Can't I Just Raise Myself?

After all, while Transcendents aren't common, there are still quite a few across the entire empire.

It's impossible for them to oversee everyone—that's just not realistic.

In fact, for some neutral Transcendents, the Burning Covenant even tries to win them over.

If 'Lin Qi' weren't part of the Janus Gate but an unaffiliated Transcendent, he might consider developing her into an investigator.

But that possibility is probably slim. Forget it, recruiting someone like that is too much trouble... Jonathan glanced at the dead Cultist corpses, then at Ryan. Compared to 'Lin Qi', he'd rather develop a promising and loyal newcomer like Ryan.

"Keep looking. Don't miss a single corner."

At one in the afternoon, the initial investigation of 228 Black Ding Street concluded. Ryan followed Jonathan back to the Bureau of Governance.

Then, using 'going to the bathroom' as an excuse, he squatted in the stall and opened the game.

Launch!

"Hm?"

The moment he took control of 'Lin Qi', Ryan noticed a new title floating above her head—'Janus Gate Priestess'.

"???"

A string of question marks popped up over Ryan's head.

"What's going on?"

He opened the auto-battle log and scrolled through it, his expression gradually turning strange.

According to the AI Auto-Battle log, this morning a Janus Cultist corrupted by evil power came to the church for help. His condition was critical, and both priests were at a loss... After all, they were just charlatans. Being able to recite a few lines from the Sacred Canon was already impressive—could anyone really expect them to do actual divine work?

Just as the cultist was writhing in agony, 'Lin Qi' cast a Purification Spell and saved him on the spot.

In truth, this so-called evil power wasn't rare in this world. Even to Transcendents, the Outer Gods were deeply mysterious. The game's official explanation was that these Outer Gods were 'conceptual' entities. For example, the Blood God worshipped by the Blood Cult was the embodiment of 'War' and 'Slaughter'. Any bloodshed from brutality, anger, or conflict delighted the Blood God.

The stronger the power born from these concepts, the stronger the Outer Gods became. So they eagerly developed their faith, stirring up religious conflicts across the continent.

However, because the power of the Outer Gods was real, under certain circumstances it could twist living beings—this was what they called evil power corruption.

Those corrupted would turn into all kinds of 'monsters', losing their reason.

Ryan remembered quests in the game to clean up these 'monsters'—things like Octopuses, Ratmen, two-headed or three-headed creatures, and certain berserk War Maniacs. If you could imagine it, you'd see it.

If the corruption wasn't deep, a Purification Spell could cleanse it.

Then came the interesting part. Somehow, a High Priestess of the Janus Gate in Berman City got wind of this. After verification and a test, she recommended 'Lin Qi' to become a glorious Janus Priestess.

She had just left when Ryan logged in.

As for why it happened so fast, he could only marvel at the Janus Gate's efficiency. It was also likely because 'Lin Qi's' background was clean—the system had fabricated her identity, so there was nothing to worry about.

"So having Transcendent talent really pays off in this world."

The High Priestess had left, but not entirely. Ryan knew she was lying low in Berman City, because he recognized her identity—Lia Mansdeka, a core member of the early-game protagonist team, a genuine Third Tier Transcendent.

Lia came from Baron, the capital of the Augustus Empire. She was lying low here to hunt down a key member of the Blood Cult.

Ryan really hadn't expected the world to be this small. And so 'Lin Qi' had run into her. Under AI Auto-Battle, 'Lin Qi' was no different from playing the game—wasn't this just doing quests to earn titles? Joining a faction to advance the plot—the AI was an old hand at gaming.

"So now she really is a Janus Priestess." Ryan rubbed his chin. Well, this identity would make things easier in the future.

Did you think 'May the Goddess Janus forgive your sins' was just empty talk?

But now that she'd joined the Janus Gate, 'Lin Qi's' class advancement path was basically locked in. She definitely couldn't switch to Soul Eater anymore.

Ryan noticed that 'Lin Qi's' stats panel now had a passive skill called 'Janus Blessing', which boosted magic power and magic recovery speed by 5%.

This skill could be upgraded. He remembered a top player on the game forum had reached a 50% boost, but that required achieving considerable honors and glory within the Janus Gate.

As for now... she was just a Little Camilla who hadn't even advanced yet.

Of course, to the average believer, it was different.

'Priestess Lin Qi, please hear my confession!'

'Priestess Lin Qi, I have sinned!'

'Priestess Lin Qi...'

Inside the Janus Church, unlike the usual scene where everyone flocked to the priests, almost the entire congregation had gathered around 'Lin Qi'. Meanwhile, Father Peter, who normally listened to people's troubles and offered solutions, was now doing the Nun's work, assisting Priestess 'Lin Qi'.

Clearly, they knew Lia and understood how noble her status was.

Although 'Lin Qi' hadn't been transferred yet, becoming a Janus Gate Priestess at such a young age had set her on a bright path. Little Camillas like them could only look up to her from now on.

Watching those fervent believers, Ryan's mouth twitched. Damn, his alt was more popular than his main.

"What's the use of being popular?"

[Charisma +1]

"Awesome! Be even more popular!"