"Let's read a bit every day, try to finish it this year..."
Fran placed the projection device on the wooden coffee table in the living room and immediately prepared to go to sleep.
This thing couldn't be bedtime reading material... It was more appropriate to study it carefully with a rigorous attitude in the morning, and by the way, unpack the remaining Flawless quality materials as well.
Although this fellow was also quite accomplished in materialistic science, for a doctor... compared to cold, gigantic super-sized machinery and integrated circuits, she still preferred the bouncing chunks of flesh more.
"Set the alarm for exactly six o'clock tomorrow morning. Don't disturb me before then."
She returned to the bedroom, took off her oversized physician's coat and tailored suit shirt, changed into a soft flannel nightgown, got into bed, and lit a small nightlight with only a faint glow.
[Limited-Time Alarm Module set. Time set to AM 6:00.]
Fran yawned, took a leather-bound tome from the bedside table, and began reading softly by the light of the nightlight.
"First, the chaotic stormy night, the end of late summer."
"Second, the frenzied self-conflict, the land where blood floats oars."
"Third, use the deaths of a total of three qualified individuals as the 'wedges' to open the ritual array, forming an inverted triangular cup-shaped holy emblem. The museum in the South District, the Sated Club in the North District, and the Secrets-Hunters' 'Pure Land' in the main city district."
"Thus, accomplish the Red Cup's first-category ritual [Summon the Drinker]. Summon a servant possessing true divinity..."
Her long eyelashes fluttered together, her amber eyes slowly closed. The murmuring voice gradually faded, eventually becoming an inaudible whisper like dream talk.
The bedtime reading material she had taken out also fell from her hand to the floor. The cover was a twisted, grotesque human face, its title Ascension Heart's Blood, one of the Red Cup's four Skin Creed texts.
….
The constantly surging Evil Spawn were like ripe wheat in a paddy field, quickly being completely exhausted under the harvest of modern firepower.
After all, they were merely flesh and blood mortals. Even with the possession and blessings of foreign evil spirits, they were no match against the Secrets-Hunters' defense line forged of steel and secret arts.
"It's time, Head Alwin. Although the enemy used the most reckless tactic of feeding troops piecemeal in this assault, passive defense is also the worst among bad strategies. We should pull back the defense line and let the hunters who can no longer hold back take the initiative to attack..."
A gaunt, aged hunter as frail as rotten wood appeared unnoticed at the watchtower where Alwin was located.
He was like a piece of decayed tree branch, even his breath carrying a strong scent of death. But his posture was ramrod straight, his gaze sharp, appearing vigorous.
"Where's the head of the Confidential Division? Why haven't those crows who like to hide in the shadows come? Instead, you old ghost from the Burial Court arrived first. Jonsen, the General Affairs Division has the final decision-making authority, yes... but we also need to take responsibility for every decision."
"Alwin! I must remind you again, we graduated in the same class during the Secrets-Hunters' selection. My aged appearance is a side effect of a relic; aren't you a year older than me?"
Black Banyan pulled out his wooden cane as if to hit Alwin, but considering the action would make him look even more like an old man, he ultimately gave up on the idea.
"Also, heads of the Burial Court all have codenames. If you truly respect the rules and regulations initially set by the General Affairs Division, you should address me as 'Black Banyan'."
The pleasantries of the meeting were over. Alwin stiffened his face again, becoming serious.
"Alright, Mr. Black Banyan. By the way, do you know why Silver Wing Locust hasn't arrived yet? For this decision... I'd like to hear your opinions."
"Heh... She's already here, hiding in some corner eavesdropping on our conversation."
Before Black Banyan finished speaking, a graceful woman smiled slightly, pulled down her hat brim, and stepped out from the shadows.
Her fiery red hair cascaded like a curtain to her waist, and she wore oversized investigator attire; a trench coat, suit, black tie, dignified yet avant-garde, with bright makeup above her eyebrows.
