The Second Champion, Saviour From The Shadows [Prologue]

Edric had found it odd that a god-like entity had chosen him of all people to save a dying planet. He wasn't certain what exactly made him desirable in the god's eyes, but he understood that he was special in some sense.

After all, why else would the god creature hesitate to find another option? Edric was certain there were others more willing to live out a second life.

"You said you came here to offer me a proposition, but thus far all I've heard about is what you stand to gain. A second chance at life isn't a real bargaining chip, it's nothing more than a bare necessity for me to fulfil this service you've requested," Edric began to explain, his tone hushed, like an employee trying to ask for a raise.

He had already confirmed his initial theory, now he just had to show the creature that he wasn't more trouble than he was worth. There was no need to anger the god-creature any further.

"I already lived my last life to the fullest. I've tasted everything there was to taste as a human. So you can understand that merely living again isn't something that excites me," he finished.

The god-creature stared at Edric silently, before snapping out of existence with a thunderous clap. An instant later it appeared right in front of him, its emerald eyes staring down at him as if he were something disgusting.

"Edric Averus, do you understand what it means to bargain with a deity?" the creature asked, a smoldering anger present in its tone. Edric could feel tiny waves of excruciating pain travelling through his vessel.

"𝙔𝙤𝙪 came to 𝙢𝙚 with this proposition. And I was never taught the etiquettes involved when speaking with deities, so it's a little unfair for you to get angry. Don't you think that you should at least hear what my requests are? After all, you're asking me to go suffer on a dying planet and save it," Edric said hesitantly.

~Did I mess this up?~ he wondered. He wasn't sure exactly how disrespectful he was being right now, after all it was his first time talking to a being of this calibre. Still, in negotiations, there wasn't a lot of space to submit, even if the other party was a god.

The creature went silent for a moment, before recreating the office room. With a flick of its finger, it sent Edric crashing into a chair. Even without a body, he could feel the impact of slamming into the metal frames.

"Speak. If you say something I don't like, I'll destroy your soul," the creature said impatiently, before leaning back on the grand chair it was sitting on.

~I doubt it can do that. Even as powerful as it is, it seems it has limitations... rules it has to follow. For one, it clearly can't read my mind. That much I'm grateful for,~ Edric thought to himself as he attempted to study the creature's face.

However, every time he attempted to focus on a particular spot of its face, all he could see were sparkling gems. Almost as if its golden frame was nothing but an amalgamation of precious stones - as odd as that seemed.

"I want powers similar to yours-" Edric began, and with that, he could feel the space around him tense.

"-I'm not asking to be a god, not yet at least. I just want to know what it feels like to hold true power," he quickly added.

In his old world he had amassed a great fortune, however, all it took for him to lose it all were a few conspiring family members. Besides, even with all the money in the world, he was still restricted by the laws of physics.

This creature, however, had no such limits. Sure there were things it could not do, but even then those could probably be counted in one hand.

"So what? You want to become a demi-god?" the creature asked, suddenly calming down.

"Yes, something of the sort," Edric replied.

"Done. I needed someone to act as my herald once this new planet was conquered anyway. If you can complete your task, I will allow you to act as my hand," the creature responded.

~Conquer? I thought I was going to save it,~ Edric thought to himself, suddenly realizing the true nature of this being.

"Also-" Edric added as the creature was standing up.

"I ask that you give me the best body possible. I think it'd make it easier for me to do your bidding, don't you think?" he said finally.

The creature looked at him for a moment, before breaking into laughter.

"You truly are a child of mine, Edric Averus... so truly greedy," the creature said in between laughter.

"Deal," it said finally, before holding out its hand. 

With that, a hand materialized into view, and after a moment Edric realized it was his.

"Deal," Edric replied, before shaking the entity's hand.

In those few seconds they were connected, Edric had visions of him bathed in wealth, in power, in true unadulterated greed.

"That's right Edric Averus, I am the deity of Greed and Wealth, and you just agreed to be my champion," the deity said with a smile.

"It's a good thing you didn't ask for more, you could've bankrupted me," the deity continued, as it traced something in the air with its index finger.

"But still, I applaud you for trying to take advantage of me. Not many humans ever try," it added. At this point, the deity had taken away Edric's mouth and hand, and he was unable to converse.

"I'll be quick, there are three things you need to know before I send you to this world," the deity said.

"First of all, you aren't my true champion. Every deity is only allowed one per world, and I've already sent my chosen. However, a certain something has recently given me the opportunity to send another. You should know better than everyone about increasing one's chances for success," the deity explained.

Every time it traced something in the air, a gold streak remained in its wake. At this point, the trace seemed to be nothing more than random scribbles.

"So because this is considered a breach of the rules, you'll have to work in the shadows. Do as you please, but ensure none of the other champions ever discover what you truly are. The other dieties can only see through their champions," the deity continued.

Now the trace was beginning to look less abstract, however, Edric still couldn't figure out what it was.

"Secondly, the system you'll be awarded is decided randomly based on your qualities, I have no say in what it'll be. However, I'm certain it will have something to do with your business acumen. Use that particular skill of yours over any other. The reason I chose you is because you're so good at amassing wealth, not because I was awed at what a great fighter you are," it added.

By now Edric could sort of tell what the deity was tracing. It looked to be an image of a dragon, circling in on itself to form a circle.

"Thirdly, beware of the blackfog. It is god-devouring matter, if you stay too long in it, you die. And trust me, the fate of those who die twice is enough to scare even the most powerful deities," it finished off before flicking the drawing of the dragon towards Edric.

With that, Edric's vision went white.

"Edrea will explain how to access your system. Just don't trust her with anything important and you should be safe."

Edric could barely make out those last few words, it sounded almost like the deity was moving away from him at a quickening pace.

*

[Processing...]

[System Awarded!]

[...]

[Title: ...]

[The Conglomerate System.]