Work Prophet
Chapter 79 - 40: No Need After All

Chapter 79: Chapter 40: No Need After All

Many things in this world become familiar with repetition.

For instance, work, heartbreak, secret indulgence between lovers, and even... death and rebirth.

Plunging into darkness once more, Li Yu didn’t hesitate and headed straight for the distant light.

And then he found himself before that maze again.

He still remembered the sequence and path of the crate-pushing task from last time, but this time the crates in the maze had disappeared, replaced by a yellow sphere missing a chunk, and some little octopus-like monsters that looked quite cute.

Li Yu was stunned for a moment, then quickly realized what this was.

——Pac-Man.

Namco launched this classic arcade game in 1980; it was a milestone in the history of video games.

Li Yu glanced at the iron gate at the end of the maze and the number 10,000 above it, which presumably meant he had to score those points to open the gate.

Li Yu didn’t mind, after all, a game was a game.

......

After about a dozen tries, Li Yu had mastered the trick and passed through with ease.

However, when the iron door at the finish line opened, he didn’t rush to leave like last time.

Because, based on previous experience, his revival location should be where his body lay, which meant he should be resurrected in the small village at the foot of the hill this time.

Consequently, Li Yu had to consider whether he might encounter those lizard people from the village again upon revival.

Hephaestus’s warning still echoed in his ears; indeed, [Reborn]would bring him back to life, but the agony of death would not be lessened one bit.

Therefore, Li Yu deliberately waited a bit longer this time, hoping that the lizard people would shift their attention away from his body, and he was determined to leave that place quickly as soon as he was resurrected.

After taking a few deep breaths, Li Yu took a step forward again, walked into the passageway behind the maze, and once again saw that dazzling white light.

But before he could even open his eyes, he sensed trouble.

His ears were filled with the voices of the lizard people, and there were many; Li Yu estimated there were at least a hundred of them, and they were all crowded around him, shouting loudly with more excitement in their tone than the next.

The content of their shouts was familiar to Li Yu; it was the name that the lizard girl, who had first killed him, had called out.

"Sosokus!"

Li Yu had not yet had time to study this group of stubborn residents on Miss Rabbit’s territory and was unaware of these people’s beliefs and history; in fact, even the Arias family knew very little about these lizard people.

They called them brigands, knowing that these brigands liked to plunder during harvest time and worshiped an undying Evil God; beyond that, there was no other knowledge.

People living in the west mostly followed Pisya and had neither interest nor need to understand other pagan gods; besides, according to the Silver Moon Church, those who approached filth could easily be tainted by it.

But Li Yu was now very keen to learn about this Sosokus, because he realized that it could be the key to avoid being chopped again.

Li Yu planned to continue feigning death, listening to what these lizard people might say.

They couldn’t possibly keep on chanting "Sosokus" indefinitely, could they?

And indeed, as the commotion continued with chanting and leaping, the noise gradually subsided.

Then a lizard person’s voice rose, "The god’s wounds have fully healed, it’s unbelievable, unbelievable, his head was split in two halves before!"

"Before that, his neck was chopped off by Alvo," another lizard person added.

Their words also stirred up some unpleasant memories for Li Yu, almost causing him to have a physical reaction.

But soon another lizard person expressed doubt, "But why hasn’t Sosokus awakened yet? His chest is clearly heaving and he’s breathing."

"It must be that our calls were not devout enough!" some lizard people began to self-reflect.

But there were also differing opinions, "But when Sosokus last came back to life, we didn’t call upon his divine name at all."

"How could the rebirth of Sosokus possibly depend on the humble calls of us believers? This is merely a test he has posed for us."

A clever lizard person felt he was close to the truth, paused, and then added, "We need to conduct a blood sacrifice."

As soon as these words were spoken, they immediately gained the approval of many lizard people.

"A blood sacrifice, we must hold a blood sacrifice! Only a blood sacrifice can satisfy Sosokus."

The lizard people reached a consensus.

Soon a majestic and robust voice rang out, "Bring the elders and the defective children of our tribe here, let them draw lots, choose the offerings for this time, it is their honor to awaken the god with their fresh blood."

However, before he could finish, another voice said, "Hold on, normally we wouldn’t have any problem with using these flawed products for a blood sacrifice, but now that the god has descended, we need to present a more precious offering."

"Sigurd, what are you suggesting?"

"Yes, we should offer Hero’s Blood!" the lizard person named Sigurd answered.

"Are you suggesting I act as the sacrifice myself?" the majestic voice replied coldly.

"Certainly not, we need Lord Onund, with your valor and wisdom to continue leading us against those evil noble lords of the Red Lion Empire. I’m referring to your daughter Alvo, her blood is the same as yours, and..."

Sigurd paused and then continued, "She slew a god and needs to seek the god’s forgiveness with her own fresh blood. Of course, there also is Gael, the one-armed man, he too will become a part of the offering."

The majestic voice fell silent.

After a moment, a female voice that Li Yu found somewhat familiar spoke up, "I am willing, it is my honor, if this can awaken Sosokus, he will surely lead our tribe out of trouble."

"Alvo... my daughter, Hero’s Blood is just Sigurd’s own claim," the majestic voice said, "We don’t know if it will be effective."

"It will be effective, it must be, for only in this way can we save you and all my beloved kinsfolk," the girl asserted firmly.

Gael also cried out from the other side, "Kill me, go ahead, take my bones and blood, offer them to Sosokus, he will allow the rest to live."

Seeing that both were resolute, the majestic voice finally compromised as well, speaking in a subdued tone, "If that’s the case, then you will serve as the offering for this blood sacrifice. The tribe will remember your sacrifice and dedication."

But his words were quickly interrupted by someone.

"Wait, I don’t need a blood sacrifice."