Edited by Jules
Xiao Lan regretfully gave up on the idea of giving his boyfriend a snack.
Such a perfectly good nonhuman; what a pity that Luo was a picky eater.
He shifted his attention and, with the help of the light from the burning bishop, began to search for the 【Rock of Forgiveness】.
Xiao Lan had noticed before that there were some red shimmering stones scattered around the altar. These stones looked different from the others around them, and were probably what they were looking for.
Relying on his memory, Xiao Lan picked up a rock.
【Name: Rock of Forgiveness】
【Ability: Gives a 20% possibility of escaping Sara’s Song when used in Conversion Forest (This item can only be used in Sara’s Song)】
【Description: Sara will forgive you the sin of encroaching on Their territory】
“20%?” Xiao Lan frowned. “Why does this thing also use probability?”
As an unlucky person, he objected to this. The previous 【Emperor’s new clothes ver 2.0】 with a 20% trigger rate was still fresh in his memory. After owning it for so long, it actually had only activated once; it was simply fake goods.
At that moment, Luo also walked over and handed him a rock.
Xiao Lan took it to study. This was also a 【Rock of Forgiveness】, but the pardon rate was up to 98%…
Fine, it turned out the halo of bad luck still hung over his head.
With the help of Luo’s “god of luck” attribute, the two found a few more reliable 【Rock of Forgiveness】 in the area.
As Xiao Lan gathered up all the rocks, he felt a little puzzled. “Where’s Conversion Forest? If these aren’t used in Conversion Forest, it’ll be impossible for players to escape ba.”
“Perhaps there are clues in the things here.” Luo pointed at a wall.
Xiao Lan walked over to take a look, and realised that there were a lot of drawings on the wall. Because it was a little out of the way and because of the lighting, he hadn’t noticed them.
The drawings had been done in a deep red colour.
They were just line drawings, which sketched out a simple picture. There weren’t even any colours, and they looked like scribbles.
But even then, the level of this artistry could still completely crush a certain abstract artist.
The beginning of the mural depicted a forest.
There was a group of people in ragged clothes in the forest. Upon closer look, it could be seen that these people had many scars and physical mutations, like the town residents.
These people were all walking in the same direction, and seemed to have some destination in mind.
They had enthralled expressions on their faces, as if they were listening to some beautiful music.
Xiao Lan said, “They’re… on a pilgrimage?”
Luo nodded. “Looks like it. Look at their expressions; aren’t they similar to the expressions of the people in town who say that Sara’s Song is beautiful?”
Xiao Lan thought about it. “Perhaps they heard Sara’s call, which is why they’re headed in a certain direction.”
洛：”我想是的。”
Luo: “I think so too.”
Continuing onwards, they saw these people prostrating themselves.
It was similar to what Xiao Lan and Luo had just seen with the earlier group of people – it looked stiff and weird.
Not only were they prostrating themselves, some even sat down and began cutting themselves with sharp objects.
There were even some who simply picked up a weapon and attacked their companions around them.
Blood sprayed, yet there were no expressions of pain or fear; they still had fervent expressions on their faces.
Although they were very simple line drawings, thanks to the artist’s extraordinary skill, this bizarre scene was depicted very vividly. Just looking at it made Xiao Lan feel as if he could smell the blood from back then, as well as sense the crazed emotions which had engulfed the group.
“…” Xiao Lan frowned and continued walking.
The middle of the mural had peeled off, as if from age and lack of protection against the elements, leaving behind a bare wall.
The fragments on the ground had long vanished after years of being trampled on.
Probably only the artist themself knew what had been drawn here.
At the end of the mural.
There was a wall drawn on the mural. It was very long and winding, like a labyrinth.
There were human bodies in various postures on the wall. They were twisting around as their limbs struggled, as if they were in a lot of pain.
However, the expressions on their faces were joyful. Looking at the exaggerated smiles, they could even be described as ecstatic.
Xiao Lan did a rough count; the number of people on the wall was clearly much fewer than during the previous pilgrimage.
It seemed something had happened during the journey, which cut down their number.
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
Ktf wlrrlcu wlvvif rfmalbc bo atf wegji qgbyjyis vfqlmafv atlr rfuwfca. Qtja j qlas la cb ibcufg fzlrafv.
