Taking Noe’s advice, I arrived at the site of the ceremony and saw that the villagers were already hard at work. They were so engrossed in their prep that they didn’t even notice me watching in the distance, and I wasn’t sure if that was because they knew that I was on their side or if they were simply too entrenched in their own tasks. As for their work itself… well, let’s just say that I’ve seen literal evil cultists who looked less menacing than them.
They moved profane totems and baubles around - ones that made me dizzy just looking at, and I was half Xollon at this point - while red-cloaked figures gathered in circles chanting strange eldritch verses. What was more interesting was the huge wooden effigy they were building in the center of the clearing. It was still early in the stages of construction, so I couldn’t make out what it was supposed to look like or represent, but it was damned creepy in any case, what with the dubious offerings placed at its feet and the dozens of priests or whatever consecrating the thing as they built it.
Thoughts on how we approach this, Noe?
“The Origin Matrix has no files on the exact nature of this ritual outside of the need to stop it.”
I rolled my eyes. Of course that’s the case, I would expect nothing less from the Trash Matrix.
“Therefore,” Noe continued, “I believe that the best course of action is to allow Luck to guide your actions, my Host. You have recovered a large portion of your charges, more than enough for most situations.”
Fair point… But I’m having a bad feeling about relying on nothing but Luck. Things tend to become ridiculous when I do that for crucial events like this.
“You worry too much, my Host,” Noe replied, “I am the Absolute Luck System, and only the best possible outcome can occur to you on my watch.”
…as long as you have the charges.
“Please do not mock me, dear Walter,” she grumbled, “You know that I am diminished.”
Sorry, sorry. You’re still the best, diminished or not.
“Thank you, and like I said, it is safe to rely on the Absolute Luck Skill in situations like these. It is what I was designed to do. Nothing bad will happen if you use my functions.”
Well, I surveyed the ritual ground one last time and shook my head. Best not to procrastinate any further and just get my work over with. I activated the Absolute Luck Skill, made sure that my Dr. Walter look was immaculate, and calmly walked down toward the procession. What’s the worst that could happen?
* * *
Noe… didn’t you just say that nothing could go wrong?
“Technically, I said that nothing bad could happen,” she quipped, “But I see your point nonetheless.”
I struggled with my restraints, but whatever the rope-like substance was, it was harder than anything I’d encountered so far. Worse, the Luck Charges didn’t seem to be going down at all as I struggled. All of that was to say, according to Noe, being tied up on a stake, in the middle of the crude, and might I add highly flammable, effigy while a horde of cultists chanted obscene things was the best thing to happen to me since the invention of coffee. Oh, and did I mention the torches in their hands?
“Guys,” I pleaded, the fifth time now, “I think you’ve made a mistake.”
And for the fifth time, they either ignored what I said or simply didn’t care as the red-robed idiots continued their chants while another group gathered more kindling before my feet. By the smell of gasoline laced in the wood, I didn’t need Noe’s genius to guess what they wanted to do.
Noe, I hope for both of our sakes that your damned Luck knows what it’s doing!
“It should,” Noe said, sounding a lot less confident than I thought possible, “Unfortunately, the Luck Algorithms all occur in the background; I do not have conscious knowledge of their functions.”
Luck Charges: 1160/1630
But we haven’t used any Charges yet, Noe.
“I believe that we did use three, my Host.”
That’s like nothing though! Calling Bob by his right name was more than 10x that price.
“Which would imply that our current situation is very close to the most optimal one,” she continued, “And whatever they are doing is not a part of the ceremony itself, so we should be fine, dear Walter.”
Yeah, Noe was definitely sounding less than confident here. I just hope for both of our sakes that Dr. Walter is fireproof…
The chanting and dancing and whatnot came to a crescendo as all of the villagers gathered to see the sights. Hell, I was pretty sure that Filbert was there as well, but his eyes were vacant and glazed over as if he was under the effects of some damned expensive drugs. Like everyone else, he never bothered to answer my pleas. Once they were all gathered, one of the torch-wielding individuals came up to me and stared right into my eyes.
This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.
“Are you ready?” she said, her voice hoarse from all that nonstop chanting.
“No?” I stammered, “I don’t even-”
She didn’t even wait for me to finish before returning to the crowd. “HE IS READY!”
Screams of joy and approval erupted from the gathered spectators, and before I could even say another word, the woman threw the torch into the kindling and the entire effigy lit up in a conflagration of flames. The woosh of rising air quickly took my breath away, and the noise of crackling lumber drowned out the roar of the crowd. This would have probably been a nice sight, all things considered, if it wasn’t for the fact that I was in the fucking middle of it!
And as it turned out, much to my eternal disappointment, that Dr. Walter was not, in fact, fireproof.
Luck Charges: 1011/1630
Dr. Walter was also not immune to pain, much to my even more eternal disappointment. Then again, at this rate, eternal might not be the right term for anything about myself. Holy shit, I think my feet are starting to melt.
