110: Game Rules

That is, when facing this kind of seemingly neutral NPC, you absolutely must take full advantage of them while you still have their favor.

Because you never know at what stage of the plot this kind of neutral NPC might turn against you, and if that happens, trying to ask them questions will be difficult.

Furthermore, after parting ways with them today, it might not be so easy to encounter them again; after all, judging by their tone, this guy's strength should be formidable.

The puppet was momentarily enraged and stared at him intently. It was fortunate that this puppet didn't have a beard, otherwise, it would probably have been blown away by now:

"Then return everything I just gave you, as well as the knowledge. Oh, and also that Sequence 9 supernatural polymer."

"Why should I?" Locke lifted his chin, his tone carrying a hint of smugness. "I earned these on my own merits, so why should I return them? Besides, it's not that I don't want to cooperate; it's that you aren't willing to answer my questions."

"I'm only asking you a few common-sense questions. It's not like you'll lose a piece of flesh over it."

"I..."

Although the puppet was expressionless, its heaving chest and flared nostrils showed that it was quite agitated.

On the other side, Old Man Time was also infuriated by his words:

"I have stepped into the supernatural world for so many years, and I have never seen such a shameless, stinking brat."

But upon second thought, what Locke said actually made some sense.

After all, these questions were really no different from common knowledge in the supernatural world.

And the main reason he didn't want to answer was simply because of some jealousy.

"Just tell me whether you are willing to answer my questions or not. If you aren't, then please leave."

The puppet frowned, crossed its arms, and turned its body completely toward the conference room door, leaving its back to Locke, then said in a muffled voice:

"There are quite a few official supernatural organizations, but the strongest should be the Church. Of course, there are also a few sects recognized by the authorities that can be considered official, but compared to the influence of the Secret Cult, those organizations are far inferior."

"So that means the Church is the most powerful supernatural force on this planet?"

Locke rubbed his chin. Thinking about his own religious background, he was faintly tempted to join an official organization.

After all, his status as an exorcist was issued by the Church, and even if it was amateur, it still counted as being part of the official side, right?

With this background, if he were to join the supernatural organization behind the Church, it should be much easier for him than for others.

Besides, his parents were loyal believers of the Church their whole lives, so there would absolutely be no issues regarding background checks.

Furthermore, Locke felt that if one had to join an organization, one should naturally choose the strongest one.

That way, when you have a conflict with someone outside, your background will be the toughest one.

Seeing Locke lost in thought and seemingly tempted, Time sneered and said:

"Kid, I advise you, if you want to join an official organization, you had better consider it carefully first."

"Why is that?"

Locke was a bit confused and subconsciously guessed: "Could it be that the Secret Cult is evil and there is a conflict between it and the Church?"

"No. An official organization only represents the ruling class of power; it does not mean it is a righteous organization."

Locke immediately understood the meaning behind the puppet's words, but he didn't fully believe it; he had his own judgment.

Moreover, regardless of whether this official organization is good or bad, righteous or evil, as long as it can provide background protection during his growth, then it is a good organization to him.

The same applies to the Secret Cult.

He transmigrated to this world and didn't have much sense of belonging to it.

His current goal was just to live securely, while finding the culprit behind the scenes and taking harsh revenge.

Of course, if there was an opportunity to continue getting stronger later on and continue along the path to godhood, he wouldn't hesitate.

"Righteousness or not isn't very important to me. I only care about whether this organization can provide me with assistance. Whether it's the Church or the Secret Cult, if it can help me, then it's a good organization, and to me, that is what is righteous."

Hearing him say this, Time's eyes flickered slightly, and he approved of him a little more in his heart.

"Hmph, it seems you have your own set of logic, so I won't say anything more."

"However, I will give you one last piece of advice: after you join the Secret Cult, remember to take a title for yourself; do not use your real name."

He didn't want Locke to join an official organization before, mainly because he was afraid that Locke would fall into the misconception that official meant righteous.

But after hearing what Locke said, he knew he had worried too much.

Locke took the puppet's last words to heart and nodded: "So your title is Time, is that right?"

The puppet immediately stopped speaking and shut its mouth completely, while Locke continued to chatter on:

"Even if you don't speak, I know. I didn't expect you to actually give yourself the title of 'Time'. You really do have taste."

When saying this, he thought of a hero from a game he once played, and because of that, he couldn't help but think of some happy things, so he couldn't hold it back anymore and laughed out loud:

"Hahaha, Old Man Time, then from now on I'll call you Old Man Time."

"What's wrong with Time? Is Time very funny!"

"No, no." Locke swore to heaven that he really didn't have any negative misunderstanding of the word 'Time', but rather some bad memories of the hero Old Man Time.

"Hmph, kid, I'll add one more condition: no matter which organization you choose to join, you must believe in the Goddess of the Night."

Thinking of the Goddess's warning to him, Time felt it necessary to pull Locke under the banner of the Goddess of the Night to please her.

That was why he added another condition at the very last moment of the negotiation.

"Are there any benefits?"

Locke thought of that pair of eyes as huge as stars earlier, and he had some thoughts in his heart as well.

After all, if he could receive the gaze of the Goddess of the Night every Time in the future, then perhaps the road ahead wouldn't be too difficult to walk.

Time snorted coldly, somewhat dissatisfied with his way of thinking, and then said through gritted teeth:

"Kid... being able to believe in the Lady Goddess of the Night is a blessing you've cultivated in this lifetime. How dare you ask me for benefits? How can you be so greedy?"

"A blessing is a blessing, and a benefit is a benefit. The two cannot be mentioned in the same breath."

Locke shrugged his shoulders, spread his hands, and expressed very helplessly: "And this isn't greed, this is an exchange. You can't just expect me to convert to the banner of the Lady Goddess of the Night with just empty words, right? If that happens, the Goddess might think I'm a fence-sitter."