Gods, Ashes Descend

Chapter 15 Seeing a Ghost

"Damn it, my God, I've only been here for a few hours."

Levi only remembered that he was outmaneuvering the werewolves and fighting them off from where the BOSS appeared, when he heard a shrill female voice calling Ethan's name. He looked up and saw something that looked like a dragon crash into the stone tower above him, and then he died from the blunt force of falling debris from the clock tower.

Simply put, the weak Ash died in the aftermath of the battle between the Mycelium Superman and the demons and monsters—a tragedy.

However, Li Wei did manage to acquire some local specialties. He exchanged the valuable items he had collected from this world with gold-containing crowns at a merchant's shop for a revolver called the Broken Wing Butterfly, a .44 caliber weapon that could be used to shoot elephants.

"Welcome back, Lord Ash."

The Fire Keeper maintained her calm tone, while Levi handed over all the collected Dark Spirits to her to handle.

After having her armor, which had been torn to shreds by werewolf claws, repaired by a blacksmith, the Fire Keeper, along with twenty graveyard guardians and thirty unarmed men in trousers, entered the sacrificial site.

Facing the crowd who were practically running around naked, the Fire Keeper explained to the bewildered Li Wei.

"These are all lost souls who have lost everything in the graveyard. Their equipment will naturally need to be provided by Lord Ash. Please forgive me, but I have entrusted the rest of my humanity to Lord Rudauth."

"Forgive what? I asked you to arrange it. How you use it is your business. The world is vast and complex. A few dozen human emotions are not even a drop in the ocean. At worst, I can just go out again."

The Guardians are dedicated to eliminating the restless undead who have lifted the covers. They can be considered light infantry, equipped with chainmail and leather armor, and are skilled in using one-handed swords, shields with spears, and crossbows.

The awakened zombies were selected through a random lottery, including twenty-seven unemployed vagrants from various countries across the continent and three lower-ranking knights.

Of course, Li Wei's soul-stealing ability can also enhance these undead, creating a group of burly men equipped with knight armor and giant swords.

However, now, each person has a weapon, a white wax stone for summoning, matching leather armor, and several knights in chainmail and shields, which has also emptied Li Wei's possessions.

The unemployed are not entirely without fighting ability; they are simply wanderers who do not hold positions in any major power.

Several mages who can use magic, an unknown figure who can perform miracles with both hands, professional mercenaries who can use axes and scimitars, and farmers who can only fight desperately.

Anyway, it's a lottery, if I get a top-tier knight with a title, I'll have hit the jackpot.

The team was newly formed, and everyone's eyes were shining as they stared at Li Wei, waiting for him to lead them out to wreak havoc. As for what to kill, these lunatics said that anything that could move would be fine, and living people would be even better.

Li Wei suddenly felt that it was a mistake to unleash a bunch of killers whose faces were written all over their heads.

But everyone understands the principle that two fists can't beat four hands. They help themselves gather souls to strengthen themselves, while they need to maintain their humanity to stay clear-headed. It's a win-win situation.

Before Li Wei learned how to use the white wax stone and prepared to set off again, he received a message from the Fire Keeper.

"Lord Ash, the Dark Ring will continuously consume humanity. The stronger the undead, the more they need to maintain their sanity. Please bring back more humanity."

Li Wei nodded to indicate that he understood. Although no one died and no logistics were needed, maintenance costs were still required. Which army doesn't need that? It's normal.

Well, a bunch of bastards who can only survive by killing people can't be very normal.

Li Wei only hoped that the place he was going to this time would be chaotic enough.

As the mist gathered and dispersed, Li Wei opened his eyes and found himself in an abandoned marble church, surrounded by ivy, a type of climbing vine.

Inside the temple, the towering cross had collapsed.

After muttering something about the Middle Ages, Li Wei walked out, hoping it wasn't some kind of ghost town teeming with demons and monsters. He decided to find out where he was before recruiting anyone.

Don't bring your own team over, only to have some weirdo show up and send the whole team back after you haven't gotten anything.

Stepping out the door, one sees six soldiers in armor, carrying spears and shields, and a priest waiting on the dirt road.

Seeing that a strange warrior had indeed come out, the priest breathed a sigh of relief and made the sign of the cross to his chest in a gesture of respect.

"Outsider, God has sent me to await your arrival."

Li Wei glanced back at the abandoned chapel, then looked up at the sun.

Well, I've seen a god again in broad daylight.

However, since they had already come to him, Li Wei stopped worrying about it.

"So what does God have to say?"

A world with gods is beyond his ability to withstand, but as long as he doesn't kill himself with a bolt of lightning, then everything is negotiable.

"You are outside the reach of fate. God wants you to join the church, not to wander around this land. There are no other instructions."

It's not homelessness, it's more like causing trouble.

Li Wei raised an eyebrow and asked in return.

"Even if I join you, are you just going to leave me to fend for myself?"

"You look like a powerful warrior. The world is in turmoil, and there is a great need for warriors. Help us, and we will reward you handsomely."

With the backing of a powerful force, one can also fish in troubled waters and obtain intelligence. At least one won't have to search all over the mountains to kill bandits. Li Wei doesn't mind helping anyone to suppress bandits or fight wars.

The reward doesn't matter; what matters is whether or not a soul is brought into the account. As for whether this will offend the underworld or hell, death is nothing to be afraid of.

"I am the leader of a mercenary group. As long as the price is right, everything is negotiable."

The priest paused for a moment and then asked.

"So, how many people do you have?"

"Fifty elite soldiers."

In ancient times, an army could be considered elite if it suffered over 30% casualties without collapsing, or even 50% in a more extreme world.

These killers had no morale issues whatsoever. Killing one was enough to make their money back, killing two was a bonus, and their inferior equipment was a minor problem.

The priest's tone changed completely after he brought troops with him.

"Where are they?"

"It will come out when needed."

"Then please follow me."

......

Kutenberg-Sedleitz Abbey.

The priest who led the way brought Li Wei to the front door and gestured for him to come in.

"Please come in, outsider beyond destiny. Go to the Dean; your every move will affect the future."

However, the priest and several soldiers did not go inside; they simply stood at the entrance.

They went in silently, startling the maid sweeping the courtyard. She seemed surprised that someone could be so fully armed.

"Who are you? This isn't a place you can just walk into!"

Li Wei pointed in the direction he had come from.

"A priest opened the door and let me in, telling me to see the dean."

He wanted the guards there to explain, but when he looked back, all he saw was a continuous wall, with no gate in sight.

"Door?"

The maid dropped the broom and ran away.

"Guards! Guards!! Someone has infiltrated the church's interior!"

Li Wei raised his hands to the approaching guards and realized he had just seen a ghost.