Luck Charges: 926/1630
Ow ow ow ow ow ow ow
Luck Charges: 742/1630
Why are my fucking Luck Charges going down? Is Noe just using it to delay my death for as long as possible and let me live as long as I had Charges left? Burning a slow, horrible death is not the best course of events, Noe! At least turn off the pain receptors for me…
Luck Charges: 699/1630
Noe, best system ever? Do something, please?
Luck Charges: 520/1630
Or at least let me die quicker…
Luck Charges: 400/1630
Damn, eons of planning done in by some cultists...
Luck Charges: 301/1630
And the sweet taste of oblivion finally met me. To think I would die at the hands of my own System…
* * *
I awoke in too much pain for it to be the afterlife. I think I had a dream when I was out. It was… I frowned, I can’t recall, but I think I met someone then. We talked, talked about something important, but what was it? My head hurt just trying to remember, but those memories were draining away faster than I could recall them. I knew that the dream was important, more so than just some normal nighttime hallucinations, but…
“I told you everything would be alright, my Host.” Noe’s voice interrupted, and just like that, the last remnants of the dream were gone. Collapsed and disappeared into the recesses of my mind.
I’m not dead?
“No, dear Walter, and I believe that you should wake up now. There have been some… changes since you’ve been asleep.”
More like since I was burned alive… I mumbled, Wait, changes?
I opened my eyes and saw that I was, thankfully, no longer tied to the wooden structure. Whoever was kind enough had taken me to a small shed, and I was lying propped up against the wall. They were even nice enough to leave me a glass of water. While it was nice to see that I wasn’t a horrible burn victim - how that was possible, or better yet, how my clothes survived, I didn’t know - but what truly caught my attention was the strange changes in Dr. Walter’s body.
The doctor’s skin was cracked and crumbling, which honestly wasn’t too different from his normally decayed form, but the skin underneath the cracks glowed a crimson hue while steaming heat rose from those wounds. It was as if my blood was made of molten stone. Using my Xollon senses, I took the opportunity to view the doctor’s body in more detail and saw that Dr. William Walter looked even more monstrous than before, if that were possible. The old physician might have looked right at home in a slasher pic before, but now he looked like he would belong in Hell.
Noe, what the absolute fuck happened while I was burned alive?
“Displaying information now.”
Secondary Title: The Illustrious Dr. William Walter, Son of God (EX Rank)
Description: The Illustrious doctor of Hope’s Memorial has made such an impact on his peers that his legacy will live on forever. All who know of the doctor will be filled with awe, for he represents the pinnacle of his craft.
His lineage can be traced back across worlds and realities, belonging to a bloodline thought to have been extinct. A ritual has unearthed some of his Divine nature.
Title Passive:
Iatrophobia (only applies when Title Active is used): Your mere presence causes those whom you deem a patient to quake with primal dread. Those with a weak mentality will be paralyzed with fear.
Divine Right (only applies when Title Active is used): Those considered lower lifeforms will feel awe and trepidation in your presence. Those without sufficient spirituality will have their will bend to yours.
Title Active:
The Doctor: You may freely transform into the Illustrious Dr. William Walter. As the famed physician, your Charisma is set to 0, but all of your existing Charisma stats will be converted into Strength at Five times its value.
Divine Transformation: You awaken your latent Divine nature and assume your incarnate form for up to one hour per day. While in this form, your base stats increase by 50%, and the effects of The Doctor are doubled for the duration.
NOTE: More abilities will be unlocked as the good doctor’s body acclimatizes to the changes.
What…? Dr. Walter isn’t even a real person, so how the hell can he have any kind of past, let alone secretly being the son of some god? Noe, I thought you said that normal titles can’t grow.
“I had thought that as well, my Host,” Noe admitted, “This is the first time that I have encountered a situation like this.”
So you don’t know what happened? Was it perhaps something that your Luck did?
“Absolute Luck only influences events,” she explained, “It should have no bearing on what happened with your Doctor title. To influence the naturally given titles is something outside of my abilities, even in my prime. My best guess is that something fundamentally went wrong when you used the Devil’s Advocate ability during the corrupt Third Trial, but what that is, I cannot say.”
Well damn, I guess even you don’t have all the answers. Maybe the Director or Molly can help out later; get me a physical exam or something.
“That would be a wise idea, but I think you should collect yourself and see to the villagers. The Trash Matrix assigned the mission to stop the ceremony 41.42 minutes ago, and I fear that the other Aspirants will be fast on their way. You might have bought us some time with the fake maps, but we must make our own preparations.”
Any idea if our little trap worked?
“I am not sure, but my predictions lean toward Eric falling for our ploy. How much damage it would do to their group, I am not sure.”
Well, any damage done is welcome, we can’t hope for much more than that. Let’s go and see what the hell happened between me getting burned alive and now. These villagers owe me a damned explanation.