"You drew upon your last death experience, hesitating and lingering by the door, rather than impulsively forging ahead."
Lin Xun started testing his theory about breaking free from the nested loop.
He opened the inventory and clicked on 'Healing Holy Water'.
"The cunning Apostle seems to have discovered something..."
"1. Drain the Holy Water in one swift gulp. Although you aren't wounded, the unique taste of Holy Water might be eternally enchanting."
"2. The nun's shell still lies on the ground. Perhaps you can imitate the black-clothed priest and experience one last moment of ecstasy."
"3. (Hidden Option) The hinge of the church door has long needed repair; you might be able to rejuvenate it with the Holy Water."
So it is, this game might as well be renamed A Hundred Uses of Holy Water.
"You use the 'Healing Holy Water' on the hinge of the church door."
"The viscous, greasy liquid transforms the rusted hinge, making it shine brightly once more. Successfully revived, it will no longer groan in annoyance."
"You push open the church door. The entire process is exceptionally smooth, the anticipated grating noise of the door not sounding."
"Outside, the 'Blood Sun worshiper,' with his back to you, remains oblivious."
"Do you want to attack him by surprise?"
Lin Xun's eyes light up, pressing 'yes' without any hesitation.
"You silently approach the monster and, when its guard is down, you thrust your sword into its back."
"You defeated the 'Degenerate Blood Sun worshiper', your experience slightly increased."
"Your attack did not make much noise, the monsters hiding in the ruins of the town are still unaware of your presence."
No sound, no monster attraction.
Lin Xun successfully avoids the fate of being beaten to death by a horde of monsters.
"You look at the monster's shell in front of you..."
"Degenerated Blood Sun Worshiper: A believer of the Profane Blood Sun; their body has undergone some form of mutation due to the falling power. It was sneakily attacked, leading to a heart rupture and death. Compatibility: 81 (+15%)".
"This body's compatibility is just on the passing line. If I hadn't got the 'Thousand Faces and Million Forms' trait, then I wouldn't have any chance with this body."
The current shell space is occupied by the knight and the priest, there is no room left. If he wants to possess the Blood Sun believer, he must first abandon one shell.
"You are exposed to the sun under the Blood Sun, as your sanity gradually leaves you... You suddenly realize, the bright red sun in the sky has begun to shine brilliantly, luminously holy!"
"Your so-called Bright New Moon is so filthy it makes one nauseous."
"Ah! You involuntarily praise the sun!"
"You frantically tear at the chest plate armor because it bears the insignia of the Bright New Moon. Madness is about to take over your shell... "
"Am I about to mutate? There's no time to hesitate!"
Lin Xun abandoned the useless priest shell in the shell column and hurriedly clicked on the option to possess the shell,
"You take possession of the shell of the 'Degenerate Blood Sun Worshiper'"
"You gradually recover your 'sanity'. The blood sun's glare above your head has become insignificant to you."
"The only memory remaining in this shell is... Praise the sun!"
Lin Xun heaved a sigh of relief that he had dodged a bullet.
"After you disembodied, the knight's shell dissolves into specks of starlight scattered by the wind, waiting for your next rebirth."
"The knight's shell didn't sustain a mortal wound; you won't need to consume your soul strength for the next reshaping."
It seems that as long as you aren't killed by monsters, you can change shells without consuming anything.
Nice setup. Not as grim as I thought.
He opened the shell panel to examine the newly obtained shell.
"Shell —Degenerate Blood Sun Worshiper"
"True Name: Unknown"
"Compatibility: 81% (+15%)"
"Shell Quality: Shabby"
[Shell Rank: 1]
[Shell Equipment: Dull Short Dagger (Shattered), a dagger commonly used by thieves. The blade has been blunted by absorbing fresh blood.]
[Shell Skill: Backstab (Shattered), a fundamental skill for thieves, with very limited frontal combat capability, suitable for sneak attacks and ambushes.]
This shell has both a weapon and a skill. It is slightly weaker than a knight, but stronger than a nun or a priest, and seems to be designed for an assassin profession.
Lin Xun nodded in satisfaction.
[You look up. The White Moon Church is situated in the center of the town, at the busiest intersection in the old days of Saint Lance. You gaze upon the ruins in front of you, thinking about which way to go.]
[To the East on your left: You recall that the majority of the monsters, akin to an incoming tide, are lurking on this road. For some unknown reason, you have a particular liking for the East. Ah! It turns out it's the direction of the sunrise!]
[To the South, right in front of the church: Gazing into the distance, down the desolate road, there appears to be a monster blocking the path. Bits and pieces of it, revealed from the shadow of the ruins, are extremely huge. With each move it makes, the earth rumbles and vibrates, stirring up waves of crimson mist.]
[To the West on your right: The highest landmark of Saint Lance, the Artemis Clock Tower, has collapsed. Mountains of bricks and stones block your path.]
[To the North, behind the church: A heavy metal gate is stretched across both sides of the road. Beside the gate, there is a lever mechanism to open it.]
Lin Xun frowned at the options presented before him. There seemed to be many routes to choose from, but it was not really the case.
There are too many monsters in the East, the knight was once killed there by the flood of monsters. It's not a viable path."
Mainly, the monster to the South is obviously a BOSS, approaching it now would be like seeking death.
The West is a deadlock, it's a no-go.
Only the metal gate in the North seems to offer a way out.
[You walk towards the North, arriving at the metal gate.]
[You pull the lever forcefully, the grinding of the gears fills the air.]
[You wait for the gate to open. Suddenly, the grinding noise is interrupted. Filled with confusion, you look at the lever's handle. There is a diamond-shaped hollow on top of the lever's handle, seemingly designed to hold some sort of insignia.]
[You are short on the required insignia, and the gate cannot be opened.]
Another dead end?
Lin Xun was dumbfounded. The only viable route was blocked, and he was unable to open the gate?
[Numerous crimson eyes are staring at you... The noise from the gate opening seems to have attracted their attention.]
[A horde of monsters charges towards you...]
Lin Xun's hand shivered. Damn it. He's done for.
He had only been online for a few minutes today and now he'll have to activate the anti-addiction system again.
[Dozens of 'Profane Blood Sun Cultist' surrounds you, they look at you with confusion, shaking their heads. They retreat like a receding tide.]
???
What's going on, buddy? Did this hellish game suddenly have a change of heart?
Looking at the "Profane Blood Sun Cultist" shell under his shell tab, Lin Xun had an epiphany.
"I'm one of them now. No wonder."
"So, that means I can take the road filled with monsters towards the East. Even..."
His eyes lit up as a bold strategy flashed in his mind.
[You go back to the junction where the church is located.]
[Apostle, which direction do you want to head to?]
[You set foot on the road leading to the East.]
[The crimson sunshine of the Blood Sun is spilled down, the town streets are filled with a strange red glow, making you feel very comfortable.]
[There are dozens of monsters on both sides of the road, they are all quietly enjoying the sunshine, completely ignoring your arrival.]
[You manage to get through the crowd of monsters without any danger.]
[In front of you is a four-story tower shrouded in a crimson aura, do you want to continue to advance?]
He obviously chose "no".
With some anticipation in his heart, Lin Xun wondered if his next move would succeed.
"Let's gamble! A try may make it. Winning gives me a life of luxury with models, losing means working harder... At worst, I will waste 1 soul strength."