I’m a Young God, Won’t You Raise Me?

The first thing that came to mind was only one thing.

‘Could it be a glitch?’

And my second thought was no different.

‘This definitely looks like a glitch.’

Originally, the first day’s fee in Slay to Plate was only 10G.

It wasn’t that merciless to beginners right from the start.

The structure of Slay to Plate was to give you hope, gradually draw the player in, and then later crush them with completely absurd fees.

But an amount this insane.

‘And our sales were 249,560G!’

After paying the fee, we would only have 560G left.

Even selling a few raw Flame Lizard Tails at the general store would earn more money than that.

I was so dumbfounded that I couldn’t find the words.

“Recruit. What the hell is going on with this fee?”

Mo Haein, who had also seen the system window, approached me in complete confusion.

But I didn’t know anything either.

“I don’t know either… I think it might be a glitch.”

“It’s our fault.”

At that moment, a subdued voice was heard.

The twins had approached without me noticing and were standing beside me with gloomy expressions.

Ella bit her lip hard before murmuring,

“Because you helped us… the Lord…”

The moment I heard that Infernum was behind it, everything made sense.

He wanted me to end up on his table.

According to the restaurant lease contract, the daily fee was entirely at the owner’s discretion.

He could corner me like this as much as he wanted.

And on top of that, he had the perfect excuse because of the twins.

Even if I went to protest or try to negotiate, I wouldn’t stand a chance.

The moment I went to see Infernum, he would demand that I hand over the twins.

Ellun lightly flapped his only healthy wing as he spoke.

“I’m sorry, Lamb. We’ll go back.”

Ella, who was always the more talkative one, also lowered her head and murmured quietly.

“I’m sorry…”

“It’s not your fault, Lady Ella, Sir Ellun. Even if you went back, Infernum would do exactly the same.”

After reassuring the twins, I also explained to Lieutenant Colonel Je Hyuno and the Captains that it might only be a temporary glitch and that, for the time being, it would be better to observe the situation.

And after continuing to run the restaurant for several more days.

I reached only one conclusion.

Infernum was determined to put me on his table.

That damned Fire Dragon kept setting completely absurd fees.

No matter how many skewers I sold, he always made sure we ended up with only around 500G.

With barely 500G a day, it was absolutely impossible to improve the restaurant’s decor.

To achieve the True Ending of Slay to Plate, two objectives had to be fulfilled.

Become the best restaurant.

And conquer the dungeon.

Only by reaching 1,000 reputation points could you earn the title of the best restaurant.

That was why the standing restaurant was only used at the beginning to earn money quickly.

After that, once enough funds had been accumulated, you had to gradually improve both the variety of dishes and the decor to increase your reputation.

But under these conditions, it was impossible to increase the restaurant’s reputation.

I closed the restaurant early and sent the twins to the second floor.

Then I gathered Lieutenant Colonel Je Hyuno and the Captains on the first floor to explain the situation.

“There’s no point in continuing to open the restaurant like this. We’re just repeating the same thing over and over again.”

Mo Haein was the first to give her opinion.

“Then how about reducing the restaurant’s operations and focusing on conquering the dungeon for a while? We could also check what happens to the fee if sales decrease.”

Sitting backward on a chair with his arms resting on the backrest, Kwak Hanmuk commented,

“What if the fee doesn’t go down and one of us gets devoured the next day?”

He was right.

The fees never went down.

I glanced at Lieutenant Colonel Je Hyuno.

“……”

He remained seated on the table without saying a word.

His gaze was still fixed on me.

Ever since what had happened in the dungeon, not a single emoji had appeared on his goggles again, and that worried me.

But he wasn’t doing anything strange either.

He simply accepted everything we proposed.

And that frightened me even more.

It was like working alongside a time bomb that could explode at any moment.

‘I’m also a little worried about him…’

After witnessing that, it was impossible not to worry.

I had no idea what was going through his mind.

