You Don't Seem Like a Follower of Chaos

Yun Ni shot Cheng Shi a smiling glance and rasped in her husky voice:

"You're so orderly, and you're not even manic. You don't seem like a follower of Chaos."

"You showed restraint and didn't hurt anyone. You seem even less like a follower of Annihilation," Cheng Shi continued teasing her.

This time, Yun Ni was the one who froze. She furrowed her brow, changed her stance in a flash, and plunged a dagger into the hollow of Cheng Shi's shoulder.

Cheng Shi didn't panic—not that he dared to—because he knew Yun Ni was testing him.

This sharp-eyed Assassin couldn't have suspected him just because he was orderly. She must have had some other way of sensing that something about his identity was off.

He sighed, took Yun Ni's cold little hand, and pulled out the dagger. Then, in front of everyone, he cast a Healing Art imbued with Shared Divine Grace.

The other players' expressions visibly grew interested when they saw the Healing Art.

Everyone loved having a well-endowed Priest around.

Unfortunately, the healer was a Reason Corroder.

Just as the name suggested.

Under the influence of Chaos, a Reason Corroder's healing gradually eroded the injured person's reason until it shattered, leaving them to embrace Chaos and descend into utter madness.

But this seemed to have no effect on Yun Ni. She pressed the dagger against Cheng Shi's chest again and said irritably:

"At this tier, I know nearly all His followers. I've never heard of you. Who are you? Lies Like Yesterday? One of Deception's people?"

!!!

They even knew about Lies Like Yesterday?

Well, that made sense. At 2,400 points, players could get an SS-rank talent. If they stayed in this tier long enough, sooner or later they'd be matched with a follower of Deception who had that talent.

Cheng Shi's heart tightened, but his expression remained calm as he said:

"Who told you every player shows up on the Ladder?"

He'd made up the lie on the spot to protect himself, hoping that an air of mystery would help him bluff his way through.

But to his surprise, when Yun Ni heard that, she raised an eyebrow and simply lowered her dagger.

Clearly, she found the explanation convincing.

?

Cheng Shi was stunned.

Holy shit, there really were high-ranking players who didn't appear on the Ladder?

What was going on above 2,400 points?

Were all the monsters and demons up there?

That was big news.

Still, at least he'd managed to get through it.

Although Fang Jue was a follower of Order, whose faith opposed Cheng Shi's, he showed no particular hostility.

He surveyed their surroundings, then took charge of leading the group.

"His trial is simple. We just need to find the right sacrifice.

"But since this trial will last a long time, I doubt our target will appear right away. Everyone should go and gather information on their own. After sunset, we'll meet on the first floor of the inn and share what we've learned.

"One more thing: until we get word about the sacrifice, don't kill anyone without good reason, especially on the first day.

"We're all smart people. I don't think I need to repeat myself."

As he finished speaking, he glanced at Cheng Shi.

Clearly, he was warning the follower of Chaos.

"Go about your Edicts. If you need help, I'd be happy to assist."

Wei Guan, the Hunter of Fools, glanced at the group and chose to leave alone.

Du Xiguang waved goodbye.

Yun Ni vaulted over the railing and jumped down to the first floor, leaving the two men with opposing beliefs staring at each other.

By the time Cheng Shi noticed, the man at the end of the corridor had already disappeared.

He'd left without a sound, like a ghost.

"You're the only Priest, and I'm the only Singer. I hope we work well together."

"Dumbass."

Cheng Shi sneered and turned to leave.

Fang Jue didn't seem offended at all. He would have found it strange if a player of Chaos had treated him differently.

"Fine. I hope I brought enough healing potions."

The group split up. Cheng Shi returned to his room and quickly completed his Edict.

Since the trial would last a long time, the investigation would probably take a while, too. So, to avoid drawing too much attention from the local NPCs, he changed into the clothes provided by the inn, just like the others.

The clothes fit well, but they were ugly. He looked like a stable hand.

Wait, why had he thought of a stable hand?

Cheng Shi shook his head with a grin, left his room again, and began wandering around the inn.

The inn's name was quite interesting: The Madly Growing Light of Life.

This sort of flattering, reverential name made it obvious to outsiders that the owner believed in Prosperity.

The inn had three floors and four light wells running through them. All the room doors faced inward, while the windows faced outward, forming a standard "Tian"-shaped layout.

Cheng Shi took his time looking over every corner of the inn. Whenever he came across someone who looked friendly, he struck up a polite conversation. Before long, he'd gathered a wealth of information.

The inn was indeed one of the best places to gather intelligence. As Cheng Shi sorted through everything he'd heard, he quickly figured out where the players were staying.

As it turned out, the innkeeper wasn't the only one who believed in Prosperity. Everyone in this little town, called Everbloom, worshipped Prosperity.

It was a settlement of Prosperity's followers, and a place under His watch.

The town lay in the southwest of the Isle of Hope. It was nominally under the jurisdiction and control of the Grand Inquisition, but in practice, it was self-governed by the Natural Alliance.

The Natural Alliance wasn't an alliance of countries. It was a coalition of countless small factions that shared faith in the various gods of the Life Path.

Its member factions had autonomy, but their forces were too scattered, and each governed itself. As a result, their civilizations and social development lagged far behind those of the Grand Inquisition and the Tower of Reason, both of which were large, organized powers.

Furthermore, the Alliance's factions weren't divided by geographical boundaries. They were scattered throughout the Isle of Hope, so many had agreements with one or both of these large powers to govern together.

Put simply, when Alliance members ran into trouble, they hired the large powers to help deal with it in exchange for suitable compensation.

This included, but wasn't limited to, technological development, city construction, and the investigation of crimes.

And now, Everbloom Town happened to have a problem and needed the Grand Inquisition's help.

"What? Looking for somewhere fun to go at night? Are you trying to get yourself killed? You're still going out after dark? Aren't you afraid of... Never mind, never mind. I wouldn't dare say his name."

"You're new here? You don't know? Some cultists have been challenging Prosperity's will, and the town's self-governing council is pulling its hair out over it."

"The bigwigs at the Law Enforcement Bureau have been busy lately. They won't bother with petty theft. You're asking why they're so busy? It's because of all those people who died... Ah, never mind."

"I heard the Law Enforcement Bureau has already requested help from the Grand Inquisition. I wonder if those inquisitors have eyes all over their bodies. Otherwise, how can they tell who's a criminal?"

"Life sprouts everywhere, and all things flourish. I can tell you're a wanderer who's only just found a home. Everbloom Town will always welcome you. Go take a look at the town center. He's waiting for you there."

He?

Cheng Shi stared blankly at the innkeeper, a hale and hearty old man, and blinked in confusion.

The innkeeper noticed his confusion and smiled.

"Don't be surprised. He hasn't descended, but His Will is there, protecting us."

Without another word, Cheng Shi turned and headed straight for the town center.