At the Suho Estate, Suna rushed straight to the family study.
Seeing the tear stains on his daughter’s face, Earl Suho wanted to say something.
But knowing her personality, he decided it might be better to wait a few days— maybe by then, that little priest would be released.
Inside the study, Suna had pulled out every book related to “demons,” “marks,” and “curses.”
“What kind was it— the mark that demon left on me…”
Before long, Suna finally found a similar mark to the one on her neck in a book titled Rumors and Records of Demon Descents, written by an unknown adventurer.
“The exact purpose of this mark remains unclear to humankind. Based on numerous records of demon hunts, I believe this mark is used by demons to track their prey. Some demons seem to greatly enjoy the despair their targets feel while being hunted.”
Hunted…?
After reading that, Suna collapsed against the bookshelf, her strength drained.
She touched the mark on her neck— it was already starting to fade.
Did that demon want to savor my despair, or was it just trying to scare me?
Either way, she had to prepare for the worst.
The first step was to flee her home.
After all, not even Divine Guide Kral had been a match for that demon— there weren’t many in Deya City who could deal with it.
She had to escape.
She couldn’t drag her father and the household servants into this.
Resolved, Suna began quietly packing her things. She planned to leave Deya before sunrise…
Deya City Underground Black Market
Truth followed behind three burly, masked men.
The cloaked stranger who had approached her earlier led the group.
He called himself “Mole” and was a frequent figure in the black market.
Most people who came to the black market were assumed to be looking to make some money on the side.
That’s why Mole had taken her to a tavern to talk business.
Truth had some time to kill and needed to level up anyway, so she decided to try out some “things a priest could reasonably do” and learn a bit about local life in Deya.
The five of them slipped past patrols and arrived at the entrance of a closed-down tavern called “Diagonal Street Inn.”
Though the place was dark inside, low laughter occasionally drifted out, suggesting Deya’s curfew wasn’t strictly enforced.
“You ready? And you too, little priest— hold onto your staff or someone might snatch it… actually, I’ve been wondering, is that thing a magic staff or just a stick?” Mole asked, glancing back.
“It’s a magic staff,” Truth replied seriously.
Only then did Mole turn around and kick the tavern doors open.
The three musclemen behind him each pulled out iron rods as thick as Truth’s arm from beneath their coats.
“Outta the way if you’re not involved— we’re only here for Norton’s people!”
The previously quiet bar erupted into chaos.
Mole and his crew engaged in a brawl with five others.
Unfortunately, the enemy had one more person, making this “job” messier than expected.
“Priest! Do something useful!” one of their men shouted.
“Got it!” Truth immediately cast Healing Mist, covering them one by one and easing their injuries and pain.
[Skill “Healing Mist” proficiency increased to 20%. Trait unlocked: Envelop. +11 EXP.]
Envelop? Truth tested it on the spot— Healing Mist, originally a single-target spell, had turned into an area-of-effect skill.
And with her nearly unlimited mana pool, she could now cover an entire wounded body in mist.
But there was a problem… if enemies got close to her allies, they’d get healed too…
Why not just cover the whole tavern?
So Truth went full force, letting her healing mist envelop everyone in the bar.
[Skill “Healing Mist” proficiency increased to 25%. +23 EXP. Leveled up to Level 3. Gained 100 usable attribute points.]
Mole looked stunned and cursed.
“What the hell kind of priest are you?! No wonder you were so cheap—stop healing the damn enemy! Just use that first spell to dull our pain!”
“Oh… okay.”
Truth knew casting full mist gave her more EXP, but a deal was a deal.
Whatever the employer said went— so she scaled back the healing.
[+6 EXP]
[+7 EXP] ……
“Hey, priest! You got anything that boosts our physical strength temporarily?” another fighter yelled.
“Haven’t learned that kind of spell yet!”
The man stared, dumbfounded.
All this priest could do was summon cold, misty fog?
He shot a glare at Mole, who was staggering back after taking a rod to the face and muttered:
“She only cost five silver coins. Just deal with it.”
[+11 EXP. Leveled up to Level 4. Gained 100 usable attribute points.]
The fight lasted nearly ten minutes.
In the end, Mole’s group secured the tavern and began interrogating a blond young man about the location of a smuggled carriage carrying valuable healing potions.
