Mithra carried Safin's body back to his cave. After digging deeper into a corner, she buried him.
Gathering Safin's belongings and taking the satchel he always carried, Mithra went to the cave entrance.
Swinging the hammer, she collapsed the entrance, burying him permanently. Then, without looking back, she turned and left.
...
Mithra emerged from the main tunnel entrance and walked down the mountain path towards the town.
Although the Stranger form had almost burned out her mind, experiencing that powerful Unified Sense and using it to activate miracles she hadn't fully mastered had left a lasting impact, even after returning to her human form.
Her previously stagnant Unified Sense had now extended to her right arm.
The immense power was tempting, but the chaotic thoughts and the gradual erosion of her sense of self in the Stranger form were enough to deter her.
Mithra carefully pulled Safin's pendant from her body and put it around her neck for safekeeping. Then, with a clear goal in mind, she headed towards the large church in town.
As she approached the town, the number of powerful cursed creatures noticeably increased.
But they didn't dare approach her.
Especially the eyed spider monsters. Even though their eyes were fixed on Mithra, they didn't dare use their sense-blocking ability.
Mithra's footsteps were light, barely audible on the paved road.
But unknowingly, a group of cursed creatures had started following her.
On the way, she encountered a group of believers and Night Hunter knights on guard.
When they saw Mithra, they prepared to attack. They clearly knew about the current Night Eyes wielder in town.
However, seeing the large number of cursed creatures following Mithra, they froze.
Mithra raised a hand. "Let's liven things up a bit."
Then she lightly clapped her hands.
"Screech—!"
"Roar—!"
"Aaargh!"
The monsters behind her surged forward, as if a switch had been flipped, roaring as they charged towards the church.
The believers scrambled to defend, but they were quickly overwhelmed by the sheer number of cursed creatures.
The Night Hunter knights managed to hold their own, but they were struggling.
Suddenly, a red vortex pulled one of the knights, who was grappling with a cursed creature, towards Mithra.
After activating Ki Attraction, Mithra casually stepped aside.
The knight, who had just adjusted their stance in mid-air, wasn't met by Mithra's attack, but by a familiar blue sword energy!
Swish!
The knight was cut in half, their body quickly devoured by the cursed creatures.
Mithra casually patted the shoulder of the cursed knight behind her and continued walking.
The commotion undoubtedly attracted the church's attention.
Unless specifically directed by the source of the curse, cursed creatures rarely swarmed or launched organized attacks.
The church hadn't been concerned about the cursed creatures created by their ritual.
But now…
The source of the curse was Mithra.
Although Mithra didn't understand why, these cursed creatures were attracted to her, wouldn't attack her, and even obeyed her instructions to a certain extent.
And with a casual gesture from her, the cursed creatures would turn their attention to her target.
The battle between the cursed creatures and the church attracted even more cursed creatures.
And so, with a casual stroll and a wave of her hand, she instigated a large-scale conflict between the church and the cursed creatures.
While the cursed creatures and the church members fought fiercely, Mithra strolled through the streets.
With her satchel slung over her shoulder, she entered a house, looked around, and rummaged through it. A group of cursed creatures pounced on a believer, crashing through the wall. Mithra casually stepped aside, ignoring the commotion, and continued her stroll.
She found a wooden barrel containing clean water, which she boiled using Ignite before drinking.
Then, on the second floor of a building, she found some dried meat. Her beastly sense of smell told her it was fresh and edible, so she took it to fill her stomach.
After a busy day, she was indeed hungry and thirsty.
Continuing to scavenge and replenish her energy, Mithra unknowingly strolled to the courtyard in front of the large church.
The cursed creatures had broken through the main gate. Inside, a group of Night Hunter knights and numerous believers were exhausted.
Stepping over a pile of corpses, Mithra entered the church.
Seated on a makeshift throne at the head of the church was the old priest who had pursued Mithra earlier. Around the throne were piles of eyeless bodies, the blood still fresh, some bearing bite marks and scratches.
"So noisy..."
The old priest had their forehead resting on their hand, as if sleeping, still drowsy.
But when they opened their eyes, the sharp, bestial gaze revealed that they weren't as calm as they appeared.
The cursed creatures, seemingly sensing something to fear, didn't dare follow Mithra into the church.
The church doors slammed shut. Another group of Night Hunter knights surrounded Mithra.
The old priest slowly stood up from the throne, their steps unsteady. Without their staff, they seemed to have difficulty walking.
"You escaped once, yet you return with such arrogance. It's truly mocking... Or perhaps, this is also fate's guidance… Everyone must pay the price for their choices. This town, our church, and you as well," the priest said hoarsely.
"You're right," Mithra tilted her head and dropped the satchel she was carrying.
Then, she put the last piece of meat into her mouth. Her body suddenly swelled as she transformed. With a gaping maw, she swallowed the meat in one gulp.
The Night Hunter knights cautiously retreated.
Then they saw the beast's claws flash, suddenly piercing the back of its own neck.
Rip—
Flesh tore. The dark grey hilt appeared first, followed by the blue blade, until finally, the entire sword, dripping with gore, was pulled free.
The knights felt a suffocating pressure, the blue light emanating a mixture of awe, wonder, and fear.
The beast stood upright, wielding the greatsword, the blade held before the left side of its face.
Click!
One by one, the thirty-four eyes on the blade opened, the blue light deepening.
The hunting ritual.
"Now, little lambs, begin your prayers,"
A voice, a mixture of human and bestial growls, emanated from the monster.
The old priest's expression became more fervent as they raised their hand.
The Night Hunter knights, snapping out of their reverie, gripped their swords, smeared them with live eyes, and unleashed Invisible Blade!
Flashes of blue light, followed by circular waves of sword energy, converged on Mithra from all directions.
But compared to the Night Hunter Greatsword in Mithra's hand, these Invisible Blades were like fireflies against the moon.
Mithra gripped the greatsword with a single claw. The Hunting miracle pattern flashed on her back—a swirling eye torn by bestial claws.
With a mighty swing, a sharp circle of blue sword energy spread outwards, instantly overwhelming the lesser lights of the Invisible Blades, effortlessly consuming the Night Hunter knights.
Bang!
Dismembered bodies erupted in sprays of blood, painting the church floor.
The beast stood on two legs, one claw supporting its weight, the other gripping the greatsword as it slowly approached the old priest.
The priest trembled.
Not from fear, but excitement.
Their expression became more fervent, their body also undergoing a grotesque transformation. Fur sprouted uncontrollably. Years of effort to perfectly integrate the Wandering God miracle, now completely out of control.
The human was about to transform into a beast in their pursuit of darkness.
This process was irreversible.
But the old priest embraced it.
Even if they transformed into a beast smaller and weaker than the black and white beast before them, they had made their choice, chosen their path.
"Continue your prayers,"
Witnessing this, the beast Mithra remained expressionless, the layered voice emanating from its sharp fangs, echoing through the church, lingering in the air.