Damned System

Chapter 70. Reunion and Meeting (2)

“Is it alive…?”

I knew that was impossible.

Nevertheless, the wings sprouting from the woman’s back appeared so vivid, it was hard to take my eyes off them.

Unconsciously, I found myself thinking that I wanted to gaze upon this statue a little longer, even if just for a moment more.

Of course, that didn’t mean I actually did it. I couldn’t waste time on unnecessary matters.

Taking my eyes off the statue, I made an effort to move my reluctant legs.

I noticed a few players were exploring the area.

Before their attention could focus on me, I quickly entered the building.

However, I had to stop before leaving the entrance.

I saw someone crouched down, dressed in white from head to toe.

“So, it was this person making rustling noises from outside.”

The person inside the building had their back to me and was cleaning the statue in front of them.

“Excuse me.”

“Hm?”

At my call, the person turned around.

“Ah!”

The person who abruptly stood up was young enough to be called a boy.

The boy clasped his hands together, his blue eyes sparkling as he exclaimed, “Welcome, brother!”

With just those words, I could guess the boy’s identity.

“Are you a priest?”

“Oh!”

At my question, the boy hurriedly bowed his waist.

“I serve Palao, and my name is Rivan.”

“I am K.”

“Would you like a tour of the temple? Others have also taken a look around before leaving!”

Instead of answering right away, I glanced around the spacious interior of the building.

“It’s quite big.”

It was significantly larger than the prayer room I had seen at the Resistance headquarters.

Yet, the only visible person was the young priest who introduced himself as Rivan.

Even though his voice was quite loud, no one else came out.

“Isn’t the number of resident staff a bit too few?”

Considering Habon had become one of the main player zones, more visitors would come.

“Is the situation so bad they can’t assign more personnel here?”

For a moment, I doubted if choosing Palao was the right decision. But only for a brief second.

‘Even so, I’m not restricted by any powers.’

Thanks to my Title, I could use all 7 authorities.

In that case, focusing on growth in a place without a complicated power structure trying to exploit me was the best option.

Plus, I was somewhat acquainted with the high-ranking members of Palao’s order.

“And Palao’s buff seems beneficial for my dealer position.”

Upon reconsideration, Palao, who lacked complicated politics, seemed the best choice.

I spoke nonchalantly, taking in the sight of the quiet temple.

“Not a tour.”

“Pardon?”

“I’m here not for a tour but to join.”

Blink, blink.

“Uh…”

Rivan, who had been blinking silently, began to look flustered.

“I want to take the admission test, is that a problem?”

With the silence stretching too long, I added as if to urge him.

“Uh, uh… I don’t know much about that… Just a moment!”

Instead of giving me a proper answer, Rivan turned around and hurriedly ran off.

Left in the entrance alone, I let out a wry smile, shaking my head.

The server connection had been completed.

That implied that preparations to welcome players had been made.

But the response I received didn’t inspire confidence.

“They set it up for us to join, but surely they haven’t prepared nothing, right?”

In disbelief, I tapped my foot and crossed my arms.

How long had it been like that? Soon, bustling footsteps began to echo.

Turning my head, I saw an old man in loose white clothes running alongside Rivan.

“A cloak? A cape?”

I wasn’t exactly sure what to call his attire.

However, it differed from what Rivan wore, with dense gold embroidery all over.

Even the edges of his eyes were mysteriously tinged with gold.

“A mark of divinity.”

It was obvious that his rank was higher than Rivan’s.

Gold held significant meaning in this world.

“Bro-brother, welcome…”

The old man who finally reached me was too breathless to speak.

I was on edge, worried he might keel over backward.

“You should catch your breath first.”

“Yes, yes.”

At my hesitant remark, the old man bent over and started to regain his breath.

After a short period of rest, he finally said, “Welcome, I am Hemar Rodiel, a servant of Palao. My apologies for the wait.”

“I am K.”

“You mentioned you’re here to join?”

Upon my nod, he immediately responded.

“Please follow me this way.”

He certainly seemed more knowledgeable than Rivan.

As I followed him, Rivan remained at the entrance, bowing and calling out, “Good luck!”

His resonant voice briefly filled the place but soon left it silent.

All that echoed thereafter were the footsteps of just the two of us.

Perhaps finding the silence uncomfortable, Hemar initiated the conversation.

“You might find this offensive, but I must confirm. Are you sure you sought the order of Palao? If you’ve mistakenly come, we can guide you to your desired order’s temple.”

The way he spoke seemed to imply he found it hard to believe I wanted to join Palao’s order.

It seemed like he too sensed it. That players knew of Palao’s disappearance.

Judging by Rivan’s earlier words, it wasn’t the first time a player visited.

It appeared they had figured out the situation from overhearing players’ discussions.

“I’m here for the Order of Charity, that of Palao.”

“I see.”

“Have the players been openly discussing it?”

Hemar, sounding both awkward and uncomfortable, coughed lightly before calmly replying.

“It was not something I intended to hear.”

“Since they spoke out loud in the open, it’d be weirder to fault you for hearing it, wouldn’t it?”

“I’m glad you see it that way.”

