Chapter 16: The Grand Opening Act

Wu Chang toyed with the Lyman's Eye. Once removed from the altar, it transformed in appearance into a jewel-like object, as if a master craftsman had meticulously carved it, yet its texture retained a flesh-like softness.

When closed, the Lyman's Eye no longer radiated malevolence or evil intent; instead, a sense of peace and compassion seemed to emanate from it.

"Item Name: Eye of the Evil God (Sealed)"
"Item Type: Side Quest Item"
"Item Level: Unknown"
"Item Skill: Unknown"
"Remarks: The left eye of the evil god Lyman, containing his immense divine power and endless curses."

Though the Lyman's Eye was sealed and its level and attributes remained undisclosed, it was still the eye of an evil god, surely qualifying as at least an A-rank item.

Wu Chang rolled the eyeball in his hand before tossing it into his backpack’s space.

Having uncovered the secret of the Moonlight Sanatorium and secured the Cursed Gold, it was time to clear the dungeon.

Before leaving, he casually took a book from the underground library to maintain appearances, reading it as he walked back to the sanatorium.

The book largely detailed several notorious forbidden cults, characteristics of evil gods, and methods to confront and combat them—it was essentially a handbook for novice arcane knights.

One page was specially marked and emphasized: when encountering events related to evil gods, do not trust, think, hear, or see, and do not allow them to come to pass.

Wu Chang closed the book, wrinkling his nose. The existence of evil gods seemed far more troublesome than he had imagined.

Back inside the sanatorium, he headed straight underground and opened the white door to the pharmacy.

As soon as the door swung open, he greeted Wolf, who was pacing back and forth inside the room.

"Yo, Mr. Wolf, just finished dinner and taking a walk?"

Upon meeting again, Wolf no longer wore the composure he’d shown initially. His expression was tense, brows furrowed, eyes darting toward the ceiling, and his facial muscles twitched slightly, his look somewhat fierce.

It seemed this fellow was nearing his breaking point.

Wolf leapt forward, grabbing Wu Chang’s shoulder and lifting him off the ground with overwhelming strength, making resistance impossible.

Squinting, Wolf spoke slowly: "Since you have such trust from Landy, this matter also falls to you."

As Wolf prepared to act, Wu Chang shouted the dying words of the resentment behind him.

"Wait, priest, don’t move! We’re on the same side!"

"Hmm?"

Seizing Wolf’s pause, Wu Chang spoke at his fastest pace, rattling off his prepared identity like a tongue twister.

"The Lord’s radiance is not confined to one place, nor even one plane. I come from another world, also a follower of the Lord."

"We received divine prophecy and have come to this world to reclaim the Lord’s power. I have a companion who entered the sanatorium before me but lost contact—if you find him, he can vouch for us."

At mention of Wu Chang’s companion, Wolf’s face showed a flicker of embarrassment, his murderous intent easing somewhat, though his tone remained harsh.

"You want us useless ones to help?"

Wu Chang continued, "Our church’s prophet, by sacrificing lives, foresaw where the Lord’s sealed power—the Cursed Gold—was hidden. When the Lord resurrects, I am willing to share the secret and divide the Lord’s blessings with you, priest."

Wolf grumbled, "Divide?"

"Four to six, no, three to seven, I only want thirty percent, and you, priest, get first choice."

Wolf released him, tossing Wu Chang to the ground, stating decisively, "Two to eight."

"Fine, two to eight."

"Go find Landy. The evidence he wants, I can provide immediately." Wolf waved and turned toward the cave deeper inside.

Watching Wolf’s retreating figure, Wu Chang raised an eyebrow. All the players were in place, everything set. He was curious to see what kind of performance Wolf intended to put on.

With the pass, and without Julie’s help, Wu Chang smoothly reached the director’s office.

Inside, Landy was ready.

He wore a hunting jacket over leather armor, carried a heavy shotgun in his right hand, his left resting on a swift sword at his waist, and an ancestral golden crossbow hung across his back.

Wu Chang, inadvertently revealing the book in his hand, hurriedly said, panic etched on his face:

"Director Landy, I was just in the backyard consulting documents when I felt the whole earth shake. On my way back, I glimpsed several robed mysterious figures entering the sanatorium. It seems the Serenity Church is making a move."

