After saying that, Nyarlathotep smiled and stepped forward again to pat the stunned Cheng Yu on the head.
Seeing Nyarlathotep standing on tiptoe, Cheng Yu obligingly crouched halfway down so the hand could rest comfortably on his head.
Nyarlathotep gave him a look of approval, as though he were a promising pupil.
Then, like some shady DVD peddler, Nyarlathotep slung an arm around Cheng Yu's neck and spoke in a sleazy tone.
"Still, that said, while your Big Shot Nyar is a champion of pure love, occasionally playing the homewrecker isn't bad either! So... Young Man? Want to roll with me?"
Cheng Yu looked utterly bewildered.
"So, Your Eminence, you're not a true champion of pure love after all. A true champion of pure love can't tolerate even a hint of cuckolding."
Nyarlathotep paused, then smiled, released Cheng Yu, and shook their head as they spoke.
"Not bad! Young Man, you're much better than that Apostle of mine who only knows how to charge headlong into things."
After that, Nyarlathotep looked Cheng Yu up and down again, rubbed their chin in thought, then smacked a fist into their palm.
"You did complete the character portrayal, after all, and he gave you full marks. It wouldn't be right for me to make things too difficult for you."
As they spoke, Nyarlathotep snapped their fingers.
"System!"
The System inside Cheng Yu replied.
"System reporting! What are your orders, Big Shot?"
Nyarlathotep said,
"Convert the Young Man's achievements into currency."
"On it!"
The familiar clinking of gold coins rang out.
Cheng Yu looked at the familiar Personal Panel before him. Most of it hadn't changed.
Only two entries had changed.
``` ...
Currency: 696,000,000.
Held Items: Big Shot's Aura (Epic) ×5, Pure White Emissary (Legendary), memories and insights into the obliteration of Holy