Chapter 24: The Saint’s Favorability

After Song Ze dealt with that magical beast, the light cluster seemed stimulated, and the number of beasts erupted once again.

All the clergy became frantic. While fighting the beasts, they occasionally stole glances at the Saint, their eyes carrying a hint of inquiry. But Song Ze, busy dealing with the monsters, didn’t notice this detail at all.

At times like this, Song Ze couldn’t help but recall the beast tide he encountered in the Dark Forest. With such numbers, these people simply couldn’t handle it. The only way to survive was to flee.

The others thought the same. The Saint immediately decided everyone should hide in a nearby temple. In this ruin, outside monsters wouldn’t enter the temple—a thoughtful game mechanic allowing players to catch their breath amidst the tense, thrilling monster fights.

As they fled, over a dozen beasts charged toward Song Ze and the Saint, their target clear, refusing to be lured away by others.

“Trouble. What should we do?” Song Ze gritted his teeth. In the game, even he needed powerful allies like Aliel and Idis to break through this. But now, with over a dozen beasts, even if he sacrificed himself, he couldn’t defeat them all!

The Saint behind him darkened her eyes, glaring coldly at the monsters as if they were disobedient servants. A faint light flickered in her eyes.

Song Ze watched as the beasts suddenly seemed stimulated… No, more like terrified, as if scared of something dreadful. They scattered, showing great fear.

“What’s happening?” Song Ze’s heart jumped. He felt an inexplicable chill, as if something was happening somewhere he didn’t know…

However, a few small beasts seemed oblivious and charged straight at the two, only to be effortlessly taken down by Song Ze.

“Song Ze, you did well.” The Saint smiled at him.

“N-Not at all!” Flustered by her praise, Song Ze’s face turned red. “I-I just did what I had to. It was all luck…”

“But you protected me. That fact remains unchanged.” The Saint spoke softly. “Thank you.”

“I-I-I—” Song Ze felt like he was floating. Taking a deep breath, he stared at the Saint with utmost sincerity in his eyes. Anyone gazing into those beautiful, earnest eyes would find it hard to stay cold-hearted.

Even the Saint was taken aback.

Song Ze grasped her hand and vowed, “Though I’m not strong, I will definitely, definitely protect you well. I will always guard you.”

These words came from the heart. Song Ze already felt she was the love of his life!

Then, as if suddenly realizing something, he abruptly let go, face red, and said, “Let’s hurry on! It’s dangerous here.”

“Mm.” The Saint watched him rush off, almost tripping. Her expression shifted slightly, a hint of amusement in her eyes, before quickly returning to calm.

[Favorability with target +6. Current favorability: 13.]

****

To avoid the earlier beasts, everyone had entered a nearby temple.

No one dared slack off, knowing that a single mistake could cost them their lives in this terrifying ruin.

Song Ze guarded the Saint, nervously watching for potential dangers.

In the game, he had cleared this dungeon countless times. The trickiest part was that the building layouts changed periodically, but certain structures always spawned specific monsters, and there were familiar tactics to deal with them… However, when the game content became reality…

It was completely different from the game he played!

“You don’t have to be so nervous.” The Saint spoke gently to soothe him.

Her voice carried a strange power that calmed the mind upon hearing.

“Lady Saint…” Song Ze said gratefully. He couldn’t admit he was actually scared! So he said, “I’m not nervous. I’m just excited to face these monsters—”

Suddenly, a spirit priest materialized right in front of Song Ze. The empty sockets in its skull seemed to stare at him.

“Aaaah! QAQ!!”

With a scream, Song Ze clung to the Saint, trembling in fear.

The Saint looked down. White skin, red-rimmed eyes, tears welling up—he looked utterly pitiful.

And his embrace was so thin, yet warm and soft, and…

[Favorability with target +5. Current favorability: 18.]

In the midst of panic, Song Ze didn’t notice the favorability increase until he suddenly realized the situation.

No, he couldn’t do this! As a man, he was supposed to protect the delicate Saint.

Turning around, Song Ze completely missed the Saint’s complex gaze fixed on him.

Such a weak human, trembling yet willing to face these monsters for someone else. But even so, no matter how hard he tried, he was just a kitten baring its fangs at monsters, incapable of causing real harm.

