The blue, humanoid slime stood proudly before the group, staring at everyone with no discernible eyes.
“Come on, guys. Hurry up and get me out of here! Oh, you rescued my lackeys—uh, partners—too, huh? Good job!” He laughed with the voice of a kid trying to sound grown-up.
Anastasia and Bella kneeled before him and said, “Guild Master,” proving without a doubt that the healers had found their target.
“Would you look at that!” Nicholas sneered. “You can’t free the Guild Master without his two NPCs. And you were planning to ditch one of them, weren’t you?” He shot a sly look at the Shaman.
Edward clenched his teeth, gathering his patience. Then he addressed the members of the Phantom Seekers. “Guild Master, Bella, Anastasia—do any of you know a way out of here?”
“I do!” the Slime said, raising his hand. “But what’s in it for me?” He rubbed his chin, then jolted as if scolded by a voice in his head. “Okay, okay, I’m sorry! I mean—I know where the exit is, but we’ll have to be careful. It’s close to the witch’s domain.”
Another warning about the witch, Edward thought. It’s as if the organizers are telling us it’s a fight we can’t win. But with all these warnings, I’m starting to worry what even triggers the encounter.
He shared his thoughts with the rest of the healers and formed a cautious marching order.
“You and your zombies will take the vanguard,” he told Nicholas, who smirked. “You don’t mind, do you?”
“My minions can take a beating, that’s for sure. But I can command them fine from the backlines. Why can’t I stay there with you guys?”
Do I have to spell it out? You’re the most suspicious one here… at least, that’s what everyone thinks.
Edward turned to his team. Truth is, I need to be in the back to keep an eye on anyone who tries something funny.
When Nicholas did not get an answer, he sighed. “Fine. I’ll take the vanguard. Try not to get your asses bitten by anything on the way, okay?”
Minutes later, the formation cut through the swamp like a spearhead: five Undead Users at the front with Nicholas close behind, Anastasia, Bella, and the Paladin in the middle, and finally the Guild Master guarded by four healers, with Edward bringing up the rear under the pretext of casting Life Check in case of an ambush.
No one will attack us yet, he assured himself. At least, I hope not.
He looked at the group that had been with them since the start and swallowed hard. It’d be easier if none of them were the impostor.
“How much farther?” Nicholas called from the front.
“Not far!” the Guild Master chirped. “Just past that ridge!”
The swamp opened up to reveal a massive stone structure half-sunken into the marsh. Once-white pillars supported a domed roof now draped in vines and moss. Worn steps descended into the murky water that flooded the entrance, and the entire building seemed to lean slightly forward.
“There it is!” the Guild Master announced. “The Temple of… uh… hold on.” He paused, listening to something. “Right, right! The Temple of the Goddess—wait, no—the Red Goddess. That’s it.”
Nicholas whistled. “Looks spooky. Perfect place for a final boss, don’t you think?”
“We’re not here to fight, Nick,” Edward replied, scanning the area. “Send two Undead, and both NPCs as well.”
“Your wish is my command, boss.”
Nicholas silently ordered two Undead forward and gestured for Anastasia and Bella to follow.
The scouting team returned shortly after. “No traps,” Anastasia reported. “It’s safe.”
The interior resembled other temples they’d seen in towns—only this one had been abandoned and reclaimed by nature. Pale light filtered through shattered stained glass, casting fractured colors on the stone floor. Rows of wooden pews lined both sides of the central aisle—one collapsed when a healer leaned on it. Vines crept through cracks in the walls, and moss covered nearly every surface. At the far end stood an altar with a monument.
They advanced, drawn by its presence—a statue of a curvy woman with long hair, carved from limestone. At first, everyone’s gaze was drawn to her ample chest, but it soon shifted to her raised arms, extended upward, palms open and fingers slightly cupped, as if she were meant to hold something unseen.
