The exploration team had eight members. Vice Admiral Iceberg, Edwina, and Odys led the way, followed by Daniels, a sailor from the Golden Dream.
The boatswain was not yet thirty. With his large belly and short legs, he looked like a walking barrel from a distance.
The other five were pirates. Since this was a rescue mission, all five were Beyonders.
They carefully descended to the lowest level. There was another corridor below, but it was short, ending at two enormous stone doors.
Odys noticed a gap between the doors. The Golden Dream's third mate and the others had probably gone inside.
"Did they know the church's layout?" Odys asked.
"Yes." That was what puzzled Edwina. "I explained it to them before we came ashore."
Odys did not enter immediately. "They knew there might be danger down here, yet they went in anyway..."
Edwina and the others stopped too. It made no sense.
Odys quietly peered through the gap. He could make out what looked like coffins inside.
He had read some relevant documents. This level was generally quite spacious, since it served as the entire city's communal burial ground.
After ordinary believers died, their coffins were arranged neatly in the depths of the burial hall. Only important religious figures were placed near the entrance, in the center of the hall.
As Odys considered this, his spirituality suddenly sensed someone hurrying toward the doors.
The stone doors blocked his view, so he could not see who it was.
He slipped one hand into his satchel, stepped back, and took a defensive stance.
Suddenly, a pair of terrified eyes appeared in the gap. Then Odys saw a face with no skin, only exposed muscle.
Its teeth were bare as well, making it look hideous.
Even prepared, Odys flinched.
He quickly retreated