Lieutenant Colonel Je Hyuno was someone completely impossible to understand.

Since he didn’t seem to have any opinion, I spoke cautiously.

“That’s why I’d like to gamble on one option. But I’ll need to spend 500G, so I wanted to ask for your permission.”

The entire Special Operations Team had entered Slay to Plate because of me.

I had to find a way out for them.

“In Slay to Plate, there’s a device capable of attracting alien customers. Their appearance depends on chance, so they might not come. But if they do appear, they leave enormous tips. If we manage to receive a tip that would normally be impossible to obtain through the restaurant’s regular operations, I think it could conflict with the fee imposed by the restaurant owner and trigger a glitch.”

“So what you’re proposing is deliberately triggering a glitch.”

After Mo Haein summarized it, I nodded carefully.

Deliberately triggering a glitch in a Trial went completely against the fundamental principles of the Trial Response Agency.

“Wow… now that’s crazy. Isn’t it too dangerous?”

Even Kwak Hanmuk, who had always supported my proposals until now, seemed uncomfortable this time.

But there was no other alternative.

Kwak Hanmuk turned toward Lieutenant Colonel Je Hyuno.

“Lieutenant Colonel, what do you think?”

Lieutenant Colonel Je Hyuno rested his metallic hand on the table and began tapping it lightly.

Tap… tap… tap…

The sound, light and without force, continued for a few moments before stopping.

Then that rough voice spoke my name.

“Goyo.”

“Yes…?”

He extended one hand toward me.

Pointing the black blade of his metallic hand at me, he declared,

“I’ll eliminate the twins first.”

“……”

I understood perfectly what he meant.

Everything I was proposing was based on the premise of achieving the True Ending.

But right now, the team was in danger.

If we failed to pay the fee even for a single day, one of us would be devoured immediately.

And if even resorting to something as dangerous as deliberately triggering a glitch failed.

Lieutenant Colonel Je Hyuno would immediately change strategies.

He would conquer the dungeon as quickly as possible to obtain the normal Ending.

And at the same time, he would eliminate the twins first, since up to that point they had not truly contributed to completing the Trial and, on the contrary, only represented a variable that interfered with my judgment.

It was a cold and logical decision as the team’s leader.

It wasn’t the path I wanted.

But I couldn’t criticize his decision either.

The only thing I could do was swear to myself that I would not fail.

I bowed my head to him.

“Understood. Thank you for giving me this opportunity, Lieutenant Colonel.”

The first thing Lieutenant Colonel Je Hyuno said after hearing me out was,

“Do as Goyo says.”

***

After opening the restaurant the next day, we split up as usual.

Lieutenant Colonel Je Hyuno and Kwak Hanmuk went to the dungeon.

Mo Haein, the twins, and I stayed at the restaurant.

While Mo Haein and the twins attended to the customers, I went alone to the backyard and took an item out of my inventory.

Small Dish Antenna: An antenna capable of communicating with extremely distant places. Perhaps it can attract a special customer.

It was a small satellite dish that I had bought the day before at the general store for the considerable sum of 500G.

In the game, it was a late-game easter egg used to attract alien customers.

If it was installed on the restaurant’s roof, it would broadcast an advertisement into space, and once the restaurant’s reputation exceeded 990 points, alien customers would begin to appear.

Our current reputation was only 18 points.

Even if I installed the antenna, it would only rise to 21.

With a number like that, it was absolutely impossible for an alien customer to appear.

And even if a miracle happened, they would never leave a tip large enough to trigger a glitch.

Everything I had told Lieutenant Colonel Je Hyuno and the Captains had been a lie.

‘But if I had told them the truth, they never would have given me permission.’

My target wasn’t just any alien customer.

I installed the satellite dish on the roof.

Then a system window appeared.

Enter the advertisement text.

Just as I expected.

Just like with the previous malicious advertisement, I could write it myself this time as well.

