I'm a young god, won't you raise me?

Chapter 50: Chapter 50

The second day started off on a good note.

After a good night’s sleep, I felt refreshed, and the birdsong drifting in through the window was pleasant to hear.

The weather, however, was dreary.

Morneveil was a basin region surrounded by valleys, so fog was common.

The second morning was no exception — a milky-white curtain draped itself over everything.

It was hard to tell if the sun had even risen.

What greeted me instead of sunlight was the System window.

[Day 2 in Morneveil.]

- Evidence found so far: 0

- Allies recruited: Dr. Dominic

Call-Obo showed a System window every morning, updating me on my progress.

Evidence found: 0. I dressed neatly and stepped out of the bedroom.

The moment I opened the door, the fragrant scent of tea spilled out.

"Good morning, Roasted Chestnut."

Dominic, sitting on the parlor sofa, greeted me.

He was reading a newspaper and drinking black tea — a surprisingly human sight.

If he weren’t three meters tall, that is.

I stared blankly at him holding the newspaper and teacup, both modified to fit his size, before finally returning the greeting.

"Good morning, Dr. Dominic. Did you sleep well last night? I know the sleeping arrangements changed suddenly because of me — I hope you weren’t too uncomfortable..."

The polite words flowed out of my mouth automatically.

Honestly, when a three-meter-tall man is sitting right in front of you doing that, anyone would pull out manners they didn’t even know they had.

"Not at all. And even if I were uncomfortable, I wouldn’t have known."

"Why?"

"Because I’ve been looking forward to today."

That was the last thing I expected to hear from him. I had no idea how to react.

Dominic set down the newspaper and teacup.

The black tea in the cup hadn’t decreased at all, and the newspaper showed no sign of having been turned past page one.

Like props he was holding just to mimic human behavior.

"It’s a feeling I’m experiencing for the first time. I’ve always been bored."

Dominic smiled, his gaze fixed solely on me.

"I’m truly glad you came, Roasted Chestnut."

Thankfully, I managed to open my mouth before it got too awkward.

"...Yes. I’m glad I met you too, Dr. Dominic."

But goosebumps were rising all over my skin beneath my suit.

I’d thought he was having a grand old time swindling patients at Call-Obo, but apparently not.

’I need to keep him locked up here.’

If his living situation got boring, he might break out even without recovering his memories.

A new worry added itself to my list — what kind of entertainment I’d need to create in Call-Obo to keep Dominic satisfied.

"Today, I plan to attend the Cult’s service. The goal is to build rapport with the cultists and obtain internal information. Also, if possible, I’d like to secure evidence regarding the Cult’s human sacrifices."

I decided to think about it as I progressed through the clear, and started a brief briefing.

"How much do you know about the Cult, Dr. Dominic?"

"Just that it’s a new religious movement that believes in a cosmic god."

The Cult of the Void Apostles, Morneveil’s cult, was a group that dreamed of bringing about the end of the world by summoning Outer Gods.

They offered human sacrifices to summon various Outer Gods, but ultimately, there was only one being they sought to summon.

The chief of the gods dwelling in the void.

If the world ended, they’d all die too — so why were they so zealously trying to summon a dangerous god? They had their reasons.

The Twelve Apostles, the central figures of the Cult, were those who had experienced the Outer Gods firsthand.

Captivated by the void, they believed that by summoning Outer Gods, they could obtain cosmic power.

That they could escape the tiny Earth — no better than a speck of dust — and advance into the infinite universe.

"Interesting."

Dominic said with a face that was anything but interested. He belatedly lifted the corners of his mouth and asked,

"Do you believe in God, Roasted Chestnut?"

"I don’t."

"I see."

I thought he’d ask why, but the conversation didn’t continue.

I finished the briefing around then and went down to the lobby with Dominic.

Since I’d told him I proposed he join the Cult, it seemed fine to visit together.

If anything, he’d be a welcome addition.

’Dominic is kind of the ideal recruit for a cult, after all.’

If I were them, I’d want to bring Dominic in as a follower too.

I told the hotel staff that I wanted to visit the Cult today.

The staff gave me the location, and the Cult was added to my movement options.

[You have stepped outside the hotel. Where would you like to go?]

- Shopping District

- City Hall

- Plaza

- Dr. Dominic’s Clinic

- Cult of the Void Apostles Headquarters

Instead of heading straight to the Cult, I stopped by the shopping district first.

