Chapter 3 - Divine Champion
Akidia's eyes snapped open, her surprise mirrored in her wide gaze as she looked at Broken. "Ah, you're finally awake," she giggled. "I woke up earlier, but seeing you sleeping so soundly, I decided to sleep again."
Broken furrowed his brow, realizing the Goddess Akidia had woken up once before. But he hadn't been asleep!
He hesitated, wondering how to address a deity properly. "How does one greet a goddess in a respectful way?" he pondered.
"Good day, Goddess Akidia. It is a great honor to meet you here," he managed, his voice steadying as he spoke.
"Hello, Broken. It's a pleasure to finally meet you," Akidia smiled, her eyes shining with excitement. "You're quite adorable," she added, reaching out her hand from where she was sitting on the ground. "But I could use a little assistance getting onto that rock over there."
Without hesitation, Broken stood up and approached Akidia. He took her hand carefully on his own.
It was a sensation that couldn't be described with words. This game felt so real; the five senses could truly be experienced within it. As he felt the softness of the deity's hand, he also felt a sense of comfort and warmth just by being near her.
"Please, come closer," Akidia invited softly, her hand resting lightly on Broken's shoulder.
Broken tried to support her and wrapped his left arm around her waist to help her stand. At that moment, he felt the gentle touch and the sweet fragrance that enveloped his senses.
"Oahhh…," Akidia yawned, covering her mouth with her left hand. "Sorry," she said and smiled. "I've been so tired lately because of all the things I've been doing. It's been draining my energy and mind."
Broken nodded in understanding, realizing the demanding nature of being a deity in this world. He couldn't help but wonder what kind of responsibilities Goddess Akidia had been juggling that caused her to doze off so easily.
"I actually spent a good amount of time choosing the perfect gift for our first meeting," she revealed with a giggle.
Broken's mind raced, "So… she had been preparing for this meeting with me?" he pondered.
Broken gently guided the tired Goddess Akidia and then carefully helped her sit on a nearby large rock, making sure she wouldn't fall again after he released her.
"Are you okay here, Goddess?" he asked.
"Yes, thanks, sweetheart," she replied warmly.
[[Someone very fortunate has felt the touch of the great and worshiped goddess Akidia, known for her majesty and beauty. It was an unforgettable experience to feel the gentle touch of a goddess, a moment everyone dreams of, but he is the one who had the chance to experience it.]]
Broken was surprised to see the global announcement again, clearly describing his experience to all players of Immortal Legacy.
[[He felt overwhelmed by joy, and if he couldn't contain himself, he might have jumped for joy over this extraordinary experience. He might carry this memory until his death.]]
"That's too much! I'm not like that," Broken mumbled.
Akidia giggled, seeing Broken's expression suddenly change. "Is something bothering you?" she asked.
Broken then realized and looked back at the deity. "A global notification, Goddess."
"Yes, I saw it too," she said, smiling.
So, the deity could see global notifications as well? Just how do they perceive the game, while every NPC in the game believes they have their own lives in this world?
"We will talk a lot next time about your curiosity. I love that curiosity, but I'm sure you want to see the reward you've earned first, don't you?" she said.
[You received the title "He Who Savored the Fragrant Touch of the Goddess" in recognition of your remarkable achievement of being the first player ever to experience the delicate caress of a goddess.]
[Title Effect: Luck Stat +20, Charisma Stat +50]
[New Luck Stat has been Unlocked]
[New Charisma Stat has been Unlocked]
Broken once again stood stunned, shocked at the incredible title he had just received. He had unlocked two special stats immediately after gaining the title. Luck, a stat that not everyone possessed, influenced the rate of success in all aspects of the game. Similarly, Charisma would make it easier for anyone to communicate and form relationships with many NPCs in the game.
He gazed up at Akidia, "Thank you so much for your blessings, Goddess Akidia."
"So you're happy?" she said, giggling. "You're so adorable! As a deity, I love hearing praises. So, it's okay if you want to thank me even more," she said, smiling.
She then yawned delicately, covering her mouth with her palm, betraying a hint of fatigue. "Ah... The preparations have left me quite tired. But let me get straight to the point and share with you the reason for my visit."
