The Achievement Junkie

Chapter 408 Pacts With Gods

"As you can guess, it's making a pact with Sterfen and purchasing one of his skills that will allow you to pull this stealth mission off," added Daruun, making Jack finally feel more at ease. "You should make sure to form a pact with each willing god before you hurry off to go see Rikko. And since you're carving your own path, you can head out after you declare your entry in the councilmen election.

"Do you have any more questions, Jack?"

Thinking it over, Jack heaved a sigh of relief. The thought of the soloing Earthen Keep wasn't as stressful when he included the option of using the skills of the gods, in particular a skill from the god currently stalking Naparn within the Olympic Chateau. By comparison, the Earthen Keep felt a bit safer.

"No… I don't think I have any more questions about my tomb… At least not any that you would willingly answer."

"Sorry, Jack, but I want to make sure you get as many skill points as possible from this. You'll be grateful for that in the end," added Daruun. "If that's the case, then I'll finally be getting back to work elsewhere. I've ignored my other duties long enough."

"Alright, but I'll be calling you should I need anything."

As Daruun nodded to Jack, a warm light swelled from Daruun's being. It gradually grew until it engulfed all of Jack's vision, much softer than the other flashes that blinded Jack.

When that light faded, Jack blinked. He found himself picking up the ring from Tralon's hand.

"Can I ask you what you're trying to find?" asked Tralon.

Bouncing the ring up and down with his hand, Jack replied with a smile, "I'll be searching for my old tomb and this can help me locate it."

"Really?!" Tralon was amazed, eager to find such a place. "How can that ring help you?"

"My subclass lets me find tombs of heroes so long as I have an item crafted by them," answered Jack. "But to get to my tomb… it'll be even riskier than the storehouse."

"Where is it? Can I assist you in any way?"

Jack smiled and patted Tralon on the shoulder. "I'll tell you, but promise to be calm because I have a plan… I think…"

Tralon nodded but he didn't quite catch what Jack mumbled at the end of his statement.

"My tomb is at the very bottom of Earthen Keep, where I spent my last mission," stated Jack. "I do have a plan, though it means I'll be going alone this time."

"What?! That's ludicrous! Jack, you can't possibly--"

"I'm not going, not yet," added Jack. "I'll first have to make pacts with some gods to gain access to their skills. Only after I have Sterfen's skills in stealth will I head to Earthen Keep. That way, I'll sneak through the entire dungeon like I did that one time."

Feeling a bit better, Tralon asked, "And what about the crypt lord?"

"I've got something in mind for that too, so don't worry." Jack hid his own confidence and answered Tralon with the confidence that Daruun had shown, "Just know that once I enter Earthen Keep, I won't be exiting until I succeed."

Hearing that, Tralon deduced what Jack was about to ask him. "Jack, I'll make sure to protect your family and party at all costs!"

Jack heaved a sigh of relief. "Thank you, Tralon. Take especially good care of Eliza. Apparently… Dragas gave her a fertility potion after Eliza became Dragas's daughter, which means…"

Tralon's eyes shot wide open and his mouth fell agape. "Jack… You can rest assured that I will protect Eliza and your child with my life!"

"That's enough, Tralon," added Jack. "No one other than my wives, Lina, and my beast companions know, not even the other party members. Don't tell anyone unless you feel it's absolutely necessary or until it's already become obvious to everyone else."

"Of course. I'm sworn to secrecy," replied Tralon.

"Good, then know that I'll be taking that challenge on to better ensure everyone's protection. The sooner I can find that tomb and reclaim my treasures, the stronger we'll be to face the other godly factions," stated Jack. "For now, I'll go visit Eedaj, then Lunara and Dragas. Sterfen's occupied at the moment and it may be better to find Jin later, so I'll then visit Rikko. While I'm away, handle everything here in my stead."

"I wouldn't have it any other way!" Tralon gladly agreed, still feeling proud to know that Jack was on his way to becoming a father."

They both left Jack's office and parted ways.

Jack hurried back to the restricted area and knocked on Eedaj's courtyard door.

"Come in."

Entering with a smile on his face, Jack hurried and recounted his experience with Daruun to the Mind God. Eedaj grinned, agreeing with Daruun's way of thinking. They performed the pact then and there, not wasting any more time. The only thing Jack didn't expect was how insistent Eedaj was to receive the pact with the EXP leech. Jack tried to convince Eeaj otherwise, but the Mind God was obstinate.

Thanking Eedaj with a bow, Jack hurried away to inform his wives about the newest update to his plan. At the same time, Jack claimed the newest reward from his latest achievement.

[Even gods salute me: claimed]

[Gain the absolute respect of a deity, even getting them to pledge an offering to you rather than having you pledge to them. Legendary reward: 2000 skill points.]

Also, Jack checked out Eedaj's skills. Many of which were identical to Daliea's after she received so many spellbooks from Daliea. The greatest difference was the new class of spells that Jack had never seen before, labeled [Personal-tier Spells].

Jack remembered a few different gods mention personal spells that they had created but he didn't know that it was an actual classification. Both personal-tier spells were very eyecatching and very expensive…

[PERSONAL-TIER SPELLS]

[-God's Perspective: 3000 skill points]

[-Cerebral Collapse: 4000 skill points]

Keeping calm, Jack reasoned that the price was only fitting compared to legendary spells. But even then, Jack's heart ached to know that they were more expensive than any achievement he had earned so far, even legendary achievements.

With that in mind, Jack decided to save the two thousand skill points he had just earned. Jack didn't want to later find himself with too few skill points to purchase Sterfen's skill.

As Jack entered his own courtyard, he was greeted by Lina, who dragged him to the bedroom. There, they reunited with all three of Jack's wives. Maura and Daliea were sitting beside Eliza on the bed.

"How are you feeling?" Jack asked.

"I'm… I'm feeling fine," replied Eliza. "I'm just a little overwhelmed, that's all. With this happening so soon… I'm excited and worried at the same time."

"Well, that makes sense since you'll soon be a mom," chuckled Jack. Daliea scooted over to let Jack sit with Eliza. "I've just learned a few things that can help make things easier. It does involve me going away for a little while, but you'll be glad to know what I'll be bringing back."

Saddened, Eliza looked back up at Jack. "You're leaving? So soon?"

"Not yet," answered Jack. "Before I do that, I'll be revisiting Dragas and Lunara with my teleportation skill. Then, I still have to enter the election and bring the next god to Trodar. After all that, then I'll be going away for a short time."

"Okay… but we can't come with you?" asked Eliza.

Shaking his head, Jack explained, "Where I'll be going, not even Bowzer will be joining me. He and Phoro will be staying here with you, Dragov too. So even while I'm gone, you'll have them. But… Once I enter that place, I won't be able to leave, till I've made it to the end. However, once I'm done with that, I'll come back with all of the treasures and items that I gathered during my time as an ancient hero."

"Oh…" Eliza felt a desire to argue with Jack but she also understood how important such a mission was. After a moment of thought, Eliza smiled softly and leaned against Jack. "Then you'll have to make sure you bring something good for me and even more treasures for our baby."

Everyone in the room got a chuckle out while Jack replied, "Of course. Only the best for our kid."