Episode 76
Chapter 17 Laying Foundation Stones (1)
To sum up her rambling words, it was simple.
He went to the temple after seeing the sign-up notification, but since I wasn’t there, he wandered around the castle of Harbon all day looking for me.
For some reason, I felt embarrassed by the story that made me feel resentful.
‘Is meeting me that important?’
Of course, since he is the first to join, there is some degree of rarity… … .
‘It’s not a big deal, is it?’
It’s still unique, but it won’t be unique in the future.
The number of players joining the church will continue to increase.
I was just a little bit faster.
But why did he search for me with such fervor and sincerity?
It’s been awhile since I’ve been listening to Rashar’s lament in a bewildered mood.
I decided to cut her off once and for all.
“The road is off the beaten path, I went to the resistance after touring the temple.”
When he said it in a calm voice, Rashar, who had been pouring out excitedly, flinched and trembled.
The sound of her breathing, which had been ragged as she spoke, gradually calmed down.
I guess I’m calming down a bit now. Only then did I mention the reunion for the first time in a week.
“A long time? How are you?”
Did he realize that he was just pouring out his words without even saying hello?
Rashar’s face heated up in an instant.
“Ah, it’s been a long time since I’ve been out of my mind, uh, how have you been?”
“so so.”
Apparently, the excitement has subsided.
“Oh, sorry to have kept you waiting so long. What about meals? If you haven’t already, prepare right away… … .”
“Elder Chentler took good care of me.”
It’s not just about eating well. He said he cut three large pieces of beef.
“Oh, is that so? Good luck.”
“you?”
“huh?”
“Have you eaten?”
“Ah, yet… … .”
I was wondering if he had been looking for me all day long.
It’s all about eating and living, but what’s the point of starving?
“Looking at what I found, it looks like I have a business, so we can talk while eating. Oh, since it’s getting late, can I stay overnight?”
“You can stay forever!”
When I secretly mentioned a business that I hadn’t asked Centler, an unexpected bomb declaration followed.
Confused, let me just stare at me without a word again.
“No, ah, I mean, I will always welcome you… … .”
Rashar lowered his reddened face and muttered.
“Hey, let’s go up first.”
Hurry up, turn around, it seems like you’re just shy and run away.
I smiled lightly and followed her.
* * *
“If you have a favorite taste, please let me know.”
It was already late at night, while Rashar’s meal was being prepared, Chentler offered me some wine.
‘It’s alcohol.’
I was busy with work, so I didn’t even talk about it except for occasional stress relief.
But today, the conversation with Rashar is going to be quite long.
‘Because I won’t be able to afford this tomorrow.’
I said rubbing the nape of my neck lightly.
“I don’t drink it often, so I can’t call it a taste.”
“Then I will recommend it from my line.”
“Yes, please.”
Soon, light snacks such as fruit, cheese, and finger food and wine were prepared.
“oh.”
As soon as I took a sip of the wine that Chentler poured out, admiration naturally flowed out.
It was acidity and flavor that could not be compared to cheap wine sold at convenience stores.
It’s not overly sweet, it’s a bit heavy, but it has a clean taste.
‘How can there be no tasteless food among the things I ate here?’
I emptied the wine, sipping and sipping, like when a cup of tea turned into a kettle.
Every time he tilted his glass like that, the amount of information that flowed out of Rashar’s mouth also increased.
“A portal?”
Website management, denomination-only missions, general announcements, etc.
It would be unfamiliar to the people of Bihar, including Rashar, but a story about portals came up following familiar functions to me.
“Yes, with that skill, I came to Harbon in one month. Anyone belonging to the Order of Palao can use it.”
“Hmm… … .”
Church exclusive teleport
It looks like a gate.
Of course, having it is better than not having it.
However, questions remain about the division of portals by denomination.
‘Why?’
Aren’t all the temples gathered in one place anyway?
I think it’s a waste, and since the headquarters are divided, it seems like a necessary function.
Lashar’s story continued even as I pondered my vague questions.
What was mentioned this time was the buff effect supported by the Palao Church.
“That was the most expensive.”
“Is it expensive?”
what the hell When asked directly by the sudden statement, Rashar paused as if choosing his thoughts for a moment.
Eventually, the answer that came out of her mouth was oddly familiar.
“Basically, if you want to do something on the homepage, the church points are used. The most costly option was to increase attack power.”
That’s why I said it was expensive.
“A point… … .”
Are you referring to the magical power you get from hunting monsters?
It would be understandable if that was being collected.
However, the system is said to be inefficient when mana is contaminated.
‘Are we going to purify it and hand it over to the church?’
Or just right? This server might be okay because of the intervention of the seven gods.
Right now, it wasn’t something I could confirm.
“Tsk.”
Ultimately, this is also a question that needs to be buried.
Or wait for an opportunity to talk to the system again later.
While I was organizing my thoughts, Rashar wiped his lips and continued.
“I don’t know about the situation of other denominations, but it seems that the points continue to accumulate as the Gentiles play an active role in the future. With that point, you can increase the number of people joining and install additional portals.”
I fiddled with my half-full wine glass and organized my thoughts.
I don’t know exactly what logic it is, but the fact that players can reorganize their church with the points they earn.
‘Strategy simulation? Should it be considered that kind of game?’
If you look at the type, it seems right.
