Chapter 1290 - 704: Lighting the Path Ahead (2)_2

Chapter 1290: Chapter 704: Lighting the Path Ahead (2)_2

Originally, they still viewed saints through rose-colored glasses, but now that perception was directly shattered and Lance kicked them into the trash.

Lance couldn’t care less if the saints had done any good deeds; he had his own interests, and the more misfortunes for the church, the better.

While others were still contemplating these messy issues, Lance decisively let go of Junia and turned to start scavenging amidst the dissipated sanctuary scene.

The saint’s corpse that was most intact originally turned to dust with the dissipation of the Holy Flame, unfortunately, it didn’t leave behind any equipment resembling a steel torch.

However, Lance found some pleasant surprises from the other three, a set of Legendary Shield Bearer’s equipment, a set of Legendary Knight’s equipment, and what the Bishop left behind.

Although Lance didn’t like the church, he could critically use these items as they had no restrictions.

With three sets of legendary equipment already pocketed, Lance was still unsatisfied and continued searching through the corpses for something.

Sure enough, he found three metal amulets shaped like torches, emitting strong spiritual fluctuations that even revealed an orange-yellow glow, as though the torch was really burning.

After all, approaching the final checkpoint, Lance remembered roughly, despite his forgetfulness, that he would face the Protection Ritual on the second level of the dungeon, encountering monsters with the Holy Hall prefix.

The Holy Hall had a ruthless ability that other cultists didn’t possess, called [Revelation], a skill capable of piercing through human will and even soul instantly.

In the game, collecting items known as [Inflaming Talisman] allowed one to survive the revelation.

Why not bring more people?

Lance’s possession of three Inflaming Talismans already gave the answer; without them, no matter how many people came, death awaited, as some challenges couldn’t be overcome merely by willpower.

This time, he brought the Honor Guard for different reasons, but he wasn’t fool enough to have them fight the Holy Hall. Last time, the dungeon’s troubles weren’t about one-on-one combat but those scumbag minions.

When those scumbag minions swarmed in, even Lance would be held up; that realization already made him aware of the need for group battles, hence the Honor Guard was brought to clear out minions with Baldwin taking on the tough nuts alongside him.

So this time, of the five trusted aides chosen, none was a ranged fighter; neither bows nor muskets dealt sufficient damage, and fragile units had no space for survival here.

They were all elite melee fighters, clad in heavy full armor, wearing helmets, to prevent instant deaths that couldn’t be salvaged, as well as to deal with face-huggers.

Their weapons were mainly sharp implements, used to cut those cultists, as applying medicine resulted in more significant damage than blunt weapons.

It could be said they were specifically selected to counter the traits showcased by those cultists.

"Do you know what this is?"

Lance interrupted Junia and the others’ existential contemplations while holding the talisman; truth be told, if he didn’t have to put on a show, he wouldn’t bother asking.

Junia seemed talented, yet most of her time was trapped in the monastery, her job was to add firewood.

Her studies were limited to Holy Canon and other rules, despite being literate, extraordinary knowledge or mysticism were mostly encountered after coming to Hamlet.

Facing the talisman, she merely frowned and shook her head because she wasn’t one of those brainless fanatics, and recent experiences of corrosion made her instinctively resistant to such things.

Amid its light lay hidden danger.

On the contrary, Baldwin’s background allowed him access to good stuff, upon feeling the amulet’s power, he naturally responded.

"No idea."

Lance was speechless; were you two fake church believers?

But he could only simply explain last time when the church retreated, the saints left behind a message, written that certain monsters could instantly kill a person, only wearing such talismans could provide resistance.

"Each of you takes one," Lance gave the amulets to the two of them, then called over from among the Honor Guard, "Barin, come here."

The tallest among the Honor Guard approached, his figure resembling an iron tower, with the [Beheader] axe in hand, appearing fierce, but he was indeed still developing.

Due to adequate nutrition and Lord’s Blessing, within a few months, his height had already surpassed two meters.

Meanwhile, his emaciated flesh gradually filled, his thick bones finally propped up solid muscles, and now his armor was new since the old one didn’t fit anymore, as expected.

"Taking this means you’ll be up front against terrifying enemies, can you complete the task?"

"Task guaranteed!"

Barin’s reply sounded like a bell ringing; Baldwin wondered where the Lord had found a giant since even he didn’t want to compete with him in strength.

"Good!" Lance handed the last amulet to Barin, seemingly quite satisfied.

Barin was the strongest among the Honor Guards; with talent, effort, and Blessing, he had long surpassed Master.

Originally, Lance considered calling just him back to join the team, but as they were called, he brought back a squad instead; having more people didn’t hurt.

Now that the Sanctuary had dissipated, Lance didn’t care about disrupting the Protection Ritual, he directly picked up the three dried, wax-colored hands.

The Hands of Praise, these eerie artifacts crafted by saints using the hands of others to suppress the Flesh Rite.

Initially, Lance felt quite noble, but upon discovering the saints’ attempt to possess Junia, he felt uneasy.

"Why does the church, like the Mountain Barbarian Tribe, use body parts to make artifacts?"

Lance’s seemingly casual complaint didn’t stir much response but deepened impressions among those present.

If possible, Lance wouldn’t want to waste time here; he had no interest in bickering with the church during dungeon explorations but must eliminate the saints’ lingering influence here.

Damn, this is more troublesome than fighting, all thanks to the ancestors.

"We don’t have much time to waste here; move through here, and we’ll encounter enemies."

Lance rolled up everything, even the corpses weren’t spared.

No matter what purpose those people entered here for, in the end, they created opportunities for themselves; Lance handled one thing at a time.

Since he took the equipment, he wouldn’t leave them here.

Wondering how much the church would pay to reclaim the saints and legendary warrior corpses?

But now not bothering with these, Lance already headed towards the slowly opening door, the team followed in.

The flesh forged by madness! It crawls upward from the depths steadily, leaning on the giant stone pillar stairs...

Upon stepping into the second floor, Lance finally felt the pressure lost on the upper level.

If the first floor was just filled with bloody mist, in contrast, the thick blood mist here became somewhat thinner, yet...

Large eyeballs, sharp teeth, blood vessels, various fused tissue corrupted flesh were seen everywhere, now clinging to the doorframe, the floor, the massive stone.

Looking beyond the passage, what was revealed seemed like mountains of twisted, deformed flesh, with giant tentacles growing frenzy...

This scene brought a stronger shock to everyone, even Lance was stunned, recalling something.

Where did the flesh of millions stripped during the great cataclysm go?

Seeing this scene now, he seemed to have the answer...

While others were still in a daze, Lance had already moved towards a mass of flesh, observing revealed that these attached surrounding flesh, although twitching, and eyeballs moving, mouths opening and closing, showed no intention of direct attack.

Distinct from the proliferations stripped from initial chaotic terror demons.

Lance knew nothing about mysticism, decisions yielded to sacrificial offerings.

Testing for consciousness was simple.

Yet this move...