Conquest Complete, So Why Is the Affection Dropping?

[Hexion]’s current affection level: 99 (MAX)

To release the limit, the special event [Oath of Loyalty] must occur.

“……”

It was definitely 39 the last time I checked, why is it suddenly 99?

Could it be that his affection increased while missing me during our time apart? Was the ‘let’s take some time’ strategy an effective cliché even against game characters?

But even so, suddenly 99? It barely increased despite all my efforts before, so why did it hit the limit when I kept my distance?

Hexion greeted me with an expressionless face and then turned back to stand straight. He showed no signs of awkwardness or embarrassment. It was like he had forgotten everything that happened between us.

‘If he were conscious of it, he probably would have been embarrassed… but his complete composure is also somewhat bothersome.’

Feeling somewhat deflated, I deliberately straightened my chest and took a deep breath. With so many people here to see me, I shouldn’t look dispirited. I smiled brightly and waved at the citizens.

“Wow, Shin Joo…!”

“You’re beautiful!”

Your reputation has increased by 132!

Current reputation: 908

I haven’t even shown my abilities yet, but my reputation increased just from wearing makeup. It even increased more than when I restored the town. Is this what they call looks-ism?

I should have worn makeup earlier. I shrugged my shoulders and stood directly in front of the gate. Now that the opening greetings were done, it was time for the main performance.

The two curved pillars were enormous like they had been dropped by giants living in the sky. I called up the quest window.

Surprise Quest, [Ancient Relic: Warp Gate]!

Would you like to repair the ancient relic Warp Gate using the [Ancient Language Decoding] skill?

A portal capable of mass transportation will be created in the Holy City’s sky.

Success Reward: Bonus Roulette, 1 Save Slot

Because I now had the skill, the text requiring Hexion’s affection had changed to using the skill instead. There shouldn’t be any problems completing it.

‘Open, Door of Dimensions!’

I channeled divine power toward the gate while internally reciting a line from cartoons I watched as a child.

Restoring damaged data……

The loading bar filled slowly, but waiting wasn’t boring since I had at least tried. As it filled completely, I raised both hands, and a flash of light enveloped the two pillars.

“Ohhh!”

When the wind carried away the light, two snow-white pillars emerged.

All traces of time – the dust and vines that had covered them – were gone, and they gleamed transparently as if reflecting sunlight directly.

It was the moment of the ancient relic Warp Gate’s revival.

“Waaah!”

“Divine Master has restored the ancient relic!”

The citizens’ cheers grew louder. With all this applause, I feel like I should bow.

Quest Complete!

Congratulations! You have successfully completed the surprise quest [Ancient Relic: Warp Gate].

You have been awarded a Bonus Roulette and 1 Save Slot as success rewards.

Since I’m possessed, I can’t use saves anyway, so I wasn’t interested in the save slot. All that’s left is the roulette.

‘With so many eyes watching, it might seem strange if I use it now, so I should spin the bonus roulette later when I return to my room.’

I didn’t complete this quest for the rewards anyway. Hearing the citizens’ cheers and showing off my abilities was good enough harvest.

I proudly gazed at the beautiful structure I had restored.

However, that transparent gleam was soon covered by black mist.

“Huh?”

A portal capable of mass transportation will be created in the Holy City’s sky.

Rumble rumble. The clear sky suddenly darkened and turned black. It was like a huge hole had opened in the sky.

‘W-what’s this?’

I looked up at the rippling black hole. The pitch-black, billowing masses that resembled storm clouds gradually took shape and began falling to the ground.

Monsters with large wings in the form of eagles. Though their form was somewhat different from the previous work, they seemed similar to the summons controlled by the Demon Race.

‘W-wait. The Demon Race is attacking here? Weren’t they supposed to be unable to enter because of the barrier?’

Thinking it might be an error, I checked the skill window and noticed text I hadn’t seen before.

Barrier Lv.3

Can be linked with the ancient relic, Valhalla’s Tower.

While they can never cross from outside the barrier, it can be linked with ancient relics. Come to think of it, they said attacks used to come from the sky very long ago. Could it be that it was because of this warp gate’s sky portal?

“Ahhh! It’s a Demon Race attack!”

Someone with good eyesight must have detected the ominous signs and screamed upon seeing the black forms pouring from the sky. The plaza instantly became chaotic.

“Shin Joo, it’s dangerous!”

“Please evacuate inside quickly!”

Venom and the priests nearby surrounded me, seemingly trying to evacuate me. I looked up at the sky.

The sky had opened and the Demon Race’s attack had begun because I restored the ancient relic Warp Gate. But I couldn’t have done anything wrong. Quests are originally created to help with gameplay, after all.

‘If an event occurs at this time, it’s probably the appearance of a new romance target.’

If this were a game I was playing through a screen, my heart would be racing with fresh romance, but sadly, this was reality.

Unlike the holy knights, I had absolutely no attack abilities. This means I can’t defeat the Demon Race with my divine power.

So my role in this event isn’t to run away or to defeat them.

It’s to draw their attention.

“I will not run away. You evacuate first.”

I shook off Venom’s hand that was protectively guiding my shoulders.

“You can’t, Shin Joo! We’ll handle this…”

“You can’t stop them with your power.”

Unlike reality, games have main and supporting characters. And the less significant characters are represented only by background or numbers.

In other words, while the player – me – and romance target Hexion would be fine, other priests and holy knights could get hurt or killed by the invading Demon Race and their summons.

‘If I hide awkwardly and waste time, the temple will only suffer more damage.’

Temple life was boring. I knew the priests weren’t really people who cared about me. But that doesn’t mean I want them to die.

Even if they’re not real people but virtual humans made of zeros and ones, it’s natural not to want to see them dying painfully and bleeding right before my eyes.

“Someone who carries divinity cannot use believers as shields and run away. Protecting you is my role, so step back.”

Hmm, that line just now was cool. I internally gave myself a thumbs up.

Your reputation has increased by 6!

Current reputation: 914

Maybe because the situation is urgent, the increase is a bit stingy. That’s disappointing.

“It’s the Divine Master’s order. Everyone step back!”

Either convinced by my confident appearance or just because of the protagonist buff, Venom and the priests began to reluctantly back away with troubled expressions.

‘They were saying it was dangerous until just now, but they’re listening to me this easily?’

I thought they would try to stop me at least once more, but that didn’t happen. It’s fine since this is a game, but if it were reality, I might have felt hurt.

But what can I do? This is the player’s destiny.

“Shin Joo!”

Perhaps detecting something suspicious about the situation, I could see Hexion calling out to me and running from afar. Cool deep voice and sparkling platinum blonde hair. He was literally like a fairy tale knight running to save a princess, making my heart flutter for a moment.

At the same time, I felt strange.

Hexion, who wants to be the only one I rely on and says he can do anything if I want it – yet shows no affection in his eyes toward me – how should I interpret him?

I don’t know. I’m still not ready to face Hexion.

“Don’t come, Hexion!”

At my shout, Hexion’s body flinched and his expression became more desperate. He soon began running at a frightening speed, pushing aside obstacles.

Oh dear, it seems the thing about actually not coming when told not to only applies to extras like the other priests and knights.

“Shin Joo, come this way!”

No, I won’t go.

I don’t want to see the event where Hexion cuts down summons and duels with the Demon Race. While you would surely look cool saving me, the moment I face you, those miserable memories will probably surface again.

I started running in the opposite direction from Hexion. Perhaps it was like running away. After crossing the high altar, I grabbed the railing and shouted toward the sky.

“I am here!”

It was to draw aggro from all directions.