[Congratulations! Quest: A Cry For Help has been completed! Rewarding +1 Follower. You have been awarded +1 Stat Point for reaching the milestone of having one follower. Milestone Progress 1/10]

Colt frowned as he read the notification. ‘There’s no mention of experience. So how do I level up?’ Colt’s frown deepened as he pondered over how the game system actually worked. ‘Let’s see if I can get any information from the Stat screen now.’

Colt called up his interface, intending to spend his Stat Point right away. He found that when he highlighted his stats, a vague description accompanied each of the four stats.

[Strength: Increases your divine might, allowing you to cause more damage in melee combat.]

[Endurance: Protects you against the divine might of your opponents. +5 HP.]

[Speed: Increases your divine speed. Allowing you to reach your destination faster and react more quickly in combat.]

[Authority: Increases your Authority over the world. Increases strength of divine spells. Allows you to wield sacred items.]

Colt felt as though the descriptions were not great, but it was all he had to work with for now. However, he was now struggling to decide on what stat should invest in. ‘The only one that I’ve really seen a use for so far is Authority. But that doesn’t mean that it’s the right choice. Still, it would be cool to manipulate the world more.’

Colt sighed before he bit the bullet and selected Authority and confirmed his choice. Golden light burst from his body as a warm feeling enveloped him. Colt instinctively smiled at that sensation before his mind was brought back to reality by a system prompt.

[Authority increase detected… Awarding +1 DP… Please select one of the following Divine Spells…]

[Minor Grace: Grants a divine protective barrier for 20% of target’s health. Cost: 1 DP]

[Minor Divine Arrow: Fast-moving golden arrow. Damage and cost equal to user’s Authority up to 10 Maximum.]

[Minor Blessing: Heals target for 20% of maximum health. Cost: 1 DP]

Colt felt a headache coming on as he glanced over the spells. He had no idea how useful any of them would prove to be in the long run. Not only that, but the only option that would allow him to deal damage also had a cap on its power.

‘The other two basically do the same thing just in different ways.’ As colt thought that, he then began to wonder if these spells could be used on mortals. If that was true, then the healing ability would be a better choice as Minor Grace was more combat-oriented. ‘Guess I have my answer then.’

Colt chose Minor Blessing and felt a rush of power enter his body. ‘I see…’ That rush of energy gave him the knowledge that he needed to activate the spell. His eyes fell on Ania, who was still sitting in the snow shivering as she watched the wolf pack drag away their spoils.

‘She’s obviously been injured during her captivity, so this would be an excellent chance to try it out…’ Colt started to approach the young woman, who seemed to sense his presence.

Ania’s head swivelled to stare wide-eyed at the approaching golden man. Even though she knew he was her savour, she still felt weird looking at a face without any features. The golden light emanating from him also appeared slightly brighter than before, and her worries seemed to disappear as that light washed over her body.

Colt noticed a change in Ania’s expression as he came within a metre of her. She almost looked to be at peace. ‘Is that my doing?’ Colt wondered as he studied the effects his presence had on this NPC. ‘Maybe it’s not a good idea to let them stay close for long periods.’

Ania did not ask any questions as she bathed in Colt’s aura. This gave him a perfect chance to test his spell without having to explain himself. Colt reached out towards her and noticed her body shiver as a beaming smile crossed Ania’s face. Colt sighed as he decided it would be better to get it over with quickly.

As his palm landed on Ania’s shoulder, he activated Minor Blessing. A soft golden glow wrapped around Ania’s body as her visible injuries faded away, leaving behind clear and healthy pink skin.

[Congratulations! Follower Ania Eraldsen has become a Fanatic!]

Colt gaped in shock at that notification! He had not expected his divine spell to have side effects if used on NPC’s!

“Lord Exile!” Ania gasped as Colt removed his hand. “Please allow me to build a shrine in your name once I return to my village! I’ll be sure to convince my clan of your greatness!”

Ania’s eyes sparkled as she stared at the God before her. She could not explain why but she felt a need to devote everything she had to spread Exile’s name in the Mortal Realms. Colt considered her request for a moment before a new system alert hit him.

[Quest: Worship!]

[Description: Ania Eraldsen wishes to build a shrine in your name, officially founding your religion in the process. Accompany Ania home and Bless the shrine upon its completion.]

[Rewards: +1 Stat Point, Evolution from Wandering Deity to Local Deity.]

‘Oh?’ Colt studied the Quest before accepting it. A change came over Ania as if she had sensed his intentions to allow her to take up this task.

“Lord Exile, will you accompany me to my village? It isn’t far.” Ania beamed while twitching nervously.

‘She must be worried about her safety out here in the wilds alone. I have to go there anyway…’ Colt smiled at her, and even though she could not see it, she could sense that Exile was displaying a warm expression towards her.

Ania jumped to her feet excitedly and reached out to take Colt’s arm in hers. “Lord Exile, you won’t regret this! My family will never believe that Gods are real! I can’t wait for them to see you!”