"Sharp sense of smell, no wonder you Burial Court folks are always called hounds. Hmm... tell me how you found me. Is there a flaw in my concealment?"
"No one can easily find a head of the Confidential Division who is determined to hide, unless the Chief is present... I just made a guess based on the habits of you crows."
Black Banyan gently stroked his cane, his tone humble yet carrying a hint of elusive pride.
"Alright, Silver Wing Locust. Since you've been listening here for a while... I'd like to hear your opinion."
"My opinion is simple. Deploy the purging troops to quickly suppress the surrounding areas. The central museum was also attacked, but after the White Cup cult eradicated all the Evil Spawn, they found no leader. Not even a deacon."
Silver Wing Locust walked lightly, gracefully approaching Alwin.
Her slender fingers, clad in leather gloves, patted his solid chest muscles, deftly and familiarly retrieving an exquisite kerosene lighter from his breast pocket.
Click-
Scattered sparks flashed, and a long, lingering wisp of smoke drifted from her moist lips with an exhale.
Alwin coughed lightly but did not stop this overly intimate behavior.
"The Sated Club had the 'hollow body' of the Suffer-Walkers High Priest. Although he was already dealt with by Sister Haida... we don't know why a Red Cup High Priest appeared in that abandoned place."
Silver Wing Locust raised an eyebrow, a crow landing on her shoulder in response. Its black pearl-like bird eyes blinked occasionally, its demeanor clearly more affectionate and lively than when facing Alwin.
"Vivian is my subordinate investigator, how could I not know such news? Precisely because of this, we can conclude those maniacs have other plans..."
"What? Haida killed the hollow body of the Suffer-Walkers High Priest?"
Black Banyan's expression was one of utter shock. He looked around at the heads of the other two divisions and realized from their expressions... he seemed to be the last to know about this.
After a moment of contemplation, he accepted the fact.
"The Chief's descendant indeed has extraordinary qualities. Even though we followed his instructions and gave Sister Haida no special treatment, she still stood out with undeniable personal competence. Before I die, I must recommend her to the General Affairs Division to replace my position..."
He quickly snapped out of his surprise, composed himself slightly, and suppressed his barely contained excitement.
"Ahern has never paid much attention to Haida. I think we should credit everything to her unremitting efforts, not forcibly tie everything to that guy... And you, stop thinking about sacrificing yourself."
Alwin spread his hands, expressing his disapproval of that Chief Hunter. Then he turned his gaze back to the combat zone.
"Since both of you agree to start the counterattack, I'll issue the purge order..."
"The main course is here!"
Black Banyan suddenly opened his old, somewhat cloudy eyes, drew a massive shotgun from the holster at his side, and then leapt heavily down from the watchtower along the wall, his expression fanatical.
"I smell an intoxicating, abnormal scent of blood. A High Priest, a High Priest has appeared. I'll go meet him first; notify me if anything changes."
"Wagging your tail excitedly at the smell of Evil Spawn? Still saying you're not a dog? I'll go fetch Vivian to prevent the kid from getting caught up in a High Priest-level clash and dying for no reason."
Silver Wing Locust looked at the obviously over-excited Black Banyan, sighed helplessly, and exhaled the smoke completely. She nimbly tucked the half-smoked cigarette with a faint lipstick mark back into Alwin's breast pocket, then turned and left.
Alwin silently watched the tall, graceful figure of the Confidential Division head gradually disappear into the shadows. His lips moved as if he wanted to say something, but he ultimately held back.
This was already the third lighter Silver Wing Locust had taken from him...
...
"Sister, how is the combat situation?"
Clement, having returned to the main city district, led the support troops to begin the suppression process from the flanking block, cutting off the advance of the secondary Evil Spawn surge. He then asked a head attendant of the Burial Court stationed with the defense force.
