Chapter 88: Strong Assault (II)

  "I'll be joining you for this mission," Alex announced as he addressed the group of meraries in front of him. He had already learned from others that this was the "Rainbow Light" merary group, a well-known and respected for the northern region. Of course, hiring such a group didn’t e cheap.

  But for the temple, any problem that could be solved with money wasn’t a real problem.

  If they could deal with the Six-Armed Snake Demon by throwing mo it, Alex had no doubt that the temple would crush the creature with sheer wealth.

  Alex had taken a quick look at the merary group earlier and found that their position was quite reasohe middle-aged man standing before him was their leader, followed by three simirly dressed warriors. Then there were two giant figures, likely barbarians native to the north—fittingly, their css was also barbarian.

  In addition to these, the team included a small, agile rogue, two archers—one of whom was an elven archer—and a mage.

  Even from a gamer’s perspective, Alex had to admit this team was strong. They had tanks, damage dealers, and crowd trol; the only thing they were missing was a healer... Speaking of which, where was Fina?

  "I’m here, Sir Alex," came the voice of the priestess, who walked over, holdiaff. Alex realized that her presence seemed rather faint. Ever sione and the others had arrived, she had disappeared without a trace. In fact, even Alex had momentarily fotten about her. But now... well, at least he remembered in time.

  "Let’s move out," Alex ordered after a quick headt. The meraries merely nodded and quietly followed him as they made their way toward the ruins.

  This wasn’t how things were supposed to go.

  Looking at the silent meraries following behind him, Alex felt a bit disappointed. He had expected this moment to py out like the typiovel trope—someone should have stepped forward to question his capabilities, and then he could respond with a dispy of skill, earning their respect with a dramatic face-spping moment. Though Alex k might have been a waste of time, he had mentally prepared for it.

  But... none of that happehese meraries didn’t follow the script at all. The leader hadn’t even voiced an opinion, just nodded his approval and agreed without hesitation!

  Reality, it seemed, wasn’t as dramatic as fi. Or maybe he just wasn’t cut out to be a protagonist?

  Refleg on it, Alex had to admit that the arrogant rich kids who strutted around the streets like in novels didn’t really exist in real life. After all, anyone who acted like that would have ended up in trouble long ago...

  Oh well, no time for theatrics. They had a mission to plete.

  As night deepehe ruins ahead were shrouded ihly silender the cover of darkness. The pitch-bck surroundings made it impossible to see anything, and to make matters worse, they couldn’t light torches to illumihe way. After all, aside from them, the only ones here were the cultists. The cultists could light bonfires and hold their twisted rituals without worry, but if Alex and his group did the same, it would be like police officers bring sirens while trying to catch criminals in hiding.

  The cultists were, of course, incredibly ing. From the ter of the ruins, Alex could clearly see the fires they had lit. But acc to Nymph’s radar ss, many eyes were als within the surrounding ruins, keeping a close watch.

  Alex had to admit that these cultists were patient. Winter nights were bone-chillingly cold, especially in a pce like the Dark S, where the cold cut even deeper. Alex and his group were fortuo have the prote of Fina’s "Cold Resistance" spell, sparing them from the biting cold, but the cultists weren’t so lucky.

  Cultists weren’t just followers of the wrong faith—they had abandoned order, which meant they couldn’t use magic or skills like the world’s regur practitioners. They had to seek power through other means, such as signing tracts with devils from hell or using hellfire like the destruage.

  This was why, despite his disdain for Charles, the bald-headed leader of the cult, the destruage still relied on him for power. After being a cultist, no matter how powerful they had once been, they lost access to their previous abilities. They could no longer use order-based magic or skills...

  In other words, while Alex and his group ehe warmth of the "Cold Resistance" spell as they leisurely advahrough the iight, the cultists were huddled in the ruins, shivering in the cold as they kept watch.

  In a seheir fanaticism and loyalty were undeniable.

  Unfortunately for the cultists, their fanaticism and loyalty were useless in the face of advaeology. Ikaros could easily s the life signatures of the cultists and even accurately mark the range of each of their fields of vision.

  As a result, Alex’s journey quickly transformed from a "ten-person ruin expedition" into a "ando stealth mission." Under Ikaros' guidance, he led the meraries through the perimeter ued, avoiding the cultists’ patrols and steadily advang toward the ter of the ruins.

  Meanwhile, the destruage's patience had finally worn thin.

  Somethi wrong.

  He stared into the dark wilderness outside, g his fists. The message from his servant had expihat the foolish mage had been deyed by a wolf atta the forest. However, the destruage wasirely vinced by this excuse, and as more time passed, his unease grew. While that idiot was indeed foolish, he would never pass up su opportunity. Was there something else going on?

  The destruage grew restless at the thought. He had once been a mage—specifically, a prophecy mage. If it had been before, he could have used his magic to quietly peer into the future and uhe ges. But now, he had lost that ability—no, he had forsaken that ability.

  As a prophecy mage, the futures he glimpsed were so heavy that they suffocated him. He had realized, in despair, that the future was immutable, inescapable fate. No matter what choiade, they could never alter the ultimate oute. It was this grim realization that had driven him to abandoh of order and join the forces of Destru.

  If the future couldn’t be ged or escaped, then he would rather see everything obliterated.

  These memories of the past only briefly stirred in his mind, causing no great waves of emotion. Those days had never been pleasant for him. He had onaively believed that, with the power to foresee the future, he could trol his destiny. But in the end, he had discovered that ignorance was, at times, a far greater bliss.

  "Begiual immediately."

  With that deade, the destruage acted swiftly. He turo look at the altar behind him, where the shattered statue of the Six-Armed Snake Demon had been pieced back together and pced on dispy. A faint, sinister green glow emanated from the statue’s surface. Uhis eerie light, the cracks iatue seemed to be slowly healing.

  Before the statue floated a ring—the very same ohat Charles had hao the destruage earlier. Now, it too was glowing faintly with a greenish light...

  "You, e here."

  The destruage extended his hand, gesturing to the nearby cultists. Without hesitation, they stepped forward, their expressions cold aionless, as if devoid of any free will.

  "There’s been a slight plication. We o start the ritual now."

  The destruage offered only a brief expnation before issuing the order.

  "Prepare the sacrifice."

  "Yes."

  The cultists immediately nodded without question. The leader strode up to the altar and picked up the ceremonial dagger.

  But just as he was about to proceed, the destruage suddenly turned his gaze toward the sky.

  There, in the heavens, he saw a radiant, holy light streaking through the darkness like a meteor, plunging directly toward him and his group.

  Enemy attack!!

  (End of the chapter)

  ? Unlock the World of Stories with Early Access on Patreon! ?

  Hello, beloved readers and supporters!

  I am thrilled to offer you an exclusive opportunity to dive deeper into our captivating stories before anyone else. By joining the Patreon unity, you'll unlock a treasure trove of bes, including:

  ? Early Access to 20 Chapters: Be the first to explore neters, experieng the twists and turns of our tales well ahead ur readers. Your jourhrough our stories doesn't have to wait!

  ? ect with the unity: Join a vibrant, like-minded group of readers who share your passion. Engage iing discussions, share theories, and make new friends who love the stories as much as you do.

  ? Support the Creator: Your patronage directly tributes to the ongoing creation and improvement of the tent you love. Be a vital part of the creative journey!

  Patreon./anish_44