What are the ways to become stronger in a roguelike RPG game?

The first was leveling up.

The second was from equipment.

The third was through skills..

And, oh wow.

Surprisingly, this place had the means to satisfy all three.

"...Hmm."

Once night fell, I wandered alone around the now quiet prayer room. I moved lazily, relying on a single candle for light and warmth.

[Jahad Balton] [Level: 1]

[Race: Human] [Job: Apostle of the Sun God]

[Job Unique Skills]

Love of the Sun God: Skills related to the Sun God grow quickly.

Grace of the Sun God: Divine energy recovers rapidly.

Blessing of the Sun God: Can handle sacred objects related to the Sun God without risk.

Prayer of the Sun God: Mental contamination is ineffective.

[Possessed Skills]

Stigmata (F): Provides a very slight resistance to all curses.

Divinity (F): Can slightly enhance the divinity of the Sun God.

Heal (F): Can slowly heal scratches.

Bless (F): Improves one's mood slightly.

Crown of Ashes (EX): Offers tributes to significantly enhance the efficiency of skills related to the Sun God.

No matter how many times I look at it, this status window is pathetic. Good grief.

Seriously?

Isn't this basically telling me to die?

But it's fine. Who am I? I'm the one who cleared Gloria Fantasy, which only a very few have completed, multiple times. Each time I restart, tiny specs or the story might change, but there are always major constants.

For example, there's this.

I rummaged through the prayer room, scanning every corner like a cockroach.

Come on out. Come on out. I know you're here somewhere. Just come out already.

I tapped the walls lightly, worrying that any sound might escape, and kept looking around.

There was no reaction. So it might not be the wall, perhaps somewhere else.

I glanced at the statue of Sun God Ra. It was the image of a woman with her face veiled.

Whether it was well portrayed or not, the figure looked great...

Especially the large bust.

Hmm. If it's to be called the Sun God, it should be like this.

I casually glanced around. No one was awake. That means no one could see what I was doing.

Excuse me.

After making an agreement internally with the subject, I reached out my hand. I groped the chest, checking if there was something inside.

Hmm.

Nothing.

Not here either.

If the second option is not available...

Then there's only one possibility left.

I checked under the desk, lifting it slightly and giving it a shake.

It should be somewhere. With the first two possibilities gone, there's almost only one left...

Click.

"...Found it."

I carefully dismantled the leg of the desk. Inside was a key. I approached the statue of the Sun God again, looking for a hole where it could fit.

...Found it.

A keyhole.

I didn't do anything foolish like inserting it right away. There would be a loud sound, and everyone sleeping would wake up. I slipped the key into my pocket.

During the week I’ve been granted, I'll open the entrance to the secret place when no one is around.

By then, I won't have to worry about getting hit by a blind punch.

The Hector guy, or whatever his name was, is as good as dead.

You're done for, you little punk.

I always repay my debt, with interest.

Over the next few days, I've observed that this priest known as Mierkant is the epitome of a typical clergyman.

The church was filled with orphans they had taken in, some of whom had strayed because of poverty. Although a few joined the cult, their number was extremely small.

“Damn old geezer.”

The children called Mierkant by that name. Even though he clothed them and bought them food, they collectively cursed him.

Saying they were immature didn't quite cover it. Their attitude towards the priest was so poor that one would wonder why anyone would bother to take care of such kids.

The cause was due to the tarnished image associated with the Cult of Ra.

“...My dad died because of the Sun God Religion.”

The branch of the Cult of Ra in Benelda hadn’t always been this small.It even used to boast a slightly bigger presence than other cults.

But, unfortunately...

When the Cult Headquarters became blinded by money and power, it fell into corruption, and this branch was no exception.

The Cult of Ra in Benelda was engulfed in this chain reaction of corruption and eventually merged with a now-defunct criminal organization, taking over part of Benelda's market power.

When they were discovered, they were promptly annihilated by the ruling lord. Those deemed heretics were even persecuted for a while.

This all happened just a few years ago. Most of the orphans had parents who died caught in the conflict between the branch of the Cult of Ra and the lord's forces.

It would be more surprising if they didn’t rebel.

I began my lessons. Even though this branch of the cult was practically defective, there were still a mountain of things to learn.

The two remaining apprentice priests are on a pilgrimage, and I heard they are earning money on behalf of the disconnected Cult Headquarters.

"Do you understand the teachings?"

"They're easy."

This level is nothing.

I quickly went through the materials and remembered them right away. Since there was nothing difficult from the start, it wasn't too challenging.

Mierkant was amazed. He often patted my head as if proud of my mind, like an adult acknowledging a child's talents, but I didn’t mind.

What I wanted most was the special ability called 'Holy Law*' that only priests could possess. (*Ability to perform spells of divine nature,)

For that, I would endure any amount of head-patting!

"These aren't things you can learn overnight. Remember, even without immediate results, you must persistently advance to truly understand."

"Of course."

I looked slyly at the books Mierkant gave me. For others, Holy Law might be something one wrangles with divine power, prays meticulously for, and uses through unwavering faith...

Well...

It's a story that doesn’t concern me.

[You have acquired 'Ember.']

[You have acquired 'Prayer of Fire.']

Ember (F): Creates a warm flame upon contact.

Prayer of Fire (F): Makes the body feel slightly warm when praying.

"...Hehehe."

Though the descriptions remain insufficient, it doesn't matter. I know how to become stronger quickly. Once I start intensive training, my skill levels will rapidly improve.

Rank F skills are practically insignificant. However, from rank E onwards, they become somewhat usable in actual combat. For skills like Ember, it's more like a mild "ouch," but once it levels up, it could roast animals whole.

The skills I possess are the essence of my power!

