I Became the Priest of Blasphemy of the Outer Gods

Chapter 84



Chapter 84. Spider Hunt (1)

“Where are you running off to in such a hurry?”

“You crazy Outer God priest! I told you not to come any closer!”

A Stigmata was frantically trying to escape from me. His body was covered in wounds, and with a large injury on his ankle, even moving seemed to be a struggle for him.

“It seems there’s been a misunderstanding. I have no intention of harming you.”

A few minutes ago, I had stumbled upon this injured Stigmata and approached him in a transformed state to gather information.

I thought the transformation would hold for a while, but it unraveled unexpectedly, revealing my true identity.

The sight of an Outer God priest with red hair turning back caused him to flee in terror.

“Don’t be ridiculous! Do you think I don’t know that you’ve been killing every Stigmata you’ve come across?”

Not every Stigmata I encountered ended up dead. Some of them bore brands that marked them as criminals, but those without such markings had merely converted, and I frequently left them alone.

This fellow was one of the latter, so I had no intention of bothering him. Yet, no one seemed to understand my sincerity.

“Aahhh!”

“Oh, for goodness’ sake.”

Terrified at the thought of being harmed by me, he attempted to take his own life. I reluctantly used Gluttony to knock away the dagger and restrain him.

“Hayat, grant me mercy…”

I sighed as I approached the Stigmata, whose face had grown pale.

“All I need is some information.”

“And what information exactly are you seeking to go to this extent?”

“Let me ask you directly. You’ve completed the first stage initiation ceremony, haven’t you?”

“How did you know that… So, an Outer God’s priests can discern such things?”

Just as I suspected. Even though I had deployed many to search for the spider cocoons, finding each one individually wasn’t easy.

The fact that we discovered this before a major incident occurred meant that they had indeed performed the first stage initiation ceremony on a select few to make them searchable.

“It’s obvious, isn’t it? But there’s something strange. Even though a single spider occasionally emerges, it’s extremely rare. It’s unlikely they would have suffered such injuries from dealing with an ordinary spider cocoon…”

That’s where my suspicions began. Perhaps this fellow had directly encountered the Leng Spider currently on the wanted list.

But then again, that couldn’t be right. The chances of surviving such a monstrous encounter were incredibly slim.

“Who did this to you?”

“A spider about the size of a wolf. And the ones leading it.”

A spider the size of a wolf… It was likely not the actual Leng Spider but rather a creature contaminated by the aura of an Outer God.

“Were those who were leading it human?”

“…?”

“Could you describe those leading the spider?”

I took out a purse from my pocket for him to see.

“My goal is to hunt that spider. If you share your story with me, I’ll see you compensated, along with information on this incident that you can report to higher-ups.”

“Really? Then swear by the name of the God you serve… No! Don’t say the name!”

“Wise decision.”

Finally, I was able to hear the Stigmata’s account of the encounter.

* * *

“Humans cooperating with that spider…”

Ender frowned upon hearing my story.

“What could be their purpose? The Leng Spiders don’t offer any sort of reward. They are creatures that consume human flesh. There’s no gain in cooperating with them.”

I nodded in agreement with Eldritch’s comment. According to the information from the Stigmata, there were at least five human collaborators.

However, due to the nature of the scripture, they couldn’t learn miracles, and even if the Leng Spiders provided something, it would be poison or spider silk.

There’s no reason to cooperate at all.

“Moreover, the composition of their group is odd. It’s full of middle-aged people, and there are many women…”

It was said they faced three Stigmas of the second rank, which didn’t seem like a suitable combat force.

‘In the real world, the first rank is akin to a national-level athlete, while the second rank corresponds to a bear, wasn’t it?’

With three Stigmata, they could usually manage most situations, but the enemy’s forces far exceeded expectations.

They weren’t ordinary humans; their bodies had transformed like spiders, and they even possessed divine relics.

Moreover, there were mutated monster spiders involved.

“But the result was the death of two Stigmata and one collaborator.”

Despite having the advantage in power, the combat performance was lacking.

It was telling that they hadn’t chosen veterans with vast combat experience.

“The selection itself was problematic.”

I agreed with Ender’s statement. The mutation would certainly enhance physical abilities, but unless someone had undergone extreme training, their mind would naturally weaken with age.

In other words, they would be likely to lose their intellect or become uncontrollably monstrous.

“The aging of the body was also a critical factor. If they couldn’t withstand the mutation, their body could collapse.”

These were not disposable combatants; they were somewhat important selections, entrusted with low-grade divine relics.

“It seems like they weren’t suited for this role… More like they were forcibly enhanced to exhibit more power.”

I briefly fell into contemplation.

The hybrid Leng Spiders committing acts of apostasy. Middle-aged human collaborators. While they possessed combat strength, experience was lacking.

“Was it a matter of choosing test subjects with successful mutations? It can’t be. Then, perhaps the aging of those previously mutated… No, that’s not it either.”

The last possibility that came to mind was only one.

