Chapter 9: Ascension

From the depths of void and darkness, a crack split open—and light seeped in through that rift.

The beam of light fell upon Li Wen’s face, but it brought no warmth.

Instead, it felt like a cluster of cold daggers, piercing her from within and without.

In that suffocating pain, she felt an inhuman gaze fall upon her.

The rift was not just a passage—it was an eye, a portal from beyond.

And as something from the other side used the light to peer at her, Li Wen, too, saw that supreme, transcendent being through the rift.

It dwelled in a palace of pure white sanctity, towering and magnificent beyond even the sun.

From its very form radiated endless light.

Angels sang praises to the great Lord within the brilliance, their prayers weaving into a grand symphony.

Bathed in that unending glory was one of the many incarnations of Radiant Light—the Crown of the Sun.

In that instant, searing white flames ignited from within her.

Li Wen’s entire body was consumed, her consciousness melded with the fire.

And in that moment of clarity, she understood—she was the moth that perished in pursuit of the light.

***

Back in the church sanctuary, the wildly flickering candle flames suddenly calmed.

The sacrificial bonfire had extinguished, and the ritual array was now so dim it was barely visible.

Only the seven ritual candles still shone with light.

Li Wen opened her eyes.

In her right eye, a deep red shimmer—like the hue of a setting sun—seemed to flow.

【You have completed Ascension (Stage One) – “The Supplicant”】

【Your Radiant Light class tier has advanced】

【You have acquired the ability: “Prayer Speech Lv.1”】

【You have obtained the trait: “Blood of Fire and Flame (Blue)” – Trait capacity increased】

【Due to the gaze of the Radiant Light, you have gained the status effect: “Merged with the Light (24h)”】

So… it was done?

Li Wen glanced at her palm.

The wound she’d made with the dagger had already healed, leaving behind a semi-circular mark—half a sun, half a flame, with a moth dancing within it.

Without overthinking, she summoned her grimoire and flipped to the character page:

【Mephist – Terra Human – Overall Level 1】

【Class: Radiant Light Line – Path of Radiance (Stage One) – Supplicant Lv.1】

【HP: 100% – Healthy】

【Mana: 10/10】

【Abilities: Radiant Light – Prayer Speech Lv.1 (0%)】

【Knowledge: Terran Language, Whisper Deciphering, Basic Rituals Lv.1 (10%)】

【Traits (5/6): Walking Against Shadow (Blue), Blood of Fire and Flame (Blue), Dexterous Hands (White), Professional Pickpocket (White), Necessary Sacrifice (Red)】

【Status: One-Eyed, Merged with the Light – 24h (While active, wounds recover slowly; Radiant Light abilities are 10% more effective; certain Deep Darkness abilities/traits are temporarily disabled)】

【EXP Pool: 20】

Successfully ascending to Supplicant hadn’t significantly changed Li Wen’s outward capabilities—this was only Stage One, after all, and the Supplicant was a support-focused class.

Still, having a class meant her EXP pool was now functional. She could finally level up at will.

***

【Prayer Speech Lv.1】

Radiant Light – Divine Spell

Cost: 2 Mana + 1 Basic Prayer

Target: Single

A unique divine spell originating from Kanan, the birthplace of the major faiths.

When used on an ally, it grants a shield that absorbs damage equal to [Level x 10% HP], lasting for [30 x Level] seconds.

When the shield expires or breaks, it heals slightly and dispels minor curses and bleeding.

When used on an enemy, it functions as a curse of equal level, inflicting minor sustained damage and temporary blindness for [5 x Level] seconds.

***

【Blood of Fire and Flame – Extraordinary (Blue) – Radiant Light】

“Use a saint’s blood as a candle, and the flame shall never fade.”

When lacking mana to use Radiant Light spells, rituals, or items, HP may be consumed as a substitute.

The Supplicant class granted a total of four unique skills, and Prayer Speech—being the first—was undeniably powerful.

As a support spell, it encompassed shielding, healing, cleansing, debuffing, and offense.

Its versatility was unmatched, truly a divine-tier skill suitable for any scenario.

Likewise, Blood of Fire and Flame was a valuable trait.

In World Tree: Origins, mana was a scarce and precious resource.

It couldn’t be replenished through conventional means—only gradually over time, or via specific class abilities like meditation or prayer.

Thus, any method to supplement or substitute mana was invaluable.

Though it didn’t restore mana, Blood of Fire and Flame could use HP instead in emergencies, which might make the difference between survival and death.

With these two additions to her arsenal, Li Wen felt she’d taken another step toward her goal.

She was about to clean up the ritual site when a cold voice came from behind her.

“You’re going to do something for me.”

Li Wen turned around—and saw Pastor Mog, cloaked in his priestly robes.

“This task can only be done by you. Seathwell ordered me not to act directly,” Mog muttered, scowling.

He glanced at the ritual array behind her but showed no interest.

A quest?

In World Tree: Origins, there were many ways to earn EXP—through study, labor, combat, exploration.

But if one wanted the greatest yield, it was through shaping the world’s progression.

Players simply called it “completing quests.”

Li Wen had just ascended, and EXP was exactly what she needed—there was no reason to refuse.

“Name it.”

Mog didn’t answer.

Instead, he turned away and walked off.

From a distance, he tossed back a single sentence:

“I’ll tell you when the time comes.”

Li Wen didn’t expect that “time” to come so soon.

After cleaning up the site and returning to the nuns’ dormitory, she was just pondering whether she should invest her EXP into Prayer Speech.

Twenty points might not be enough, though—based on past experience, it likely wasn’t.

That’s when someone knocked on her door.

She paused, interrupting her thoughts, and opened it.

No one was there.

Only an envelope lay on the floor.

It was addressed to Pastor Mog.

A letter meant for Mog would never be delivered to the nuns’ quarters—so someone had clearly placed it here on purpose.

Most likely, it was Mog himself.

Possibly someone else, but certainly someone working with him.

With that in mind, Li Wen picked up the envelope and opened it without hesitation.

Inside was a strange gold coin and a sheet of paper with only a few crude, jagged words:

“The time has come. Twin moons rise. Black Wind Fang.”