As Lucen stepped beyond the gates of his home, the first thing that greeted him was the cold northern wind, carrying the faint scent of smoke and pine.
The sky above Ironhold was a pale silver, blanketed with low, drifting clouds that seemed to merge with the mountain peaks surrounding the fortress city. Snow dusted the rooftops, and smoke curled lazily from chimneys built to withstand far worse winters.
The city hidden within the tall walls was like any other city, bustling with life. Despite the cold and the threat of the monster waves, barbarian tribes, and foreign armies, the people of Ironhold felt no fear as they all believed the mighty shield of Norvaegard would protect them.
'Ironhold... the fortress city that was already destroyed before the game's story even began.'
In his past life, it had only existed in bits of backstory and scattered flashbacks, little more than a tragic memory for a few of the characters. But here it was now, a living, breathing city under the snow.
'This world might've inspired the creation of the game… Maybe someone back then caught a glimpse of this world in a dream and turned it into a story.'
Wrapped in a thick coat, Lucen stepped further into the snow-laced streets of Ironhold, his eyes quietly scanning the city.
It was nothing like the cities of his old life. No high-rises nearly touching the clouds, no paved highways, or endless rush of vehicles. The streets here were uneven, built from stone and packed snow. Lanterns, not Neon lights, lined the roads.
Still, there were some similarities, like the scent of smoke in the air and the stench of the sewers.
...
Lucen wasn't here just to admire the view. There were a few places he needed to see first. It was the temples of the deities in this world. As he was looking through his notes the other day, one of the things that can help him get stronger was the temples.
In the game, added buffs were given depending on which God or Goddess the protagonist chooses to believe in.
While the in-game lore spoke of dozens of Gods and Goddesses, only a handful were accessible for the protagonist in the game due to the game's limited scope. After all, the protagonist never left Norvaegard.
In-game, there was a restriction of only believing in a single deity, but in real life, based on Lucen's knowledge, you can believe in several deities. Still, he wasn't sure if all deities would give him any blessing. In fact, since the deities here are real, maybe they'll get mad if he believes in too many, or they'll be pleased that he worships all of them.
Of course, there was a possibility that he wouldn't be able to gain anything, since he wasn't the protagonist. It was also possible due to his body being a game character body, he would be able to gain those benefits.
'No use thinking too much about it, just have to try it out and see what happens. I know that some of the knights believe in two to three deities, and they seem to be okay. So I guess the deities here aren't that petty.'
Lucen sighed as he shrugged his shoulders. If it were possible to get a buff from worshiping a deity and if it could only work once, then he needed to choose the first deity he would worship wisely.
...
In Norvaegard, there are five main deities, each revered in different regions and among different people. The gods rarely speak, but their blessings are real, granted through belief, ritual, and fate. Among them, the one most revered in the North was, of course, Varkun.
Varkun, God of Warand Honor
He Who Seeks Battle
Varkun is the embodiment of martial might and glorious struggle. His name is often invoked by soldiers and warriors before battle.
Buff: +10% damage when fighting multiple enemies.
Skill: Battle Focus – When health is low, it slightly reduces damage taken and increases all stats for a few seconds.
Naerith, Goddess of the Land and Forests
She Who Grows All Things
Naerith is worshipped by farmers, herbalists, and rangers. Her blessings are gentle but vital.
Buff: Increases resistance to poison and disease.
Skill: Friend of the Forest – Wild animals will not attack unless provoked.
Thalara, Goddess of Justice and Judgment
She Who Sees All Evil
Thalara is the impartial eye that sees into men's souls. Her followers uphold the law and seek truth.
Buff: Bonus damage against those branded as evil; the more guilt the enemy carries, the greater the damage.
Skill: Oathbound – Strong resistance to charm, illusion, and mind-altering magic.
Kalderos, God of the Forge and Flames
He Who Guides the Flame of Creation
Kalderos is the patron of blacksmiths and crafters. His flame not only destroys, it forges.
Buff: Increases the effectiveness of any weapon or armor created by another believer.
Skill: Heat Tempered – Slightly increases weapon durability and reduces the chance of equipment breaking in battle.
Velmira, Goddess of the Night and Death
She Who Waits for the Last Light
Velmira is not feared but revered. She governs endings, the stillness of night, and the peace that follows death. Assassins, undertakers, and seers often whisper her name.
Buff: Increased resistance to fear and darkness-based effects.
Skill: Last Embrace – When killing an enemy, it slightly restores stamina and mana.
...
'I tried each of them and the play style changes a little depending on which deity the protagonist worships, but overall, each one of them gave great buffs and skills... Still, if I could only choose one, which one would be good for me? Oh sh*t, I was thinking about from the point of view of this game's protagonist, but I'm not him. If it's my current body, then either Varkun or Velmira are good choices, both give skills that help in a pinch...'
