Not far away, there seemed to be a clamor, and if Mo Tan remembered correctly, that direction should be where the innkeeper told him the recruitment office was.
Thinking of this, Mo Tan immediately quickened his pace and rushed over there. Who knew how long he would have to wait for dawn after the recruitment office closed, and he didn't have money for another night at the inn, so it was better to be early than late.
This small city called Dieyan City was not very large, but there were many people coming and going on the main road. Although the evening glow had already appeared in the sky, the city was still very lively. In addition to ordinary residents, many people dressed as combat professionals and spellcasters were also visible everywhere.
The recruitment office was not far from the Green Shade Inn. It was a fenced-off area, with seven or eight soldiers of different races maintaining order. Many onlookers were also stopping to watch. When Mo Tan squeezed in, he happened to see a tall, green-skinned Orc snap a log as thick as a thigh with his bare hands.
"Passed, you there, take him to the back to get his military tag." The Lizardmen officer sitting behind a long wooden table lazily waved his hand at a Dwarf soldier beside him, then turned his head to the crowd and yawned, "Anyone else?"
Mo Tan waited for a while, and seeing no one step forward, he slowly walked into the field and smiled at the Lizardmen who looked like he was about to fall asleep: "I'm signing up."
"Human?" The Lizardmen officer squinted his long, blue eyes slightly: "And no weapon, a spellcaster?"
Mo Tan nodded readily: "Yes."
"Passed." The other party answered without hesitation: "Would you like to demonstrate?"
"【Guidance Quest Completed, Selectable Rewards: Ranger / Warlock / Priest】"
"【Guidance Quest Completion 100%, No Additional Rewards】"
"【You have acquired new skills】"
It was only after a series of system prompts sounded that Mo Tan's slightly anxious mood calmed down. He was really afraid that the other party would ask him to cast a spell or ask more detailed questions before saying 'Passed'.
But thankfully, everything was still under control.
Generally speaking, in this kind of world, magic is always powerful and dangerous. Whether it's elemental powers of various properties or mysterious divine spells, there's no room for error. Otherwise, suffering a backlash or magical out-of-control would be minor; exploding on the spot is not impossible.
So, since this Lizardmen captain asked, Mo Tan took the opportunity to go along with it. He was at least seventy percent sure that even if he said he couldn't demonstrate on the spot, others would understand. But now it seemed this quest was quite simple. After Gart said 'Passed', Mo Tan immediately completed the quest, and among the rewards, there were two spellcaster professions.
So...
"Of course, no problem~" After quickly performing some operations on the panel that others couldn't observe, Mo Tan extended his hands, and a soft, faint golden light glowed between his hands, illuminating the ground that was growing dimmer before sunset.
"【Luminescence】"
Holy Light School Active Skill
"Requirements: Holy Light School Level 1, Wisdom 5"
"Cost: 1 Faith Point / second"
"Effect: Illuminates the environment within a 5-meter radius around you. Enemy units within the range have their Stealth level reduced by 1. No cooldown."
"【Note: Say 'Let there be light' for your God】"
Two seconds later, Mo Tan stopped Luminescence, and then received a rough iron military tag and sixty copper coins.
"You're assigned to the Fenrir Squad, recruit." The Lizardmen officer Gart casually instructed Mo Tan: "Report to the barracks before noon tomorrow. You can go to the church during rest time, but preaching in the army is forbidden, if you don't want to get beaten."
Mo Tan naturally had no objections to this. After asking for the location of the barracks, he bid farewell and left. The recruitment for the day officially ended, and Captain Gart waited for a few soldiers to put away the registration forms and other items before taking his subordinates to drink.
Five minutes later, Dieyan City Dawn Church
"Welcome, child, what can I do for you?" The aged priest bowed slightly to Mo Tan, looking at him kindly.
Mo Tan returned a smile to the old man, gazing up at the statue of Dawn Goddess at the center of the church's first floor, and softly said: "I received the grace of Holy Light during my wanderings. In the name of Dawn Goddess Pa Ke Xi, I wish to join the church."
