After completing the purchase of the Bone Blade, Rohan asked Belon where he could find a nearby clothes store. Fortunately, unlike Tiara and Diana, Belon actually knew his way around the city and gave him clear directions.
Not wanting to waste any time, Rohan left the building, where Tiara and Diana were already waiting for him outside, and headed straight toward the shop.
Following Belon's directions, he soon arrived in front of a store with a sign that read "Rike" hanging above the entrance.
Once he entered, he saw various clothes hanging and stacked throughout the building. When he looked at the counter, he noticed a familiar face. And without hesitation, he walked over to her. She was reading a book, so absorbed in it that she did not even notice Rohan entering the store.
"Aren't you supposed to be at the academy?" he asked the blue-haired girl.
Startled, she immediately stood up and put down her book. She did not recognize him at first, but after a moment, she did. "You... the cultist?"
Rohan stared at her.
I saved you from Michael, and that is how you remember me? Cultist?
"First of all," he said, "I am not a cultist. My religion is legitimate, and the Storm God never asks for money or sacrifice from his followers, so it does not count as a cult."
Rohan obviously ignored the fact that he had indirectly asked for money from his follower, Merlinda.
"S-so-sorry."
Rohan ignored her apology and asked again, "Why are you here? Aren't you supposed to be at the academy at this hour?"
She hesitated for a moment, her eyes darting away before she answered, "I was expelled..."
Rohan did not need to ask for details. He could already guess the reason.
Even more reason to bash Michael's head if I ever see him again.
Deciding not to press further about her situation, Rohan turned his attention to shopping. He picked out several sets of clothing that he thought would suit his followers at the church.
At one point, the girl asked why his face looked so battered. Rohan simply replied that it was because of a crazy family. As if she could already guess the truth, she did not question him further.
After choosing the clothes, he moved on to bras and underwear.
And at that moment, he felt hesitant.
This feels so wrong.
He then glanced at the girl.
Please do not ask why I'm buying women's underwear.
And as if the gods ignored his silent plea, she eventually asked, "For your girlfriend?"
Instantly, Rohan froze. If he said yes, he would be lying. But that was not even the main issue. The idea of lying about having a girlfriend just did not sit right with him. But if he denied it, it would be even stranger to explain why he was buying women's underwear.
After thinking for a few seconds, he finally answered, "For my sisters," he said firmly.
After completing his purchase, Rohan left the store. With Tiara and Diana still following behind him, he headed toward a row of food stalls. He had no intention of buying food for himself. He simply wanted to complete his primary quest.
The plan was simple. He would spend about one hundred and fifty gold coins on food and distribute it to the people. Not exactly for free, though. Anyone who wanted the food had to pledge their faith to the Storm God.
After speaking with several street vendors, Rohan finally reached an agreement. He bought all their food and asked them to give it away, but only to those willing to swear an oath to the Storm God.
At first, people were hesitant. They exchanged wary glances and kept their distance. But hunger was a stronger force than doubt. One by one, they stepped forward and took the oath.
Rohan could tell that most of them did not truly mean it. To them, the oath was nothing more than a small price for a full meal.
But of course, people with strong religious beliefs in orthodox churches such as the Church of Distance or the Church of Conquest refused to take the oath.
As time passed, rumors began to spread through the streets. Free food in exchange for a simple oath to some unknown god.
And before long, more people arrived, mostly from the slums and those who spent their days wandering the streets.
At some point, Rohan saw a mother in ragged clothes carrying a baby, with two children clinging to her sides.
He also saw a skinny boy who looked like he had not eaten in days.
And an old man who seemed as though he had not had a proper meal in years.
For them, swearing an oath to an unfamiliar deity was a small price to pay for a chance to eat.
And as Rohan watched them, a mix of guilt and shame stirred within him. Still, he forced those thoughts down and tried to justify his actions.
They chose this.
I was helping them.
I didn't force anyone.
I was not hurting anyone.
This was necessary for my survival.
And yet...
Hunger was not a choice, and neither was desperation. And he had exploited both for his own benefit.
Slowly, Rohan lowered his gaze and forced a smile, trying his best to ease the guilt weighing on him.
Still, within a few hours, he spent one hundred and fifty gold coins on food. In return, he gained more than a thousand followers.
[Primary Quest Complete]
[Your Soul Essence has been upgraded]
[New Primary Quest: Convert 50,000 followers]
[Time Limit: 90 days]
[Reward: Soul Essence upgrade]
[Failure: Paralyzed for 90 days]
In an instant, Rohan felt a subtle shift within his body, a steady surge of strength spreading through his limbs. It was different from before, heavier, more solid. More importantly, he could feel the color of his soul change from blue to indigo.
In less than a week, I became an Indigo mage all the way from Violet.
But Rohan also realized that his growth would only slow down from now on. In just a glance, he could tell that his primary quest had become so much more difficult than before. But even so, it still felt reasonable and manageable, especially with the extended time limit he had been given. For now, at least, he could afford to relax a little when it came to converting people and focus more on his emergency quest instead.
With that in mind, he brought out the Bone Blade and began channeling his essence into it.
Without rushing, he raised his hand and focused. The air in front of him wavered, then slowly gave way as something began to take shape. Bone formed from nothing, piece by piece, until a skeleton fully emerged.
A few nearby people glanced over at the sight. But in a place where magic was an everyday occurrence, their interest quickly faded. And soon enough, they returned to their own matters, treating the living skeleton as nothing out of the ordinary.
Rohan studied his summon, and his eyes narrowed slightly in surprise. It was large, far larger than he had expected, standing nearly twice his height.