While Lucen was thinking which temple he should go to, in his peripheral vision, he saw a boy a little younger than him, around seven to eight years old, coming out of the alleyway, running towards him.
The kid bumped into Lucen, and it was at that moment that Lucen, with his enhanced senses, saw the kid's hand quickly reaching out for his coin pouch.
'What a cliche.'
Lucen's hand shot out as he felt the small fingers brush against his coin pouch. In one swift motion, he caught the boy's wrist.
"Hey, let me go!"
The kid struggled to get away from Lucen but failed. Lucen looked at the kid and noticed he was not wearing much, which was bad here in the North. The boy's hand was freezing to the touch. Up close, Lucen could see the dirt smudged on his cheeks, the thinness in his arms. He wasn't dangerous, just desperate.
"Hey, you're freezing… Where are your parents?" Lucen asked, glancing around as if expecting someone to appear.
"..."
"Do you live around here?"
"..."
When the boy stayed silent, Lucen sighed. "If I let you go now, the guards might catch you later. They won't ask questions like I did."
Lucen spoke while loosening his grip just enough to suggest he could tighten it again at any time. He wasn't planning to turn the kid in, but fear was a better deterrent than kindness sometimes.
That got the boy's attention. "W-Wait! Don't call the guards, please!" he cried.
Lucen tilted his head. "Oh? So you can talk."
The boy wanted to escape; he did not understand why, but Lucen's presence alone made that idea feel distant and dangerous.
"I wasn't gonna steal, I swear! I-I just thought… You looked rich, and I…"
The boy trailed off, shivering now that the adrenaline was fading. He wore a threadbare tunic and shoes that had more holes than leather.
"Are you an orphan?"
"We're not orphans! My sister and I still have our dad! He promised he'd come back, so he's just… Late. He always comes back, he always does..."
The boy shouted at first, but then he calmed down near the end. Such a huge reaction stunned Lucen, but he learned that the kid had a sister. "Where's your sister?"
"Why are you asking?"
The kid asked, but for a brief second, he looked at the alleyway he came from. Lucen pulled the kid over towards the alleyway. Seeing the direction they were heading, the boy struggled even more.
Lucen saw a little girl the same age as his own little brother wearing the same ragged clothes as the boy, shivering on the ground. She looked at Lucen, then her big brother.
Without a word, Lucen knelt down and wrapped his coat around the little girl's shoulders. She flinched at first, then clung to the warmth. "This should keep you warm for now," he muttered.
Lucen scratched his head in annoyance as he looked at the current state of the siblings. He wasn't sure, but if these two truly had parents, then they weren't doing their job right.
Even though he has been in this world for twelve years, and he knew that the level here was that of the Middle Ages, it was still annoying to see such a sight of neglect.
'Tsk, it's not like the ones on Earth were all good either, but still...'
"Let me ask again, where are your parents?"
Even though Lucen's voice was that of a child since he was twelve, his presence made it seem like an adult had spoken, which rattled the boy, who had his head down. The little girl who was wrapped in Lucen's coat grabbed his big brother's hand. The boy looked at his little sister and then at Lucen.
"My mom passed away due to an illness, but my Dad is still alive; he's a soldier! The best soldier there is! He went out on the last monster wave, he just hasn't returned yet." The boy explained.
Hearing that answer, Lucen frowned. The last monster wave was a year ago. All the soldiers who joined the defense had all been accounted for, so if he's saying his father hasn't returned, that means his father is dead.
"... So where are you living now? Don't tell me you are staying here in the streets." Lucen's tone became lighter but still serious.
"... We were waiting for our dad in the Temple of Varkun, where the other kids stay, but then the priest said something bad, he lied!"
"What was the lie?"
The boy bit his lower lip as he did not want to answer, but when he saw Lucen look at him, the boy felt like he had no choice but to say it.
"The priest said that our Dad has joined Varkun's armies and he will forever be honored and receive endless glory. The priest told us that he will try to find a good family for my sister and me. Why would I need another family?! I already have my sister and my dad!" The boy once again became emotional.
Despite not being that much taller than the boy, Lucen tightly wrapped the coat around the little girl and carried her. If it were a few months ago, this would have been an impossible feat for Lucen, but after training his body, it was easier than expected.
'Thanks, Sir Thalos.' Lucen then turned around and looked at the stunned boy and spoke.
"I see... Then, how about I meet with this priest and talk to him?"
'The priest is obviously telling them such things out of kindness, but I wonder if it would turn out into some sort of cliche.' Lucen thought to himself as he carried the little girl, heading to the Temple of Varkun.