Chapter 4 — E-Rank Labyrinth: Nest of the Sneaking Ghoul Pack (3)
Chapter 4 — E-Rank Labyrinth: Nest of the Sneaking Ghoul Pack (3)
“Kraaak!”
The moment I finished the prayer, my right eyeball popped out of its socket.
Without any warning, the eye that had separated from its owner rolled across the floor, wriggled briefly, and soon transformed into a crow that began greedily pecking at the headless body.
Crunch. Crunch.
The sound of bones being chewed echoed as flesh scattered through the air and fresh blood splashed across the floor.
Terrible table manners that made one frown automatically.
But the opponent was a terminal of an Evil God.
It was impossible to demand human etiquette from a being directly connected to the Forerunner of the Twisted Truth—a being capable of driving every intelligent race into madness.
【Seeker who has just set foot upon the path toward the immaculate truth.】
As I quietly watched the blind crow devour the offering, a sinister voice suddenly seeped into my mind.
Lidni.
The Evil God of twisted knowledge and grotesque sorcery.
The cunning magician who devoured the World Tree and seized infinite wisdom.
The bizarre voice felt as though someone were gripping my brain and kneading it violently.
For a moment, my consciousness nearly slipped away.
A weak-minded person would probably fall into madness simply by holding a conversation.
Since I was still a newcomer who needed to appear diligent, I knelt on one knee and lowered my head.
“I am listening, Lord Lidni.”
【It tastes fine, but this is quite unsatisfactory.】
Between occasional smacking sounds, Lidni continued the oracle.
【Especially the aftertaste in the mouth. This is why humans are always disappointing. Next time, do not offer humans as sacrifices.】
Here it came.
The infamous moment among veteran players—Hell’s Response Time.
Choose the wrong option and the Evil God would take offense.
But if you tried too hard to flatter them, your mind and body would be devoured by the Evil God’s influence, turning you into something less than human.
A conversation requiring perfect balance.
“Lord Lidni.”
Like a seasoned cultist, I calmly spoke the correct answer.
“We are not in a position to choose our offerings. Has not the influence of all cults—including the Church of the Twisted Truth—already faded long ago?”
【Then at least offer one with all the tendons removed.】
“That takes too long.”
【How troublesome you are!】
The gloomy voice shouting in irritation soon gained a whining tone.
【Why not just do what the other cultists used to do? Bow obediently and shout ‘We shall obey your command!’ while writhing strangely and displaying madness! That’s how it was in the old days! These modern ones, honestly!】
To survive as a new-generation cultist, blindly obeying one’s Evil God was not enough.
Sometimes one had to offer bitter advice as well.
So I shrugged politely.
“Then where do you suppose those obedient senior cultists are now? Most of them are probably burning in the hells of those good gods.”
【…Hmm.】
“If you don’t want to lose even the few remaining believers and disappear entirely, you should quietly accept whatever is offered.”
【You insolent—!】
With that irritated shout, Lidni’s sinister presence that had filled my mind vanished.
Clearly sulking.
In times like this, the solution was simple—call them back.
“Did you forget something?”
As I spoke respectfully, the malicious presence returned.
【Very well. Though the offering was not to my liking, I shall grant you a blessing. Worthy fledgling seeker, what do you desire from me? A truth that will shake the foundations of the world? Or sorcery capable of slaying every king? Whatever you wish shall become reality!】
“I have one question first.”
【The will to resolve doubt is the basic mindset required for those who uncover understanding and truth. Ask whatever you wish!】
“I heard the number of remaining believers is only in the double digits. Can you really grant any wish?”
【…….】
The blazing malicious presence inside my mind suddenly shrank.
Perhaps my tone had sounded too accusatory.
Reflecting deeply on my rudeness, I continued.
“I’m only asking out of curiosity. If your followers number only in the double digits, wouldn’t your influence upon the world be no more than a bucketful? So how can you grant any wish?”
Even though I tried to keep my tone gentle, nothing changed.
【…So what do you want.】
Lidni muttered in a sullen voice.
It happened often in the game.
There was no need to worry—later a bit of appeasing would restore their mood.
While helping the crow force its way back into my empty eye socket after finishing the scattered teeth on the floor as dessert, I spoke.
“Grant me a Mystery.”
In the game, Mysteries functioned as skills—mystical powers granted by gods to their believers as rewards for faith.
Cultists, however, could only obtain them after performing the troublesome ritual of human sacrifice.
【Very well. Considering the sincerity shown in your offering, I will grant grace to your rude self. What specifically do you desire?】
I respectfully spoke the name of the Mystery essential for conquering the labyrinth.
