Chapter 187: What Kind of Priest Are You?

The night grew deeper, and the air on the second floor of the grocery store filled with the faint, smoky smell of a burning kerosene lamp.

Furen held a large wooden bowl filled with potato soup. Clara had just brought it up, and it was no longer scalding hot.

He speared a large, tender chunk of potato and was just about to pop it in his mouth.

But his hand froze mid-air, and his eyes shot wide.

“A Priest?? For real???”

“Of course it’s real.”

Beside him, Clara said confidently, “We all saw Lu Wei cast Tubular Arrow.”

“Ahem, it’s Light-guided Arrow.”

Lu Wei frowned, correcting her and elaborating, “It’s a Magic Short Arrow, condensed from Holy Light and guided by Divine Power.”

“Oh right, Light-guided Arrow. We all saw it.”

Clara nodded agreeably, her voice tinged with vicarious excitement,

“It was incredible! You scared Gante and his men so badly they were frozen stiff. The looks on their faces!”

‘Ahem, another correction.’

‘They weren’t frozen because they were scared of me.’

‘It was actually the Force Field… never mind, you wouldn’t understand even if I told you.’

Pursing his lips, Lu Wei couldn’t be bothered to explain any further.

When Furen saw Lu Wei didn’t refute her, his jaw dropped even further, the shock on his face intensifying.

‘Gods, Lu Wei is actually a Priest!!’

‘And I never even noticed!’

‘He’s so good at hiding it!’

‘No, wait. If I think about it carefully, the signs were there.’

‘First off, all of Lu Wei’s Attributes are high, and his Perception is at least 15. That’s a classic build for a Priest!’

‘Second, Lu Wei is incredibly eloquent.’

‘He can come up with a convincing, logical argument for anything.’

‘Add to that all the profound sayings he spouts off the cuff… he’s the perfect person to spread the Faith.’

‘No wonder Lu Wei was always going on about “ideological development” and “purity of thought,” and was always calling for meetings.’

‘So he was subtly preaching all along!’

“I see now.”

A moment later, an expression of sudden realization dawned on Furen’s face. He sighed with emotion.

“I should have known.”

‘?’

‘What kind of story have you cooked up in your head this time?’

“I think we should go back to talking about your sister.”

Glancing at him, Lu Wei tried to change the subject.

However, Furen, caught up in his immense excitement, wasn’t about to let him off the hook so easily. He completely ignored the attempt and pressed on with his questions:

“Lu Wei, when did you become a Priest?”

‘This morning.’

“About two months ago.”

Lu Wei reluctantly stated the amount of time he’d been in this world.

‘It’s not technically wrong.’

‘After all, that’s when he actually became a Professional.’

“Huh? Two months? So that was just before we met?”

“Mhm.”

“So you completed your promotion at the Priest Association in Kalin Port?”

“Well… you could say that, but it wouldn’t be entirely accurate. I might have been promoted in Kalin Port, but then again, maybe not. Because ‘Kalin Port’ is just a name. Kalin Port can be called Kalin Port, but any other port could also be called Kalin Port. I could even rename the Golden Sword Hu Grocery Store to the Kalin Port Grocery Store. To answer your question, I first need to understand which Kalin Port you’re referring to…”

Lu Wei mumbled this long, serious-sounding speech, leaving Furen completely baffled.

“Uh, so… was it or wasn’t it?”

“That’s not important.”

“Oh, okay…”

Furen scratched his head in confusion, then asked excitedly,

“So which Deity do you serve? It feels like it would be the Deceit Domain or the Knowledge Domain.”

“But you also know *Light-guided Arrow*, so it must be the Light Domain?”

“…”

Unlike the “stereotypical image” from the many movies, TV shows, novels, and games of his past life,

in this world, Priests were not all benevolent, kind-hearted support “healers” in white robes who only knew how to heal and apply buffs.

Their Power originated from Divine Spirits, so they were subdivided into many types based on the different Divine Beings they served.

The “healer” types served the Goddess of Life and belonged to the Life Domain.