"Mr. Clement, the General Affairs Division has issued the purge order. Your arrival is timely; we are starting the counterattack now... Your team can be temporarily incorporated into the purge formation."
"Good." Clement had no reason to refuse the proposal.
During their conversation, a strange and sinister bone spine imperceptibly extended its awl-like tip from the ground.
The next moment, jagged, chaotic pale bone spines shot up violently from the ground, enveloping the two figures.
The two who should have been torn to pieces were pulled away by an even faster figure, causing the undetectable surprise attack to miss.
"So fast, nameless Burial Attendant. No wonder my other half died at your hands. Your physical capabilities are so superior it's almost inhuman, and your blood is so mellow it's intoxicating... Could it be that the God-Hunting God also has chosen ones?"
Hovan licked the trace of blood on his palm. Although he spoke with provocative banter, his gaze was fixed tightly on Haida, who had suddenly appeared, without the slightest shift.
"Hmph."
Haida paid no attention to the Sufferer-Walkers High Priest's chatter. She set down the two she held, then clutched her waist and abdomen where blood was welling up.
"Sister Haida, you shouldn't have saved me. You noticed his attack intent just now; you should have seized the opportunity to seriously wound this High Priest..."
The attendant nearby picked up a combat bandage to perform emergency dressing, but Haida raised her hand to stop her. She removed her hand from the wound; the skin had already closed and scabbed over.
"An effect of a relic."
Under the attendant's surprised gaze, Haida had no choice but to tell a small lie to explain. After all, a normal human couldn't possibly have such fast healing speed, and there were no healing-related secret arts in the Secrets-Hunters' system...
"Heh."
Hovan, clad in red leather robes, let out a disdainful snort.
White nerves, like some kind of worm, extended and burrowed out from the gunshot wounds on his skin, condensing into a heavy armor replacing his skin.
"What are you hiding? You yourselves know all too well... Aren't there plenty of heretics within the Burial Court who have betrayed the creed? But for the sake of greater stability, you cannot abandon forbidden power. What difference is there between Secrets-Hunters and us? Just like your Chief Hunter, who is closer to a monster than we are..."
"What kind of philosopher are you, you lunatic cultist obsessed with live sacrifices all day? Wasn't that line the extent of your lifetime learning?"
A hoarse, vigorous roar rang out.
Black Banyan, wearing old-fashioned hunter attire, aimed his shotgun at Hovan's head and pulled the trigger without hesitation.
The heavy slug shot out along the spiral rifling, landing almost instantly right between his eyebrows, blasting his entire skull along with the bone armor to pieces.
Blinding white light flashed, the Secrets-Hunters' prayer bringing intense burning.
"An experienced Outrider Hunter. Are you a head of the Burial Court, or..."
Hovan, having lost his head, did not fall. A muffled mutter came from his abdomen. He scratched where his head should have been, seeming somewhat troubled.
"Didn't die from a headshot... A genuine Outrider High Priest, and a chosen one at that. This year's annual trophy is taken care of!"
Black Banyan let out a pleased yet somber laugh, aiming at Hovan again.
The gaps in the opponent's bone armor split open instantly. The headless humanoid body scattered into several separate biomasses, barely dodging the second slug.
"Every time I see my fellow humans in this state, abandoning their humanity... I can hardly suppress this disgust. Abandoning existence and self, offering everything to a 'god' who sees you as mere dust! Bowing and scraping, begging for mercy!"
He clicked his tongue heavily, then took a square mallet made of banyan wood and vines from his waist.
"How could you possibly know the happiness of offering everything to my Lord? It was the cult that gave me everything I needed to survive in this world, and thus I am willing to give everything back to the Divine Master..."
Hovan's scattered bone bodies reconnected through a network-like web of nerves in the middle.
He then plunged his hands into the ground. As pale nerves spread, all the surrounding corpses of the dead Evil Spawn staggered to their feet again.
