Chapter 76: Light Acolyte

Ralph was silent.

They all were.

Even Volkar seemed to have grasped the weight of the hand they’d been dealt. The friendly Giant wasn’t even smiling anymore.

’It’s pretty dark...’

Beyond the torches right next to them, the path ahead was obscured by a wall of shadows. The path behind was no different, the torches petering out whenever they strayed too far away.

Peace could see slightly into the darkness, but his night vision seemed hampered by something. Likely the debuff of the day, which affected him as a whole.

Still, Peace knew what he was walking toward, even if he couldn’t see it. A junction where the path split left and right, leading into the middle floor of the Light Temple. This was the only area within the temple Peace felt he could manage relatively easily.

Beyond it was a different ballgame...

There were seven floors in total. Three above them, three below. In either direction, the monsters grew stronger.

’I wonder how Dita did this...’

Assuming she had, since the Venti spawned here.

As they approached the junction, the howling winds rushing through the temple corridors intensified, and the sounds of clashing monsters reached their ears, crisp and clear.

Glancing back, Peace noted that Ralph was still quiet. Despite having taken Volkar’s hand, it was clear the man still felt they were cooked.

Actually, out of all of them, the most composed was Volkar. Mostly because he didn’t properly understand just how fucked they were.

’Do I have to take charge...?’

Nearing the junction, Peace slowed his pace as the clamor of nearby monsters made one thing clear. A fight was coming.

’I could probably ask for his short sword again... maybe even his main sword. At this point, he might give it up out of resignation.’

Yet, oddly...

Looking at his claws, Peace didn’t want a weapon. He felt it would only hold him back.

’In fact...’

The gauntlets were nice, too, but they were cumbersome and prevented him from fully extending his hands.

Peace began removing his gauntlets, stuffing them into his bag. In their place, he discreetly retrieved a stimulant needle and injected himself.

As a rush of energy flooded his veins, he retrieved another needle and slipped it into his pocket.

’Alright! Let’s do this!’

Without turning, Peace whispered:

"Maura and Ralph, protect our rear. Volkar, up front with me. Yulis in the middle."

Ralph asked solemnly:

"Pariah, what are you—"

"Carving a path."

"Ah."

Peace added:

"Yulis, provide covering fire. We’ll be able to recover arrows as long as they don’t break."

A few moments passed before the archer replied, but he did so with a firm:

"Okay."

Peace nodded, then continued:

"Maura, I don’t intend to stop anytime soon. Heal any minor scratches we take on the go."

Taking a deep breath to calm herself and regain her usual mask of tranquility, she replied:

"Sounds easy enough."

"And, Volkar, spare no ounce of strength. Kill everything right in front of us, but chase nothing."

"On my honor."

Volkar sped up until he was walking shoulder to shoulder with Peace... well, next to Peace. Their shoulders didn’t exactly line up.

With a hint of suspicion in his voice, Ralph asked:

"Are you sure you’re a new Diver? You seem to understand the situation... so h-how are you so calm?"

’Ah, what a natural conclusion.’

Peace read between the lines of Ralph’s question.

’You shit your pants but a newbie doesn’t, so he must be a Soul Stealer? Is that it?’

Peace took a deep breath.

’The true answer is simple...’

"I’m sure you were listening when I was talking to Yulis back on the first day... I know everything I stand to lose. Plus..." Peace smiled as he reached the junction. "I had one hell of a teacher. She equipped me to deal with almost anything this floor has to throw at me."

Of course, Peace meant Serene.

Alexandra was a fairly decent teacher, but she lacked a personal touch. She’d only fed Peace the necessities — information he could have found in books. He’d never gotten her personal advice or opinions, what she’d do or avoid herself. Just the general consensus.

Ralph replied:

"Seriously—"

"Quiet."

Peace cut him off, gulping as they neared the junction. There, a human-like creature in black robes with hollow eyes stared vacantly back at him — a Defiled Light Acolyte. The only monster that could be found anywhere within the Light Temple — not confined to a zone like the Bone Ravagers.

"Prepare for a fight."

"Pariah? I don’t see— bagraah!"

As it entered into the torchlight, Peace flexed his hands.

’What an introduction.’

