*Chapter 95: Unrest!

In the Pine District, crimson light intertwined with the buildings, casting shadows across the area.

Gunshots and explosions echoed intermittently, but the ‘Flesh Worshipers’ paid no heed. They were busy transporting the wealth from Lust’s affluent neighborhood.

Gold coins, jewels, and collectibles.

All were meticulously categorized and loaded onto vehicles.

Three ‘Children of Flesh’ were overseeing the operation. One stood in the middle of the street directing, while the other two led teams to clear out the remaining armed forces within the Pine District.

“Ha!”

“The scent of blood!”

One of the ‘Children of Flesh’ emerged from a building, holding a severed head. The girl’s panicked and terrified expression had frozen, and as the head swayed, more blood splattered onto the ‘Child of Flesh.’

It was as if he were lathering himself with soap in a shower, rubbing the blood across his muscular body.

This was a ‘ritual,’ and also a method of gaining power!

Every ‘Child of Flesh’ needed to bathe in more blood to grow into a ‘Flesh Priest.’

So when this ‘Child of Flesh’ heard a disturbance from within the building behind him, he immediately grinned.

“Another little mouse left behind?”

“Perfect!”

The ‘Child of Flesh’ turned and re-entered the building.

The other members of the ‘Church of Flesh’ were long accustomed to such scenes.

Every hunt would have similar situations.

However, this time was different.

Because the one causing the disturbance was Goethe.

Standing in the shadows of the building, Goethe narrowed his eyes as he watched the ‘Child of Flesh’ return.

When the enemy came close, Goethe suddenly lunged, and a cold gleam flashed in his hand—

Slash!

The [Shadow Snake’s Blade], with its innate [Armor-Piercing] effect, slashed across the ‘Child of Flesh’s’ throat.

The ‘Child of Flesh’ clutched his throat, his eyes wide with disbelief. He couldn’t fathom how his body, which could withstand revolver shots, had been so easily cut by a small dagger.

More importantly, why hadn’t he noticed anyone here before?

And why was this person so fast and so strong?

With all these questions swirling in his mind, the ‘Child of Flesh’ collapsed powerlessly.

Goethe caught the body of the ‘Child of Flesh’ and swiftly delivered several stabs to his chest. Only then did he look at his enemy, whose neck had been nearly severed, with a flash of delight in his eyes.

The [Shadow Snake’s Blade] was incredibly effective!

Even better than he had imagined!

The combination of [Stealth] and [Armor-Piercing], along with his physical attributes being four times that of an ordinary person, had made it possible to kill a ‘Child of Flesh’ in one strike!

To think that just an hour ago, in the ‘Anchor Point World,’ he had needed meticulous planning to take down a single ‘Child of Flesh’!

But now?

One ambush was enough!

“No wonder everyone goes crazy for the ‘Secret Realm’!”

Feeling the changes in himself, Goethe sighed internally, but his hands didn’t stop, instinctively shoving the ‘Child of Flesh’s’ body under the bed in the room.

The entire process was silent.

In the past, Goethe would have made sure to handle the body carefully.

At the very least, he would have hidden it well.

But now there was no time for meticulous handling.

Goethe knew very well that he didn’t have much time.

With the increasing number of ‘Children of Flesh’ dying, the ‘Church of Flesh’ would surely realize something was wrong.

Therefore, his goal was simple: kill as many ‘Children of Flesh’ as possible before the ‘Church of Flesh’ noticed!

As for the ‘Flesh Worshipers’?

In the ‘Hunting Squad,’ the ‘Flesh Worshipers’ were only in a support role, not Goethe’s main targets, but if he encountered them, he wouldn’t hesitate to take them out.

Rita stood in the street of the Pine District, seemingly on alert, but his gaze was greedily fixed on a nearby building.

He knew exactly what his two companions were doing.

Bathing in blood!

Gaining power!

Compared to the wealth he was guarding, fresh blood was the true pursuit of a ‘Child of Flesh.’

So guarding the wealth and hunting were done in shifts.

The three of them had drawn lots to decide the order.

Rita was unlucky and got the first shift.

This made Rita quite frustrated with his luck.

Because Rita knew that the first wave of hunting usually yielded the greatest rewards, especially during such a rare ‘feast’ that only happens once in ten years. It wasn’t something his ‘Hunting Squad’ could achieve on their own.

If he was lucky enough, he could completely reach the peak of being a ‘Child of Flesh.’

He might even become a ‘Flesh Priest’ with the help of the ‘Lord’s’ radiance when He descends.

But...

Now he was stuck guarding these useless things.

Although these were collected by the Lord’s order, in his view, they were still useless.

Especially after seeing his companions return to the building for more hunting, Rita grew increasingly anxious. He didn’t want to be left with no prey when it was his turn.

Rita paced back and forth in frustration, his breathing becoming more rapid as time passed, and the crimson in his eyes growing more intense.

“It must be time!”

“It has to be!”

“Why haven’t they come out yet?”

“The drawing was definitely rigged!”

“They conspired to cheat me!”

Rita roared in fury.

Then, the ‘Child of Flesh’ stormed toward the building.

The "Flesh Followers" witnessed this scene but didn't dare to intervene.

At this moment, stopping a "Child of Flesh" was clearly courting death!

And they didn’t want to die!

So, Rita was killed!

When she entered No. 7 Pinecone Street, she was ambushed and had her throat slit by Gawain, who had been lying in wait.

Like the previous two, there was no resistance.

