The Dungeon Monsters Keep Offering Sacrifices

The Dungeon Monsters Keep Offering Sacrifices – 170

EP.170 Fanatic (2)

The Monster Arena was always bustling with people. The idea of matches between humans and monsters was thrilling just to hear about. However, the arena’s matches were not endless.

“All the matches prepared for today have concluded! How was it, everyone?”

With the announcer’s words, all the day’s matches came to an end. The audience, though disappointed, looked forward to the next time. Those who won money hoped to earn even more next time, while those who lost hoped to make up for it. Among them, Edwin felt the greatest disappointment.

It wasn’t because he lost money. On the contrary, he had made a fortune.

“……”

Edwin was enraptured by an ecstasy he had never experienced before. He held a pouch filled with gold coins, having won an enormous amount with just a few bets. As a novice priest, it was something he could never have imagined. But today’s matches were over. It was time to get up and leave.

Matthew, who was beside him, lightly patted Edwin’s shoulder.

“Hey, you’re really lucky! Let’s move and have a celebratory drink!”

Edwin looked up at Matthew. Matthew was the one who had introduced him to the arena. Edwin hadn’t come to this underworld just to watch the matches. As a novice priest, he was here to build his record before becoming a full-fledged priest. Initially, he had been wary when Matthew first approached him, but now all those feelings had vanished.

Matthew was a grateful presence. Without him, Edwin wouldn’t have even thought of stepping into the arena. Even if he had entered, would he have dared to place a bet?

‘No.’

Edwin shook his head. He might have just watched and left. In truth, for a priest who served the Goddess, indulging in such entertainment was blasphemous. However, the pouch of gold coins in his hand made it easier to rationalize.

‘I can use this money to help those in need.’

Comforting himself with this thought, Edwin bowed his head to Matthew. He owed all his winnings to Matthew.

“It’s all thanks to you, Matthew. Thank you so much.”

The way Edwin addressed Matthew had changed. His gratitude was genuine. Matthew, receiving Edwin’s thanks, shook his head modestly, but Edwin was a man who knew how to repay kindness. As someone destined to become an honorable priest, he understood the importance of repaying favors.

“Tonight’s drinks are on me.”

Matthew pretended to reluctantly accept Edwin’s offer. The two left the arena together, in good spirits. Despite thinking he hadn’t enjoyed the matches much, it was already dark outside. This indicated just how captivating the matches had been.

As Edwin looked around for a tavern, a building caught his eye. It was a simple structure directly opposite the arena. Some people who had left the arena were entering this building. The sight felt strangely familiar.

‘…Ah!’

Watching the scene, Edwin recalled what had happened earlier in the day.

‘Was her name Sharia?’

The atmosphere was so different from what he had expected when he first entered the underworld that he had been taken aback. The person who had appeared before him was a young girl. She had pointed to that building and told him to visit.

‘Sharia said she was distributing bread and meat, right?’

Edwin had been impressed by the fact that someone was doing volunteer work even in such a place. That was why the building had stuck in his memory. The people entering now were probably going there for a meal.

As Edwin silently stared at the building, Matthew spoke up beside him.

“Are you interested in the Twilight Order?”

Twilight Order? Edwin snapped out of his thoughts at Matthew’s words. The name itself sounded like a religious organization. Despite everything, Edwin was an apprentice priest of the White Order. On the continent of El Dorad, no religious organization other than the White Order was recognized.

“…What kind of place is that?”

Edwin’s voice carried a hint of anger. Matthew noticed the change in his tone.

“Haha, I’ve never been there myself. I just heard they distribute bread and meat.”

This much Edwin already knew. Perhaps they had just named it the Twilight Order. Matthew continued.

“And if you visit, they say you get a chance to win a benefit through a lottery.”

“A benefit?”

“Yes, they treat you as a VIP at the arena and add an extra 20% to your winnings.”

Matthew’s words piqued Edwin’s interest. Not only did they do volunteer work, but they also offered a raffle that could make someone a VIP at the arena? This implied a connection between the Twilight Order and the Monster Arena.

“Hmm…”

It wasn’t the benefits that intrigued him.

‘Could Sharia be running the arena as well?’

He was simply curious about Sharia, who volunteered in this place. Edwin was soon to become a priest of the White Order. If the Twilight Order was indeed a religious organization, he couldn’t just ignore it.

