My Skills Can Evolve Infinitely in a Game-Like World

Chapter 29: Blighted One

"Today, we suffer beneath the moon’s shadow. But tomorrow, the moon will vanish, and we shall bathe in His brilliance once more."

Erwin’s voice trailed near the end, spread throughout every inch of the dark alleyway.

He had said these words thousands of times over the past few weeks.

Yet the audience, composed mostly of homeless and distraught people, seemed never to grow tired of hearing it.

As soon as he finished his prayers, the audience rushed forward and donated their money with content smiles.

The sight of the coins piling up inside the tray left Erwin smiling.

But when he noticed the clothes of the "believers" and smelled the odor coming from them, he couldn’t help but show disgust.

Though he tried his best to hide it, the discomfort still made him unwilling to stay any longer than he needed to.

After everyone had left their donations, he praised the God of Sun a couple more times before hurriedly walking away.

While on his way, he would remove a layer of his disguise and throw it away.

By the time he reached the western district, he had transformed from a golden-robed priest to an ordinary, slightly fat businessman.

He soon stopped in front of a two-story building.

A smile appeared on his face as he took out his keys and stepped inside.

"Mona, I’m home," he shouted.

A soft female voice responded, while the laughter of children soon came from inside.

The neighbors who heard the noise shook their heads with helpless smiles.

It was very rare to see such a happy family. In their eyes, Erwin and Mona were the perfect couple.

Only a single person stared at this scene without the slightest trace of reaction.

It was Aurelius.

Since he had followed the man from the eastern district till here, it had become obvious Erwin had been his target from the beginning.

As he stared at the house and heard the happy laughter coming from inside, the information Selene had given him surfaced in his mind.

Erwin Juny.

Thirty-eight years old. A devout believer of the God of Sun.

A man with a wife and three young children.

He worked in the relatively wealthy Star Chamber of Commerce, and was considered well-off among his peers.

... Or at the very least, this was the identity Erwin showed to most people.

In reality, the truth was completely different.

"Erwin is a member of the Sunless Sect, adopted when he was young and raised by its Priests."

"He infiltrated the city almost a decade ago. Although it has not been confirmed that he has killed innocent people, it is highly suspected..." Selene’s words flashed through his mind.

He had initially doubted her words.

He didn’t believe that the Sunless Sect could have possibly planted a pawn such a long time ago, let alone that someone could act under a false identity for nearly a decade.

But after meeting Erwin, Aurelius was forced to believe this.

[Erwin Juny. Level 4 Blighted One]

Aurelius had originally been unfamiliar with the term.

But following his conversation with Selene, he came to understand that it was a basic Class exclusive to the Sunless Sect.

The way to become one was a mystery. Only the Sunless Sect knew the method.

This basically confirmed Selene’s words.

Erwin was a cultist.

’The ability to see other people’s information is extraordinary. Barring a freak like Homer, this ability can turn me into a near-perfect spy.’

Although he was certain that Erwin was a cultist, Aurelius did not rush to do anything just yet.

Instead, he followed the intelligence gathered by Selene and investigated the rest of the cult’s known members.

The results made his expression turn ugly.

’There are only a dozen confirmed members.’

’In Selene’s intelligence, only four of them were supposed to be Awakeners. In reality, though, ten out of twelve are Blighted Ones.’

Their low Levels were proof that they had only recently become Awakeners.

However, the improvement in strength was obvious. Even the weakest Awakener was far more powerful than a mortal man.

Likewise, the fact that so many cultists had become Awakeners showed the importance the Sunless Sect attached to Blood Sun City and to their conspiracy.

Just this was enough to let Aurelius know he didn’t have much time.

The crimson countdown steadily counting down at the edge of his vision only made this even more apparent.

[61:37:57]

The numbers were constantly changing. It had first shown up when he accepted the second part of the Chain Mission.

Aurelius suspected that he would discover what the System’s ominous reminder meant once it had reached zero.

He had no time. Less than three days.

Waiting for the Blood Temple reinforcements to arrive was not an option.

He had to take the matter into his own hands.

With that realization, Aurelius no longer hesitated.

Tracing his steps back to the western district, he soon arrived before a familiar two-story building.

The chorus of a happy family was still echoing, only quieting down half an hour later.

Then, the door slowly opened. A blond man walked out from inside, holding a small white book and a cane in his hands.

With a bright smile on his face, he turned toward the eastern district, planning to herd a few more of the God’s sheep.

But just as Erwin had taken a turn inside a dark alley, a figure appeared behind him.

A golden light gathered in their palm.

With practiced precision, it accurately landed at the back of Erwin’s head. His vision instantly blurred.

Darkness rapidly swallowed his vision.

Before long, he collapsed to the ground and stayed motionless.

In his final moments, the only thing he could see was a handsome young man towering above him, withdrawing the hand that had just knocked him unconscious.