Though just a few minutes ago, he had no idea what a Dawn Goddess was...
The Dawn Sect, which worships Pa Ke Xi, is one of the most deeply rooted forces on the Innocent Continent. Even the smallest city in Marshall Autonomous Territory, Dieyan City, has its church. So, Mo Tan, who chose Priest, a Holy Light wielder, as his basic profession, immediately came here after hearing this information and expressed his desire to join the church.
"The grace of Holy Light? Oh, Goddess above..." The priest looked at the faint golden Holy Light on Mo Tan's fingertips in surprise, and couldn't help but let out a low cry: "Of course, of course you can. Go pray by the statue. As long as you are acknowledged by Her Ladyship the Goddess, you can proceed with the initiation ceremony. Heh heh, don't look at me like that, of course you will be acknowledged~"
Seemingly noticing Mo Tan's awkward expression, the priest smiled and patted his shoulder: "You are a blessed person who can comprehend the mysteries of Holy Light on your own. Of course, God will favor you."
"【I hope so...】"
Mo Tan knelt on the soft cushion in front of the Goddess statue, feeling somewhat uneasy. This unease did not come from himself, but from other considerations...
However, no accident occurred. Almost the moment he closed his eyes, a gentle and ethereal voice sounded in his mind...
"My grace will be with you, child. Are you willing to be my Deputy in the mortal realm, to spread my glory and defend my dignity?"
"【Do you agree to become a follower of Dawn Goddess Pa Ke Xi?】"
"【Reminder: Betraying your faith will incur a great price】"
"Yes."
Mo Tan answered easily. His current personality didn't mind becoming a follower of anyone. From all angles, he was someone who readily followed good, and although he had no ambition or obsession, nor was he as individualistic as his other personalities, it was precisely because of this that he could easily integrate into this society, just like any ordinary young person in their twenties.
And choosing Priest as his basic profession was also because, compared to striving to become a hero or legend alone, he preferred to live in harmony with others while trying to keep himself in a safe environment. Not only could it improve his survival ability, but also, healers were always very popular among both NPCs and players~
From this point, it can be seen that Black Vatican, one of Mo Tan's multiple personalities, is more like a gamer.
The moment Mo Tan finished speaking, the system prompt followed.
"【Congratulations! You have become a follower of Dawn Goddess Pa Ke Xi, and Faith Points have been fully unlocked】"
"【Your Priest profession has leveled up to Level 2, current experience 90/150】"
"【Unlocked Item Codex, Character Codex, Story Codex】"
"【Dawn Sect has been added to the Codex】"
Mo Tan did not get up immediately, but slightly opened his eyes to check his updated information.
"【Black Vatican】"
"Faction: Absolute Neutral"
"Profession: Priest Level 2, current experience 90/150"
"Faith: Dawn Goddess Pa Ke Xi"
"Health: 170/170"
"Mana: 190/190"
"Stamina: 140/140"
"Faith Points: 100/100 (Pa Ke Xi)"
"Basic Attributes: Strength 5, Agility 5, Wisdom 9, Constitution 7"
"Civilization Attributes: Eloquence 5, Charm 2, Knowledge 8, Leadership 1"
"Combat Attributes: Holy Light Knowledge Level 1"
"Skills: Luminescence, Holy Healing, Tenacity Prayer, Condensing Light Arrow"
Here, it must be mentioned that as an experienced old hand... an old player, Mo Tan was a bit confused when he first saw the skill 'Holy Healing', after all, he was only level two at this point~
Then he clicked to open it...
"【Holy Healing】"
Holy Light School Active Skill
"Requirements: Holy Light Knowledge Level 1"
"Cost/Restriction: 20 Mana"
"Effect: Restores a small amount of health to the target. Cooldown: one minute."