“Mr. Gunbam. Who is that advertisement intended for?”

“I’m sending it into space.”

“So you’re inviting some very special customers.”

As I listened to the pudding slime’s curious voice, I carefully searched my memories and wrote the message.

Delivery available to PSR Pulsar. Please contact us.

My intention was to attract Mr. Black Blocks.

I couldn’t remember all the space coordinates he had mentioned, so I wrote what I could.

That should be enough.

After all, he had said he was still watching me.

Most likely, he was still doing so even now.

Once the advertisement had been sent, I felt the pudding slime’s soft texture on my shoulder as I sank into thought.

I was already almost convinced that the alien who had called me a few days ago was Mr. Black Blocks.

From what I could infer, he had to be a divine existence.

And not a low-ranking one, either.

‘If he can display system windows every time a Trial ends, he must hold a fairly high position.’

Moreover, for some reason, he treated me rather kindly.

He even intervened in the Trials I completed.

Especially during Call of the Void.

It was thanks to the newspaper Mr. Black Blocks had sent me that I was able to contact Samra.

‘Divine entities from the outside can partially intervene in Trials.’

However, it didn’t seem like they could manipulate them completely at will.

After all, Mr. Black Blocks couldn’t even come to the restaurant in person.

And last time, he had been overjoyed simply because he had finally managed to establish a phone connection with me.

‘Ah, wait. So he had already tried to contact me before.’

Knowing that he had been trying to reach me for some time gave me a rather uncomfortable feeling.

Especially since he didn’t seem like a particularly normal alien.

In any case.

If he had really been watching me all this time and even considered himself my fan.

Then he would most likely intervene in my strategy this time as well.

Riiing!

The telephone rang.

I took a deep breath before answering the unconventional alien’s call.

“You’ve reached the restaurant.”

— Greetings, Lamb! I saw the advertisement that you’ve started offering delivery service!

His voice was filled with excitement.

The interference still made it difficult to hear him clearly.

Although the signal quality seemed to have improved a little.

“Yes. Thank you for contacting us so quickly.”

— At last I’ll be able to taste Lamb’s food! I’m truly excited!

“The truth is, we don’t actually make deliveries.”

— What?! False, misleading, and fraudulent advertising?!

He was right.

But the fact that he put it so precisely made me feel a little uncomfortable.

I cleared my throat before getting to the main point.

“Instead, I’d like to make you a much better offer.”

— A better offer?! What is it?

“You said you’ve been watching me.”

— Of course!

“Then I assume you also know my current situation.”

— Hmm, I can’t say I don’t. After all, I’m your fan.

Just as I had expected.

He had also seen Infernum suffocating me with those outrageous fees.

I gave him the smile of an Employee of the Month.

“Then, could you pay for a subscription? The more, the better. Enough to resolve this situation.”

After hearing me out, he remained silent for a few moments.

‘Did the connection get cut?’

The interference was so severe that it wouldn’t have been surprising.

Just as I thought I’d wait a little longer before trying again.

— HAHAHAHAHA! HAHA! HAHAHAHA!

Completely uncontrollable laughter echoed from the other end.

He laughed so hard that I genuinely started to worry.

He sounded as though he was about to run out of breath.

Only after he finally managed to calm down did he speak again.

He lowered his voice to a whisper.

— He… Hehehe… A subscription?! This is wonderful, Lamb! It makes me so happy! I can’t even remember the last time I had this much fun!

‘Don’t forget to pay the fee for making me laugh too.’

I thought to myself as I replied.

“If you pay for the subscription, next time I’ll prepare a truly delicious meal for you. The ingredients I have here are very limited. Even if I sent you something right now, you probably wouldn’t like it. I’d rather serve you a proper meal.”

— Oooh!

“But on one condition. I’ll decide the place, the date, and the menu.”

According to Slay to Plate’s system, it had to be recorded as a food sale.

So I intended to treat the transaction as advance payment for a future delivery.

