Temple of the Demon Lord of Wishes

Chapter 78 Promotion

"Messiah, there are two Orthodox Temples assigned to capture the believers of our Lord."

A man stepped forward, his appearance disheveled yet unassuming. His shirt was wrinkled, and his hair stuck out in odd directions, as though he'd spent more nights at the gambling tables than in bed.

His tired eyes darted nervously, and he fidgeted with a coin in his hand, flipping it over his knuckles in a practiced motion.

Williams narrowed his eyes, his posture stiffening as he assessed the man.

The news wasn't surprising, but it wasn't welcome either.

'These past few days, I've managed to save up over 40 coins charged with enough luck to tip the scales in my favor,' he thought, his fingers unconsciously brushing the pouch at his waist.

'But then, trouble finds me wherever I go, draining my reserves faster than I can replace them. Now I'm down to just 15 coins. Dammit... does boosting one's luck have hidden costs? It's like I've been cursed with constantly encountering danger wherever I go... Feels like the Spirit with Good Luck really did scam me...'

He sighed inwardly before focusing back on the man.

"Which Orthodox temples are involved?" he asked, his tone sharp but steady.

The man hesitated for a moment, the coin slipping through his fingers before he caught it awkwardly.

"The Minotaur of Chivalry... and the Caretaker of Tea Parties."

Williams froze, his jaw tightening. His mind raced as he processed the information.

'The Minotaur lady again... great. She's definitely going to be a problem. She already suspects me—especially since this mess aligns with the Spirit of Good Luck's authority. If she connects the dots, I'm in deep trouble.'

'As for the other one...' he thought under his breath, his brow furrowing.

'The Caretaker of Tea Parties? What kind of ridiculous Reality Master is that? Are they going to throw tea at me or something?'

He straightened up, trying to mask his irritation.

"The Minotaur of Chivalry is a known threat. She's relentless and dangerously competent. But this Caretaker of Tea Parties.... —what do we know about them?"

The man shrugged helplessly.

"Not much, Messiah. Rumors say their authority revolves around creating safe zones, like some sort of twisted hospitality. They can manipulate environments and turn even hostile spaces into their territory. It doesn't sound threatening until you're stuck in their 'parlor' with no way out."

Williams pinched the bridge of his nose.

"Then teach them something simple—dice rolls, card games, anything. The point isn't to win. It's to blend in. Make sure they're seen as just another group of harmless gamblers."

The man seemed to relax slightly at the clarity of the instructions.

"And one more thing," Williams added, his tone lowering to something almost cold.

"If anyone panics or tries to flee, deal with it immediately. We can't afford stragglers or deserters. They'll be a liability—not just to themselves but to the entire group. Do you understand what I mean?"

The man's eyes widened slightly, but he nodded.

"Yes, Messiah. I understand."

"Good." Williams turned away, his fingers brushing the pouch of luck-charged coins at his waist.

"Remember, luck is on our side—if we're smart enough to use it. Keep calm, stay disciplined, and follow the plan. Now go. There's no time to waste."

The man bowed slightly before leaving, his steps quick but purposeful.

As the door closed with a faint creak, Williams leaned back in his chair, exhaling slowly. His fingers tapped rhythmically on the armrest, his mind already swirling with thoughts.

'Nolan's still stuck at that damned family gathering,' he thought, irritation flickering in his eyes.

'If he were here, I'd at least have someone reliable to help handle this mess. Instead, I'm stuck delegating to these jittery amateurs.'

He let out a quiet sigh, running a hand through his hair.

'When is the Spirit of Good Luck finally going to turn Nolan into a Walker? He promised it would happen soon, but how long am I supposed to wait? Hopefully, he hasn't gone back on his word.'

Williams' fingers stilled, and his gaze softened slightly.

'For all his flaws, Nolan's the only person I trust in this world. Even if he's an idiot half the time, at least he gets things done.'

Just as Williams was lost in thought, a sudden system notification materialized before him, the words glowing faintly in the dim light.

[The Spirit of Temptation has seen through your efforts as His Walker.]

[The Spirit of Temptation has chosen to reward you...]

[Rank has been promoted.]