The nun ran swiftly across the snow-covered ground, her voluminous habit pierced by countless fine black threads that fluttered in the snow.
Like a black, furry monster.
Yet, after chasing for so long, the human scent in the air grew fainter and fainter, almost disappearing.
And these smells were all from the "believers" in the town.
"Damn it," the feeling of being deceived grew stronger. She was in a dilemma now.
Perhaps that person was wearing clothes that could block out scents. If she didn't pursue now, it would be too late.
But what if he launched a surprise attack from behind, targeting the church?
The thought of the church immediately strengthened the nun's resolve. Compared to this intruder, the safety of the church was paramount. The remaining three "attendants" in the church would not be enough.
No longer concerned about the possibly escaped intruder, the "nun" turned and rushed towards the church, her speed even greater than before.
Meanwhile, Lin Yuan had no idea that his plan had only half-succeeded before it was foiled. He was now weaving through various buildings.
The search party from the Eternal Life Cult was behind him. In fact, if he wanted to, he could have walked right past them in broad daylight, and no one would have noticed.
But this was infiltration, not a stroll. He couldn't be that carefree.
After walking past thirteen houses along the wall, the dark, imposing church appeared before his eyes. The main hall was lit by electricity, while other areas were lit by candles.
He could tell from the flickering light.
Hiding behind the church wall, Lin Yuan found a corner shielded from the snow and looked at the map.
"To the left of the main entrance is a room with a portrait of Isis. Entering through there will lead to the room where the children are held.
To the left of the main entrance, there's a room with a large coffin.
And if you go straight through the main entrance and up to the second floor, you'll see a large door with a scorpion symbol. That's their escape route."
This was all the information he could get immediately. The map drawn by Luna and the others contained a lot of information, including power switches, the cafeteria, and the armory, as well as bedrooms. This was all information Luna had observed in her daily life.
As offerings for "important sacrifices," they were taken for physical check-ups at regular intervals to ensure their health.
However, those taken for check-ups a few days ago never returned.
This was also the bold decision they made to escape from the church.
Life is only once; they didn't want to lose it like this.
"I'll only know the rest once I get inside," Luna had said that her map might have inaccuracies, and Lin Yuan couldn't put all his hopes on it.
Putting away the map, Lin Yuan took out his pistol, flipped over, and went inside.
He hadn't even brought a medical kit, only two healing potions and an adrenaline shot, which were attached to his belt.
He didn't make a show of entering through the main door but calculated the distance and climbed through a window.
As soon as he landed, before he could even get up, he smelled meat and many spices.
No way, humans again?
Slowly standing up, he observed his surroundings. It looked like a temporary storage room, and his path was blocked by smoked pork hanging in front of him.
Seeing that the door was firmly closed, Lin Yuan felt at ease and turned on his flashlight to investigate.
It was pitch black in here, with a faint yellow light flickering at the doorway.
What was hanging was indeed pork. The perfectly normal hindquarters and pig's head indicated it was a legitimate pig.
It seemed that the Eternal Life Cult's daily diet did not include "humans."
The food in this storage room consisted only of smoked pork, along with some bread and sausages.
No vegetables like potatoes were seen.
They should be in another storage room.
As he approached the door, the report on the wall caught Lin Yuan's attention.
"October 21, Year 23: Stored potatoes, tomatoes."
"November 21, Year 23: Stored sausages."
"..."
The report listed records of stored food, all normal food names.
The most recent entry was on October 30, Year 24, storing the town's last domestic pigs and hunted prey.
They were made into smoked meat and sausages and stored here.
In the corner, there was a small table, and the books on it were neatly arranged.
There was also a candlestick, the candle still burning, only halfway through. In the center, where one would usually read, was a notebook filled with many words.
The steel pen next to it had its cap still off, suggesting the person sitting here had received an urgent order and didn't have time to tidy up.
Picking up the paper, Lin Yuan turned off his flashlight and, using the candlelight, carefully read the contents.
This was not a notebook, but a diary.
There were thick entries in the diary.
"May 20, Year 23, Cloudy.
Today is my first day on the job. What kind of experience will it be to be an administrator in the sacred church? I'm so excited I can barely control myself.
Fortunately, I stood out in the town's selection!
Lord, please bless your faithful."
"..."
The subsequent diary entries described his duties in the church. At that time, there were no report forms, and the zombie crisis had not yet occurred. Their days consisted of prayer, doing good deeds in town, helping with weeding, and finding cats, and so on.
"July 13, Year 23, Sunny.
Today, a terrifying event suddenly happened to the whole world. Many people turned into man-eating monsters. Fortunately, we have the Virgin Mother's protection and did not become those disgusting things."
"November 16, Year 23, Light Rain.
I've been working in the church for almost 6 months. Sister is so gentle. If I weren't a girl myself, I would have already fallen for her gaze.
Those detestable Trister family and Margaret family, who refuse to heed the Virgin Mother's call, will surely face retribution."
"October 8, Year 24. Five more children arrived at the church today. Sister said they are all children of the Virgin Mother, and they will all be redeemed in the end.
But I know in my heart that they were brought here by kidnapping (viciously crossed out), no, no! This is the Virgin Mother's command, the great Virgin Mother will grant us eternal life!"
The end of this diary entry was filled with frantic scribbles, clearly indicating that the person at the time was on the verge of collapse.
However, the following diary entries continued in a calm and steady hand, as if the frantic scribbles on the previous page never existed.
"November 10, Year 24, Heavy Snow.
Today is another day of baptism. After each baptism, I feel reborn. That feeling is more comfortable than orgasm. The black blood inside me is increasing, and it will bring me endless life!!
But I saw that terrifying coffin again. Every time I approach it, the black blood inside me boils, warning me to stay away.
It's so strange, why would Sister keep such a thing in the church?"
"November 13, Year 24, Blizzard.
Today, those children are to be sent to that terrifying coffin room again. What exactly does Sister want? This is not bringing them any benefits!
Tonight, I have to tell my child. She has been chosen as a candidate for saintess, and nothing more can happen..."
The diary ended there.
Lin Yuan put it back in its place. From the descriptions in the diary, it could be inferred that the strange meteorite was indeed in the church. However, his sense of urgency grew. These children were to be successively sent to that "coffin room."
As for the consequences of going inside, Lin Yuan dared not imagine.
He had to hurry.