The church in Moonset Village is situated at the top of the central axis, with dense forests behind it. As night falls, the thick fog dissipates, and the gaps in the woods are filled with the pitch-black night, creating an impression that something is emitting an enticing yet fearsome aura, beckoning exploration.
Shen Lin and Bai’er stood at the entrance of the grand church, circling the surroundings before meeting to exchange information.
Bai’er: “The main door is not locked; you can gently push it open to enter. I took a quick look inside, and it’s very similar to the concept of a church we have. There are benches on both sides, a pulpit in the center, and a statue behind it.” He paused and added, “I didn’t dare to look directly at the statue.”
Shen Lin nodded and said, “There’s a side door at the left rear, leading to the church’s backyard. It’s a spacious courtyard with two branching paths, one likely leading to the resting place of clergy, and the other one’s destination is unclear with strict guards.”
“So what do we do now?” Bai’er’s heart pounded.
“I’ll think about it,” Shen Lin pondered for a moment. “Let’s first memorize the church’s layout for future exploration. Tonight, we’ll check out the paths with fewer guards, being cautious not to alert them.”
After a stealthy passage, unfortunately, Shen Lin did not succeed, but Bai’er smoothly followed through the side door into the church, following Shen Lin’s instructions.
Shen Lin pushed open the main door and entered the grand church.
A sign at the entrance read: “Shelton Grand Cathedral, open for worship all day.”
Below was a small line of text: “God is with me.”
As Shen Lin entered the cathedral, despite his efforts to tread lightly, the heels of his shoes still produced a faint sound on the marble floor.
The church was spacious and quiet.
Above was stained glass, different from the depiction of the Holy Mother, Father, and Son. These vivid glass pieces portrayed totems that Shen Lin couldn’t comprehend.
KP: “Proceed with reconnaissance.”
Shen Lin rolled the dice for the check, and the result passed.
Gradually, he understood the meaning conveyed by the painted images.
In ancient times, a meteor fell from the sky, turning into a massive egg. From this egg hatched a “deity” that resembled a spider with eight tentacle-like legs and six large compound eyes resembling those of a crocodile. It rooted itself in this land, bestowing blessings upon the humans who lived here.
The deity lived among humans for a long time, even mating with them, giving birth to divine offspring. These godly children lived among the people, mating with humans again, causing more and more people in the town to possess extraordinary physical abilities.
Eventually, the deity fell into a deep slumber and has not awakened to this day, yet Moonset Village still enjoys the deity’s protection.
“Young man.” The sudden voice made Shen Lin’s pupils contract. He stiffly turned around and saw an old lady sitting quietly in the corner.
She was very old, well over a hundred years, with wrinkles hanging on her face like the bark of a thousand-year-old tree. However, she looked extremely serene, silently supporting herself with a cane as she gazed at the statue in the center of the church.
“He’s truly beautiful,” the old woman said in a hoarse voice. “I come to see him every day.”
Shen Lin: “…”
The old woman slowly turned her head, her gaze falling on Shen Lin’s face. “You’ve come to see him too, haven’t you?”
Shen Lin remained silent. After a moment, he walked over, sat next to the old woman, and said, “I don’t understand.”
“Hmm?”
“I don’t understand why we would betray the deity.”
The old woman’s eyes opened, looking at Shen Lin in disbelief. “We haven’t betrayed the deity.”
“We exchange things with outsiders using his gifts.”
The old woman fell silent.
Shen Lin continued, “This makes our faith impure. Our belief has become a commodity that can be traded.”
The old woman remained silent.
Shen Lin said, “What if one day we can no longer receive the deity’s blessings? Will our bodies age rapidly?”
The old woman smiled, saying, “The deity’s blessings are eternal; he won’t suddenly disappear. He resides in our blood.”
“Nothing is eternal,” Shen Lin retorted. “I’ve never believed in eternity. What did outsiders gain from us in exchange?”
The old woman’s gaze became murky and profound. She looked at Shen Lin deeply and smiled, “What they truly gained in the trade with outsiders was the deity’s doing, not ours. And it’s not a trade; it’s a gift, a blessing from the deity. What they desired, they obtained by sacrificing something to please the deity, such as—” Her eyes became pure and clean as she looked at Shen Lin with a smile, “their golden hair and blue eyes.”
Shen Lin: “…”
“Mother,” footsteps came from behind. Shen Lin hesitated to turn around; someone approached and stood beside him. Extending a hand towards the old woman, he said, “It’s getting late; you should rest.”
The man was tall, standing in the backlight, and shadows covered Shen Lin almost entirely.
His cold and indifferent gaze gently fell on Shen Lin, and his pale lips slightly opened. “I haven’t seen you before.”
Shen Lin said nervously, “I rarely go out.”
“A good reason,” the man chuckled. He was handsome, with a single eyelid and an upward tilt at the outer corner, revealing a hint of casual indifference. It wasn’t the look of a good person. Considering his address to the elderly woman as “mother,” Shen Lin had reason to suspect his age to be in his forties or fifties, or perhaps even older.
Is this the blessing that the deity bestows upon the residents of Moonset Village?
He recalled Luther’s words.
Facial features less prone to aging and a healthier body than ordinary people.
“Where do you live?” the man asked.