‘Yes, this is practically an investigation.’

While Edwin was contemplating, Matthew spoke again.

“What’s the matter? Do you want to go in there too?”

Edwin snapped out of his thoughts. He was interested, but he had promised to have a drink with Matthew. After all, he had gained a lot of gold thanks to him. Breaking the promise to go in there would be dishonorable. However, contrary to Edwin’s worries, Matthew smiled and replied.

“Didn’t I say I’d show you around the area? We can have a drink later. If you want to check it out, go ahead.”

It was a kind offer, clearly made with Edwin’s best interests in mind.

“Then, Matthew, if you don’t mind, let’s visit that place briefly before we go for drinks.”

Edwin, touched by Matthew’s kindness, started walking towards the building. But he didn’t see Matthew’s expression. The twisted smile on his lips. That smile held a sinister malice, as if a devil were luring a newborn soul.

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***

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Edwin cautiously stepped inside the Twilight Order’s building. Contrary to its simple exterior, the interior presented a scene beyond his imagination.

‘…Sanctuary?’

The sight was worthy of being called a sanctuary. The soft blue lighting, as if bathed in moonlight, enveloped the space, and the floor was covered with luxurious tiles, giving the impression of entering an entirely different realm.

“Wow… This is quite a place, isn’t it?”

Matthew remarked, and Edwin nodded in agreement. It was indeed an impressive space. However, Edwin scanned his surroundings with a neutral expression.

‘Too extravagant.’

In a way, it matched the name Twilight Order, but Edwin instinctively felt wary. Initially, he thought it was merely a place for volunteers, but the interior suggested otherwise. More importantly, the atmosphere resembled that of a religious organization.

‘I need to investigate further.’

As Edwin looked around, someone approached them.

“Ah, are you new here?”

The speaker was a man in a black robe, identical to the one worn by the girl he had seen earlier in the day.

“Please, take this.”

The man handed a piece of paper to both Edwin and Matthew. Edwin’s paper had the number ’36’ written on it.

“After the leader finishes speaking, we will randomly draw numbers. The person holding the winning number will be treated as a VIP at the arena. Please be careful not to lose your paper.”

At the man’s words, Edwin’s eyes changed. The word ‘leader’ had been mentioned in the explanation.

‘Leader…’

If the Twilight Order were a legitimate volunteer organization, there shouldn’t be a title like ‘leader.’ In other words, this place was essentially a religious group.

‘It’s confirmed… they are heretics.’

Edwin stared at the paper with the number 36. The fact that winning the raffle could make someone a VIP at the arena indicated a connection between the heretics and the arena.

“……”

Edwin was conflicted. If they were indeed heretics, he couldn’t just ignore them. Moreover, the money he won at the arena, which was likely tied to the heretics, shouldn’t be accepted by someone affiliated with the White Order. Ideally, he should leave immediately and report to the local branch of the Order. Returning the gold he had won would be the righteous action for a believer of the Goddess.

However, Edwin pressed his lips together and shook his head lightly.

‘It’s not certain yet.’

It seemed prudent to investigate further to confirm if they were truly heretics. Perhaps ‘leader’ was just a title. Besides, the allure of being treated as a VIP at the arena was too tempting.

‘…It was more fun than I expected.’

The thrilling emotions he felt during the arena matches lingered in his mind. The thought of betting again made his hands tremble. Watching the exhilarating battles between humans and monsters, and the prospect of earning a fortune, was incredibly stimulating for someone who had lived a mundane life in the White Order. He was overwhelmed by a strong temptation to indulge in that excitement again.

‘It’s better to observe a bit more.’

Nothing was certain yet.

What if he stirred things up and it turned out the Twilight Order wasn’t heretical? He could end up causing trouble for innocent people, so Edwin remained cautious.

Then, a thought struck him. Even if the Twilight Order were heretical, couldn’t he just keep winning money? If he siphoned off the heretics’ money and used it for the Order, wouldn’t that be beneficial? Whether they were heretics or not, Edwin could still enjoy the Monster Arena. And if he received VIP treatment, he could earn even more money.

“Yes, that’s it!”

Edwin muttered to himself, having thought of a clever plan.