"【Note: What did you think this was? *That* 'Holy Healing'? Stop dreaming!】"
Three letters popped into his mind, but it was clearly not the time to say them...
However, after reviewing his attributes, Mo Tan still nodded contentedly and stood up, bowing slightly to the smiling priest who was waiting by his side: "Thank you."
“Don’t be shy, child.” The priest handed him a thick tome. “This is your scripture. No matter where you go, never forget the teachings of the Dawn Goddess.”
Mo Tan reached out and took it. As expected, the book was indeed a piece of equipment.
【Scripture】
Weapon Type: Off-hand
Quality: Common
Attack: None
Attribute: Intelligence +1
Equipment Requirement: None
【Note: Firstly, it would be strange if this thing had attack power; secondly, it’s just a book, what kind of equipment requirements could you expect? Literacy?】
Mo Tan rolled his eyes after reading the malicious note, then thanked the priest again and prepared to leave, but unexpectedly…
“Hold on, kiddo.” The priest called out to a slightly puzzled Mo Tan, smiled, and extended his hand, saying, “The common edition scripture is 1 silver coin a copy. Just give me the cost price, 20 copper coins.”
…
When Mo Tan emerged from the church, with an extra book, a new faith, one level up, and 20 copper coins lighter, his face was dark. It was already night. He truly didn’t know whether to complain about the fact that the scripture cost money or that its profit margin was as high as four hundred percent. After holding it in for a long time, he only felt physically and mentally exhausted.
Innocent World didn’t have a main quest, so Mo Tan planned to report to the barracks early and then just play casually. After all, while he quite enjoyed the game, he didn’t have any clear goal, at least not yet.
Within a few minutes, Mo Tan had already arrived in front of the Autonomous Army barracks in Dieyan City. After subconsciously surveying his surroundings, he walked up and greeted the gatekeeper.
“New recruit?” A Dwarf warrior in plate armor, with a receding hairline, looked at Mo Tan suspiciously. “Got your dog tag?”
Mo Tan nodded, took out the military tag the Lizardmen captain had given him from his small pouch (backpack) at his waist, and handed it to the other person.
The Dwarf warrior, who for some reason was balding at a young age, nodded after taking the military tag, then tossed it back to Mo Tan. “Number 9527, Black Vatican, right? Go straight in, take the second left, that’s the Fenrir Squad’s station.”
Mo Tan, who hadn’t looked closely at his military tag before, twitched his mouth with a look of regret. After a simple thank you, he walked in through the main gate, then heard the Dwarf warrior’s voice from behind him: “You’re a Priest, right? I heard the Fenrir Squad is just missing a Priest. I like to make friends with healers. My name is Haifeisi Desake, from the Beaver Squad.”
“Pfft!” Mo Tan almost spat out a mouthful of old blood. He turned back and flashed a very twisted smile at Haifeisi, then covered his face and quickly walked towards his destination, muttering as he went, “Haifeisi with a receding hairline?! And his last name is Thick, tsk tsk… much worse than 9527 or whatever…”
After walking for about five minutes, he arrived at the Fenrir Squad’s station. There was a somewhat dilapidated tiled house, dark inside, but several people were gathered together at the entrance.
“Hey, you over there!” A middle-aged man, who was holding a shield and chatting with the others, waved at Mo Tan. “You look a bit unfamiliar.”
The latter again showed his Number 9527 military tag and said, “My name is Black Vatican, I’m new, assigned to the Fenrir Squad. Nice to meet you, senior.”
He said this because Mo Tan saw a white giant wolf painted on the chest of the man’s chainmail, and the people around him also had the same mark on their armor. It would be a bit foolish not to notice something by now…
“Oh! You’re the Priest that Gart found for us?” The man sized up Mo Tan for a moment, then extended his hand and laughed heartily, “Alright, I’m Ned, the captain of the Fenrir Squad, Shield Warrior. You guys introduce yourselves too, we have a doctor now~”
The last sentence was yelled at the people around him.
