Dimensional Codex System: I'm really not a cultist!

Chapter 583: Chapter 582: The Arrival of the Blood Moon

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The dense fog enveloped everything.

When Fang Zheng opened his eyes again, he and Maria had reappeared on the platform by the lake, and not far behind them, Eileen was staring at their figures in surprise.

”Wait, outsider... how did you suddenly... Madam Maria?!”

Witnessing Maria by Fang Zheng’s side, Eileen’s eyes widened in shock. Although the crow mask concealed her expression, the panic in her voice betrayed how shaken she was.

”How could you be here? What in the world is this...”

”Hello, Eileen, long time no see...”

Hearing Eileen’s voice, Maria turned around and gave her a slight smile, while Fang Zheng’s gaze shifted to the rocking chair beside Eileen. The chair no longer bore the figure of Master William, but instead, shriveled clothes and what looked like a pile of ashes.

”What’s going on?”

Seeing this, Fang Zheng raised an eyebrow and looked at Eileen. He didn’t think that Eileen had killed Master William, after all, there was no ill will between Eileen and Master William and, besides... if there were killing to be done, surely it wouldn’t have waited until he had left.

”I don’t know either.”

In response to Fang Zheng’s question, Eileen shook her head.

”Just a moment ago, Master William was perfectly fine, then he suddenly started laughing, saying, ’This really is unexpected’... and then his body burst into flames, turning into this...”

”Aaaahhhhhh...!!”

However, just as Eileen’s words fell, a sudden cry of pain emerged, interrupting her speech. The three of them turned their heads towards the source of the sound, only to see a giant spider in the center of the lake, lifting its body high, looking up at the night sky, emitting a cry akin to that of a human.

”Wuuu... wuuu...”

The sobbing sounded eerie, yet it was imbued with a sense of the spider’s inner pain and sorrow. Then, the trio saw the spider turn its head, looking in their direction for a moment, before flames burst from its body, and in the blink of an eye, the spider vanished from their sight without a trace.

Thereafter, a crimson radiance slowly emerged.

A silent and enormous Blood Moon descended from the dark clouds, and at the same time, they faintly heard what seemed to be the cry of a baby.

”Waaaah... waaaah...”

”...Do you hear that?”

Maria furrowed her brow uneasily, looking at the other two, and Eileen nodded as well.

”I heard it, Madam Maria, it sounds like the cry of a baby... What about you?”

”......”

However, Fang Zheng did not respond to Eileen’s query; he simply narrowed his eyes, focusing on the enormous, crimson Blood Moon before him. Previously, Fang Zheng hadn’t noticed, but just now, as the spider was consumed by flames, he felt the power that had belonged to the spider, as if drawn by some attraction, flying towards the sky and then devoured by another existence.

It looked now as if he had finally found the prime culprit behind this nightmare.

”So that’s how it is...”

After murmuring to himself, Fang Zheng turned around.

”Let’s return to the Church first.”

On the way back to the Church, Eileen couldn’t suppress her curiosity, bombarding Maria with questions. The overnight disappearance of the Church’s main Hunters had been a tremendous blow. The incident had seriously damaged the Church, especially since it involved Maria, who held an esteemed reputation within the Healing Church. This was also one reason for the Church’s subsequent collapse—the older, powerful members were either dead, missing, or no longer active. There was no one left to hold the fort.

It was as if the current Acting Archbishop of the Healing Church was Amelia, a maid who had served beside Lawrence... This alone highlighted the dire shortage of manpower within the Church.

The return of Maria clearly excited Eileen; Fang Zheng could even sense she felt as if a weight had been lifted off her shoulders. Although it wasn’t nice to say, Eileen might have thought that with Maria back, even if the sky fell, Maria would hold it up, freeing Eileen from worrying about those troublesome matters.

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And faced with Eileen’s enthusiastic words, Maria’s expression was complex. For in the dream she had just experienced, she had learned about the world’s history and the truth. If what the foreigner said was all true, then the actions of the Healing Church could only be described as ”foolishly inept.”

Humans were born from the Abyss, desiring the light of fire they left the Abyss, yet they actively sought to return...

But now...

Thinking of this, Maria felt complicated emotions. She had once believed that she was destined to spend her life trapped in that endless, cyclical nightmare. Maria had even considered suicide, but she had never anticipated there would come a day when she could escape that nightmare. Though she was not in the real world at the moment, just the thought of being free from the nightmare that bound her for countless months was enough for Maria.

After ending this nightmare, what should they do?

Maria couldn’t help but ponder this question, yet she couldn’t find an answer. She had spent her life in the hunt, and the people she knew were either dead or had disappeared without a trace. It was unclear how many were still alive in Anan Town... What would remain after this nightmare ended?

When Fang Zheng, along with Maria and Eileen, returned to the Church, they found that nothing much seemed to have changed. Oriana was curled up in her chair in agony, seemingly drained of all energy, while Miss Sophie still sat motionless, the sedative apparently still in effect.

Upon seeing Fang Zheng and the others return, the little girl happily called out and then ran over to hug Fang Zheng.

”I’m so relieved you’re okay!”

”I’m fine.”

Looking at the little girl before him, Fang Zheng reached out and gently patted her head. Just then, Dr. Yushefka came over. She nodded at Fang Zheng first, then turned toward Eileen, but upon seeing Maria behind Eileen, Dr. Yushefka couldn’t hide her astonishment.

”Madam Maria? You’re still alive?”

”Yes, Dr. Yushefka, it’s good to see you here.”

Seeing Dr. Yushefka, Maria’s expression relaxed considerably. Although time had passed and the woman before her had aged beyond the Dr. Yushefka of her memories, it was still comforting for Maria to see someone she recognized and was familiar with.

”I saw the Blood Moon rise... What should we do next?”

After exchanging greetings with Maria, Dr. Yushefka anxiously looked at Fang Zheng. She didn’t know what Fang Zheng had done, but it was clear that the Blood Moon had risen, marking the official end of the long night of the hunt. However, this did not mean that everyone was safe; on the contrary, things seemed even more dangerous now than during the hunt.

”I’ve found a way to leave this place.”

But at the next moment, Fang Zheng’s words invigorated everyone’s spirits.

”Really? Big brother?”

”Is it true??”

Upon hearing Fang Zheng’s response, both Eileen and the little girl couldn’t help but ask urgently, and Fang Zheng nodded.

”Yes, although it’s a bit of a coincidence, I now understand what this never-ending nightmare is all about...”

”Do we need to do anything?”

”No need.”

In response to Maria’s query, Fang Zheng waved his hand.

”The Abyss is dangerous, and I don’t recommend that you face it without being prepared. Without any precautions, you could easily be corrupted and deceived by the Abyss. This time, it’s enough for me to go alone. You all need to stay behind and protect this church. Although I don’t think there should be any problems here... who knows.”

”That’s true.”

Hearing Fang Zheng’s advice, Maria nodded. Having learned of Fang Zheng’s true identity and the history of this world, she naturally made a wise decision. Although Maria wished she could face it all with Fang Zheng if possible... she now had a new mission.

”Then, I’ll leave this place in your care, Madam Maria.”

Looking at Maria before him, Fang Zheng smiled slightly, then closed his eyes.

The next moment, Fang Zheng re-entered the dream.

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