Vmglyyifv ecvfg atf wegji kjr —
“Ycis atf vfnbea klii gfmflnf uelvjcmf, ecvfgub atf aglji bo Jbcnfgrlbc Mbgfra, jcv byajlc atf uibgs bo yfmbwlcu bcf klat Vjgj bc atf Qjii bo Vjmglolmf.
“Qf wera cba tjnf yffc vfnbea fcbeut, ktlmt lr kts Vjgj gfpfmafv er.
“There will be a day when Sara will see our sincerity.”
Xiao Lan looked at the mural. “This is what the innkeeper meant before about ‘becoming one with Sara’?”
The final destination for these fanatical believers of Sara was this Wall of Sacrifice.
They wanted to sacrifice themselves to Sara, becoming Their offering.
Luo rested his chin in one hand. “I didn’t expect it to literally mean ‘becoming one’.”
Xiao Lan said, “This is simply a wall of ‘martyrs’…”
There was no way he wanted to be part of it.
Looking at the words left behind, these people at the altar probably belonged to the category of ‘unsuitable offerings’.
Later, they returned to town and decided to hold a sacrificial blood offering to prove their piety to Sara.
But in the end, Sara didn’t guide them to the Wall of Sacrifice again, and they instead turned into these monsters that were neither alive nor dead.
Furthermore, the section of the mural which depicted how the sacrifices had been filtered had already peeled off, so Xiao Lan was unable to figure out what happened in Conversion Forest.
The mural also didn’t indicate what the standard was to qualify as a sacrifice.
Xiao Lan had a feeling that Wang Ke’s whereabouts were related to this Wall of Sacrifice.
That was because even the 【Rock of Forgiveness】 which allowed players to leave the game had to be used in Conversion Forest; perhaps this was also a way to guide players to the Wall of Sacrifice.
But where was Conversion Forest?
According to the mural, only devout believers would receive guidance.
But they weren’t devout at all, and even wanted to beat the heck out of the other party. Would Sara truly give them guidance?
Now that the bishop was pretty much all burned up, the light once again began to fade.
At that moment, the burst of noise which they had heard before rang out again.
Xiao Lan’s senses were muddled for one moment, and several images seemed to flash through his mind.
A blessed childhood, Xiao Chengyan’s wine cup, Luo’s throat, Tie Hanhan chewing up the vegetable bed, Father Michael’s butt…
“…” Xiao Lan covered his head. What was the meaning of this mess?
However, Sara’s Song was beginning to affect him more and more.
Before, it had just been a momentary distraction, but there were images now. Perhaps when it reached a certain level, he would start hallucinating outright.
That would be troublesome.
Thinking about the mad player they had seen earlier, Xiao Lan felt that it was better to leave this instance as soon as possible.
He didn’t want to become some madman who loved to harm himself.
“Sir?” Slightly worried, Luo walked over.
Xiao Lan shook his head. “I’m fine for now. We’ve seen all the clues here, so let’s leave ba.”
Xiao Lan took a few steps forward before he realised that Luo wasn’t following him.
Turning his head, he saw that Luo’s brow was still furrowed.
He suddenly smiled and walked over to touch the other’s face. He teased, “Mister, you look this handsome, so don’t be unhappy.”
Luo caught his wrist and gave him a helpless smile. “You know what I’m worried about.”
Xiao Lan looked at him. “Don’t worry. I want to turn the Advent World on its head with you; I won’t fall here. We’ll rescue Wang Ke as soon as possible, then leave this place. It’ll be fine then, right?”
Luo’s black eyes were like an abyss, and he looked at Xiao Lan as if wanting to carve him into the depths of his eyes.
Suddenly, Luo turned his head and gently kissed the palm of Xiao Lan’s hand that he was holding.
His lips were soft and burned with warmth; it felt like a brand on Xiao Lan’s heart.
Xiao Lan’s heart abruptly shook, and he couldn’t help recalling the sensation of kissing those lips…
Luo suddenly pulled Xiao Lan forcefully to his side.
A warm embrace enveloped him. Luo’s arms tightened and firmly trapped Xiao Lan in his arms.
His lips pressed against Xiao Lan’s ear, the warm breath brushing against it and making it feel numb. “I can also accompany you, sir.”
Xiao Lan reached out and returned the hug. “Then we’ve agreed.”
“Mn, agreed,” Luo said softly.
With that, his lips fell on Xiao Lan’s earlobe and gently bit down.
It wasn’t a hard bite, but the scorching heat of his lips and the slight twinge of pain seemed even more capable of piercing straight into his heart than a gentle kiss.
