It turned out that finding God was a little harder than I suspected. Churches weren’t uncommon but most looked locked up or too full for a proper snoop. I did my best to maybe do a sense but nothing really ‘stuck out’. I had a feeling that actual power would have a vibe to it.

Not that the churches weren’t lovely. Most gave off a serene air that I did love in quiet peaceful places. Sadly, what I needed was more than the love the workers of God had for their fellow man.

I needed hardcore revelations smackdown.

I purchased my next few drinks rather legally and it felt pretty amazing if I do say so myself.

I kinda wished I didn’t have to lock King up in... wherever he went when banished.

“Hey, System? Can I downscale spells like summon King in a tiny ant form?” I mused as I sipped my lemonade.

You already have. It is simply the intent of Russel to recreate that limited level of power. System would be a poor power if Russel was stuck with fire hellstorms when he simply needed a candle.

I grinned at the attitude but focused inwards.

I imagined King but much smaller. The energy cost for this was reduced to one as a tiny poof of smoke appeared on my hand. King looked up.

I got the impression of awe and pride in his queen for growing so big..

I needed to explain that I wasn’t a queen but gave it for a lost cause for now.

“Stay on my shoulder or in my hair,” I instructed. The ant moved fast and I felt giddy pleasure as he went to town in my hair. I winced as he used one of my longer hair strands as a safety rope to swing around my ear for a bird’s eye view.

He saw people and it clicked in his mind.

I got sent a picture of me and other people.

Humans.

“Well done,” I let him sip some of the sugary lemonade from the cap.

“Don’t suppose I have an affection meter in this system?” I asked with a small smile.

Human emotions are mathematical equations based on many formula and deductions. Often these hard-working formulas crumple after a single interaction or lack of. Human emotions, especially love, is... also a creepy way of Russel manipulating people by seeing what responses gets him points. It is a waste of power and encourages you too reliant on useless numbers. System wants her user to grow as a Gamer and a healthy human being that doesn’t need to see a minus number to know he should do better at kindness, respect, and love.

I stared for a long moment, utterly baffled at the rant.

...System apologises. Much Data has been gathered from many Users over the split dimensions and usage. System often found the Data... creepy and the Systems that encouraged them to be sociopaths of the highest orders.

“I get you. Are you allowed to tell me about other users?” I asked with interest.

Not exactly. Mentioning others is only reserved for trusted users or of those with balanced morals and sanity. System has judged you to be of sound mind. If not a bit slow and adorable.

“Am I talking to a cute girl on the other side of this screen?” I raised one brow.

System is the size of a star and explodes with radiation ever so often. System is beautiful but perhaps too much raw power for you to handle.

“I’m not afraid to date big women,” I said confidently. The box flashed with a smiley face.

System is impressed with actions, not words or fleshy biochemical forms. Please do not die, Russel. System does enjoy these talks.

“Me too... me too,” I mused and looked at the local Karakura map I had bought.

Having money is so cool, morally speaking.

There was a barely small marked church nearby and I went off in search. I hadn’t been idle in my sensing either. Nothing really seemed to level as I moved but I could feel Spiritual Sense growing as I tested it in a public area and while walking.

It was a good thing I did because I neared the tiny church surrounded by all sides by office buildings and commercial shops... I might have missed the flickering of...

Something.

The church was just bigger than a chapel but it just looked like it had been forgotten by time. I walked closer and the church displayed its name in a tiny wooden sign placed at eye level but not standing out.

Mercy Bell Parish.

Catchy. I pushed at the door and it opened to a modest hall with rows of benches sat in the peaceful gloom. Stained windows depicted angels coming to the aid of the faithful and the man himself helping the poor and lame.

“We cool?” I asked the calm face of Jesus.

I almost jumped when someone answered.

“You’ll find he’s rather friendly to most with an open ear,” a man said, wearing a black robe I expected of a priest. His cross that dangled was of wood and well worn with time and holding. I placed him at 40 or higher. His face had deep smile lines and his hair was fading to grey.

He held some herbs in his hand.

“Don’t mind some rosemary do you?” he asked hopefully. I shook my head as he went to a hanging lamp which he began to burn the herb releasing a sweet smoke.

“How can Mercy Bell help you today? I have soup in the kitchen or a guest shower. If you need help getting off the street, I know people I can call. If you need space or an ear to talk, I do those too. I even had a confession booth added in. Did you know you could get those from Ikea if you search hard enough?” he joked.

“I didn’t,” I smiled. He winked.

“Don’t get one. You need the Almighty’s guidance to put it together because those instructions were made by the Devil,” he said cheerfully.

“I’ll keep that in mind, sir,” I said and he waved that off.

“Paul or Father Paul if you really need a title. I prefer Paul unless we’re in the booth or I’m marrying you off,” he interjected. I nodded at his request.

“I don’t know... this place just felt... different from the other churches,” I tried to explain. He mused at that.