\ I’ll take whatever I can and make a run for the Cult Headquarters. Now that things have advanced this far, I’ll be able to live a life of luxury!

Who cares if the cult is corrupt? It doesn’t matter as long as I thrive!While I was laughing to myself in the corner, the children walked by with disgusted expressions, as if they'd seen a bug. Since that kid, what's-his-name, Hector, is still in the Punishment Room, there wasn't anyone actually targeting me.

Even if they're filled with malice, kids are still just kids. As long as I stayed with the priest, they couldn't approach me.

Despite being partially viewed as an enemy, Mierkant was like a savior to the children here. He was the one who took in those with nowhere else to go, providing them food and a place to sleep. It would be strange not to follow him.

"Let's see."

Hector is supposed to be released right around the time I leave the prayer room. I think there were only two days left of this 'proper education.' With the little time remaining, I organized the information I'd gathered so far.

Okay. If I do this here, and that there...

Everyone leaves the church and distances themselves between 3:00 and 3:30 in the afternoon.

"...Great."

I headed alone to the prayer room inside the empty church. Of course, I hadn’t forgotten to carry the bread that I’ve starved myself to save up.When I inserted the key into the empty keyhole beneath the statue, the building briefly rumbled and moved. It was as if the statue itself started rotating in place.

Just like in the game's settings.

I nodded in satisfaction and stepped onto the underground stairs that appeared before me, revealed by the moving statue.

The candle I was holding illuminated the white marble walls adorned with murals. Each one of these must be a historical record.

But I wasn't interested. Reading them wouldn't grant me any skills. Regardless of their historical value, I didn't feel like learning about them, so I simply continued down the stairs.

Tap.

The seemingly endless spiral staircase vanished. As soon as my feet touched the underground floor, lights turned on around me.

Aside from an altar, the rest of the space was completely empty.

【Has Ra's servant arrived?】

A red orb hovered slowly above the altar, scattering light like a miniature sun.A hymn, seemingly coming from nowhere, tickled my ears. Like a recorded song, it repeated the same verse over and over.

A creepy female voice whispered.

【Seize me. I will strip away the god’s majesty and bestow power in its place. If you help me, I will grant you whatever you desire. Even the noble emperor will grovel at your feet, barking like a dog.】

It crawls out, inching closer. Even surrounded by a divine barrier, its thoughts reached me.

Still the same.

One of the nine weapons that received a special rating in the game: an artifact that’s impossible to use or even approach with my current level.

Surtr, the Demon Sword of Doom.

I impulsively lowered my outstretched hand. It's as good as a pie in the sky, and besides, that's not what I want.

Just the savory magical energy it's emitting is enough for me!

"Heh heh."

【Huh?】

I placed my hand on the barrier surrounding the red orb.

[Warning]

[Warning]

[Warning]

[The stigmata reject the intrusion of 'demon'.]

[Erosion is beginning.]

[Your body is becoming contaminated.]

My stigmata is newly imprinted. Its power is very weak. The skill level is also F.

Being eroded by EX-rated equipment is only natural.

The demonic energy from the Demon Sword flowed through my fingertips. My skin began to turn a dark crimson, flaking off in pieces.

The pain invaded my mind, trying to tear my body apart. However, I must endure.

Along with increasing my Stigmata level, this method is the best way to gain strength quickly!

When facing formidable enemies, your level and skill proficiency would advance significantly!

"Ugh!"

But… it's more painful than I thought!

I immediately pulled my hand away. The erosion stopped, but my right hand was completely ruined.

The Demon Sword mocked me.

【Are you nothing more than a weakling who can't even serve as a vessel? Just die.】

Shut up! Demon Sword!

I still have a trump card up my sleeve!

I hurriedly put down the supplies I had brought with me. I hadn't eaten the rations of bread, instead saving small pieces separately. They're dried up and pathetic offerings, but they're better than nothing.

No.

Based on previous experiments, this alone is sufficient!

"O God! I offer you these tributes!"

[Crown of Ashes activates.]

[You can choose a skill to enhance.]

There's no need to hesitate. Everything goes to the Stigmata!

[Stigmata is temporarily enhanced.]

['Stigmata' skill level (F) -> (E)]

[Ra sighs.]

[Ra strokes the offering, seemingly unimpressed.]

['Stigmata' skill level (E) -> (D)]

[Holy spells related to Stigmata are slightly enhanced.]

[Divinity is strengthened, allowing you to perform small miracles.]

[The Stigmata repels the 'demonic' forces entering the body.]

I could feel the battle within my blood vessels, as the demonic power clashed with the holy force.

"Grrr!!"

Blood bursted out of my nose. I bit my cheek, clawing at my thighs just to remain conscious. I endured the pain and kept on breathing.

Endure. I just need to hold on now.

No… No... still...

No, damn it! It hurts too much?!

[The... offering... I need more offerings…]

Get a hold of yourself.

[And who are you…]

Steady your mind. Resist with all your strength.

[To think I brought you here just to see you gamble with your life... I have truly misjudged humans. You're using your remarkable patience for such trickery…]

Bang!

A burst of light. I heard the sound of a stone statue grinding and rotating.

It was a situation nothing short of a miracle. The sunlight descending the spiral staircase completely vanished. The entrance to the secret underground passage was sealed, and I was completely trapped in the Underground Prison.

Thud.

Someone placed a hand on my shoulder. As I was about to turn around, a voice stopped me.

[Do not look. You'll go blind. If you wish to live with one eye, I won't stop you. This is the last time I will help you. From now on, you'll have to navigate on your own until your strength reaches the heavens.]

"Wh-who..."

[The one who sent you here. The Administrator of the Doomed Timeline.]

The voice let out a sigh.

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