Xiao Lan instantly felt a scalding heat spread from his earlobe to all over his face like a prairie fire.
Xiao Lan stiffened.
But Luo had already released him, his voice returning to normal. “Let’s go then, sir.”
Xiao Lan hastily took the chance to scrub a hand over his face, trying to rub away the disobedient heat, and he couldn’t help but be glad that it was dark right now.
What the heck did a certain nonhuman, whom he felt was still too young, learn during this period?
The two walked away from the altar, and Luo dispelled his shadow isolation in passing.
The next moment, they were practically face-to-face with a dense crowd of human figures.
It was simply too stimulating.
As if having sensed something, the ‘people’ here had all come.
They stood there, just like that, with numb and stiff faces, their empty eyes staring straight at the duo. Their gazes were spine-chilling.
The first thought that flashed through Xiao Lan’s mind was —
The fuck!! There were actually this many spectators! This was simply a public execution!!
Conversely, all the redness in his face disappeared at the excessive shock.
However, these people were completely unable to sense Xiao Lan’s thoughts at the moment.
In the end, Luo’s shadow isolation was still very reliable. Even if they did something indescribable inside, no one outside would notice.
Even if they were found out, these cult-obsessed townspeople probably wouldn’t have any interest in a gay couple’s sour dog food.
They only sensed the shift in air from the altar and raised their stiff arms to attack the two.
This stance meant that unless the duo knew how to turn invisible, they wouldn’t be able to escape.
Although Xiao Lan didn’t know how to turn invisible, he was proficient in the traditional art of making bodies physically disappear.
Instantly, with a black blade in hand, Xiao Lan rushed into the surging crowd with Luo.
In Mona Town, it was already dusk.
The old Pastor John sat and prayed at the entrance of the abandoned church, hoping that the two outsiders who entered would be able to come out safely.
Suddenly, the ground shuddered, as if some beast was causing wanton destruction underground.
While he was wondering what was going on, two human figures dashed out of the church ruins.
Against the light, John saw the figures of the two outsiders.
The one who had spoken to him seemed to be carrying something.
“I discovered this down below. You might want to see it again.” Xiao Lan passed over the cross that he had been carrying over his shoulder to John.
This was something he had spotted on the way out. It had been lying on the floor, covered in dust and rubble, with other trash.
When John saw the cross, his cloudy eyes couldn’t help tearing up.
He didn’t care how dirty it was, and carefully pressed his forehead to it, crying soundlessly.
Too long. It had been too long since he had seen anything related to His Lord.
Xiao Lan crouched down in front of him. “If there is an opportunity, it’s better if you leave this place ba. I think God would also wish his followers to lead happier lives.”
John’s face was covered in tears. He looked at the cross in his arms and gently caressed it with his thin fingers before nodding wordlessly.
Who knew what his ultimate decision would be.
After bidding John farewell, Xiao Lan and Luo returned to the inn.
On the way back, the town was just as rundown as before, and the citizens also amiably and courteously inquired how long they as outsiders would be able to survive.
The group had previously agreed to exchange information at dusk.
At that moment, both Wang Taidi and Qi Ning had yet to return, so Xiao Lan and Luo could only wait in their room.
Looking at the setting sun outside the window, Xiao Lan couldn’t help feeling a little dazed.
This town was so strange and insane. Against the surrounding mountain fire, even the sunset looked a little sinister.
Was this place earth or hell?
When it was almost dark, Wang Taidi finally returned.
He had a bad expression and a few wounds and blood splatters on him, as if he had experienced a battle.
“You fought?” Xiao Lan asked.
Wang Taidi nodded. “I discovered the bodies of a few players. They’ve been dead for a very long time, but looking at the traces left behind, they had probably killed each other. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find any useful clues on them.”
His expression was a little grave. “But I met… Liang Si’an, that traitor in my ge‘s team. He entered this instance earlier on. I chased him for a while, and we exchanged a few blows, but he managed to slip away. That guy seriously knows how to hide.”
Wang Taidi suppressed his impatience and unease, and did his best to stay calm.
He felt incredibly stressed by the appearance of this traitor.
And he had yet to find any leads about Wang Ke.
Xiao Lan told him about the clues he had found on his end.
He also gave his analysis. “I suspect that Wang Ke might have been selected as a suitable offering, and is either in Conversion Forest or at the Wall of Sacrifice. After all, unsuitable offerings are released back into the town. Otherwise, it makes no sense that we have yet to find him.”
