The First Target

Aurelius clenched his fists while his eyes shone with determination. 'With this, I can become the strongest in no time!' 

Aurelius took a moment to gather his thoughts and then asked, 'System, do you know the way to the nearest town or village?' He looked around only to see a plain field of tall grass and a thick forest behind him. He knew that there might be some villages either at the other end of the forest or at the end of the grass plains. 

'It's better to ask the system rather than to blindly pick a direction and walking.' 

[Ding!] 

[The system cannot answer that question. The host must decide for himself!] 

TSK 

Aurelius clicked his tongue in annoyance at the system's words. He looked around while weighing his options. 

'The forest or the grass plains? I think the forest will have some tribes, but I don't know if they are friendly to outsiders. But if I walk through the grassy plains, I don't know how much longer it would take to see civilization. Then again, I don't know if that forest has any tribes. I guess the grassy plains it is.' 

Aurelius decided and then began to walk through the grassy plains. He kept walking while keeping his guard up as there could be snakes or monsters hiding in the grass plains. 

But he frowned when he didn't detect one of them. 'What's going on?' he wondered. 

He wanted to ask the system but didn't since he knew that it wouldn't answer. He looked around the grass plains. The tall grass swayed with the wind, creating waves. Aurelius could almost taste the dryness as there was not a single tree or water source around him. 

A few hours had gone by, and Aurelius had finally gotten out of the grass plains. The sun had already set while the silver moon hung high in the sky, casting an ethereal silver glow on everything it touched. 

'This world looks really beautiful,' Aurelius mumbled to himself as he looked at the lake in front of him. The lake was very big and had golden lotuses floating on top if it. Big green trees decorated the other end of the lake. 

SNIFF 

Aurelius took a deep breath, letting in the cold breeze that was laced with the freshness of the plants and the sweet scent of the golden lotuses. 

He walked over to the other end of the lake toward the trees and sat under one of them. 

SIGH 

He sighed in relief as he felt his butt touch the soft grass and leaned back against the tree. He then stared at the lake; precisely, at his own reflection. 

"Damn, I am handsome!" Aurelius commented on his looks; people might think that he is narcissistic, but anyone would agree with his words when they look at him. 

He had long silver hair that was tied into a ponytail and pale white skin. His deep blue eyes shone under the moonlight while he clenched his chiselled jaws. 

"If I look like this, then I don't think I will have trouble converting women to my religion." He mumbled. He dusted off his white robe with golden embroideries and looked at the silver moon while slowly closing his eyes. 

... 

RUSTLE RUSTLE 

A few hours had gone by since Aurelius had fallen asleep when he felt something moving in one of the trees. 

He immediately opened his eyes, went on guard, and hid behind the tree. He peeked his head out to see who it was, only for his gaze to fall on a beautiful woman. 

'Looks like it's a village woman; I should go ask her for help and maybe convert her along the way.' He wondered, but he quickly shook his head while mumbling, "I have to be careful; I still don't know how she will react." 

Aurelius silently watched the woman walk to the shore of the lake and stare into the air absentmindedly. But he frowned when he saw tears coming down her cheeks. 

He slowly walked out from behind the tree and made his way toward the woman. 

The woman was entirely oblivious to this as she was too engrossed in her sorrow and didn't notice him coming up behind her. 

'Although she isn't the prettiest woman I have seen, she has some nice curves,' Aurelius commented as he looked at the back of the woman. She had long black hair draping down to her slim waist while big butts jiggled as she walked closer to the lake. 

Aurelius stood a few feet behind the woman; he wanted to find more information about her before he let his presence known. 

"God, please save my daughter. She is the only family I have left. I have shown her to the village shaman, but she said that she is a lost cause. Her entire body is paralyzed, and her organs are failing one by one. Please... I beg you! Heal my daughter. I will do anything you want; please, I beg you!" the woman begged as she broke down, crying. Her hands were clasped together tightly while her body trembled with sadness. 

Aurelius's eyes widened as he listened to her; he could understand what she was saying and wasn't too surprised as he chalked it up to the system's doing. 'System, appraise her!' 

[Ding!] 

[Appraising the target!] 

STATUS 

Name: Elara 

Level: 5 

Race: Human 

It wasn't much, but Aurelius got what he needed: her level. Her level wasn't high enough that his charm wouldn't work. 

'Activate Divine Charm' 

[Ding!] 

[Activating Divine Charm!] 

Aurelius smiled as he felt something change about him; he didn't know, but his entire face was glowing while his expression softened, making him look like an angel. 

