Madness

Locust Shrine · Main Hall

Almost at the same time, in the main hall, now restored to cleanliness yet still faintly tinged with the smell of blood, a dim oil lamp swayed atop the newly replaced offering table.

Wind blew in through the cracks in the doors and windows, carrying with it rumbling thunder and torrential rain.

The dog Monster was practically swallowed by the darkness in the corner. The Heavenly Secret Monster, seated cross-legged with its eyes closed before the offering table, made no sound, and it even controlled its breathing as much as possible.

Boom! A bolt of lightning crashed down. The black-robed, expressionless Heavenly Secret Monster suddenly opened its eyes.

A flash of blood-red passed through its eyes. Without even raising a hand, the doors and windows that had been shut were flung open by a gust of wind. It transformed into a streak of black wind and swept outside.

When the rain-laden wind struck the dog Monster, it shuddered violently. After what had happened before, it did not dare ask what this lord, the Heavenly Secret Monster, was going out to do again. But it was surely another bout of slaughter or conspiracy.

At the thought of the bloody scene it had witnessed upon entering this main hall that day, the dog Monster could not help turning pale. Though it had carefully cleaned the place, nausea still churned up within it.

If there was anyone to blame, it could only blame the fact that it was a dog Monster, with a sense of smell far too keen.

It shut the doors and windows again, refusing to look at the downpour outside. Covering its ears and curling up, the dog Monster disappeared once more into a corner of the main hall.

No matter how much it feared