Chapter 49

After leaving the cabin, Zhong Nian still wore a hint of displeasure on his face.

He was already depressed from last night’s encounter, and going downstairs only to see a group of irritating people didn’t help.

He bit into the bread viciously, as if venting his anger, stuffing his mouth full until his cheeks bulged and moved like those of some small animal.

He glanced at the bullet comments in the Live Stream Room and said in a haughty tone, “You all can’t go causing trouble in other players’ Live Stream Rooms anymore. It’ll bother me a lot, or else I won’t stream again.”

He deliberately made his words harsh, risking the viewers’ dislike, but it proved effective.

The viewers who had been wildly excited when he started streaming all quieted down one by one, lining up to send the same message.

【Okay, Wife Baby QAQ】

After seeing it for so long, Zhong Nian had grown accustomed to their sticky nicknames. Seeing them obey eased some of his anger, though he still kept a stern face. “You don’t want players coming to hassle me over this, right? They’ll hold it against me because of it.”

【Wife is right.】

【From now on, I’ll just secretly watch you in their Live Stream Rooms and won’t post anymore.】

【Sorry, Husband was wrong.】

【We’ll listen to you!】

Satisfied with the result, the corners of Zhong Nian’s mouth twitched upward slightly. He finished the remaining bites of bread, feeling choked without any water to wash it down, so he patted his chest to force it down.

He licked the bread crumbs from his lips and wasted no more time, striding quickly toward the church.

With the other players absent, the Small Town residents didn’t hide in their rooms. Instead, they watched Zhong Nian with curious but kind gazes, some greeting him and asking if he needed help or where he was headed.

“To the church,” Zhong Nian told them.

Without exception, the residents showed worried expressions, hesitating as if they wanted to say more. “Then be careful.”

Zhong Nian smiled faintly in response. “Thank you.”

He ran into those Children again. They clustered around him, escorting him all the way to the church entrance. They stuffed him with even more snacks than yesterday, along with flower garlands woven from wildflowers and weeds or other handmade crafts.

It was clear they had prepared these deliberately, and Zhong Nian couldn’t bring himself to refuse their innocent goodwill. If not for one Child who happened to give him a woven flower basket perfect for carrying things, he wouldn’t have been able to take everything even if he stuffed his pockets to overflowing.

He carried the flower basket in one hand and the dagger in the other as he reached the church portico, where a Black Goat lay sprawled in the middle.

It seemed to have been waiting for him all along. Upon seeing him, it rose without hesitation and trotted over with joyful little hooves.

“Baa~”

The Little Lamb hopped a bit and gently nudged Zhong Nian’s leg with its horn.

Zhong Nian looked down at it.

The Little Sheep had grown a bit since yesterday, standing taller, with its horns extended noticeably.

Could a sheep grow this fast?

Zhong Nian wondered if it might not be the same one from before when a familiar male voice sounded from ahead.

“You’re here.”

The Priest appeared abruptly, without even the sound of footsteps.

Zhong Nian’s eyelashes fluttered as he noticed the man’s different attire from yesterday.

Gone was the plain, drab black robe. This new one was fresher and more exquisite.

The high-quality black fabric was thick yet draped elegantly, cinched at the waist with a leather belt. A white sash embroidered with gold thread draped over his shoulder, and instead of a single silver chain around his neck, three layered ones added depth.

This stately priestly robe perfectly accentuated the man’s broad shoulders, narrow waist, and long legs, shedding some of its stuffiness for a greater sense of solemn dignity.

Yet Zhong Nian found not a trace of the holiness expected of a priest on the man. What he sensed instead was an oppressive pressure.

Especially when those pitch-black eyes, utterly devoid of light, fell upon him—like a tangible, damp chill settling on his skin—making him shiver involuntarily.

Recalling the warnings from the residents and the Masked Man, Zhong Nian unconsciously gripped his dagger tighter.

The Priest naturally noticed the item in his hand, but his gaze remained calm. What he mentioned first, however, was the other hand. “The residents seem to like you a lot.”

Zhong Nian smiled faintly. “Maybe.”

His aloofness was obvious, and the Priest’s expression darkened slightly.

The Little Goat pressed against Zhong Nian seemed to sense the shift in atmosphere. It tapped its hoof and rubbed against Zhong Nian’s calf, letting out a soft bleat.

This broke the intangible tension in the air.

The Priest said, “It wants you to pet it.”

Zhong Nian eyed the Little Goat’s particularly fluffy, curly wool on its head and felt tempted for two seconds before saying, “No need.”

The Priest fell silent for a moment, not pressing further. “The person you’re looking for is inside. Follow me.”

The exact same three words as yesterday, but this time, instead of leading the way ahead, the Priest stepped aside to let Zhong Nian go first.

Zhong Nian hesitated for a few seconds before stepping forward.

The Little Goat followed like a clingy little cat or dog, sticking close to his legs.

Zhong Nian watched his step to avoid trampling it and walked slowly.

The Priest matched his pace, glancing at the Little Goat. “At dawn, it was already waiting at the portico for you.”

Zhong Nian was now certain it was the same Little Goat from yesterday. Puzzled, he asked, “Why is it growing so fast?”

The Priest replied, “It eats a lot, so it grows fast.”

“…”

It was like he had said nothing at all.

Such vague ambiguity felt utterly eerie. Zhong Nian couldn’t bring himself to interact carefree with the Little Goat and silently shifted aside, dodging its nuzzling.

Visibly, the Little Goat froze and let out a weak bleat. “Baa…”

Zhong Nian noticed the Priest’s gaze turn toward him and smiled subtly. “I have a bit of mysophobia. Has it ever been bathed?”

The Priest’s brow furrowed as he nodded reluctantly. “Mm.”

After that, the Little Goat no longer stuck to him, merely following dejectedly behind.

At any other time, Zhong Nian might have noticed and softened, but his mind was fixed on the Masked Guy.

In the Back Hall, the door to the Confessional stood open. The bench that had blocked it yesterday lay overturned a meter away, with severed ropes scattered on the ground in several broken segments.

What was terrifying were the large patches of red bloodstains on the inside and the door—not splattered, but covering such a wide area it seemed poured.

Now dried and soaked into the aged wood, it looked like a fresh coat of paint.

Only upon approaching did Zhong Nian see the Masked Man slumped inside, covered in blood, head lolled forward with his hood completely obscuring his face—alive or dead, unknown.

Zhong Nian’s breath hitched as he rushed forward to check.

Before he could pull back the mask to check for breath, a sharp shing rang out, and an icy, razor-sharp blade pressed against his neck first.

Zhong Nian’s pupils contracted in shock, freezing in place.

The next second, the edge and killing intent vanished completely.

“It’s you.”

Upon recognizing him, the Masked Man relaxed his entire body and leaned his battered form against Zhong Nian.

This unguarded, utterly trusting posture made the chilling killing intent from moments ago seem like nothing more than an illusion.