Oddly, Gawain found himself beginning to like these "Children of Flesh"—enemies with great strength and high defense but who were slow, with poor reflexes and no real technique. Because when you’re faster than them, victory is assured.

And when you’re faster and can penetrate their defenses, they’re like popcorn chicken on a plate—you can dip them in ketchup or black pepper as you please.

It was incredibly satisfying!

With this "Child of Flesh" dealt with, there were no more left in Pinecone District.

Using the aerial view from the [Raven Spirit], Gawain confirmed that the "Church of Flesh" hadn't noticed anything unusual yet, so he immediately dashed out.

The nine "Flesh Followers" outside were momentarily stunned when Gawain charged out.

They all recognized Gawain.

But wasn’t he supposed to be in Feffrey District?

Why was he in Pinecone District?

Though puzzled, this didn’t stop the "Flesh Followers" from roaring and charging at Gawain.

Still unarmed.

Still shirtless.

These "Flesh Followers" didn’t even consider why Gawain had emerged from the room the "Child of Flesh" had just entered. They only knew Gawain was an enemy and that they had to tear him apart.

Thus, the outcome was inevitable.

Wielding the [Shadow Serpent Blade] with its [Armor-Piercing] effect, Gawain weaved through the "Flesh Followers."

Each time, a "Flesh Follower" would fall.

Each time, a life was taken.

When the last "Flesh Follower" breathed his last, Gawain rushed to the pile of loot, grabbed his previous bag, and turned to flee—

Through the [Raven Spirit’s] vision, Gawain saw that the "Church of Flesh" members were already heading toward him.

The leader among them—though Gawain was only using the [Raven Spirit’s] vision—exuded an oppressive aura that Gawain could feel.

Without hesitation, Gawain made his escape.

And just three minutes after Gawain left, a man in a scarlet robe appeared.

The man was as tall and strong as a "Child of Flesh," but unlike the simple blood-red eyes of the "Child of Flesh," the man’s eyes glowed with a faint light.

They looked like two dim light bulbs.

The man approached the bodies of the "Flesh Followers," reaching out to touch the blood.

With a breath, the light in his eyes flared up.

"Gawain Wayne!"

Siddeck murmured softly.

Then, a smile appeared on his face under the scarlet glow.

A grin that was both hideous and terrifying.

After a brief moment of recognition, Siddeck started walking in a certain direction.

It was the same direction Gawain had fled!

At the same time, the figure standing beneath the "Gate of Flesh" lowered his head.

"Pinecone District?"

"Did he flee there after I sent out the message?"

"Or…"

"Did he interfere with my divination?"

The man, whose face was obscured by the scarlet light, pondered.

Then, he prepared to divine again.

At that moment, a voice rang out.

"Good evening, esteemed High Priest Delronsta!"

The owner of Pinecone Hotel walked over, smiling.

"Good evening, Lord Steinbeck."

"We will remember all that you have done for the Church."

"And your achievements have brought joy to our Lord."

The man, addressed as High Priest Delronsta, immediately stopped his divination and turned to greet the Pinecone Hotel owner. Compared to Gawain Wayne, the hotel owner was undoubtedly more important.

Besides, with the newly appointed "Flesh Priest" Siddeck pursuing Gawain, even if the latter had some hidden tricks, he was definitely doomed!

After all, that was the difference in "essence"!

So, Delronsta focused all his attention on the hotel owner, no longer caring about that insignificant person.

Even though the scarlet glow still bathed him, making his face indistinct, Swart could tell the man was smiling.

This situation only made Swart feel more at a loss.

In fact, when a group of "Church of Flesh" members saluted Skiffins Steinbeck, the sheriff’s mind had turned to mush.

The Pinecone Hotel owner was actually connected with the "Church of Flesh"?

And not just connected, but closely linked?

Then, the reality before him led Swart to think of more.

For example: the so-called "Fog Killer" colluding with the "Church of Flesh"—could it be that this was a ruse set up by the hotel owner?

In truth, it was he who was working with the "Church of Flesh."

The "Fog Killer" was just a smokescreen.

But that last statement…

As these thoughts churned in his mind, Swart’s neck shrank.

He sensed the presence of a conspiracy.

More importantly, he realized he had been drawn into it.

Instantly, the sheriff stood frozen, hoping to draw as little attention as possible.

But neither the Pinecone Hotel owner nor the "Church of Flesh" High Priest paid any attention to Swart as they engaged in a lively conversation.

"Lord Steinbeck, I can’t wait for you to join us."

"Are you ready?"

The High Priest of the "Church of Flesh" asked.

At this moment, the scarlet light grew even brighter, shining on the Pinecone Hotel owner. Swart, who was just out of the light’s reach, felt his hair stand on end. An oppressive force seemed to grip his soul, making him tremble and want to relieve himself.

But the Pinecone Hotel owner faced it calmly.

"Of course!"

"When do we start?"

The hotel owner inquired.

"Right away, just…"

Boom!

Before Delronsta could finish his sentence, an explosion interrupted him.

The sudden blast made the High Priest’s face change dramatically.

Thick smoke billowed!

Flames soared into the sky!

"Siddeck!"

The High Priest of the "Church of Flesh" cried out. Then, with a wave of his hand, the scarlet light covering him began to dance.

In the next instant, a scene appeared before everyone—

In the midst of rubble, the mutilated body of Siddeck was beheaded by Gawain in one swift stroke.

As if sensing the gaze upon him, Gawain looked up and gave a disdainful smile.

He beckoned with his finger and said softly:

"Come!"

(End of Chapter)