has no choice but to cling to someone to survive.

‘If I have to beg for mercy from one of the players, Pandemonium is the better bet since we’re acquainted.’

…That was the conclusion I wanted him to believe I had reached.

“The reason I never showed Athanas to the Saintess was because I was afraid she’d notice the brainwashing. It’s not the power of an Othergod, but I figured it was better to be safe.”

I poured out details he hadn’t even asked for.

The trait is the Miracle of the Silver Tongue, and I can only deeply brainwash one unit.

Shallow brainwashing is essentially just persuasion.

It’s an ability that can only make someone choose the Jjamppong they like less when they’re debating between Jajangmyeon and Jjamppong; it’s impossible to make them order fried rice when they had no intention of eating it.

The condition for deep brainwashing is being persuaded more than twenty times.

“At that rate, the condition would be met without me even noticing.”

“…Exactly.”

“This ‘deep brainwashing’ thing, can you do it to players too?”

“I’ve never tried. And I have no intention to.”

‘But he won’t completely believe those words.’

Therefore, Pandemonium will conclude that it’s safer for the ‘deep brainwashing’ slot to be occupied.

“…What is the effect of deep brainwashing?”

“Even if what I say is a bit strange, they’ll feel that it makes sense. Right now, Athanas probably believes that protecting me is the same as working for the Order.”

“Hmm…”

“You said you came here because of the Council, right? Then you’ll be leaving soon. But I have to stay here…”

…So I need Athanas.

I omitted the end, but he would have understood well enough.

“Why?”

“…What do you mean, why?”

“Why do you have to stay here, hyung?”

“Then where else would I go?”

“You can just come with me when I leave.”

I was slightly taken aback.

“You’re saying you’ll take me to your territory?”

“Did you think I’d just leave you behind?”

‘Of course I did.’

Why would I leave when I can use the Saintess summons if I stay here?

Why the hell would I do that?

“…Wouldn’t it be more helpful to you if I stayed at the Capital Church? I won’t get a Game Over even if I encounter an apostle.”

“You want to be helpful to me?”

Pandemonium slowly leaned in, bringing his eyes level with mine.

I gulped.

“I… I want to be helpful. If possible.”

“It’s possible. If it’s you, hyung.”

“I-I can’t do that many things. My stats are trash. I don’t have any Divine Power…”