God Of Velmoryn [ LitRPG, Progression, High Fantasy ]

The moment I saw that Tekla's little spectacle had cost me nearly a hundred Divinity Points, I found myself wishing once again that the system had a refund button.

But the real problem wasn't the cost, it was what the cost revealed.

Tekla was horribly inefficient with divine power. I could have conjured that same crimson basilisk using just a small part of what she'd burned through. What she'd done instead was closer to flinging raw energy and letting the shape form around it. Perhaps it was Tekla's inexperience or mortals simply weren't meant to use divine energy.

But even that wasn't what stung the most.

Her command to the serpent had been clear: destroy the mammoth-like beasts. And that's exactly what it did.

The creatures now lay in mangled heaps across the battlefield, torn open in ways that made it nearly impossible for Crimson Rite to activate. Their bodies were too damaged, their life force likely dispersed. Even without testing, I could tell.

My precious Soul Essences…

When the beast tide appeared, I was thrilled. I thought it was a divine gift, an opportunity to farm Divinity Points by the dozen. But, as the saying goes, man plans, and god laughs. Or in this case, the god is me but I'm not laughing, not even bitterly.

Well, no point dwelling on it anymore…

Still, it wasn't a total loss.

"Stop standing around and get outside! Start harvesting the essences!" the old Velmoryn ordered. His voice seemed rougher now than even when the situation was truly tense and the Yellow Tribe was in danger. The mages, who'd been frozen by Tekla's dramatic collapse and the power she had demonstrated, scrambled to obey. "If I find out anyone hoarded even one, you know what'll happen," he warned menacingly before turning toward Tekla. She was carried by both Mirion and Dariel, their steps far too soft for their gigantic frames as they tried to keep her perfectly still.

The old mage wanted to get closer to the priestess, but before he could, Vaelari leapt in front of him, panic in his every stride.

"Priestess!" he shouted, grabbing her wrist gently as his hands started glowing green. "Lay her down, carefully! Easy…"

Vaelari was compassionate towards everyone. But with the ones he truly cared about, that compassion bordered on frantic. I genuinely questioned how useful he'd be in a real warzone. If he lost someone close to him during battle, he'd likely fall apart on the spot.

"Is she well?" Mirion asked in his usual low voice, though a little cracked. For once, there was no edge of blame in his tone. He'd grown used to Tekla collapsing after divine visions, used to seeing her push herself past the brink. That didn't help with him worrying over his daughter, but he would panic less now and was more or less certain I'd not let anything happen to her.

"The High Father's energy still lingers in her," Vaelari said, brows furrowed as the green light pulsed between his palms. "I… I can't see through it. My talent isn't strong enough…"

He didn't say it aloud, but he was pleading for me to intervene, or at least allow him to help Tekla by retracting my divine power. What he didn't realize though, was that the "lingering energy" he spoke of was the only reason she was still alive.

Tekla's body had nearly shut down. She had pushed far beyond the limits of Receiving the Divinity, and if my divine energy hadn't remained when the skill forcefully canceled itself, she would have died. Her organs were damaged. Her nervous system had nearly failed. And her brain had come seconds from frying itself completely.

It was only my divine power, still mending the torn tissue and rebuilding her synapses, that held her together now.

She must have known. There is no way she didn't feel what her body was going through… and yet she not only didn't show others what my divinity was doing to her, but she didn't even ask for my help…

I was impressed. Tekla was proving to be not only loyal and intelligent but also devoted to the core. I didn't love her tendency to play with her own safety, but I had already decided the way to fix that.

Is this what fanaticism looks like? Or was it a deeper trust? A belief not born of ignorance, but of conscious understanding… perhaps a mix of love and unwavering faith.

I observed Vaelari slump helplessly over Tekla's body, realizing there was nothing he could do but sit and watch. The other Velmoryns also began to gather around the priestess. A moment ago, they had looked at her with pride, awed by the spectacle and inspired by her strength. But now, their expressions showed pity and grief as they believed she had sacrificed herself.

I quickly scanned the crowd and noticed that almost the entire Yellow Tribe had gathered. Not everyone saw her as their spiritual bridge to me; not everyone associated my priestess with Velmoryn's survival, and cherished her like one cherishes a family member. But they still stood in silence, heads lowered, either saddened by the sight or showing genuine gratitude for what she had done.

And in that moment, I realized this was the perfect opportunity.

Tekla wasn't in danger; my divine power was slowly healing her, but it'd have taken far too long like this…

My focus narrowed on Tekla. Her face remained too peaceful and bright for someone who'd been moments from death.

I cannot bless you again, but I can still reward you for what you've done.

Yes, she had used my power inefficiently. Yes, her methods had likely cost me dozens of Soul Essences and nearly a hundred Divinity Points. But she had asked before acting. She had waited for my answer, and when I gave it, she didn't hesitate. More importantly, she had chosen this path willingly. She could have fled with the rest of my believers. Could have secured their escape, bought herself time. That option was easy.

But she stayed and fought following my teachings - the commandments.

And more importantly, despite having the ability to communicate with me, she didn't ask for help when she was about to collapse. With her last remaining strength, she had asked me if I was proud of her.

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I will always reward devotion!

The crimson energy descended from above, slicing through the gray sky like a lance. It blazed down upon her body, igniting the field in otherworldly light. The Velmoryns around her staggered back in panic, shielding their faces.

