The corridor, enveloped in greenery, stretched into the distance. Its marble floor was spotless. Sunlight filtering through leaves cast dappled spots that shimmered in the breeze. A pure white temple stood amidst lush grass. White birds flew overhead from the forest, their calls sweet and melodious.

Mio let Lola pull her hand as they walked the marble path. She scanned her surroundings, noticing many girls their age. They wore white dresses and pretty sandals with straps winding up to their knees. Every head was covered by a headscarf bearing an unfamiliar divine sigil. Each god had their own mark; this sigil meant divine protection. Those blessed with it were naturally guarded by its deity.

But Mio had no memory of this sigil.

Neither the memories she’d devoured nor knowledge from Seralni’s grand library held any record of it. It was either nonexistent or the mark of a lost god. That explained why a sacred temple had become the terrifying Mystic Realm.

Still, the temple’s original beauty was undeniable.

Though she still hated gods deep down, Mio was awed by the architecture. Human craftsmen had poured sweat and wisdom into these exquisitely crafted structures for divine prayers. Majestic domes, solemn colonnades, splendid archways—Mio gazed at each marvel, stumbling as she followed Lola.

“Where are we going?” she asked.

“To the Grand Temple!” Lola looked at Mio, exasperated. “Theresa, did you oversleep? Afternoon prayers are starting soon. If we dawdle, we’ll miss them.”

“Oh, right.” Mio deliberately yawned. “Let’s hurry!”

“This way, quick!”

Lola sprinted. Mio kept pace. This place wasn’t just a Mystic Realm anymore—it was an “Otherworld,” eroded by the dead’s grudges and obsessions. The Otherworld was a separate dimension with its own rules. To survive, you must never defy those rules. Breaking them could trigger chain reactions with incalculable consequences.

Mio had experience navigating the Otherworld. She’d cooperate with Lola for now, avoiding becoming an anomaly rejected by this world.

They ran breathlessly to the Grand Cathedral’s gates. Two guards stood watch in white robes over white armor, divine sigils engraved on their breastplates. Seeing the tardy girls, they sighed but opened the splendid gates.

Inside, Mio was awestruck. Pure white marble columns lined the vast hall. The obsidian floor was spotless. Sunlight streamed through stained-glass windows, casting kaleidoscopic hues—beautiful yet solemn.

At the hall’s end stood a benevolent goddess on a pure white marble base. Her left hand held a ring symbolizing reincarnation; her right cradled the jewel of life. The twenty-meter-tall statue’s face remained perfectly detailed—a testament to the sculptor’s skill.

So this is a god… Mio felt entranced but also a flicker of familiarity.

“Good thing it hasn’t started.” Lola beckoned. “Hurry!”

Mio followed. Girls their age were already lined up before the goddess. Lola and Mio sneaked to the back. The leading Priestess, a middle-aged woman in a sacred robe with a divine sigil on her chest, guided the prayers. Mio recited absentmindedly, waiting for it to end.

Suddenly, the statue blazed with light. Radiance gathered at its feet, forming a silver-haired woman identical to the goddess but human-sized. A divine avatar! Mio startled. She hadn’t expected a god’s avatar to descend so easily here. She reached for her waist—no Punisher, no Simulated Holy Sword. She clicked her tongue softly.

Leaving divine avatars unchecked was dangerous. Though lesser deities, they could destroy cities. Night Watch manuals rated them B- to A+ threats. They must be eliminated immediately. A+ or higher? Tactical nukes were authorized.

This benevolent goddess was clearly powerful—her avatar’s threat level must exceed A-rank. What to do? Mio clenched her fists. The goddess walked toward the children, smiling gently, arms slightly open. But next second, rivers of blood might flow! Divine avatars slaughtered humans without hesitation—that was common sense in Mio’s world. Worse, this world didn’t recognize the Godslayer weapon Soul Collapse. She likely couldn’t kill this avatar. Still, she had to fight. These girls were innocent.

“Quick—” Before “run” left her lips, the Priestess knelt before the goddess, kissing her ring. The children swarmed around her.

