Lucius didn't know what to say, what to think, because he knew pretty much what the Fool of death was.
Back then he was actually furious about the whole situation, that a fucking earthquake ruined his chance to reach number one on the leaderboard, or maybe even become the Fool of Death, because he could have role-played the shit out of it, could have turned himself into a serial killer in the game… and now he actually got the role.
But this time it's no longer a game, no longer just a fun role to impress people or hide from the entire server.
No, this is reality, and he is the Fool of Death, which means what Miu exactly said to him.
It is endless bloodshed, but to be true it sounded fun.
What a unique skill that is, a skill that was only in the game for a short period of time, and only one person had it… a skill that collects souls, a skill that is basically a hardcore way to play the game… how exciting is that? At least, while playing the game, it was exciting.
In reality? No, it's very different. The Fool of Death cannot learn any skill, magic, or manipulation. It only allows the Fool of Death's own skill set, a closed class that can only use its unique skill and nothing else.
"But as I said, the time has come. I will send you to Briminia, and from there it's up to you what you'll do." she said, pointing her golden cane at him. "Become an immortal monster… or die a terrible death."
She is fucking serious about it. Lucius thought that even though her eyes were replaced by diamonds it still looked like she meant every word, like those shining diamonds were stabbing straight through him with reality itself.
And finally he got it… or more like accepted the reality that he ain't no NoobieBoobie23 anymore, he is not a god but the opposite of it.
The fool of the exact thing everybody fears in life… the death.
Though he still didn't feel it, no, not even for a single minute, the only terrifying thing about it was that he could not use what he knew from the game as the amulets, medals, runes, weapons all would not work with the Fool of Death.
In short, all his knowledge about the game could go to the trash but there was one piece of knowledge he still needed to use.
"In the game you were scripted to grant a wish. I know it is not the game but I want my wish."
Yeah, there was one thing that was in Lucius's mind, the best thing he could ask for, the best thing he could start off in Eldoria, with the wish that Miu grants, which in the game were basically five scripted choices that the player could have chosen… but it's not a game, so technically she could grant whatever he wants.
That wish could have been a cheat to him… yeah, it just could have been.
"Oh, Lucius…" She giggled, but it was different. Her whole voice and behavior turned into something… darker, in a way threatening."... why would I grant you a wish? It's not the game anymore, I am not obliged to do so." She said it in the way that seemed like she was playing with Lucius, and sure she did.
That little smile after she said it, yeah that faint smile… a goddess who does not bend for human will, who does not bend to any creature's will. Yeah, she suddenly started acting like how she was supposed to be.
Miu started out as an assistant, but as the player progressed and grew stronger, her behavior and entire status shifted eventually turning her into a hostile NPC. That's why players who reached level 500 even had to face her in a boss fight.
In short, she was scripted as a jealous goddess who viewed humans and every other race as insignificant creatures. If a player's skills and power ever came close to matching hers, she immediately wanted to wipe them out.
And after feeling that strange aura from Lucius, she transformed into exactly that or maybe it was because of Lucius's acceptance. He didn't seem scared or panicked about the Fool of Death. No, he more likely looked calm and collected about it.
Maybe she could foresee that a player like who he was once… could become a threatening element in the future.
On the other hand Lucius too realized that Miu was anything but a helping hand.
She was the very definition of betrayal in the game, the living proof of the saying that gods can't be trusted because of their arrogance… and with now that she is not a NPC, but gained consciousness… she could be worse than ever, that is why Lucius came up with a plan.
It was the worst and dumbest plan he could have ever come up with… but it was his only chance to get the wish. All he had to do was remind her of something.
"Say, Miu… you remember my character, yeah? NoobieBoobie23?"
"I do," she answered quickly, as she once again began to sense something about Lucius, something that was just the foolishness of humankind, which made her smile, because she knew exactly what he was about to say.
"So you do remember that I only used one spell to defeat you in less than five seconds?" He locked eyes with her. "Grant me my wish or I will do everything to find and kill you."
A laugh, she laughed. "Oh, Lucius." She smiled, but it was the kind of smile you know you have fucked up. "Are you threatening a goddess? How bold of you, but at least you are acting like how you acted in the game… a fool, who thought he stood over everybody…"Her smile suddenly faded away. "... let me remind you who I am, Spel'thar."
It happened instantly, there was no time to react, no time to understand what was happening Lucius just dropped to his knees, crushed by a force that pressed down on him.
Vomit mixed with foamy saliva poured out of his mouth as his stomach felt like it wanted to tear itself out of his body, and the worst part was that he was still conscious, though he saw nothing as blood was streaming from his eyes to his mouth, mixing with everything else that came out of him.
"Oh… are you okay?" Miu asked, watching him with satisfaction. "I just revealed my aura, and you're already half-dead… though you truly are the Fool of Death."
It was something else entirely.
Miu's hands started shaking because the moment she revealed her aura, the Fool of Death's passive took effect, cutting her strength in half, but it just made it more terrifying.
Miu had only shown one percent of her aura, which meant what Lucius was experiencing was just half a percent… point fucking five percent of her aura.
Truly a goddess and on a whole fucking different level then in the game.
"That is the worst thing about it… that suffocating, terrifying darkness that comes with it, Lucius." She said as he made a step toward him. "You suffer but can't die… immortality always comes with downsides." She explained to him like he was listening to it, though there was something else to it.
Something pure... pure darkness surrounded him, but it wasn't the kind of darkness you see at night, not the kind that might scare you.
No, it was like an eternal void, eternal darkness that actually tried to fight back Miu's power, tried to push back on her.
It was her first time experiencing something this dark existing, yeah, even the gods and the worst creatures in Eldoria had a different kind of darkness, but the one coming from Lucius was entirely different, something that tried to reach out for her soul.
"I see, there is no path of darkness for you, you are the darkness itself… the fool." She shook her hand slightly as turned around. "I hope we never meet again."
She snapped her finger and it was finally over… or more like it had just begun.