Facing the charging monsters, Olivia’s movements were crisp. With a few swift strokes of Cross Grace, she either decapitated or dismembered the creatures surrounding her, leaving them in scattered pieces.
Yet, even with their bodies severely mangled, these monsters still possessed enough combat strength to continue. With ferocious expressions and constant roars, they pressed their attack.
'They’re like zombies... no, even zombies aren’t this hard to kill, are they?' Olivia thought.
As she fought, she began to chant in her mind.
'Mirror, mirror, do you know of any means that can turn ordinary people into monsters or zombies? The specific characteristics are...'
Olivia quickly relayed the situation to the magic mirror.
【Analysis complete. The most likely cause for the current situation is the uncontrolled-grade forbidden artifact, the Corpse Poison Goblet.】
Another uncontrolled-grade forbidden artifact?
Olivia’s heart tightened as she asked again in her mind.
'Mirror, mirror, tell me the effects of the Corpse Poison Goblet.'
【Name: Corpse Poison Goblet.】
【Danger Level: Uncontrolled-grade.】
【Appearance: A transparent stemmed wine glass.】
【Effect: It automatically absorbs moisture from the environment and transforms it into a liquid containing a unique corpse poison. It actively evaporates this liquid into an invisible gas that enters the bodies of nearby living beings, causing them to mutate into corpse monsters.】
【Note: Heretics have developed rituals to extract and concentrate the liquid produced by the Corpse Poison Goblet into corpse powder. This powder possesses the same effects and must be guarded against.】
The magic mirror’s information originated from the Sunlight Cathedral.
As the information surfaced in her mind, Olivia’s gaze darkened. She now understood the nature of these monsters.
That Dalia Sullivan actually possessed another uncontrolled-grade forbidden artifact in addition to the Seed of Awakening?
Who exactly was this woman?
'Mirror, mirror, is there any chance of recovery for a living being that has become a corpse monster?'
【None.】
'Mirror, mirror, if corpse monsters cannot be killed normally, how should they be handled?'
【Pierce their brains to complete the kill.】
Olivia understood. Although she had cut off their heads earlier, she hadn't pierced their brains.
Just then, another corpse monster rushed forward, its face hideous and savage, pouncing like a fierce tiger descending a mountain.
Olivia nimbly stepped aside, causing the monster to lunge into empty air. Then, the long end of Cross Grace suddenly became sharp. She thrust it violently toward the monster’s head.
Pfft!
The strike pierced through cleanly, the tip emerging from the monster’s forehead, coated in brain matter.
When Olivia withdrew Cross Grace, the corpse monster collapsed to the ground with a thud, unable to move again.
"Piercing their brains will finish them," Olivia called out to the others at the right moment. "The state of these monsters reminds me of some records I’ve seen regarding forbidden artifacts. It’s very similar to the effects of the Corpse Poison Goblet."
She explained the effects of the Corpse Poison Goblet, which perfectly matched their current situation.
The corpse poison liquid produced by the goblet could be converted into powder. This powder could then be split into two parts: one for ingestion and one to act as a catalyst. Once the catalyst appeared, the ingested portion would take effect, turning a person into a corpse monster.
"Sister Olivia, your vast knowledge is truly impressive," Gray couldn't help but praise after hearing her explanation.
Ronan was also impressed by how quickly she identified the source of the monsters. When Mona had recommended Olivia as an assistant, she had certainly chosen the right person.
He was about to add his own word of praise when he suddenly noticed something wrong.
Cracks had appeared on the floor at some point, and they were growing larger and more obvious by the second!
"Watch the floor!" Ronan shouted.
Even before Ronan spoke, the others had noticed. The ground was splitting apart at an incredible speed!
However, even the clergy members closest to the tavern entrance didn't have time to escape.
Rumble!
With a loud crash, the floor suddenly gave way. Everyone felt a sense of weightlessness as they fell, tumbling into the depths beneath the tavern amidst broken planks and stones.
The height of the fall was surprisingly great. Olivia maintained extreme control over her body, allowing her to land somewhat steadily, though her feet still went numb from the impact, losing sensation for a moment.
As for the others... many cried out in pain upon landing, while some simply closed their eyes and lost consciousness.
The situation was grim.
Olivia moved her feet, using her Body Control ability to recover from the numbness as quickly as possible while scanning her surroundings.
The space beneath the massive tavern was vast and empty. Aside from the swirling dust, there didn't seem to be anything else.
But if there was nothing else, why were they dropped down here? She was certain this fall was a deliberate design, not a coincidence.
"Everyone, hold your breath! Now!" Ronan’s voice rang out, filled with urgency.
Olivia instinctively held her breath and immediately understood why Ronan had said that.
She finally noticed the problem: the dust swirling around them was a bit too much... no, it wasn't dust.
Olivia covered her mouth and backed away a few steps, her pupils shrinking.
It was powder... it was corpse powder!
Because she had just learned about the Corpse Poison Goblet, she made the connection instantly, and her expression turned extremely grim.
She looked toward the edges of the underground space. The walls were perfectly smooth; even for a transcendent, climbing out would be no simple task, as they couldn't fly.
So, was this the trap Dalia had set for them?
Was that woman crazy enough to try and turn them all into corpse monsters?
'Mirror, mirror, if someone falls into an area filled with a large amount of corpse powder, is holding one's breath effective?'
【It is not. Corpse powder will enter through the pores of the skin. However, you are an exception, Master. As an Ascetic, you can use your Body Control ability to seal your pores, ensuring you remain unaffected.】
Almost the instant the information appeared in her mind, Olivia sealed every pore on her body.
She no longer needed to cover her mouth with her hand; her mastery over her body was enough to resist the drifting powder.
But while she could resist it, what about the others?
"We need to leave this place, fast!" Olivia shouted to the group.
She quickly restored her numb feet to normal and moved to the edge of the underground wall. She thrust Cross Grace into it, leaving a small indentation.
"If I had another weapon like this, I could climb out quickly and find a ladder to help you. Or do any of you have a way to leave quickly?"
Olivia turned back to ask.
But as soon as she turned, her expression changed violently, and she instinctively dropped into a defensive stance.
Rate on N.U.
