The moment Lin Ye fell into darkness, his feet landed on solid ground as the world flipped around him. He found himself standing once more on the white stone path.

"Thought I'd take a gamble, but luck seems to be on my side."

Truthfully, Lin Ye hadn't been certain. There had been three obvious ways to escape, and he'd simply chosen the most probable one. Had he chosen wrong, he was fully prepared to face the consequences.

Surveying his surroundings, the Abyssal Church had vanished. He'd been transported outside a dilapidated dark red church.

"Hmm?"

Lin Ye carefully examined the patterns carved into the church's outer walls, noticing similarities to the symbols on the Crimson Nun's robes.

"If you had arrangements to make, couldn't you have just sent me here directly?"

Lin Ye couldn't help but mutter sarcastically.

Of course, he didn't actually believe the Crimson Nun could influence the system to such an extent. He wasn't even certain this abandoned church was connected to her.

Yet Lin Ye pushed open the derelict church's doors anyway.

The interior was no better than the exterior. One wall had completely collapsed, while the remaining surfaces were overgrown with red-black vegetation. Though there was no wind, the plants trembled slightly, resembling interconnected insects crawling across the walls.

Several broken pews stood in the church's center. On the foremost pew sat a monstrosity.

It resembled a haphazard mass of flesh, with writhing tendrils extending from its form.

Lin Ye approached the creature. He couldn't discern what tier of Mutation Creature this was, but given his current physical capabilities, any tier would be beyond his ability to combat. Thus, he mentally prepared himself to restart.

"Hello."

Surprisingly, the monster was polite, speaking in the pleasant voice of a young woman.

"Hello."

After his experiences in the previous churches, Lin Ye had gained some understanding of this place. He saw no need to rush the conversation.

"This is a church without a deity. I cannot send you away. You may leave."

The creature was remarkably direct.

"Then what are you doing here?"

Lin Ye sat beside the monster. To him, this place felt far safer than those churches with actual deities.

"Did you know? No deity means no restraints. In other words, I could kill you at any moment."

The creature neither answered Lin Ye's question nor attacked him. It simply desired solitude.

"The Crimson Nun sent me here. Do you know what she wants me to do?"

Lin Ye decided to be straightforward, as was his nature.

"...Are you certain?"

The creature suddenly became solemn. Its elongated tendrils encircled Lin Ye as the wall plants began undulating rhythmically, like breathing or a heartbeat that never ceased.

"I am."

Lin Ye was prepared to end his life at any moment.

"Excellent. You are to inherit the Divine Seat and become this church's deity."

The monster was equally direct.

"...Are you joking?"

Lin Ye didn't know how to react. He couldn't possibly imagine himself as a deity.

"Deities are beacons in the spiritual world. Our deity was devoured by the Abyss, so we require a new one. With the beacon restored, perhaps our deity may return from the Abyss."

"I don't know why the nun chose you as the new deity, but I respect her decision. After all, she was once the one closest to our deity."

The monster wasted no words on platitudes or convoluted theories, succinctly explaining their purpose in few words.

"What would I need to sacrifice? And what would I gain?"

If the price was right, Lin Ye had no objections to acquiring new employment.

"You're familiar with runes, yes? Inheriting the Divine Seat would grant you systematic knowledge of runes - even knowledge beyond runes. As for the cost? The Divine Seat itself is the price. You would become the beacon, unable to worship other deities. Since our deity was consumed by the Abyss, the seat is naturally tainted. But given your existing connection to the Abyss, this matters little."

Having spoken, the creature waited for Lin Ye's decision.

"How could Abyssal taint on a Divine Seat be unimportant?"

Lin Ye challenged.

"Beyond a certain threshold of Abyssal exposure, only by becoming a deity can one resist its corruption. This isn't about time, distance, or dosage - only spiritual will matters. Of course, certain powerful relics and beings can also block such corruption."

The monster gave Lin Ye a meaningful look before adding:

"You've been fortunate, but that won't last forever."

"I accept."

Lin Ye didn't believe the system could protect him indefinitely. The Abyssal Gate remained embedded in the Shelter's wall - eventually, he'd need to master it himself.

Moreover, from the monster's description, a deity sounded like a profession with its own runic system. This wasn't so different from a class change.

"Excellent. The pact is made."

The monster tore open its own flesh, extracting a shining particle of light which it placed atop Lin Ye's head.

The light flowed into Lin Ye's body like liquid, leaving no sensation - as if it had never existed.

"...That's it?"

Lin Ye felt cheated. This deity business lacked any ceremonial gravitas or tangible effect - it reeked of fraud.

"You're too weak currently to even connect with the Divine Seat. Forced connection would make your brain explode. But rest assured, you are now this church's deity. Simply exit the church to return to your original world."

The monster zipped up its chest flesh like a jacket, then retrieved a card from its side pouch-like stomach, offering it to Lin Ye.

"A gift, Your Divinity. I shall remain here, praying for you eternally."

[Obtained a gift. Completing the simulation while carrying this item allows retrieval to the Shelter]

Accepting the card, Lin Ye wanted to ask about advancement-related matters when sudden discomfort struck him.

"You must leave now. The inheritor has received the seat, and the connection will soon sever. Remain, and you'll be trapped here forever."

"Goodbye."

Lin Ye stood and walked to the church entrance. Before pushing open the doors, he turned back:

"My name is Lin Ye. I never got yours."

"You may call me the Holy Maiden. As for my name... long forgotten."

Exiting the church, Lin Ye found the prison wagon and overseers still waiting. They clearly hadn't expected him to emerge alive.

………………

[Simulation Complete]

[Remaining Simulations: 10]

[Unused simulation detected. Retrieve core items?]

"Retrieve."

[Obtained core item: Tainted Divine Seat*1]

[Obtained Mr. Gray's Gift*1]

[Obtained Holy Maiden's Gift*1]

[Obtained Title: Deity]

Lin Ye awoke in bed. The Crimson Nun remained kneeling nearby, her posture unchanged, the breakfast beside her equally undisturbed.