There wasn’t room for hesitation.

Lowering his stance, Peace rushed forth to meet the Acolyte head-on. It raised its withered hand wrapped in black cloth, attempting to grab him.

Although it wielded no weapon, its raw strength was nothing to scoff at.

Knowing this, Peace zipped to the side and ducked under its outstretched hand. In one fluid motion, he slung his right arm into its robes around its midsection.

His nails easily cut through the withered cloth, slicing into its flaky flesh. Anchoring his nails there, he pushed them into its side, then hooked his fingers, holding it still by its decayed flesh.

"Gerruaah."

Groaning, it spun and drove its hand onto Peace’s shoulder. Just as it began applying pressure, trying to rip off his arm, its head was suddenly sent flying across the room into the shadows.

[You have slain Tier 9 C-Class, Defiled Light Acolyte]

[+2 EXP]

Standing over the falling corpse was a Giant whose axe was covered in black blood.

"For honor."

Withdrawing his hand from its side, the blood staining it black, Peace stood and continued on. Wasting not a single second on celebration or thanks.

Nor did he grow conceited from such an easy kill. If Volkar had taken a half-second longer, who knew what damage the thing could have done to Peace’s shoulder.

Reaching the end of the hallway, Peace veered right, the others following. Without a scout, the only surefire way to find the path to the floor above or below was to stick to following one wall.

’Another already?’

An Acolyte appeared at the edge of Peace’s vision, already running full tilt at them.

Not wanting to intercept this full-steam A-train, Peace jumped away.

’You got this one, buddy!’

Volkar looked confused for only a moment before the Acolyte entered the torchlight.

"For honor!"

Immediately, he swung his axe crosswise toward the monster, nearly smacking a torch off the wall.

Not stopping its sprint, it held up its left arm to intercept the blow.

Still, Volkar’s axe sliced clean through it, chopping its left arm off at the elbow. Not that it cared. Sacrificing the arm had slowed Volkar’s attack enough for it to swipe the axe aside with its right hand and close in.

Releasing his left hand from the axe’s hilt, Volkar tried to backhand the Acolyte.

However, the Acolyte simply turned and opened its mouth to reveal decayed teeth as it tried to bite into Volkar’s hand.

’Not letting that happen!’

Peace kicked off the ground and darted under his outstretched arm holding the axe.

’Eugh! His armpit’s still rank!’

Peace didn’t let the smell stall him.

Sliding to a stop with his legs in a split, Peace pressed the tips of his clawed fingers together and drove them up.

Surprisingly easily, his hand split straight through the chest of the creature and struck something wet and gooey behind the worn-down muscles. He wasn’t sure what it was, but whatever it was was enough.

[You have slain Tier 9 C-Class, Defiled Light Acolyte]

[+2 EXP]

Its body went limp, its weight falling toward Peace; however, Volkar’s backhand slapped its falling head back, sliding Peace’s hand free as its body slapped into the far wall.

Peace frowned as he looked at the fetid blood streaking down his arm and dripping to the floor from his elbow.

’This is disgusting.’

From the back, Ralph awkwardly chuckled, then said:

"Y-you sure you’re not one of the Night Parade?"

Peace sighed.

"You know the answer, so stop asking."

Standing, dodging Volkar’s axe as the Giant reeled it in, Peace started up once again.

As they began moving toward the darkness, Yulis whispered:

"Peace, I can’t get a clean shot with him in the way. I—"

’Why is he talking to me so casually?’

What he asked was valid, but the tone he’d asked it in was as if they were friends — true allies.

Peace cut him off.

"I’m aware... but that only applies to this direction. It won’t be long before they start appearing on either side of us."

"O-oh, I see."

Ralph, scratching his chin, asked:

"Hmm... I know that, but how do you know that?"

Peace sighed.

"Again, my teacher."

"And who is this mystery teacher?"

"I’m afraid that’s classified."

"Oh...?"

’Is he really wasting his energy on suspicion?’

From what Peace had seen, Ralph had some pretty screwed up priorities. Only moments ago, the man had been ready to swallow a poison vial and off himself in despair.

’But why did I expect anything from a man who brings a rocking chair into the dungeon...?’