"Lucien! Let's go!"
We started our day in the thick of battle, facing a horde of Galegis.
Deus held his ground, bracing himself as a Galegi hurtled toward him. He absorbed the impact head-on, barely flinching under the force of the blow.
Galegis were strong and cunning beasts.
The moment it crashed into Deus' kite-shaped shield, which he had planted firmly in the ground, its sharp, fin-like tail whipped around Deus' shield—aiming straight for his exposed side.
That's where I come in…
…
Meanwhile, back a few minute in,
"I'll be using a shield this time, I can see you've gathered enough stats to deal considerable damage against these beasts."
"I'll lend you Larent, although it's nothing that special but at least it has one skill imbued in it. You'll be my sword this time, you got it, Lucien?"
…
I got that a long time ago, Deus…
I know you're not a strong fighter—just a weird build of sturdiness and speed, but no power.
And this sword you gave me...
"Blade of steel that instills fear—Sword Slash, Sable!"
The weapon was never the problem.
"Good job, Lucien! We've taken down two. Let's take down more!"
"Let's use the same strategy. You hide behind me until these beasts let their guard down, then strike them from above."
"Lucien, we've got another incoming!"
It was you.
…
We've fought the beasts until there was only one left.
"You can rest easy, Deus. I can take this one alone."
"Alright tough guy, get it."
I raised my sword. The last remaining Galegi hissed, its fins flaring as its body undulated, preparing to fight.
I dashed first, charging straight at it.
As soon as I was close enough, I swung my sword—but it slithered away, just out of reach. Its blue-dotted skin flickered with light, pulsing in a rhythm I couldn't quite understand.
Then its eyes met mine.
It wasn't moving. It just stared, as if waiting… as if asking for something.
A connection.
"Lucien, what are you standing there for?"
"Deus, don't you want to try taming this beast?"
"Like I told you before, I have no interest in taming beasts in this game. I have you."
"That's the first time I've heard you say that. Can I tame it then?"
Deus scoffed.
"Lucien, you talk too much. Just finish the job, and let's get you appraised."
Inconsiderate as always…
"I changed my mind. I don't want to take this one out. I'll leave it be."
He stood in my way, blocking me as I tried to walk out of the battle.
"This is the last time I'll say this—finish the job."
Deus seemed smaller… or did I just get taller?
He was no longer the intimidating figure I once saw him as.
"I've done my job, Deus. If you want to take it down, here's your sword."
"Hmm..."
The moment I walked past him, Deus swung the sword at full force.
The blade struck my shoulder, stopping me in my tracks.
…
…
He pulled the sword away and kept it.
Without a word, Deus started walking toward Catares.
No exchange of words—I followed.
Usually, he would mumble to himself during our travels, but this time, he was silent.
Did I have any interest in asking why? No. I didn't even care if he was furious with me.
I don't care because he could no longer punish me the way he used to.
The only reason I still stood beside him was this program—one that bound me to him, one that ensured I could never hurt him or escape from him.
When we arrived at the tavern, we were immediately welcomed by Remi.
"Hi Traveler Deus! Welcome to Catares Tavern! Are you here to make a purchase? Or are you appraising your Inhabitants?"
"Making a purchase."
"Awesome! Thank you for choosing to make a purchase! I'm excited to help you complete your order. Are you looking to purchase a Beast Seed or an Inhabitant Seed today?"
What is this? I thought I'll have an appraisal.
"Inhabitant seed."
"Great! You're one step closer to meeting your new companion! Which tier would you like to purchase today? We have Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Diamond. Could you confirm which seed you're buying?"
"Diamonds are shit worthless."
"Sorry, could you confirm which seed you're purchasing? We have Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Diamond."
"Bronze."
"Confirmation: You are purchasing a Bronze Inhabitant Seed. Please confirm your payment by following the instructions provided in your notification. Once the purchase is successful, your new companion will be placed in your inventory."
"Do you have any other transactions you'd like to complete today?"
Deus started swiping his fingers through the air. With a few flicks, an egg materialized in his hand.
Then, the egg cracked open, revealing a young human with pointed ears.
"An elf race," Deus muttered before casually tossing the kid at me.
Without a word, he started walking out of the tavern. The automation of my program kicked in, compelling me to follow.
I carried the young elf in my arms as I trailed behind him, step for step.
We kept walking until we arrived in a dead forest full of leafless trees.
There was minimal noise in this place, with hardly any players around.
The only sounds came from the growling and rumbling of the crested dog-like beasts.
"These slim-bodied creatures are ugly," Deus muttered in disgust.
The beasts had oversized teeth protruding from their snarling mouths and spiked hair running from the tops of their heads down to the middle of their large, pointed ears.
Deus charged at the beasts one by one.
It wasn't difficult for him—he effortlessly switched between his shield and Larent, striking them down with ease.
These creatures didn't seem to care about one another; they lived in isolation, each focused only on itself.
Deus never gave me any orders—I simply followed him from one place to another in this land he called Jargaland.
After taking down several Crested Gnolls, we returned to the tavern.
Deus spoke with Remi, going through the usual appraisal process—but this time, it wasn't for me. It was for the elf he had just named: Kilien.
"He's gotten a ton of experience Traveler Deus. Congratulations, he's now at level 14!
[Kilien now at the start of his Childhood stage.]
While I was holding Kilien, his appearance suddenly shifted—before my eyes, he grew into a young child.
[Do you want to stop his aging process at this stage? Or do you want him to grow older in appearance?]
"Continue the aging process."
Deus said.
Was this how I progressed?
"I hope a realization struck you, Lucien. This elf is just like you. You're just part of my property. You shouldn't have choices when I ask you to do things."
Is this not how a normal person grows?
"You're not real."
Deus pulled out his wooden club.
"Much like this little system-generated brat."
I knew what was going to happen.
"You're just a mere—"
Kilien looked at Deus with innocent eyes.
"POSSESSIONS OF MINE!"
I wanted to stop him, but I couldn't move.
What is this loud beating in my chest?
He struck Kilien with the club.
And then—he vanished.
The little boy disappeared without a trace.
Deus clicked his tongue, irritated, and approached Remi again.
"Fuckin' Bronze doesn't even have a revival timer!"
Revival timer?
Did he just kill Kilien like he was nothing?
…
What is he trying to do?
…
Is he looking for a replacement for me?
…
How many has he already killed before me?
…
"Hi Traveler Deus! Welcome to Catares Tavern! Are you here to make a purchase? Or are you appraising your Inhabitants?"
…
Were we really this disposable…