It didn't take long for us to reach Jiwan and the others. They travelled with exhaustion, injury and fear of ambushes, slowing progress down. As we got closer, Jiwan, who was in the rearguard, suddenly looked back, raised his spear and pointed towards us, alarming everyone.
"It's us," I shouted, seeing his relief. "You sensed us. Nice."
"Hehe," Jiwan rushed to us with eyes beaming with happiness, "You're ok!"
He hugged the Class Rep. She didn't protest.
"Where's my hug?" I smirked.
Jiwan shrugged, "What took you so long? You didn't let her get hurt, did you?"
"She nailed the boss right in the head, buddy. Watch out or you'll be the one getting hurt!"
As soon as I finished talking, the Class Rep punched him in the guts, "Let go!"
"Oww…" Jiwan staggered.
"Did Anything happen?"
Jiwan shook his head, "We avoided anything dangerous."
I nodded, "Let's keep going then."
We picked up the pace, but we were still far off, moving much slower compared to when the three of us were alone. In these parts, the scenery had nothing that resembled our world anymore.
The journey was slow but peaceful, and the sight of the Church I called "The Sanctuary" appeared, the same as it was before we left. The changes in the world came slower here, contributing to the false belief of a Holy Place.
"Look, there it is!" Jiwan smiled, "Hey, it's us, open up!"
Jiwan shouted as we approached, but nothing. We clearly noticed the people inside saw us, but didn't open the door or say anything.
I stopped our group immediately.
"Do you feel it?" The Class Rep asked me.
I nodded. As my senses spread, two sources of strong New Qi were in the room from before, which made them Shadow and Blood, but one more source headed to the door, and another one was further inside.
Either people opened the Path, or they had guests. However, the Qi approaching the door was familiar. The door opened slowly, and Haze walked out. He looked even stronger than before as New Qi flowed out of his body.
I smiled, relieved, and said, "You opened the Path."
But no answer came.
"What's wrong?" I extended my hand. Suddenly, Haze moved.
But he didn't move to greet me. He moved to strike.
His body arched in a fighting position, and his fist smashed against me with tremendous speed and power. [Quick Thought] warned me to dodge. I wanted to. I saw it coming, but could only lift my left arm to block. Too fast. The fist went through my guard. It threw me sideways with the impact, growling in pain.
"Zen!" Jiwan and the Class Rep shouted.
Blood dripped down my face. I stopped the others from coming closer. Even before the awakening, Haze could fight toe-to-toe with a Longclaw. How strong would he be now?
What if his path was a rare trail?
If I couldn't hold my own against him, Jiwan and the Class Rep wouldn't either. I had to find out what was going on first.
"You, what are you doing?" I got up, not even bothering to wipe the blood out of my mouth. My gaze changed from friendliness to the eyes of a hunter, cold and intimidating.
Yet Haze said nothing. He just stood there.
"You don't want us in there? Fine. Bring out the girls, and we will leave." Seeing he still wouldn't answer, I stepped closer. Haze moved again, his fist coming like a cannonball.
But not this time. This time, I was ready.
I dodged to the left by only a few centimeters, countering his attack with a punch of my own, hitting him square in the jaw. I felt as if my Qi reinforced fist hit an iron wall. His head wobbled back, and he fell to his knees.
I glared at him sideways. Nothing would stop me from getting Soomi and Sooyeon to safety. Not even Haze.
After a few steps, people came out the door. Dozens of them. Holding their hands in prayer, they glared menacingly at me, "Go away, Devil scum!"
"Sinner!"
"God will protect us!"
I sighed, "Whatever. I don't care what you believe in. Hand over my friends and I will go. Then you can die, for all I care."
Haze already got up, but stayed still.
"Humph. Who do you think you are, brat?" The annoying figure of Mr. Albert came out, Sooyeon by his side. Thick New Qi involved her, even stronger than Haze's, looking wild and chaotic. It was surprising she was the other one who opened the Path.
"Ah. I knew it had something to do with you. Hey, fake priest. Get out of my way and I will let you live. Sooyeon, what are you doing? How's little Somi?"
She also didn't answer me. I frowned.
"How dare you talk to the priestess? God chose her. I know why you were so disrespectful and arrogant before. The Devil chose you!" Mr. Albert shouted nonsense.
"Boooo!"
"Get lost, evil spawn!"
The crowd booed me.
"The hell you're talking about, fool?" I glared at Sooyeon, but saw no special reaction. Something was definitely wrong. Could it be...
"You are not welcome here. The people behind you… kneel, accept God, and you will be allowed to join our Sanctuary," Mr. Albert opened his hands as if putting on a show. His face changed after seeing Fira and the others. "You…! Devil children! Look, Blood Children of the Devil accompany them!"
Jiwan, Fira, and the others frowned. None of the survivors went forward. He riled his crowd up, shouting all kinds of abuses at the Yusisin.
"So be it. As humans, you chose the Devil. Be on your way, Devil children. Do not anger God," Mr. Albert looked down on us, as if a God despising mere ants.
I cracked my fist, spilling anger, "Haze. Sooyeon. What the fuck are you doing?!"
For an instant, I saw Sooyeon's face change a little, as if she finally reacted to my words. Mr. Albert also noticed. A small magic circle formed above his head, and MaQi flowed into Soo Yeon. All traces of emotion from her expression were completely gone. Only an empty poker face remained.
I clenched my teeth. Dammit.
MaQi. This bastard also opened the Path. Not only that, but received a Magic Trail capable of turning people into puppets and controlling them. However, controlling two of them, both at the First Rank?
That was impossible for a normal trail. Only one trail I knew came to mind. It was one so devilish and insidious, the possibility completely dumbfounded me.
[Demonic Controller]!