Chapter 175: I Must Get Stronger

{Gained Soul Cleansing Potion.}

​"Yes!! It’s really the cure!!" Asher yelled in shock as a crystalline vial materialized directly before him, filled with a radiant, swirling golden liquid that illuminated the surroundings.

​"I can’t believe I am getting this." He added, his voice trembling slightly as he stretched his hand towards the potion, grabbing it as carefully as if it were a fragile egg.

​"With this potion, I can fully cure Kelly... But..." He fell completely silent, his eyes fixed on the golden glow.

​Kelly desperately needed the potion, but Sara also needed this exact potion.

​’One thing is different here. If Kelly takes this potion, she will be fully cured... But Sara, I don’t know what effect this will have because she needs three different cures...’ He took a deep, heavy breath, his chest expanding, and exhaled slowly:

​"I shouldn’t think too much about this; Sara needs this, but Kelly needs it more... It seems when I enter that Doomsday dungeon, my main objective will be Sara’s cure." He nodded his head firmly, hardening his resolve:

​"Kelly, wait for me... I am coming."

​{Congratulations, Master gained one Devil Tower Key.}

​"I now have two Devil Tower keys and one Emperor Demon Key..." He moved his gaze to Tempest, who was already busy devouring the remnants he had dug out from the mountain of debris.

​"That should be Anika’s arm... What a waste! Tempest doesn’t have the complete body; I am sure it would have pushed his strength to SS-RANK, or even SSS-RANK... What a bother." He sat down heavily on the cracked ground as the holographic system screen slowly dimmed and turned off.

​"SSS-RANK dungeons are simply too strong for my current strength, and if I do anything below SSS-RANK, I won’t encounter titled demons, which means Tempest won’t be able to advance his rank."

​Asher’s eyes instantly went wide as a sudden realization struck him like lightning:

​"Wait! The system said my strength is already that of Ex-Rank!! And it said before that once I cure any of my wives, I advance my rank!" He stood right back up, his black hair whipping around his face:

’I think.’

​"Anyway, If I enter this rank, I could easily take on SSS-RANK dungeons... This is mainly possible because of the system and my Aether energy." Asher cracked his neck with a sharp click, a dark, confident smile appearing on his face:

​"Then, there is no need to worry... I just need to cure Kelly, advance to Ex-Rank, and keep getting stronger!!"

​WHOOSH!!

​Asher looked up as the space directly ahead of him tore open with a violent hum, a swirling, dimensional gateway appearing in midair:

​"Huh? I thought I would return to the forest... It seems SSS-RANK dungeons are completely different from A-Rank ones." He said, carefully storing all his gains inside the system spatial inventory before turning toward the portal.

​"Tempest... Time to return."

____

​[Silverspire - Outskirts.]

[Church - Nighttime]

​"Oh Father, Almighty and Ever-Living God, I come before You in humble thanksgiving for the gift of life. You are the source of all being, the Creator of the world, and the shepherd who guides our every step. Lord, I ask for Your divine protection over our bodies, minds, and souls. Surround us with Your holy angels, as You promised in Your Word, to guard us in all our ways. Deliver us from every trap of the monsters, keep us safe from physical harm, illness, and unseen dangers, and shield our hearts from malice, death, and despair. May Your precious Blood cover us and our loved ones day and night. Gracious God, if it be according to Your holy will, grant us the blessing of a long, healthy, and fruitful life. Fill the years with Your peace, joy, and wisdom. Help us to use every day You give to serve You faithfully, to love our neighbors, and to bear witness to Your mercy in the world. When darkness or uncertainty surrounds us, remind Your children that You are our fortress and refuge. Strengthen our faith, deepen our hope, and anchor our hearts in Your eternal love. Through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mother, Queen of Angels, I lift this prayer to You, trusting in Your infinite mercy and providence. Amen."

​"Amen."

​The ten children kneeling in neat rows behind the old priest murmured in unison after his prayer, their tiny voices echoing through the candlelit sanctuary.

​"Alright, kids."

​The old priest stood up slowly, his joints creaking, and gave them a soft, comforting smile: "The Lord will watch over every one of us... You don’t have to be scared anymore," he said, placing his palms together in gentle devotion.

​A little girl with striking blue hair and matching blue eyes looked up at him, still kneeling on the cold stone floor with the rest of the orphans:

​"Father, does God truly exist?" She asked in a low, trembling voice.

​"Oh? Why would you think that, little one?" He asked, staring down at her softly, his peaceful smile remaining unfazed on his weathered face.

​"Well, it’s... Well, people are dying every day because of the monsters rushing out from all the dungeons, and the city guards are doing their best. If God exists, why hasn’t He lent a hand to save people?"

​The old man looked at her, spread his arms wide in the vast, empty hall, and answered:

​"My child, peace be with you. I hear the pain and the heavy burden in your heart, and I do not blame you for asking. When the walls shake, when dungeons breach, and when innocent blood stains the streets, it is natural to look up at the sky and cry out, ’Where are You, God?’" He fixed his warm eyes on her, his smile gentle and steady:

​"Even the holy texts are filled with the cries of beings who asked God why He seemed silent in times of tragedy. As a priest, I will not give you empty platitudes. God does not cause the darkness, nor is He indifferent to our suffering. When you ask why He has not lent a hand, I ask you to look closer at where His hands are at this very moment."

