Interception

Rustle.

Gilan stopped in his tracks.

He looked up and saw the woman in green robes and a silver mask standing silently beneath a tree dozens of meters away in the dim forest.

"Lower Layer Patroller, Sagi Frey."

"An enforcer of the Land of Gods, Tuoyalan. Now the 'Moon of Miss Elegy,' Sagi shall carry out Miss Elegy's will and patrol the 'Lower Layer' on her behalf."

Colorful, writhing words appeared before Gilan's eyes.

Perhaps because his strength had improved, the prompt was more detailed than before:

"Female, 225 years old."

"Formerly a church choir nun in the early eighteenth century. A century after chance led her onto the 'Path of the Flaming Sword,' she was called by the Hour-God of April. She voluntarily relinquished everything in the mortal world, shed her physical shell, ascended to the Land of Gods in spiritual form, and devoted her life to faithfully serving the God of Beautiful Throat and Mourning."

"Origin Rank: Rank 6."

"Origin Substance: Nether Bell (April)."

Gilan's gaze sharpened.

She had voluntarily abandoned her earthly body, forfeiting her right to continue climbing the Path of the Flaming Sword, and lived in the Land of Gods as a spirit, serving an Hour-God...

Was this how Lower Layer Patrollers came to be?

Just then.

The woman in green robes and a silver mask took out a ritual instrument resembling a candlestick, from which strings of ornate bells hung.

The entire object was translucent and glowed a deep blue.

It seemed to be formed from some mysterious power.

Jingle, jingle...

The woman gently shook the bells, producing a clear, ethereal sound that echoed through the forest.

The instant Gilan heard the ringing, discomfort spread through his body.

It was as though something had latched onto him and was constantly writhing, making his movements