[#Donjomjuseyo: Phew, finally sorted everything out]
[#Eomseot: Guild master, are you really quitting this time?]
[#LobbyGaster: Someone with cheese?]
[#Eomseot: If the guild master leaves, our guild’s average power will be shattered…]
[#Donjomjuseyo: Yeah, I’m just bored now, nothing is fun, and I’ve done all the content.]
[#Donjomjuseyo: I’ve spent too much money too.]
[#MiraeneunEopda: Isn’t this WWE?]
[#Donjomjuseyo: It’s UFC.]
[#Donjomjuseyo: This isn’t a game, I should quit.]
[#Eomseot: Seeing you dispose of all your gear, it really seems like you’re quitting…]
[#LobbyGaster: Someone with cheese?]
[#Dapdu: Sob sob, if the big spender leaves, who will I sell my loot to now…]
[#Donjomjuseyo: Dapdu, now you have to go do real life online. This game is hopeless.]
[Hwak)Doltol: I’m buying Freya set +20 and higher, gloves excluded Whisper me]
[#Donjomjuseyo: All day, staring at the same screen, clicking away on the keyboard… passing time…]
[#Donjomjuseyo: Well, still…]
[#Donjomjuseyo: The time spent with all of you was fun.]
[#Juju]
[#LobbyGaster: Someone with cheese?]
[#MiraeneunEopda: Did that jerk come to the guild just to beg for cheese?]
[#LobbyGaster: Just give it, why complain, it’s fine]
[#JudyJudy: Gaster, I’ll give you some cheese!]
[#LobbyGaster: I have 10 pieces, thanks]
[#Donjomjuseyo: Anyway, everyone, make sure to escape safely… I’m going first had fun, bye bye bye]
[#MiraeneunEopda: Yeah, Igogodon, let’s meet again during the summer event.]
[#Donjomjuseyo: ]
***
Today was a bittersweet day.
It was the day I finally decided to quit an online game I had spent years playing.
The decision to quit wasn’t made overnight; it had been months in the making.
There was a time when the game gave me a dopamine rush, but that was long gone.
Now, it was just a money pit that gave me no thrill.
Still, I kept playing out of loyalty to my guildmates, resentment toward the game itself, and—was it habit, maybe?
Yeah, habit.
Like a smoker who can’t quit, I just kept logging in and mindlessly pressing buttons, hunting monsters.
I had tried to quit a few times.
I should’ve been spending money more carefully.
But the game’s predatory microtransactions kept pulling me back, like a salmon swimming upstream.
Every time I said I would quit, I ended up returning and posting “Looking for members for a raid to commemorate my return!!!” in the guild chat.
Now, I could finally walk away.
No more dragging myself through the motions for a few drops of dopamine.
‘Dopamine’s easier to find elsewhere.’
For just a fraction of the money I spent in-game, I could enjoy a whole new world.
Gorgeous girls calling me “sir” for a tiny fee? Yes, please.
I was almost deluded by the sounds of EDM music from somewhere far off, lost in the excitement of it all.
Anyway, I handed over the guildmaster position to someone I trusted and liquidated my items for cash.
I ended up with enough money to live comfortably for a while, without worrying about donations.
I had spent so much money on this trash game.
I couldn’t get all my money back, but, well, the rest was just the price of fun.
I hadn’t played the game to make money.
‘Alright, for now, I’ll have enough cash.’
But I wasn’t planning on spending it recklessly.
I wanted to enjoy this manga for as long as I could.
During the Luca arc, I had gotten carried away and spent too much…
Spending large amounts of money every time takes away the thrill of enjoying the story.
Moderation is key!
I needed to be more thoughtful with my spending—spend just when it’s necessary, rather than recklessly, and the experience will be much more enjoyable.
After all, ‘I’m a god, right?’
If gods act recklessly, the world descends into chaos.
Maybe it’s time I start thinking like one.
I was serious about this, so it might be best to avoid labeling me as a “fanatic.”
Then, at that moment…
Beep!
I quickly checked my phone, and sure enough, there was a push notification saying the next episode had been uploaded.
‘It’s here!’
Alright, let’s check out today’s manga update.
I think the latest chapter was about three people being appointed as Paladins?
With a lighter heart, I clicked on the next episode.
***
After the ceremony of appointing the new Paladins, the three newly minted knights introduced themselves.
“From now on, I shall be your comrade as a Paladin, Ophel Aichel Transrente. Luca, Linnea, I look forward to working with you,” said Ophel.
“I am Luca Heavenishian. I believe I am the most lacking among us, but I will try my best so I do not become a burden to you all,” Luca replied.
“I am Linnea von Einsberg. I ask that you treat me as an equal, regardless of my status,” said Linnea.
“Ah, so you are the famed Linnea. It’s an honor to meet you. And Luca, you’re the second-in-command at Luphrantia Academy, correct?”
“That’s right.”
“Do you happen to know Irina? She graduated at the top of her class the same year as you.”
“We’re close friends. Do you know her?”
