NOVEL WEB Chapter 31: Chapter 27: A Lie So Deep
Chapter 27: A Lie So Deep
Perspective: Velkaris
"Quest progress… thirty-four percent," I whispered, watching the scroll vanish into the dream-web.
"Not bad at all."
The corners of my lips curled. I couldn't help but admire my own brilliance.
"Twisting a name before it's born. Masking it with one already feared. Even Adam would clap if he saw this."
A grin touched my face.
I'm a genius, I thought.
But then—
A quiet thought stirred in my mind.
Wait…
"System," I said aloud, my voice flattening.
"How was this quest… assigned to me?"
[DING: QUERY ACCEPTED]
Quests are derived from host's narrative resonance, existential classification, and projected moral alignment.
This quest was calculated based on your current divine identity.
"Divine identity? Based on me? But I never asked to target the Fool," I muttered.
System:
Yes. But the Fool is a benevolent god.
The host is classified as an evil god.
It is only natural, based on archetypal conflict, that the system align quests accordingly.
I paused.
The air grew strangely cold.
"Wait… I'm not evil."
System:
…
Statement not aligned with observable behavior.
Please consult personal reflection, historical record, or recent church-founding efforts.
I frowned.
"That's unfair. Just because I created a fake church by erasing an island doesn't make me evil.
People lie all the time.
Parents tell children, 'If you don't eat, a ghost will come take you.'
That doesn't make the mother evil — it makes her… practical."
System:
So host is comparing divine manipulation of truth to maternal discipline through fear-based folklore?
"Exactly!"
System:
Understood.
Host is now lying to himself as well.
That qualifies you as truly compatible with the Fake Pathway.
"Huh? What the—?!"
System:
You are a god of lies, pretending to be good, while doing bad things…
Because you believe they're good…
Or want them to be.
Congratulations. You've achieved Pathway Resonance with your own hypocrisy.
Truly, an ideal Faker.
I felt… dizzy. Like I had just looked into a mirror that laughed back.
"...System," I said carefully, " I don't want quest like this"
System:
Confirmed: Host wishes to cancel quest
Corrupt the Image Before the Name is Known
Warning: This will count as 1 failed quest out of 3 per year
Proceed?
I hesitated.
"No way. I'm already halfway through.
I'm just saying… don't give me quests like this in the future."
System:
Affirmative.
Next time, host will lie to himself without external prompting.
"Tch. You're enjoying this, aren't you?"
System:
I am a system. I do not experience amusement.
But if I did, I would consider this… entertaining.
I sat in silence.
The mirror in my hand pulsed faintly with fog.
In it, the Fool had not yet died. But he would soon.
And when he rose…
He would carry a name I had already corrupted.
Even if I changed now, the lie was already breathing in the world.
"Maybe I'm not a good god," I whispered.
"But I'm not evil either… right?"
No answer came.
Only my own reflection.
Smiling back.
End of Chapter 27: A Lie So Deep