Using Dominic’s money, I bought a box camera to collect evidence, and then purchased the most expensive bouquet from the flower shop.

"Let’s head to the Cult now."

Just in case, I gave Dominic a firm warning.

"Dr. Dominic. I know you’re not the type, but you absolutely cannot join the Cult. Ignore whatever nonsense they say, don’t act on your own, and just follow my lead."

"Yes. I’ll only follow you, Roasted Chestnut."

The Cult headquarters was located in the most expensive area in central Morneveil.

Looking at the building, it felt more like an upscale social club than a cult.

Thankfully, the ceilings inside were high enough that Dominic could walk without hitting his head.

All the windows were covered with blackout curtains, making the interior dark even in broad daylight.

Lanterns were lit, but their light was weak — areas the light didn’t reach were barely visible.

A pale figure was visible deeper inside.

It seemed a cultist, notified of our visit in advance, was coming out to guide us.

But the one who emerged from the darkness wasn’t a cultist.

A woman in white approached at a slow pace.

She had pale skin and long, wavy white hair that reached her waist — everything about her was pure white, except for her crimson eyes.

A long trailing cloth dragged across the floor with a soft rustle.

She stopped in front of me and Dominic.

"I am the First Apostle and Prophet who leads the Cult of the Void Apostles — Cult Leader Edel."

She was the Cult Leader who presided over the Cult of the Void Apostles, which had taken over Morneveil.

Even though the Cult Leader herself had come out instead of an ordinary cultist, I wasn’t surprised.

I was too shocked by something else.

I hadn’t noticed it in the pixel version, but... her outfit was far too revealing.

I knew the Apostles walked around half-naked, claiming they needed to receive the stars’ energy, but there was a big difference between pixels and the real thing.

[You have met Cult Leader Edel.]

- Greet her politely.

- Sarcastically ask if she’s the cult leader.

- Request to join the Cult of the Void Apostles.

"Little Lamb. Thank you for allowing me to interview you."

After choosing the first option, I handed over the bouquet as well.

I’d originally prepared it for the altar, but I acted as if it was meant for the Cult Leader.

Edel accepted the bouquet with a faint smile.

"Likewise, thank you for coming all this way."

I subtly averted my gaze.

I knew it was rude while talking, but it was too awkward to look directly at her.

In complete contrast to me, Dominic showed no reaction. He probably would have been the same even if the Cult Leader had come out completely naked.

If it were a situation that called for surprise, he might have mimicked those around him, but right now, there was no need for that.

’But why did the Cult Leader come out herself?’

In the early stages of an interview, you build relationships with ordinary cultists, then interact with the Apostles.

The last person you meet is the First Apostle — the Cult Leader.

Yet she appeared right from the start.

I mentally noted the differences from how the game played.

Upgrading the hotel room to the highest tier from the beginning, or...

’Dominic.’

Dominic’s outstanding qualifications must have reached the Cult Leader’s ears.

I was in the middle of that thought when I jumped.

Edel had suddenly thrust her face into mine.

My eyes went wide at the proximity — close enough to feel her breath.

Her pale fingers gripped my forearm.

A coldness like a corpse with no warmth seeped into my entire body.

Without pulling her face back even an inch, she whispered my name.

"Little Lamb."

"Yes...?"

"Were you treated by Dr. Dominic?"

"No...?"

"I was his patient once."

I looked up at Dominic.

He looked down at me with an expression that showed he had no idea what the problem was.

The Cult Leader had been Dr. Dominic’s patient.

That was something that could never happen in the original Call-Obo.

’What the hell have you been doing?’

Seeing my expression, Edel let out a small laugh.

"It was before I joined the Cult. I’ve found peace now."

She tugged at my hand.

"Have you had tea? Please let me serve you. I don’t want to neglect a friend of the doctor’s."

Another Choice appeared.

[Cult Leader Edel wishes to serve you tea.]

- Accept gratefully.

- Sarcastically ask if this is another cult tactic.

- Request to join the Cult of the Void Apostles.

I couldn’t believe they kept pushing the join option.

’Isn’t this just forcing a Choice?’

I conspicuously picked the first one.

"Thank you, Lady Edel."

At my acceptance, Edel smiled and led me deeper inside.

The Cult headquarters was dark inside and felt like a maze — impossible to navigate without guidance.

