LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 40: Poker face
Jack cleared his throat, more to give himself a moment of preparation than out of need. "Well, I think that I've come up with a few good ideas to implement." Plexion rolled his eyes from behind Deis, clearly mocking the idea that Jack had done this work by himself. Jack ignored the demon, keeping his eyes on the god before him.
Deis floated between the drawing boards and other additions Jack had made, closely observing everything. Yes, you were to work on skill levels and...pop-ups I believe
Jack nodded, "That's right, I have some ideas drawn out here for you." He gestured to one of the boards they had prepared for this presentation. he walked Deis through the ideas he and Plexion had drafted up. The skill levels Jack was confident in, but the notification system continued to be...problematic. Updates in real-time would be distracting no matter what Jack did. All Jack could do was make them as unobtrusive as possible. The only alternative he had thought of was a manual skill update, some kind of ritual someone could do to update their skills all at once. The issue with that was that it contradicted all the work he had done until now. Auto-tracking skills and stat changes were what systems were all about, people were always growing and changing, so Jack wanted the system to reflect that.
Deis was silent as he observed the board, slowly moving his head to look at everything. After a few long, tense minutes, Deis finally spoke. The notifications system is accepted, I will implement this and give your bugs the ability to make the pop-ups happen. The skill levels though...may I ask how you created this scale here?
Deis gestured at the breakdown of magical ability that Plexion had drawn. Jack cursed internally, of course he wouldn't have been able to make something like that. Jack wasn't a wizard. He had gotten distracted by Plexion bringing up English on Deis' status screen and had failed to erase all the evidence that Jack was receiving help. He struggled to think of something for a long moment until Plexion came to his rescue.
The demon summoned his own screen before miming typing motions on it. He pantomimed touching the screen and pretending to watch something, then typing again. Jack seized hold of the idea. "I figured out a way to monitor people with status screens. I can leave them messages from here and watch them perform actions. I used this to talk to...Dirge." Jack had panicked trying to think of a name before the memory of Dirge killing Frox came to mind.
Deis regarded him, the air heavy with tension. Jack was sweating, his muscles were tight with anticipation. Would Deis believe him, or had the excuse been too flimsy?
Dirge helped you? That makes sense I suppose. They are quite capable as a mage.
Jack's whole body relaxed, and he let himself breathe again.
I prefer the idea of skills with higher and lower limits. Some skills could be elevated into something more than their humble beginnings, but I believe you have plans for such things later, do you not?
Jack nodded. Things like purchasing skills with skill points, having system jobs, skill evolution or fusion, and even system-related skill abilities were all on his long list of things to do.
I will implant the skill level scale into the minds of your bugs. It took me longer than I thought to craft skill levels for each and every skill, almost a whole day.
Jack was once again reminded of how ridiculous Deis really was. He could process information and implement it incredibly fast. His only weakness seemed to be creativity, he seemed to require someone else to come up with an idea, then he could instantly make it. If he had been the one to name the races, Jack could see why the were all so basic.
Surprisingly, Deis didn't leave after his decision. He continued to float in front of the drawing board that Jack and Plexion had prepared, simply looking at it. Jack felt a bit awkward at this, he had been planning to discuss some more with his demonic partner, but with Deis here it meant the two couldn't converse. The only real alternative was to talk to Deis.
"Deis, I have a question for you if that's okay."
The god did not turn away from the board. You may ask
Jack swallowed softly, he felt nervous for some reason. "Am I...in a different dimension? Like, does Earth exist somewhere around here?"
This caused the cloak to turn and face him. Why do you ask? Do you have some grand delusion of flying home in a rocket ship? His tone was spiteful and sarcastic, and Jack flushed at the rebuke.
Well, you can't. Earth is out there, but you're a spirit. You are bound to this world until I destroy you. You can't leave unless I say so, and I'll never allow such a thing
"But why? I've done everything you asked, and I've been nothing but helpful. Why can't you just send my spirit back when you're done with me?" Jack felt a sudden desperation rise up within him. He had agreed to help Deis under duress, but he still wanted to leave.