Besides them, there were also “melee Priests” who believed in the War Goddess, belonged to the War Domain, and charged into battle swinging a Greatsword.

Or the Plague Priests who worshiped the God of Death, belonged to the Death Domain, and could create disasters and diseases.

There were many specific classifications, but there were no particularly clear boundaries between them.

After all, there was no rule saying a person could only believe in one Divine Spirit.

In fact, in this world, “multi-faith believers” made up the majority.

If you were sick, you prayed to the God of Life; if the harvest was poor, you prayed to the God of Nature; if you couldn’t find a wife, you prayed to the God of Love… it was all about pragmatism.

Therefore, Priests could also serve multiple Divine Beings at the same time and convert the latter’s Power for their own use.

Take *Light-guided Arrow*, for example. As a Skill that required the Divine Power of the Goddess of Light to cast, its user didn’t necessarily have to be a Priest of the Light Domain.

Priests of other domains could also learn this Skill, as long as they also believed in the Goddess of Light and could pass the “Faith Test.”

But it should be noted that this “belief” wasn’t just lip service; it had to be a genuine “Faith.”

And because a person’s energy and time are limited, most Priests chose to worship only one Divine Being.

This was how the so-called various “domains” were formed.

‘Hmm…’

‘By that logic, Lu Wei, who had mastered *Light-guided Arrow*, would clearly be considered a Priest of the Light Domain.’

‘But in reality, he wasn’t a Priest, nor did he believe in the Goddess of Light.’

‘The only reason he could pass the Faith Test for *Light-guided Arrow* was entirely due to his “A Little of Everything” cheat.’

‘He didn’t even know what the hell these “domains” Furen was talking about were.’

‘After all, he had only just been forced to become a Priest this morning.’

‘He hadn’t had time to learn any of the relevant information yet.’

‘What’s he on about? What domains?’

‘Sounds like some kind of development path for Priests?’

‘Like a college major?’

‘Whatever, I’ll just make one up.’

Under Furen’s expectant gaze, Lu Wei thought for a moment, then looked up and answered calmly,

“Oh, I’m from the Absolute Domain.”

?

Furen froze, his eyes widening in confusion.

‘Absolute Domain?’

‘What does that do?’

‘How come I’ve never heard of it?’

…

…

“Wow, so that was a Light-guided Arrow! So cool!”

“By the way, aren’t Priests supposed to pray and meditate every day to maintain their connection with their Deity? How come I’ve never seen you do that?”

“Oh, oh… Hey, can I see your Priest Badge?”

Another ten minutes passed, and Furen was still pestering Lu Wei with endless questions.

If it had been Bai Ya, Lu Wei could have understood.

After all, she was a country girl who hadn’t seen the world; it was normal for her to be curious.

But Furen was a rich kid. He should have met plenty of Professionals growing up. Logically, he shouldn’t be making such a big deal out of this.

“I lost the badge…”

Lu Wei replied wearily, then suggested, “Why don’t you leave now? Theodore and the others should be asleep.”

Furen asked, puzzled, “Huh? Didn’t you just say there was no rush?”

“Now I suddenly feel like there is a rush.”

“Uh… is it because I’m asking too many questions?”

Furen finally realized, scratching his head in embarrassment.

“Sorry, but I’m just so curious.”

“The Northern River Valley is crawling with Priests. What’s so special about them?”

Lu Wei mumbled, “Besides, doesn’t your father have a lot of Professionals working for him? Have you never talked to them?”

“There are some, but my father forbids me from having too much contact with them.”

Furen’s eyes suddenly dimmed. “Maybe he thinks that way I won’t want to become an Adventurer.”

‘Oh, no wonder.’

‘Looks like your dad really worked hard to make sure you’d have a good life.’

‘And here you are, a glutton for punishment.’

“Alright, but you’ve asked all your questions now. Can we finally talk about your sister?”

Lu Wei said helplessly, “After all, once you’re in hiding, she’s definitely going to come looking for you here. I need to understand her first so I can handle her better.”

“Oh, oh, of course!”