“Krab, Warrior.” The tall, burly Black-Skin Beastman standing next to Ned crossed his arms and winked at Mo Tan. “Have you seen blood? Little sprout.”
Mo Tan shrugged. “I’m better at dealing with blood, but if you want me to get a good look at blood, I’ll do it when you get injured.”
His somewhat provocative answer wasn’t subconscious; it was because Mo Tan knew very well that a Gentleman who repeatedly backed down in the face of provocation would never be recognized by a normal Beastman.
As expected, Krab not only didn’t get angry but burst into a fit of laughter, reaching over Ned to pat Mo Tan’s shoulder forcefully, grinning, “You’ve got guts, kid!”
“Hehe, got stumped, big guy~” The Elf girl sitting cross-legged on the ground made a face at Krab, then turned to Mo Tan and smiled kindly, “My name is Yinna, Yinna Chenlu, Novice Ranger~ Please take care of me from now on!”
Mo Tan returned her smile. “Same here.”
“Salazar.” The blue-skinned Lizardmen leaning against the tiled house door wore leather gauntlets on both hands, his tone very aloof. “Monk.”
Mo Tan nodded, then looked at the last person with interest, who had also been staring at him since the beginning.
“My name is Shuang Ye.” The orange-haired girl wearing black-rimmed round glasses smiled. “Mage, two-dimensional tech otaku.”
Undoubtedly, she was also a player.
Ned looked at Shuang Ye rather strangely, then shrugged and smiled at Mo Tan, “She’s new too, a bit peculiar. Anyway, welcome to the Fenrir Squad, Black Vatican.”
“The honor is mine.” Mo Tan bowed comically to everyone.
“There aren’t many missions during this recruitment period, just gather once every noon. If you have property in the city like Shuang Ye, you don’t have to stay in the barracks.” Ned shrugged, “After all, the environment here isn’t great.”
It was impossible for a player to have a so-called ‘property’ in this small city on the first day of the server, but Mo Tan still nodded and said, “That’s great. So, is reporting in done now?”
“Of course~” The girl named Shuang Ye gave Mo Tan a playful smile, then stretched lazily. “I’m going home. Since you also have a place to stay in the city, would you consider walking me home?”
Mo Tan blinked at Ned. “Can I go?”
“Go ahead.” Before Ned could speak, Yinna interjected with a laugh, “Just remember to gather tomorrow, we’re planning to rest too.”
So, after a brief farewell to everyone, Mo Tan and Shuang Ye left the barracks together.
“You must have also joined the Autonomous Army today, right?” Walking on the wide main road of Dieyan City, Mo Tan initiated the conversation, turning to the girl beside him with a smile. “You know a lot.”
Shuang Ye also slightly curled her lips. “I thought you’d first ask me about the secret to getting a property on the first day of the server.”
Mo Tan shrugged. “Anyway, I think logging off in the barracks is less convenient.”
So, conversations between two smart people are often very simple.
“I arrived a bit earlier than you.” Shuang Ye let out a small yawn. “Just listened to a few more rules, and also thought about trying to get some background information, but unfortunately, I’m not very good at socializing.”
Mo Tan nodded. “Perhaps I can try tomorrow.”
“Alright.” Shuang Ye rubbed her eyes listlessly. “I have to log off now, I still have things to do today. By the way, if you log on around nine PM in real-time tomorrow, you’ll make it to the gathering. See you then.”
With that, without waiting for Mo Tan’s reaction, she transformed into a white light and disappeared on the spot.
“That really is a standard log-off effect,” Mo Tan mused. “But how did she know…?”
Before he finished speaking, an anomaly occurred.
【You have been disconnected urgently. Please choose whether to reconnect.】
“?”
【You have been disconnected urgently. Please choose whether to reconnect.】
“Yes~”
【Reconnecting…】
【Connection complete, loading character information】
【Innocent World is open to you, character creation process will begin shortly…】
“Oh~?”
Chapter Two: The End