Surviving in my Own Unpublished Failed Novel

Similar to when the Lady of Shaded Spade had first appeared in front of Russell, during the time when the Goddess of Night had ordered him to bring Amelie to the Chaos Training Grounds to sign a Star Contract, the lithe woman in a black veil and raven dress, obscuring her facial features walked out of the torn fabric of space. Apart from Russell and Amelie, who had seen her previously, and Amery, who had seen the Blacksmith God descended in the Chaos Training Grounds, it would be the first time for Freya and Ken to see in front of their own eyes the existence of a higher being.

To avoid being disintegrated with just the Goddess of Spade's presence, the Skill: Eternal Barrier, was preemptively cast to them before she showed herself.

Amelie, seeing again the one who had bestowed her extraordinary powers that completely turned the direction of her life, thanks to Russell and the Goddess of Night's assistance, genuflected in the Goddess of Spade's presence.

The others glanced at her for a moment, perplexed, but a second or two later, they did the same, at least attempted to as the words of the Goddess of Spade stopped them, except for Ken Raven who had yet to have a Star Contract, from mimicking Amelie's action of genuine reverence.

"My Apostle and the one who desires more power shall be the only one to bow in front of me, but your politeness is much appreciated.

"A fledgling Death Executioner, the daughter of the Blood Monarch, and… the temporary Mediator of Chaos."

Shifting her gaze to Russell, she reluctantly spoke the last words as she referred to him.

'I have many questions to ask, but it feels like you won't answer a thing about them.'

Russell Moon inwardly thought, catching the subtle way of speaking of the Goddess of Spade.

'Daedessa or Daedeya… which of the two are you?'

He inwardly asked, recalling the vision he had, specifically when he saw the Goddess of Night standing in front of the bizarre coffins together with two women side by side, one was the Lady of Shaded Spade, before everything suddenly turned unexpected, mostly about his identity and existence.

"My Apostle, stand up. I have taken note of your fidelity.

"And you… Ken Raven of commoner's blood, what kind of power do you seek?"

The voice of the Goddess of Spade reverberated, but due to the pressure she was exuding, Ken didn't manage to quickly let out an answer.

Sometime later, trying his best to make it as general as possible, but somehow related to his Rare Profession, Ken muttered in a reluctant manner.

"I-I'm a Smoke Assassin, anything related to my profession will be of great help."

"I see. I have the right one for you, but… as my Apostle has perhaps previously informed you, you will become the Inquisitor of my Church and erase the apostates, the one that nonsensically worships the System, or turn them into neophytes."

"Y-yes, I-I'll become an Inquisitor for your Church. I need the power to slay the vampire race."

A faint, ominous smile crept up the Goddess of Spade's tender lips upon hearing Ken Raven's resolve.

"Your dream is far-off, but I don't care whatever you do outside of being an Inquisitor, so whatever path you will be walking, easy or arduous, is of your own free will."

Ken absorbed and pondered the words of the Goddess of Spade, who then spoke shortly as she shifted her gaze above the endless, chilling, starry, subtle dark sky seen from the Chaos Training Grounds.

"Give me a Soul Contract."

A second or two later, a familiar golden, somewhat dilapidated, and ancient-looking scroll appeared out of nowhere.

[The Ruler of Death cast his gaze at the ancient training grounds.]

[The God of Fire and Forge cast his gaze at the ancient training grounds.]

The general System messages appeared in front of everyone, causing Freya and Amery to feel tense because they were the ones who had interacted with these above-mentioned higher beings.

"You can come out now."

As the Goddess of Spade's words left her mouth, similar to when she appeared, a fabric of space as if it's made of glass was torn apart.

[The Constellation, Dark Mist of Avatar, has appeared in the ancient training grounds.]

A figure with crimson eyes whose figure was covered in dark mist walked out of the enormous crack. Freya, who saw the exalting figure that came out of the crack, was reminded of her encounter with the Ruler of Death, when she was sent somewhere unknown, where pure darkness, seemingly malicious eyes, and glistening stars were all she could see.

"I greet the Goddess of Spade, and…

With a deep, fear-inducing voice, the figure shifted his gaze for a moment, but then stopped by the Goddess of Spade's gesture.

"Ken Raven, this Constellation will be your contractor. Sign the contract and receive whatever task will be given to you."

For some reason, seeing the obscure appearance of his yet-to-be Constellation, Ken felt awe as he nodded before signing the contract.

"Let me remind you that this is a separate contract as making a Star Contract with a Constellation doesn't include a Soul Contract. This is just to ensure that you will be fulfilling your role as an Inquisitor, but fret not, as your arduous work will reap equal rewards."

"Ah… h-how-."

Ken, feeling bewildered at the process of making a Star Contract, didn't manage to let out his curiosity as the Dark Mist of Avatar, or the mist itself emanating from his body started to envelop Ken's, turning his vision into darkness. It was somewhat similar to what Freya had experienced when she entered a dark cocoon that turned her into a Death Executioner.

***

Seeing the spectacle of change, the voice of the Goddess of Spade jolted the others, sending them back from their little reverie.

"It will take some time. Apostle, do you have anything you want to ask?"

Glancing at the process of Ken's metamorphosis, Amelie thought about it for some time and finally had the chance to ask.

"I don't know if it's relevant, but why does the Cosmic Title of some Constellations keep changing? After the System Reboot, it became prevalent and kept confusing 'til this day."

Although there was a time when Amelie had asked Russell's idea, which the latter casually answered, she couldn't help but fill her curiosity.