When it came to business, Furen’s expression instantly turned serious. “What do you want to know?”

‘Her measurements.’

“Is her Charm very low?”

After a moment’s thought, Lu Wei explained calmly, meeting Furen’s surprised gaze,

“I don’t have a good impression of your sister, but I have to admit she’s very beautiful.”

“Usually, no matter how terrible a beautiful woman’s personality is, people don’t feel repulsed and averse to her at first sight.”

“But your sister gave me exactly that feeling.”

“So her Charm must be very low, right?”

“Lu Wei, you’re amazing! You guessed it!”

Furen’s face was full of admiration as he nodded repeatedly. “That’s right, her Charm is only 2!”

“And because of that, she still isn’t married!”

“Every time Father arranges a blind date for her, it’s considered a success if the guy can last half an hour without leaving!”

‘That is pretty impressive.’

‘I wouldn’t last ten minutes.’

‘I bet I’d feel no desire even if your sister were naked in front of me.’

“Then why doesn’t she wear some accessories that increase Charm?”

Lu Wei asked, puzzled, “If she just added three or four points to reach a normal level, wouldn’t that solve the problem?”

“My sister refuses to.”

Furen pouted. “She says that wouldn’t be the ‘real her,’ and that she’ll only marry a man who truly loves her and can accept her for who she is.”

“…”

‘Isn’t that the classic “If you love me, you have to accept all my flaws” speech?’

‘Such a classic line!’

‘Let’s see if you’re still so stubborn in ten years!’

“I see. Does she have any weaknesses? Like, is she afraid of mice or cockroaches?”

“Uh, Lu Wei, let me put it this way. When I was five, I personally saw her slam a mouse to death and then throw it in a servant’s face.”

“Huh? Your house has mice?”

“Normally, no. We have someone specifically in charge of catching mice.”

“Then where did the mouse come from?”

“Why do you think she threw the mouse in that servant’s face…?”

…

…

“Ah, so you were the one who brought back that bag of ears.”

Meanwhile, at a dim street corner not far from Pigeon Lane.

While Lu Wei and Furen were discussing their “counter-resistance strategy,” Bai Ya was talking with Mirana.

She had just spent over half an hour searching for Lu Wei all over town, checking every tavern, but couldn’t find him.

And just as she was about to brave Pigeon Lane, she happened to run into Mirana.

Only then did she find out that Lu Wei hadn’t come back at all.

“Phew, that scared me. I thought he’d gone to Pigeon Lane.”

Muttering under her breath, Bai Ya patted her chest in relief.

Then, perhaps not wanting Mirana to get the “wrong idea,” she quickly added in a low voice,

“I’m not jealous, I just heard it’s easy to get sick in places like that, so I was a little worried.”

“Mhm.”

Mirana nodded silently. “Anyway, you should hurry back. It’s getting dark, and it’s not safe outside.”

“Okay… By the way, have you upgraded to a Silver Badge yet?”

Bai Ya suddenly remembered this and asked with concern, “Did the Adventurer Association agree to recommend you to the Count?”

“…”

Stunned for a moment, Mirana avoided Bai Ya’s gaze and didn’t answer immediately.

Furen had asked her the same question that morning.

The fact that they both remembered was proof enough that they cared about her.

This couldn’t help but make Mirana’s conscience sting painfully.

Of course, that was assuming she still had a “conscience.”

“I’ve still got something to do. I’m going.”

After a moment of silence, Mirana suddenly mumbled something under her breath, then turned and walked away without looking back.

“Hey, wait a second!”

Bai Ya was completely baffled. She subconsciously reached out, wanting to stop her.

But Mirana walked quickly, as if she hadn’t heard her at all, and soon disappeared around the corner of the long street.

Standing there in a daze, it was a long while before Bai Ya retracted her gaze and mumbled to herself in confusion,

“That’s weird. Did the Adventurer Association not agree?”

“Or did she get in a fight with the captain back in the forest?”

“Huh? I forgot to ask just now.”

“Speaking of which, why was she heading over to the grocery store today too?”