Chapter 53: The Evil God’s Whispers

Na Naya opened her eyes to an unfamiliar ceiling.

Rubbing sleepy eyes, she stared at the mold spots.

Yanan was damp, houses easily mildewed.

Fine, it was that recent deep-sea ruin’s fault.

Five o’clock.

Sunlight crept into the room.

Summer days started early.

Na Naya sat up slowly.

“Another dream.”

Lately, she kept dreaming of her monastery days.

Specifically, time with Sister Meng.

Was she nostalgic for those times?

She couldn’t say.

If anything, she missed the gentle, reliable nun sister more.

But reality taught her the truth.

That gentle sister was a beast in disguise.

A liar behind the mask.

Lost in thought on her bed, Na Naya snapped out of her morning haze.

“Church tasks are nearly done. Next, tackle the duke’s problem.”

She rose, heading to the bathroom, washing up in front of the mirror.

“What’s next?”

She muttered to herself.

Na Naya liked thinking aloud when alone.

A light novel-loving dog once told her speaking problems out loud sparked ideas.

This time, a strange idea came.

Her arm burned—the evil fire god’s totem reappeared.

“You want to get closer to that girl?”

The god’s voice was a kind, coaxing elder.

“Just go for it. She’ll melt.”

“Shut up.”

Na Naya splashed water on the totem.

It shifted spots.

“I don’t want to meddle, but your resentment’s strong. You talk in your sleep.”

The god sounded aggrieved, disturbed by her murmurs.

Na Naya’s anger faded to calm.

“You’re spying on my life?”

Applying deodorant, her face showed no emotion.

“I don’t want to. I can’t see outside, but I hear.”

Na Naya replied coldly.

“Easy fix. Get out of my body.”

“No Flame Giants left in this world. I’ve nowhere to go.”

“Then die.”

“Your tongue’s sharp.”

The totem flickered, as if crying.

“But I don’t want to die.”

“Clinging to life.”

Ignoring the god, Na Naya finished washing, tying her hair.

“Don’t say that. I’m useful.”

“Oh?”

Na Naya bit a hair tie, gathering her white hair.

Sensing her lack of outright rejection, the god pressed on.

“You heard her. I’m a forging god. You call me evil, but I’m not bad. Flame Giants and their live sacrifices ruined my rep. I’m quite kind.”

“Hah.”

Na Naya scoffed.

“So, what use are you?”

Unfazed by her disbelief, the god knew she was sharp.

Easy to deal with.

“You like fire curses, right? I can teach you. You’ve got the Flame Giant Whip. I can enchant it. Plus, you’ve got a wise god for advice.”

“Wise advice?”

Na Naya almost asked about her and Meng Linna’s relationship.

Then recalled the god’s “go for it” nonsense.

Either a jokester or clueless about human bonds.

She dropped the question.

She didn’t ask, but the god knew.

“You want to make up with your ‘Sister Meng’?”

“Don’t call her that. She’s just scum.”

Na Naya’s face chilled.

“And stop guessing my thoughts.”

“Oh.”

The god’s tone turned thoughtful.

“So, like your sleep-talk said, you want to…”

“Shut up!”

Na Naya cut it off.

“Fine, no jokes.”

The god sounded regretful, realizing she wasn’t playful.

“If you want to persuade her, try building rapport first?”

“Thanks, genius advice.”

Na Naya applied lipstick.

“No wonder the church crushed you.”

“Ouch.”

The god laughed awkwardly at her jab.

“To build rapport, team up as adventurers.”

Capping her lipstick, Na Naya headed to her armory, prepping gear.

She secured her combat belt, adding shoulder straps.

Sorting equipment, she reflexively countered the god.

“If I wanted rapport with that scum, I’d just say I forgive her. That blonde pup would come running.”

“So she’s a blonde pup in your mind? Cute.”

The god’s tone teased.

“Why not forgive her?”

“…”

Na Naya buried her adventurer badge deep in her pouch.

She’d half-considered the god’s suggestion.

Now, out of spite, she scrapped teaming up with Meng Linna.