Free Web NovelChapter 74: Chapter 73 - Monster Extermination(Part 1)
Point-of-View: Zoraiz Rafayet
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"You know, it’s kinda ironic...to think that super religious people actually attract Monsters," I mused, as we left the airport.
"Well, I mean, it’s not that simple. Monsters are attracted to Aura, which is basically life energy. Sites with high levels of spirituality or malice attract Monsters, since those extreme emotions can release such energy...such areas can range from churches, temples or other places of worship, to graveyards, battlefields, or any places with lots of dead bodies," Mike informed me.
"I think I get it...super strong emotions, like heartfelt worship or immense hatred, release small amounts of life energy, and places where those small amounts accumulate until they build up a more substantial amount and then inadvertently end up attracting Monsters, is that right?"
"Mhm, you got it. But that said, such places don’t attract Monsters nearly as much as actual Meta-Humans or other beings with Aura do. A big reason for that is because Monsters need a catalyst in order to enter our world from the Mirror Dimension," He continued his explanation, "A Meta-Human’s unleashed Aura is a more than ideal catalyst since it’s a fairly immense amount of energy, while small amounts of spirituality or malice, even if accumulated from dozens of people, can often prove to be insufficient energy sources to use as catalysts, so in such areas, it’s often the case that Monsters can’t properly enter our world, and even if they do, they can’t stay for long."
"You mean a single Meta-Human with their Aura unleashed is more attractive and receptive to Monsters than even the most highly spiritual or malicious sites?" I surmised in response.
"Mhm, that’s right. Hm, think of it this way...imagine Monsters as super horny guys in their thirties who’ve never gotten laid, and beings with Auras as really nice boobs, while spiritual or malicious sites are more like man-boobs...they’re not what you want, but they’re probably better than nothing."
Ugh, goddammit...why are his metaphors always the way that they are?
"...no, you know what, I’m not gonna say a thing. I won’t give you the satisfaction," I huffed in response.
We then met up with two Harmony members that were stationed here, named Bruno and Cyrillus, and they began leading us to the area where Monsters were suspected of appearing in.
One of them, Cyrillus, happened to live in this particular area, which was how we found out about the suspected Monster sightings...otherwise, considering how rural this area is, we’d probably have never found out till it became a proper infestation of Monsters.
Monsters don’t attack normal humans, but since they’re attracted to areas with high levels spirituality and malice, they often end up wandering and lingering in such areas and inadvertently harming the people that live there, through accidents like bumping into or stepping on them, stuff like that. Monsters may be invisible to normal humans, but they can still hurt them.
As we made our way over to where the suspected Monster sightings came from, Cyrillus, the guy who lived here, explained exactly what was going on. There was a church that had been built up on a hill last year, in an area with lots of trees and stuff.
The people who prayed in that church preached unusual yet insightful and forward-thinking beliefs, and was growing in popularity in this area. The people here had been recently hit by strings of thefts and kidnappings, the church had helped them out a lot by giving out food and other essentials.
About a week ago, one of the church-goers had been drinking at a bar, and mentioned that they’d found strange footprints around the church and heard unusual noises scratching around the building too.
What’s more, in the last few days, some of the other locals had spread rumors that they noticed strange sounds coming from the area in and around the hill too, and spotted the same footprints.
Based on the description of what the footprints looked like, Mike guessed that the Monsters were probably Chupacabras, the same type of Monster that Aurora encountered while she was living with cheetahs.
He then looked concerned and wondered if those Monsters have started proliferating at an abnormal rate in the Mirror Dimension, considering that they’ve been sighted in two separate continents. That said, they’re ranked at the lowest danger level for Monsters, the Common Tier, so they’re not especially major threats.
Still, regarding this whole situation, something’s strange...
"Why haven’t the locals called the police or anything? I mean, not that it would help with this, but it just seems like the obvious thing to do, you know," I pointed out with a frown.
"Yeah, I agree, something isn’t right here...," Nodded Mike skeptically.
"Actually, about that...the church insisted that it would take care of this problem and asked the people not to get the police involved. See, only a select number of people are allowed in the church, those who aren’t authorized are turned away at the door," Explained Cyrillus, as he continued to lead the way.
"That’s right, while they do preach some good beliefs and have greatly helped the community in this area, only about thirty people are actually allowed inside their church. They apparently have a rigorous screening process when looking at potential new members. They’re claiming that these strange noises and footprints are the work of devils, and are what are causing all the recent disappearances, and that their prayers will soon chase them away or something along those lines," Added Bruno with a frown.
Huh? Okay, now that really doesn’t make any sense...
"Weird, I know that religions are rarely ever logical, but don’t all religions try to get as many followers as possible?" I wondered, as I started to get a bad feeling.
"No, not necessarily. Some religions see themselves in a more elitist light, and their leaders can therefore be pretty picky when it comes to accepting new followers," Responded Mike, though he looked a bit uncertain too.
"Maybe so, but from what we’ve heard, this religion’s followers go out of their way to help people," I countered objectively.
"Elitism isn’t necessarily a bad thing...it could be their belief that it’s their responsibility to help those that they perceive as lesser than them," Suggested Mike doubtfully.
"Well, they are a bit mysterious and weird at times...but for the most part, they all seem to be nice people," Chimed in Cyrillus.
"I mean, evil people don’t typically look or act evil all the time, you know," I argued, as the hill came into view.
"Hm. Fair enough, I suppose."