As if she were meant to hold something, the Shaman thought, scanning the room. But there’s nothing here that fits. It has to be something we already have… yet we’ve found no treasure, and we can’t use our inventories. So what would this goddess—clearly inspired by Amelia Laflamme—want from us?
Wait... Laflamme? Edward turned toward Nicholas, who was staring at the statue with a faint, amused smile. That last name’s too rare to be a coincidence.
“The Red Goddess,” Bella whispered, kneeling with clasped hands.
“There’s an inscription,” a healer said, crouching. “‘Present thy offering to the Red Goddess, and in Her mercy, a new path shall be revealed.’ An offering?”
“It wants one of the starting items we got,” Nicholas said almost instantly. “See her hands? You can place a potion or a mage staff in them easily.”
The healer frowned. “And how the hell do you know that?”
“He’s right,” Bella said softly, eyes closed. “I can hear the gospel of the goddess... She says, ‘Present before me the Draught of Living Blood, and thy healing touch shall become divine as mine own. Present before me the Vessel of Concentrated Wisdom, and thy magical reservoirs shall be made bottomless. Present before me the Rod of Arcane Mastery, and I shall grant thee dominion over all that is unholy.’ End quote.”
Maude rolled her eyes. Wow… divine revelation, or just parroting whatever they told her through Private Chat?
The group exchanged uncertain glances, waiting for someone else to interpret the cryptic words.
Nicholas was about to speak when the Paladin stepped forward. “I think it means the offering determines the buff we get for the final phase. The ‘Draught of Living Blood’ must be a Red Potion. The ‘Vessel of Concentrated Wisdom’ sounds like a Mana Potion. And the ‘Rod of Arcane’—obviously the mage staff.”
The healers nodded in agreement.
“But what about the buffs themselves?” Edward asked. “Any idea what they do?”
“Shall I recite the gospel again?” Bella offered, peeking with one eye open.
“No need, my lady,” the Paladin said, helping her up. “Let’s see… ‘Healing touch, divine like my own’... that’s increased healing. ‘Bottomless magical reservoirs’... faster mana regeneration or a larger mana pool. And ‘Dominion over all that is unholy’... bonus damage against our final enemy, most likely.” He smiled modestly. “Of course, just my guesses. What do you all think?”
“I think you nailed it, uh…”
“Henry.”
“Yes, Henry. Thanks to your breakdown, I’m confident these mechanics work exactly as you described. Right, everyone?”
“Cute,” Nicholas muttered. “Now the real question is, what buff do we take?”
“Wait,” someone asked. “Do we even have all the items?”
After comparing inventories--and hearing the excuses of the majority--they found two Red Potions, one Blue Potion, and a mage staff held by one of Nicholas’s undead.
“We’re lucky,” Edward said. “We can choose any buff. But which one?”
“We should vote.”
“No kidding. But we’re excluding the zombies, right?”
“That goes without saying!”
The Paladin raised his hand. “I know I’m overstepping again, but hear me out. We should use the staff.”
“The bonus damage?” Edward frowned. “Why? We’re almost done. We should find the exit and avoid the witch at all costs.”
“But think about it,” Henry continued. “Why offer us buffs at all if there isn’t a boss fight ahead?”
“You… have a point,” Edward admitted.
So no matter what, we’ll have to fight her? I was sure it was optional. Was I wrong all along?
He glanced warily at Nicholas. The other one with a brain here is this guy… but can I trust him?
“I agree,” a healer said. “Let’s offer the staff. Better odds that way.”
“True. Let’s do it.”
One by one, the four healers that followed Edward voted, forming a majority.
Nicholas shrugged. “Don’t you love democracy?” He then ordered an undead to place the staff in the statue’s hands. The young cleric hurried forward, set it down, and stepped back quickly--as if he could not stand being the center of the attention.
“You have made your choice, and a new path has opened,” Bella declared as the wall behind the statue slid open to reveal a hidden passage.
“Way to go, guys! You found the exit!” the Guild Master beamed and strode in first. “What are you waiting for? Let’s go!”