Fool, the gods that govern Earth would track me down if I did such a thing. It's already enough of a risk to bring souls here in the first place, putting you back would endanger me and all of Drowl
Both Jack and Plexion looked up sharply at this. Other gods? From Earth? Jack hadn't been especially religious when he had been alive, but he couldn't think of anything that did things like Deis did. Plexion appeared to be deeply thinking, Jack could tell his thoughts were going a mile a minute as he considered the implications of this. Jack ignored him and pressed on. "So why even grab souls in the first place? Why the risk?"
Because I need ideas. I told you as much when you first arrived here, you simpleton.
"So you just snag random dead people and bring them here to be destroyed?"
Don't be absurd, I have to kill anyone I want to bring here. The other gods don't see it coming, and by the time they react, it's already too late.
Jack's whole body felt like ice. His brain stopped and he looked at the floating cloak in front of him. Deis had...killed him? He didn't know what to think. He didn't know how he had died, he didn't remember it. Had it been so sudden that he wasn't even aware of it? Deis had played the Earth lottery and gotten Jack? That was...it was crazy!
Deis had turned away from Jack, ignoring the mental strain going on in his mind, and was looking at the board again. This style of explanation looks familiar. It almost reminds me of Plexion in a way
Plexion rounded on Jack, "Jack, this is bad! He's like a crazy stalker, you've got to distract him before he figures out I'm here!"
Jack's mind was so far gone that he barely registered Plexion's words. He was just staring at Deis, anger burning in his heart. His life had been cut short. He would never see his friends or family again, all because this floating piece of clothing had picked him on his senseless killing spree. Jack firmed his heart, and the rage inside him burned gleefully as he moved to take action.
"Deis, can I see your status screen?" His voice was level and measured, his posture forcibly relaxed. Plexion looked at him in surprise before grinning savagely, placing himself slightly in front of Deis.
Why?
"It's the original model, right? I assume you haven't really updated it at all. I wanted to see how it looks compared to the current version."
Deis hesitated for a moment. Then he spoke, slowly and carefully. I am hesitant to do anything you ask while you're hiding things from me, Jack
Jack's expression didn't waver an inch, his calm and collected appearance to firmly in place. "Am I hiding something from you?"
The cloak was suddenly very close to Jack, materializing out of thin air directly in front of his face. Have you spoken to Plexion, Jack? Is he here? In my realm?
Jack stared into the empty space that existed where Deis' head should be. He should have been afraid, but he felt no fear, only anger. "Why do you care? Are you going to apologize to him?"
Deis scoffed. Apologize? I have done nothing wrong. I simply wish to return him to the cycle of the world
This time, it was Plexion who froze up. Unlike Jack, he let his anger bubble up visibly at the words.
Jack spoke for his partner. "You got him killed."
I did no such thing. I simply wanted to see what he was doing. His failure to protect himself and the decision of those who took his life are not my fault
The excuse sounded hollow to Jack, but Deis seemed to actually believe it. He took no responsibility for what had happened to either Jack or Plexion. He simply didn't care.
Why am I even bothering to explain this to you? Just tell me where Plexion is
Jack took a deep breath. He pointedly did not look at where Plexion was, keeping his gaze focused on the empty cloak. "I did see him, but he wandered off. I don't know where he is now."
Deis didn't respond, simply hovering over Jack. There was a long and tense moment before Jack said something else. "He said he wanted to go find some food."
That seemed to do the trick. Deis floated back and bit and groaned. Of course he would do that. If you see him again, call for me immediately
The tension vanished at that moment. Deis seemed to completely believe that Plexion would go hunt for food in this empty place. It had been a risky bluff, but hopefully, it would buy them more time. Before Deis could disappear, Jack called out to him. "Can I see your status sheet before you go?"
Yes, fine
Deis waved his cloak and a screen appeared before Jack. Only the name and race were filled in. Deis, the High Deity. Plexion moved over to Jack, nodded, and then touched the screen.