Chapter 552: Chapter 280: Ember Teaching Staff
Xia Nan’s gaze follows "my" perspective, shifting from the corpse on the ground to the tightly closed door of the church behind.
He pondered in his heart.
Without a doubt, whether from the familiar priest robe on the opponent or from the severed neck and left arm (the previous corpse had wounds in the same positions), this priest who appears dead is indeed the very opponent he just battled fiercely.
But if the scene before his eyes is not imaginary, but actually a real event that occurred in another time and space, then how could this priest, who was witnessed dead by "me," be resurrected, transforming into a corpse like a living dead?
And why does the dark grey magic staff, topped with an orange-red crystal stone, taken by "me" from the priest’s hand, return to the altar?
Xia Nan is baffled.
Yet inexplicably, as he tries to reason out why.
The first thing that comes to mind is the sorrowful and merciful gaze of the Goddess Statue, indistinguishable from the vertical yellow pupils of the snake eyes on the priest’s snake-headed staff.
The memory is far from over.
The perspective shakes, accompanied by the sound of metal armor scraping, as two Iron Gloves brace against the church door.
Slowly push open.
Buzz——
The dazzling sunlight forces "me," who has been in the dim light of the church for a long time, to squint.
What comes into view is a bustling, wide street.
Despite the stark difference in atmosphere and the completeness of buildings compared to the narrow path piled high with ruins and remnants in his memory, Xia Nan instantly recognizes the street as the one he traveled deep into from Grey Valley’s entrance, leading ultimately to the church.
The once deadly silence under dense fog and stone dust has been dispelled by bright sunlight and the presence of people in the air.
The debris and ruins that once made the street seem crowded have now regained their original, exquisite appearance, with small houses of a similar architectural style to the church, elegantly lined up on both sides of the stone-brick road.
The street is crowded with people, the vendors’ cries and children’s laughter intertwining in a lively scene.
Yet in this seemingly mundane, bustling scene of an exotic realm, Xia Nan feels a vague discomfort.
Like a small fly resting on a white wall, a strand of hair on a bright screen, an inexplicable awkwardness and unease.
It’s the suspicious black spots on the seemingly lush surface of fruits sold by street vendors, the rotten odor mixed in with the sweet fruity fragrance; the scrawny, filthy-feathered pigeon chased by children, cooing and fluttering its wings but unable to fly.
Exaggerated smiles with hollow gazes, sharp, ear-piercing, and strangely innocent laughter...
It feels like the whole world is shrouded in an indescribable gray veil, a deeper, indescribable aura pervading the world.
"I" suddenly looks up.
Then, Xia Nan also catches sight of the orange-red sun high above the sky, which despite being noon, is dim and subdued like dusk.
"I" attach the priest-entrusted magic staff at the waist and walk the road.
Possibly with considerable status, or maybe due to being an outsider, "I" attract unusual attention from passersby.
Even the most naughty children remain obediently by the roadside, daring only to lower their heads as "I" pass by, and only after "I" have walked past do they secretly and curiously raise their heads.
Considering that my current perspective depends on this body at the time, it’s clear "I" also perceive the numerous gazes from behind, filled with apparent respect, yet mixed with fear, apathy, and a hint of secret desire.
"I" choose to ignore it all.
Firm footsteps echo monotonously over the stone-brick road.
At the end of the road lies a modestly sized square.
In the center of the square, stands a fountain pool with refreshing water bubbling up, exquisitely beautiful.
A tall and corpulent knight clad in heavy armor, muscle and fat causing the iron plates to bulge, stands quietly by the water’s edge, watching the rippling surface.
"Did the gentleman give you the Fire Spark?"
The deep eyes under the bucket helmet glances at the magic staff at "my" waist, as a drum-like muffled voice resounds in the square.
The metallic flail in his hand sways gently, the chain and iron clashing with crisp squeaks.
"It’s useless..." The heavy armor knight’s helmet tilts slightly, seemingly observing the distant, apathetic crowd, "The fire will die out, no one can escape."
"Look at them... look at me." The muddled voice is filled with unrelenting fatigue and despair, "We are all shackles of this world."
"Kill me." He abruptly turns, fixing his gaze on "me," "Combat, let me return to glory... before the Fire Spark."
"I" don’t respond verbally.
Yet the sharp giant sword drawn and gripped tightly in "my" hand clearly states my stance.
Thus, battle begins.
Restricted by the fixed first-person perspective within "my" body, Xia Nan’s observations are very limited.
However, it’s evident "my" physical prowess is formidable, combat skills well-honed, and swordsmanship fundamentally sound.
Even without demonstrating any battle skill spells or special abilities, "I" still manage to suppress the bulky knight despite the significant disparity in size.