Chapter 260: The Exorcist
In the darkness, Su Jin could hear the sounds of frantic breathing. He could vaguely see a dark shadow moving in the dim light. The figure ran, then let out a shriek.
“The witch shrieks, the werewolf howls, the flying vampires spray blood at the humans. The shapeshifters are right next to you, the ogres hide in the wilderness. Little children, better run and hide! Or else you might become a delectable meal for the monsters…”
A strange children’s song resounded in Su Jin’s ears. It was the usual terrifying voice that made all his hair stand on end, and he couldn’t help but shudder.
Light flooded the place, making Su Jin squint a little. After he got used to the brightness, he looked around him to find that there weren’t a lot of owners involved this time. Besides the five members of his team, there were three other owners.
“Eight people, huh.” Su Jin took his Handbook out to read the introduction to the Challenge.
Challenge: The Exorcist; Level: D
Main quest: Rid the city of all monsters within three days
Optional quest: Find the monsters’ nest and destroy it
Reduction in Spirit Power: 90%
Reduction in physique: 60%
Maximum number of items: 1
The Challenge this time was a Level D Challenge, which actually surprised Su Jin. The number of Level D Challenges he had gone through were so few. The only one so far was Zombie Frenzy. On the contrary, his team had gone through two Level A Challenges. It was possible that out of all the teams, Team Boning Knife was the only one that had gone through fewer Level D Challenges than Level A Challenges.
After reading the introduction, Su Jin checked himself over. It was easy for him to tell how much his psychokinesis had been reduced by, since he could actually see the upper limit number. But he would have to throw a few punches to know how much this reduction in physique was.
Whoosh! Su Jin threw a punch and immediately started frowning. The reduction this time was only 60%, but the actual reduction couldn’t be calculated with simple math. The overall reduction was definitely more than 60%. If he compared his current body strength to his usual body strength, his usual self would be able to defeat a few dozen of his current self easily even if they all attacked together.
As for items, Su Jin decided that he would probably use White Ash. Going through an exorcism type of Challenge with a weapon that had holy attributes would definitely be very useful.
He proceeded to turn his attention to the owners besides the ones in his own team. To his surprise, the three of them all looked like newbies. It was obvious, because they were all trembling and staring at Su Jin’s team like they were kidnappers.
“Three newbies?” Su Jin was stunned for a moment. Then again, his first Challenge had five newbies and only two old timers, even though both old timers were veterans as well.
“Hello there, how do I address you guys?” Su Jin tried his best to sound as gentle as possible. He didn’t want to scare them.
The group comprised two women and one man. The two women looked like they were in their twenties, while the man looked like he was in his thirties. They were just as terrified as one another, which was something that Su Jin and any other owner could understand. When one started their very first Challenge, they would suddenly be transported to a completely new and strange place. It was natural for them to react like this.
After a while, the only male spoke up first, “My… my name is Kang Ze. Have we… have we been kidnapped?”
The two ladies immediately teared up when they heard him mention the word “kidnapped.” If Su Jin said anything threatening, they were probably going to burst into tears.
Thankfully, Su Jin wasn’t that sort. He said patiently, “Please don’t be afraid. Take some time to recall something about Hell’s Handbook, and I’ll explain things to you after that.”
The three of them felt that Su Jin didn’t seem like a bad guy, so they started trying to recall what he asked them to. Their faces paled in no time. The Handbook always inserted a terrifying memory in their minds to prevent newbies from disbelieving the explanations given by old timers. But of course, there were some who were bolder or some who refused to believe, so there wasn’t anything anybody could do about that.
Su Jin saw that they were ready to listen to his explanation, so he said very directly, “The Handbook will make every owner go through Challenges. If you pass the Challenge, you will receive rewards beyond your imagination. If you don’t, you die. Do you understand?”
They nodded, so Su Jin went on, “Very good. Right now, we’re going through a Challenge that’s titled ‘The Exorcist.’ You can find a summary of the Challenge in your Handbooks. Also, you don’t have to be too scared. I would say that you guys are very lucky, actually.”
“Very lucky? I hardly think so,” said Kang Ze with a sad laugh. He was faring better than the other two ladies. He was older and had experienced more things in life after all, so he was able to speak and behave more calmly for now.
Su Jin let out a sad laugh too. It was true that being selected by the Handbook to be an owner was terrible luck. He explained, “It’s all relative. So, firstly, the Challenge you’re about to go through is only at Level D, so your chances of surviving are already much higher. Secondly, the five of us are members of the same team and we have good teamwork. As long as the three of you don’t create any trouble along the way, your chances of surviving will be even higher.”
