The separation was supposed to be simple, but Mrs. Mozang stopped him at the gate as he was leaving, handing him a substantial lunch box.
"Father, this is the breakfast I prepared for you. Please don't refuse."
Mr. Sandy also earnestly added, "Yes, please don't refuse."
Seeing their expressions and eyes, York felt somewhat helpless, knowing it was difficult to refuse. Unlike the East, everything in the West is very direct; refusal is seen as impolite or judgmental.
"Thank you!!" York could only accept with a smile, leaving under their watchful eyes.
Having dealt with the exorcism, the only place he needed to go was his church, especially since he hadn't completed his daily fixed task yet.
[Prayer] [Daily Fixed Task: Please conduct a prayer session in the church.] [Completion Reward: +0.5 points]
The church York was responsible for was a central point for several nearby communities, a distance away from Mrs. Mozang's house.
With the heavy lunch bag, York decided to sit down on a pedestrian bench along the community avenue to eat before heading to the church.
Mrs. Mozang's cooking matched his evolving tastes well, at least it wasn't bland.
Opening the several-layered lunch box, York was momentarily stunned, then laughed.
The first layer wasn't food but was filled with bills, Franklin's face clearly visible.
"This is really..." York shook his head, not bothering to count, and simply placed it directly into his backpack.
He could use this money for research, the funds for his home's underground warehouse mainly came from such sources.
Grabbing a sandwich from the box, York ate while silently invoking.
The next second, a virtual window appeared before him.
Having read novels about transmigrators with built-in cheats, he naturally had his own, though unclear if he was Ning Weize from Earth or the current York. He had memories from both lives, perhaps Ning Weize's dream of York or vice versa...
He decided to allocate the +5 reward points to his life value.
The life value on the panel jumped from 93 to 98, accompanied by a sudden surge of vitality and a tingling sensation inside.
Feeling the burst of energy and itchiness, York remained unfazed.
Life value was crucial, and adding points to it was always worthwhile. He had researched that any damage he sustained would affect his life value, such as losing a point for a cut.
York believed the life value was tied to his vitality; if the panel's life value depleted, he would indeed die.
"Feels like a game health bar..." York mused, quickly finishing the sandwich, got up, and headed towards the church.
As a modern priest, he wasn't without a vehicle, but walking increased the chances of triggering random tasks.
Unfortunately, no random tasks were triggered all the way to the worn, old gates of the church he was responsible for.
"Sigh, another day as a psychologist." Looking at the familiar church, York unlocked the door and leisurely walked in.
Usually, he would sit in the church like the priests in movies.
Without tasks, believers would come for prayers, seeking psychological support or confessing their troubles and sins.
Importantly, these believers came from various backgrounds, including the wealthy, assassins, beggars, and even suspected supernaturals, a vast social resource.
Walking, York glanced around the church, unlike others, his was aged and weathered, yet always visited by an intriguing array of individuals.
York continued towards the main building, stopping in front of the Jesus statue. After making the sign of the cross and saying amen, he closed his eyes to pray.
As an Easterner, York didn't believe in Jesus or God; his prayers were more a wish for himself, like making a birthday wish.
"..."
"Lord, I thank You for the opportunity to serve You..."
"With Your power, I have exorcised another demon today..."
"For the safety of Your believers, I hope the system will release more tasks without penalties..."
"If possible, please grant me invincible power..."
"I will forever believe in You..."
"..."
Once the mechanical voice announced the completion of the task, York stopped praying.
[Prayer: Church Prayer (Completed)] [Reward: +0.5 points issued] "Amen!"
York opened his eyes, concluded the prayer, and casually added the 0.5 points to his life value.
One day, he might show others what it means to be invincible. The world was too dangerous; survival was paramount.
Glancing at the Jesus statue, York picked up his backpack and headed towards a path on the right, preparing for the arrival of believers.
A priest's daily duties are many, including prayers and Mass, but he had skipped the latter out of laziness.
He also skipped managing church affairs since this long-neglected church only had him. Without others, what was there to manage? He even doubted the church's authenticity but actively participated in community services, as tasks were likely to appear.