Dungeon Raider System-Chapter 979: Every dog has its day Part 2

Mark met the eclipse’s refusal with the grace of a six year old attempting to persuade the elder cryptid with nothing but pouts and whimpers. For once in his life Mark had decided to do something for others without any regards for his safety, but doing the right thing was impossible for him without help.

"If you want to go there and get yourself killed be my guest, but I’m not letting you drag me along that perilous journey." The eclipse replied when Mark finally settled.

"It won’t be that dangerous if you’re with me. With your help I’ll be able to regenerate from any damage plus your skin is really thick..."

"You’re one to talk about thick skin. Shamelessly begging for help without ever doing anything for me." Mark clicked his tongue, though it was unclear if it was him or the eclipse the one behind that gesture.

"Have it your way, I’m going anyway." Before Mark could stand up the eclipse stopped him by controlling Mark’s lower body.

"Before you go, I want to know you understand what’s going on. Those things are actual gods, some of them used to be of your same species, but humans cannot possibly compare to gods in terms of power even if they’re limited by the vessels they’re using. Think of it this way, I am not just a regular horror level cryptid, I am one of the oldest ones to ever exist which means I am actually among the most powerful beings on this planet. Yet I am limited by the power of my vessel making me about one tenth of how powerful I was while I still had my own body. I was really powerful back then, covering the sunlight is but a parlor trick compared to how I used to terrorize this world and yet I was defeated in combat by a woman who had just ascended into godhood. See where I’m going with this?"

"They can’t be so bad, there are still some buildings standing..."

"You’re missing the point here, there are dozens of gods out there and if numbers alone don’t convince you to back down, then add to that the fact that those stupid humans are praying right now." Through the eyes of an ancient creature like the eclipse humans were endearingly stupid, but among humans he considered Mark to be among the most obtuse people he ever encountered. Talking with him sometimes felt akin to talking to a wall, but the eclipse was convinced that with enough time even a wall could learn faster than his current host. If it wasn’t for his powerful lineage and strong body, the eclipse would have rather possessed anybody else in the world but unfortunately fate brought them together and there was nothing he could do about it.

Or that was the case if he didn’t want to cause both Mark and himself the unbearable pain of being flayed alive which is what would happen if he decided to abandon his host. But with Mark being stubborn the eclipse found himself without a choice anymore as Mark struggled to stand up against the cryptid’s wishes.

"Are you sure you want to do this even after everything I told you?" The eclipse asked for confirmation before doing something to Mark that could never be undone.

"You mentioned that humans were praying to the gods, is that making them stronger?"

"It certainly isn’t making them any weaker..." The eclipse’s reply left Mark mystified for a couple seconds forcing the cryptid to explain further. "yes, as long as humans pray to the gods, they’ll become not just stronger, but will also regain flux energy. When a creature ascends to divinity, they become unable to absorb flux energy from the atmosphere like hunters and some cryptids do. In exchange, they can consume the souls of living creatures to empower themselves, like other cryptids do."

"A simple yes would have done." Mark snarled then grabbed his phone and dialed someone. The cellphone signal was bad, but the faint ringing in the device kept alive a glimmer of hope.

"What are you doing? Why are you not moving?" The eclipse asked with curiosity. He had made his mind already that before Mark moved towards the battlefield he would dislodge himself from his host, but due to his curiosity the eclipse didn’t even notice Mark was already walking.

"Hey, it’s me, yes, yes... I need you to do something for me. Meet me at the western gate. Yes, I know they’re close, but that’s the point," A wide grin appeared on Mark’s face as he spoke the next words. "I promise you, this will be the scoop of your life."

Out of nothing but curiosity the eclipse decided to stay with Mark even if just a little longer. Or at least that was the story the cryptid told himself, as in reality after spending so long trapped in a book he was lucky enough to possess someone who enjoyed the fine things of life. The ancient cryptid went from being nothing but the book cover of a cursed book to living a spoiled life of wealth which was precisely what he wanted. In a sense, it was lucky for both of them as they each got what they wanted, but it was also a fortunate thing they bonded because it all led to the moment where Mark showed up in the west gate and found the woman he just called already waiting for him.

"You could have picked a safer place," Said June, the reporter, as she blinked all over the place with her trait to avoid the hale of debris. "what is this about? I can’t think of anything going on that’s bigger than this fight and I’m already covering it."

"June, June, June," Mark said as he shook his head. "of all the people I never thought you could be this short sighted."

"Short sighted!? This is the battle of the century! By covering this event I’ll become to history what Albert Einstein was to physics. Even if all goes to hell, my name will be on the mind of the last living human. And you’re now saying I’m short sighted!?"

"Your reasoning isn’t wrong, but why be like that ’Alburt’ guy no one knows. Why bother recording history, when you can be a part of it."

"I’m interested." The sheen on June’s eyes turned her on the incarnation of greed itself. The only thing that could make her drop what she was doing was something far bigger and she could already tell where Mark was going.

"First, I need to know what’s going on and I don’t have the time to watch it on your channel."

"They’re fighting... that’s it. Now, if you want to know who’s winning that’s hard to say. Those filthy Dungeon Raiders are putting up a good fight, better than I expected. They took out some gods before the fight even started and if it wasn’t for Zeus showing up the battle would already be over, but he sure changed the tides. Whenever Sage regenerates, he gets zapped on his ugly face and in the meantime their friends became punching bags," She informed then asked. "what is it you want me to do?"

"I want you to shift the public opinion and get as many people on the Dungeon Raiders’ side."

"You must be joking! The gods are obviously the good ones, even the Mapple corporation is fighting alongside them!" June replied almost instantly.

"You’re telling me now you’re committed to the truth?" Mark chuckled.

"Obviously not," She shook her head with a wry smile. "it’s just that there’s nothing to gain by siding with those poor suckers. I could care less if the gods are actually devils, if I showcase them in a good light they’ll spare my life and the Mapple corp. might even pay me."

The battle raged in the distance as Mark pondered what to say. June’s words were a cold bucket of water to Mark’s hot head which made him realize the consequences of facing against the gods. It wasn’t just the immediate danger, but the fact that once the gods win there would be no place for him to run or hide.

On the other hand, if he did nothing he would be able to return as if nothing happened. Perhaps they would give him a light punishment for escaping, but who could blame him for running for his life. Such was the line of thought that made his determination dwindle, but then he remembered his brother.

"Sure, they’ll let you live, but they’ll also treat you like garbage. What I’m asking, no, what I’m offering you is the chance to pick the winning side."

"If you’re dumb enough to believe they stand a chance, then you are way more stupid than I thought." June replied.

"Perhaps you’re right, but maybe not. As you know, I’ve always been on their enemy’s side hoping against hope that somehow those bastards would get crushed to death. Each time they came back stronger and kicked my butt even harder. Had I sided with them... there’s no point in useless thoughts. What’s important is that this is our chance to place a bet."

"Interesting analogy. Betting on the underdog usually pays better...," June bit her thumb knowing every second she stalled could get the decision taken away from her hands as the Dungeon Raiders were on the brink of destruction. "I’m in."

The source of this c𝓸ntent is fr(e)𝒆novelkiss