New achievement unlocked!
As the system notification flashed across Robert's vision, he let out a relieved sigh.
To be honest, he'd started to worry. What if the game system stopped giving him new tasks after the last one? What if that was it?
Fortunately, his fear was unfounded.
"Convince fifteen villains to change their minds?"
Robert's mouth twitched. What kind of grudge did this game have against villains, anyway? It was always making him chase them down like a one-man morality SWAT team.
Still, at least the current quest didn't mention anything about "heavy sins." That gave him some peace of mind. The last time a villain with heavy sins was involved, his entire basement looked like a boss fight had broken out.
"This one's... tricky," he muttered. "I'm no priest. Persuasion isn't my strongest skill."
Robert paused.
Well, technically, there were some priests who specialized in converting lost souls.
And ninjas. Ninjas had great success with "talk-no-jutsu."
Since he had no formal training in "mouth escape," maybe it was time to learn from the pros.
Decision made, Robert pulled out his phone and searched for nearby churches. One popped up on the map—South Brooklyn, within walking distance.
He turned to Peter, who was tinkering with some armor blueprints in the garage.
"Hey kid, I'm heading out. Watch the place for me."
---
"So this is the place."
Robert stood outside the old brick church, its tall steeple casting a long shadow over the cracked sidewalk. The doors creaked as he entered.
Inside, the atmosphere was still and serene. A few people sat quietly in pews, heads bowed. Candles flickered. The faint scent of incense hung in the air.
Robert casually activated his system's scanning function.
[Target meets quest condition] × 5
He blinked.
Five villains in one church? That was either poetic irony or the universe being very on-brand.
No wonder people come here to pray, he thought. Everyone's carrying baggage.
One of the potential targets walked into the confessional booth toward the back. Robert sat down and waited patiently, arms folded.
Ten minutes later, the man emerged. Robert scanned him again.
[Target no longer meets quest condition]
"Are you kidding me?"
He had barely sat down and already changed his ways? That priest was either a miracle worker or handing out divine coupons.
Robert didn't waste time. He slipped into the confessional.
The room was dim. Through the thin mesh screen, he could just make out the priest sitting on the other side, dressed in a black cassock.
"Please, my child," the priest said warmly. "Begin your confession."
Robert blinked. "Wait—start what?"
"Your confession."
"Oh, right."
He coughed awkwardly and leaned forward. Time to play the part.
"Father… I'm not sure if I should say this or not."
"This is a place of trust. Whatever burdens you carry, you can share them here."
"…You promise to keep it confidential?"
"You have my word. All confessions remain between us and God."
"Okay. So… I have a friend—a friend—who may or may not have killed someone."
The priest remained silent, but Robert could practically hear his heartbeat spike.
"Would God… forgive that?"
There was a long pause. The priest finally said, "Son, even the gravest sins can be forgiven, so long as there is true repentance. God is merciful."
Robert nodded solemnly. "I see. But what if… this friend killed a lot of people? Not just one. Like, dozens."
"…Dozens?"
"Yeah. Give or take."
The priest audibly gulped. He crossed himself reflexively. "Your… friend… must feel great remorse."
"Let's say he's working on that."
"…There is always hope for redemption."
Got it. Emotional support mode unlocked.
Robert couldn't help but smirk behind the screen. "Okay, one more question, Father."
"Yes?"
"If I used an anesthetic dart to knock someone out… but I apologized sincerely afterward… do you think that person would forgive me?"
The priest let out a breath of relief. At least it wasn't another murder.
"I think if you're truly sorry, yes—they might forgive you."
"Thanks, Father. I'm sorry, by the way."
"…Wait, what?"
PSSHT!
The dart embedded itself in the priest's thigh with a soft hiss.
The man slumped silently.
Robert stepped around the booth and gently lowered him into the corner. "Nothing personal. Just borrowing your outfit."
---
Ten minutes later, dressed in the priest's black robe, Robert waited in the confessional once more.
A woman stepped in on the other side.
[Target meets quest condition]
Bingo.
"Father," she said, her voice trembling, "I've… I've sinned."
Robert cleared his throat and tried to channel every gentle-sounding priest from film and TV. "This is a place of peace, child. Whatever is on your heart, you may share it."
"…I cheated on my husband."
Damn. Straight into the drama.
Robert blinked, trying to keep a straight face. "I see. We all stumble. Repentance is the first step."
She sniffled. "But it wasn't just anyone. I cheated on him with… his twin brother."
Robert nearly choked.
His… what now?
He managed to respond: "Even the deepest wounds can be healed through forgiveness. Perhaps, in time—"
"…And now I'm pregnant."
This escalated quickly.
Robert looked sideways at the real priest, still unconscious. "Buddy, you really picked a good day to nap."
The woman's voice cracked. "I just don't know what to do, Father."
Robert hesitated. "Well… if the child looks like your husband, maybe no one will notice?"
"…Because they're twins?"
"Exactly."
There was a pause. Then she sighed in relief. "Thank you. That really makes me feel better. I promise I won't… stray… as much in the future."
Robert stared blankly. "You're… welcome."
She left.
Robert checked his system screen.
[Villain reformed: 1/15]
He frowned.
"That counts as reformed? Pretty sure she just got some therapy and plans to sin slightly less."
Still, progress was prog
ress.
He leaned back, waiting for the next round of villainous drama to step through the curtain.
------
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