They were the only paladins capable of using Heal. However, they lacked buff skills, and their healing output was low. As a result, they weren't popular in parties or raids and were usually accepted only when a priest couldn't be found. They had no buffs and possessed the weakest combat ability among paladins.
They were far rarer than paladins of other churches and extremely unpopular. It was uncommon to find a player who chose the Rebecca Paladin path.
But Damian had always found this strange.
Rebecca's Daughters—elite NPC paladins—were overwhelmingly powerful. In fact, they were the strongest among all NPC paladins.
Because of them, Damian believed that Rebecca Paladins could become far stronger if they broke through a certain threshold.
If I reach my second advancement… won't I surpass paladins of other churches?
With that hope, he chose the Rebecca Paladin class.
Yet even after struggling to reach level 200, nothing changed. Paladins of other churches still outperformed him in every aspect.
Disappointment and doubt consumed him.
But now—
'Ability Awakening…!'
It was the reward of his first ????-grade quest after playing Satisfy for over a year.
If he cleared this quest and awakened his abilities, he would finally reach the power he had been waiting for since the day he became a Rebecca Paladin.
Damian clenched his fist.
He made his decision.
"...I reject."
[If you refuse the quest, the pope will view you as a traitor. Do you still want to reject?]
"..."
He was a paladin of the Rebecca Church. Damian had struggled to raise his level and divine power. Everyone laughed and called Rebecca's paladins garbage, but Damian didn't stop dreaming of the day his abilities would awaken.
Then, a month ago, he rose to second place in the Paladin rankings. Through effort that others couldn't even imagine, he finally reached the moment when his abilities were about to awaken.
So why was he refusing the quest?
There's no way this quest is this simple, Damian thought.
More importantly… why is Rin-chan standing beside the criminal? How am I supposed to aim my sword at her?
Damian's gaze fell on one of the Rebecca Daughters, standing beside Alan.
He had another weakness, he is number one fan of Rebecca daughters.
"Your Holiness cannot do this. He is a benefactor of the Rebecca Church. We must reward him—yet you intend to punish him?" she asked.
The Rebecca Daughters were the strongest paladins on the continent. Each of them was as powerful as Yatan's servants. It was because of them that, despite the Rebecca Church's paladins not being the strongest overall, the church itself held the position of number one.
They were also the absolute weapons of the church—weapons that had never once been turned against their owner.
"What's the meaning of this?" Pope Drevigo slammed his hand on the armrest.
"You can't do this!" Rin said.
She drew her sword—one of the three holy artifacts of the Rebecca Church.
"Kill her too!" Pope Drevigo shouted.
Pope Drevigo had only assumed his position a year ago, yet in that short time he had corrupted the Rebecca Church so deeply that even the most loyal Rebecca Daughters now stood against him.
"Rin, what are you doing?" Isabelle, another Rebecca Daughter, asked as she raised her spear.
"I am sorry, Isabelle… but I've had enough," Rin said quietly.
"I will help you, Malacus Slayer."
She spoke to Alan, who was still trying to understand what was happening.
I only wanted a blessing—so how did I end up like Grid? Alan thought as he looked at Pope Drevigo.
But isn't this great? If I kill him, I can turn his body into a guardian. My guardians are immortal, and I can resurrect them after twenty-four hours.
And if my guardian inherits Chreshler's skill that allows it to act as the pope's replacement, that would be even better, he thought as he drew Dainsleif.
Damian who was just standing at side looked stunned seeing the white gold greatsword.
Dainsleif… the signature weapon of White Lion—the guy who once fought nine versus one against over ten top tankers.
I'm glad I refused, Damian thought, as another notification appeared before his eyes.
[Goddess' Divine Punishment]
Difficulty: Class Change Quest
Your choice to reject the corrupt pope's command was not wrong.
Goddess Rebecca has blessed you.
As an agent of Goddess Rebecca, punish the corrupt pope.
Quest Progress Reward: Ability Awakening
Quest Clear Condition: Pope Drevigo's death
Quest Clear Reward: Hidden Class — Goddess' Agent
Quest Failure:
Level −20
Loss of current class
Complete corruption of the Rebecca Church
This hidden class change quest has the power to transform Satisfy's world depending on its outcome. Please proceed with caution.
[Goddess Rebecca has blessed you for faithfully following her teachings.]
[Due to this blessing, your suppressed powers have awakened.]
[All stats have increased by 100.]
[The skill 'Light's Blessing' has been generated.]
[The skill 'Heart's Desire' has been generated.]
"I will help," Damian said as he stepped out of his position, joining Alan and Rin.
"Damian…" Rin looked at him sweetly.
"Invite me to the party," he said. Alan nodded.
[ You have created the party: Old Coot Hunting Party ]
[ Alan — Level 295 ]
[ Damian — Level 196 ]
"Huh?" Damian froze once again after seeing the absurdly high level.
A hidden ranker… he realized.
"Pope Drevigo, I have received a divine message to punish you—Light's Blessing!"
Damian snapped out of his daze as he pointed his sword at Pope Drevigo.
[ Light's Blessing Activated ]
[ You and your party's Defense, Attack Power, and Accuracy have increased by 80% for 3 minutes. ]
"Nice buff," Alan said as he activated his own skill.
"White Lion's Roar."
Pope Drevigo, along with all the priests and paladins in the hall, was instantly stunned.
[ White Lion's Roar Activated ]
[ You and your party's Defense, Attack Power, and speed have increased by 60% for 3 minutes. ]
"I will protect His Holiness—!"
Before the paladin could finish, another girl suddenly stepped in front of the Pope. She raised a massive shield, one of the holy artifacts of the Rebecca Church.
Alan smiled as he rushed behind her.