Grinya left the church in a daze.
Although this wasn't the first time she had appeared in the church out of thin air, this time felt distinctly different from the last.
Her limbs could move and her mind was clear, yet she felt a strange sense of powerlessness, as if she were touching the world through a layer of sodden paper, creating an unreal sense of detachment.
The terrified expressions on the faces of Priest Luen and the believers remained burned into her mind.
Even though she had acted in a way that was highly disrespectful to a god, Priest Luen didn't make things difficult for her; even when Grinya actively approached him seeking help, Luen retreated in panic and even knelt directly on the floor.
Grinya was baffled by Priest Luen's actions, and when she looked at the believers, she saw them prostrating themselves before her with looks of absolute piety.
This eerie scene frightened her, so she fled.
Strangely, no one moved to stop her.
She could tell that these people seemed to respect her deeply, yet they were also afraid of her.
Walking down the street after leaving the church, Grinya was still thinking about the moment she faced Gexi's pillar of light.
That was truly the most terrifying magic she had ever seen; the scorching heat and that god-like presence made Grinya unable to even muster the thought of running away.
Although she had heard since childhood that high-level mages far exceeded the limits of humanity, she had never quite understood what that concept actually meant.
But now she understood.
They were a completely different species from humans, more perfect individuals; like the continuous evolution of organisms in nature, she had far surpassed the human level, just as humans had surpassed the ancient apes of millions of years ago.
That female mage looked about the same age as her, yet she possessed power far beyond her own.
She truly envied her.
"Stop right there, don't run!"
An angry shout came from deep within a nearby alley, accompanied by the sound of hurried footsteps. Grinya turned her head just in time to collide with Gexi, who was running haphazardly. Gexi was still wearing her signature pointed hat and was carrying an unconscious man in her arms.
No way, what are the odds? I just revived...
Grinya's mouth hung open in shock and fear.
Gexi was looking back over her shoulder and didn't notice someone standing in front of her.
By the time she turned her head back, it was already too late to stop.
With a loud thud, the two collided.
Gexi was completely unharmed, but Grinya nearly went flying, her head spinning even more than it already was.
"It's you!" Gexi's eyes lit up as she spoke with surprise.
Oh no, I've been recognized...
Grinya's heart skipped a beat, and she instinctively raised her hand to touch her face. She suddenly realized that the cardboard box on her head had been melted into nothingness not long ago; she was now facing Gexi with her true face.
As the other girl's words settled, she finally remembered the scene of their first meeting.
However, that encounter wasn't exactly a pleasant memory.
"Please, do me a favor. People are chasing me, please help me lose them!" Gexi crouched down, grabbed Grinya's hand, and pleaded.
Grinya looked at her sincere face, her mouth twitching uncontrollably.
Sister, is it possible that just a few minutes ago, I was blown into nothing by you?
Is it really polite of you to ask me for help now?
"Please don't worry, I misunderstood you last time. I understand all your difficulties now, we're on the same side!" Gexi nodded firmly, her face full of sincerity.
Difficulties... What difficulties do I have?
Grinya recalled the scene of her last meeting with Gexi, her expression becoming increasingly strange.
What difficulties could there be in stealing lollipops? Wasn't that just the evil god's twisted hobby?
Wait...
Grinya suddenly shuddered as she remembered the scene in the abandoned factory where those cultists were using the evil god's body to produce candy ingredients, her face turning pale instantly.
So, everything the evil god did had its own meaning.
She had been too superficial and completely failed to see the evil god's profound intentions; what a sin.
Grinya looked at Gexi hesitantly. So, should she help her?
"Stop!"
Kross, his body wrapped in bandages with only one eye exposed, roared as he charged out of the alley. The field of vision suddenly opened up and the light grew bright, but the suspect was nowhere to be seen on the wide street.
"Dammit, she escaped again." Kross threw a frustrated punch at the air.
"Captain!"
Several two-star hunters followed behind him, panting for breath.
"Captain, don't run so fast. You just got out of the hospital, your injuries..."
"The people of Yiertaya need me. I cannot be held back by such minor wounds." Kross glared at him, then turned his gaze toward the girl standing nearby. He took a step forward.
"Miss, have you seen..."
His words came to an abrupt halt as he suddenly narrowed his eyes and scrutinized the person in front of him, his aura becoming somewhat dangerous.
"Why do you look so familiar? Are you a criminal I caught before who escaped from prison?" Kross asked.
Grinya frowned and said with great dissatisfaction, "Sir, if you're trying to hit on me, then you've already been sentenced to death. What do you mean, a criminal you caught? I've only been in Yiertaya for a short while."
"My apologies. You just look familiar, but I have no memory of it. I must have confused you with someone else." Kross didn't dwell on it and continued to ask, "Miss, did you see a female mage wearing a pointed hat around here just now?"
"Was she wearing a black dress, with grey hair, and looked quite young?"
"Exactly! You saw her?" Kross was delighted, his extinguished hope reigniting.
"She looked like she was in a real hurry and ran off that way." Grinya pointed randomly in a direction.
Kross looked in that direction, feeling a bit confused.
Because at the end of that street, if he remembered correctly, was the headquarters of the Sin Hunting Bureau.
Would a criminal really be so stupid as to run straight into the lion's den?
Kross pondered for a moment.
However, he couldn't rule out the possibility of her hiding in plain sight. To be safe, he should go check it out.
"Alright, thank you for your cooperation." Kross nodded, then signaled the other hunters, and they all ran toward the Sin Hunting Bureau headquarters.
Seeing them run off into the distance, Gexi, who had been hiding behind the boxes next to Grinya, poked her head out cautiously. "Are they gone?"
"They're far away now." Grinya glanced at her.
Sigh, she still couldn't help but lend this woman a hand.
Even though she had died at this woman's hands just minutes ago, it was fine; they were like sisters.
Most importantly, she couldn't let the evil god's plans be ruined.
"Can you tell me? How exactly are you and I on the same side?" Grinya asked.
Gexi nodded and said, "I know that you've actually seen through the Diao Cult's plan. They want to revive the Plague God in this city, and those lollipops are the tools they use to spread the plague. Once the time is right, the entire city will turn into a hell!
So you and I must be the same; we both want to stop them!"
Grinya remained expressionless and nodded slightly.
So the evil god they want to revive is the Plague God.
That was what she was thinking.
Gexi then dragged the unconscious man out. "I've seen part of his memory. The Diao Cult has now retreated outside the city, and their plan is gradually unfolding. I suggest the two of us go investigate the situation together."
"Huh? I have to go too?" Grinya pointed at herself.
"Of course! You're the main force of our Salvation Squad," Gexi said as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
Rate on N.U.
