A Village Appeared on My Desktop

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Chapter 236 – The Identity of the Priest

‘Well, somehow things are going alright, aren’t they?’

When I first encountered Riena, she showed a response that was hard to believe, yet she accepted me as a member of the Order regardless.

After all, everything I said was true. Since I actually proved it all, it would be harder for her not to believe me.

At one point, I told her that if I showed ‘this’, she would understand, and she stood up and sat down repeatedly, her eyes widening in surprise.

She was used to such behavior since I had been like this when I solely focused on the game.

“So, what did the esteemed one tell me to convey?”

“There’s no urgent matter, so don’t worry. They simply say you’re doing well enough right now and not to overexert yourself.”

“…Is that so? It turns out I am doing well.”

When I conveyed my feelings through my own words, she still regarded me with suspicion but couldn’t hide her faint smile.

With that, I could clearly feel the significant impact my existence had on Riena.

‘Is that a good thing?’

I couldn’t be too happy about it, though I didn’t know how she felt. To her, I must be an absolute Guardian Deity, but in reality, I was just an ordinary human man standing right before her.

“First, take care of yourself. I am sure that is also what they want.”

“Hah, even though you receive their revelations directly, I spent the most time with them. I can understand what they want without having to hear it myself.”

‘I don’t think so…’

While I appreciated her faith and support, the situation had become awkward. Her reaction seemed tinged with a strange sense of competition towards me, which made me inwardly lament.

“But anyway, since they chose you, there’s nothing to be done about it. For now, let’s stay here.”

“Don’t worry too much. I’m just a messenger and have no intention of getting involved.”

I clarified my intentions to avoid any potential misunderstandings. My direct entry into this world was merely to meet people and communicate, not to engage in divine games or play at being a power broker.

“Then that’s good.”

Fortunately, it seemed my sincerity had been conveyed, as Riena’s eyes relaxed slightly.

Thus, my other life began. In a totally different world and under a completely different identity.

Here, I was just an ordinary Priest. Helping with the Order’s work and chatting with residents, including Riena— that was all.

I didn’t interfere with whatever Riena intended to do. If she truly needed to interfere, all she had to do was return to reality and grab the mouse.

“I need two bodies.”

Inevitably, such a lifestyle took a toll on my body. I had to live my current life, monitor screens, and operate as a Priest in this world, all at once.

Contrary to my happy and abundant heart, the burden on my body grew heavier. Even with my self-healing abilities and potions, there was a limit to what I could endure.

“Thanks to the balancing of the front lines, the frequency of gate occurrences and invasions has decreased significantly, but threats still exist. How is the training status of the Guardians? When do you think we can achieve stability?”

– It’s steadily improving, but it seems we need a little more time. However, the users on Earth are also taking action, so don’t worry too much.

I asked Lee So-Yeon, who is closely connected with the Guardians, when this society would regain its safety.

Even though I had run around busily collecting points in the past, it had decreased significantly compared to then, yet society still hadn’t regained the safety it once felt.

It was because we never knew when or where bugs would appear, opening gates. Now, it seemed users on Earth had found a way to manage the gates, as safe zones were slowly increasing, but it was still impossible for me to put all screens on ‘no-gate occurrence’ status.

‘Looks like I just have to endure a bit longer. After all, more points are always better.’

Thanks to that, I continued to open portals and went out wearing a mask and cloak, even after gathering 100,000 points.

I could have ignored anything beyond my abilities in the past, but I couldn’t do that anymore.

I had the power to save lives if I suffered a little longer.

“That’s him!”

Due to that influence, most people recognized me when I revealed myself.

Even without speaking a word to ordinary people, those in crisis looked at me with faces full of hope.

Like when I saw Riena descend upon the scene.

‘A lamp that shines merely by its existence.’

I had seen just how powerful that light could be. Therefore, I couldn’t easily give up this role.

“A lamp, huh.”

When I shared this story with Riena, she showed an expression of intrigue.

“To me, you are that lamp. In reality, you’ve always guided our tribe, and in foreign worlds, you still lead me. No matter where that place is, I feel fine as long as you’re by my side.”

“Then we share the same relationship. They also said they were always proud and relieved to see their strongest warrior lead the people.”

As I said this casually, as if I had ‘heard it,’ her lips twitched slightly.

In other respects, she was sharp as a sword, but in this context, her emotions were readily apparent without any resistance. So I couldn’t help but smile wryly at it.

“I must try even harder.”

“Don’t overexert yourself…”

“Honestly, what I’ve been doing lately is nowhere near exhausting. You wouldn’t know what I’ve truly experienced when I was really breaking a sweat.”

She snorted a laugh. Compared to the days of fighting bugs on the battlefield, what I was doing these days was merely patrol or inspection.

