He carefully considered this decision.

The Upside:

More stats.

More skills.

He didn’t know what other jobs he could get.

It was a rare job.

He could level up both his class and job by slaying spirits.

The Downside:

He wasn’t on the best of terms with Morvina.

His class already dealt with souls.

Morvina could use this to control him during future encounters.

Daniel struggled with his thoughts for a few minutes but ultimately decided to not choose it. The downsides far outweighed any benefits this brought. He had already royally pissed her off two times, and who was to say she wouldn’t try to break into his realm again. It was a miracle she hadn’t sent down a divine revelation to kill him yet.

While Tavian busied himself, Daniel mentally went through his checklist. Slowly, a plan hatched in his mind. Kneeling next to the mural, he cupped his hands, making sure Tavian could see his devotion. Then, he went into his underworld for a more realistic performance.

Once there, he saw Xaviar youthfully hopping around, fighting the three souls evenly. He skillfully deflected the spear, dodged a ray of light, and conjured a jet of flame to assault the warrior soul in plate armor. His skill with the halberd was like a masterful performance, every action elegant and smooth. While the souls sent out every skill they had in life, Xaviar used none.

Daniel watched the fight until the souls grew exhausted, the light of their souls becoming dimmer. “I haven’t even warmed up. Come on, you can fight more!” Xaviar yelled to no avail.

He whirled around, searching for a worthy opponent. Then, he spotted Daniel.

“Aha! Come at me, youngling. I’ll show you how a warrior truly fights!”

“I’ll have to decline this time,” Daniel said, deep in thought. It was best not to reveal his strength in case he had to subdue Xaviar one day.

“Agh, you’re boring. Got anything new?” he asked, to which Daniel shook his head. He would have to visit a library to find out anything about the Steelfords.

“I’m here to guide the souls to their afterlife. What do you think of your descendants' fighting skills?”

“Ptui!” he spat off the stone platform into the void below. “My family can’t be this weak. No need to lie.”

Daniel gave him a long look, floating next to the souls.

“Come on, let’s go. It’s time to be free,” he said to the souls, who looked at him with confusion. Still, they followed the winding path next to the river, slowly recovering their sheen.

“Do you need to reincarnate them? They’re pretty dumb, but they can fight well. They would keep me entertained, and you could have additional guardians.” Xaviar landed next to him, walking with heavy steps. Was that a hint of emotion he heard in his voice?

“They’re not like you, Xaviar,” he said, looking him dead in the eye. “The only thing that drives them is obsession, and the only intelligence they have is their base instincts. Besides, I am both a reaper and a guide. It is my duty to make sure they reincarnate.”

“Then what is the point of this place? You can’t even save a few measly souls,” Xaviar said, his anger bursting out.

“This underworld is an intermediary. If I had to guess, it allows the souls to reflect on their life and get ready to face the next. Look,” he said, pointing at the three souls.

Their previous anger and exhaustion were gone. The confusion faded away, leaving behind melancholy and determination. Their eyes were fixated on the gate as if hypnotised.

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“It’s the same for spirits like you. Gives you time to process your obsessions and grudges, at least until you’re willing to move on.” Hearing the priest’s explanation was all it took for Daniel to draw his own conclusions.

He glanced at Xaviar. His expression was like a storm, but he had sworn an oath to never harm Daniel or the souls here, so he could only watch as the souls walked next to the gate.

One by one, they reached out to touch the iridescent mirage, not once looking behind. The gate shimmered, and they stepped through to the other side, gone like the wind. Not even a trace remained of their existence here in the underworld.

Xaviar stormed off to his room, his flame a fiery tornado of wrath. Daniel glanced up at the gate.

Soul Points: 10

Muttering the skill, he returned to the mural and stood up with haste. With rapid steps and short breaths, he approached Tavian, before seemingly calming down for a bit.

“I’ve received another... revelation from our goddess,” he said, his hands slightly trembling.

“Calm down. Breathe in the incense, let your soul be still.”

Daniel thought if he was any calmer he’d be dead.

