Versatile: Alternate World

Yes, the power that the cult used to create their monsters are also here and it seems it has evolved to its newer form. Before, it was just a mass of flesh that infects any living being in its vicinity and turned them into monsters the moment the mass of flesh matured before creating a lair that would turn a normal place into filthy and disgusting flesh filled with piles of rotten flesh.

I thought it was only exclusive during the first part of the quest but I never thought that that thing still exists and this time around, the church is the one that has been turned into a place where the corruption, filth, and blight gathered all over and culminate into this area. Now, due to their existence, this place has turned into a place that I have witnessed back in the past timeline in which the piles of flesh I destroyed during the first part of the quest have matured and are able to be nurtured for quite a while.

The interior no longer looks like it came from the church. The place where the holy rituals and ceremonies were held is now corrupted and cannot be easily cleansed and blessed. But instead of negative thinking about the horrible situation we are in, I immediately think about the pros of this.

Due to the corruption of the church, the revival of the players who have died is now forfeit. Revival of players does not occur in hostile zones and the interior of the church is labeled as Hostile which made this place no longer part of the safety the town offers but a dangerous place where PK can occur. And that also means that we are now gonna be fighting monsters soon.

"Ugh... this place is gross. I have visited this place before we joined the rebels but hell, it changed so much. I don't even understand why the enemies like to make their lairs so filthy..." Tsuru covered his nose. After all, the smell is quite bad but since I am used to the smell, I didn't even notice it at all until I saw Tsuru covering his nose.

"From the looks of the place, it seems the space inside the church has been altered. Instead of a normal size interior, it seems like it turned into a maze-like place that I don't think it can be called a church now but a dungeon spawning in the city," Sigma analyzed.

"Then we have to traverse the church's new area to confront the pope? Is this even gonna make us enter with everyone like this? We have more than the number of players needed to go to a dungeon!" Popo frowned as he look at everyone who don't know the answer.

"No worries. If they have restricted us, we would have been promoted so. Anyways, let's go inside."

As we step in, the soldiers who were accompanying us suddenly bounced back, and aside from Lucia and Atlas, the rest were unable to enter.

"What is going on? Restrictions?!" Sigma tried to get out in case we are trapped and she sighed in relief that she can go in and out without trouble but she is not able to understand why the NPCs were stuck outside.

"It seems the owner of this place placed a restriction that causes the NPCs to be banned from the entry which is why we are the only ones who can enter."

"Then why does these two NPCs with you able to get in?" Viola asked, pointing to Lucia and Atlas.

"Ah, they are special cases. Because they signed an oath to be my companion, they are treated as players as well and unless I get kicked out from this place, then the two will not be able to enter themselves either."

I went outside the dungeons to talk with the soldiers who are still confused as to why they can't get in.

"Attention men. Due to the restrictions that the enemy has placed on this place, only we can proceed further into the place. As much as we want you to aid us, we can't disobey what the rules have been written here, so I will give you all a task instead. Protect the entrance from any enemies. You also need to watch out for when Alain will return as well. We don't know how many enemies will be there left so we will ask you all to defend this place and deal with them as we will deal with this place by ourselves as well. Can you all do it?"

Everyone turned to look at each other, seemingly not gonna be able to obey my orders when all of a sudden, one of the soldiers smiled and proudly saluted.

"We already followed you this far and even though it's unfortunate, we will still do our best for this battle. You all will be fighting the ultimate enemy of the rebels so make sure to keep the soul of rebellion to all of you. We will not be defeated and we will wait for the good news, everyone. We will defend it as our life depends on it!"

I nodded and I also made a salute to them as well before entering the church's entrance. Our final battle is almost here. The dread is now making the whole church new and different for us.

"Looks like everyone is ready to dive and traverse this hopeless place, is everyone ready?" Sigma turned to look at every one.

Everyone nodded. The air is serious and everyone is not gonna back down on this. We are almost at the end. Seeing that everyone is on board, Sigma illuminates the place around us with her magic, to guide our party to the dreadful place.

As soon as we entered the darkness spread and the light that was being illuminated by Sigma is the only light we can see as we entered the strange labyrinth of flesh and blight. It's time for the final run.