Black Banyan's agility was extraordinary, a stark contrast to his aged face. He darted like a leopard past the reanimated Evil Spawn and bone spines, closing in on Hovan. His square mallet smashed heavily onto the bone armor, causing a large growth of banyan branches to sprout violently from the impact point.
"A relic that directly damages life force? It's S-923 'Death Banyan'... How interesting. The person using this relic can also despise others for abandoning their human form?"
Hovan couldn't help but laugh heartily, as if he didn't care at all that his life force was draining continuously from the impact point.
"If it were normal times, I would avoid you at all costs. But now, I am one in heart and body with the bloodline brethren who have come here to return to glory. My life is absolutely endless... The limitations of the relic in your hands will definitely break down before my body does!"
"So much nonsense. Our 'Silent Walkers' branch has to maintain silence all year round. Why are you Sufferer-Walkers all like flies?"
Black Banyan raised his shotgun and fired again. Hovan repeated his trick of dispersing his body... only this time, a whole spread of pellets burst from the dark gun barrel.
Haida's grayish-chestnut eyes narrowed slightly, catching this opportunity.
She drew two wooden-handled clasp knives from her waist and charged at Hovan, whose bone armor was completely shattered and cracked. The mirror-like blades of the clasp knives slid along the cracks of the fragments, cutting several long gashes. The Outrider High Priest's body was instantly sliced into several pieces.
"You really think... cutting my body can kill me?"
A piece among Hovan's many flesh lumps emitted a sinister, low chuckle. Then the surrounding secondary Evil Spawn twisted, pale nerves reforming armor on their skins, taking on his appearance.
"Prepared a substitute?"
Black Banyan immediately aimed at the fully restored Hovan.
"Not exactly. He's still here. Like the dancer named Sines, his main body also contains a 'heart'."
Haida flipped her clasp knife, pinning one of the flesh lumps to the ground. The nearby Hovan composed of a secondary Evil Spawn immediately dissolved into a puddle of mushy flesh.
Her decisive judgment at this moment wasn't some detection-type skill, but pure combat intuition... even she herself found it hard to describe where this intuition came from.
"You found it? Without relying on any relic? How exactly..."
Hovan's scattered mouth and vocal cords on the ground whispered faintly, seemingly having lost their last support for maintaining life.
"No matter. The final stage of the ritual is complete, my life can now fully transform and ascend... What a pity, couldn't force out the other division heads, nor see 'Chief Hunter' Ahern..."
"The moment of the tipped cup has arrived... Drink deeply, brethren of the bloodline!"
The torrential downpour gradually became viscous, and an overwhelming, suffocatingly strong scent of blood began to permeate the air. The sky, the cloud curtain, the stars and moon of the night sky, everything seemed dyed blood-red.
A massive ritual array spanning nearly half of Norlington began to flow from the depths of the sewer sludge.
Relying on the deaths of three High Priests, a forbidden esoteric connection rose between the Sated Club, the Norlington Central Museum, and the Secrets-Hunters headquarters.
All conditions for [Summon the Drinker] were fulfilled. A divine servant from a higher dimension was about to answer the summons.
The current time was 5:47 AM, 13 minutes before Fran's alarm was set to ring.
….
"A first-category ritual on such a grand scale... When did they inscribe the ritual array? And where?"
Black Banyan looked in astonishment at the massive crimson inverted triangle rising from the rain curtain, blotting out the stars and moon.
"The array is inscribed in the deepest part of the sewer system, probably during the great plague over twenty years ago. That was the only chance, and the best chance."
+++
T/N: Hey readers~! New Translator here! Before I say anything, I'd first like to thank the original author for creating this wonderful story. Without them, I wouldn't have the chance to share this adventure with you. I hope my translation does justice to their work, and that together, we can enjoy this story.
With that said, I'm happy to let you know I'll be uploading daily chapters. And for those who wish to support my work and gain early access, I've set up a Patreon where advanced chapters will be available.
[email protected]/PeakTL