I’m confused.
As soon as I pressed the start button, I found myself in the game.
If someone were to ask how I knew I had entered the game without seeing or hearing anything, I could only answer that I instinctively knew.
It felt as if the moment I became this body, the thought, “Ah, I’ve entered the game,” naturally occurred in my mind, so I didn’t know how to explain it.
If I had to explain, I would say that although I could see nothing and hear nothing, I could still feel, which is how I knew.
The moment I pressed start, it felt as if my body was abruptly moved, and in a state where nothing could be seen or heard, there could only be one answer.
How common is it to find a character that can’t be seen or heard?
There were no characters with such disabilities in this game.
Naturally, there was only the character I had created.
“I can’t see… I feel like I’m going mad…”
It’s so uncomfortable to see nothing.
Even looking around, there is only darkness.
It was hard enough to not see anything, but without sound, I couldn’t help but wonder if I was truly alive.
Even if I opened my eyes, it was better to close them since I could see nothing.
The only thing I could do now was walk aimlessly forward, hoping not to trip over anything while tapping a stick in front of me.
At this point, one couldn’t help but wonder how the god of this game could create such a cruel character; it felt as though they wanted me to experience it directly by putting me in this body.
Having come into this game world only to find I can’t see or hear, wouldn’t those who wish to experience possession be at a loss for words?
It’s like they would mock me for being in such a state even if I managed to get possessed.
“Am I being punished…?”
After all, I had created a character that could never survive alone.
A character that can’t hear or see, yet is a Saint treating others while pushing herself and shedding blood—I must admit the concept is still good, but there are more than a few uncomfortable points in experiencing it firsthand.
For me, it’s only slightly uncomfortable since I play the game; it wasn’t inconvenient to visit somewhere or hear someone speak.
The game system informs you of everything, and while a deaf person can’t hear speech which means you can’t interact with NPCs normally, thanks to the passive ability called the Blessing of Light, the Saint understands everything through thoughts and can detect her surroundings with divine power, allowing her to navigate without bumping into things and even find enemies. So, I thought it would be manageable.
In reality, I didn’t fully understand just how inconvenient it would be.
Thump!
“Ugh, ack…!”
I tripped over something.
However, I was certain that I hadn’t tripped over something I couldn’t verify.
If I was tapping my cane to ensure I didn’t trip and yet couldn’t notice a protrusion enough to trip over, wouldn’t that be odd?
Above all, I was certain that whatever had tripped me was quite agile and lively, so there was no way I could miss it.
“Ouch…”
That hurt.
My character, designed to be the best Saint in history, was quite weak, almost like a flounder.
Just falling down had me on the verge of tears.
It hurt…
It certainly hurt…
Why was that?
“Am I… really looking pathetic right now…?”
I don’t know how I appear to others, but it felt strange.
Experiencing things that a masochist might enjoy first-hand… it felt like my spine was trembling.
The pain of falling was surprisingly pleasurable…?
“I must really be crazy…”
After all, I was a fool who lamented that not experiencing this directly when creating the character was the biggest disappointment.
I laughed softly to myself.
Well, this is certainly tough…
Not being able to see or hear feels like being in a dark room with the lights completely off, eyes closed, and ears blocked.
As I mentioned earlier, it was so suffocating I questioned whether I was even alive.
At this point, it might be more comfortable for someone to grab me and drag me away to sell me into slavery.
“Disabilities are… this hard…”
To think I could persist and survive in such a state, how strong-willed must one be!
People living with disabilities came across as incredibly impressive to me.
I carefully pushed myself up from the ground and began to search for where my fallen cane had landed, groping around.
Becoming a Saint was my top priority.
According to my setup, I must have fallen into the Holy Kingdom, the capital of Valkran, so there should definitely be a cathedral.
I just need to find my way there.
…
“No one… is helping me…”
I felt pathetic.
Not only was I unseen and unheard, but they were playing tricks by knocking me down.
I trembled in my body.
“It feels good but…”
Right now, it’s a matter of life and death, so it’s not very pleasant…
Just as I was thinking about expanding the range of my search.
Someone gently grabbed my body and carefully helped me to stand.
“Ah…”
Who was it who picked me up?
They placed my cane into my hands, bending down to grasp it for me.
“Who are you…?”
I at least needed to ask for help.
If this person would hold me like this, couldn’t I ask them to take me to the cathedral, as I couldn’t find my way?
However, I encountered one major problem.
“Ah…!”
I don’t know the language of this world…!!
It would be great if they could understand me if I spoke in Korean, but there’s no way such a convenient setting exists.
Even if I wanted to check, I couldn’t see or hear, so I was in a position where I couldn’t be sure. If I spoke Korean now, what if this person left?
No, if I spoke in Korean, it would be like they wouldn’t understand me anyway.
“What should I do…?”
As I pondered this internally for a while…
“[Oh dear, I apologize Sister. I didn’t realize you were deaf.]”