“There’s a monster in the Emerald Woods - a huge wolf, the leader of a pack. In my vision, I saw a vile necromancer mashing together a hundred different souls, creating this... abomination. With its wicked jaws, it can devour other souls, destroying them forever,” he said, his voice grave but determined. After all, he wasn’t lying.

“This is most dire news,” Tavian said, clenching his hands, “and it has come at a very unfortunate time,” he paced back and forth, his calm demeanour betrayed by his anxiety.

“Do not tell this to anyone, but our church is currently dealing with a recently created cult. It has wormed its way through many of our members, which is why we require most of our forces to be on standby at any moment.”

Daniel grimaced.

“But, tell you what. We can spare a few members during the day of the showdown. I doubt they will alone be enough, but they are capable, that I promise.”

Tavian patted his shoulder, casting some sort of skill. A moment later, a wave of clarity washed through Daniel’s mind, a newfound confidence in himself.

“I place my trust in you, just as the goddess has. If she believes you to be capable, I will let you handle the plan. Simply warn me the night before and I’ll lend you our most devout.”

“By the night’s veil,” Daniel responded, cupping his hands. Although he expected more, he didn’t emerge empty-handed.

He spent the rest of the evening helping Tavian set up the various things for the sermon. It wasn’t a part of his duties, but since he had to wait, he might as well do something for the priest. Like before, night watchers slowly filtered in as the night began to take hold, though there weren’t as many as last time. After a few minutes, they dispersed, and Tavian slowly opened the doors to the church, greeting those already waiting nearby.

Daniel saw a variety of faces, none too young or old. Perhaps the reason Croelius had more worshippers was simply because people couldn’t afford to worship throughout the night. Then again, Tavian informed him it was only the most devout heading to the church every day. For most, they did so once a week, or they had a small shrine they could pray to before going to bed.

Daniel listened to the sermons half-heartedly, trying more to appear serious and holy to those that might glance at him from time to time. The priest preached about the virtues of Morvina, telling small stories of what she had done for the first peoples.

Apparently, the night sky was so grand and vast that they couldn’t help but worship it. That was the first form of Morvina, though not the final. It was only when something began stalking men in the night, dragging them off without a single sound, that they asked her for help, for safety and compassion.

The world back then sure was horrifying.

Half an hour later, the worshippers collectively stood up and walked outside, much to the surprise of Daniel. Behind the church, a pathway lined with dark stones led to an ethereal garden, bathed in moonlight. The air was filled with the fragrance of blooming flowers, and a soft, calming song came from a night watcher playing a harp. Nearby, a small pool filled with lilac fish reflected the moon above.

They gathered in the middle of the garden, and Daniel followed along as worshippers kneeled on the stone, cupping their hands at the moon, whispering prayers both for Morvina and themselves. He observed it all with wonder, his worries for the future forgotten in a moment of serenity.

After the prayer was done, people retreated to small, secluded sanctuaries where they could drink tea, observe the sky, and talk to each other in private, seeking out Tavian’s guidance on any matter of faith. It was in one of these that they met Melina, an older-looking lady wearing a delicate and expensive dress.

“Miss Melina, I bring you our newest Exorcist of the Night,” Tavian said, letting Daniel introduce himself. He gave the brightest smile he could to his future landlady.

“Daniel here is among one of the most devout I’ve seen, even receiving personal guidance from our goddess. He’s also presently in search of a place to reside, to be even closer to the church.”

Daniel wished to give Tavian a huge pat on the back. The man could sell water to a fish with the way he was speaking. Melina looked Daniel over a few times, clicking her tongue as her eyes lingered on his face for longer than comfortable.

“He looks like a handsome young man, nothing like that old bat Soren. He would always be nagging at me, complaining about this and that. Tell you what, Daniel. For you, I could do forty crowns a month.”

“That would be wonderful, ma'am,” he said, bowing to her. From the little he knew about the city’s economy, a place in a good district like this would cost way more.

“I’ve got to fetch the keys. Follow me, I’ll show you to your new house.”