Case 232: The Darkness Project and The Script.
There's a certain irony in the cult's hierarchy.
The lower branches, the ordinary cultists, and even the small managers all possess a fanatical obsession with the madness that the calamity exudes. One might say that it is what makes them cultists in the first place. Yet, from some point onward, this obsession fades.
Higher members who wield more power seem to realize something other than that admiration for chaos. Precisely because they are more powerful, their sanity and desires remain intact. The further up we go, the truer this assumption becomes.
Thus, the leaders of the cult only pursue their own interests, using the false pretense of worship to exploit their subordinates.
''Project Darkness...''
As I mutter the name, I can't help but recall my previous fight with Darkness, one of the cult's two Advents. At that time, I was puzzled at how her ink-like tides could fight against the power of Nihility, but it did look like she also wielded divine power, albeit an incomplete version of it.
If so, it wouldn't be too outrageous to think that she is the one they're trying to make a god out of.
Either way, it doesn't change the fact that I'll have to dig deeper to see the end of it—such thoughts flash through my mind as I exit the facility.
This has been the seventh hideout of Ravenous Moon that I've cleared out this evening. Expectedly, it turns out that the authorities have captured many cultists during the uprising last week, many even among the countless people who have been controlled.
Of course, they were interrogated—tortured in many cases, and their testimonies exposed an alarming number of the cult's bases, most disguised as normal shops or companies. Many are so well-established that they seem more credible than genuine ones.
Once again, this speaks volumes about the degree to which Ravenous Moon has taken root in human society. Although... I can't help but feel like this sudden breakout is a bit fishy. They most likely knew that they would be exposing themselves doing this, yet they did it anyway.
Perhaps this is a trap to lure someone in. Someone... like me.
Holding a piece of the document about Project Darkness, which has been conveniently scattered throughout the cultists' strongholds, I nearly shake my head. Darkness's appearance was probably planned, and so was her inexplicable escape. The way they're trying to bait me to come to them is laughably obvious.
Still, there's no other way to get to the truth of it if I don't follow these crumbs. The most important task is to find out the relationship between Ravenous Moon and Buezrith.
So, after handing Neveah the materials to build additional computers, I rummage through the cult's various bases for clues for the next few days.
By now, the ordinary cultists no longer pose a threat to me or my horror companions, who are working with me for better efficiency. Rather, our doings are plastered all over the news now, so they seem terrified upon seeing us.
''D-Don't come near me!''
''Monster! Monster...!''
''Oh, Mother Goddess, please forgive my sins...''
Looking at the dozen or so cultists brawling on the floor, some even resorting to praying to Neveah, I am rendered speechless. The moment I take out my sword, their fighting will promptly extinguish.
How utterly pathetic.
''Tch.'' I click my tongue, startling the bunch.
Although they all stare at me with pleading eyes, I can virtually smell the blood on their hands. No need for mercy.
My heart is as calm as a lake as I raise my sword.
Once the cultists are taken care of, I search through their hideout and find another page of the document.
''Oh, lucky.''
The whole file has sixty pages. I know that since I found the last page yesterday. And with this addition, its content is largely decipherable.
Project Darkness is essentially a plan to create a god for Ravenous Moon, one that will directly oppose Neveah, their nemesis. To artificially make a god, they must emulate how a genuine one develops.
Aside from divine energy, which can be obtained by recycling mythical items, they need a vessel and a soul that can withstand that divinity. If compatible, the final 'product' will be nothing short of a real god.
It just so happens that a girl named Darkness has just enough qualifications for this process.
Coupled with a recent report attached to the file, it can be inferred that the cult has long gathered enough materials for the ascension, but Darkness's soul and body still need tempering. This means that I can steal their treasures and give them to Neveah.
Perfect.
Too perfect.
If this isn't a trap, I'm not sure what is. Who designed this?
''Hah...''
Letting out a long sigh, I prepare to leave the basement, yet just before stepping out, something catches my eye—the director of this facility, who has been hiding here for quite some time, perhaps fearing the new wave of 'cult extermination.'
More specifically, the letter he has been writing before I stab his heart.
Snatching the bloodied paper, I begin to inspect its content.
The letter addresses another director or another branch, mentioning his anxiousness over recent events and requesting reinforcements. Unfortunately for him, he is a step too late.
But one sentence stands out: '...the higher-ups refused to send help because of 'The Script' bullshit, so we can only help each other. Brother, I can only rely on you...'
The Script.
Another thing to take note of.
After pondering its meaning for a bit, I decide to put it aside for the moment and focus my mind on the main objective—stealing treasures. The file, conveniently, states the hideout that stores the remaining mythical pieces for Darkness, so I already know where to go, but the question is... should I?
I'm not an idiot. Neveah told me to collect these things not because Yggdrasil actually needs them. If the egg lacks divine energy, she herself can fuel it anyway.
Which means... she is subtly hinting that I should go wipe out some more cultists and earn some experience?
I wonder if she knew any of this beforehand.
For the rest of the night, I continue with my job as usual, clearing out the vicinity of the capital. The number of these hideouts, even if one only has around ten to twenty members, is staggering. I can only hope there are no more of them.
Still, hearing their death screams is also a kind of therapy. Thanks to them, I can comfortably weigh the options while doing the deeds, like hearing an ASMR while grinding a game... or so Chloe would say.
In the end, I pay another visit to Neveah, who's deciding the layout for the additional computer units.
''I'll wait a bit more before raiding that base,'' I say. ''It's probably a trap.''
''Is that so?'' The goddess replies, her expression ambiguous. ''If that's the case, then you don't mind going a bit farther to farm the mobs, right?''
The moment that smile tugs at her face, I immediately realize that this must be her plan all along. Clever woman, handing me her chores.
''Fine.'' I let out a sigh.
Maybe we can use this opportunity to let the horror play...