Actually, this was definitely because of the system's influence...
Mo Tan thought so only because he knew all too well just how audacious or upright he himself could be at times. However, if compared to others, Hei Fan with his "Absolute Neutral" was quite normal.
He leisurely rose to his feet, after a whole day, continuing in the direction of the church in the city (he was planning to go to church before he got disconnected yesterday), walking among a crowd of people with varied skin colors, careers, and even races, feeling very delighted and satisfied.
Even though he had already experienced the bustling Anka market and the large and vigorous Pato City, Mo Tan, now in Stacked Rock City, wasn't dissatisfied with its relative quietness. He was always able to integrate easily into his surroundings, and could catch up to the rhythm like a local wherever he went. There was no special talent to it, just being truly go-with-the-flow…
If you took Mo Tan's attitude at this time and threw it into "Transformation," as soon as he arrives in a village, he might say, "Delicious!" after his first meal.
He's the neighbor who would give you a smile when you cross paths during a morning walk~
He's the regular person who, like you, can burst into laughter after hearing a funny joke~
He, like you, enjoys playing games, reading comics, novels, and dislikes eating vegetables~
He gets guilty feelings, experiences fear, shows sympathy, compassion, worry, and indecisiveness~
He's usually not too talkative, but when he's interested in a topic, he'll get excited and chat with you for half the day~
He would never put reflective stickers on his shoes or take upskirt photos with his mobile, but when he sees long, fair legs on the street, he also can't help but look twice~
This is what he's like, an 'ordinary person' found everywhere in this era of overpopulation. No more or no less ordinary.
However, if you are smart enough, have two other traits that get you into trouble continuously, and are just 'ordinary' or 'absolutely neutral', then you're not destined to be mediocre.
Even an energy-efficient lamp might lead to situations where you burn through energy quickly thanks to dealing with many tangled issues…
"Why didn't you log in today?"
"You can only play for 12 hours a day!"
"That magic release technique you mentioned was really useful, hey!"
"Even if you don't use the gathering, at least show up at the garrison, huh~"
"Yinna looked at me weirdly, what did you tell her?"
…
Probably because she was bored, that energy-consuming female hacker started sending annoying messages to him because she couldn't get a reply from 'Tan Mo'…
Mo Tan carefully replied to her once, with the general content being 'he often works at night, so his online time isn't very fixed. If she had the time, she can level up, so she can help them fly later.' This wasn't particularly meaningful.
Subsequently, he left an email address for Double Leaf, one with average level of encryption. Given Sun's skill, a simple investigation would probably reveal his real identity, and then further connect 'Hei Fan' with 'Mo Tan.' That way, 'Black' and 'Tan Mo' would be even more secure~
As for matters such as the similarity between his real name and the name Tan Mo in the game, during this current era of a massive population, everything could almost be chalked up to coincidence. If Double Leaf became suspicious, the most it could do was further confuse her, but what would that matter?
The result was, not long after he replied to Double Leaf's message and before he could reach the church, a message box popped up in the corner of his field of vision.
[Player: Morning Forgotten Language (Absolute Neutral) wants to add you as a friend]
Without having to recall, he remembered that this was that girl named Yu Chen from the party with Winter, who was very introverted and a bit shy.
Well, it seemed that he did say to everyone that they would add each other as friends after, but ended up not adding anyone. Part of it was because 'Hei Fan' had a low online rate, and another part was that everyone was so excited in the initial stages of the game that they probably had too many things to handle. Even after being stood up by Mo Tan, Yidong barely bothered him at all…
The game Innocence certainly had a unique charm.
"Hi~"
After choosing to confirm, Mo Tan casually sent a greeting through the game's friend mail system, receiving a reply almost immediately.
"Hehe, finally caught you online O(∩_∩)O~ What is Mo Tan up to? I've managed to add everyone as friends on my list now!"
Mo Tan sent a brief reply while he was walking. He explained that he had been a bit busy recently, not logging in often. He had just joined an autonomous army in a territory within the game. He also mentioned how he was duped into spending 20 copper coins on a religious book by a priest in town.
"Σ(⊙▽⊙! No way, my Sister Superior told me that the religious books are free~ Mo Tan, did you get ripped off?" Yu Chen replied hastily to the message. Even though typing isn't necessary when using mental link to message within the game, her speed was still astonishing. Mo Tan was also slightly surprised by her evident cheerful and vibrant personality in her spoken words.
This girl has quite the contrasting charm...
Although Mo Tan wasn't fond of socializing in real life (he's afraid of sudden plot twists leading to unexpected incidents), it was a different story in the game. After all, the worst-case scenario in the game was getting disconnected or having to switch accounts, not like it would scare anyone or cause any trouble. So, he didn't mind indulging in a little chatter: "Your Sister Superior is clearly part of the despicable capitalist class. As a believer blessed by the Gods, I reckon you'll soon rise to a middle-level position within the church. As for the old guy I met, who is a priest in some small place, he's obviously at the bottom of the church hierarchy. And I... I am the exploited class… That's why I paid…"
"Your point is very compelling, my condolences ORZ~" Yu Chen instantly replied.
Mo Tan had reached the church by that time and let out a fake laugh, replying to Yu Chen with an embarrassed-face emoji, before stepping into the church.
He wouldn't incite any antipathy from the church staff at this point. After all, without the impact of their lack of faith in believers, they wouldn't be shunned immediately…
Moreover, his character, Hei Fan, is a pious follower of the Goddess of Dawn and a priest as well. The church of the Dawn Faction was like his own home.
"Oh, I'm so happy to see you, kiddo." The old priest, who had previously brought him into the faith, spotted Mo Tan as soon as he entered the church and greeted him with a smile, "Remember never to forget the grace of the goddess, no matter where you are."
Mo Tan nodded, "I'm here to pray. And there's something I'd like to discuss with you afterward."
The other party nodded readily. Mo Tan wondered if his willingness was related to the time he bought that religious book…
Then Mo Tan went to the statue of the goddess, closed his eyes with his hands together in devotion, hoping to get it over with quickly and then go and discuss skills with the priest. But unexpectedly…
[Do you want to pray to the Dawn Goddess, Pachxi?]
???.
Was this an actual setting within the game?
Well then, let's pray. There's no harm in trying, and who knows, there might be some benefits.
Mo Tan immediately opted to confirm…
Then he felt like he was submerged in a warm, boundless sea. The omnipresent light was enveloping him, and in his dark vision (because his eyes were shut), a vague feminine silhouette appeared, gradually drawing closer to him.
"I will provide you with protection," said the shadow softly, "May you spread my gospel, and wherever your sight reaches, let it be filled with light and divine splendor."
I'll do my best…
Mo Tan thought to himself. This wasn't a lie, he was now a believer, spreading the gospel of the goddess was his duty.
"Devotion," the shadow's voice echoed again, "Shall be rewarded."
[Your intelligence +3, constitution +3, faith value limit +10, obtained talent: Devotion]
This is amazing!!
Overjoyed, Mo Tan listened closely as the shadow's voice echoed a third time...
"Toughen your spirit and body, empower your faith and yourself…"
And then what?
"And then, when you encounter that crazy woman Delia's believers, the stupid Xavier's followers, the deceiving Izanar's believers or any chaotic and evil heretics, you beat the tar out of them. Wipe them out!!!"
"???"
Chapter Twenty-Six: The End