Although the player’s help is necessary, once the church is raised… … .
“ah!”
A moment of exclamation flowed out of my head at the realization that passed through my mind.
“K?”
Instead of answering Rashar’s call, I asked a question.
I had to check if this assumption was correct, following the scattered pieces here and there.
“Resistance.”
“hmm?”
“What will happen to the Resistance in the future?”
“… … The resistance groups in each place will go through the process of disbanding step by step.”
“It’s not a complete dissolution, it’ll be reorganized into different denominations, right?”
Rashar’s eyes widened slightly.
“… … Yes, an official announcement will be made soon. It’s a situation where an agreement has been reached to leave it up to the believers to choose their affiliation.”
All of the resistance groups that were previously based on national units fall under the influence of the Church.
In such a situation, the player has three bases.
Wouldn’t all the denominations begin by concentrating on one base?
“Are there any other apostles besides you and the division commander in Harbon?”
“… … does not exist.”
“Do you have any plans to come in the future?”
Rashar nodded his head as an answer.
“Then, can we say that Palao and Temoria end up stationed in Harbon?”
As I vaguely expected, the status of the apostles confirmed through the organization chart was high even within the denomination.
Above them is only the High Priestess and God, who are actually in charge of the Order.
A city where such an apostle resides, what does that mean?
‘The church chose a base like the players.’
As expected, Rashar gave an affirmation soon after.
“… … right.”
“That’s why the portal splits… … .”
I murmured in a low voice and emptied the remaining wine all at once.
I felt like my stomach, which had been stuffy because of the ambiguous situation, was clearly opened.
The reason why the portals of the temples gathered in one place were divided.
This is because the areas of activity of each denomination will be divided in the future.
Previously, it was the resistance’s job to clean up the monsters flocking to the polluted area around the frontline garrison.
‘I called it a purification operation.’
In the future, the purification will be carried out by each denomination, not by the resistance.
It’s like the player and the troops made up of Bihars are purifying the contaminated land in the name of the church.
And destroying the medium that is widely spread in the polluted area, and gradually recovering the lost land of the subhuman race.
‘After that, I’ll arrive at the temple that remains in the abandoned land.’
If you connect additional portals there, you can build a new outpost.
After cleaning up the surroundings, it could become a new frontline garrison.
The main scenario becomes a reality only when you continue to expand your field of activity.
Treasures and temples that have lost their owners will be the ones who take them first.
‘In one word, I’m eating the ground.’
I was dumbfounded, so I was out of breath.
It is natural to develop a character through battle, and you have to raise the church you joined, and you have to occupy the land like a war.
This damn game doesn’t even have an identity.
In my heart, I wanted to pour a lot of swear words at this chow mein game.
But I persevered. Lashar is watching right now, and swearing doesn’t mean you can lose money with this game.
I have no choice but to bury this too.
‘I’m going to have a tantrum like this.’
I really need to go to the bamboo forest sometime and tell them what I’ve accumulated inside.
“if… … .”
Rashar cautiously asked me while I controlled my bubbling stomach.
“Did you hear all the stories from the temple?”
“What are you talking about all of a sudden?”
“no… … He knows our situation all too well.”
“I didn’t hear the exact explanation… … Still, there are a lot of things I picked up here and there.”
I refilled my glass and replied sullenly.
There is information that has come in hand, but if you can’t even look at that much picture, your head is empty.
After solving Rashar’s question, it’s my turn again.
“By the way, do we have to pay for those points?”
“Wait, wait… … therefore… … .”
How long had it been since Rashar stammered with his hands while stuttering his words?
“her.”
A translucent window appeared in front of Rashar, who had nothing.
“Has it happened… … ? Can you see?”
“very well.”
[Denomination website (for administrators)]
The letters were upside down, but literally, it looked very good.
I never thought it would be possible to share a view related to the system.
I should have expected it when I saw the message that the status window could be opened.
“It seems that the homepenny of those registered as general manager and node manager can share views. Thanks to that, it was easy to coordinate opinions with the high priests.”
“Homepage, not homepenny.”
It was only for a moment that I was frozen in an unexpected situation.
I corrected Rashar’s words and stood up.
“Oh, the website. I’m not used to it… … Anyway, so… … accrual history? Is this… … ?”
I went next to her muttering to herself and saw the bastard administrator’s homepage better.
A few click mistakes followed, and I pointed in the direction with my finger.
[Cultural points]
– Point usage/accumulation history
– Point setting/management
“Under the details.”
I can see it right away, but Lachar has been wandering for a while.
“ah! I saw you here.”
Rashar, delighted, clicked the tab on the tip of my finger.
A tab for setting up and managing points soon appeared.
Let’s take a look at it step by step. There was also the point accumulation rate that Lachar mentioned earlier.
After confirming the accumulation rate set by Palao, I wrinkled my brow.
“… … 0.1?”
“They say that out of the magical power generated by strangers, points are accumulated as much as the accumulation rate… … Didn’t you do that last time? People like you become stronger by absorbing mana.”
“ah.”
“So I set it to the lowest rate. I can’t burden you guys.”
Rashar, who added that he had made a strong claim, looked proud.
“I actually wanted to get rid of it, but it turned out to be impossible.”
I was speechless. No, it seems that my eyes have gone dark.
After looking at Rashar’s profile in silence for a while, a realization passed through my mind.