Chapter 300: The Farmer and the Power Thief (VII)
"So this is… the buffer zone?" Gideon scanned his surroundings.
They were standing in what could barely be called a campsite.
Two dead logs lay across the ground, serving as makeshift seats. In the center, a single burning barrel flickered—the only source of light.
Beyond that stretched a forest shrouded in thick fog.
Within the mist, more than a dozen swirling vortexes drifted quietly, encircling the camp. No one could tell where they led.
Crackle.
A spark leapt from the burning wood.
"Everyone, take a short rest. Then we'll head into the next region. Maybe this time we'll reach the final gate directly," Austin said.
Gideon looked toward the misty vortexes. "These are the gates? And the regions beyond them… do they change?"
"I understand what you're asking," Austin replied, now unconsciously using a more respectful tone. "But unfortunately, every time the regions shift randomly. Otherwise, we could just test them one by one and eventually find the exit."
"And the region we just left?" Gideon asked. "There should still be survivors trapped inside."
"Once the gate opens, that region enters a reset countdown—what we called the 'lava purge.' If they don't escape before that, they'll die there permanently," Austin explained. "Fortunately, the gate stays open. As long as they can avoid the Scavengers, they still have a chance to get out."
Gideon nodded, then checked the items on him.
"As expected… only relics over a hundred years have any effect. The two abilities I regained are gone as well…"
Just as he thought—the benefits of activating a generator only worked within that specific region.
When Austin first mentioned it, Gideon had half-expected he might be an exception.
But at least [God's Eye Restriction] still functioned.
He explored the surroundings briefly, then examined the teleportation stones issued by the Church.
The first yielded nothing.
The second, however… flickered with spiritual activity.
"These are engraved with extremely complex runic imprints… I can't activate them directly."
From his perspective, the stones were covered in dense spiritual patterns. The moment he tried to decipher them, dizziness flooded his mind.
He had no choice but to stop.
"Maybe once my mental strength improves, I'll be able to break them," he thought.
For now, the only way to use these teleportation stones… was to find those high-bloodline members of the Sacred Families.
Rescue operations. The Ten Commandments tablet. And the Wings of Vengeance…
Gideon's eyes flickered.
Things were only going to get more complicated from here.
"Father Gideon, where do we go next?" Austin asked.
Luen, Vera, Lynn—and the rest—also turned to him.
After everything that had just happened, they all understood one thing:
This priest… was the one with real capability.
Without realizing it, they had already begun to see him as their leader.
Gideon rubbed his chin. "If the regions are completely random, then the choice itself doesn't matter."
He began outlining contingency strategies for various scenarios.
Everyone listened intently.
Not long ago, some of them had openly questioned him.
Now, not a single one interrupted.
Soon, the surrounding fog thickened further—signaling that the buffer zone was about to vanish.
"Time to go."
Gideon stood and chose the nearest vortex.
The others followed without hesitation.
Moments later, the fog swallowed the entire campsite.
The sky turned overcast.
A cold drizzle began to fall.
Occasional lightning split the darkness—
illuminating… a long, narrow corridor ahead.
Signs were mounted along the walls, labeled "Chemistry Room," "Library," and more.
One plaque, however, was noticeably larger than the rest.
Another flash of lightning illuminated it—
"Welcome to Midwich Elementary School."
Thump… thump…
The heartbeat echoed—sometimes distant, sometimes right beside them—impossible to track.
On the second-floor corridor, a few figures crouched silently by the windows.
Before long, someone else hurried over from afar.
"Rudolph, that guy with the relic is about to reach the courtyard. The Scavenger's right behind him," the newcomer whispered.
The man called Rudolph was a middle-aged priest with short hair, dressed in a tattered black robe.
"Good," Rudolph said, patting a young man beside him. "Judging by the token's tier, that relic is at least twenty years old."
He turned, his voice turning cold.
"Saddok boy, you'll go save him."
The young man trembled violently. "H-how… do I save him?"
Rudolph suddenly grabbed him by the throat and shoved him halfway out the window.
"You tell me."
Lightning split the sky again, briefly revealing the full layout of the school.
Two floors. A square "enclosed" structure. The courtyard sat at the center.
As the Saddok youth dangled over the edge, he saw a survivor sprinting into the courtyard below.
A streak of red light chased behind him.
The heartbeat surged.
Everyone held their breath.
Only after confirming the Scavenger hadn't noticed the second floor did the youth struggle and hiss:
"You… you can't do this! You're clergy too! Aren't you afraid of the Church's punishment?!"
"In a place like this, the Church is worth less than dirt," Rudolph sneered. "Compared to faith, I value my life more."
"But without me, you'll never get out!" the youth shouted, twisting his head toward the others. "Hey! Say something!"
He was looking at three captured clergy members, guarded by Rudolph's men.
"He's right," said Bettice, frowning. "Only Sacred Family members can activate the teleportation stones."
"If Mr. Rudolph is upset… maybe you could just beat him up a little instead," Caroline muttered softly.
Hugh turned his head away, saying nothing.
Not long ago, the three had arrived here through the passage—only to be separated from their leader.
While searching, they encountered a Scavenger. Rudolph's group had saved them—
…but instead of help, they were imprisoned.
If Bettice hadn't revealed a bit about the teleportation stones in desperation, their souls might already have been devoured.
"Sacred Family…" Rudolph spat in the Saddok youth's face.
"You pampered fools. What makes you more 'noble' than us?"
"You may have a point," Bettice said carefully, trying to placate him, "but right now, we do need them."
"You really are to my liking," Rudolph said with a grin, lifting her chin.
"But you're still wrong."
Before she could react, he grabbed Hugh and tore open his collar.
"A golden shield… six orbs…" Rudolph tapped his cheek mockingly. "The Medici line of Witnesses. I'm not mistaken, am I?"
A crest hung from Hugh's neck.
He said nothing—only clenched his fists tighter.
"And you," Rudolph turned to Caroline, "as his sister, you must also bear the Medici name."
Caroline's face paled. She clutched her collar and stepped back.
Rudolph smiled, then returned to the trembling Saddok youth.
"Since we have three Sacred Family members…"
"…what's the loss in sacrificing one or two?"
Before the youth could react, a wave of weightlessness overtook him—
He fell.
"AAAH—!"
The pounding heartbeat erupted—
Then, from below, came the wet, tearing sound of flesh being cut.
Rudolph didn't even glance down.
"Go. Bring me that relic-holder," he ordered.
One of his men left immediately.
Bettice and the others felt their hearts sink.
If Rudolph discovered the teleportation stones weren't actually in their possession—
they would be next.
Bettice bit her lip.
"Gideon… where are you…"
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