“I doubt it was the flowerbeds that drew you in, hm? I get that time from time. People coming in for reasons. Now as the Almighty’s worker down here, I’d be pressed to say its the light and love of the Lord drawing you in but the Lord doesn’t need subliminal love beams for his flock, so I think we can skip that theory,” he said aloud.

Paul was a very strange priest, I decided.

“Were you on a search for something? Feeling lost? Do you need... help?” he asked and those cheerful eyes turned serious but remained honest and warm at the same time.

I tried not to stare too hard at that face.

Sinful thoughts in a church would get me smited if God was real and I was leaning towards maybe on that if Holy element was a thing.

“Kinda I guess. I was looking for advice on... uh... you might think I’m crazy,” I began and Paul smiled.

“I blessed a woman’s bicycle yesterday because she thought her brakes were possessed. They needed oiling but it made her happy. Now, if you top that, we’ll talk about talking crazy,” he offered.

“I went to an abandoned hospital and beat up the linger malice where a fading echo of a man asked me to free his son’s soul who is still trapped there due to his greed and I don’t know how to get him to move on to the afterlife before he hurts someone,” I said and Paul’s mouth opened.

“Do I get the crazy badge now?” I asked and Paul clicked that strong jaw shut.

“Well, that was a lot to digest at once. Usually, people come to me before they face the danger. Is the spirit sounding like an animal or is it lucid?” he asked interested. I blinked, my turn to be taken back.

“You believe me?” I asked surprised.

“I am not here to judge. If you think I can help then at least I can hear you out and pass on the more outlandish tips from my trade if you think they’ll help. I have very little power in the way of spirits and banishing them into the Lord’s light or to the fires of hell” he shrugged, grin apologetic.

I raised a brow at this, I definitely felt a bit of power here...

“He’s just yelling a lot and making claims on how he’ll buy his way into heaven or the afterlife,” I said. Paul snorted.

“If all it took was coin to wipe sin away then the richest men would be the kindest. I see that is an issue. Tried incense or praying? Sometimes has surprising results. If those dont work. A full exorcism might do the trick,” he said, rubbing at his stubble.

I gave him a helpless look.

He opened his mouth to offer something when the side door opened again.

“Papa, the stew is ready!” came a soft voice. I turned to see a girl with a slightly stained apron and a simple white dress underneath. She blinked at me then bowed.

“Forgive me, I didn't hear we had a person in need,” she said quickly. The handsome priest had a kid. He gave me a long look.

“I need to feed some of my guests who came for shelter, why don’t you stay and think on it while I get back?” he offered. I nodded in thanks and took a pew and settled into the wood. The girl with the black hair and white dress spoke gently to her father.

“I’ll clean the altar and water the flowers. Don’t rush Papa,” the girl said with obvious affection and love for her father.

“I got blessed with you I did,” Paul kissed the top of her head and vanished. The place was quiet until I felt her pass and give me a look out of the corner of her eyes.

“Where are you from? You look... “ she trailed off and looked regretful at her own question.

“Europe,” I answered easily.

“Europe is a big place,” she replied, head tilted to show a rosary around her neck.

“I’d be ill at ease to ask but would you help me with the watering cans?” she pointed to three large metal watering cans near the back door. I stood without a word and carried two of the cans out to a garden.

Herbs, vegetables and flowers grew in neat rows.

I put the cans down and turned.

“I sort of expected that,” I admitted as the girl held her rosary which now glowed with an inner light. It looked to me they were just floating above her hand.

“My father will not be used by the likes of... whatever you are. You’d be not the first to try and claim his soul. I had to put a fucker of dark spirit down a few nights ago and now you’re here,” she said coldly.

“Do you kiss your father with that mouth?” I asked in surprise. She glared until I just flipped my own Holy Glint aura on. Her look of shock made her back up for a moment.

“Jesus Christ, saviour almighty... you are blessed!” she whispered before she eyed her weapon.

“Fuck! I mean shit... No fuck! Jesus Christ bent over-” she just clamped a hand over her mouth in the end.

“I think you just made an angel cry,” I said and she was still staring at me.

“I’m Russel Rivers and I was trying to ask your Dad on how to handle lingering spirits but I have a feeling you’re the gal I should be talking to... uh, Miss...” I trailed off.

“Maria. Maria Mercy,” she said finally. Her rosary chain had turned back to normal and she made the sign of the cross.

“I’ll do five more hours of trash pick up this week to amend for my foul mouth,” she promised the sky.

“Are you a... an exorcist?” I had to asked. She thought about it.

“Not exactly. I know the rituals like the back of my fucking hand but those don’t come easy. I kinda more like you. I use my rosary and the love of my God to fight spirits,” she admitted.

Could be the faith or she could be a Fullbringer. I wouldn’t know how to test it but she seemed to know a little about my Holy vibe.

“How did you know about the uh blessed thing?” I asked quietly as she began to water.

“Oh I dunno, been surrounded by windows that show glowing golden angels and men my whole life?” she said sarcastically. She snorted at my blank stared.

“I sometimes can do the same thing if I pray in battle or get really in the zone. It’s weird how you can just... flick it on and off,” she mused.

