Chapter 23: Divine Favor

Due to the gravity of the situation, Guild Master Nova did not concern herself with the fact that others were still praying. She stepped forward to interrupt them, then concisely summarized the preliminary investigation findings regarding the Pure White City.

"Mind Flayers..." Upon hearing the name of such a monster, Priestess Catherine’s blue eyebrows knit together tightly. "If it is indeed that creature... Nova, there is no way we can hold Goldwheat Town."

The four members of the adventurer party, whose prayers had been interrupted, were initially annoyed, fearing that Nova’s interference would cost them their good fortune. However, as she finished detailing the investigation results, the party fell into a heavy silence. They exchanged glances filled with lingering fear, a silent sense of relief washing over them.

They had originally planned to venture deep into the Low-Level Monster Forest tonight to harvest Moonlight Mushrooms—a fungus that only breaks through the soil at night and dissolves into rot the moment the sun rises. Had Guild Master Nova not come to interrupt their prayers to the Goddess of Luck, they might well have gone and never returned.

After finishing her report, Nova immediately reminded Priestess Catherine, "I have already had the guild send word to the nearby branches; you must take action now as well."

Priestess Catherine nodded and turned to the five people who had brought the news. "Members of the 'Earth Claw' squad, and Mr. Li Rui, I require your assistance."

With that, she led them toward the back of the temple, entering a room housing a statue of the Goddess of Luck. The walls and floor of the chamber were covered in intricate, exotic patterns. In the center of the room sat a small, circular dais, one step high, its surface adorned with even denser markings than the rest of the floor.

"I need you to stand on the dais, face the statue of the Goddess, and close your eyes to recall the scene where you encountered the Brain-Eater. My deity’s petitioners will receive the images from your memories and transmit them to the priests of other temples."

Li Rui couldn't help but think to himself, *Well, would you look at that—the temple doubles as a radio station?*

After hearing the request, Kate, the archer from Paul’s squad, immediately took a step back. "I apologize, but I don't really like letting others see my memories."

"No, it will only transmit the images you are currently recalling... very well." Priestess Catherine had intended to persuade him, but upon seeing the expression on the archer's face, she swallowed the rest of her words.

Li Rui also hesitated for a moment, but he quickly decided to step onto the dais. He didn't have the dark secrets that someone like Kate might possess, and more importantly, the Goddess of Luck belonged to the Absolutely Neutral alignment.

Even if the Goddess of Luck were to discover everything about him, so what? He was an otherworlder—what of it? There were plenty of transmigrators in this world. The fact that he could extract abilities from enemies through slaughter was rare, but not unheard of. There was a specific caster class with a similar ability known as a Warlock.

Unlike mages, who must study and research everything themselves; priests, who require sincere faith; druids, who must perceive and maintain nature; or sorcerers, whose awakened powers are entirely random, a Warlock simply needs to maintain a relationship with their patron. By fulfilling the conditions set by that patron, a Warlock can continuously gain new skills and powers.

Li Rui was essentially a Warlock who had signed a contract with a lottery system; as long as he met the requirements (killing enemies to draw prizes), he could constantly acquire new strength. Furthermore, the lottery system was a soulless object without its own will. If other Warlocks knew this, they would likely be green with envy, ready to act as Li Rui’s sycophants at a moment’s notice, just for the chance to contract with such a system themselves.

As long as he didn't kill indiscriminately, the Goddess of Luck would only see him as someone with potential. The Absolutely Neutral alignment exists like an objective backdrop—like the sun, the moon, or nature itself. Does someone worship Her? That’s nice. Does no one worship Her anymore? Whatever. Has a believer or even a chosen one of Hers been killed? How pitiful; may their soul return to the Divine Kingdom. Is a believer's soul intercepted and unable to return to the Divine Kingdom? Well, if you’re unlucky enough to have that happen, how can you claim to be a believer of luck?

That was roughly the impression She gave. If this were a temple of any deity outside the Absolutely Neutral alignment, Li Rui would have refused to transmit his memories just like the archer. But because this was the temple of the Absolutely Neutral Goddess of Luck—who represented the ethereal and fickle concept of chance—he stood upon the dais with complete composure.

However, he wasn't just standing there to assist Priestess Catherine. For the archer Kate, this was a crisis, but for Li Rui, it was an absolute opportunity.

After the three members of Paul’s squad and Li Rui stood on the dais, Priestess Catherine instructed, "Begin your recollections. My prayer will allow you to convey the images in your hearts to the Divine Kingdom of my Goddess."

With that, she raised her hands high above her head, palms upward, as if to receive an invisible grace. Her gentle voice suddenly became resonant and piercing.

"Lady of Smiles, golden light in the threads of fate! I step into the unknown mist, offering my courage as a sacrifice. I beseech You to grant me the auspicious sign when the dice fall, the hair's breadth by which a blade is deflected, and a glimmer of hope in the face of despair. Let the winds of opportunity fill my sails, and let the shadows of misfortune scatter before Your radiance..."

As the priestess began her prayer, the dense patterns on the walls and floors began to glow with a golden light. At that moment, the statue of the Goddess of Luck at the end of the hall actually seemed to come to life.

Li Rui quickly closed his eyes. However, he was not recalling the scene of the Brain-Eater in the forest; instead, he was recalling his entire life. From childhood memories he hadn't yet forgotten, to his growing years as a youth, to entering the workforce after graduation, to winning an online argument against a petty, powerful individual, being handed a "golden finger" by that person, and being thrown into the world of Endi—all the way up to the present.

As he recalled these things, his lips moved silently, mimicking the priestess, reciting the prayer to the Goddess of Luck word by word. Paul’s squad was providing information to the Church of Luck, assisting in their duties. But Li Rui was different; he was using this opportunity to have the high priestess of the Temple of Luck lead a private prayer for him.

He did include the memory of the Brain-Eater, but it was merely a small fragment of his prayer. At the end of the ritual, he added a personal request: he hoped the Goddess would reveal the identity of the existence who had thrown him into the world of Endi and granted him his golden finger.

Li Rui was gambling. He was betting that the Goddess would be interested in him, betting that She would let luck favor him.

He won the bet.

When Priestess Catherine finished her prayer and opened her eyes, the first thing she saw was a layer of phantom light enveloping Li Rui's body.

"!!!"

Looking at the ethereal glow surrounding Li Rui, the priestess froze, only three words echoing in her mind: *Divine Favored One.*

A Divine Favored One is a subtle existence in any church. They do not necessarily worship the deity who favors them; their existence simply represents the deity’s affection and a willingness to provide aid. For a priest of the gods, a person bathed in the aura of their own deity means only one thing: the deity has placed a massive, highly visible seal upon this person.

On that seal, in bright, unmistakable letters, were two words: *I want.*

She wanted his faith.

The deity had made Her intentions clear. As Her priestess, Catherine had no choice but to translate this holy will into action.