“Even though the curse has spread, the presence of the building can hold the curse back to a certain degree. The strange things in the forest can’t get close to our city. Of course, when we go on land, we’ll never go near the forest.”
“In other words, other than some limitations, your life here is not that different from when you were on the island,” Jiang Cheng said slowly, “For example, you’ll experience the same stages of life like birth, ageing, sickness and death. Is that right?”
“If the lack of daytime and the shortage of food don’t count in your eyes, you’re right,” the golden-haired man said directly.
“And the way to undo the curse is to light up the lighthouse and keep it going?”
“How long will that take?”
The man thought about it and shook his head. “The priest didn’t say. She only told us how to undo the curse. However, I’m sure it won’t take long.”
Chen Ran placed one hand on the table and looked at the golden-haired man, “Since the priest managed to come up with the solution to the curse, she must have recognised the source of the curse.
“What… is it?” Chen Ran asked.
To be honest, Fatty didn’t quite believe in undoing the curse with the flames of the lighthouse. However, he’d still do it because if he did nothing, he would panic. Thankfully, the Doctor was there. Fatty glanced at the Doctor with anticipation. He realised the Doctor looked very serious as he listened to the golden-haired man.
However, his hands… Fatty’s throat moved. He discovered the Doctor was silently moving the fat crab legs to the edge of the stone table before stowing them into his pocket. The Doctor was like a squirrel, storing food in preparation for the winter.
“We are unclear about its name, but according to the priest, no one can view its true form directly. One scale on its body is as large as a small mountain. Its teeth are like steep cliffs. Standing on its front and back, one would be able to see the sunrise and sunset of the same day. It is something beyond mortal understanding. Humans can only prostrate before it.
“With a slight shake of its body, the cliffs under the sea will be crushed by it. Every single breath it takes will raise enormous waves.
“It has no emotions because every life is as frivolous as an ant in its eyes.”
These ramblings of a religious nut somehow resonated with the travellers. When they heard this, they seemed to have entered a time where science held no power. Witches were burned on the stakes, and crows circles above their heads.
There was no light in the dark.
As Fatty slowly sank into the dark imagination, the sound reappeared. It was majestic and loud… it brought up the openness of the sea.
When Fatty recovered, he was already on the way back. Chen Ran walked in the front, holding the torch. The Doctor was beside him. He turned back, and the bright town slowly blurred. How did he not know when they left Black Stone Town?
Different from when they arrived, the people from Black Stone Town didn’t accompany them back. Fatty thought about it and realised it was because of worry. They were worried that once the black mist disappeared, they wouldn’t be able to return to Black Stone Town.
“Doctor,” Fatty whispered, “Do you think they were telling the truth? Does… that thing really exist?”
Jiang Cheng led the torch low. Fatty could only see the lower part of his face and not his eyes. This made him uncomfortable.
“Doctor?” Fatty waited for a moment before asking again.
Jiang Cheng suddenly stopped. This caused Fatty to stop as well. The Doctor raised his head in the shadow. Fatty blinked and did the same.
The torch at the front… had been snuffed out. Other than the light from the lighthouse, they were surrounded by darkness.
Chen Ran’s voice came from the dark. His voice was unclear.
“I believe Mr Hao has figured it out too.” Chen Ran continued, “The church, the priestess…” He chuckled, “Only the baptised males can receive the holy iron. Even though many followers don’t follow the bible, the church has to, especially… in that dark age.
“It looks like we’ve encountered something incredible this time,” Chen Ran’s eyes somehow glowed in the dark, “Mr Hao…”
The pile of firewood crackled and burned.
There was an athletic figure shielded in the light. However, the person was curled up in a ball and looked so helpless.
Liang Long knelt on the floor, alone on the first floor of the lighthouse. It was exceptionally quiet. After separating from Jiang Cheng’s group, she didn’t go back to the room with the flame. She chose to stay down here. Even though the place was dark and quiet… whenever she thought of that aged woman, she felt uncomfortable.
Something was wrong with her. Liang Long was certain of that.
Plus, if she needed to go back, she had to walk up the dark staircase alone. Anything could have happened to her there.
With this in mind, she tossed another piece of wood into the fire. Thankfully, the first floor had some scattered tree branches other than the stone pillars. Or else she’d have to rely on her torch to wait for the three to return.
In an instant, her thought was dominated by a man’s face. She shivered. It was Chen Ran’s face…
She had long since heard of this man. She initially heard it from a former teammate.
Even though that teammate survived the nightmare realm, she lost her mind when she returned to the real world. She kept repeating the name, Chen Ran.
The smallest stimulus could trigger her fear. She sealed herself up. She curled up into the smallest ball and squeezed herself into tight spaces.