Shen Lin casually replied, “George Street.”
The man said unexpectedly, “That’s where lower-class people live. You’re very pretty; you shouldn’t live there.”
Shen Lin said, “I grew up there.”
“It seems they spared no expense to give you the best education,” he continued, still looking at Shen Lin. “Moonset Village has always done well in basic education. Regardless of how low the commoners are in inheriting the bloodline of the deity, they all have the opportunity to learn. In recent years, they have also gradually started to access external knowledge. Unfortunately, they will never have the chance to leave this place.”
Shen Lin remained silent, glancing at the man disapprovingly.
The man smiled, “You look like a little cat scratching people. Many people look at me with that kind of gaze. They wish I were dead. Now I believe you are from Moonset Village, but…” He reached out and gently flicked Shen Lin’s golden short hair, “your appearance is so similar to those despicable outsiders, it’s detestable.”
Shen Lin opened his hand.
Benson said, “I dislike your hair color and eye color.”
Shen Lin retorted, “I dislike that you breathe.”
The man laughed again.
Just then, there was a commotion outside the church, and flames lit up. Benson frowned, murmuring, “Looks like some rats have infiltrated.”
The church’s doors were forcefully pushed open, and someone outside shouted loudly to Shen Lin, “Hurry, I’ve been discovered!”
Shen Lin’s face changed, and he rushed out. Before leaving, he had a quick thought and grabbed the silver candlestick from the table, then turned back and shouted boldly at the man, “After chatting with you for so long, I’ll take a fee!”
The old lady exclaimed, “He dares to steal from the church! Those are offerings to the gods!”
Benson sneered, saying, “Dirty rat! A commoner from George Street! I was deceived by his appearance!”
Bai’er, panting heavily, joined Shen Lin, and the two ran frantically into the night.
Shen Lin asked, “What’s going on?!”
Bayer said, “I rolled a critical failure!”
Shen Lin: “…………”
Bayer said, “I didn’t want to, ahhhh!!!”
“I’ll try my luck!” Shen Lin shouted loudly.
The dice appeared, and Shen Lin rolled it, succeeding.
He breathed a sigh of relief.
A figure emerged from a low wall nearby. She waved to Shen Lin and said, “Hey, Mike!”
Shen Lin paused and looked over.
Under the moonlight, a girl with bright eyes looked at him. Her golden hair was tied up with a rough checkered cloth, and her fair skin was like milk.
Bayer: “Wow.”
The girl called out, “Come here! I’ll help you escape!”
Bayer nudged Shen Lin, “Do you know this beauty?”
Shen Lin quickly remembered. This was the girl who sold flowers outside the tavern last night, named Lisa.
“Is she reliable?” Bai’er asked.
“Don’t know.”
Bai’er: “….” That “don’t know” was quite spiritual.
Behind them, more people were chasing them, and the church’s clergy made too much noise, alerting the local guards along the way. They shouted “rats from George Street” and gradually surrounded them.
Lisa anxiously said, “Come quickly! I’ll pull you up!”
Shen Lin gritted his teeth. Since he had passed the luck check, it should be safe, at least for the moment.
KP: “Roll a climbing check.”
“Forget about it!” Bai’er shouted nervously, “I was the sports champion in my class since elementary school. I can run an 800-meter race without even gasping for breath! Climbing a hundred meters is like jumping on flat ground for me!”
KP sneered, “Unfortunately, you’ve developed a beer belly now.”
Bai’er: “…………”
Shen Lin: “Can personal attacks be reported?”
KP: “You’re good at reporting!”
Shen Lin: “I can also be a tattletale.”
KP: “….”
KP compromised, “Alright, Bai’er doesn’t have to climb; you do.”
Shen Lin: “?”
KP: “After careful consideration, I can’t compromise every time.”
Shen Lin sneered, “Building up endurance, huh?”
KP: “….”
KP said helplessly, “Quickly roll, don’t waste time.”
Bai’er glanced at Shen Lin and excitedly said, “How about I go first…”
“You go up,” Shen Lin said, “I’ll roll.”
Bai’er: “Hey!”
Shen Lin didn’t roll for climbing, only having the initial 20 points.
20/56.
Failed.
Shen Lin: “Tsk.”
The two checks ended, and the sounds of the pursuers grew louder again.
Bai’er grabbed Lisa’s hand, and she exclaimed in surprise, shouting, “You’re so heavy!”
Bai’er “….” Fortunately, he had passed the climbing check. Using Lisa’s pulling force, he easily climbed up the low wall. He immediately turned back to pull Shen Lin, but due to his short arms, he could only reach Shen Lin’s hand by lying on the ground like Lisa. Shen Lin stepped on the wall, slid a step, and suddenly fell downward.
“Snap!” A hand grabbed Shen Lin’s wrist and pulled him up.
He looked up and saw a gray eye, like the dark sky during the rainy season, still showing a hint of bright light.
Yan Xiu skillfully supported Shen Lin’s waist, helping him stand.
Shen Lin looked at Yan Xiu unexpectedly, “Thank you.”
Yan Xiu said indifferently, “No need.”
Lisa stood up, ignoring the dust on her skirt, and turned to run toward an alley. “Follow me!”
Her golden hair ends flickered like stars in the moonlight.