This was a Level D Challenge, so Su Jin wasn’t as anxious. Based on the abilities of his team, even with the restrictions placed on them, surviving this Challenge should not be too difficult.
“What about the both of you? What are your names?” Su Jin asked the other two women.
“My name is Ma Xinyu.” Ma Xinyu was a cute and petite young lady, but her eyes were bloodshot and there were tear stains on her cheek. She had clearly been crying out of fear earlier on.
“My name is Zhang Yueyue.” Zhang Yueyue was much stronger than Ma Xinyu. She was a little taller than 1.7 meters, had a well-proportioned figure, and most importantly, she was actually quite muscular, so she probably worked out frequently.
“My name is Su Jin, the four of them are my teammates, Kano Mai, Situ Jin, Wu Chen, and Bo Ya.” Su Jin briefly introduced the other four members of the team.
Four members of the team were veterans, while Bo Ya was considered new. So, this was actually a Challenge with four veterans and four newbies. That wasn’t too bad for a Level D Challenge.
After they got to know each other, Kano Mai said, “Jin, look at our clothing.”
All eight of them were clothed in a long white robe and a black piece over the shoulders. Most strikingly, a cross was embroidered on the chest on the white robe.
“The Handbook has given us the same clothes, so… the story’s about to start?” Immediately after Su Jin said that, a large door opened and they felt a jolt. The eight of them were now seated in a large horse-drawn cart.
The driver was an unkempt Caucasian man. He stopped the cart, hopped off, then stood respectfully in front of the cart and said to Su Jin and the rest, “We’ve arrived at Mo City!”
“It’s begun.” Su Jin glanced at the rest, then hopped off the cart first. Before him stood a typical European medieval era city wall, except that this one looked intimidating because it was covered in a thick layer of fog.
As they approached the gates of the city, the gate opened. A large group of people walked out from inside and they were led by a head priest.
“Welcome, esteemed exorcists. I am grateful that the Light has sent you to us.” The priest bowed politely to Su Jin and his group. He looked really exhausted, as though he had been troubled by something for a long time.
“Thank you, Father. Right now, we need to know exactly what has been happening and what you need us to do,” Su Jin asked directly. The most important thing to do now was to understand the actual situation at Mo City.
The priest laughed hollowly but did not answer Su Jin’s question. Instead, he said with a smile, “You’ve traveled a long way and I’m sure you’re all very tired. Please enter the city and take a rest first.”
Su Jin, Wu Chen, and Situ Jin exchanged glances and nodded slightly at each other. Su Jin then replied, “We’ll have to trouble you to lead the way.”
They followed the priest into the city, and as they walked, the ones who had accompanied the priest fell to their knees and bowed devoutly to the group. Either exorcists enjoyed a very high status in this world, or this city needed exorcists very urgently.
After entering the city, Su Jin realized that there was almost nobody on the streets. It was still some time before nightfall, so it didn’t make sense for the residents to turn in so early.
The priest brought them to a church, and some people were already waiting inside. They were all very well dressed, so they were probably the aristocrats of the city.
Su Jin glanced at the priest, and the priest immediately explained, “This is the castellan of the city, the top officials of the city and their families.”
“They’re here to welcome us?” said Su Jin teasingly, even though he had figured out what was probably happening by just looking at these people.
The priest wiped away the sweat on his forehead and said rather awkwardly, “Of… of course.”
“Father, you’ll go to hell for telling lies,” said Su Jin with a smile.
“I… I’m not lying. They are here to welcome you, except that… they’re living in the church as well,” said the priest with an embarrassed smile.
Su Jin figured that out already. All these people were carrying several bags of things. They looked more like they were moving house rather than welcoming guests.
A man with a large pot belly ambled over, bowed reverently toward Su Jin and the rest, then said, “Most respected, powerful, and merciful exorcist, sir! Please! Please save this city!”
“That’s exactly why we’re here. But… all of you shouldn’t be here,” said Su Jin in a frosty voice. He glared fiercely at the priest and said angrily, “Father, what sort of place do you think the church is? This is a place of worship, a place of repentance. It is not meant to provide protection to the rich and powerful. I want everyone to leave the church right now, or else… we will leave.”
Everyone in the church began to panic after Su Jin said those words and the priest tried to pacify him as well, but Su Jin insisted that the aristocrats had to leave. In the end, there was nothing else they could do but to listen to Su Jin. They couldn’t let the exorcists leave, or Mo City was doomed.
After the aristocrats were chased out, Situ Jin asked Su Jin curiously, “Why did you insist on chasing all of them out?”
“I think… Mr. Su wants to go fishing,” Bo Ya suddenly piped up.
Su Jin smiled faintly and gave Bo Ya a pleased look.
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