Becoming an Accidental God in a New World

The bell above the door chimed again, soft and familiar, but I barely registered it.

My hands moved on autopilot-wrapping a book, sliding it across the counter, offering a polite smile, answering questions I'd answered a hundred times before.

On the surface, the shop was calm and busy, but there was hardly any crowd today. They were all too busy suffering from the plague.

Inside my head, it was anything but calm. My phone was going off, causing notifications to light up my screen.

[Ding! Faith points +120.]

[Ding! Faith points +85.]

[Ding! Faith points +200.]

The notifications stacked one after another, overlapping until the sound blurred into a constant hum at the back of my skull.

I didn't need to check to know the number was climbing fast. And it was climbing faster than ever.

I swallowed and focused on the customer in front of me, nodding as they thanked me and left. The door closed. Another chime. Another point gain.

I exhaled slowly through my nose.

This was working exactly as planned.

And that was the problem.

For a moment, guilt crept in, unwelcome and sharp. Images flashed through my mind-people clutching medicine with trembling hands, whispering prayers, looking at Leo like he was a miracle given form. Looking at me like I was something more than human.

I tightened my grip on the counter.

I was lying to them.

Not about the medicine-it worked. Not about saving lives-that was real too. But about the reason. About the divinity they thought was watching over them with benevolent eyes.

My mouth thinned.

Then I remembered why I was doing this.

I was doing this because if I didn't, something far worse would take my place and I would also lose my chance to ever be able to head back home.

It was the lesser of two evils.

That made me feel a little better about myself.

Fenrir, who had been sitting quietly near the counter, lifted his head.

His ears twitched and he looked toward the door.

"Master, Leo is back. And he is not here alone. It seems that he has brought a guest with him."

Fenrir warned be seconds before the bell chimed and Leo stepped inside.

"I'm bringing a new guest."

He said casually, as if he hadn't just walked in with tension coiled around him like a blade.

Then he stepped aside.

The man behind him had his hands bound tightly behind his back. Rope dug into his wrists, and his posture screamed discomfort and fear.

His eyes darted around the shop, lingering on the shelves, the faint glow in the air, and finally landing on me.

The moment our gazes met, he stiffened.

Nervous didn't even begin to cover it.

Fenrir slid off his seat and padded closer to me, standing at my side like a silent warning.

I raised my hand.

"Easy….What's this about?"

I murmured to him, then looked back at Leo.

Leo nudged the bound man forward.

"He followed me after the tavern. Didn't do a very good job hiding it either."

The man swallowed hard.

"I thought as much. Alright. You wanted to see me, right? Now, start talking."

I said, my tone neutral. I leaned back slightly and studied him.

The man hesitated, then took a breath.

"I was sent here…By my master. To observe this town. To see if… if it needed intervention."

He said quickly.

I sighed and pinched the bridge of my nose.

'Of course.'

"Let me guess. Your master wanted to help out this town suddenly and without any reason?

I said.

The man's eyes widened just a little.

I took that as confirmation.

"Listen. Neither this town nor I need any external help."

I continued, lowering my hand and meeting his gaze again.

"But-"

I cut him off with a look.

"This place is under control. Whatever you think is happening here, it's being handled. You can go back and tell your master that."

I said before I turned toward Leo.

"You can let him go now. This man is no longer a threat to us."

I assured Leo and he quickly nodded, not asking any questions.

Leo untied the rope with a sharp tug and the man didn't wait for a second invitation.

He bowed so deeply I thought he might topple over, then bolted for the door and disappeared into the street like his life depended on it.

Silence settled in the shop.

Leo crossed his arms and looked at me.

"You're too forgiving for your own good."

I snorted softly.

"I'm not forgiving."

He glanced at me, unconvinced.

"I just don't have time to deal with fools like that. We have more important work to do."

I continued and as if to emphasize my point-

[Ding! Faith points +500.]

[Ding! Faith points +1,200.]

I glanced at the total without meaning to.

60,000.

And still climbing.

A strange mix of satisfaction and unease settled in my chest. I was close. Closer than I'd ever been. Every point felt like a step forward… and like something hollowing out inside me at the same time.

Leo noticed the shift in my expression.

"You alright?"

"Of course."

I said honestly as I combated the hollow feeling inside me. Being around the people- Nyx, Erebus, Fenrir, Leo and Luna helped. They kept me grounded and helped me feel a little less numb.

Without them, I wasn't sure how far I'd already drifted.

I straightened, forcing my shoulders back.

"I'm going to invest more time into this. I need to think a little more about what to do next."

I said.

I stepped back behind the counter, trying to regain some sense of routine. My fingers brushed over the worn wood, grounding me as I straightened a stack of ledgers that didn't really need straightening.

The bell chimed again.

This time, the air shifted.

I looked up just as Duchess Isabella stepped inside.

Her gaze locked onto me immediately, sharp and purposeful, and she crossed the shop with long, composed strides. The usual murmur of the place softened, as if even the air knew better than to intrude.

"Welcome back, Duchess. What can I help you with today?"

I greeted, inclining my head slightly.

"Shopkeeper, I was hoping to talk to you about something. Do you have time?"

She replied, her tone cool but not unfriendly.

I gestured toward the chair near the counter.

"Please, have a seat."

She accepted without hesitation, smoothing her dress as she sat.

"Would you like some tea?"

I asked.

"Yes. That would be appreciated."

She said after a brief pause.

The tea I prepared was one that was said to calm down nerves. Somehow, I had a feeling that she needed this much.

She finished the tea sooner than I expected.

Setting the cup down with a soft clink, she looked up at me directly.

"Shopkeeper, do you know anything about the plague that has begun spreading through the town?"

She said, voice low.

There it was- the question.

I took a deep breath before I answered her question earnestly.

"Yes, I do."

I said.

Her eyes narrowed, watching me closely.

"Then tell me. Is this something I should be worried about?"

I met her gaze without flinching.

"No, it isn't."

I said simply.

She studied my face, searching for cracks-for hesitation, fear, or deceit before her eyes softened and she left out a sigh.

The tension drained from her posture in a single, visible motion. She leaned back slightly and let out a long, relief-filled sigh, one she probably hadn't allowed herself in days.

"…I see. Then that is enough for me."

She murmured.

I blinked.

"That easily? Are you not going to ask me more questions, Duchess?"

She gave a small, tired smile.

"You have involved yourself in matters far beyond what a normal shopkeeper should. And yet, every time, the results speak for themselves. If you are involved, then I will curb my suspicions."

Her gaze softened.

She paused, then added quietly.

"I trust you."

The words landed heavier than any accusation could have.

I inclined my head.

"I won't betray that trust."

She nodded, satisfied-for now.

"But what's happening right now is an extremely important affair. One that requires careful handling."

I continued, my tone turning more serious.

Her fingers tightened briefly around the empty teacup.

"You're telling me not to interfere."

"Yes. So please do not interfere…yet."

I said plainly.

She held my gaze for a long moment, then closed her eyes once, as if weighing duty against instinct.

"…Very well. I will hold back. But if the situation worsens-"

She said at last.

"I'll tell you before it reaches that point."

I promised.That seemed to be enough.

She stood, smoothing her dress once more.

"Then I will leave this in your hands, Shopkeeper."

As she turned toward the door, she paused.

"For what it's worth, the town feels… steadier lately. As if something unseen is holding it together."

She added without looking back and I finally let the breath I was holding out.