Chapter 116

Level Up Heresy Judge – Chapter 116 (116/227)

Chapter 116: Between Conviction and Madness

After the purification of the Saint’s Realm was completed, Ail emerged outside and learned all three previous item transport locations from Ria, who had accompanied him on the quest.

There was a high probability that all the places where item transports had occurred were either contaminating the Saint’s Realm or plotting some other conspiracy, making it crucial information to uncover.

Thus, the three locations he obtained…

However, all three spots were situated in high-level hunting grounds that would be tough for Ail to enter.

The former party of the transporter Ria could find safe routes, so Ail wouldn’t have trouble breaking through monsters to reach the Saint’s Realm.

But even if he managed to arrive, there would likely be monsters at levels far beyond what he could handle now.

Even with tricky strategies, there was no way Ail could clear challenges of this difficulty, and since this was a large-scale world quest involving many players, it was best to pass along such intel without hesitation.

Ail immediately relayed the three locations where conspiracies were brewing to the princess’s faction and also informed them about their attempt to defile the ancient spirits’ sacred ground.

This was extremely important information.

Not only did it reveal the enemy’s intentions for the first time, but it also provided clues to investigate other locations.

Though it was handed over by other high-level players participating in the world quest, this alone was already a significant achievement, earning Ail substantial rewards from the princess’s side.

Four skill books with dark light bindings were retrieved from the royal library.

And these weren’t just any skill books—they were top-tier ones marked with the illustrious descriptor!

For Ail, who had two empty skill slots, there could be no better reward. He successfully used all four books to acquire powerful skills.

[Sword Mastery VII (Unique)]

Sword Mastery—a basic skill that enhances attack power and weapon proficiency when using bladed weapons.

It was an essential passive for anyone wielding a sword and something most people eventually acquire.

But this time, Ail got something different.

A Unique-grade skill.

Basic mastery-type passives usually ranged from the lowest rank I to the legendary VIII.

And Ail landed Sword Mastery VII—seven steps into the ranking system.

Compared to lower-ranked versions, it boosted stats significantly higher.

That wasn’t all.

[Defense Mastery VII (Unique)]

A Defense Mastery passive that evenly boosts physical defense, magic resistance, and health—all related to durability.

He also acquired this as a Unique-grade skill.

“Even though I used all four of those illustrious dark-light skill books, it’s totally worth it.”

These were the most fundamental skills, but precisely because they were basic, they were also the best.

Since everyone eventually needs them, they were highly efficient passives.

And Ail had secured these skills at the Unique grade.

This carried more meaning than just having two Unique-grade passives.

If he had started with merely High or Rare grades, he might’ve had to overwrite them later when upgrading his skills.

But Ail had directly secured these two passives at the near-final Unique grade, eliminating any future concerns.

“I want to test how these new skills feel after changing my weapon…”

Ail, standing atop a hill, scanned his surroundings while pondering.

After acquiring the skills, he’d headed to a nearby hunting area and climbed to a high vantage point to plan his hunt.

First, he wanted to map out the terrain, check the placement of regular monsters, and see if any field bosses or elite monsters were around.

But as he looked around, Ail’s gaze shifted—not toward monsters, but toward players.

“What are they doing over there…?”

Two groups of players approached each other from opposite sides.

Clearly, some kind of dispute had erupted among the players.

In crowded hunting areas, conflicts between players weren’t unusual; they happened everywhere.

But what caught Ail’s attention was something else entirely.

A massive cross burning somewhere nearby.

“Even from here, it’s obvious…”

Although it was almost completely charred black, the vague outline of a body tied to the cross could still be seen.

There was no doubt—it was unmistakably evidence of a burning.

No one, not even Ail, could mistake this for anything else.

Startled, Ail quickly hid himself and moved closer to observe.

Six members of one party faced off against three other players.

“You bastards! What the hell did you do?!”

An enraged party member grabbed the man’s collar.

But the man shook him off easily and continued calmly.

“There was a heretic in your party. They spent time repenting in the purifying flames. By now, they’re repenting for their sins beside the Goddess.”

“What… what is this?!”

“These lunatics…”

The shocked party members couldn’t hide their rage.

They had suspected it, but it turned out that the person bound and burned on the cross was indeed their teammate.

While taking a break during the party hunt, this tragedy had unfolded, leaving their comrade charred beyond recognition.

But the most absurd thing was watching all this unfold from hiding.

“Huh? I heard these kinds of acts were becoming more common recently, but seriously… what is this?”

Like all trends, once one person starts, others inevitably follow.

