The Achievement Junkie

While both champions were aghast, Daruun continued, "The second reason is that the gods ruling your pantheons have forbidden it. They refuse to allow their subordinate gods to outgrow them."

"Then… If it's impossible, why did you mention that Jack could help us become gods earlier?" questioned Hadurt. He just recently accepted the chance to become a god and he wasn't willing to let go of that chance so easily.

Smiling, Daruun replied, "That's because Jack does have the ability to help you. Allow me to explain.

"Jack has already been claimed as a demigod, as has his new sister and his fox companion. And others will soon be joining those ranks. The issue you three now face doesn't lie in the inability to find willing gods, it lies in your current lack of immortal potential. So if you lack something, can't you simply get more of that thing?"

Following Daruun's logic, Tralon finally spoke up, "Are you saying that there's a way to regain our immortal potential?"

"No, that potential has been spent." Daruun shook his head but kept smiling. "But you can take someone else's immortal potential."

"Then--"

"Let me finish, Hadurt. You wouldn't want to feel depressed after I crush your simple theory," stated Daruun. "In order to steal someone's immortal potential, that person's immortal potential must be active and realized. What do you think that means, Hadurt?"

The berserker nervously replied, "That… means we need to kill a god."

"Good for you, one god's immortal potential is practically limitless compared to mortals. Felling a single god would give all three of you a chance. But that potential would be foreign to you so, at most, you'd be able to keep the energy within you for a week before it completely fades. Within that week, you'll need to become a demigod and cross lv. 90," explained Daruun.

"And should you reach lv. 89 before you become a demigod, you'll reach a standstill and EXP will have no effect on you. Should you gain EXP while at lv. 89 without being a demigod, then that EXP will be lost," Daruun added. "So, with that in mind, how do you think Jack will be able to help you?"

Lorwynn answered, "He'll have to kill a god for us, right?"

Daruun nodded and looked to Tralon

"But that…" Tralon muttered, struggling to speak his mind.

"Tralon, you've got less than one year to surpass your former level and become a god should you wish to keep living," Daruun spoke Tralon's mind for him. "I wouldn't call that impossible, but it is incredibly difficult. You all will have to work hard for that to happen."

"Wait, Jack's going to kill a god within a year?!" Lorwynn shouted.

Hadurt gave his former rival a strange look. "What's the matter? He's the Legend, isn't he?"

"Yeah, but his situation is different than other summoned heroes," replied Lorwynn. "Jack was summoned at lv. 1 and he's been working his way back up from nothing."

"WHAT?! Daruun, you would do that to your champion?!" yelled Hadurt.

"That's exactly what I did. If I hadn't, then Jack would only have the potential of his past self. By starting from scratch, I allowed Jack to have a unique subclass that, knowing Jack, he'll use to flip Kartonia upside down," reasoned Daruun. "For him, starting at lv. 1 was better than bringing his past self."

"But how strong is he now. When I first met him months ago, he had barely reached lv. 20."

"Well, considering that he's now lv. 49 and almost lv. 50, I'd say he's on course," replied Daruun, stunning both Lorwynn and Hadurt. "He may be lower in level, but he's your only hope to become gods and escape the inevitable deaths your roles carry. So, what do you think you should do or offer him?"

"I'll pledge to him." Hadurt blurted out his reply, startling Lorwynn even further. "For him to kill a god means he'll most likely already be a god, right? Wouldn't that me I could pledge to him, the first-ever hero turned god-killer turned immortal? That's my kind of god!"

Daruun started laughing, meeting Hadaurt eye to eye. "I think he'd like that. Just don't get too mad at him when he has you doing some crazy schemes. What about you, Lorwynn?"

"I… I'd prefer to pledge to my master, given the chance."

"That's very reasonable and honorable of you. But how will you help Jack get to the point where he can kill a god?" questioned Daruun. "Hadurt didn't state it directly, but he's willing to follow Jack at the chance to become a god and kill Pestro for all the trouble the Demon God has forced him to suffer."

"Hey!"

"Am I wrong, Hadurt?" Daruun chuckled. "So, what are you offering him, Lorwynn?"

Hesitating, Lorwynn looked to Hadurt. "If Hadurt will join as well, I'll join the Leisure Guild in secret and guard it from the shadows. That way Jack doesn't have to worry about the guild while he's away."

"Great idea, but that won't be worth anything once Jack gets back. Also, Jack might turn you down for that," stated Daruun.

Tralon shrugged, adding, "Yeah, I could see Jack doing that."

"Impossible." Lorwynn shook his head. "What could offer better security than Hadurt and I?"

"A god."

Those two words instantly silenced Lorwynn and brought a smile to Hadurt's face.

Daruun continued, "Also, if mortals dare attack without the aid of the gods, Jack's already started to place countermeasures throughout the guild. So that offer wouldn't be very enticing to Jack. Try to think of what Jack would want someone of your level to do, something that only you two could accomplish."

Stewing in thought, Lorwynn was stumped.

Since he was mentioned as well, Hadurt also put his mind to work. After about a minute, the berserker thought of something. "Unlike Lorwynn, all I know how to do is fight and grind through dungeons. Is that what Jack would want?"

"Right again, Hadurt." Daruun nodded. "How else will Tralon have a chance at reaching lv. 89 so quickly?"

Both champions looked to each other and started laughing.

"That's it?" asked Lorwynn. "If I offer Jack a year of my time to carry Tralon back to his old strength, then he'll make me a god?"

"That's your best bet. Just don't screw up your relationship or attempt to betray him, otherwise, he'll make sure you die. Though his mother can't do anything at the moment, Jack's father has nothing keeping him from slaying both of you."

"His father?" Hadurt looked back at Daruun, confused.

"Remember how I said the Neutral Gods are my children? Well, when any of them choose a demigod, they adopt them. Currently, I have two grandchildren if you include Jack," answered Daruun.

Lorwynn nervously asked, "Then, who's his father?"

"Sterfen, the God of Secrecy," Daruun stated, "or as some of the older gods would call him, the Assassin God."

Both champions swallowed the saliva lodged in their throats, realizing that there truly was no going back. It was one thing to imagine taking on the neutral champion like they always had, but the more they learned about the Neutral Gods and their plans, the more terrifying that Jack started to become. And while being on Jack's good side was stupendous, they quickly realized that being on his bad side would be equally terrifying.

"So, I take it that you two will tell Jack what you told me here?" asked Daruun.

"I will," replied Hadurt.

Lorwynn nodded. "I will."

"Great!" Tralon shouted with a grin from ear to ear. "Welcome to the Leisure Guild. Jack will be back shortly with Eedaj, the Mind God, who will be relocating to live in the Leisure Guild. Allow me to show you around. I'm sure you'd like to meet the beholders and Dragov."

While Lorwynn was caught up in the mention of Eedaj and beholders, Hadurt was curious about the other name Tralon mentioned. The berserker asked, "Who's Dragov?"

"Just be calm and follow me. And no attacking him, okay?" Tralon added with a chuckle as he led the two newest recruits out of the room.