“My beloved children,” the goddess smiled warmly. “How was your day?”

The girls chattered excitedly. The goddess listened patiently. Only Mio stood apart, defensive. No weapons. No combat gear—just an ordinary white dress and flimsy sandals.

By chance, Mio’s eyes met the goddess’s. That face felt familiar again. Who was it? She couldn’t recall.

“Come here, child.” The goddess reached out. “You seem troubled?”

A chill ran down Mio’s spine. The divine avatar approached. No combat ability. No weapons. As Mio hesitated—fight or flee—the goddess’s hand gently stroked her silver hair.

“My, what a beautiful child.” The goddess smiled. “You share my silver-white hair. You must become my Chosen One, spreading the divine gospel.”

Mio was dumbfounded. This was her first peaceful contact with a divine avatar. The touch felt… pleasant. For her, the right move was to draw her sword and fight. Being doted on left her utterly lost.

This world truly differed from hers.

“Do you have a wish?” The goddess gazed into Mio’s eyes. “My beloved child.”

“I wish…” Mio cleared her throat. Silence fell. In the vast temple, a pin drop would echo. “I wish,” she said with a wry smile, “for world peace.”

She’d blurted it without thinking. Her face flushed crimson to her ears.

“World… peace.” The goddess beamed. “A selfless wish, filled with love for all. You’re exceptional. Begin as a Priestess. Step by step, become my Chosen One. I’ll grant you supreme glory.”

“Very… thank you…” Mio’s mind nearly shut down. Talking to a divine avatar up close strained her. Fighting on sight was easier.

“Time’s up, my beloved children.” The goddess turned away. “Thank you for your prayers. My glory shall be with you.”

Her body dissolved into light particles and vanished.

A divine avatar vanishing on its own? Mio had never seen this. Usually, they only disappeared after a Soul Collapse blast. Scholars claimed they couldn’t vanish unless destroyed. “God loves the world”—just heretic poetry. In her world, Mio had never felt divine love. Her job was erasing everything god-related.

“Theresa!” Lola’s voice exploded in her ear. A jolt from behind nearly knocked Mio over as Lola pounced, spinning her in a hug.

“Lola, you’re hurting me.”

“Eh? Sorry, sorry!” Lola let go.

Mio turned. Not just Lola—the girls and the Priestess approached. Mio had fought god-believers countless times. These weak-willed heretics staged terror attacks, even transforming into Celestials in markets to bring calamity. Killing them before they gained power was best.

Now, a crowd of believers closed in. Mio had no handgun.

“Congratulations, Theresa!” The Priestess grasped her hand, ecstatic. “First audience with the deity, and you won her favor! This is… incredible! Wait—I’ll report to the High Priest! The youngest Chosen One in history is coming, hahaha~~”

The usually composed Priestess was overjoyed. Mio felt awkward.

Such fanatical believers should just be killed.

The girls surrounded Mio, offering blessings like stars around the moon, eyes full of admiration. Mio stood bewildered until a pot-bellied middle-aged man hurried in.

“Silence in the temple!” he boomed. “Show me which child received the deity’s favor.”

The girls parted instantly. Mio faced the man—about fifty, graying hair under a priest’s miter. His ornate divine sigil marked him as the highest authority.

“Lord Magnus,” the Priestess rushed over. “This is Theresa. A newcomer today. First meeting with the deity, and she won such favor! Amazing!”

“Calm down, Lucia.” The High Priest glanced at Mio. “She’s new. You’ve frightened her.”

“Ah, my apologies.”

“Lola,” Magnus said, “Theresa is under your care from today. I’ll arrange her Priestess training soon. Help her adjust. Understood?”

“Yes, Father.” Lola replied affectionately.

So Lola was the High Priest’s daughter. Mio saw her anew. The most powerful man’s child had risked lateness to bring her here. Not a spoiled brat at all.

“I look forward to working with you.” Lola took Mio’s hand. “Theresa.”

“Likewise…” Mio nodded.

For the rest of the day, Lola led Mio everywhere. Only at sunset, both exhausted and unable to walk further, did they return to their dormitory at the mountain’s base to rest.