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Chapter 72 System updated
Everyone was dying, and I was standing there doing nothing.
The grand plaza of the Holy City stretched out before me like a wide stone bowl under the open sky. Tall statues of long-ago saints watched from every corner, their marble faces calm even now. Banners of white and gold fluttered softly in the breeze, but the air had turned thick and heavy. A dark green poison mist rolled across the stones like living smoke, curling around ankles and rising higher with every breath.
The brave paladins who had marched in with shining armor and steady steps only minutes ago were now falling one by one. Some clutched their throats, eyes wide with panic. Others dropped to their knees, coughing so hard their shoulders shook. Even mighty Captain Kaelan, the tallest and strongest of them all, had sunk down on one knee. His heavy sword slipped from his fingers and clattered against the stone with a sad, lonely sound.
My heart pounded so loudly in my chest that it drowned out everything else. My hands felt cold, my legs heavy. I wanted to run to them, to do something—anything—but my feet stayed planted right where they were.
"No… this can't happen," I whispered.
I clenched my fists until my knuckles turned white and called out inside my head.
"System… System! Where are you?"
Silence.
It had already been three long days since the system had gone quiet. At first I thought it was just resting, like it had done before when it needed to fix itself. But this time the silence felt deeper, colder, like something was truly broken. The world around me kept moving—people laughing, fighting, hoping—but without the system's gentle voice in my mind, I felt small and lost.
"System!" I called again, louder this time, my voice cracking with worry. "Please, answer me!"
Around me the plaza kept filling with the terrible sounds of choking and the soft thuds of bodies hitting the ground. The poison mist hissed and swirled, as if it were alive and enjoying the pain it caused.
Then, without warning—
Ding!
A soft, familiar blue light glowed in front of my eyes. The notification box appeared, clean and bright against the dark haze.
System activated. Host, what help would you like?
A wave of pure relief washed over me, warm and sudden, like stepping into sunlight after a cold night.
"Find something that can stop this massacre!" I said quickly inside my mind. "Everyone is dying right now!"
The system answered in its calm, steady voice, the same one I had come to trust.
Host, this massacre can only be stopped by the skill: Holy – Dominance.
This skill will wipe away every type of poison, no matter how strong.
"Then use it!" I shouted in my thoughts without a second's pause. "I don't care what it costs—just save them!"
Another soft chime rang out.
Ding!
Skill Cost: 300,000 System Coins.
I didn't even blink. These people had fought beside me. They had trusted me. I would spend every coin I owned if it meant they could breathe again.
"Purchase it!"
The moment the words left my mind, a river of warm power rushed into my body. It felt like golden sunlight pouring straight into my veins—bright, strong, and full of life. My skin tingled. My chest grew warm. Every worry I had carried for three days melted away in that single heartbeat.
I lifted my hand toward the sky, palm open.
"Holy Dominance!"
A brilliant radiance burst out from me like the first light of dawn breaking over the mountains. Golden rays shot outward in every direction, soft and glowing, spreading across the entire plaza. The light touched the fallen paladins, wrapped around the swirling poison mist, and washed over the cracked stones like a gentle wave.
The dark mist hissed and twisted, fighting back like a living shadow. But the holy light was stronger. It pushed the poison apart, piece by piece, until the green haze thinned, faded, and finally disappeared completely into the air.
Then the real miracle began.
One young paladin near the front slowly opened his eyes. His face, which had been pale and tight with pain, softened. Color rushed back into his cheeks. He took a deep, shaky breath and sat up, looking around in wonder.
Another knight pushed himself up on his elbows, blinking like someone waking from a long sleep. A third laughed softly, the sound full of joy and surprise. Soon dozens of them were stirring—coughing turning into deep, clean breaths, weak groans turning into grateful whispers.
The plaza slowly filled with voices again, but this time they were stunned and happy.
"…A miracle."
"…The poison is really gone."
"…We're alive… we're actually alive…"
One by one, the paladins turned their heads toward me. Their eyes shone with something I had never seen aimed at me before—pure awe. Slowly, they lowered themselves to their knees, armor clinking softly against the stone. Even Captain Kaelan, still catching his breath, bowed his head.
"The Holy Apostle has awakened!" one knight shouted, his voice ringing clear and strong across the square.
Another picked up the cry, louder this time. "The Holy Apostle has awakened!"
In moments the whole plaza echoed with the words, over and over, like a song rising into the sky.
"The Holy Apostle has awakened!"
"The Holy Apostle has awakened!"