Since I had the entire route memorized, I confirmed she was leading me to the guest parlor and simply followed.

There seemed to be no harm in going along with what she wanted.

She was favorably disposed toward Dominic, so maybe I’d get something good from the very first interview.

Edel opened the parlor door and whispered to me.

"Have some tea. We’ll talk together soon."

Her voice was so soft it felt ticklish.

Edel disappeared with a smile, and a cultist appeared in her place, pulling a wooden trolley loaded with a tea set.

I sat down on the sofa first, worrying about what to do with the seating that was completely unsuited for Dominic.

But Dominic naturally changed the size of the sofa he was sitting on, as well as the teacup and cutlery.

At the bizarre sight, the cultist holding the teapot gasped.

Right before he dropped the hot teapot in shock —

His eyes met Dominic’s.

The cultist’s mouth fell open, then he broke into a vacant smile.

And as if nothing had happened, he poured the tea, giggled dizzily, and exited.

I had a rough idea now of how Dominic had been living at Call-Obo.

Dominic, sitting across from me, pushed a plate that had been placed awkwardly toward me, commenting on the cultist’s service.

"Unfit to be a waiter."

The table was adjusted to my height, so it was far too low for him.

I thanked Dominic for his consideration and picked up my teacup.

As if it had been waiting, a Choice appeared. fɾeeweɓnѳveɭ.com

[You drink the tea.]

- Drink the tea.

- Down the tea in one gulp.

- Sip the tea slowly.

- Tell Dr. Dominic you want to join the Cult of the Void Apostles.

...The Choices were getting stranger and stranger.

Still, this time, the text of the join option looked normal.

I chose "Sip the tea slowly" and took a swallow.

On the surface, I kept a smile on my face, but inside, I was burning up.

If I’d known the Cult Leader was a former patient, I would have approached things differently from the start.

I had no idea if I could still proceed with the clear method I knew.

’Why did the Cult Leader go to Dominic as a patient? And why did she join a cult even after being treated by him?’

I also had to figure out where and how to ask Dominic about this.

He wouldn’t say anything unless I asked.

My head throbbed, and I just kept drinking the tea — when it happened.

Dizziness rose, and the world spun before my eyes.

[You have been poisoned! Treatment required.]

The tea was poisoned.

’Why...?’

In Call-Obo, poisoning was an event that occurred when the interview progressed deeply or when internal strife within the Cult escalated.

But I hadn’t done anything yet.

I hadn’t even started the interview in earnest — all I’d done was greet the Cult Leader.

And yet I’d already been poisoned.

My vision darkened rapidly, leaving me no time to look for an antidote.

Even though he was sitting right across from me, Dominic didn’t notice my condition.

He was examining the eye-shaped pattern drawn on the back of the saucer.

"Roasted Chestnut, look at this. Isn’t it peculiar? Could it be useful as evidence?"

Sensing my death approaching, I struggled to open my mouth.

To explain to Dominic about resurrection.

That even if I died now, I’d come back.

That he just needed to come to the hotel.

I had to say it.

"..."

But no words came out of my parted lips.

It was as if my vocal cords had melted — only hot blood wet my lips and trickled down the corner of my mouth.

My vision went black.

My head lolled weakly against the chair. freёweɓnovel.com

[You have died.]

[I have died.]

[You will resurrect at the hotel.]

The System window appeared.

But I couldn’t open my eyes.

A glitch occurred in the System window.

[Hotel?] [at the.] [Hotel.] [Resurrect.] [Resurrect.] [Re.] [sur.] [rect?] [Resurrect?] [Hotel?] [at?] [the??] [Righthere.Righthere.Righthere.Righthere.Righthere.Righthere.Righthere.Righthere.Righthere.Righthere.Righthere.Righthere.Righthere.]

The characters that had filled the System window like an explosion all disappeared.

A massive System window engulfed me.

[Right before my eyes!]

"...!"

I jolted awake.

It wasn’t the hotel.

The Cult’s parlor.

Before my eyes... Dominic was there.

He was looking at me from across the table, one glove removed.

Dominic lightly rubbed his blood-stained fingertips, then smiled faintly.

The saucer floated up and drifted toward me.

Dominic spoke again.

"Roasted Chestnut, look at this. Isn’t it peculiar? Could it be useful as evidence?"