Chapter 194: Kings, Gods and Gamblers

Samael’s gaze sharpened as he stared at Luke. He had tricked him into agreeing to fight the Beast Lord.

Luke only tightened his grip on the demon’s hand. “I don’t care. I’m killing that serpent anyway. Honestly, even if it were ten of them, I’d still have taken the deal. You’re offering me something I’ve wanted for a long time. Answers about what happened to my mother.”

He gave a slow smile. “Far as I’m concerned, I’m the one coming out ahead.”

Samael’s face returned to its usual unreadable calm. He released Luke’s hand.

“Well said,” he replied with a brief chuckle. “That’s the kind of answer I like to hear.”

He took two steps to the side, then added casually, “But seriously… kill the serpent. You’ll enjoy what comes next. That’s all I can tell you.”

Luke frowned. “Wait… was this a test or something?”

“Yup.” Samael smirked. “Actually, it was a joke.”

Artemis burst out laughing from inside the necklace. “I told you he wouldn’t get it!”

Luke scratched the back of his head, staring at them both, thoroughly confused.

“I figured you’d catch on,” Samael said, relaxed now. “You know, all that classic demon deal stuff. Soul trades, eternal servitude, dramatic backroom bargains. If this had been a real contract, the system would’ve shown up as mediator. You’d have seen the prompt.”

Luke was mildly stunned that Samael, the ever-serious, clean-cut demon, could even make a joke.

Samael walked over to the table and picked up the necklace. “You’ve practiced with a bow, haven’t you?”

“I’m learning,” Luke replied. “An assassin adapts. If there are no knives, use your hands. No hands, use your feet. I just want a ranged option in case I ever need it.”

Samael nodded, thoughtful. “Ask Artemis for tips. She can help you with the bow. After all… she is the Goddess of the Hunt.”

Luke blinked. “She’s a goddess? That necklace is a goddess?”

“Was,” Artemis corrected, her voice light but tinged with melancholy. “Now I’m just a soul. My divine power’s gone, but I still know a thing or two about archery.”

Luke tilted his head, intrigued. “Wait, can gods even have titles in your order? I thought only the main god could hold one.”

Samael crossed his arms. “Our order doesn’t serve just any god. We serve a Primordial. He’s the supreme deity above all others, which means our structure includes multiple divine orders beneath Him.”

“So… like a divine megacorp?”

“Exactly like that,” Samael said with a faint smile. “Other gods are worshipped by their own followers. But they worship Lord Azazel.”

He turned to walk down the corridor.

“Mind if I ask something?” Luke called out. “What exactly is a Dark Lord? I have the title. What does it actually do?”

Samael stopped. Slowly, he looked back over his shoulder.

“I can’t answer that. That’s part of your journey, to understand the nature of divine domains.” He paused. “If you ever make it out of this tutorial, come find us. Your initiation ceremony into our order still isn’t complete.”

“How will I know when it’s time?”

“When it’s time, you’ll know.” He gave a brief nod. “Goodbye, Luke.”

Samael disappeared into the corridor, his footsteps echoing with quiet grace. Kalysto, who had remained silent nearby, offered a small, respectful bow.

“Take good care of Lady Artemis… guest,” she said, just as a massive door formed behind them, made entirely of light. The glow flared, intense and blinding, swallowing the room whole.

When Luke blinked, they were gone. Silence followed. Not just quiet, something heavier. Like the air itself had lost weight. Presence. He looked around. He was alone. Or… almost.

“Now that I think about it,” he muttered, eyes landing on the necklace resting on the table, “why are you still here? Shouldn’t you have left with them?”

“Me?” Artemis’s voice echoed from the necklace with a touch of dry humor. “Oh, you know how it is. I’d have to sit on some throne while a hundred Kalysto clones worship me all day. ‘Lady Artemis this, Lady Artemis that’… exhausting.”

“And instead, you chose to stay with a mortal who’d probably let you go hungry out of spite if you pissed him off.”

She let out a genuine laugh. “Please. The people love me. You wouldn’t dare.”

“What people? You’re not on a stage. Wait, hold on. Are you digging through my memories for entertainment? Watching human pop culture like it’s your personal streaming service?”

“Hmm… maybe. Maybe not. By the way…” Her voice turned teasing. “I found a particularly interesting section in your memories. Something about… big-breasted elves?”

“WHAT?! Stop looking through my search history!”

Luke grabbed the necklace, almost crushing the thing in his fist.

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

“Alright, alright! I promise not to access that specific type of content again.” Artemis was still laughing. “But if you ever make it back to Earth, I want two things: to read manga… and to try pizza. I’ve become a huge fan of One Piece.”

“Deal,” Luke said, already turning away. “But you never mention my browser history again.”

“We have an agreement.”

He made his way toward the makeshift lab, footsteps steady, though his mind still reeled from the abrupt farewell.

“By the way,” he muttered, “isn’t it kind of risky hanging around with me? If I die, that’s it for you.”

“Aww, that’s sweet. You’re worried about me?” Her voice was almost tender.

“I never said that… and you know I didn’t.”

She laughed again.