Someone’s voice echoed in my head.
What could I even say? It felt like the voice was resonating within me.
And then,
“Ah…!!”
I finally recognized who had helped me.
It was a voice I knew!
A gentle old man’s voice, polite and thoughtful…
If I was indeed in the Holy Kingdom, then there can be only one person I knew it to belong to.
Of course, it’s not certain.
It could be anyone.
I couldn’t perceive whether this was a game-like world where people acted as if they were in a game or if it was a reality drawn from the game’s setting.
I am still in a confused state.
However, I was almost sure when I only heard the voice.
I wanted to believe it.
Since that would make things easier!
The person talking to me right now is the Pope, or rather, the Dragon Lord disguising as the Pope.
Dragon.
A guardian dispatched to various parts of the world to prevent the invasion and attempts of the Demon Race, occupying the position of Pope, which allows for the gathering of much information.
I had heard that he takes on the appearance of a kind old man when he’s in the Pope role.
Because his existence in the human world must not be revealed.
It really isn’t surprising.
To become the hidden job of a Saint, you have to meet him, the Dragon.
“Acelina Sunlight…”
“…”
For now, it’s better to pretend not to know.
Thoughts do not convey everything, thanks to the depth of the psyche.
According to the game’s settings, it was said that you must express your intent through will to be understood on the other side.
The explanation is too abstract and hard to grasp, but it would be troublesome if we couldn’t communicate here.
Yet, it would be odd if a blind and deaf girl suddenly understood how to communicate with thoughts that she has never experienced…
I had to convey my thoughts literally, not my own intentions.
Given the situation, I couldn’t be afforded long to ponder what I should do.
It was inevitable.
I decided to express my instinctual thoughts freely.
“[Who…?]”
“[Ah, you can’t speak.]”
“[Apologies… language… ignorance…]”
“[It’s okay. You’re in a difficult state, so it’s understandable.]”
So this is how the conversation works.
Phew…
Should I be grateful that this world is a fantasy world?
If asked how I learned to speak, I’d have no answer, but it seems this is a valid response.
What a relief.
“So now all that’s left is to go to the cathedral and become a Saint candidate…?”
The hidden job of a Saint has already been established, so I could maneuver through the necessary groundwork.
Thanks to that, it seems I fell into this place where Acelina is.
It appears I fell into this world without familial ties, just like the character.
“Okay… I’ve satisfied the conditions with this.”
The conditions for the hidden job Saint are known to be the most troublesome among jobs.
1. Must be a female character.2. Must have a certain level of divine power talent.3. Must start in the Holy Kingdom, Valkran.
So far, these are aspects a player can adjust, but the rest are not.
4. Must be to the liking of the Pope.5. Must have a benevolent tendency from birth.6. Must inherently suit being a Saint.7. Must not commit evil deeds and only perform good deeds.8. Must receive the selection of the Goddess.
These five are problematic.
The Pope’s affection triggers the conditions to statistically succeed, and the benevolent tendency must be adjusted using the initial points to become benevolent.
Players usually start off neutral.
Putting precious bonus points into turning benevolent when there are no additional gains is not an easy task.
Therefore, players typically start off neutral.
As for being naturally suited for being a Saint, the character’s personality must be dedicated and self-sacrificing.
In the short prologue of childhood, actions determine personality, meaning I should donate all my money and help someone.
Regarding the evil deeds issue, while being a Saint candidate, one must strictly avoid evil actions, proving innocence only through good deeds.
Lastly, all of this must conclude with the Goddess selecting me.
Except for the last condition, it’s almost as if it’s all decided now.
I swallowed hard.
For now, it would be best to continue the conversation.
Given the situation, I must become a Saint.
“[Mistakes… Grace… Repayment… Thanks… Conversation… How? Understanding?]”
“[Well, I helped you because I couldn’t just watch. Don’t worry too much, Sister. And… haha… this is a technique called Thoughts. Even if we don’t share a language, it allows us to convey meaning to each other. It can be used if you have divine power.]”
“[Interesting…]”
Yes, that’s it.
As long as I have that, we can communicate without any issues.
Once I learn that, I can even detect the faint sounds around me.
I could offset the deafness.
“[Since it seems you have no place to go… how about coming to our cathedral?]”
To the kind old man, or rather Acelina Sunlight’s offer, I quietly nodded my head in agreement, but firmly.
His voice seemed brighter than before, indicating he was pleased with my answer.
“[Then please follow me, Sister.]”
Done!
Now all that remains is…
“To become a Saint candidate…”
And my sole goal is one thing.
“To defeat the Demon King.”
Now that I’ve entered the game, I can only aim for one thing.
To clear the game.
To return home.
Additionally, using my abilities to save many people, I aim to experience joy through pain while maintaining my concept and to clear it without revealing my true feelings.
I ignited my will strongly.
