The Achievement Junkie

"You really are Jack_J."

"Hey, Choron. I see you got your sword back," Jack joked, not entirely sure what would happen next.

"True… It took a long time and the effort of my many followers of the past, but I did manage to get it back," Choron laughed, lowering his sword from Jack's nack and his knife from Bowzer's neck. "And you still remembered the secret entrance of my old home, so you must be the same Jack_J. from old times."

"Well, last time you made me piece together a key broken and scattered across Kartonia. If it wasn't for a skill that gave me a bird's eye view, then I never would've noticed the entrance," explained Jack.

Bowzer was confused and asked, 'What do you mean, Jack?'

"Those rock formations we filled with boulders had a gap shaped like a keyhole. From the sky, you could see the unusual shapes of the surrounding boulders. That was the best lead to finding this place when I used God's Eye, so I bet it all on that since it was relatable to the entrance of Choron's previous home," Jack explained. "And here we are, face to face with the Ninja God himself."

Both Jack and Choron bowed to one another, but only with their heads.

Choron's full head of white hair bounced as he bowed, covering the carved mask he wore over his face. The god's attire was simple in color and design but it allowed him to have a complete range of motion.

"I like the new mask. Did you make it yourself?" Jack complimented.

"Of course… But let's not discuss my wood carving skills. Sterfen informed me that you're now his and Lunara's son. Is that correct?"

"Yeah, that's correct."

Jack smiled, slightly surprised that Choron was so close to Sterfen. If anything it increased Jack's impression of Sterfen. The stealthy god had married a within the Holy Gods and was on terms with Choron, one of the Chaotic Gods.

This also made Jack start to see some of the unexpected benefits of being a neutral god, as they seemed to be able to work with either side without and drawbacks.

"Sterfen and I are old pals. We were close friends back during our mortal days," mentioned Choron. "If only I had listened to him back then."

"Hmm?"

"Jack… Don't worry about that. Before you leave here, you'll know of the greatest regret I have. But first, I'll need to explain some things and share some context. Shall we sit?" Choron stepped toward the center of the room and three floor cushions appeared along with a small table between them.

Both Jack and Bowzer happily followed and seated themselves across the god. Including the time he was kidnapped by Kori, Choron was the fifth god that Jack was able to personally meet and converse with and that lack of shock was very obvious to Choron when Jack placed a bottle of wine on the small table along with two glasses and a bowl.

"Jack… First, you'll need to understand how most gods came to be. Then you'll be bettered prepared for my task."

"Then carry on!" Jack lifted his full glass in anticipation of another lesson about the gods.

"You've already learned about demigods, so you've already learned about the first step of entering godhood. But you don't know what comes next," explained Choron. "After you become a god, you're then ushered into one of the three factions of the gods, the one that sponsored your godship and allowed you to take that step.

"Since Halmut and Skaryn became the first gods and eventually formed their own factions, they've carefully and diligently made sure that no god has ever changed factions. However, though it's nigh impossible, some of us gods would only agree to their offers if there was a way for us to be free of factions, similar to the Neutral Gods."

"So the Neutral Gods never formed a faction?" Jack asked.

"That is correct. The Neutral Gods have no such terms to follow and are free to act as they please. We've only dubbed them as Neutral Gods because Skaryn and Halmut wanted a way to differentiate them," stated Choron.

"And, let me guess, you were one of the gods who required a loophole in your agreement with Skaryn as your sponsor?"

"Again, that is correct. It's much easier explaining things to you than others, like that pupil of mine in your party." Choron smiled under his mask. "What I'm after is my freedom from the Chaotic Gods. Earning me that freedom is what constitutes my request."

"Ohh… That's why you'll be able to come out of hiding after I'm finished with your request. But wouldn't the other Chaotic Gods lash out at you for turning on them?" Jack deduced.

"They'll wish to, but by acting against me they would be breaking orders to remain hidden. There's a chance that the Chaotic Gods make a move against me as a whole, but that would incite the wrath of the Holy Gods," stated Choron.

Jack squinted. "But you going public would show the world that the gods are still alive. They would start to wonder why the other gods haven't shown themselves. Wouldn't that be enough reason for either side to make a move against you?"

"Possibly, but it will be different since I'll officially be changing sponsors from Skaryn to Daruun," chuckled the god. "And since I'll be going to Trodar, things will be easier for me."

"Why's that?"

"Because Trodar was always seen as the neutral estate, the place where the Neutral Gods were allowed to reside. The first time the gods ever made a move against Trodar was after the Neutral Gods went into hiding."

A thought suddenly came into the back of Jack's mind. "You mean… You want the Neutral Gods to come out of hiding so you can too?"

"You're not known as the Legend of Trodar for nothing," replied Choron. "Though I'll ask you to fulfill the first part of my request immediately, the rest will come when you're ready and able in the future. Don't think this quest will be finished so easily.

"By the time you've finished my request, Jack, I'm assuming that Trodar will be on its way to regaining its past glory. And with you at the helm of its revival, there's a chance that other neutral gods can be convinced to return to Trodar."

"That's not a bad plan, especially coming from an assassin like you," added a third voice. "I guess you've had plenty of time to deduce what may or may not happen with you're return to the public."

Before Jack could respond in surprise, Choron bellowed with laughter, "Sterfen, why hide your face. We're old friends yet you enter my home without announcing yourself, how rude!"

A familiar figure took shape to Jack's side. Seat cushion number four appeared and allowed the master of stealth to sit himself down at his son's side. "Choron, I've come all this way to introduce you to my son yet you're still hiding your face."

"Fair's fair…" The Ninja God removed the angry wooden face, revealing a young, chiseled face that defied Choron's white hair. "Since you've agreed to show yourself, I'll do the same."

"Jack, this is my good friend, Choron," ignoring their previous conversation, Sterfen introduced his old pal to his new son.

"Wow… I didn't realize you looked so young…" Jack was startled by the man's youthful features.

"Pay it no mind, as we were saying," continued Choron, "by the time I'm free I want the Neutral Gods to return to Trodar, at least a few of them. Sterfen, do you think that would be possible."

"Hmmm… considering the leveling that Jack will need to complete this task, I think we'll have enough time to recruit a god or two for Trodar's sake."

Taking the back seat of the conversation, Jack sighed and took notes as the two friendly gods casually chatted about recruiting all-powerful gods.