I Became the Priest of Blasphemy of the Outer Gods

I descended into the basement, but regrettably, I could not witness the spectacle of my arm fighting against the arrow.

Lyla had created multiple layers of a barrier, forming a rounded sphere that sealed both the arm and the arrow.

“〈Anti-Corrosion〉!”

Lyla cast a spell that granted corrosion resistance to the barrier, then leaned against the wall, seemingly exhausted, and sighed.

“What a mess…”

The seal, formed by layered barriers, was quite thorough. It seemed she had added additional magical measures between the layers.

“For now, it should hold.”

At my comment, Lyla turned to me with a dissatisfied expression.

“Yeah. At most, a week. But how do you know that?”

“I have a strong interest in magic.”

When I shrugged my shoulders, Lyla sighed again.

“You’re going to take responsibility, right?”

“What for?”

“Your arm over there! The arrow reacted to your arm, causing this whole mess. All the enchanted items we had sealed away are gone too, and now the damage is tremendous.”

Oh-ho, look at this. Sneakily trying to pull one over.

“Why don’t you quit with the shallow tricks? Honestly, you’re the one who owe us compensation here.”

“… And why is that?”

“It’s simple. The arrow is imbued with an Outer God’s power. If I hadn’t come, it would’ve escalated into a bigger issue.”

Lyla didn’t react much. She knew it all along and was merely probing.

In the ≪Orders≫, mages often played tricks to gain the maximum benefit, similar to their dealings with demons, hoping to get an upper hand.

“The problem was bound to surface eventually. Judging by how it consumed other enchanted items, it could have happened anytime-”

“Alright! Alright, I get it! Help me out! The Brotherhood needs results or money, and now a huge disaster has happened. Please, help me!”

She could’ve just asked for help from the start. Clicking my tongue, I got to the point.

“How much gold do you have?”

“… What?”

“Gold, I mean. In the form of gold bars or jewelry.”

“Uh… not much, but does it have to be paid in gold? Can’t we use some useful items I have?”

I shook my head. It wasn’t about demanding currency.

“I need it, and you will too. It’s a material used for special enchants.”

“What? So, gold is an enchant material?”

Lyla realized that what she had just heard was part of the knowledge she had been searching for through repeated trial and error.

“Will you teach me?”

“Yes. Including the work process. And even the advanced technique of crafting combination items.”

“How… how do you know all this?!”

How do I know?

I learned while trying to forge a magic sword.

‘It had superior performance.’

I had once grown my character by creating and relying on ultra-high-performance items. I was quite satisfied with it.

“The kid upstairs said you were just someone who lost his memory… How do you remember enchantment methods?”

“That’s not necessary for you to know.”

The day before meeting Dowol, I had rummaged through the house, nostalgically looking at my ≪Orders≫ notebooks from middle school, and remembered the enchantment methods and materials I had documented.

‘Never thought these would come in handy like this.’

“Does it have to be… gold?”

I shook my head again.

“When using dangerous materials for enchantments, gold works best. Silver has some power too, but if the material contains the essence of an Outer God, you need gold.”

“Wait… you’re not suggesting…”

I nodded.

“That’s right. I planned to melt down my arm and that arrow to use as materials to make an item. For that, I needed your help.”

“Are you out of your mind? You want to make an item using the powers of two dangerous Outer Gods? Absolutely not!”

“Don’t worry. Doing it this way will be much safer than leaving it sealed.”

Lyla seemed like she wanted to say something but couldn’t come up with a suitable counter-argument.

“And of course, I will take that item. Consider it as compensation for teaching you the enchantment method.”

Lyla looked troubled before she fell into thought. But, in reality, the decision had already been made. She couldn’t just leave it underground, nor did she have any other means to deal with it.

“Ugh, I don’t know. I’ll probably get caught and killed by Luminaries at this rate anyway. But I don’t have much gold.”

“Hmm… in that case, I have a plan.”

I explained with a smirk, and Lyla’s expression gradually hardened.

* * *

“Suddenly dropping by, I wondered what you were going to say…”

A rough, deep voice filled with bewilderment echoed.

“…you’re asking to borrow more money?”

Ender Wolfkin, the leader of the Blood Bear Brotherhood. The man who led the mercenary group received me at their base.

“This guy, he’s definitely the one who was in that crazy witch’s house!”

A few of the subordinates aimed their weapons, creating a tense atmosphere. But the most menacing one was Ender, who sat at the head of the table.

‘He’s like double my size.’

Covered in a sturdy armor made from beast hides, Ender had a rough and strong look befitting a mercenary leader.

‘That sword isn’t ordinary either.’

