In a social media post, she assured her followers that she would collaborate with the investigation upon her arrival back in the United States.

Chapter 44 - Earth Intermission - 11

"Whoa!"

Vesper exclaims as he collapses inside the wooden shrine hall and tumbles a few meters. When he gets up, he finds himself face to face with two life-sized figurines of women dressed in black and white attire while their eyes fixate on him.

Upon closer inspection, Vesper realizes that the figurines bear an uncanny resemblance to Mary and Alanna, except that they are mannequins. He chuckles dryly as he scans the interior of the shrine hall. 

The interior of this place is adorned with countless yellow talismans inscribed in red ink. Although familiar, the symbols on the talismans elude Vesper's identification of their language. The dim glow of a dozen candlelights barely illuminates the hall.

His attention then shifts to the glass coffin, which still houses the golden statue of an infant angel, rather than a lifeless corpse. Vesper has a feeling that the infant angel might be a symbol of something deep. He is attracted to it for some reason. 

Suddenly, a creak interrupts the silence as the mannequin women come to life, advancing towards him. They grab Vesper's clothes and pull them, ripping them to pieces.

Startled, Vesper steps back, cautioning them, "Ladies! I know I'm attractive, but calm your tits!"

Ignoring his plea, the mannequins approach him silently. Their golden eyes emit a glow that resonates with Vesper's left eye. 

Out of nowhere, a sharp, stabbing pain shoots through his left eye. Overwhelmed by dizziness and sharp discomfort, he staggers and falls to one knee. 

Then, a golden system screen materializes before him. 

<Welcome to the Forgotten Shrine of Tarnished Saint. Here, you may offer tributes Saint or perform rituals in exchange for artifacts, unique runes, items.> 

Rubbing his aching eye, Vesper gazes at the screen in astonishment, only to feel the pain intensify as the eye starts growing strange roots, spreading within his eye socket. Sensing an invasive sensation akin to wriggling worms penetrating his skin and reaching his brain, Vesper convulses in agony as his entire being turns yellow.

Unable to endure the excruciating pain, Vesper collapses to the floor, his screams echoing through the empty hall, unheard by anyone. Once again, he succumbs to unconsciousness, consumed by the relentless torment.

.

.

*DING*

<You have successfully performed the Ritual of Gold Ascension for first time.>

<The energy cost of gold element spells have been decreased by 50%.>

<The requirement of gold element aura has been decreased by 50%.>

<The cooldown of gold element spells has been decreased by 50%.>

<The effectiveness and power of gold element spells auras have been increased by 100%.>

*DING*

<Your rune "Time-Killing (Tampered)" has evolved into "Summon Tarnished Phantom (1st Grade)".>

.

.

"Ugh..." Groaning softly, Vesper slowly emerges from unconsciousness, grappling with the sensation of intense heat coursing through his entire body. Despite the debilitating fever and throbbing headache that plague his mind, he summons the strength to pry open his heavy eyelids and survey his surroundings.

Before him, a familiar sight greets Vesper's gaze—a wooden ceiling adorned with countless yellow talismans, triggering a sense of déjà vu. With effort, he hoists himself into a sitting position, taking stock of his predicament.

To his alarm, Vesper realizes he's seated on a stone bed, once occupied by the glass coffin with the infant angel. His clothes are conspicuously absent, replaced by chains that bind his ankles securely to the bed. 

A metallic clank echoes through the chamber as the slave choker around his neck tightens, dragging him down and further restraining him to the bed.

Startled and bewildered, Vesper frantically scans his surroundings, only to lock eyes with the two mannequins holding his restraints. 

"What's happening?! Let me go!" he demands, his voice laced with desperation.

The mannequins remain impassive, their grip unyielding as they ignore Vesper's pleas.

Meanwhile, the "Time-Killing" rune, now emitting ominous black smoke, conjures the ethereal form of a seductive woman. The swirling miasma drifts toward Vesper, its floral scent soothing his senses and miraculously alleviating his fever and headache.

As the smoke dissipates, a white-haired woman materializes, her features mirroring one of the mannequins but devoid of the shroud of black mist. 

Vesper's eyes widen in recognition. 

"Alanna?"

Grinning mischievously, Alanna settles atop Vesper, chuckling, "Well, this is awkward, isn't it? How many times do I have to sit on top of you?"

"What are you doing? Let me go!" Vesper protests, his voice tinged with fear.

"Sorry about this, but we need to complete a ritual before I can explain properly. Contract's NDA stuff," Alanna replies nonchalantly.

"A ritual?" Vesper's confusion deepens.

With a swift motion, Alanna retrieves a dagger from her cloak and cuts straight to the point. 

"Activate the gold skin aura and don't die on me," she commands, before plunging the blade into Vesper's chest. She cuts open a hole, deep enough to reach his ribcages. Without hesitation, she snaps two pieces of his ribcages and throws them out of his body, exposing his heart, and lungs.

Vesper screams in shock and agony, but his instincts kick in as he activates the gold skin aura. Instantly, his blood, skin, and internal organs transform into a shimmering gold hue.

Alanna nods in approval before shedding her cloak, revealing her bare skin. She plunges a dagger into her own chest, extracting her heart, which drips with golden blood. 

Despite this gruesome act, Alanna remains composed as she swiftly retrieves Vesper's golden heart and removes it from his body. In a seamless motion, she places her beating heart into his chest cavity, then inserts Vesper's heart within her own chest.

As they exchange hearts, Alanna opens her mouth and expels a small bead concealed beneath her tongue. Holding it in her hands, she activates the bead with a command, "Consume Mass-Heal rune!"

In response, the rune emits a brilliant white light that envelops them. The arteries and blood vessels writhe as if alive, reconnecting severed pathways. Missing bones regenerate, wounds seal shut, and the entire process concludes within a mere five seconds.

*DING*

As Vesper gasps for air and gazes at Alanna in confusion, new gold system screens manifest in front of both Vesper and Alanna, informing them of the results and consequences of their actions. Both messages are different, and Vesper can only read his own system screen.

<The Apostle of the Tarnished Saint has verified your relationship!>

<Congratulations! You are now welcomed into the domain of Tarnished Saint. This shrine serves as your home base on Earth. will be teleported here whenever you return from World Supreme Judge or Protector.>

<At your home base, you have unrestricted access to the Artifact Store, where can exchange contribution points (CP) for items. You may accumulate CP by eliminating survivors, hunters, or apostles of supreme beings. also earn completing personal tasks, such as performing rituals in shrine.>

*DING*

<The Tarnished Saint has assigned your first task.>

<Upgrade the Eye of Tarnished Saint to 2nd grade by committing a taboo!>