Chapter 349: The Church

While following Brian, William decided to check his status again.

Name: William Velmont

Level: 52

Class: None

Attributes:

Strength: 163

Agility: 175

Stamina: 120

Intelligence: 590

Mana: 260

Demonic Energy: 400

His stats had grown far beyond what they once were—yet the most important thing was still missing: where was his class? A quest had appeared to him, stating that the current kingdom held clues to his special class, but he hadn’t found anything yet.

“I really hope I get a class so I can boost my powers,” William thought.

No enemies were challenging him at the moment, but that could change at any time. He and Shyvana quickened their pace to follow Brian, who moved through the underground tunnels as if he had walked them a thousand times.

“How do you know about this tunnel?” William asked.

“I found it while exploring,” Brian said.

For some reason, William didn’t fully buy it, but he didn’t press the issue.

Shyvana, walking right beside him through the damp, dark tunnels, spoke up. “I still can’t believe you’re part of the cult too. Since when?”

“Not long ago. Maybe a few months?” William replied. “I heard you aren’t really updated on the cult’s business.”

“Right… Yeah, I pursue my own interests. I only help the cult when they really need it—when the members aren’t good enough to complete the mission.”

William didn’t take the bait. “Stop that,” he said. “I would have done it without you.”

“Would you? If I wasn’t here, you would have had to face Brian.”

“And? I would have won the fight anyway, so why bother?”

Brian, who had been leading the way in silence, stopped and turned around to face William. The only sounds were their breathing and the distant drip of water.

“Are you sure you would win against me? I’m specialized in fighting necromancers,” Brian said.

Even though they were technically on the same team, his pride was clearly stung.

“I’m more than just a necromancer,” William said, calmly, “but we don’t need to test that right now.”

Deep down, William wanted to fight him to see who was truly the strongest. That had been his plan all along.

“You’re right, we have more important things to do.”

Brian turned back and continued leading the way, ignoring the jab. Shyvana gave William a look of approval; she liked people who didn’t bow their heads to anyone.

After walking through the tunnels like headless chickens, a light appeared at the end. It was bright moonlight shining down on them, revealing a vast plain.

“Beautiful,” William said, gazing at the horizon. The scenery looked like something straight out of a painting.

Brian, though he had seen the view more than once, paused to take it in. “We can’t disagree on that.”

Shyvana liked the view as well, but her personality wouldn’t let her enjoy the moment. She had to keep up her harsh demeanor. “Can you two stop with this nonsense and move?” she said, shaking her head.

They walked along the plains. It was quiet and cool. A chilly breeze blew, far better than being stuck behind the academy walls. This time, Shyvana led the way; she knew where to find the herbs for the ritual.

Gradually, the plains gave way to a thick forest marked by a wooden sign warning of a dangerous area. They exchanged glances but moved along the path, ignoring the warning completely.

At one point, Shyvana pointed to a specific tree. “See this marking? It means we turn right and go straight.”

The cabin where her friend lived wasn’t on the main path but hidden deep within the forest. It wasn’t an easy place to find, protected by magical formations that kept it unseen from human eyes. Only when they were close did the cabin finally reveal itself.

“Impressive,” Brian said. “A decent magical formation.”

The cabin was small, but the gardens around it were vast, brimming with magical herbs William had never seen before.

Shyvana knocked on the door. William watched her, noticing a tiny smile forming on her lips.

“She can’t hide her happiness to see her old friend,” William thought. “She isn’t as cold as she appears.”

Shyvana caught herself and wiped the smile away, but when the door opened to reveal an old woman with gray hair, the two embraced.

“Ahhh, Cani. It’s been so long,” Shyvana said. “What have you been up to?”

The old woman couldn’t believe her eyes. She looked Shyvana up and down a few times. “Damn it, I knew you wouldn’t age, but this is quite incredible. Can you help your old friend get back in shape?” Cani said with a chuckle.

“In fact, I can, but I also need your help. Can we talk inside?” Shyvana asked.

The house was clean and neatly arranged. Cani took great care of it; she lived alone, and there were no animals in sight.

“So, what do you need, my dear?” Cani said, then laughed. “It does seem like I’m talking to my granddaughter, but you’re older than me.”

William already knew Shyvana wasn’t a simple mage, but he hadn’t realized she was that old. Magic capable of granting eternal youth wasn’t easy to come by.

“I need some herbs for a special ritual, and you’re the only person I can count on,” Shyvana said, taking Cani’s hands. “If you help me, I can help you with your age problem.”

It was hard to say if Shyvana was speaking the truth, but William didn’t think she would lie to a close friend.

“You’ll help me get younger? Just spit it out—what herbs do you want?”

Shyvana smiled. She grabbed a piece of paper and a pen from Cani’s wooden desk, wrote down the names of the herbs she needed, and handed it back.

“Do you have them?”

It took Cani a few moments to read through the list. Her expression shifted several times. The last few items Shyvana had listed were incredibly rare and expensive.

“I do have them,” Cani said, frowning, “but you’ll have to help me with my age problem before I give them to you. This is rare stuff, you know that, right?”

Shyvana didn’t look surprised. “Do you have a knife and a bowl?”

Cani nodded. She stood up and retrieved what Shyvana asked for. Shyvana then cut her palm and filled a wooden bowl with her blood.

“Just drink it,” she said. “You’ll feel better.”

William watched the exchange closely.

“If her blood can make people younger, why is she showing this to us?” he wondered.

It made sense to show him, since they were in the same cult, but Brian? It didn’t add up.

Brian’s face twitched. He clearly found it strange too, but he kept quiet as he watched Cani drink the blood without changing in the slightest.

“I’ll get your herbs. Wait here,” Cani said.

Instead of heading outside to the garden, Cani pulled back a rug beside her bed, revealing a trapdoor. She opened it and descended underground.

“She keeps her precious herbs down there,” Shyvana said. “Safer.”

“Makes sense,” William said.

As they waited for Cani to return, a deep, male voice boomed from outside.

“We are paladins of the church. Please, open the door.”

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