Meanwhile, Truth darted around treating her team’s wounds.
It was her first time participating in a group battle as a priest, and to be honest, she kind of liked it.
Compared to rogue or ranger classes, there was so much less to worry about— so relaxing. So satisfying.
[Name: Truth]
[Level: LV.4 (66/69)]
[Race: Human]
[Attributes: HP 48, Constitution 52, Magic 99, Intelligence 72, Strength 22, Agility 31, Faith 142]
[Skill: Healing Mist (Proficiency 33%)]
[Talent: Fogborne Venerant (Fusion Progress 4%)]
[Available Attribute Points: 200]
Wow, just a bit more EXP to hit Level 5— but everyone on her side was already healed…
Truth turned to the enemy fighters, several of whom lay half-dead in the corner.
Kowit was certain he was going to die in this bar tonight.
If not for the payment he was supposed to collect, he’d have fled long ago.
But Mole’s crew had stormed in and beaten the location of the smuggled high-grade healing potion carriage out of them.
They were supposed to rendezvous with that carriage… but that was clearly off the table now.
And as a low-ranking nobody, he probably wouldn’t even get the reward he was owed.
Ugh, so cold…
Kowit curled into himself, shivering violently.
Luckily, Mole’s group hadn’t gone for a killing blow— they didn’t want to draw too much attention.
But if no one helped him soon, he’d probably freeze to death before sunrise.
“Tch, what a pathetic life I’ve lived…”
At that moment, a cold yet faintly warm sensation spread over Kowit’s wounds, greatly easing his pain and allowing him to let out a long breath.
So warm… so comfortable… who is it?
Kowit opened his eyes slightly and saw the silver-haired little priest in a plain long dress squatting beside him, her pure eyes focused intently on his injuries.
It’s her? Kowit never would’ve thought it’d be the enemy’s priest treating him. Was it an order from Mole…? No way. Mole wasn’t that kind-hearted.
Then it could only mean this priest acted on her own.
Who would’ve thought there’d be such a kind priest even in the black market?
Unlike those underground priests who wouldn’t even look at your wounds without payment, this petite priest was practically an angel!
[Class Level EXP +5. Leveled up to Lv.5. Gained 100 attribute points. “Fogborne Venerant” fusion progress reached 5%. Gained skill: “Perception Amplification.” Authority system unlocked: Follower]
Ohhoho~! Leveled up three times in one night, and finally unlocked the first Authority function too. So fusion progress is tied to level, huh? Truth nodded in satisfaction.
“Hey, priest, we’re leaving— why are you treating the enemy again? I told you not to heal them!”
Mole shouted at Truth after finishing the business deal.
This priest he randomly picked up was way too soft-hearted.
“Coming, coming.”
Alright, this random guy can go ahead and die— no more healing.
Truth trotted out of the tavern, leaving Kowit, who had just stabilized, clenching his teeth.
How dare they use brute force to threaten such a kind priest and stop her from saving people. That Mole guy was just rotten to the core!
Priestess… I’ll never forget your kindness…
Outside the tavern, Mole seemed fairly satisfied with Truth’s performance.
Her healing might not be that efficient, but she made up for it in volume— he had a feeling this priest’s mana was basically infinite.
She’s the real deal, huh?
“Miss Priest, we’re about to discuss the next job. Do you want in? Given your abilities, I’ll pay you another five silver coins,” Mole said, lowering his voice.
Abilities, huh… I’ve gotten way stronger now.
[Activating skill: Perception Amplification]
Truth gave her “staff” a little twirl, releasing a stream of grayish-white mist into Mole’s ear. The next second, Mole’s eyes lit up.
Suddenly, he could see farther and more clearly, hear even the tiniest of sounds, and he could sense movement behind him just from someone waving their hand.
His senses had been enhanced?!
“Miss Priest…”
Mole stared speechlessly at Truth, who only reached up to his chest, then touched his still-swollen cheek and couldn’t hold it in any longer:
“If you weren’t happy with the payment, you could’ve just said so— no need to hide a skill like that from us!”
So we were in that tavern fighting for ages for what?
If this priest had buffed us from the start, we would’ve wrapped it up in five minutes!
“I just learned it,” Truth replied, utterly unbothered.
“Save it for someone who’ll believe that!”
Tftc!