“What’s the matter?” Matthew asked.

“Oh, nothing. Just had a thought. Haha.”

Edwin brushed off Matthew’s question and followed the man in the black robe. As they walked down the silent corridor, two doors appeared. One was labeled ‘Auditorium,’ and the other ‘Truth.’

“Please enter through the door labeled ‘Truth,'” the man instructed.

As soon as he finished speaking, Matthew spoke up. “I need to use the restroom. Go on ahead.”

“Oh, the restroom is this way,” the man said, leading Matthew away.

Edwin took another look around and approached the door labeled ‘Truth.’

“……”

Just in case, he lightly summoned his divine power, but detected nothing. At least, it wasn’t a place associated with dark magic. Edwin felt a slight sense of disappointment. If not for the title ‘leader’ and the name ‘Twilight Order,’ this place would have seemed perfectly ordinary, avoiding any misunderstanding.

‘Let’s observe a bit more.’

Edwin opened the door. Beyond it was a small room with an elderly man sitting in the corner.

“Huh?”

He was taken aback to find a small room instead of a larger space. Hadn’t they mentioned the leader would appear? And quite a few people had entered the building. Yet, here he was, alone with the old man.

“Maybe I came to the wrong place.”

Perhaps the man in the black robe had given him the wrong directions. Maybe he should have entered the door labeled ‘Auditorium’ instead of ‘Truth.’ Just as he was about to leave, the old man spoke.

“You’ve come to the right place, Edwin.”

Edwin turned to look at the old man, and once again, he was shocked. The figure before him was now a young man, not the old man he had seen moments ago. Moreover, how did he know Edwin’s name?

“I apologize for the late introduction. My name is Kaleido, a scholar who studies illusion magic.”

With those words, Edwin’s eyes closed.

====

***

====

At the same time, beyond the door labeled ‘Auditorium,’ other events were unfolding. The auditorium was spacious, with mysterious symbols adorning the ceiling and walls, creating an enigmatic atmosphere. Rows of chairs were neatly arranged on either side of a central aisle. People had already taken their seats.

Their faces were a mix of reverence and anticipation. People from all walks of life, young and old, were gathered, their attire indicating a wide range of social classes. At the front, a platform draped with a richly embroidered cloth stood out. On it was Sharia, the leader of the Twilight Order.

“Beloved followers, today Brother Matthew has brought us a ‘wandering young soul.'”

Cheers erupted from the crowd at Sharia’s words. A ‘wandering young soul’ referred to someone not yet affiliated with the Twilight Order. Bringing such individuals to the Order earned various rewards. Bread and meat were standard, but material rewards were also given. This incentivized members to bring their families and acquaintances to the Order, who in turn brought others.

The Twilight Order, though relatively new, had grown rapidly by distributing wealth.

“Remember, everyone. Those who dedicate themselves to our Twilight Order will receive tremendous rewards. The most loyal followers will have the honor of truly becoming one with Him. Until the great day of His descent, let us all serve with all our hearts! Twilight!”

“Twilight!” the crowd echoed in unison.

Sharia read from the script below, stirring the atmosphere. Initially awkward, she had now become adept at playing the role of the leader.

[The followers of the Twilight Order believe they will one day become one with Him.]

This was the ultimate reward and glory promised by the Twilight Order.

[Becoming one with Him would mean liberation from suffering.]

Some believed this meant receiving great rewards and escaping poverty. Others dreamed of rising in status and being freed from a life of slavery. However, in the Twilight Order, becoming one with Him was meant quite literally.

They were to be sacrifices. Offering themselves on the altar to Him, they believed that by becoming sacrifices, they would be freed from worldly suffering and turmoil. In His embrace, they would find eternal rest—what greater glory could there be? This was the true meaning of becoming one with Him.

However, the followers were unaware of this truth. Even the members of the Eclipse, who had worked with the Twilight Order before, did not know. Only Sharia, the leader, and Lucas, the deputy leader, were privy to this secret.

The act of offering fellow humans as sacrifices might seem horrifying, but it did not faze Sharia. As the leader of the Twilight Order and a dark sorceress, she genuinely dreamed of the resurrection of the evil god. The followers would willingly offer themselves as sacrifices, so all she had to do was watch.

Sharia referred to them, “…Fanatics.”

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