Chapter 711 - 445: Frost Giant (2)

Chapter 711: Chapter 445: Frost Giant (2)

’What is that...’ Zhou Chen was startled.

"That’s a Tactile Worm, a type of parasite. It eats the brain of its host and takes its place, then reproduces through the host’s reproductive behavior," Danika explained.

The other Desecration Cultists were unfazed. They ignored the Tactile Worm and looked at Zhou Chen. "Rami, it’s all yours. The camp isn’t far from here."

Zhou Chen nodded. He extended a tentacle from his right hand, wrapped it around the Yeti’s ankle, and began dragging the corpse, following the others toward the camp. He was using his Spiritual Tentacles, which, combined with the Transformation Mask, created a seamless disguise.

The group quickly returned to the camp and took down the tents completely, stuffing everything into their packs.

Then, the Cultist with three faces took a Magic Staff from his back and began chanting a Spell.

SWOOSH!

A deep purple vortex appeared out of thin air. The other three Cultists beckoned to Zhou Chen, and they dragged the Yeti’s corpse inside.

Passing through the vortex, Zhou Chen entered a frost-covered room. The temperature was even lower than outside, and piles of various creature corpses were stacked all around. It looked like a frozen meat locker.

After stashing the Yeti corpse, the group left the meat locker.

’They even have electricity in a place like this...’ Zhou Chen was beyond surprised to see cables running along the corridor walls.

"The Church uses technology too. Well... when conditions permit," Danika said.

Following the four, Zhou Chen soon arrived in a spacious hall. Forty to fifty Desecration Cultists of various shapes and sizes were sitting in chairs, engrossed in a blockbuster movie playing on a large screen.

’Unbelievable. You guys actually have social activities...’ Zhou Chen’s mouth twitched, and a few of his tentacles squirmed slightly.

"Stanley, you’re back from the hunt. How was the haul?" a bearded Cultist asked. His skin was covered in a layer of shimmering snake scales, and his eyes had become sinister, reptilian slits.

"Not bad. We hunted a Yeti," the three-faced Desecration Cultist said as he sat down, joining the movie-watching crowd.

"Oh, right. Rami, the Priest wants to see you now that you’re back. He has something for you," the bearded Cultist said to Zhou Chen.

Zhou Chen nodded. This was exactly what he wanted. He quickly made a wish in his mind: ’Show me the location of the Priest’s room.’

[Wish Value -10]

A glowing dot immediately appeared on his map.

"Don’t you think this is all too coincidental?" Danika suddenly spoke up. "The moment you arrive, you run into a hunting party of Cultists. Then, as soon as the person you’re impersonating gets back, he’s summoned by the Priest..."

"It is a bit of a coincidence."

Zhou Chen walked toward the Priest’s room, pondering the situation and analyzing it carefully. ’Maybe it’s because this world has been gamified?

The Player is the protagonist of the Game World. Games are made to be beaten... That’s the most fundamental Rule of any game. That’s why Players encounter so many quests along the way—it’s all to help them gradually become the protagonist of the World through their adventures.

And during quests, Players can usually find all sorts of clues and details easily. Sometimes, the hints are practically thrown in their faces. This is fundamentally designed to help the Player clear the game... In other words, the will of the World itself is helping the Player.

Since this world is gamified, Gaia definitely can’t escape these ironclad laws. So, there shouldn’t be a problem. And even if there is, I can just fight my way out.’

Following the directions, Zhou Chen arrived at the Priest’s office and knocked on the door.

CLICK. The office door opened on its own.

The room was very spacious, filled with various decorations and several rows of bookshelves. A middle-aged man sitting in a leather office chair looked over.

He showed few signs of mutation, but his eyes were exceptionally dark, with a faint glow of fire within. His Power was far greater than that of the previous Priest.

Even Zhou Chen felt a wave of dizziness just looking at him. He quickly lowered his head. "Lord Priest."