With an awkward smile, he subtly turned around and continued to inquire.

“If K is aware of our situation, might I ask again why you chose here…?”

While I felt I didn’t need to lie, stating it as is made me hesitate.

‘Choosing because no god plans to exploit me and the order’s influence seems manageable.’

It felt too dismissive.

Even if I wasn’t the most polite, I wasn’t one to be intentionally rude.

“Nowhere else felt trustworthy.”

“Pardon?”

That wasn’t a lie. I just shifted the phrasing slightly.

“In all fairness, it feels safer here than in other orders, right?”

To avoid giving any further detailed explanations, I feigned ignoring Hemar’s inquiry and redirected the conversation.

“Are there really only two of you in this large building?”

“There are service workers helping with facility management who might be tidying the west wing right now.”

That’s not what I meant.

“What about other priests?”

“There were two more, but they went to the order’s headquarters for training and haven’t returned yet.”

The mention of training piqued my interest.

“It seems the leadership is indeed conducting some activities regarding players.”

After probing for more details, the reply was that even Hemar didn’t know the specifics of the training.

As it felt awkward to push further, I fell silent.

Once again, silence stretched on. The building was unexpectedly larger than anticipated.

It went on and on. This time, exhausted by the unending silence, I spoke first.

“It’s quite spacious.”

I thought it prudent to make some effort to extract information while letting some time pass.

“Both the east and west wings you see now were initially closed off. The exam venue being decided here prompted us to open it up quickly.”

“Even with the facility management personnel you mentioned, managing must be tough for just four of you.”

“I’ve been told that more personnel will come with the return after the training concludes.”

It seemed that they were indeed receiving manpower supplementation. I was secretly relieved when Hemar added an explanation.

“It has been sufficient with just us up until now; however, as more will be needed in the future.”

It meant they’re hurrying to supplement personnel because they anticipate an increase in player visits.

Yet, things seem less smooth than expected.

“Is it challenging to draw personnel from other places?”

Despite the server connection starting and almost a week passing, there were still just two of them here.

“Is the order’s standing threatened to such an extent?”

To the point it’s difficult to assign personnel from inside?

At my inquiry, Hemar twitched his shoulders as he walked ahead.

This time, the answer took quite a while to come.

“… I suppose it’s difficult to say it’s favorable.”

Originally, Palao, along with the benevolent god Karlos, was one of the most sought gods by followers.

Now, however, her temples sometimes stood completely empty without a visitor.

There’s no miracle to be had devoting oneself to a order without a god.

“Some lower-ranked priests are even at the point of leaving their posts to earn money.”

It was thanks to those still deeply devout believers who regularly donated that the remaining temples in major cities were maintained.

“It’s also why the east and west wings were kept closed.”

By minimizing maintenance costs for one place, they could continue operating as many temples as possible.

That way, if a follower seeking the Goddess of Charity ever arose, they could welcome them.

Though it was a bit raw in explanation, I wasn’t particularly affected.

“It was somewhat expected.”

I didn’t choose the order of Palao for its power.

I chose the place that wouldn’t interfere with my growth or my life.

So, irrespective of the order’s predicament, it didn’t hold much weight.

However, recalling the gods who shamelessly claimed to protect believers left me slightly uneasy.

Followers abandoning the moment the god vanished.

‘Considering they turned away the moment their protective god disappeared, it’s fair to view their faith as not genuine devotion but as an investment for future miracles.’

Can one frame it differently?

Perhaps this arose because they could directly witness divine interventions.

I calmly acknowledged the undercurrents of this world and recognized the current state of the order of Palao.

I turned my eyes anew to Hemar’s back.

‘He’s quite honest, isn’t he?’

Even if I declared my intention to join Palao.

What if he changed his mind after hearing all that?

‘Or is he hoping I would change my mind?’

It was slightly frustrating not knowing Hemar’s real intentions.

But it wasn’t the greatest timing to extend the conversation further.

As we rounded yet another entirely white corridor, a massive door twice the size of a regular door appeared.

Guiding me to its front, Hemar stepped aside, speaking.

“You may enter here.”

I placed my hand on the door, intending to open it.

「MISSION – Main Scenario Chapter 1 Act 2: Admission Test Detected.」

「Entry conditions satisfied.」

「Entering the Palao Test Chamber.」

Without needing to exert force, the massive door slid open.

“May the outcome you desire be yours.”

Leaving Hemar’s voice behind me, I stepped inside.

Despite the door’s size, the interior space wasn’t that large.

It contained nothing beyond a small goddess statue, seemingly a reduced version of the one in front of the building.

The place seemed so empty it felt desolate, yet oddly radiant.

Even though the ceiling and walls were entirely closed off, and there wasn’t even a window, it was blindingly bright.

As I squinted my eyes, the door firmly shut.

Then, a system window and a piece of wood, black as charcoal, appeared.

「Order of Palao Admission Test」

Cut the black wood.

Time Limit: 00:10:00

It was a straightforward mission that required no further understanding.

The timer immediately began, and I too drew my blade.

I struck the piece of wood lying on the floor with all my might.

“Hya!”

Shortly after, I let out an incredulous laugh.

Damned System