Furthermore, by limiting the agreement to a single meal served at a place and time of my choosing, I avoided having to pay an excessive price later.

And there was something else I didn’t mention.

Nowhere in the agreement did it say that I had to be present.

In other words.

I could leave the food somewhere and run away.

I had no intention of meeting him in person.

Even so, I felt that I owed him something for all the help he had given me until now.

So when the time came, I intended to prepare him a truly good meal.

‘What the hell do aliens eat?’

That would be a problem.

Judging by Dominic, who had such peculiar tastes and only wanted to eat Fire Dragon eyes or hearts.

‘If he’s just as picky, I’ll make him ramen.’

While entertaining such a malicious thought, I waited for his answer.

— Excellent! I don’t care when it is! As long as I can personally taste a meal prepared by Lamb! What wonderful service for a fan! Naturally, I must pay the appropriate price!

He had accepted.

I felt an enormous sense of relief.

But I made sure not to show it as I replied.

“I’d appreciate it if it were money that I can use here.”

— Naturally! Don’t worry. This currency is very easy to transport. It’ll reach Lamb’s location without any problems.

After chuckling softly, he suddenly exclaimed,

— Oh! It seems the connection is about to be cut off! As your fan, I’ll keep watching you, Lamb! Until next time…

Beep… beep… beep…

The call ended.

It seemed the problem had been solved.

But for some reason, I didn’t feel particularly good.

It was as though something sticky had clung to me.

‘How is he going to send me the money?’

I felt the strength leave my hand slightly.

Even the receiver felt heavy, so I set it down on the table.

“Mr. Gunbam.”

“Ah… Mr. Dominic.”

“It was the same individual from a few days ago. Are you going to prepare a meal for him?”

“Yes. Of course, it won’t be anything compared to the meal I intend to prepare for you, Mr. Dominic.”

“Mmm, you could have asked for my help.”

His voice conveyed sincere curiosity.

But I had no other choice.

I remembered the Hidden Boss on the 88th floor who had ended up killing me after corrupting a system window.

Dominic’s help always followed his own standards.

He helped a Young God, not a human being.

That was why things never turned out exactly as I wanted.

If I had asked for his help, this never would have ended so peacefully.

Besides.

Just as he had transformed Blazing Ray, if he kept using powers so close to his true nature, he might recover his memories much more quickly.

‘This isn’t a contract. It doesn’t leave a mark like a Seal, either. It’s just a simple exchange.’

I explained my entire plan to Dominic.

Without forgetting to mention that I would never have to meet the other party in person.

“This will be the first meal I prepare for you, Mr. Dominic, the person I trust and rely on the most. I wanted to prepare it entirely through my own efforts, without depending on anyone else. I only ask that you wait a little longer.”

Dominic asked politely,

“How long?”

I didn’t like the feeling at all.

A chill ran down my spine.

I had the impression that I needed to answer very carefully.

“It won’t take very long.”

I replied cautiously.

Dominic answered as naturally as ever.

“Very well, Mr. Gunbam. I’ll wait.”

“……”

It seemed that calling him the best companion no longer worked.

But for now, I had no other alternative.

‘I’d better hurry up and capture a Fire Dragon so I can cook it.’

Just as that thought crossed my mind.

Bzzzt… bzzzt.

The air distorted.

A glitch rippled through space, and several sparks of light burst around me.

Startled, I looked up.

After a brief flash, something fell out of the void.

I caught it on instinct.

And froze completely.

This.

I knew it all too well.

I hurriedly checked the item’s description.

Dark Star Fragment: A currency created from the carved core of a star whose light has gone out. It can be used in any corner of the universe. In His glorious name!

It was a transparent coin the size of the palm of my hand.

A Dark Star Fragment.

The very same currency the butlers had given me in Three Worlds.

And the person who had created that currency.

“It’s a very beautiful coin. Did that individual send it to you?”

He was on my shoulder.