"Changing the Cosmic Title is simply for disguise, but after the System Reboot, as the power of the Last Close Mystery Tower started to influence your world, they are now allowed to reveal their status whether they're a Constellation, a God, or a Goddess.

"However, changing it isn't free because its aftereffects can alter the minds and emotions of those who used to believe in them.

"For instance, if I change my Cosmic Title according to what the System usually shows, you will feel lost for some time and will involuntarily think that I perished or abandoned you as my Apostle. Although this effect is only applicable to godly beings above Constellations."

"Ah… T-thank you, my Goddess!"

Amelie bowed in gratefulness, finding her Goddess' words fascinating and somehow enlightening.

"Aside from that, some do change their Cosmic Title for other reasons, but it's too early for you as you have many things to work yourself for.

"Worry not. Everything will eventually fall into place."

The Goddess of Spade casually conversed with her Apostle, piquing the interest of Russell, Freya, and Amery while Ken's body couldn't be seen because of the dark mist enveloping it, causing a chilling sensation for them.

"E-excuse me… I may be presumptuous, but c-can I ask a question…?"

Amery couldn't let the chance slip away as she interjected between the two after a second of silence from the Goddess of Spade.

"What's bothering you, daughter of the Blood Monarch?"

"Uh, I received a diary of my mother from the Blacksmith God, but it's something I can't open or flip for some reasons unknown to me."

Amery was curious about the true identity of her mother, as she inwardly concluded that the Goddess of Spade certainly knew her mother's identity as a Blood Monarch, but she thought of what she should prioritize, which was the mysterious diary.

"In other words, you're asking if I can open it?

"Ha... You should be more proud and aware of what you are.

"Although it's unfortunate what happened to your mother."

Amery's deep black eyes turned cold at the mention of her mother's death, though indirectly.

"D-did you know something about my mother's death...?"

Russell, on the sidelines, as well as Freya, found the conversation intriguing, especially the former because Amery was someone that didn't exist in his unpublished novel.

"I can tell you, but in your state, you won't be able to handle it.

"Moreover, you should read that diary of yours, perhaps the answers are laid there."

"B-but-"

At Amery's words, the atmosphere of the Goddess turned heavy.

"I-I'm sorry-! I'll think of a way to open it-! T-thank you!"

Amery apologized as she felt like she was overstepping her boundaries and was emotional regarding the matter of her mother's case.

"Drill in your head what I said, remember what you are."

Crack-! Crack-

The dark mist that seemed to be made of glassware showed cracks, interrupting the conversation between the mortal and the godly being.

With his eyes closed, Ken Raven then appeared with an intimidating aura of mist emanating from his body.

***

Name: [Ken Raven]

Race: [Human]

Title: [The One Who Witnessed the Impossible], [Secret Bearer of Chaos], [Slayer of Green]

Health Points: [100%]

Mana Points: [1,700]

Stamina Points: [3,400]

Chaos Mana: [4,210]

Age: 17

Sex: [Male]

Height: [171 cm.]

World: [Earth 342]

Rank: [D]

Profession: [Mist Avatar]

Main Stats: Strength, Swift, Chaos Power

Star Contract: [Dark Mist of Avatar]

— STATS —

Strength: 649

Swift: 629

Intelligence: 121

Constitution: 340

Vitality: 320

Fortitude: 341

Perception: 99 [newly acquired]

Luck: 6

Magic Power: 1,700

Chaos Power: 421

Unallocated Stats: 0

— Unique Skill [1]

[Avatar of Horror]

Description:

In the mist of darkness, one's reflection is always coming into existence.

Someone is never alone in the midst of the hazy mist.

Rank: EX

Effects:

- Summon an avatar that possesses 80% percent of the overall stats of the user.

- This avatar can use the skills of the user with 50% proficiency.

— Skills: —

[Smoke Blink (E+)]

[...]

— Attributes: —

[Nihility]

— Authority: —

[Mist of Death]

***

"Wow-! Congratulations, Ken-!"

Amelie, with a cheerful expression, approached the bewildered Ken, who just read the information of his newly updated Status Window.

He also felt that his body had truly undergone a drastic change.

"All of you... Have a safe journey and let your story be known."

Jolted awake at the Goddess of Spade's words, Ken genuflected, almost teary-eyed, in front of the Dark Mist Avatar.

"T-thank you! I don't know how I can repay this and how it benefits you for making me your contractee, but I will do my best-!"

"Follow the orders of your leader. For in his presence, safety is almost guaranteed."

The Dark Mist Avatar, shifted his gaze to Russell as he spoke, causing the latter to ponder over his words.

'Almost guaranteed, huh... I don't know if it's because it's not truly safe or if it's because of some things yet to be known.'

"We will prepare everything for the establishment of the Church of Spade.

"I have decided to appoint them in high positions, apart from Inquisitor.

"Although it may be superficial, as per your command, it'd be a genuine one."

Amelie, revering her Goddess, spoke before the two godly beings departed.

"Appoint everyone here to whatever position you desire for them, except for the Russell Moon.

"We will now depart. So long, my Apostle."

Amelie didn't manage to ask the reason why Russell couldn't be appointed as a high member of the Church.

'The Goddess of Night, when She wakes up and learns of this possibility, I'll be scolded to death-!'

The Goddess of Spade thought, her expression obscured by the veil.

With that, Ken Raven's metamorphosis and learning other information came to an end.

Now it was time to prepare for the El-Vul-Or Tournament as they exited the Chaos Training Grounds.