The idea of insane zealots and criminal burnings appealed to many who had become desensitized to the game, offering shocking content.

And since this was happening in Warode, which dominated the gaming market, it was predictable how many would copy it.

Just on WarTube alone, videos mimicking Ail’s content popped up like mushrooms after rain, and the number of Light Church initiates surged.

But Ail never expected to encounter this directly.

“To have such sinners by your side deserves decapitation, but the Goddess’s mercy has spared you. Live the rest of your lives in gratitude.”

“Hey, does anyone here have interest in the Light Church?”

“Damn…”

Ail clenched his forehead, closing his eyes tightly.

Sure enough, the believers kept spouting nonsense to the furious party members.

“Fuck! Just kill these crazy bastards!”

“No chance of dying cleanly!”

Enraged by the brutal murder of their teammate, the party members all drew their weapons.

Naturally, they sought revenge.

But instead of being intimidated, the believers grew even angrier.

“Dare you obstruct righteous justice?”

“True allies of heretics! We’ll send you all to the Goddess!”

“Burning! Burning! It’s time for the Burning!”

Tensions escalated as both sides drew their weapons.

[‘Judge of Light, Lu’ applauds their true courage.]

[Their noble purpose will be remembered for generations.]

“Ugh, this is ridiculous…”

This wasn’t courage—it was madness.

Despite being outnumbered six to three, with no significant level or stat advantage, the believers charged forward fearlessly.

Even though they were clearly at a disadvantage, they rushed in as if death meant nothing, pushing back the startled party members momentarily.

But that didn’t last long. There was no way they could overcome a numerical disadvantage of that magnitude.

“Well, guess I have no choice…”

As the believers began to take injuries, Ail rose from his hiding spot.

He couldn’t just let fellow believers get wiped out.

Besides, intervening here would surely earn him points with the Goddess.

WHOOSH!

“Gahk…!”

A party member aiming for a downed believer was instantly taken out by Ail’s swift longsword strike.

“What the hell?!”

All heads turned toward the unexpected intruder. Already furious, the party members blindly charged at Ail.

But now branded as a heretic, getting struck by his blade was inevitable.

SWOOSH!

In a flash, Ail spun around using his counter-skill, piercing a man’s chest, dodging a spear thrust aimed at his back, and deflecting it.

Seizing the spear, Ail closed the distance and delivered a fatal blow to its wielder.

KABOOM!

Even a heavily armored spear knight class couldn’t withstand this impact.

The knight staggered, losing his balance, and Ail used him as a shield to block an incoming arrow.

“Wha…”

CRACK!

Leaping toward the archer, Ail slammed a punch into her face before swiftly severing her leg.

Within moments, four users collapsed.

Seeing their comrades fall so effortlessly, the remaining two party members hesitated, trying to retreat.

But Ail wasn’t about to let them go.

WHOOSH!

“Aaaahhh!”

A wide-area skill, Baptism of Flames, swept through them, forcing the two users to meet the white-hot fire and collapse onto the floor.

THUD!

All six users lay critically injured, collapsing helplessly.

Satisfied with his new weapon and skills, Ail sheathed his longsword. The believers, who had witnessed everything up close, stared at him with mouths agape.

“E… Eil-sama…?”

“It can’t be!”

The believers immediately recognized his face, which was natural.

Eil was the famous figure who had even defeated Roden, and the direct reason why they joined the Light Church.

To see such a legendary figure right before their eyes was too exciting to contain.

“Woooh!”

“Wait, everyone, calm down!”

Eil barely managed to restrain the overexcited believers.

“Sorry… we got too excited.”

“Oh, Eil-sama has appeared and saved us from peril! This must surely be the Goddess’s will!”

The believers exclaimed enthusiastically.

Even though they hadn’t received any divine messages, they were sticking firmly to their character.

Well, considering they had chosen the talkative Light Church on purpose, this was somewhat expected.

“Eil-sama, what should we do with these guys?”

One believer pointed at the party members.

The critically injured party members flinched in terror.

“P-please spare us! It was you who started this…”

“Shut up, heretic!”

“Let Eil-sama decide.”

“Should we hang them all?”

The believers sent him looks of unwavering trust, leaving Eil slightly awkward as he contemplated his decision.

With the commotion drawing attention from nearby players hunting in the area…

Most watched sympathetically, but none dared intervene with the terrifying Eil present.

“No need to overthink this.”

After a brief moment of thought, Eil made his decision.

CRACK! CRACK! CRACK!

Stakes for burning criminals rose from the ground.