Even Mirion instinctively jumped away.

"Don't go near her! It's the Lord's power!" Ninali shouted from the side, her voice trembling with awe. Her eyes shone with that unmistakable shimmer of true zeal, the kind that only ever happens after witnessing the validation of one's faith.

Tekla's body lifted gently from the ground, her limbs weightless, suspended in the center of the beam. The snow beneath her melted in a perfect ring. Green broke through the white - first soil, then buds, then flowers… red roses blossomed in defiance of winter.

Just as Velmoryns were mesmerized by the sight, Tekla's body was quickly healing. Every torn muscle and damaged nerve was being restored just like they were before, or perhaps even stronger.

Curious, I decided to see what her thoughts were and reached into our link, focusing on the bright crimson star in my divine realm.

She was peaceful. There was no fear or worry on her mind, just unshakable trust. Her faith was so complete that even now she felt no doubt.

"You shall be rewarded, my child… for you have earned my grace."

I whispered it into her mind, and her star reacted instantly.

It flared brighter, pulsing with golden light and standing out among hundreds of other stars. But it wasn't just light. It was… a feeling. Raw, radiant joy flowed from it like a stream of warmth - so vivid, I almost believed I could reach out and hold it.

And as I observed it, I froze.

Tekla's emotions weren't just visible, they were tangible. Her joy poured from the star in a golden cascade, like a gentle waterfall. It only lasted a moment, but even that brief touch left an effect. It reached me. Affected me. Not much, but enough to notice.

What if thousands of stars gave off this same effect? What if, instead of a fleeting stream, it remained? Could my believers shape who I was? Not just my mood, but my personality…

I didn't get to properly analyze it. Tekla was already waking up, her mind slowly reclaiming control of her body. I had to end the spectacle properly, let the final note strike with meaning.

I couldn't risk blessing her again. The danger of granting a second blessing was too great. I wouldn't gamble with her life, not with my priestess, perhaps my most vital believer. Still, I wanted to reward her.

As Tekla began to descend, a rose near her landing spot stirred. Its stem stretched upward, thickening rapidly. The thorns dulled and reshaped, curling into etched patterns along the trunk like ceremonial carvings. At the top, the rose bloomed and then crystallized. Where its petals once folded gently inward, a golden gemstone formed, gleaming in the heart of the flower.

I knew Tekla had longed for a staff.

She had rejected the one passed down from her mother, the staff of the previous priestess, claiming it would be a disgrace to wield something marked by another god. She never asked for a replacement. Not from me, not even from Gundir. But I had always known.

What I hadn't known was what kind of staff she truly needed, what form it should take, what purpose it should serve. But after watching her wield my power, watching her nearly die to carry out my will… I understood.

[Warning: Passing the Divinity consumed 2 Divinity Points!]
[Warning: Creation consumed 10 Divinity Points!]

Tekla's hands trembled as she reached for the staff, her eyes glossy with emotion. She was so overwhelmed with joy that she didn't notice the thousands of Velmoryns watching her. Their expressions were a storm of emotions - some stood in awe, some wept with relief, and others stared in disbelief. But Tekla saw none of it.

In that moment, she was a child holding her very first gift. The world had narrowed to the staff now resting in her hands, the one that had hovered before her only seconds ago.

"Lord, thank you… I shall strive even harder to be worthy of Your love."

Love?

She had grown bolder once again. But I didn't mind. Her boldness meant she would act without hesitation, that she would lead with conviction. That was what I needed from her. And should she ever stray or disappoint… well, I could speak to her directly whenever I wished.

"Tek… Priestess, are you well?" Mirion's voice came from the side, quiet but still heavy with concern.

Tekla gave a small nod, smiling brightly. Then her expression softened as she turned toward the crowd and finally registered the weight of their attention.

"Sisters and brothers," she called out instantly, like she had the speech ready, "you've all witnessed the grace of High Father today. If your hesitation came from doubt, if your faith faltered because He was unknown to you… then look at what He has given."

She stepped forward, moving toward them with slow, measured grace. Her long white dress seemed more regal now, the staff in her hand giving her more authority. "I am only alive because He willed it. You are all only alive because He allowed me to use His power to protect you."

The crowd shifted. Those already bearing my mark began to bow, their faces glowing with reverence. I felt the stars in my realm respond. Hundreds of crimson points brightened, becoming sharper, more vivid.

"Show Him your gratitude. Embrace our Lord, who protected you even when your faith wavered. Sisters and brothers, do not cast yourselves away. On one side, there is a future beneath His light. On the other, there is only pain and more despair."

She stopped before a young Velmoryn girl whose markings were still silvery. The girl lowered her gaze, shrinking away as if Tekla's presence alone overwhelmed her. But Tekla didn't flinch. She extended her hand, slow and patient.

The girl hesitated. A few seconds passed in silence, but whether it was from desire or pure pressure, she reached forward and accepted it.

The crowd held its breath as her markings began to change. One by one, the silver lines bled into a deep crimson.

And with it, I felt the connection take hold.

[Congratulations, you have gained a new believer and a Divinity Point.]
[Congratulations, you have gained a new believer and a Divinity Point.]
[Congratulations, you have gained a new believer and a Divinity Point.]
…

I'm going to finally rank up!