Chapter 360: Chapter 241 Main Storyline Begins_2
However, it wasn’t long before the players realized that the madmen charging out of the church could take seven or eight slashes, or even be shot in the head, and still would not die.
Even if their bodies were mangled and they had sustained injuries that would have killed a normal person multiple times, they still grimaced with twisted faces, constantly muttering the word “eat”.
The casualties among the investigators and players began to escalate.
The Transcendent leader from the Shelter finally took action, killing two starving madmen with overwhelming strength, but these two “corpses” instantly transformed into “humanoid monsters” covered in flesh tendrils!
The two leaders immediately realized the seriousness of the situation and shouted to regroup and retreat. These “undying” monsters were definitely not something they could handle with their current manpower.
Players followed the Shelter investigators in retreating, but the madmen pursued relentlessly.
They could no longer be called “people”; instead, they were monsters in human form!
Upon scouting, the players saw information about these monsters. Their physical abilities far exceeded those of ordinary people, reaching the threshold of Transcendents, and they were all uniformly called “Fallen Believers”.
“—These are monsters researched by the Red Apple Church!”
The players had a sudden realization.
“—It’s chaos! Everything’s falling apart!”
As these Fallen Believers ran, their bodies autonomously exploded, blossoming like grotesque flowers of flesh. Their lower halves still maintained human legs, furiously sprinting, while their upper bodies turned into vile flesh tendrils.
Every passerby, cat, dog, and horse in their path was engulfed and devoured by their tendrils, and even birds flying low were not spared.
The players were inexplicably shocked.
Looking at the city descending into chaos and carnage, everyone realized that the situation was increasingly out of control—it was a disaster!
On the gaming forums, threads erupted in a frenzy.
Players from all over the Empire were posting, reporting terrifying disasters erupting in their cities.
Countless man-eating “Fallen Believers” spread like a virus, encroaching everywhere, devouring anyone they encountered, targeting any living creature.
The officers from the Security Office were powerless to resist, ordinary civilians hid in their homes praying, only Shelters and the Churches stationed everywhere could effectively suppress the chaos.
But the turmoil had already begun, and panic gradually escalated.
“Have you guys checked the forums?”
Polaris was currently sitting on a sofa, speaking to Dongyang, Chenxi, and Doghead Gold among others.
“I saw it, but even without looking, you could tell—the entire Empire is in disarray,” said Doghead Gold, sipping a juice drink.
The other veteran players nodded in agreement.
The incident had escalated; almost every player knew that this was probably the major event of the main storyline for the version.
“Just as Jack said, the Red Apple Church is the source of the turmoil… Aren’t those ‘Fallen Believers’ the same monsters we once encountered in Red Flower Town?”
“That’s right, those monsters originated from the Red Apple Church. They used some method to transform ordinary people into ‘tentacle monsters’ that regular weapons can’t even kill… You can imagine how chaotic the situation in various regions has become,” Dongyang agreed, pouring himself some juice as well.
“Let’s not talk about this for now. How’s the progress on your missions? I can’t just stay here waiting all the time.”
Polaris raised his hand, indicating the Serpent Ring on his finger.
Dongyang and Chenxi exchanged glances, somewhat envious.
“Brother Polaris, having heard the benefits of upgrading a token from you, which of us wouldn’t want to upgrade our own… we have put almost all our energy into this the past few days.”
He took out a money pouch and shook it gently, making a jingling sound, and placed it respectfully in front of Polaris.
“Here are 200 Gold Pounds, consider it a sitting fee from a brother. Just wait another two days, no… just one more day! Not just us from the Hall of Valor, but also Chenxi’s Chuxi and Doghead Gold’s God’s Love Guild are gathering sufficient manpower to come over.”
“If that’s the case, then all right,” replied Polaris, his expression one of reluctant agreement.
He opened the money pouch and deftly transferred the Gold Coins into his panel.
His heart was secretly delighted.
The money, according to current black market rates, was enough to be exchanged for over a million Credit Points in reality. His grandmother’s subsequent medical care and the new apartment’s electrical furnishings were all taken care of.
All ten veteran players in the room simultaneously zoned out.
They all received the same notification popping up on their interfaces—
[1.0 Version Main Quest Officially Launched!]
[Grade-A Main Quest “Scarlet Ceremony” First Phase: Become Local!]
[Please join any faction within ten days! Reminder: The second phase of the main quest will start upon joining a faction. Players who have not joined a faction will not be able to unlock the second phase of the main quest!]
The red text stimulated the nerves of the players present.
“The 1.0 version main quest has finally arrived?!”
Dongyang raised an eyebrow.
The other players were also quite surprised.
Shortly after, they received another notification—
[You have joined the Transcendent organization “Circus,” and have completed the first phase of the main quest “Scarlet Ceremony”!]
[Quest Reward: 1000 Experience Points and 80 Silver Ducats!]
[Grade-A Main Quest “Scarlet Ceremony” Second Phase Launched! For specific mission targets, please refer to your faction’s directives! If not triggered, please wait patiently!]
The veteran players present all stood up.