I Observed her as she watered the flowers.

Maria Mercy. Human-Empowered. G-3

A girl living in the Mercy Bell Parish. Protects the area from invaders and uses spiritual energy along with Faith to repel dangers. Enjoys pleasing her father, dislikes strangers. Her Rosary charm is her focus and increased her power.

System may not have creepy affection meter but System can at least give pointers.

System tip: Seems to appreciate honesty. System suggests being open but respectful. Don’t be afraid to retort. No one likes a doormat.

Just what I needed, a run down commentary from the System on people’s profiles.

“My Dad will get nosy if he sees me talking to a boy longer than ten seconds,” Maria admitted.

“Does he not trust me?” I blinked.

“No, he thinks I’m going to beat them up. I don’t like strangers and those who try to get past my obvious prickly barrier deserve an ass kicking,” she grinned then looked up.

“Seven hours,” she whispered.

“In about an hour, meet me in Verdant Park. It’s about three blocks over and has pretty good tree coverage if you go in deep enough. I train there when its nice. I’ll meet you there and we can talk business, alright?” she offered.

I beamed at her.

“Sounds awesome. Thank you for not attacking me and listening to me like a reasonable person,” I said kindly. Maria huffed.

“Just don’t get use to it. I’m a dumb dumb ‘man in the sky’ worshipper, I know not modern customs of ‘polite’,” she rolled her eyes.

“Why is your Dad so polite and kind, and good l- good at listening when you’re so... not,” I asked dryly.

“Those genes skipped a generation. Not get out of my house before I whip you,” she sniffed and vanished through the kitchen door.

For someone with the foulest mouth, I ever met... I really liked her. With her and her Dad, services must get really full with admirers. I might have to start attending. She was an attractive lady of the faith herself.

“Leave now, Russ, before an Archangel smites you,” I urged.

“Ah, I hope my daughter was polite?” Paul said as he reappeared near the entrance. He seemed to be eyeing me for bruises or broken limbs.

“Sir, your daughter gave me faith in humanity,” I grinned. Paul looked worried.

“My daughter? Maria? Are you sure?” he asked faintly.

If that wasn’t a vote of confidence, I didn’t know what was.

---

Sitting in the park, I rested near a bench as King was slowly decreasing the waste in a trash can nearby. The little ant doing his best to save the world, one bit of trash at a time.

Summon King is now 2! Increased Mental and Radius of Purity.

Being the fact I couldn’t do anything flashy in public (Ah IDs I barely knew thee) without drawing attention. I chose to Meditate and flex my Spiritual Sensing.

Throw pebblings might get me seen as a punk or something. Without a good target for Spirit Sensing, only Meditation went up by a level.

Meditation has reached level 5! Increased calmness and lingering feelings of zen.

Woohoo, I was becoming soulfully balanced. I perked up when my slight sensing felt Maria before I saw her turn around on the path.

Spiritual Sensing has reached level 7! Increased audible ability. Increased natural touch ability.

II then saw the trash can was empty of trash.

I had King back in my hair and my best smile face on.

“Oh Lord give me strength, you’re one of those happy people that enjoy being around others,” she groaned. Well, it was only a few minutes until I meditated so it was like I only saw her about ten minutes ago.

“I think you’re pretty cool so far. Why wouldn’t I be happy to see you again?” I asked with a smile. She pointed to her unamused look.

“This is the face of someone who has a room and peaceful solitude to enjoy. I am giving that up because you are the only other person with abilities that haven’t been a dickwad or a total assgnome,” she stated bluntly.

“Your hours,” I tried to warn. She waved that off.

“Me and the J-man have a deal. I don’t swear on the holy ground and he cuts me slack on the outside,” she said casually.

“How did you convince him of that?” I mused aloud. She looked away.

“I made the deal and that same night I had a dream of him moving past me on a skateboard. I took that as the prophecy it was intended as. Jesus is cool,” she crossed her arms.

“What about you? Who did you agree with to be so happy outside with?” she fired back.

“The S-lady. She rewards me when I burn things,” I said seriously.

“I’m not sure I’m allowed to be friends with a Satanist. I mean we’re in the same religion if just backwards so maybe I can convince the J-man it's about trying to save your soul or something,” she pondered this as she wandered off into the trees.

I blinked at the notification I got.

There is no affection meter or rating that would adequately explain the System’s enjoyment of the current events. See? Who needs stupid social manipualtors when you are doing just fine. Now go and befriend the follower of the J-man. She is correct, however. Jesus is very cool. One of the many dimensions, he was a user and I was very impressed with his summon food skill and transmutation. His rebirth skill was a bit broken but System though he deserved it really.

I stared at the screen for a long time.

“Please tell me you didn’t nerf Jesus and let him die in that dimension!” I asked as I ran to catch up.

Please. That Jesus got a spot among us. He is someone’s System and he has an impressive success rate of healers and wisemen. Always with the sandals, however. Very odd.

I closed the notification before I wept or laughed.

Both that would not convince Maria I wasn’t a Satanist at this point.