'All I need to do is win her and cure her daughter, then I can slowly conquer the village through them.' His mind raced as he formulated plans on how to conquer the woman's village. 

'Alright, here we go!' He then relaxed himself while freeing his facial muscles. 

"Elara," he called out softly; his voice was smooth like a divine tune, with worry and anguish laced in it. 

Elara quickly turned around to see who it was; she quickly got into a battle stance and gazed at the man standing before her. 

'W-What!? how can a man be this handsome?' She questioned herself as she gazed at his body. His tall and imposing figure stood straight like a pole, as if giving reassurance to whoever leans on him; his divine face was etched with a smile that almost made the woman stumble and fall. 

His silver hair fluttered in the wind while his deep blue eyes watched her playfully. 

"W-Who are you?" Elara asked, her voice becoming meek at his imposing figure while she relaxed and let her guard down. She didn't know why, but she felt that he wouldn't harm her no matter what. 

"You called me, Elara. You called me to help you, and I am here," Aurelius answered; he still had his smile while he carefully analysed her movements. 

'I should improvise as I see her reaction. She is emotionally vulnerable right now, and I should cure her daughter when she is in that state, which will amp up the possibilities of her joining my religion. 

"I-I asked you...?" Elara mumbled while tilting her head; she didn't recall asking for that handsome, divine-looking man for help, though. 

"Yes, didn't you ask God to help you." He replied. 

Elara's eyes widened at his words, 'Who is this idiot? While he is handsome, it seems that he has lost his mind... hmmm, but why am I feeling that what he said is true?' she mumbled inwardly while frowning. 

Aurelius carefully observed Elara's face and knew that she didn't believe him; he knew that he had to make her believe in him first before he could try to add her to his religion. 

"Hmm, looks like you don't believe me," Aurelius replied while still smiling. 

Elara's heart quickened a little when she noticed that he didn't change his expression and was still smiling as if he were expecting this reaction from her. 

"B-But the shaman—" 

As Elara was about to say that the shaman had already given up on her daughter, Aurelius interrupted her and said, "I am a god, dear Elara. There is a difference between me and a shaman." 

"Ah!" Elara exclaimed, her body trembling when she thought of her words. 'If what he said is true, then I have offended a god!' 

She quickly knelt on one knee and shouted, "I am sorry, Your Eminence! This one has offended you!" 

Elara waited for a reply but bit her lip in frustration when receiving none; 'As long as my daughter lives, I will do anything.' She resolved. 

She then looked up only to see Aurelius standing beside her with his usual smile; she was a little shocked as she didn't sense him coming toward her. 

"Stand up, Elara." He said with his usual smile. 

GULP 

Elara gulped nervously as she slowly stood up; she curled her hands into fists while expecting some scolding. 

But her eyes widened in shock when she felt a hand wrap around her waist and pull her closer. 

"Ah!" she yelped in surprise when she fell into Aurelius's embrace. She felt his strong hands wrap around her as if assuring her that everything would be alright. 

"G-Go---" 

"Ssshhh." As Elara was about to say something, Aurelius interjected and shushed her. He then began to gently pat her hair while muttering, "I know you don't believe me yet, Elara. And I don't blame you for that; after all, your life depends on it." 

Elara's tense face softened at his words; a strong fragrance hit her nose as she buried her face in his chest. She didn't know why, but she wanted to let all her emotions out. 

WAAH 

So, she cried, all her pent-up emotions, all the sadness she carried with her; she let it all out. Aurelius didn't interrupt her but continued to gently pat her. 

Elara cried for a few minutes before she buried her face even deeper into his chest due to embarrassment. 

'Why did I do that? Why did I cry and want to say everything to him and let him protect me?' 

Aurelius watched as Elara calmed down. "Have you calmed down?" he murmured, still patting her hair. 

"mhmm," Elara hummed as she weakly nodded her head. 

Aurelius's smile widened at her reply, and he asked, "How about this, Elara? I will cure your daughter, and you will acknowledge me as your god and will worship me." 

Elara's eyes widened as she took her face out of his chest and stared at him. Her brown eyes looked at him in astonishment while she got out of his embrace. 

She immediately went on her knees and said, "I... I don't know if I can believe you, but if you can save her... then I'll do anything. Please, just save my daughter." 

Aurelius smiled at her answer and said, "Good, then let's go see your daughter." 

.................................. 

Divine Charisma: Exudes a radiant aura that causes the user's face to shine, greatly enhancing their persuasive abilities. This power increases the likelihood of others helping, especially when they are emotionally vulnerable. 

Disclaimer: effects are limited to no more than five levels above the user. (Upgradable)