Adrian slipped past the Iron Guards, swiftly reaching the forefront of Belobog: the Iron Guard Restricted Zone.
Silver Wolf trailed behind, finding their chat too dull, so she started playing a game.
"Sigh~ Nothing beats gaming on a rainy day. It's got that vibe."
"Shh, hide first." Adrian grabbed Silver Wolf by the back of her neck, pulling her to his side like a kitten.
Silver Wolf, yanked over, was utterly confused, still processing.
Bro… how are you like that High Priest, pulling people out of thin air? And with a holographic projection, no less!
Good grief, this ability's even wilder than Aether Data!
…
After hashing out the jailbreak plan with Sampo, Silver Wolf took on the support role, conjuring a few virtual projections to fool the guards.
No choice, really. Her Aether Data could bend reality, but the final boss wasn't a pushover. No way she could just punch in coordinates and escape the planet.
Still, this Church was pretty bold. A wooden dungeon? What kind of security was that? Even an ordinary person could break out with a bit of effort.
And not a single guard around—just the two of them in the whole dungeon, like it was custom-made for them.
Silver Wolf smelled something fishy. Something's off! This reeks of a trap!
But now wasn't the time to overthink. Escape came first!
With a dungeon this flimsy, Silver Wolf already had her parting taunt ready.
A measly dungeon can't hold a Punklorde genius hacker!
Plus, with an Elation follower helping out, this was in the bag!
After freeing Sampo from his restraints, the two slipped out of the dungeon with ease. Before leaving, Silver Wolf didn't forget to tag the walls' doctrines with her graffiti.
"If I remember right, Miss Silver Wolf, didn't you get thrown in here for this exact thing?"
Sampo hadn't expected this girl to be so relentless. The tavern crew wasn't kidding!
In Punklorde, there was a tradition: hackers loved leaving a mark during their intrusions, like a challenge letter waiting to be found.
Silver Wolf's move was a direct slap to the Church's face! Staying true to her roots—that's the real Punklorde spirit!
"Where there's conflict, there's victory or defeat. Where there's victory or defeat, there's fun. Life's a game—play it with joy." Seeing the wall covered in emoji graffiti, Silver Wolf nodded, satisfied.
"Before you got locked up, did that guy Blake make you copy that Eternal Virtue book or whatever?"
"Hm?" Sampo scratched his head. "Nah, he personally escorted me down here. What about you, Miss Silver Wolf?"
"Talk about VIP treatment—delivered by the boss himself. I'm a bit jealous."
"Don't be… We've got no real power right now, and my [Mask] isn't on me. If we run into the High Priest, we're toast."
"Fair point. Wanna head back and wait for backup? I can tie your hands and feet again."
Silver Wolf knew there was no turning back once they'd taken this step!
An Emanator? So what? The Galaxy Rangers took down an Overlord in a group effort, and one of them was a Punklorde legend.
His life began in Punklorde's underground reservoir. By chance, he became a Galaxy Ranger, roaming the stars for ages, witnessing countless wonders and oddities.
Some details weren't even recorded by the IPC or the Erudition Society. Yet this legendary hacker, it's said, came to the Church to retire in his final days.
What happened during that time? No one knows.
In the end, surrounded by fellow Galaxy Rangers, he closed out his dazzling life.
They say the funeral was quiet, silent, with only a game cartridge resting atop the coffin—a [Game Clear] footnote to a hacker's legacy.
That cartridge's story is a Punklorde legend, no different from a textbook.
Rumor has it, it's with Herta. One day, Silver Wolf would pry that cartridge—her heart's desire—from that woman's hands!
Hearing Silver Wolf's tale, Sampo felt like he'd been played again. If only he still had his Mask…
"No time for what-ifs. Play games with a smile. Let's clear some small fries for EXP, then go straight for the dragon's lair!"
Silver Wolf flashed a confident grin, leaving Sampo dumbfounded. Did this girl have an ace up her sleeve?
His gaze drifted to a patch of unpainted mud wall, where neat handwriting stood out, reading:
The Eternal Church: Doctrine DraftAuthored by High Priestess Freesna / Translated by High Priest Blake
Above all, the Aeon of Eternity grants us boundless glory! Thus, to better follow THEIR steps, High Priest Blake has personally penned this doctrine! May all who follow THEM hold it in their hearts and never stray.
[Article 1:] The Aeon of Eternity forgives all your sins, including: being ugly, having a vile nature, lazing at home all day with nothing to do, giving up and rotting daily.
We must reflect deeply: Why do these things happen? Is it because we haven't properly believed in the Aeon of Eternity? Or because the vile spawn of Destruction has invaded your mind?
Fear not, for THEY embrace all! Just pin the blame on other Aeons—the best choice being Nanook of Destruction.
[Article 2:] …
Sampo's head was spinning. The Church didn't even bother pretending!
Lower down, there was another blurry line of text:
Note: Fill out the Church application now and receive a free baseball bat from Lady Freesna! To be continued…
A baseball bat? The priestess was into ball games?
"Miss Silver Wolf, I think you should cover all the walls with graffiti." Sampo couldn't take it—this doctrine was messier than his grandma's journal.
"Nah, that'd be too disrespectful to their Aeon. Though I really want to…"
Out of reason, Silver Wolf held back from tagging every wall. She still respected the Church—her only real gripe was copying The Book of Eternal Virtue until her arm ached.
Beyond that, she hadn't done anything too out of line.
The first page of The Book of Eternal Virtue read:
Forgive those who offend the Aeon of Eternity. Engage in harmonious, barrier-free communication whenever possible, encouraging them to join the Church and believe in Eternity, avoiding needless conflict. This is one of the virtues.
Note: Except for forces of Destruction.
When you hesitate, you'll regret any choice you make. Since regret's inevitable, why not enjoy the moment? Life's about having fun.
After all, the Aeon of Eternity forgives all! This is THEIR boundless, loving virtue! Consider what THEY said to High Priest Blake:
[All Aeons are single-minded, all are ------.]
That's right! Blame Nanook—it's all THEIR fault!
"No, I almost got assimilated again!"
Silver Wolf hurriedly shook off the thoughts. This Aeon of Eternity was too insidious—nerf-worthy, even!
Regaining her focus, Silver Wolf and Sampo steeled themselves and pushed open the dungeon's creaky wooden door.
Silver Wolf poked her head out first, confirming no one was around, then scanned the outside layout.
A solemn, sacred church. Say what you will about the Church's absurdity—who puts a dungeon inside a holy sanctuary?