"Rami, your Power has been increasing rapidly lately. You have the potential of a King. I plan to send you to see Lord Begger and receive his guidance. I believe that after receiving Lord Begger’s guidance, you will be one step closer to the Path of the King."

"???"

Zhou Chen was completely stunned.

"See? I told you it was a coincidence!" Danika sounded frantic. "He might have already figured out you’re an imposter!"

"What, you don’t want to go?" The Priest noticed his hesitation and spoke with displeasure. "Receiving Lord Begger’s guidance is a tremendous blessing. If you’re getting scared because of some baseless rumors, then you can get lost and go generate power with the rest of the humans. Don’t waste my resources."

’Baseless rumors...’ Zhou Chen’s mind raced. He hurriedly said, "My Lord, I was just stunned by the pleasant surprise. I accept Lord Begger’s guidance!"

"Good, very good."

The Priest was filled with satisfaction and tossed him a key. "Go on, then. Don’t disappoint Lord Begger."

[Key to the Sealed Gate *1]

Zhou Chen bowed, exited the office, and closed the door behind him.

’This probably isn’t a trap. I just happened to impersonate an unlucky bastard who’s being used as rations.’

Zhou Chen said to Danika in his mind, ’An Ogre needs to eat ore to recover its Power. I don’t know what a Frost Giant needs to eat to recover, but the Priest just mentioned "baseless rumors"... I’m going to make a bold guess: Frost Giant Begger probably eats Cultists.’

Danika thought for a moment, then said, "That’s a possibility."

"We’ll know once we go and see."

Zhou Chen made a wish in his mind: ’Location of Frost Giant Begger’s Prison.’

[Wish Value -1000]

The location was pinpointed on his map.

He followed the directions deep into the building, only to find himself facing a solid wall. Just then, the key in his hand began to glow. The Illusion Technique cast on the wall slowly dissipated, revealing a large alloy door. A Magic Array materialized on the lock.

Zhou Chen inserted the key into the lock and turned it. The door rumbled open, revealing an empty room. On the floor was a circular stone formation, identical to the one from before.

Just in case, Zhou Chen manually saved his game before stepping inside.

[Enter Frost Giant Begger’s Cell?]

[Yes]

[Entering Frost Giant Begger’s Cell...]

[You have entered Frost Giant Begger’s Cell.]

The sky above was not a starry night but a clear, bright sky. The ground was a barren wasteland stained with dried blood.

Clearly, the King who had sealed Frost Giant Begger was not the Star Empress.

Inside the cell, a colossal figure sat cross-legged on the ground. Its skin was ice-blue, its body covered in ancient white lines. It wore a shattered suit of Ice Armor, and each strand of its hair was as crystalline as ice. The air it exhaled was freezing, like a blizzard.

A greatsword gleaming with golden runes was plunged through the Frost Giant’s back, pinning it firmly to the spot, unable to move.

"Mmm... someone has finally come..."

The Frost Giant opened its eyes. Filled with a dense black light, they stared intently at the tiny Zhou Chen, as if looking at a delicious meal.

’So I really am just rations!’ After a moment’s thought, Zhou Chen crushed the Black Sun Crystal without hesitation, allowing himself to become severely corrupted.

"Hmm...?"

Seeing Zhou Chen suddenly grow stronger, the Frost Giant let out a surprised sound. "That’s the Power of the Great Black Sun. Why do you..."

"My Lord, I have a way to help you completely break free from your seal!"

Zhou Chen blurted out, "This crystal contains the great Power of the Great Black Sun. If I just gather more of them to offer you, My Lord, it will only be a matter of time before you recover your strength and break the seal."

Breaking the seal was undoubtedly the most tempting offer for the Frost Giant. He believed the Black Sun Crystal alone was enough to bait it. The crystal contained an immense amount of corruption; eating one piece was equivalent to eating a thousand Cultists.

The Frost Giant indeed looked tempted. It thought for a few seconds before asking in a deep, majestic voice:

"What are your conditions?"

"I am very interested in ancient history. I hope, My Lord, that you can tell me some of its Secrets..."