Chapter 387: Chapter 325: Listening to the Gospel

Ash had no idea that the work environment for Substitutes had become even grimmer; he now had more pressing matters at hand.

After alleviating some psychological pressure with Igula, the Cult Leader quickly sorted out the most urgent tasks requiring attention–

Card drawing!

He had to immediately draw items capable of healing the soul; otherwise, it would be impossible to enter the Void Realm to fulfill the Contract with the Empress’ Soul, and the operators’ power-up would also hit a standstill!

Although he hadn’t accumulated enough points to trigger the first-time double points bonus, now was clearly not the time to maximize benefits. If he didn’t make in-app purchases now, he wouldn’t be able to get through the “Empress’s Challenge,” a sudden event intrusion!

In the past, when it was time to splurge on in-app purchases, Ash would usually seek out Igula as a boost to his luck.

But now, he had a better option–Gospel Book!

It’s worth mentioning that there are no gambling activities in the Kingdom of Gospel; after all, under the observation of the Gospel Book, all forms of gambling are akin to giving away money. Those who hearkened to the Gospel were like students educated in materialism–they wouldn’t believe in feudal superstitions of luck. The difference lies in the fact that the latter believes in human potential while the former believes in the inevitability of the Gospel.

Ash had been concerned about not having Gospel Points, but sleep brought him to the young lady’s knee pillow–an unexpected reward of 500 Gospel Points!

Returning to his room, Ash lay on the bed and directly summoned the Gospel Book, “Gospel, Gospel, how can I increase my chance of finding prizes in ‘Aurora’s Mage’s Handbook’?”

“Respected Ash Heath,” replied the Gospel Book, “I cannot comprehend your request.”

Huh?

Was the Gospel Book always this polite?

Because Ash didn’t use the Gospel much, he wasn’t very familiar with the Gospel’s attitude towards customers, but he also remembered that it hadn’t shown such service the last time he used it.

Or was it that now, with 500 Gospel Points, the Gospel Book immediately put on a money-grabbing face?

Did even the Gospel Book know to use tiered service to satisfy a customer’s sense of superiority?

Ash repeated his question; the Gospel Book answered with apparent difficulty, “Your Highness, the Gospel cannot identify the ‘Aurora’s Mage’s Handbook’ in your speech. But based on your description, may the Gospel understand that you wish to obtain desired items in a random draw?”

“Exactly.”

“Then the Gospel proposes two preliminary solutions, 1 Increase your luck, or 2 Amplify your resolve.”

Ash was somewhat baffled, “I can understand increasing luck, but what do you mean by ‘amplify your resolve’?”

The Gospel Book clarified, “Resolve is the most powerful force of a Mage, and this resolve is not the ‘heart’ of the Spirit Faction, but specifically refers to the combination of a Mage’s will, ideology, and soul. The most powerful Mages don’t even need to deliberately invoke Technique Spirits; Magic Power is merely an aid. The true Miracle occurs when Technique Spirits actively accommodate a Mage’s resolve and cooperate with each other in a leap.”

“When a Mage participates in any random draw, it is tantamount to the Mage interfering with the draw mechanism through resolve. As long as a Mage’s resolve is strong enough, it is possible for the draw mechanism to actively give out the prize he needs.”

Oh!?

Although it can’t directly increase my odds of winning, it can amplify my resolve, thereby making it easier to draw the item I want… Although it sounds unscientific, it also makes sense. Just like in a card game, a true dueler has a Bond with his deck. When a goddraw is needed, he will draw the desired card!

Ash asked, “What’s the price for increasing luck, and what’s the price for amplifying resolve?”

The Gospel Book answered, “Your Highness, increasing luck depends on the amount you pay, ranging from 100 points to 1,000,000,000 points. If you select the highest level of luck enhancement service, it is as if you enter into a state of achieving whatever you wish.”

“To amplify resolve, it only costs 150 points. Since resolve is closely related to the Mage, the Gospel can only enhance the power of resolve; the actual effect will vary according to the strength of Your Highness’s resolve.”

Ash inquired, “So how can I enhance my own resolve?”

The Gospel Book replied, “Your Highness, answering that question requires 10 points.”

Ash was quite annoyed, “I have to pay before getting anything?”

The Gospel Book apologised, “We are very sorry, Your Highness. Your feedback has been submitted.”

Although he complained, Ash still paid up dutifully. The Gospel Book immediately responded, “Resolve is intimately connected to emotion. When Your Highness’s emotions are intensely stirred, the fluctuation of resolve will also reach a peak. Moreover, it is best if your emotions are closely tied to the item you want, as your resolve will then possess a high degree of focus.”