​".....?!"

​The kids stared at him, stunned speechless, as he continued with profound calm:

​"His hands are in the guards standing at the breach, holding the line with their shields so families can flee. His strength is in the healers working until their fingers bleed, and His love is in the strangers opening their doors to shelter the displaced. God rarely works by stepping out from the heavens in thunder and lightning to wipe away our struggles in a single stroke; He works through the hearts of people who refuse to give up on goodness, courage, and each other."

​The children’s eyes widened as they listened intently:

​"Free will and the turmoil of this broken world mean that evil and monsters exist, but God gives us the divine spark—the resilience, the love, and the sacrifice—to stand against it. Every act of bravery, every life saved, and every heroic stand is proof that the Divine hasn’t abandoned us. He is fighting alongside us, inside the hearts of those who protect the weak."

​"Really?" They murmured in low, synchronized whispers.

​"Do not lose hope, my friends. The night is dark, and the dungeons seem endless, but as long as we hold onto compassion and courage, the light will never be extinguished. Keep faith in humanity, keep faith in the guards, and know that your life, and every life saved, is sacred." He lowered his arms smoothly:

​"If you are tired, rest here a moment. But do not surrender to despair—that is a battle the darkness must never win."

​The kids stared up at him, completely awestruck.

​"Thank you," the blue-haired girl nodded her head gently, feeling a warmth return to her chest.

​"Now, children, come with me..." He moved past the kids, who stood up quickly and followed him toward the heavy wooden main exit door.

​The blue-haired girl was silent for a second, then slowly stood up from the ground, turning around to gather her small bag.

​"I am..."

​BOOOOM!!!

​The entire church roof instantly exploded downward in a shower of splintered wood and stone as a massive dark object fell inside, smashing violently right into the exact location where the priest and children were walking.

​".....?!!"

​The girl’s eyes went wide in pure horror, staring through the thick cloud of debris at the destroyed wooden pews and swirling dust. As the fog cleared, she froze—staring at the priest, who was struggling beneath a gigantic Lizard monster standing ten feet tall, its scaled hide glistening as it wielded a colossal broadsword.

​"Hehehehe."

​The remaining children fell flat on their backs on the stone floor, terrified to their very bones.

​"What?! How did you get..."

​BAM!!!

​All the children froze in absolute terror as the humanoid Lizard drove its massive sword straight through the priest’s chest, the blood-soaked steel bursting right out through his back.

​"AGH!"

​The priest vomited a mouthful of fresh blood. Using the last dying ember of his strength, he looked over his shoulder at the horrified children:

​"R... Run."

​The Lizard carelessly tossed his lifeless body aside, turned its glowing eyes toward the helpless children, and brought down its broadsword in a brutal arc, slicing the closest child clean in half.

​".....?!!!"

"AHHHHHHHH!!!"

​The blue-haired girl and the others screamed in sheer terror, completely frozen in place as the monster went on a violent rampage, slaughtering every child before it until only the blue-haired girl and two small boys remained trembling in the corner.

​The Lizard loomed directly before them, its towering shadow casting absolute darkness over their small figures, a wide, sadistic grin splitting its reptilian snout.

​’No. No. Am... Am I... Am I going to die here?’

​She watched in paralyzed horror as the Lizard raised its bloodied sword once more and swung it down toward them with lethal force.

​BAM!!!!

​A towering figure clad in gleaming armor appeared out of nowhere before them, catching and blocking the crushing attack with his own broadsword. He turned his gaze to the dead bodies scattered across the ruined sanctuary, his jaw clenching as he gritted his teeth in sheer rage.

​"You bastard!!!" He screamed, executing a violent counter-swing that threw the massive lizard backward until it smashed heavily into the church wall, kicking up a thick cloud of dust.

​The three surviving children looked up at their savior, who glanced back over his shoulder at them, his eyes filled with immense pity, grief, and raw anger:

​"You are safe now."

__

​"Marianne!! Marianne!! Wake up!!!"

​"Huh?"

​Marianne snapped her eyes open instantly, gasping for air as she looked up to see Denise leaning over her, staring down at her with intense concern.

​"This?! Where are we?!!"

​She quickly sat upright, scanning her surroundings only to realize they were in the open wilderness, right outside the towering two hills where the dungeon gate had been.

​"You fell unconscious the second we got out. Are you alright?" He asked, his voice laced with deep worry.

​Marianne was silent, lowering her gaze to her shaking hands before slowly clenching them into tight fists:

​’I have never felt that much fear since that day... Is an SSS-RANK Dungeon monster truly so powerful?! I am simply too weak! I can never be as strong as my Savior!!’ She thought with gritted teeth, her chest tightening:

​’I must get stronger.’