Chapter 68 Complete Digestion
A few days later, in Enmat Port. Inside a renovated hotel next to the ruins of a fishing club.
"So, Ms. M's body was never found in the end?"
Leonard asked.
"Yeah, she was at the epicenter of the explosion, she should have been blown to bits by now. Not to mention her, even Captain Edward and Leon, they were all gone." Lu Ze cut a piece of his medium-rare steak, skewered it with his fork, and stuffed the bloody piece into his mouth.
Since his body's recovery ability improved, for some reason, he developed a great craving for fresh meat. After eating it, he always felt much better.
"That level 1 sealed artifact was affected by the ritual and completely destroyed?"
Klein asked curiously as well.
"Yes, as for what happened to those extraordinary characteristics in the end, or whether they can be found, I have no idea."
"Then who are you?"
"Alright, alright, for the sake of the goddess, I beg you, please don't ask anymore." Lu Ze reluctantly put down his knife and fork. "I've been asked similar questions countless times by the people from the Holy Temple. I beg you to spare me and let me finish this steak first, okay?"
".sure."
Leonard and Klein exchanged a glance and shrugged.
That being said, they still couldn't help but cast their inquisitive gazes at Lu Ze.
After all, he killed... a Sequence 5!
Sequence 5 is already a high-ranking position in the Church of Goddess. It's unbelievable that such a powerful figure was killed by a mere Sequence 9 Extraordinary.
Lu Ze couldn't read minds; otherwise, if he knew what the two were thinking, he would definitely cry foul. After all, defeating Ms. M was only achieved through a series of specific conditions.
First, Ms. M never took Luze seriously from the start, and because she needed him as material, she didn't kill him outright; otherwise, he wouldn't have survived to the end. Second, Luze used a powerful ritual to trap Ms. M inside a mass of flesh, subjecting her to the combined influence of flesh and the true creator, greatly reducing her power. Finally, there were also magical items and external aids. The illusory tide released her from mind control, Mr. Azik's bone flute, and the level 1 sealed artifact "Staff of Chaos"—especially the latter, which was even destroyed—ultimately prevented a divine descent.
No matter what, I survived.
After finishing his steak, Lu Ze put down his knife and fork, savoring the satisfaction in his stomach, and let out a long sigh.
As for the Extraordinary Ones in Enmat Port, they were not so lucky. Their captain was killed, many team members were killed or wounded, their headquarters was bombed, and their important Level 1 sealed artifact was destroyed. Their situation was extremely dire.
The day of the explosion, reinforcements had just arrived from all directions and happened to witness a grand and magnificent fireworks display.
They rescued the unconscious Luze and Ms. Daly, cleaned up the mess, cordoned off the scene, rescued nearby residents, and contacted the Church of the Night. They were extremely busy.
When Luze awoke, the agents sent by the Sanctuary to investigate him were waiting for him with predatory eyes. Luze was imprisoned and subjected to relentless questioning, as well as examinations with various magical artifacts and rituals. Only when the agents finally confirmed that what he said was true was he released to see his two teammates.
Rising from the dining table, Luze casually sat down in the armchair next to him and picked up a newspaper. The newspaper was called the *Enmat Port Post*, and its front page headline was the aftermath of the explosion:
To prevent further tragedies caused by gas leaks, the authorities have established a special task force to conduct a thorough investigation of the pipeline problem throughout the city.
Indeed, the official explanation for the two explosions at the fishing club and the warehouse area was a gas leak. Therefore, aside from some panic caused by the explosions that day, there wasn't much of a reaction in Enmat port; the citizens were unaware that they had luckily escaped a devastating catastrophe.
Leonard and Klein held back for a while, but they couldn't help but come over to Luzer to ask about the details. Luzer had no choice but to tell them the story.
"How ironic that the ritual Ms. M created for the descent of the true creator ultimately became the key to her death."
After hearing Luze's story, Klein shook his head.
"That's right, and I always feel that the true Creator doesn't care about these servants, but only sees them as tools for His coming into the world. Even if He gives them many gifts, it is based on this purpose."
Lu Zedao.
Leonard nodded upon hearing this. "I once heard a saying: believe in the power of the gods, not in their mercy."
Upon hearing this, Lu Ze wholeheartedly agreed:
"Yes, the gods are not merciful."
The words had barely left his lips when a sudden realization dawned on him. His body, mind, and spirit were harmoniously and mysteriously intertwined. He took a deep breath, leaned back slightly, and seemed to hear a faint, shattering sound.
The stubborn residue of the magical potion within his body dissolved, was completely digested, and merged into one. He felt an unprecedented ease in his mind, and the low murmurs and lines in the corner disappeared without a trace. Without anyone saying it, Lu Ze understood that he had become a true "Mystic" at this moment.
He looked up and found two teammates watching him. After making eye contact, they both exchanged knowing smiles.
Yes, they know the role-playing method, and they should also know what it feels like to completely digest something.
"That's finished?"
"Um."
"That's pretty fast."
"It was pure luck."
The three of them spoke a few incomprehensible words, as if they were playing a riddle.
In the midst of conversation, Lu Ze had already summarized the rules for playing the role of a Secret Prayer based on his own experiences:
Pray to the hidden beings, establish a connection. This is only the foundation; what's more important is what comes after that connection. You can pray to the great beings for strength, but remember not to be superstitious about them, not to pray excessively, and not to expect them to help you without reason.
Because they are not merciful.
After digesting the potion and savoring its flavor, Luze had just exchanged a few words with his teammates when a beautiful, injured woman approached.
"Ms. Daly."
Several people greeted them.
"Hello everyone."
Ms. Daly looked somewhat downcast, her arm in a cast—from the fall during the explosion. "The mass funeral for the night watchmen of Enmat Harbor is about to begin. Do you want to attend?"
Upon hearing this, the smiles on the three faces vanished.
————
Enmat Port Public Cemetery.
A dozen or so newly dug holes are lined up in a row, and on the tombstones surrounded by flowers are black and white photos.
The brand-new coffins were carried by the police and placed into the grave. This step was supposed to be done by the night watchmen themselves. But there were very few night watchmen left in Enmat Port. The policemen's steps were uneven, some heavy, some light, because some of the coffins contained only a set of clothes.
"They are great guardians; may the goddess mercifully grant them peace and protect them forever."
The pastor stood before a group of relatives and friends, praying deeply and peacefully amidst the suppressed sobs behind him.
A dozen or so coffins stood silently together, just as they had relied on each other and fought side by side when they were alive, and were gradually buried by the soil. The cries in the cemetery grew louder as they were buried.
Lu Ze watched this scene from afar, his heart filled with complex emotions.
He couldn't even imagine what Cecilia would be like if he were the one buried at today's funeral.
"Hey, Luze."
Just then, he heard someone calling him.
Turning my head, I saw Greta, the girl from the Steam Church. Today, she had her hair neatly combed and was wearing a black dress.
"Oh, it's you. I'm sorry, I have to go back to Tingen soon, so the ceremony will have to wait until later."
"It's okay, I'll just give it to you directly."
Greta interrupted him, saying sadly, "You Night Watchers are quite good."
After saying that, she handed several yellowed pages to Lu Ze.