TLWCL 11🔐

Chapter 11 ….

The points were neither too few nor too many.

Well, it would have been awkward if I had gathered twenty people and gotten less than ten points. Ten points were just enough to barely level up “Weakness Detection” by two levels.

Still, there was a glimmer of hope. At this rate, I could probably earn even the 100-point rewards quickly.

I considered whether I should gather more for an even bigger payoff, but…

Only those with enough time could afford to gather points.

Anyway, once this cult business was on track, earning points would become easier than breathing. My focus had to be on smoothly establishing my role as a cult leader.

If there’s nothing else to buy, I should just level up Weakness Detection.

I opened the skill tree window after a long time.

[point: 10]

[Baptism: 5]

[Transference: 10]

[Ritual: 15]

[Light of Judgment: 25]

[Mind Control: 30]

<Locked>

“Transference is somewhat predictable.”

It was probably a skill in the literal sense.

I didn’t understand why Transference cost more points than Weakness Detection, but in any case, it wasn’t a skill I needed right now.

“Baptism…”

I hesitated over whether to save a few more points to purchase the mysterious “Light of Judgment” skill, or to buy the more intuitive “Baptism.”

“Yes, for the future, it’s better to invest in skills… start gathering points from around 400 people.”

I turned my attention back to the patient lying in bed, then shifted to the next one.

“Ex… Excuse me, Master… my wife is very sick. We’ve tried hospitals, priests… even the rarest medicines, but she collapsed and hasn’t opened her eyes for a week. Please, save her…”

The desperation and sincerity were palpable in his expression and voice. There was a sweet scent somewhere—like freshly baked bread brushing past my nose.

‘Are they making something delicious?’

I put on that familiar smile.

Perhaps because I’d become proficient at drawing power from the holy artifact, I didn’t feel the strange fatigue I had experienced yesterday.

“I’ll do my best… Brother, please don’t worry too much, and hold your wife’s hand.”

Hearing that, the husband grasped her hand tightly as if it were a lifeline.

The pregnant woman lying on the bed was clearly in her final trimester, even to my untrained eyes. I didn’t know exactly what was wrong, but my actions were limited.

The golden effect spread out smoothly… a warm wind blew and then stopped.

The golden streams that had been pulsating violently lost their strength and collapsed.

The previously bright hut became dim again. The woman still hadn’t opened her eyes.

‘…?!’

The purification… isn’t working.

She hadn’t collapsed from illness or curse.

In other words, I couldn’t heal her with my power.

The husband peeked up at me subtly.

Behind him, the other patients waiting for treatment and the devotees who hadn’t gone home were probably staring at me in confusion.

Cardil was probably watching too.

Right. No need to panic.

I knew the holy artifact didn’t possess a “healing” power, only “purification.” I had anticipated a situation like this.

I staggered naturally. I heard the devotees panic and rush toward me.

“This… is quite a scene. My apologies.”

I gave a tired smile to the one holding my arm with feeble strength.

The husband beside his wife stared at me with a despairing look.

“Is… treatment possible?”

“For now, I’ll just apologize… My power is too weak to reach her poor soul…”

When I removed my smile and spoke with regret, the husband bit his lips tightly.

“But it’s okay. My power will return soon with your help, and then your wife will awaken as well…”

I could see the glimmer of faith in the husband’s eyes.

“Shall we rest for a moment?”

“Ah, yes… Please, sit here…!”

It was a bit cramped in the small hut, but I accepted the offer. I sat on the edge of the bed and opened the system window.

‘I’ve been saving points to level up Weakness Detection… but I need the Baptism skill. I don’t know exactly what it does, but at least it’ll make a performance.’

This was a moment where flashy effects were desperately needed.

Purchase Baptism.

[New skill: Baptism!]

[Current skills]

• Weakness Detection Lv.1

• Baptism Lv.1

• Aura of God (Passive) Lv.1

[points: 5]

The same triumphant fanfare sounded in my mind as when the status window appeared. A simple icon and text floated in front of me.

[Baptism Lv.1: You can now administer ‘Baptism’ to ‘devotees.’ A simple profile is registered with their name, and their abilities are doubled while they are baptized.]

A simple profile registration and 2x buff…

‘Actually, leveling this might be better.’

[Level up Baptism?]

‘Y.’

[Baptism Lv.2: You can now administer ‘Baptism’ to ‘devotees.’ A simple profile is registered with their name, and you can monitor their approximate location and status in real time.]

[You can view the perspective of a devoted believer. Their abilities are multiplied by 2.3x while baptized. You can engrave symbols on baptized individuals.]