【Are you certain that is enough?】
Perhaps the choice was unexpected.
Lidni’s voice now carried innocent curiosity.
“That is correct.”
【Understood. A Mystery of that level can certainly be granted even by me—‘a god with only double-digit believers’!】
Though still somewhat resentful, Lidni bestowed grace upon a rare and therefore precious believer.
Crackle.
A faint pain spread as the skin of my right index finger burned.
In the game, this process was represented as a small reduction in health.
Soon, a tattoo shaped like an eyeball with a sharply torn pupil appeared on my finger.
《Mystery, [Web That Binds All Things] has settled within your body. Praise the grace of the Wise One!》
“Lord Lidni. Thank you.”
【Show more sincerity.】
“Waaah, my deepest gratitude, my lord!”
【…Next time, if you do not prepare a special meal, I will twist your body violently!】
“Yes.”
Answering simply, I stood up and examined myself.
My clothes were almost completely dyed red, and blood still dripped from the dagger in my hand.
To anyone who saw me, I would look like a serial killer.
Do I have to keep performing human sacrifices from now on…
It was the first time I had ever cut apart a human body.
It was much harder than expected.
Still, it was fortunate that the ritual succeeded.
Now that I had experienced it once, perhaps the next time would go more smoothly.
“…You worked hard.”
“Thank you.”
Marlin approached quietly and handed me a handkerchief.
Judging from her grim expression, the experience would not remain a pleasant memory.
Even I, who had cut meat countless times before, felt uncomfortable—so how much worse must it be for an ordinary person?
“Let’s go. We’re done here.”
After gathering the ritual items, I left the building and led the siblings back into the forest.
There was a perfect spot for the next step.
“Here.”
Heading north while avoiding the ghouls’ sight, we eventually reached a place where the trees grew unusually dense.
Pushing through the tightly packed trunks, we found a small hollow space that could barely fit us if we crouched.
“You two wait here. If you’re sleepy, you can sleep.”
“How could anyone sleep in a place like this….”
“If you close your eyes, you’ll fall asleep whether you like it or not.”
After forcing the grumbling Abel to lie down, I stepped outside alone.
Now only the final step of the strategy remained.
It was time to awaken the artist sleeping deep within my soul.
First, I checked the eyeball tattoo on my right index finger.
《Web That Binds All Things: First-Tier Mystery. Produces thin threads from the finger. Thickness and strength depend on mental energy consumption.》
Exactly as I remembered.
The usage method had already flowed naturally into my mind when Lidni granted the Mystery.
Srrrk.
When I tried using it, a thread emerged—somewhere between spider silk and fishing line.
Focusing my mind to sharpen it further produced an extremely thin and sharp strand.
Pulling it taut and touching it lightly with my left hand caused a small cut.
“My head already hurts.”
In Nightmare Dungeon, each class used different resources for skills.
Cultists used Mental Energy.
Unlike a mage’s clearly defined Mana, mental energy could theoretically be drawn infinitely.
But excessive use caused madness, delirium, depression, hallucinations, and various status ailments.
At this stage, careful control was essential.
《Remaining Mental Energy Capacity: 85/100》
“Nice.”
So it could even display that?
Now that it existed in reality, the already versatile Eye That Perceives Truth had become even more useful.
The Twisted Truth cultist really was the strongest class.
“Keep telling me things like that.”
《:)》
With a way to prevent excessive mental energy consumption, there was nothing to hesitate about.
I began creating installation art using Web That Binds All Things.
Carefully.
Reality did not offer second chances.
If the design failed, we would die.
Not just me—the children as well.
I could not allow them to die in a place like this.
So I painstakingly built a natural bunker for survival.
《Remaining Mental Energy Capacity: 10/100》
This was getting dangerous.
A pounding headache overwhelmed my vision.
“…Done.”
The work finished only when my mental energy dropped below five.
Fatigue and drowsiness weighed heavily on my body, but I forced my eyes open.
There was still something left to do.
“Marlin.”
I left Abel sleeping and woke the slightly older child.
“When did I fall asleep…?”
Marlin sat up immediately and flinched when she saw my face.
“You don’t look well.”
“It’s because I’m ugly.”
“…Please don’t joke at a time like this.”
“The ghouls will come looking soon.”
“You plan to stay here until the survival condition is met?”
“Stay that long? Are you getting attached to the ghouls?”
“…….”
Marlin glared at me briefly before speaking.
“Just tell me what you’re thinking. What should I do?”
Although we had met less than a day ago, she already understood me somewhat.
Kids these days really matured quickly.
If I delayed any longer, she might throw a punch.
So I answered immediately.
“Just stay still. We’ll be out of here within an hour.”