"Goddess of Sloth?"
Broken's eyes widened in disbelief at the sight before him. A goddess had appeared, an experience beyond anything he had heard of— perhaps he was the first player to encounter such an event.
"Was she the reason why the spirits got scared earlier?"
Although uncertain whether he should feel happy or sad about the spirits' sudden departure, he realized that a goddess's blessing would undeniably be more valuable than a mere spirit contract.
As he observed Akidia, the Goddess of Sloth, lying motionless on the ground.
Kneeling down to get a closer look at her face, Broken was captivated by her serene beauty. Even though he knew this was just a virtual world, she looked stunningly real. He couldn't help but wonder if a woman this perfect could ever exist in the real world.
"But how could she fall asleep so soundly and swiftly? Is this because she is the Goddess of Sloth?"
[[The one who doesn't really accomplish much, but seems to have good luck on their side.]]
A global announcement flashed across his field of vision, a feature within Immortal Legacy that broadcasted messages to all players.
"That's me!"
[[A player has had the unparalleled honor of meeting the Goddess of Sloth in person, a deity of incomparable beauty and unmatched sluggishness. To those who have seen the pinnacle of beauty in this world, the allure of the deities remains beyond comprehension.]]
[[Yet, for this legendary player, the journey begins anew from this extraordinary encounter, blessed by the deity herself.]]
"So, it's true. I'm actually the first player to directly encounter a deity?"
A personal notification appeared for Broken.
[You have been awarded the title "He Who Encountered the Deity" in recognition of your unprecedented experience.]
[Title Effect: All Basic Stats +10, New Conditional Active Skill: "Ethereal Form"]
[Ethereal Form (Conditional Active Skill)]
[Transforms the user into an ethereal being with the power of Ethereal Form! Physical attacks will no longer be a bother as they will simply pass through you like a ghost. However, be cautious of magic wielders as they will have a greater advantage against you, dealing double the usual magical damage. Don't fret though, your Health will automatically be regenerated to 100% during the duration of Ethereal Form.]
[Duration: 5 Seconds]
[Cooldown: 1 Hour]
[Activation: When you would otherwise take fatal damage that puts your life in danger.]
Broken couldn't contain his excitement. The title not only increased each of his basic stats by an impressive 10 points but also granted him with a new skill, "Ethereal Form."
Mindful of not disturbing Akidia, who remained enveloped in her slumber, Broken carefully distanced himself before gently reclining on the ground. He positioned himself so that he would lay lower than her, a gesture of deference to the deity's presence.
"I hope this gesture shows her the respect she deserves. I'll stay right here until she wakes up," he resolved.
He found comfort in the thought that the wait would be brief.
"Just an hour," he reassured himself, already mentally preparing for his upcoming shift at the store with a manager known for his strictness.
As the minutes slowly morphed into an hour, Broken felt a tug of disappointment. Despite his hopes, the time to depart had arrived without any change in Akidia's condition.
Torn between staying and leaving, Broken wrestled with his decision. The privilege he had been granted was something beyond the ordinary —a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that many could only envision in their wildest dreams.
He understood the inherent significance of this encounter; while other players had received blessings from the deities, none had the honor of being in the presence of a goddess.
In the midst of his contemplation, Akidia's eyes fluttered open. She paused as if trying to gather her thoughts, seemingly puzzled by her own slumber. Her gaze then shifted towards Broken, and a look of amused pride spread across her face.
"What is he doing?" Akidia couldn't help but smile warmly. "Oh, this adorable human, so engulfed in his laziness that he dozes off in my presence. How could I bear to disturb such peaceful slumber?"
Akidia gently rested her head back down, letting a weary sigh escaped her lips. "I've been working so hard these last few days, crafting a reward for my future champion. I'm simply worn out from all the effort."
And with that, she succumbed to her fatigue, drifting back into a deep sleep.
"Wait, did I just hear something?"
With cautious movements, Broken lifted his head, turning towards Akidia. A whisper had reached his ears, but as he searched for its source, he found Akidia had fallen in the embrace of sleep once more.
"Ugh, how much longer will she stay asleep?"
Broken couldn't help but mutter in frustration. In the real world, he was now three hours behind, translating to a critical hour of delay for his job.
"I might lose my job," he thought.
[Due to the presence of a deity, the logout feature has been temporarily disabled.]
He sat down abruptly, burying his face in his hands with disbelief.
"But, what? Seriously?"
He couldn't log out until the goddess before him woke up!
"What am I supposed to do now? Wake her up? No, that doesn't seem right."
[There's something happening outside the game that affects what you feel inside the game! This physical sensation will be transmitted into the in-game sensations by 30%.]
As the game transmitted a physical sensation from the outside world into Immortal Legacy, Broken felt a peculiar tingling sensation creeping across his stomach and neck. Initially, it was faint, but rapidly escalated into a discomfort so severe that it bordered on torture.
"Lily, please, I can't take it anymore!" Broken pleaded.
Lily, his little sister with whom he shared a home, was undoubtedly trying to wake him up.
[Outside voices will continue to penetrate the game's barriers, allowing snippets of reality to seep through.]
["Leon… Leon… Are you off work today? You didn't mention anything before diving into the game. Aren't you supposed to be at work? Ugh… Let me check your schedule. I hope you can hear me somehow..."]
Broken had been in the Spirit World for six long hours, waiting. At last, the Goddess of Sloth, Akidia, began to stir, slowly waking from her slumber. A smile crept across his face, and despite himself, a few tears slipped down his cheeks—after holding back laughter from Lily's tickling earlier.
Akidia's eyes snapped open, her surprise mirrored in her wide gaze as she looked at Broken.
"Ah, you're finally awake," she murmured softly, her eyes scanning his tearful expression.
"Why is this human crying?" she pondered. "Could it be joy from seeing me awake? This lovely human, I think I'll grant him additional rewards for our first meeting. I mustn't disappoint my champion."