If there was a reason to choose these unsuitable individuals deliberately—

“…… Loyalty.”

Being linked to an entity as extremely shunned as an Outer God would require loyalty that couldn’t be achieved through ordinary relationships.

“…… Eldritch, there’s some information I’d like you to look into.”

“Yes, please proceed.”

“Investigate recent disappearances or deaths of fallen nobles or noble ladies, especially those with a long history.”

“Understood.”

I then shared with Ender what I needed from him as well.

“I’d like to arrange a meeting with a couple of specific mercenaries.”

“Specific mercenaries? Who might they be?”

Ender looked puzzled.

* * *

In a back alley of Wave Reach.

“Where’s that troubadour you used to always have around? Have you finally gotten tired and want to try another man?”

A large, muscular man sneered at the adversary before him.

“But what should I do about this?”

Backband two huge figures appeared, masked, and made threatening sounds by cracking their joints.

“You won’t be able to handle us all alone, right?”

“Ansandy. You’ve been poking around with that annoying partner of yours, getting way too bold. We’ve suffered losses because of you.”

Ansandy drew her sword without a change in her expression.

“Firstly, you all lack the integrity to speak of losses boldly.”

The hulks were human traffickers.

They were members of a criminal organization that smuggled in and tested low-class Outer God’s relics and unverified potions.

Ansandy and Delion had been tracking and hunting them.

“Secondly, because of that annoying fellow, I am never alone.”

Ding~

As if responding to Ansandy’s words, an instrumental sound echoed from somewhere.

“Of course! The lady and I are always one in heart and soul! Miss Ansandy always has me, her dependable counterpart, by her side, you trash!”

“Be quiet. And lastly……”

Flames erupted from Ansandy’s sword.

“Even if I were alone, dealing with you wouldn’t be difficult.”

The giants charged with terrifying momentum.

They had injected themselves with a Strength enhancement potion still in the trial phase, increasing their size and power, which caused their strength to far surpass that of average humans.

One giant’s fist, producing an intimidating sound, extended towards Ansandy, but she evaded the attack at a much faster speed.

The wayward fist caused cracks in the building wall, producing a loud noise.

“Swift, but ultimately, with such a slender sword, you can’t possibly-

Thud, thud, thud!

In an instant, Ansandy’s sword pierced three places on the giant’s body, and he fell before he could even register the pain.

It was an instant death.

This occurred so quickly that there was no time to react.

Although there seemed to be no major wounds initially, a staggering amount of blood began flowing from his body.

“Our lady’s sword is as lethal as her beauty! You, who have boosted your strength with suspicious potions, will be instantly-

“I told you to be quiet.”

To Delion’s enthusiastic explanation, Ansandy responded coldly, evading another giant’s attack.

She quickly maneuvered behind the enemy and stabbed through the eyebrows, heart, and spine, killing him.

“Did you really think you could catch me with such measly skills?”

Ansandy aimed her sword at the only remaining giant.

The giant raised both hands calmly.

“Whoa… calm down. Alright, just tell me what you wan-

Before he could finish speaking, Ansandy’s sword pierced the man’s neck.

“The only thing I want is to execute scum like you.”

“Oh~ my fierce lady indeed! Your merciless act is like a sharp blade! Now, since the task is done, shall we go for a drink together?”

“I’ll pay for that drink.”

Both of them tensed when a man abruptly interrupted, but their faces quickly turned to astonishment.

“You are… the berserker Ender!”

“What does someone of your stature want with us?”

Ender shrugged his shoulders.

“A secretive client seeks the two of you… No, never mind. Forget it. A red-haired Outer God priest wants to meet you both. Will you accept?”

* * *

A place seemingly detached from the bustling world.

A room where the walls, ceiling, floor, and all furniture were covered in white threads.

On a small bed draped by a curtain of threads, a delicate silhouette shook faintly and weakly.

“Not enough…….”

Near the bed lay empty and messily scattered remains of cocoons.

Though a thread had once covered the remnants to conceal what lay beneath, it failed to hide their outline.

Small piles accumulated, resembling human bones and spider legs.

“Not enough!”

『Not enough! Not enough!』

A sharp and impassioned voice, akin to scratching iron, cried incessantly.

Knock, knock.

Respite came as the knocking sound filled the air, contrasting with the bizarre scene of the room.

As the door opened, a peculiar figure, covered in spider carapace and red eyes, entered.

Only the long white beard under the chin indicated he was an old man.

“I have brought it.”

The stiff and seemingly forced articulation attempted to sound careful and gentle.

The old man set down three cocoons, each the size of a human torso, beside the bed.

“It has come!”

『Finally here!』

The silhouette shrieked with pure joy and moved.

In an instant, the spider cocoons disappeared into the veil surrounding the bed.

“More!”

『Much more!』

The sound of the voice was soon drowned by the ceaseless munching sounds.

『More, more! Not enough! More!』

Throughout the mansion hidden from view, the innocent yet agonizing voice resounded endlessly within the minds of every living creature.


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