Even the Guild Master says that’s the right path…
“After you, ‘Dark Lord,’” one of the healers said to Nicholas with a smirk.
Nicholas ignored him and sent his minions ahead. Edward took the chance to follow closely behind.
They entered a narrow corridor lit by torches that flared to life as they passed. The slime was barely visible in the distance. The swamp’s damp smell gave way to the cold, dry air of stone and dust stirred by their footsteps.
Edward drew closer to Nicholas. “You said your last name was Laflamme, right?”
“It is. Why?”
“Playing dumb? What are the odds of someone sharing that rare name with one of the organizers?”
Nicholas sighed. “Don’t overthink it. We’re just relatives who went different ways, that’s all.” He paused, then snickered. “Still think I’m the impostor?”
“That’d be too obvious. But can you blame me for suspecting you? I’d be a fool to ignore what’s right in front of me.”
“Doesn’t bother me,” Nicholas said lightly. “I like people who trust no one but themselves.”
“Are you comparing me to you?” Edward sneered, voice darkening. “I could never do what you’ve done to win. Using people as your toys…”
“I’m just using the best tools available. Besides, it’s not as if I was going to keep these necromancy powers after this virtual vacation is over. What’s wrong with having a little fun while it lasts?”
“See? We’re nothing alike.”
“Ah, yes. You prefer to control the living.”
“What did you say?”
“We’re here! We found the exit!” the Guild Master shouted, his voice echoing down the stone corridor.
A dome-like chamber opened before them, vast and circular, with walls carved from the same pale stone as the temple. Torches lined the perimeter, their flames dancing in unnatural shades of crimson and violet. The ceiling arched high above, disappearing into shadow despite the light below.
At the center stood a massive circular platform, elevated by three stone steps.
Edward looked up, as if drawn by something. Hanging from above was a barely visible figure—something suspended by thick chains that faintly gleamed through the gloom.
His attention shifted at the sound of shuffling to his side. Someone grabbed his forearm with painful force, jolting him. Thinking it was an enemy, the Shaman was about to gather mana and retaliate with a Quick Spell, but stopped when he realized he was face to face with another user.
“It was time you guys showed up!” the user cried, the torchlight distorting his features. He then fell to his knees, seemingly relieved.
Edward crouched on instinct and began a healing spell before Nicholas snatched his wrist.
“Easy there, cowboy. What if you were about to heal the impostor?”
Edward’s eyes widened. The user had all the right signs: a life bar deep in the red and a clearly human silhouette. But after hearing Nicholas’s words, he withdrew his hand and rose to his feet.
The user heard those words too and began to tremble. “D-Do you suspect me? W-What are you talking about! I’m not the impostor! It was that fiend who—!”
By then, the rest of the group had gathered. At the tail of the formation stood The Paladin. As soon as the light illuminated his face, the user let out a piercing wail and fell back, pointing at him.
“THAT’S HIM! THAT’S THE IMPOSTOR!”
Edward frowned. “What the hell are you talking about? Who did you say attacked your team? Who are you?”
“I’m Henry! The Paladin who came up with the idea to visit the points of interest, remember?! I found the place where the guild master was supposed to be—but found HIM instead!”
The group turned toward the one dressed as The Paladin. Once he had everyone’s attention, he smirked.
“Welcome, everyone, to the final test. Rejoice and hear the Red Goddess’s final gospel.”
He snapped his fingers, and the thing hanging from the ceiling descended ten feet, revealing itself as a replica of the Red Goddess statue—upside down and drenched in a black substance that dripped steadily onto the floor.
“Well done, healers—and by well done, I mean, you fucked up!” a female voice echoed through the chamber. “You failed to work as a team and brought an impostor into these chambers. Which means… there will be a penalty…”
Edward glanced toward the distance. Beyond the white circular platform stood a metal door.
That’s the exit!
Blocking it was a woman, forming from the black liquid pouring down the unholy statue.
And the witch…