Emotion, resolve, desired item…

Without a doubt, the item Ash wanted most to draw right now was the ‘Pure Spirit Light Special Drink’. There was still one bottle left in the inventory from the last draw; it was the only item he knew of that could heal the soul and he needed to draw several bottles this time. Then, using the ‘Alchemist’s Refining Bottle’, he would combine them into a more potent and superior Potion. Otherwise, they wouldn’t be able to recover from their soul injuries within a few days.

But how to stir up the emotion?

Ash contemplated on their imminent failure to enter the Void Realm on time, which would result in the Empress’ Soul confiscating all the points they had accumulated through the Soul Summoning Technique Spirit.

He felt a slight stir of emotion.

Ash thought again about them all being captured by the Empress’ Soul and perishing in a sea of beasts, their bodies never to be found whole.

Because it was so surreal, it gave rise only to a slight stir of emotion.

Ash thought again about not being caught by the Empress’ Soul, but both operators accidentally dying, and from then on, Ash could only go to work himself, never again exploiting any operators.

The emotions surged, emotions swelled up!

“I can’t take it anymore!” Ash gritted his teeth and said, “Help me amplify my feelings!”

“There is no need for ‘please,’ Your Highness,” the Gospel Book immediately responded. “Feelings amplification for 10 seconds, costing 150 Gospel Points, please prepare yourself, Your Highness.”

Ash opened the Mage’s Handbook and went straight to “Material Acquisition,” where he now had 238 points. He could only afford a “bag of Source Crystals” worth 198 points without the first recharge double bonus, getting 40 Source Crystals. Together with the 14 he had in reserve, that made a total of 54 Source Crystals, just enough for 18 draws!

Ash didn’t dare to draw them all at once and decided to start with a batch of ten to see how it went.

The thought of having to spend money without any promotional rewards for this random event made Ash even angrier!

“I’m ready! It’s now or never!”

“The faithful Gospel will now amplify your feelings, countdown 3 seconds, 2 seconds, 1 second… You have entered the feelings amplification status, with 10 seconds remaining!”

Ash immediately opened “Operator Scouting,” selected the limited scouting card pool “Swords and Dragons,” and went straight for “Scout Ten Times”!

Ten streaks of purple light!

“Pure Spirit Light Special Drink” x 9, “Energy Potion” x 1!

Ash was stunned, and by the time he came to his senses, the ten seconds had already passed. The Gospel Book reminded him, “Your Highness has exited feelings amplification status, may I ask if you were satisfied with this service?”

“Satisfied.” Ash sniffled, nearly moved to tears, “I’m more than satisfied!”

No wonder everyone preferred to live in the web woven by the Gospel. Was this the joy of the Gospel?

It was too joyful!

Although one ought to cherish their dignity, if you can cheat the system, dignity seems not so important after all!

A beautiful day starts with listening to the Gospel!

…

…

Meanwhile, the Necromancer was also using the Gospel Book.

He had designed two advanced modification plans for Alice but couldn’t make up his mind. Before, he would collect a pile of corpses, transform them all through necromancy, and then hire whoever adapted best to the new work environment, but now that wasn’t an option, he couldn’t recruit new employees and had to carefully cultivate his only key staff member.

Harvey: “Which of the two plans is better for Alice?”

Gospel Book: “50 Gospel Points.”

Harvey thought for a moment, then decided to split the questions up, hoping it might be cheaper: “Is Alice suited for the resentful spirit transformation plan?”

Gospel Book: “Not suitable (charge of 25 points).”

Harvey asked again: “Is Alice suited for the Ghoul transformation plan?”

Gospel Book: “Also not suitable (charge of 25 points).”

A warmth flickered in the almost ice-cold heart of the Necromancer–Both are unsuitable, and you still charge me 50 points?

He took a puff of cat grass smoke to calm down and continued to ask: “How should Alice be strengthened next?”

Gospel Book: “100 Gospel Points.”

Although the Necromancer already had several ideas, based on the lessons just learned, he decided to pay up honestly.

Gospel Book: “Based on your current resources, Alice’s limbs should be strengthened with Corpse Ghost enhancement, and her torso with a resentful soul enhancement.”

He warmed up, fired up–the heart of the Necromancer was ablaze!

Isn’t this just combining the two plans I’d already made?! Why did you say earlier that neither of the plans was suitable, couldn’t you have just told me “Corpse Ghost is only suitable for limbs, resentful soul only for the body,” and I would have understood? Do you have to deceive for points like this?

A beautiful day ends with listening to the Gospel.