Wang Taidi’s fingers tightened nervously. “Offering…”
Xiao Lan comforted him. “As long as you still have your skill, he definitely isn’t dead.”
Wang Taidi nodded silently.
At that moment, Xiao Lan took out the 【Rock of Forgiveness】 which he had found.
He tossed two rocks to Wang Taidi. “Take this, one for you and one for your ge.”
Wang Taidi raised his hand to catch them, and gave Xiao Lan a faint smile. “Thanks. If you guys weren’t here, I wouldn’t be able to save my ge on my own.”
Xiao Lan said, “But we still don’t know where Conversion Forest is.”
They discussed possible locations of Conversion Forest, but since they didn’t have any clues, everything was just conjecture.
Not long after, the sky turned dark.
Because of the mountain fire, however, the sky above the town was still red.
Xiao Lan frowned. “Qi Ning still isn’t back?”
Wang Taidi said, “That’s odd. He’s not someone who is tardy. Could something have happened?”
Uneasiness filled their hearts.
They went to Qi Ning’s room.
His room was just as shabby as theirs, except that Qi Ning had switched to a white bedsheet and comforter, making the room look a little cleaner.
There were no signs of a struggle in the room, nor any blood. It seemed he hadn’t come back.
“Look at this.” Xiao Lan found a slip of paper at the head of Qi Ning’s bed.
Several abstract and wavy lines were drawn on it, as if they held some sort of unique meaning.
Wang Taidi came closer. “What’s this? A code? A secret language? A clue Qi Ning left for us?”
Xiao Lan thought about it. “Why would Qi Ning use such a complicated method to leave information for us? How can he be sure we would understand the secret code?”
As he spoke, Xiao Lan gave Wang Taidi a puzzled look, hoping he would be able to read it, but he only got a face filled with question marks in reply.
Wang Taidi: “Ss… That’s probably not it…”
Xiao Lan looked at the paper for a while, then suddenly had a flash of inspiration. “Say, who is Qi Ning?”
Wang Taidi was confused. “He’s a righteous comrade, the person whom all fugitives crowdfund to kill, a lover of human anatomy, a mysterious man with a pixelated face?”
Xiao Lan looked at his overly witty companion. “…No, I mean, his occupation.”
Wang Taidi suddenly understood. “A doctor!”
The two refocused on the paper. Look at the vivid avant-garde style — the speed at which it was written was like the Grim Reaper racing through the battlefield, every stroke containing an enthusiasm for life and an unbending spirit. Wasn’t this precisely — a doctor’s handwriting?
But the question remained.
Wang Taidi scratched his curls. “Where can we find a doctor to decipher this?”
The two looked at each other blankly.
In this desolate town where even birds wouldn’t shit, there might not even be a nurse, let alone a doctor.
They suspected that if someone fell sick here, the residents’ active and enthusiastic advice would be — “Just chop it off ba“.
Superstitions were harmful ah!
At that moment, Luo spoke up. “Let me try.”
A little perplexed, Xiao Lan passed the paper over.
Luo looked at it for a good while and deciphered it with his artist’s eyes.
He touched the paper lightly with a fingertip. “Written here is ‘Conversion Forest’, and ‘Investigate’, and the scalpel shape behind it is probably a mark.
“Qi Ning probably suddenly discovered a lead, but couldn’t wait until the agreed time, so he went alone to chase up on it. At the same time, he’s also telling us that he’ll leave this mark along the path to make it easier for us to do a search.”
The entire thing sounded reasonable and very reliable.
Wang Taidi quietly asked Xiao Lan, “How the heck did he make that out?”
Xiao Lan replied, “It’s probably… the telepathy between an abstract writer and an abstract artist?”
Abstract vs abstract HELP I CAN’T STOP LAUGHING hahah
What kind of telepathy is this
Thanks for the chapter
Thanks for the chapter!
thanks for the chapter <3
Thank you ~
»Luo: “I think so too.”« In the paragraph above is still the og!text remaining.
I’m pretty sure that one of the conditions to become a doc is to have unreadable handwriting :’D Can’t remember one were I could read what they scribbled down lolol
Thx for the ch (ㅅ˘ㅂ˘)
I just like the fact, that it’s globally accepted that doctors hand writing can only be understood by other doctors, and this who give medication.
+1😂😂
Thank you so much for the chapter!