Normally, he would never pay attention to such meaningless things.

These ordinary humans were of no concern to him.

The Saint’s eyes turned cold again. She shouldn’t care about such an ordinary person. After this mission ended, this human would no longer exist in this world.

But… could it really end like that?

[Favorability with target +5. Current favorability: 23.]

Song Ze, still scared out of his wits, perked up immediately upon hearing the favorability increase. It was like a shot of adrenaline.

So showing his bravery and fearlessness against monsters was the way to raise the Saint’s favorability!

Though terrifying, he would do his best.

Song Ze’s expression turned serious. The monsters here were higher level, and the basic Holy Light magic taught by the Church wouldn’t suffice. He steeled himself, raised his longsword, and enchanted it with the protagonist’s innate Holy Light skill. Summoning his courage, he attacked the spirit priest.

Normally, it would take at least a dozen strikes to defeat this spirit priest. But the moment Song Ze’s sword fell, the spirit priest’s light dimmed, and it shattered into countless specks from a single blow.

Song Ze: “??” What? When did he become so powerful? Why didn’t he know?

He felt like he was dreaming. This was too unreal.

“Are you okay?” The Saint’s gentle voice came from behind.

Song Ze snapped back to reality. “I’m fine.”

He suddenly remembered hugging the Saint in his excitement, and his heart nearly leaped out of his chest.

So this was what it felt like to hug a girl?!

But her body didn’t feel very soft—rather, it was a bit hard… Was life in the Church so harsh that she had no flesh? That was too miserable!

Even during this expedition, the clergy, aside from leading the way and scouting, didn’t even bother to protect the Saint. Their attitude showed their neglect!

Song Ze couldn’t wait to rescue the Saint from her suffering and felt even more pity for her.

As for gender, though he had been fooled twice before, he firmly believed the Saint was a girl! Just look at her face and figure. Andreya and Aliel were obviously men from the start—don’t lump them together!

The spirit priests here were quickly defeated, and everyone hurried to the next location.

After that, Song Ze actively blocked monsters in front of the Saint, displaying his bravery and kindness. With the help of the clergy’s experience, he even leveled up to 35.

But what made Song Ze happiest was that the Saint’s favorability also reached 35! It rose much faster than before entering the ruins, earned by risking his life.

Not only did the Saint heal him gently, but her favorability also skyrocketed. Song Ze was at a loss for words.

By now, everyone was tired. They chose a relatively safe courtyard to rest, taking out dried food.

Luckily, no one had died on the way. That was largely due to the Saint’s powerful healing skills.

But during the battle, the ring containing water was lost, leaving them with no water to drink.

Song Ze looked at the Saint sitting on the ground, clearly exhausted yet forcing herself to cheer, looking at him with encouraging eyes. His heart ached.

Such a fragile young lady had endured this far! She couldn’t even have a sip of water. How pitiful!

He looked around. Song Ze remembered that water was available in this map, though dangerous vines surrounded it. With caution, it should be fine.

So, under the pretext of resting nearby, he sneaked off.

The Saint immediately noticed. How could she let him leave alone? A light ball formed from her consciousness quietly followed him.

****

Inside the temple, Aliel, soaking in holy water to heal his injuries, suddenly opened his eyes.

An ominous feeling rose in his heart.

Without a second thought, Aliel immediately thought of Song Ze.

“Song Ze… Is something wrong?”

Without hesitation, Aliel stood up, his face dark, threw on his clothes, and strode out.

A priest quickly blocked his path, recalling orders from above. “Your injuries are not yet healed. It will take a few more days. Please stay put and don’t leave.”

“No need. I can come back for treatment later.” Aliel replied coldly. Nothing was more important than Song Ze, not even his own body.

Seeing that Aliel couldn’t be stopped, the priest’s expression turned icy, and his tone hardened. “This is the Holy City, not some other place. Since you’re here, obey the rules.”

With that, he was ready to use force to keep Aliel there. In the priest’s mind, Aliel was merely a student not yet graduated from the Paladin Academy. No matter how talented, how strong could he be?

If only these people had witnessed Aliel’s fight with Idis, they would be trembling in fear now, not daring to say such words.

Aliel’s heart sank. He knew Song Ze was in trouble. His eyes turned icy as he looked at the priest. “You think you can stop me?”

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