‘Location, status, even vision… I should level this more than Weakness Detection. And… I can engrave symbols?’

Right. Tattoos or symbols increase cohesion.

I slowly stood up.

[System: Activating Baptism skill.]

“Everyone, please pray for this unfortunate soul trapped in this nightmare… and pray that I may save this young soul.”

[Target: …]

I placed my hand on her forehead again.

[Target: Eveline Ariand]

Ah, the name is visible only upon contact.

[Administer Baptism?]

‘If I draw out the power of the holy artifact while administering baptism, 2.5x effect… maybe a weak healing effect will work.’

If not, no choice! If she doesn’t wake, I can hand her over to Cardil after a bit of talking.

‘Y.’

Gold and silver light intertwined at my fingertips, growing brighter.

The light from earlier hadn’t used my full power.

This time, light flowed from my hands itself, not just between my fingers.

Even though it was noon, the brilliance outshone the sun. Gold rippled like a dam breaking.

Even after I withdrew my power, remnants of gold dust and shimmering auroras lingered in the hut.

“Wow…”

I heard the devotees murmuring behind me. It truly was a beautiful sight, enough to make even me admire it aloud if I hadn’t restrained myself.

The woman’s eyelids fluttered.

“Ah…”

“H-honey.”

“She’s awake!”

If she had been brought in solely due to trauma, she wouldn’t have awakened, but it seemed a combination of factors had caused her collapse.

I wasn’t a doctor and had no medical knowledge, so I wouldn’t know the exact cause. But what mattered was that it worked.

“Ive!”

The reunited couple was overcome with emotion. Cardil was already examining the patient with a weary face.

“Is that tattoo original?”

“…?”

The husband answered for his dazed wife.

“Ah, no…? When did she get this tattoo?”

On Eveline’s wrist, a yellow glowing symbol had appeared. Inside her wrist, a detailed pattern shimmered as the wrist was turned.

Anyone could tell it was my doing…!

Cardil looked at me from behind. I smiled innocently.

“It’s a sign that we’ve truly become neighbors.”

“Oh… true neighbors…!”

“I want that sign too!”

The devotees murmured excitedly. The wife, still pale, smiled faintly as her husband supported her to sit.

“Y-yes… I heard you. I couldn’t move at all, only my mind was awake. It was painful. But… your voice guided me, and I was able to open my eyes. Thank you…”

Uh… that sounded a bit overblown.

But I realized something.

Ah, I see.

‘Baptism’ is only possible for a “devotee.”

This wife had listened and genuinely believed in me while in a coma, effectively becoming a “devotee.” That’s why I could perform the baptism.

Phew. Rushing things without checking the conditions could have been a disaster. I almost wasted my hard-earned points.

Luckily, Eveline helped stabilize things.

It had only been two days since I possessed her. I needed to pay more attention; one slip and I could have been in serious trouble.

“Oh…!”

“Prayers for the Master.”

Even if this was part of my cult work, it felt good to do something helpful. Being a “needed presence” was strangely satisfying.

‘I was useless in the real world…’

Yet here, I could save people and matter.

Maybe I could enjoy this role-playing a bit.

Ah, I must remind them of the rules again.

In a mystical tone, I repeated, “If I am accused of heresy, I cannot achieve my goal and may die… please keep this secret from the central church… bring the sick here…”

“I will follow your will, Master.”

The devotees, their eyes sparkling, saw me off as they left.

I waved back with a smile.

Hmm… they must have understood… right?

I spent another night at a merchant’s house. I needed to find my own place, but I worried. Living in a shabby home wouldn’t give the right impression; I needed somewhere decent.

We had dinner together and talked casually.

He mentioned contacting the owner of a mine and getting a positive response. The mine was on the border, relatively close to the capital, and I hadn’t expected such a quick answer.

I had apparently made a good choice with my first devotee. A chance encounter paid off exponentially.

Lying on the soft bed, I felt all my fatigue melt away. Being treated to a delicious dinner made life feel wonderfully beautiful.

Falling asleep, the next morning…

I received news that the Knights of the Lion’s Heart had arrived in Astropolis.

“Since the Lion’s Heart is around, Master should be careful. They’re searching for someone who uses strange sorcery. They even call your power ‘strange sorcery’! The fools don’t have the discernment to recognize you.”

The merchant prepared breakfast that looked delicious even at a glance on the wooden table and spoke.

“They are still unaware, so let’s be understanding.”

I nodded, reassuring him. I had planned to visit the hut today… but if I went, it might be a straight trip to the guillotine.

“Yes, understood… but please take care of yourself. They seem to be looking for ‘a man with white hair, white eyes, and a tall frame.’”