[Learning from your previous death, you hesitate by the door, not rushing forward recklessly.]

  Lin Xun began testing his theory about breaking the nested loop.

  Opening the inventory, he clicked on [Healing Holy Water].

  [The clever Apostle seems to have discovered something...]

  [1. Drink the Holy Water to heal your injuries. Though you currently have no wounds, its unique fvor might leave a sting impression.]

  [2. The nun's shell still lies on the ground. Perhaps you could follow the Bck-Robed Priest's example and experience one final indulgence.]

  [3. (Hidden Option) The church door's hinges are worn from age. Maybe the Holy Water could give them a second life.]

  As expected. This game might as well be renamed 100 Uses for Holy Water.

  [You apply the 'Healing Holy Water' to the church door's hinges.]

  [The thick, slippery liquid makes the rusted hinges gleam anew. They've been revitalized and will no longer creak needlessly.]

  [You push open the church door—the process is eerily smooth, with none of the expected screeching.]

  [Outside, the 'Blood Sun Cultist' remains oblivious, its back still turned to you.]

  [Will you ambush it?]

  Lin Xun's eyes lit up. Without hesitation, he selected Yes.

  [You sneak up quietly and plunge your sword into the monster's back, piercing its heart.]

  [You have defeated a 'Corrupted Blood Sun Cultist.' Experience slightly increased.]

  [Your ambush made little noise. The monsters lurking in the ruined town remain unaware of you.]

  No noise meant no aggro.

  Lin Xun had successfully avoided being swarmed to death.

  [You examine the fallen monster's shell...]

  [Corrupted Blood Sun Cultist: A follower of the tainted Blood Sun. Its body has undergone slight mutation from corrupting power. It died from a cowardly backstab that ruptured its heart. Compatibility: 81% (+15%)]

  "This monster's compatibility just meets the possession threshold. If I hadn't drawn the 'Thousand Faces, Ten Thousand Forms' talent, this shell would've been unusable."

  His current shell slots were occupied by the knight and the priest. To possess the cultist, he'd have to discard one.

  [As you stand exposed under the Blood Sun, your sanity begins slipping away... Suddenly, the crimson sun in the sky seems to shine with radiant, holy brilliance!]

  [Meanwhile, the pale moon you once revered now appears filthy and revolting!]

  [Ah! You can't help but praise the sun!]

  [In a frenzy, you cw at the crescent moon emblem on your chest armor. Madness is about to consume your shell...]

  "Is this corruption? No time to hesitate!"

  Lin Xun immediately discarded the useless priest shell and selected possession.

  [You possess the 'Corrupted Blood Sun Cultist' shell.]

  [Your 'sanity' gradually returns. The Blood Sun's rays now barely affect you.]

  [The only memory fragment in this shell is... Praise the Sun!]

  Lin Xun sighed in relief at his narrow escape.

  [After exiting, the knight's shell dissipates into motes of light, awaiting your next reshaping.]

  [Since the knight's shell didn't suffer fatal damage, reshaping it won't consume Soul Strength.]

  "So as long as the shell isn't killed, I can swap freely? Not bad—at least it's not completely sadistic."

  He opened the new shell's panel to inspect it.

  [Shell — Corrupted Blood Sun Cultist]

  [True Name: Unknown]

  [Compatibility: 81% (+15%)]

  [Shell Quality: Ruined]

  [Shell Level: 1]

  [Shell Equipment: Dull Dagger (Ruined) — A bde commonly used by thieves. Repeated bloodletting has dulled its edge.]

  [Shell Skill: Backstab (Ruined) — A basic rogue technique. Weak in direct combat but excellent for ambushes.]

  This shell came with both a weapon and a skill—weaker than the knight but stronger than the nun or priest. It seemed to be an assassin-type css.

  Satisfied, Lin Xun nodded.

  [Looking around, you see the White Moon Church stands at the town center, once the busiest crossroads in Saint Rance. Amid the ruins, you ponder your path.]

  [East (Left): You recall most of the swarming monsters lurked here. Strangely, you feel an odd affinity for this direction. Ah! It's where the sun rises!]

  [South (Ahead): In the distance, a massive monster blocks the road. Even partially hidden by rubble, its sheer size makes the earth tremble with each movement, sending waves of crimson energy rippling outward.]

  [West (Right): Saint Rance's tallest ndmark—the Artemis Clocktower—has colpsed into a mountain of debris, barring passage.]

  [North (Behind): A heavy metal gate blocks the road, with a lever mechanism beside it.]

  Frowning at the options, Lin Xun realized the choices weren't as open as they seemed.

  East was monster-infested—where his knight had died. A no-go.

  South had a boss-level enemy. Going there would be suicidal.

  West was completely blocked.

  Only the northern gate seemed viable.

  [You head north, reaching the metal gate.]

  [Pulling the lever, you hear gears grinding...]

  [The sound suddenly stops. Inspecting the lever, you find a diamond-shaped indentation—apparently for some kind of key item.]

  [You ck the required item to open the gate.]

  Another dead end?

  Lin Xun was stunned. The only viable path was locked?

  [Dozens of crimson eyes turn toward you—the noise has attracted attention.]

  [A tide of monsters surges toward you...]

  His hand trembled. "I'm done for."

  He'd barely been pying for minutes before hitting another roadblock.

  [The swarm of 'Corrupted Blood Sun Cultists' surrounds you... then shakes their heads in confusion before dispersing.]

  ???

  What was this? Had the game suddenly grown a conscience?

  Then he noticed the [Corrupted Blood Sun Cultist] shell in his inventory.

  "Of course—I'm one of them now."

  "Which means... the monster-filled eastern path is open. And maybe..."

  An audacious idea fshed through his mind.

  [You return to the church crossroads.]

  [Apostle, which path will you take?]

  [You set out eastward.]

  [Under the Blood Sun's crimson light, the street is bathed in an eerie red glow. You find it oddly comforting.]

  [Dozens of monsters line the road, basking in the sunlight. They pay you no mind as you pass.]

  [You safely navigate through the horde.]

  [Ahead stands a four-story tower wreathed in scarlet mist. Will you proceed?]

  Of course, he selected No.

  Lin Xun's heart raced with anticipation. Would his next move work?

  "Go big or go home. Win big or lose it all... Worst case, I waste 1 Soul Strength."