“Indeed. We studied together when we were young. I suppose I can call you my friend, since you are friends with Irina. I hope we all get along well!”
“I, too, will learn much from you, Ophel.”
Ophel smiled warmly and extended her hand, which Luca took in return.
“Actually, I’ve been curious about something…”
It was Ophel’s role to break the ice and start the conversation.
Her golden eyes sparkled with curiosity.
She had a natural talent for swordsmanship but was a late bloomer in terms of knowledge.
Because of this, she often asked people around her questions without hesitation.
‘Would it be okay to ask something like this?’ she thought, but she would ask these kinds of questions without hesitation, so those who didn’t get along with her often found her tiring.
“Is that so…! Indeed, there is much to learn from someone like Luca, the second in class at the Luphrantia Academy.”
“You’re too kind, Ophel.”
Fortunately, Luca and Ophel seemed to get along well.
Linnea silently watched the two of them.
If things had gone as originally planned, she might have tried to outdo these people, keeping the final position of the paladin all to herself, as Eirene had suggested.
However, the situation had changed, and Eirene was now more devoted to the Guodun Church than anyone else.
If she caused any conflict now, Eirene surely wouldn’t let her go.
Though she thought this, Linnea still found it hard to open her heart.
She knew the world was changing for the better, but… the fear she had felt from her mother and older sister hadn’t fully left her heart.
***
At that moment…
“Ah, you’re here, everyone.”
The one they should protect, Saint Erin, walked in slowly with the Bible in her arms.
Every step she took seemed to stir the overwhelming divine power within her.
“From now on, you will live in the cathedral, where you will sleep and eat. Personal rooms have been prepared for you three, and if you have any preferences regarding food, feel free to tell the nun in charge. Once a mission comes up, I will inform you, but for now, please rest and calm your minds.”
“Yes!”
‘And…’
“Yes.”
Erin looked at the faces of the three and then directed her gaze toward Linnea as she spoke.
“I’d like to thank you once again for accepting your appointment as a paladin, despite it being so sudden, due to the will of the gods. As I mentioned before, the Guodun Church doesn’t force people to accept the faith. Everyone accepts the will of the gods at their own pace.”
“So, please don’t feel pressured… take your time. Very slowly, I hope you can come to feel the pure truth of the gods. Do you understand?”
Linnea quietly bowed her head.
Erin knew, of course, that Linnea wasn’t particularly devout.
‘Was she being considerate of me by saying that? Or was it something else?’
“Yes, I understand, Saint.”
“Good. Then, everyone, please follow me.”
***
After they were assigned their rooms, they arrived at the last one, Ophel’s room.
“Saint. I have something I’d like to ask.”
“Is it for me? Very well. You may ask anything.”
Ophel lowered her head with utmost politeness, showing the respect expected of a knight.
In fact, when it came to pure faith in the gods, Ophel was likely the strongest of the three.
Naturally, she was the most reverent toward the saint and followed the proper etiquette.
“I’ve heard recently that those who have met with you, Saint, have mentioned the pure truth of Guodun…”
“The pure truth?”
“Ah, yes! That, the pure truth you experienced, I’ve heard rumors about it… is it true?”
Despite Ophel’s basic mistake, Erin didn’t scold her.
Instead, she smiled kindly.
“Yes, the pure truth of Guodun has led many people to the path of enlightenment.”
Upon hearing this, Ophel’s golden eyes sparkled as she patted her chest a few times.
“Could I also experience it, Saint Erin? Could you grant me the opportunity?”
“Ophel, you were chosen by Guodun himself, so there’s no need for you to experience the pure truth through me…”
“Well, it’s quite embarrassing to say this, but… I’m slower than others in learning things. I’ve made mistakes just now, and… so, I would like to experience the miracle of the gods here. I wish to become a true paladin, worthy of my companions, and feel the pure truth of Guodun. If you would allow me, I would be most grateful.”
Erin’s lips curled into a gentle smile.
“If it’s your wish, Ophel, then it must be the will of the gods. You’ve asked so humbly, how could I possibly refuse?”
“Then…!”
“Please, come this way, Ophel. I will show you how wonderful and magnificent the pure truth of the gods is…”
Ophel approached Erin and kneeled before her.
Erin held the Bible tightly against her chest and, after mixing it with divine power, slowly placed it against Ophel’s forehead.
In that moment, a bright white light emitted from the Bible and enveloped Ophel entirely.
***
Several minutes later…
The light faded, and Erin slowly removed the Bible.
“How was it, Ophel…? How did you find the pure and wondrous truth of the gods?”
Ophel slowly raised her head.
Her golden eyes were trembling.
From Erin’s perspective, this wasn’t an unusual sight.
Those who had experienced “the miracle of the gods” often trembled in surprise, shedding tears as they experienced the spiritual moment of the pure truth of Guodun filling their very being.
But…
“Uh…”
“Is it over?”
“Yes?”
“I closed my eyes when I saw the light coming from the Bible, and then opened them again… Is it finished?”
It was a completely unexpected response, and it slipped from Ophel mouth.