As Broken wrestled with his surging emotions of joy and intrigue, he inhaled deeply, trying to steady himself. This was only the beginning, yet the reward she had granted was already so significant.
"Are you familiar with the concept of the Divine Champion?" Akidia inquired, her gaze piercing yet gentle.
"The Divine Champion…" Broken echoed softly, his mind whirling with thoughts of Immortal Legacy's elite players. These were the individuals who stood at the pinnacle of power within the game, each bearing the mark of divine favor, chosen by the deities themselves to wield extraordinary abilities and command respect as the most formidable among players.
"Yes, Goddess Akidia," he answered. "I've heard of the Divine Champions of this realm—those blessed by the deities, endowed with unique powers, and revered as the mightiest in all the land."
Akidia's laughter filled the air once again as she listened to Broken's earnest words.
"Yes, precisely," she began, her voice carrying a hint of amusement. She paused, gathering her thoughts before elaborating. "You see, each deity is allowed to choose up to five Champions. However..."
Her chuckles briefly interrupted her speech. "This may very well be my inaugural venture into selecting a Champion who is not a native of Yunatea. Yet, I've been observing you for some time, and I'm convinced you're the ideal choice to be my very first Champion."
The natives of Yunatea referred to players as "players," just as the players introduced themselves. Even though every entity in Yunatea seemed to have its own consciousness, they regarded players as beings who could enter and leave their world at will. What was even more terrifying was that players were considered strange entities because they could never be killed permanently; when they died, they could rise again.
Upon hearing Goddess Akidia mention the Divine Champion, Broken automatically harbored hopes of receiving the same blessing, something he had never even dreamed of before. Divine Champion was a blessing that granted players privileges, allowing them to compete with the wealthy who poured their riches into the game or even compete at the highest levels within the game.
Therefore, Divine Champion holders were almost universally known for their incredible strength, their significant influence in every region they occupied, and even their impact on the game's world.
"Thank you, Goddess Akidia. I'm so happy to hear this news, I can hardly believe it."
"Yeah, congratulations," Akidia responded. "But my time is very limited. There are many things I must do, especially since my sleep is still insufficient. So, let us proceed swiftly. All you need to do is accept my blessing. And remember, should you ever seek guidance, I am always here to provide answers. As my Champion, your prayers will reach me directly. You hold a place of unparalleled significance to me, being the sole human I've chosen for this honor."
As Akidia spoke, she gently levitated from the ground, her white robes dancing gracefully in the ethereal breeze, a sight of divine elegance.
Watching her ascend, Broken marveled at the spectacle before him. A question tugged at his thoughts—why would Akidia need his assistance to stand if she possessed the ability to fly?
As Akidia descended gracefully, she reached out to gently caress Broken's cheek with both hands. The softness of her touch and the delicate scent that surrounded her captivated him. With her face now mere inches from his, Broken found himself utterly mesmerized by her extraordinary beauty.
"Broken," she spoke, her voice as soothing as a gentle stream, her smile radiating warmth and kindness.
"Accept this blessing from me. From this moment forth, you will act as my extension in this world. Remember, to be the strongest, hard work isn't always necessary... Please, be my proudest Divine Champion. Next time, I will meet you again when you are ready for greater things. Congratulations, and accept my blessings..."
Broken nodded slowly, captivated by the beauty of Goddess Akidia and the softness of her voice. She then flew away slowly, just as notifications appeared before his eyes.
[The Goddess of Sloth, Akidia, has chosen you as her Divine Champion.]
[You are now the Champion of Sloth.]
[As the Champion of Sloth, you will continuously gather experience even without actively leveling up. However, you will not gain experience from killing monsters.]
[Your leveling progress may be slower than average players, but you will level up passively, allowing you to use your time for relaxation.]
"Eh?!" Broken's initial wonder turned to shock as he processed the notifications unfurling before him.
He attempted to look up at Akidia for clarification, only to find that the goddess had mysteriously vanished from his sight.
"Wait, what about my level?" he stammered, the realization of the blessing's implications dawning on him.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
Galanteo
Galanteo If you have read my previous book, Legendary Level Zero, I am confident that you will enjoy this one even more.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone