Chapter 18: Close The Door, It Can’t Get In
Ultimately, Colin decided not to pick up the wooden chairs. Although, as a dedicated scavenger, he usually never missed anything that looked like trash but might be useful, he felt uneasy recalling the little girl’s final words.
“It’s coming? Who is ‘it’?”
Colin remembered that Father Kaidish’s soul image had mentioned something similar. Initially, he hadn’t paid much attention, thinking it was far from him, but the little girl’s sudden disappearance and her words brought back memories of the female survivor.
This “it” could very well be the “Bigfoot” monster. If it were, he would surely be doomed.
Colin’s mind wandered, but as he neared the main door, he froze, halting abruptly. The next second, he heard a distant footstep outside.
The footsteps were faint, as if coming from a considerable distance, but the word “heavy” involuntarily came to mind.
It couldn’t be this coincidental… Colin’s gaze tightened as he sensed a tingling, ominous feeling seeping through the door.
“Lord, the sound seems far off and the steps are slow. Should I take the lantern and lead it away?” Servant Two asked resolutely.
He realized how terrifying the source of the sound was and wanted to buy time for the lord to escape.
“No.” Colin shook his head, not out of kindness but because he knew they wouldn’t escape. None of them could.They needed another plan.
Gritting his teeth, Colin gave up opening the door and quickly said, “Let’s go upstairs!”
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Meanwhile, the footsteps outside grew closer, each step heavy and distinct due to the creature’s massive body.
As they reached the second floor, Colin was about to look out the hallway window when he had a sudden realization.
“You two, take the lanterns downstairs and bolt the door. It shouldn’t be able to get in for a while!”
After the little girl vanished, the downstairs door lost its seal. If left open, the creature would likely break through.
Colin speculated that the previous monster stayed away because of the “Wailer” inside the church. Without its presence, the monster didn’t attack.
“Yes!”
The two servants took the lanterns obtained from the female survivor and went downstairs.
Colin peeked through a slightly open window, looking into the thick white fog, towards the sound.
Soon, a prompt appeared in his mind.
【Although you haven’t seen the monster, the heavy footsteps and terrifying aura clearly indicate that the creature outside is a lord-level mutant!】
【It is hunting living creatures in the forest. You don’t have means to confront it directly!】
【Against it, you are powerless!】
A lord-level mutant… I’m just an ordinary little hunter…
Colin felt a wave of helplessness. He really needed to check the calendar before going out next time.
Just then, footsteps echoed in the hallway, and the two servants returned.
“The door is bolted, Lord!”
Colin nodded, extinguishing their lanterns’ blood. Before he could speak, a massive, deformed, tumor-covered foot suddenly appeared in the fog outside the window.
With a loud thud, Colin shut the window before he could fully see it, not daring to look further. He even suppressed the urge to observe it for hints, knowing it was a suicidal act.
Lord-level mutants could negatively affect ordinary people just by being seen. They could even kill with a glance.
So Colin didn’t look.
The next second, a loud thud came from the main door. Dust fell inside the church as the creature banged on the door.
They were now separated by only a door.
Colin immediately retreated with the others, leaving the window.
“Has it stopped?”
After moving away, Colin noticed the banging had ceased. Surprisingly, after one hit, the monster became quiet.
Colin moved to the staircase and looked down. The tightly closed door revealed nothing, but a glance through the bottom gap confirmed something was outside. Colin knew the door, though sturdy-looking, wouldn’t hold for long.
For some reason, the creature didn’t seem to want to break through.
“Maybe it’s wary of the church…”
Colin speculated, waiting a few minutes on the staircase. Confirming the monster wasn’t acting, he led the two downstairs towards the hall’s back.
He wanted to check the underground passage beneath the pulpit as a possible escape route. If there was a way out, it had to be there.
Colin removed his shoes, stepping barefoot to minimize noise and avoid provoking the monster outside.
Soon, they reached the statue. Colin held the lantern, avoiding past mistakes. He kept his shadow within the light, staying vigilant.
The two servants cleared the basement entrance. It was about a meter square, with stairs leading into darkness.
A prompt appeared.
【You sense this entrance doesn’t lead to an ordinary basement but a dangerous area.】
【Judging by its direction, you think it leads to Crow Mountain, possibly hiding an unknown treasure related to the deceased Father Kaidish.】
【However, you feel that, in your current need for rest, it’s not the right time to explore.】
【You believe it’s a death trap.】
Feeling the prompt, Colin’s body grew cold. This was the first time the hint was so direct.
Entering would mean certain death.