As we got to the foot of the hill and began trekking up the path that had been made, my bad feeling started to get worse. It’s hard to explain, but sometimes I just get the gut feeling that there’s danger around the corner...I don’t have any proof, but it’s that gut feeling that kept me from getting caught back when I used to steal from supermarkets and stuff...
"This place is giving me the creeps...hey, something’s not right here. And by the way, what exactly is the plan here? They’re not gonna just let us walk right in, you know," I pointed out with a frown.
"Oh, don’t you worry. Leave it to me, I’ve got this. Just stay behind me and follow my lead," Responded Mike with a thumbs up. freeωebnovēl.c૦m
"Yeah, somehow, I don’t feel particularly reassured. Seriously, there’s something off here, I feel like someone could pop out from behind a tree or bush and stab me at any given moment," I muttered uneasily.
"You’re just being paranoid, relax," Replied Mike, giving me a pat on my shoulder.
Maybe he’s right, but I just can’t shake this feeling off...
Anyway, it took us about ten minutes to reach the church, where a couple of men were standing guard, eyeing us suspiciously as we approached them.
"May we help you? Only authorized believers are allowed inside the church, we must ask you to please turn back," Frowned one of them, I stiffened as I briefly met his gaze, a chill running down my spine...
What...is this? My bad feeling just got a whole lot worse...something feels really off about these men...for starters, having guards at a church seems a little unusual...
"Oh, my apologies, good sirs! You see, we have traveled from quite a distance to come here, we’ve heard of your wonderful religion and wanted to see it for ourselves! But, uh, I suppose I let my excitement get the better of me," Grinned Mike with a sheepish look on his face.
"Yeah, uh, that’s right, we did tell him that not just anyone can enter the church, but he simply wouldn’t listen," Chimed in Cyrillus with an apologetic smile.
"I really do apologize for my rudeness. But if I may be so bold to make a request, even if I’m not allowed inside, could I speak with your priest? I just want to understand your faith better, everything I’ve heard about it just sounds too good to be true!" Added Mike, pretty convincingly...gotta hand it to him, he’s a pretty good actor.
But it is just me, or are the guards directing some hostility at him? Have they caught on to his act? No, I doubt it...but why else would they be hostile? Wait, it’s not just simple hostility...they’re also wary and I think a little bit panicked too. I wonder...are they hiding something in there?
The church doors then opened before the guards could respond, and a middle-aged man stepped out, wearing fancy gold and white robes. I froze slightly as I met his gaze, a chill running down my spine...what was that? It’s like the feeling I got when I made eye contact with the guard, but so much worse...
"Hello, there. I am Isandro Moreno, I heard a commotion and came to see what it was, how can I help you gentlemen?" He greeted us with a smile.
It felt like alarms were ringing in my head, screaming at me to get away from this man...it’s the same feeling I used to get when security guards would try to sneak up behind me or chase me, but much, much more intense.
"I’m very sorry to bother you, Father Isandro, but as I was telling these guys here, I’m here because...," Mike began, before repeating the story he’d made up.
After a brief silence following his explanation, the priest responded with an apologetic smile...
"Ah, I see, that is quite heartening to hear. However, you see, we only allow those that we’ve deemed to be truly pure of heart to step foot inside our sacred church. Of course, we are happy to share our beliefs with as many as we can, but only a select few are granted this privilege. I do hope you understand."
Well, that’s strange...you’d think that he’d explain how they test how pure of heart someone is, or at least say something like ’we can’t let you in unless you take and pass our test’, you know? Am I just overthinking things here? Somehow, I really don’t think I am...
"Oh, well, that’s a shame. Guess we should be on our way...I do apologize for wasting your time, father," Said Mike politely, before turning to us, "Come on, let’s head back to town and grab some lunch, guys."
No, not yet...I need to confirm my suspicions, this can’t just be paranoia. I have a hunch...
"Hey, actually, do you mind going ahead of me?" I replied, before turning to the priest, "I hate to bother you, uh, Father Isandro, but I was wondering, uh...may I speak to you about something? There are, uh, certain issues that have been plaguing my mind, and I haven’t been able to talk about it with anyone because I’m afraid of what they may think of me...but I feel more comfortable if it’s with a holy man such as yourself. Would you be so kind as to spare me a moment of your time?"
"Ah...certainly, but of course! After all, it is my duty to guide God’s lost sheep, especially those that are brave enough to seek such guidance. Very well, then, young man, I shall hear you out," He nodded in response, a smile on his face...but his smile looked a bit strained.
He probably only agreed for the sake of keeping up appearances, he’s definitely annoyed right now...
"Can’t say I’m not curious as to what this is about, but I won’t pry...we’ll be waiting for you at the foot of the hill," Remarked Mike as he patted my back, briefly meeting my gaze with a knowing look.
Looks like he’s caught on that I’m upto something...glad he’s trusting me with this. Now, then...
"Um, if you don’t mind, I’d rather no one else hear about this," I said to the priest sheepishly, nodding at the guards.
"Worry not, young man, these men would never be so boorish as to share your secrets. You may think of them as extensions of myself, there is nothing to worry about...now, what exactly troubles you?" He inquired with a plastered smile.
So, he won’t get rid of the guards, huh? Does he have something to hide? Let’s find out...
"Oh, uh...v-very well, if you say so," I replied, acting like I was a bit uncomfortable, before taking a deep breath and slowly exhaling to calm my nerves.
Alright, then, here goes...
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