And then suddenly, I found myself in a world of nothingness.

“What is this……”

A perfect void of nothingness.

In the vast white space where the ceiling, floor, and walls were indistinguishable, I was momentarily overwhelmed with fear, but then I realized that this was the state of being connected to the holy relic.

[I didn’t hear any voices, nor did I gain anything. I just lost consciousness and regained it.]

Did that man also experience something like this?

In a situation where I had no idea which direction to go, I clenched my fingers into a tight fist. I had to move somewhere to find anything.

But as soon as I took a step with determination, something amazing happened. Green sprouts began to bloom wherever my feet touched.

“Huh?”

The green waves that started from the sprouts gradually spread to the sides as well. Curious, I quickened my pace, and the shyly blooming sprouts began to grow faster, matching my speed.

My lips curled up. Watching the once empty space get covered with fresh green sprouts, a smile naturally bloomed on my face. I felt like an explorer pioneering a new path.

I walked in straight lines, curves, and spirals, playing with my steps for a while. Then, recalling my original purpose, I looked around the empty space in embarrassment. I had been so excited like a child experiencing something new.

This dangerous journey was ultimately to gain God’s approval. I needed to hear the oracle and obtain the token to ascend to the position of Great Saint, so I needed to focus a bit more.

“But only the previous Great Saints know how to obtain the token.”

Suddenly, I remembered Chelin Sniter, who seemed very close to Prim. I worried that she might have given Prim a hint. Maybe I should have set aside my conscience and asked Keene if he had heard anything from his sister about the final stage.

“I think she cheated during the competition too.”

No matter how I thought about it, that necklace bothered me. How could the timing of the necklace glowing and the explosive burst of holy power match so perfectly?

[When I was kidnapped by the group targeting the Stellas in Liche.]

[I don’t know what you’re talking about.]

Moreover, her reaction when I subtly tested her earlier was hard to accept by my standards.

Just knowing that there was a group targeting the Stellas would have been enough to make her eyes wide with surprise, but her reaction to being kidnapped by those kidnappers was just that? Of course, she might have been tense because she was about to connect with the holy relic.

“Anyway, I need to hurry.”

Considering Prim’s personality, she could have cheated. Unfortunately, I don’t have a previous Great Saint who favors me, so I have to try harder on my own to beat her.

“A cheating protagonist, seriously.”

I don’t like it.

Grumbling, I moved my feet in one direction again. As soon as I stepped, the green waves that had paused started spreading again from where my feet touched.

How long had I been walking? I suddenly became curious about what was happening behind me. When I gave in to the sudden impulse that filled my mind, an astonishing sight filled my retina.

“Wow……”

A wave that started from a small sprout eventually became grass. The grass that filled the vacant lot became a field, and as flowers and trees entered the field, it finally became a small forest.

Looking at the modest forest I had created, I slightly parted my lips. Seeing the once terrifyingly empty and desolate space transformed into a place where life sprouted made my heart inexplicably swell.

“It feels comforting somehow.”

I rubbed my tingling nose and stepped into the grass. My footprints were left on the grass that grew without soil. Feeling the texture of the fresh grass clinging to my bare feet, I took one step at a time towards the center of the forest.

I was well aware that my current actions had little to do with my original purpose. Nevertheless, even if it was a luxury, I wanted to take a moment to relax. To take a brief walk in this small achievement I had created.

Though there was no wind, the trees swayed as if to welcome me, showering me with their leaves. I looked up at the infinite ceiling and followed each falling leaf with my eyes. Enjoying the gentle touch of the leaves on my skin, I slowly closed my eyes, giving freedom to my blinking eyelids.

For the first time, I felt alive.

I opened my eyes when I felt the sudden appearance of wind. As I fully opened my eyelids, the force pushing my back grew stronger, as if it noticed I had opened my eyes.

It felt as if it was trying to take me somewhere. Moving my feet that had been standing firm, I slowly followed where it led.

The young flower trees bent towards each other, creating a feeling as if I was passing through a tunnel. At the end of it, there was a vine made of a massive tree trunk.

As I got closer, the vine twisted and turned like a living animal. Before long, I realized it was wrapping around a flat-cut tree stump.

“Could the token be here…?”

The surge of joy was short-lived as I sensed something strange and stopped walking. What I saw next left me standing there, dazed for a while.

“What…”

An empty voice slipped out.

“There’s nothing here.”

The tree stump that the vine was wrapping around like a precious treasure.

There was nothing placed on it.

.

.

.

chapter F. because i want to like you

[This damned god.]

It was purely by chance that I visited Liche’s tavern that day. I climbed a mountain to confirm the location of the ruins that the information guild had provided, and since it was my first visit to this city, I decided to explore the town a bit more.

The town, being a small city, was mainly composed of quaint shops. The people were more modest in appearance compared to the capital, and it was rare to see more than two carriages on the same street.

No matter where I went, I hardly heard accents from other regions. It seemed most of the residents were locals. The way they pronounced a single vowel completely differently felt somewhat endearing.

While wandering aimlessly, I entered a nearby tavern. It was the closest one I could see at the time, and I was in the mood for some drinks and light snacks.

[Hey mister! Do you know why God made you?]

And the voice I heard as soon as I entered was particularly cute. Maybe it was because of Liche’s unique accent or perhaps because their tongue was slurred from drinking.

No, thinking back, that wasn’t the reason. The reason why the voice of a drunken person, which shouldn’t have sounded pleasant, felt delightful was because of what they said next.

[There’s no reason! It’s all a complete lie, right? Haha!]

[What are you talking about? Miss, stop drinking and go home.]

[No, because I’ve never seen you before. You never appeared. Not even on a single page! Maybe as a background character. That damned book… That damned god…]

Despite making remarks that could have caused a big commotion, fortunately, you were lucky. The man who became the target handled it relatively gentlemanly and ignored you afterward.

Whether it was because you were discouraged by the lack of response or simply too drunk, you kept your head down on the table for a while. Then suddenly, you lifted your head and sighed deeply as if you were about to cough up your lungs.

[You’re so pitiful too. You must have been born with such big dreams… But there’s nothing like that. You’re just… You’re just…]

I wanted to know what it was that you were lamenting over so pitifully, as if someone close to you had died. Amusingly, it was an ordinary table. The only difference was that it was a stool set, making it slightly higher than a regular table.

[A table.]

[Yes! A table…]

After answering energetically to my interjection, you looked at me with a scrutinizing gaze. Despite your scrunched-up eyebrows, your delicate features made for a rather cute expression. Even with your disheveled hair and smudged makeup, I didn’t think you looked particularly unseemly.

I became interested. Your words were more intriguing than your appearance.

[You there! Yes, you. Do you know what’s really unfair about the world?]

So I had no choice but to respond.

I approached the finger pointed at me, willingly becoming the next target.