Augustine didn't know how long he had run, but despite the current circumstances, he knew that he had run far.
Catching his breath, Augustine settled down, clutching the book that he had previously read. Sweat rolled down Augustine's forehead as he put down the book, pondering what to do.
I successfully escaped the first obstacle of this story, but I know it's far from over. Eventually, I will run into that man, and then I will have to figure out how to play this without messing up the original story…
The man Augustine was talking about was twenty-one-year-old Ludo Karagiannis, the son of the Karagiannis Palace, the elegant, most powerful palace in this world. He was known for being the most uncontrollable, spoiled man that anyone had ever seen! When Aafeen first met Ludo, Ludo immediately seized his opportunity and captured Aafeen, proudly claiming that he would end Aafeen's life if he didn't bow before him. It was a really awkward situation for Aafeen, as he had never experienced something like this before…
Whatever happens, I'll have to obey Ludo. That's how the story goes, and then, I'll take the chance to get as much information as possible out of him. I have to get more information about the Gods of this world.
The Gods of this world, which have been mostly shadowed in darkness and uncertainty, have never shown their faces to the mortal world. Augustine knew this very well, since the only time the Gods were first mentioned in the novel was in the middle of the story. There were only about ten Gods in the current world, making mortals unable to truly grasp how to properly address them, as they always despised the human world and never wanted there to be more opportunities to create more Gods.
The Gods feared that there would be an outbreak of total chaos if there were too many Gods that were created, so they shunned themselves out of mortal eyes to prevent such a tragedy from happening.
To become a God, one must do these three simple things to have the Gods consider the exchange.
First: They must die an agonizing, horrific death so that the Gods can have sympathy for them, even if it's one God who feels like they shouldn't die. The first assignment has already been completed.
Second: They must have a traumatic past that corresponds to their death. Whether it's suicide or murder, the precise death has to match their past to make the Gods interested in them and consider if they want to reincarnate them as a God.
And third: They must call upon the God they wish to ask for help in becoming one of them. The limit can be only one God, so they have to choose wisely who to choose. This step is almost impossible to do because of the Gods being absent from the world.
Augustine recounted the rules on how to become a God. Even though the Gods were rarely mentioned in the novel, there was a section about a hundred chapters after their first mention detailing their origins and lives. He wanted to use these details to his advantage to potentially save the world from its impending doom that awaits the Gods.
I have to do something to make the Gods look upon me, something that's going to make them realize that I deserve to save them from the future destruction of this world. But that's only when I die a gruesome death later in life…
As Augustine pondered on what to do with his knowledge of the Gods, there came a voice that quickly interrupted his train of thought.
He knew exactly who it was!
"Move, move, move! Out of the way! You're in the presence of His Majesty's Son! Now, what seems to be the racket now?! Is it a cowardly, drunkard load dragon, or an escaped mortal? Whatever it is, I will find it and capture it!"
I always disliked the names of those dragons…But I can't worry about that now, I have to quickly put this book back in my bag and hide!
Augustine quickly put the book gently back into the bag and put it on, his back feeling heavy from the size. He began to quietly rush in between the trees, finding a hiding spot that he was sure Ludo couldn't find.
Ludo's shouts continued to get louder as he roared in anger at his royal guards.
"What did I say about moving out of the way?! MOVE IT!! DO YOU NOT WANT ME TO CAPTURE THE CREATURE ROAMING AROUND???!! STAND ASIDE!"
I feel bad for the guards...they don't deserve to suffer from his constant bickering! Once he thinks that I'm nowhere to be found, I'll accidentally fall to the ground so he'll catch me.
But when Augustine came up with that plan, there was a sudden growl that echoed in his ears. It made his entire body freeze in terror as he looked behind him.
There, a ghastly, hungrily looking creature appeared right before Augustine's eyes. Its mouth dripped with saliva, suggesting that it was starving uncontrollably, looking for prey in the forest.
And the prey was just right in front of the creature…
Augustine quickly ran out of the trees just as the creature rushed at him, catching Ludo off guard.
Ludo sensed danger the second something moved in the forest, and he quickly ran near the sound, slashing the creature immediately, turning it into ash as it spewed blood out of its wound.
Augustine stayed perfectly still as the creature disappeared, crumbling to ashes. Ludo noticed that he was on the ground, terrified by the monster who had almost eaten him! Ludo stood next to him, his face revealing pride in having killed the being, but also anger at this sudden event.
"You there! Yes, you, I'm talking to you! What are you doing here?! Running through the forest, how stupid are you?!?!"
Augustine didn't reply, still frozen in shock.
"Do you know who I am?! I am His Majesty's Son Ludo Karagiannis! Now, bow down to me, you worthless mortal!"
Augustine hesitated, trying to calm his brain down as he obeyed Ludo's orders, bowing down towards him.
Ludo seemed satisfied, as he held his weapon in his hands less dramatically, almost dropping it to the floor. He smiled, showing his newfound accomplishment.
"Good, very good! Now that you have obeyed my grandiose command, I must bring you to my glorious palace! Now, stand up! Get on your feet, and come with me."
Augustine closed his eyes, thinking to himself before he got up.
I need to calm down, I can't let him get more provoked, lest I suffer an injury far greater than what Aafeen experienced…
Augustine began to follow Ludo through the forest. The guards followed Ludo on his sides, making sure he wasn't endangered in the process.
When they finally arrived at the palace, Augustine made an important realization.
I need to be ready to answer any upcoming questions that Ludo asks me, whether it's my name or where I'm from. I will answer truthfully where Aafeen is from, so as not to confuse him.
But…
Augustine looked at Ludo, who was smiling at the palace where he had lived his entire life.
I have to leave my old self for now on if I truly want to live this life…
Ludo sighed happily at his home and turned to Augustine, before replying, "Hey, mortal, what's your name…?"
Augustine hesitated for a moment, feeling anxiety as he opened his mouth to answer.
"Augus—"
Augustine held himself back, almost covering his mouth with his left hand.
Crap!
"What? Cat got your tongue? Are you really that easily shocked? State your name, this instant!"
Augustine closed his eyes once more and calmed down, letting his brain and mind stabilize.
He finally replied, in a tone almost emotionless and shaky.
"Aafeen," Augustine said. "My name is Aafeen."
Ludo smiled even wider when Aafeen answered his question, showing his overwhelming pride.
"Nice to meet you, Aafeen. As I said, I'm His Majesty's Son, Ludo Karagiannis. Now, let us go into this wonderful palace where I live; The Karagiannis Palace!"