However, seeing her attitude become a bit prideful while claiming I didn’t see it made me almost chuckle. After all, I was the one who always watched her with a worried heart whenever she fought.

“How about you come along next time?”

Amidst it all, she suggested to me first. How about joining the next time something happens?

It was a proposal I didn’t need to refuse, so I nodded my head.

“I heard a giant spider monster has appeared. Its level is above intermediate!”

“Good, that’s nearby. I’ll go see it myself.”

Just then, news broke the next day about bugs appearing in the hometown city where the Dwarf Survivors were diligently restoring things.

And not just any small fry, but a large, somewhat grown one.

*

‘It’s my first fight against bugs here. I probably won’t have to step in anyway.’

Jun-Young hurriedly set off with Riena, who had been prepared to leave the city. Since they were in a hurry, only a small number of people included the two.

“What’s going on? A perfectly healthy man can’t ride a horse alone! You say you’re from the Northern Region!”

“Ugh.”

Meanwhile, Riena mounted Jun-Young behind her. He couldn’t ride, so it was unavoidable. Among the Grassland Tribes, a man who couldn’t ride was a huge blot on his character.

“Hang on tight. It’s even more embarrassing if you fall off clumsily.”

“Ah, understood.”

Riena couldn’t put him on another big warrior due to his size, so in the end, she ended up riding with him behind her.

Coincidentally, her armor left her abdomen completely exposed, so Jun-Young, who had only been hesitating, inevitably laid his hands on her skin.

“We’re in a hurry. The appearance of a monster of that level means there’s a hidden nest somewhere.”

Forcing herself to ignore the warmth she felt, after giving orders to her party, she galloped like the wind across the grassland. They jumped through the portal and rushed toward the location where the Dwarves had sent word.

‘The atmosphere feels strange. Maybe I should just head back and watch.’

As he approached, feeling the eerie aura emanating from the dense forest, he instinctively frowned.

This was thanks to the divine power, which was an antithesis to the bugs—so Riena’s face stiffened as she sensed the stronger aura than expected.

“Wouldn’t it be better to properly prepare and bring the units with us?”

“No, we’re saving time. We’ll deal with it now just in case.”

If Riena had not come herself, she would have advised caution, but since she was here, she judged it was okay.

That judgment wasn’t wrong. There were no longer bugs capable of stopping her.

“There they are! Ready yourselves!”

“Ugh, there are too many.”

Soon enough, the bugs that had secretly built their strength came charging in to eliminate them. As they hastily drew their weapons, they didn’t have a moment to be startled by the number of enemies before the battle began.

‘I doubt we’ll lose, but there’s no harm in assisting.’

As Riena’s divine power burst forth from the Dark Blood’s epic item, the Dragon Slayer Sword, splitting the body of the giant spider in half.

Jun-Young also drew his weapon and started cleaving through enemies with icy coldness. He didn’t have his mask or cloak on, but he didn’t care. This wasn’t Earth after all.

Even though the number of bugs was greater than they had anticipated, with the bona fide strongest Riena on their side, the many bugs fell swiftly.

‘Impressive. He looked so feeble he wouldn’t make the cut.’

‘For someone who couldn’t ride, he sure is impressive for being her priest.’

At the same time, the warriors’ gazes toward him subtly shifted. One look was enough to see he appeared substantially stronger than them.

Jun-Young hadn’t publicly revealed his abilities yet, which led many to remain skeptical of him. Some of the warriors shared that skepticism, but at that moment, their doubt eased a little.

“Impressive. Outstanding combat ability.”

“Haha, what of it? For being the strongest warrior recognized by that esteemed one, you’re far more remarkable than I.”

“Is that so?”

Seeing him smile, Riena displayed a wry smile of her own. The reason she had such a peculiar reaction was nothing strange.

‘The Frost Blade is the weapon that the Demon Lord and I divided after he was defeated.’

He didn’t know yet. But Riena was different. She remembered every moment they had shared and immediately recognized what weapon he held.

At first, Riena couldn’t believe her eyes. This was confusing and bewildering. However, thinking back, it wasn’t impossible.

Because this wasn’t the first time she had been alongside him.

‘I’m always grateful. My… lamp.’

Looking at his back, Riena smiled silently.

This was something she always did.

Walking beside him in the world, merely being able to face him directly after always communicating through gestures and motions filled her with joy.

“We’ll return now. Hold on tight.”

“Is it really okay?”

“Of course.”

As she mounted the horse again to return, Riena once more had him ride behind her.

Her reaction was slightly different this time. Being close to him and having their bodies touch was no longer awkward.

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A village has appeared on my desktop. Chapter 237.