I stood there in the middle of it all, golden light still fading around me like the last glow of sunset. I scratched the back of my head, feeling a little shy under all those grateful eyes.
"Huh…"
Now everyone in the Holy City would know exactly how strong I had become. The nobles back in the empire, the ones who always watched me with careful, suspicious eyes, would probably start whispering and worrying even more.
Well… one day it was going to happen anyway. I couldn't hide forever.
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After everything had finally calmed down, I slipped away from the cheering crowd and walked back through the quiet streets of the Holy City. Lanterns made of soft white crystals hung from the walls, casting a gentle glow that made the cobblestones look like they were dusted with starlight. The night had grown deep and peaceful. The once-chaotic plaza now held only the soft murmur of friends helping one another stand and the distant ring of temple bells giving thanks.
I stepped into a small, quiet chamber inside the grand cathedral. The heavy wooden door clicked shut behind me, cutting off the outside world. Inside, the room felt warm and safe. Thick tapestries hung on the walls, showing old tales of heroes and shining gods in simple, beautiful colors. A tall arched window let in the cool night breeze, and beyond it the sky stretched out forever, sprinkled with countless stars that seemed to watch over the city like kind eyes. A single candle burned on a small table, its flame dancing softly.
I sat down on the edge of the bed, letting out a long breath, and spoke quietly.
"System."
"Yes, host."
"Where were you for the past three days?"
The system stayed silent for a moment, as if gathering its thoughts. Then it answered in that same calm, friendly voice I knew so well.
"Well, host… first you should know that the system has been updated. This is no longer the old system you used before."
I frowned a little, tilting my head.
"What updates?"
The system replied gently, like a patient teacher explaining something important.
Shock System Updated.
The system has now evolved into the Emotions System.
"What does that mean?" I asked, leaning forward with real curiosity.
The system began to explain, its words flowing smoothly.
"Host, as you already know from the goddess, I was created long ago from the combined power of many gods. When I was put to sleep ages back, all those divine powers mixed together inside me. Over time, they gave me something new—consciousness. I started to feel things. In a way, I became a new kind of being… almost like a god myself."
"You may simply call me… System."
I blinked, surprised but not scared. It felt strange and wonderful at the same time.
"So you're saying you became alive?"
"Correct."
"My purpose has never changed—to save this world from darkness. That is why I searched far and wide for a soul strong enough and kind enough to carry my power. That soul… was you."
The system kept explaining, and I listened closely, the candlelight flickering across the walls.
"In this world, divine power grows from human emotions. Those feelings can be good ones—like bravery, kindness, faith—or darker ones. When people feel strongly toward you, that energy flows into me and turns into system coins and strength for you."
"That's how you grow stronger, step by step."
I nodded slowly, everything starting to make sense.
"But earlier you only gave me shock points."
"Yes," the system said. "At the start, your soul was still growing. I only used the Shock Emotion Module to keep you safe. Too much power too soon could have hurt you. When you stepped into the Holy City, the pure holy energy here touched your body and gave me the chance to wake up more of my true strength. But your body still needed time, so I went into a deep rest to make everything stable and safe."
"However…"
The system paused, almost like it was smiling.
"When the goddess called you up to heaven, your soul and body grew much stronger. That was the moment I could finally turn on my full power."
A new, brighter notification glowed in front of me.
System Fully Activated.
Shock System has evolved into Emotions System.
The system continued, sounding proud.
"Now any kind of emotion that people feel toward you—fear, admiration, gratitude, even hatred, strong faith, or love—will all turn into system points. The shop has been upgraded too. You will find far more powerful items, skills, and abilities waiting for you."
I leaned back against the soft pillows, a small smile tugging at my lips.
"Hm… that's actually very good."
I turned my gaze toward the tall window. The night sky stretched endlessly above the Holy City, stars twinkling like tiny promises. The breeze carried the faint, sweet smell of night-blooming flowers from the cathedral gardens.
"With this power…"
I whispered the words like a quiet vow.
"…I will stop the Evil God's plan."
For the first time in days, I felt truly ready. The road ahead would still be long and full of danger, but I wasn't alone anymore. The system was awake, alive, and stronger than ever. And somewhere out there, people were already starting to believe in me—not just as a traveler from another world, but as the Holy Apostle who could bring light when darkness tried to win.
I closed my eyes, letting the gentle night wrap around me. Tomorrow would bring new battles, new emotions, and new ways to grow. But tonight, in this quiet chamber filled with soft candlelight and starlight, I let myself feel something simple and true.
Hope.
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