A Chosen’s New Goal and a Looming Shadow

“Now, Yodel, consider this: the selection of a Divine Chosen fundamentally adheres to the deity’s will. For that deity to so easily make you her Chosen, even employing seductive means, doesn’t that imply…”

They both finished the sentence simultaneously:

“It implies her affinity for me is incredibly high—I’m destined to be her Chosen!”

“It implies she harbors ill intent, wanting to exploit you to help her… Wait, what? Buddy?”

It was over; the plan to sow discord had utterly failed, and it seemed to have even backfired.

Yelica slumped back into her chair, completely resigned to her fate.

Indeed, what Yelica said wasn’t without merit. However, Yodel’s own high regard for the God of Death meant he never once considered the possibility that she might harm him.

Yodel sprang up and clutched Yelica’s hand: “You truly are an expert; that was incredibly incisive! I finally understand!”

He understood; he understood completely. Previously, he had felt somewhat lost regarding his future plans, thinking only of completing the God of Death’s mission first and dealing with other matters later.

Now, Yodel was suddenly enlightened; he had found his true main quest: to max out the God of Death’s affinity.

Why the God of Death had no followers, or even whether she was truly the God of Death—none of it mattered. These details didn’t deter Yodel from firmly clinging to the God of Death’s coattails (TL Note: A Chinese idiom meaning to rely heavily on someone powerful for support.).

‘As long as I am the God of Death’s Chosen, what she’s truly like is irrelevant to me.’

Once the God of Death’s affinity explodes (TL Note: A Chinese slang term meaning to reach an extremely high level.), would Yodel, as her Chosen, ever fear living a life that wasn’t utterly comfortable and luxurious?

When that time came, whether it was resurrection from the dead, eternal immortality, a death gaze (TL Note: A power where whoever one stares at dies instantly.), or healing the wounded—any death-related ability, he could simply ask the God of Death for it, and she would most likely grant them.

As for other trivial matters, would they affect his role as her appendage (TL Note: A playful term for someone who clings to a powerful figure, similar to a hanger-on.)?

“That mission still needs to be completed; finishing it will likely boost her affinity significantly.

“Moreover, thanks to Yelica’s insight, I realized the God of Death’s initial affinity for me is inexplicably high, and I must uncover the reason behind it.

“Once I figure out the cause, I can leverage it to raise her affinity even further.”

Damn it, why didn’t he have an affinity display system? It would make things so much easier.

While Yodel clutched her hand, Yelica looked utterly resigned (TL Note: A Chinese idiom ‘sheng wu ke lian’ meaning to feel that life is meaningless or to be completely disheartened.).

‘My previous judgment was wrong; this guy is truly beyond saving. I’ll just find a chance to pray to the Goddess and see if it helps.’

Yodel, unaware of her thoughts, was still fantasizing about his beautiful future.

However, in the very next second, he saw an illusion slowly materializing around Yelica.

In the illusion, Yelica was naked in a bathtub, her fair, tender skin slightly flushed from the water, two snowy white mounds gently swaying in the ripples.

But Yodel had no mind to appreciate the alluring scene; this was a death omen (TL Note: A vision foretelling imminent danger or death.), indicating Yelica would soon be in mortal peril.

He was certain Yelica, with downcast eyes and clasped hands, was murmuring a prayer:

“Holy Light Goddess, symbol of order and justice, your devout child requests the baptism of holy light to cleanse this curse from my body.”

As the prayer concluded, before the holy light could descend, several black runes abruptly appeared on Yelica’s body. Starting from these runes, her body began to rapidly decay and crumble. She didn’t even have time to cry for help, and in the blink of an eye, she turned into a pile of black dust, silently drifting in the bathtub.

“You… what’s wrong? Why are you suddenly staring at me like that?”

In reality, Yelica saw Yodel’s smile vanish abruptly, then he stared at her with eyes that seemed to gaze upon the dead, sending chills down her spine.

“Yelica, are you trying to pray to a deity to dispel the curse?”

Yelica’s hand instantly stiffened, and she forced a smile: “Ah? Well… no, I’m not. You can rest assured, I won’t run away.”

Yodel continued to stare at Yelica; the death omen had not vanished, and Yelica still remained as black dust in his vision.

“You’re lying.”

Seeing her lie exposed, her face cycled between green and white (TL Note: A Chinese idiom ‘qing yi zhen bai’ describing a face turning pale with fear or anger.). Being discovered by a minion of an evil god while attempting to escape would certainly not end well; she would either be subjected to a more terrifying curse or simply be killed.

Or perhaps, she should fight Yodel right now? Although she knew she likely couldn’t defeat the Chosen, if her death could expose Yodel’s identity and cause trouble for the evil god, it would be worth it.

“So what if I’m lying? We, followers of the Holy Song, will never be henchmen for an evil god. Don’t think a curse can make me docile forever; at worst, I’ll take you down with me.”

“I never said I wouldn’t lift the curse forever. Why are you so anxious?”

“You’re willing to lift the curse?”

Yelica blinked, surprised. Just as a s*ave owner wouldn’t nullify a s*ave contract, a curse-caster typically wouldn’t dispel their own curse, yet Yodel was playing outside the usual rules (TL Note: A Chinese idiom ‘bu an tao lu chu pai’ meaning to act unconventionally or unpredictably.).

“I never intended to curse you. It was your meddling (TL Note: A Chinese slang term ‘shou jian’ meaning to have itchy or mischievous hands, often implying doing something one shouldn’t.) that angered my boss. Once her anger subsides, I’ll plead on your behalf, and perhaps the curse will be lifted.”

Yodel held her hand firmly, continuing: “Before that, under no circumstances should you pray to any deity to lift the curse. It will activate immediately after your prayer, killing you in an instant.

“I can guarantee that with your current abilities, you absolutely cannot break free from that curse.”

Swallowing hard, Yelica pulled her hand back, tentatively asking: “Is this a threat?”

“This is a warning.”

Yelica silently met Yodel’s gaze, trying to discern if he was bluffing or offering genuine advice.

To her surprise, Yodel’s eyes were clear and bright, showing no signs of madness, dullness, or any other corruption.

‘He really seems to want to help me.’

As this thought arose, Yelica instinctively tried to deny it—how could the Chosen of an evil god possibly help a devout follower of a righteous deity?

Yet she found herself unable to. Deep down, she felt Yodel wasn’t lying; perhaps if she behaved, Yodel truly would help her lift the curse.

Unconsciously, her initial resolve to fight to the death dissipated, and her taut nerves also began to relax.

Yelica ultimately yielded under Yodel’s watchful gaze.

“Alright, I’ll believe you then.”

This time, the death omen finally vanished.

Yodel also felt a wave of relief, muttering to himself about Yelica’s persistent penchant for courting disaster (TL Note: A Chinese slang term ‘zuo si’ meaning to deliberately do something dangerous or foolish that might lead to one’s own downfall.).

As both of them calmed down, the tense, confrontational atmosphere noticeably eased.

“Let’s sit down and talk. Would you like anything to drink? It’s on me.”

“Fine, but this time, it has to be your money.”

“Wait, you still remember that?”

‘Never mind, never mind. Consider it compensation for having seen her naked.’

The two reached an agreement, resuming their seats at the dining table, chatting while sipping their drinks.

Although they had nearly come to blows moments ago, creating quite a scene, passersby seemed to have simply assumed they were a squabbling couple. Upon seeing the two reconcile, the onlookers dispersed (TL Note: ‘Chigua qunzhong’ is a Chinese slang term for bystanders who gather to watch an event, often implying a casual, entertainment-seeking attitude, literally ‘melon-eating masses’.).