Chapter 84

I blinked in disbelief.

‘The Dog-Headed Judge?!’

Why was their voice suddenly ringing in my ears?

— Hello, amusing human.

— Need some help?

— Should we?

While I was caught off guard for a split second, the air around me echoed with a loud, rattling sound.

Woof! Rrruff! Woof, woof, woof! Woof, woof, woof!

Dogs barking.

But judging by how Usher didn’t even flinch, I was the only one who could hear it.

‘No time.’

I kept my eyes on the relaxed-looking Usher, then darted them to the side.

— You called for us!

— Knew you’d have the qualifications.

— We knew it!

The hell are you talking about, you mangy, defeated mutts? I didn’t call you!

— No time for chit-chat… want a hand?

I slowly blinked.

Normally, I would never accept, but right now? This was the worst-case scenario.

And… I had seen a similar situation in the game.

Trusting my gut, I called out in my mind.

‘Alright, let’s hear it. How?’

At once, my shadow writhed violently.

Like two beings were wrestling inside it—until it shifted into the shape of a dog’s shadow.

Ears perked up in victory, it bounded toward me and whispered something.

At the same time, an idea to get out of this crisis flashed in my head.

“Usher Tatum.”

I fixed him with a steady stare before speaking.

“I don’t know what you’re trying to pull, but talking’s fine, right?”

“Hmmm… and what little scheme might that be? Not that it’ll matter now.”

Even now, the scratching never stopped, filling the background while he shrugged carelessly.

“Oh, and don’t worry too much. We like cute, pretty kids too. Fanatics are people, after all.”

Even though the tagger would probably come after him too, he acted like it didn’t matter—like catching me was the only goal.

‘Crazy fanatic bastard…’

I drew in a calm breath.

This second trial had a dangerous variable.

Even in my old strategy guide, I’d warned this trial could lead to the “worst-case scenario.”

And what was that?

Game Category [Post][Casual Chat]

‘Project: Shadow Host’

◆ In this chapter, a crucial branch point can occur:

The birth of the “Child Chosen by the Evil God.”

This had to be stopped at all costs.

Otherwise, your playthrough would become incredibly—no, endlessly—tedious.

Unless you’re one of those masochistic veterans who enjoys pain! Stopping this alone makes the game a breeze.

If it happens, though, don’t expect even a normal ending—99% chance it’s a bad end.

It’s easy to tell when someone’s been chosen. The moment they’re picked…

“I am the child chosen by the Evil God.”

That’s why I’d said that line when I met that fanatic underground.

And why I’d been able to mimic it so well—the lore was detailed.

‘Because I learned it all by watching.’

After all, one of the Pope candidates really would be chosen by the Evil God.

Right near the end of this trial.

I twisted my face into a mocking smile.

“I’ll be nice and tell you this, since you’ve pushed me this far.”

“…What?”

Usher’s brow creased slightly.

My head was getting hazy—brainwashing nearly complete.

Like hell I was going to hand over my body and mind without a fight.

With all my strength, I raised my tiny, chubby finger and pointed at him.

“You, my dear, don’t need to be taking risks like this. You’ll only be hurting yourself.”

He tilted his head in silence, as if trying to read my angle.

I let my lips curl into a sweet smile.

“Because we’re on the same side.”

His expression contorted instantly.

“What?”

Sure, he’d seen me try to have him expelled. That alone would convince him I wasn’t an ally.

So… I’d just have to convince him otherwise.

“Because I’m the child chosen by the Evil God.”

“What? Ha… hahahahaha!”

He burst into laughter, running a hand down his face.

It was the ugliest expression I’d ever seen on him—and his bloodshot eyes, brimming with blind devotion, were the most fanatical I’d ever witnessed.

“Don’t be ridiculous. You? Oh, candidate, with that sweet little angel face, spouting such a blatant lie…”

His shoulders shook as he chuckled.

“In that case, I couldn’t expel you.”

But despite his words, it wasn’t useless—

‘The brainwashing stopped.’

The force holding me still loosened.

“And why would you think that?”

I kept my expression flat, just like I had in front of the other fanatics before.

“Maybe because I had no use for you. You kept getting in my way.”

I shot him a cold glare.

Sure, coming from a kid’s body, my intimidation had limits.

“You didn’t even know what great revelation or mission I’d been given. I have no need for fools.”

“Heh?”

Usher gave a short laugh.

Scritch…!

The scratching at the door began to fade.

“So, how can you prove it, oh self-proclaimed Child Chosen by the Evil God—our supposed greatest enemy in the Order?”

He was mocking me, but his eyes searched me all the same.

‘He’s basically exposed his own nature at this point.’

Sweat slid down my spine, but I forced a calm demeanor.

“I don’t know why I should prove the greatness the Evil God bestowed on me for the likes of you…”

I reached out my hand.

“There won’t be a second time.”

And then—

— Kahahahaha! This is hilarious!

— Hilarious! The human Pope pretending to be the Evil God’s daughter!

— So funny!

Woof! Rrruff! Woof!

With a chorus of barks, a massive figure surged up from my shadow.

The pitch-black shape solidified—into something Usher recognized instantly.

“That’s…”

“A creation of the great Evil God.”

The Dog-Headed Judge stood beside me in inky shadow form, ears twitching proudly.

— Master!

— Woof!

— Woof!

“….”

This time I could tell—the mutts were speaking loudly enough for Usher to hear too.

I was dumbfounded.

‘Are these idiots insane?’

…What’s with the unnecessary theatrics?

Thanks to their unscripted performance, I barely managed to finish my line:

“…and now they move at my command.”

When the Dog-Headed Judge had whispered “I’ll help you,” they’d told me this—

Using the bracelet, I could summon them into reality.

And the moment I did, they’d drag the target before them for judgment—and execute them.

‘But even if I’ve made a temporary deal, taking a monster’s word at face value is stupid.’

They could lie, and they could change their mind in an instant.

This was something I had to finish myself.

So I didn’t stop there.

I stepped forward and laid my hand on the Judge’s massive frame.

Too big to reach anything else, my palm rested on the patch of flesh near its hand.

“Usher Tatum. This is your first and last warning. Don’t appear before me again. I have a mission greater than you.”

At the same time, I gathered divine power.

‘This time… for real…!’

[Hidden Skill “Purification” activated!]

[❗ Due to Status Effect “Loss of Control,” power reduced!]

That was fine. It didn’t matter if the power was lowered—as long as it activated.

Because this wasn’t the only thing I was going to show him.

[Active Skill “White Silence” activated!]

A newly acquired skill.

This one didn’t matter if it was amplified or weakened—

No matter what, the effect was the same.