Landy’s voice was grave: "No need to worry. I know medicine won’t save Baishi Town, so I’ve trained in shooting, swordsmanship, and combat. Even in the worst case, I’m confident I can get you out."

With a three-meter-tall physical version of Lu Xun standing guard, Wu Chang felt his sense of security spike.

Before he could say more, an explosion and violent shaking came from below. The floor collapsed, and the two fell from the fourth floor straight down to the first.

Among the rubble, Wu Chang brushed off debris with a string of curses as he stood.

What was Wolf doing? He almost got killed by the fall.

"Director Landy, are you alright?" he called out.

With a rumble, Landy emerged from under the rubble behind Wu Chang, dusting himself off as a cloud of dust engulfed them both.

"I'm fine. Where are you?"

"In front of you."

Landy looked down, finally noticing Wu Chang. "Sorry, didn’t see you there."

Wu Chang spat dust from his mouth and asked, "Director Landy, it seems the Serenity Church’s operation has begun. Are you ready to fight now?"

"My gear’s intact, just the explosion was too sudden. I didn’t get a chance to take my medication for delusional disorder." Landy’s expression wavered at the mention of his condition.

Wu Chang pulled a paper packet from his pocket and tossed it to Landy.

"Thank you." Landy took the medicine, glanced at it, and swallowed it in one go.

While Landy took his medicine, Wu Chang surveyed their surroundings. They had fallen into a prayer room at the corner of the first floor. After a quick assessment of direction, he led Landy toward the first-floor hall.

If Wolf didn’t come to find them, they would find Wolf.

Wolf’s explosion had leveled about eighty percent of the sanatorium, yet the director’s office was among the least affected areas.

The closer they approached the hall, the worse the structural collapse became. Judging by the explosion’s intensity, the blast’s epicenter must have been the first-floor hall.

Yet upon arrival, the hall was enveloped by a strange magical array. Dense runes covered the floors and walls, leaving the hall almost intact.

As they stepped into the array, over a hundred figures staggered out from the shadows.

Their bodies twisted and deformed, mostly rotted, still wrapped in straitjackets not removed in time.

If Wu Chang guessed correctly, these were patients confined in the critical care area.

Among the zombies were also figures in ordinary hospital gowns and even medical staff uniforms.

At this moment, every case of delusional disorder in the Moonlight Sanatorium ignited.

Landy turned to Wu Chang, puzzled: "What is this?"

Wu Chang forced a calm explanation: "They are all critical patients. The hallucinogenic drugs have eroded their brains, dulling them and stripping most of their senses and consciousness. They blindly obey whoever supplies the drugs."

"But their bodies—"

"The drugs suppress their immune systems, causing self-inflicted wounds to rot and never heal. That’s normal." Wu Chang answered evenly.

Landy said, "I mean the deformities and mutations."

Wu Chang looked confused. "Mutations? Sorry, I don’t see any mutations."

"Damn, the drugs haven’t kicked in yet. Must be my delusions acting up." Landy smiled awkwardly.

He closed his eyes and slapped his cheeks, trying to clear his mind.

"Calm, steady. Look closely—they’re all normal people."

As Landy murmured, the exorcism array underground activated. Transparent flames ignited on the zombies, and amid their screams, all organs beyond human scope turned to ash.

When Landy opened his eyes, the mutations on the zombies had indeed vanished.

He sighed in relief. "It was just an illusion."

Wu Chang was speechless. Turning his back, he gave a thumbs-up.

No wonder this man, having witnessed all events within the Moonlight Sanatorium, still refused to believe in mysticism. His capacity for self-persuasion was unquestionable.

"Director, I’ve always trusted your judgment."

Surrounded by zombies, Landy initially tried to hold back, attacking only with blunt weapons.

But after several attempts, he realized they felt no pain or fear. Like the undead, even with broken limbs, they crawled toward him, eager to bite.

Seeing these critical patients were no longer truly human, he drew his swift sword—considered a two-handed blade for an average man—and began a massacre.

With the boon of mystical talent, Landy’s sword emitted white light, effortlessly slicing through zombies.

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