The sword Ender held was an enchanted item I was somewhat familiar with. Clearly, his weapon and the aura he exuded indicated that I couldn’t take him lightly.

“This is absurd. You’ve already taken significant investment from us, and now you want us to hand over as much gold as possible? How much do you underestimate us?”

“I’m not underestimating you.”

I spoke respectfully while looking at Ender. He didn’t seem genuinely furious.

‘He’s testing me. He wants to see how much I understand and how bold I can be.’

As I reached down to my waist, some of Ender’s subordinates moved, but Ender raised his hand to stop them. I handed over the sword I carried with my only remaining arm.

“This is…?”

Ender took the sword and drew the blade from its scabbard, then he marveled at it. It appeared to be an ordinary longsword but emanated an unusual energy.

“This is the first piece crafted by Lyla Eldenwillow.”

An enchanted item. The sword made using the method I taught had enough powerful magic to capture Ender’s interest.

“I feel the energy of fire. Does it create a pillar of flame when swung?”

“You can tell just by holding it?”

“Yes. Additionally, it’s not a single enchantment.”

At those words, Ender’s skeptical subordinates widened their eyes and looked at the sword in surprise.

“Strength boost, corrosion resistance, destruction resistance… and mind stabilization magic.”

“Is… is it true, boss? That woman made something that absurd?”

Ender nodded.

“Though they are basic level spells, it is real. A combination enchantment…”

Typically, an enchanted item contains just one spell. But combination enchantment combines multiple enchanted items to impart various effects into one, creating a highly valuable item…

“It’s expensive to make.”

Using jewels as materials was already pricey, and on top of that, she had to grind down some rather expensive enchanted items. Lylah ended up looking utterly dejected. Half of the jewels she received from me and five enchanted items were sacrificed to create that longsword now held by Ender.

“That wretched woman can make something like this?”

Ender continued to critique Lyla, which, though fair, seemed excessive. I remained silent amidst his harsh assessment.

“Impressive.”

Ender honestly evaluated the sword, sheathing it afterward.

“This is an excellent outcome. We can write off the funds invested. However, taking gold from us is a different matter. One-armed man.”

“You can consider it as compensation for solving your problem.”

Ender’s eyes narrowed.

“Everyone, leave. I need to talk to him alone.”

“Captain?”

“Go and work. Ordering enchanted items will cost a lot of money.”

Following Ender’s order, his men exited the room. Ender sighed, rubbing his forehead.

“Did she tell you anything?”

“To some extent. But even if she hadn’t, I would have figured it out.”

“How so?”

I pointed to the sword Ender was holding.

“‘Still Starlight’. A sword that stabilizes the mind and protects against such harm. An artifact, the pinnacle of enchanted items.”

“And so?”

“And the gloves you’re wearing, though subtle, are ‘Craftsman’s Focus’. Originally used by blacksmiths or artists, they are expensive enchanted items. Their effect also includes calming the mind and body—”

“Enough. I understand this isn’t mere fishing for information.”

Ender raised his hand to interrupt me. Despite his rugged and fierce appearance, he looked undeniably weary.

“I have tried to live without shame as a follower of Hayat. I prayed diligently and followed the doctrines.”

Around his neck hung an old but well-maintained symbol of Hayat.

“Yet, a violent storm of anger inside me occasionally threatens to erupt. When it does, it’s only satisfied by destroying everything around… a madness.”

Ender sighed again.

“So, I have tried various items and potions. The results have been minimal.”

He clicked his tongue, looking at the longsword Lyla had made.

“It’s a decent item, but it doesn’t bring the inner peace I was yearning for. Something of that level has no effect on me.”

“And it likely never will.”

“What did you say?”

Ender glared fiercely, but I was undeterred.

“One reason you invested in Lyla was in hopes of creating an enchanted item stronger than Still Starlight in its calming effects. But it’s meaningless.”

Ender seemed ready to see just how far I would go. There was a murderous air, as if I could be beaten to death with bare hands should I say the wrong thing.

“There is another way to manage your madness.”

“Another way?”

“Yes. A method you would have never found or tried. But I know it for sure.”

“So I will give you gold in exchange for this solution?”

“Exactly.”

Ender quietly watched me for a moment, then gestured for me to continue. Hopefully, I wouldn’t get beaten the moment I spoke.

“The blessings of Hayat would never suffice; you need ancient god worship. Obtain a relic containing the miracle of Dionysus… or convert.”

Ender fell silent. As a devout follower, he couldn’t quite believe what he had just heard.

“…The Father of Freedom?”

“Yes.”

“The lord of festivals, the giver of wine?”

“You know him well.”

Ender burst out laughing.

“The god of madmen? Mentioning a god who has departed this world… Are you mocking me?”