Bro, I'm not an Undead!

The bustle, chatter and excitement over the still fresh memory of the Venue and Premium Age Royale in general, resounded vibrantly within Genhuis City.

All of sudden, most people couldn’t help but lose the motivation to continue with the day’s activities as all they could do was look forward to the matches that would begin in kind tomorrow.

The convenient setup of the Royale was what made those who had initially been reluctant to join eager, as the fact that Control Seals would simply teleport everyone to the Venue at a predetermined time gave the witnesses no reason to not attend.

Delicious food was offered.

Comfy seats were abundant.

There were several measures of protection.

Why would one even choose to not go?

Rearren’s speech at the very beginning of the event was rather impactful as even now, many of the witnesses were determined to truly enjoy the experience even without appreciating the greater goals involved.

All over the city, Control Seals on the arms were like a fashion trend as nearly everyone had them tattooed on their bodies. In the span of a few hours, it quickly became a taboo to not have a Seal of your own.

The stalls where the kind and smiling servers were still dishing out Control Seals could be spotted throughout the city, displaying the fact that indeed, the windows to join the event as a witness were still open.

Thus, why wait? Why stall?

All of a sudden, the idle minds had something to think about, talk about and get excited for instead of sitting on their butts. This could definitely be designated as a plus for the Governing parties.

Under the dual light of the suns in the sky, the adrenaline and clamour, the Hybrid Luman could be seen heading towards a familiar building.

A pristine, towering structure with a three-point star on its white face.

Three faceless statues were erected before it as usual, with an extensive set of steps that lead into its entrance.

It was almost unnerving how each Temple for the Purity was the same in every city and town, along with how there was always an occupied space of more than 50m around each Temple as a show of reverence for the Deities.

Still, Skullius couldn’t afford to pay much attention to this as it was merely a passing thought.

Right now, he wore layers of clothes of cover Jo’s figures and a hood to partially cover his face.

Small groups of people were entering and exiting the Temple through the expansive entrance with polite, pretty and smiling Priestesses giving out free and heart-warming greeting as if it was a Friday.

‘They all look the same,’ Skullius thought as his Crude Vision sparked for a second, allowing him to get a better view of the path ahead, as well as the people.

Ever since Inhone, his mind couldn’t feel at ease whenever he saw a lady wearing the sacred raiment of the Purity. He always knew what would come next.

As Skullius reached the entrance, he figured burying himself in the groups of people would minimise his chances of being singled out by the good intentions of these holy maidens, either by some manner of grace or some manner of atrocious luck.

His strategy had been bearing fruit when…

Skullius felt his whole body grow stiff when he was an inch away from the entrance!

…!

It became harder to move.

His muscles and bones grew heavy.

‘Damn it!’

On his chest, a searing heat bloomed with the force of a geyser, nearly ripping his clothes apart!

The Binds of Fukal that were tattooed over his chest…

They radiated defiance and a powerful WILL that sought to pull him away from the Temple.

All of sudden, Skullius stood out, contrary to how he had been fitting in just fine with the crowd, standing firmly at the entrance to the Temple.

Unfortunately for him, this garnered the attention of the four Priestesses on both sides of the entrance, two of them rushing up to him.

Skullius frowned.

‘I anticipated some resistance, but not this much. The Binds react even to a Temple?’ Skullius said as he forced himself to move, finding it extremely hard but not impossible.

He pulled up his arm as he expected to thwart an inevitable play that could lead him into some trouble.

“Sir! Are you alright? Can I h—”

A finger quickly plastered beautiful Temple Priestess’ lips together.

“Ah, there you are,” Skullius said as his hand wondered over the Priestess’ face.

At first the pretty woman was bewildered but when Skullius turned his face so that she could see his eyes clearly…

“Bless the skies! You’re blind, sir!” the Priestess exclaimed, garnering the attention of the other three.

“What’s wrong?!”

“What is it, Sister Fey?!”

“Oh dear!”

The other Priestesses had varying reactions but they all stemmed from seeing Skullius’ eyes. Instantly, their hearts were driven to feel pity for Skullius, a proverbial axe appearing over them as they felt the urge to help this man.

However, the Hybrid Luman wouldn’t allow it.

He staggered to the side, drawing himself from the entrance and to a distant corner, away from the excess attention.

The Priestesses followed him but before they could do or say anything else…

“Please do not pity me. It is not what you think. I was… a vile man. I was punished… lightly, if I might add, for doing atrocious deeds,” Skullius said with a trembling voice as he leaned against the wall.

The Priestesses looked at each other before the first, who had rushed up to Skullius before the rest spoke.

“Sir, we will not judge you for your past. Whatever it was, the Deities forgive and so do we in the light of their teachings. Please come an—”

“No,” Skullius said with palpable guilt practically leaking from his tone. “The Deities did not forgive. They punished me. My sins were too grave. I…. I… I was once in league with the heathens… the Evenfall, after all.”

…!

The moment Skullius said this, all the kind and warm compassion that had been watering him from the hearts of the four Priestesses vanished.

All of them looked at him in shock.

The Evenfall?

The enemy of all that they stood for?!

This man…

“You dare set foot on holy ground when you carry such a foul sin on you?” the chilling voice of one of the Priestesses boomed, as a serene energy fumed furiously from her, reflecting her emotion.

She was genuinely upset, disgusted even, as were the others.

“Leave…” another one of the Priestesses said with an ugly frown, her face dark. “Or else we will be forced to take action.”

Hmph.

‘Action, huh?’ Skullius thought.

“I know… I know…” the Hybrid Luman said, with a self depreciating stance. “But please, hear the rest of my story. I have grave sins but… is it not your job to help those who want to turn away from evil? Is that not what the Deities want?”

The Priestesses did not reply. Nearly all of them had experiences with the Evenfall and they were not pleasant. Losing themselves in the moment wasn’t outlandish.

No retort came and neither did any of them spill more accusation.

Skullius took the chance to elaborate on his situation.

“I was never a member of the Evenfall but I assisted them by… leading innocents to them for their sacrifices…” Skullius paused, showing immense guilt on his face.

The look on the Priestesses’ faces turned darker as all sympathy and pity vanished from them, a terrible hatred overtaking their usually kind airs.

“A few years ago, as I was continuing my deeds, I was suddenly struck with blindness. My sight was gone without warning. I couldn’t continue my work without the ability to see. I thought… this must be the judgement of the Deities but, my life only got worse from there. The cultists I worked with came for me. They were angry, as I wasn’t giving them what they wanted and they laid a curse on me. A curse that… Ah… AGHHHHH!”

Skullius suddenly screamed, his body convulsing!

A shuddering presence suddenly blew out from him like a storm!

It was manifested as a blackish red aura that spurned from him, rising eagerly from his flesh while emitting a terrifying bloodlust that caused everyone to freeze!

One of the Priestesses almost rushed up to attack Skullius on instinct as this… this presence was truly evil, prompting her subconscious to want to purge it!

After a few seconds, Skullius returned to normal, slumping on the ground as he took deep breaths, his face which was partially covered showing unlimited terror!

The Priestesses drew back, most in horror and some of the others in caution while the civilians that had been streaming in and out of the Temple bore the worst of it.

Some had fallen on the ground, blasted out of consciousness while others were still shuddering in fright while lying on the ground.

“Please… please… help me remove this curse…” Skullius murmured.

The Priestess who had first turned her attention to Skullius sweat buckets. She swallowed hard, her face ashen as she turned to one of the others.

“Call the Grand Priest immediately!”