Mutagen

However, the "guests" could feel it was no mere joke.

Ominous runes lit up the entire underground cathedral. These unrecognizable symbols covered the structure\'s walls, ceiling, pillars, and floor.

The prostrating [Face Wearers] turned to dust one after another. They were sacrificing their lives for the birth of their Goddess.

And lastly, from the [Face Wearers] that turned to dust, the familiar visage of dark-colored wispy flames emerged, floating up the air and shooting towards the clear chamber at the podium and through the glass, getting absorbed and becoming part of the Goddess.

The [Deity of Soul Sacrifice\'s] title was no mere decoration.

After creating the Goddess\' vessel, the last thing it lacked was a soul. And now, the souls of these nine thousand [Face Wearers] would become the foundation for the Goddess\' newborn soul.

Worship, soul, and a Godly body as a vessel, all the ingredients to create a Goddess were all in place.

And now, with honorable guests present, the birth of the new Goddess commenced.

With both hands raised and an eerie smile, the Deity of Soul Sacrifice led the sacrificial ritual with utter glee.

Nonetheless, under that gleeful visage, the Deity of Soul Sacrifice did not let his eyes leave the guests of honor.

There was no caution, there was no fear. The Deity of Soul Sacrifice just wanted to see the guests\' reaction.

The reaction from the General, the bearers of Ancient Blood and the Mutants, felt satisfactory for the Deity. They were all either in disbelief, shock, or cautious. However, the Royal Demons and the Incarnation made the Deity frown.

This group barely showed any reaction, especially the Royal Demon that came with the human General.

The male Royal Demon looked around, more interested in the runes lighting up the cathedral than the birth of his creation.

And the most annoying part of it was that the Royal Demons did not even seem to think of the event as something significant.

***

Unfortunately, the Deity of Soul Sacrifice was nearly on point.

Mark looked around the place, not paying much attention to the sacrifices or even the Goddess inside the chamber at the podium. However, the reason was not because he found the event insignificant. It was because he was trying to memorize the runes around the place as much as he could.

After Mark received the [Blessing of Death\'s Aura] from Magwayen, he became more sensitive towards souls and anything related to them. That was why he managed to create items that affected souls, like the [Soul Canister], the experimental prison, and even the medal he used when they first met Farel\'s group.

Now, Mark was presented with an entire cathedral filled with runes that affect souls. There was no way he would not memorize it thoroughly.

While Mark was observing the runes and the ritual continued, Mei walked across the cathedral towards Mark, prompting everyone to follow suit. Everyone following Mei was wary of the surroundings as they walked, weapons ready. However, they realized that the prostrating [Face Wearers] showed them not even a tiny bit of reaction.

"This..."

Farel voiced out his confusion in one simple word. It was the same for everyone.

The moment Mei arrived beside Mark, she immediately reached for his face, gently turning his head to the side.

Mark did not show any resistance, although his eyes still tried to look at the runes as much as he could.

"Gege got hurt."

Mei said, gently wiping his left temple and checking his left eye.

"It\'s already healed," Mark replied. "There\'s no need to worry."

"Still."

Mei could not help but frown.

"I don\'t know if I should be creeped out or amazed," Spera chimed in. "Your regeneration is absurd. None of us would even realize if you got hurt unless you said it. But she...:

Spera looked at Mei. This beautiful woman had her own peculiarities, especially when it came to Mark.

"Watch your mouth."

Mark flicked Spera\'s forehead, making her flinch.

And as Mei finally let go of Mark\'s head, Amihan landed on his head.

"Uhm..." Luna suddenly spoke. "You four are too lax... We have a situation here, remember?"

Luna\'s complaint made everyone nod slightly.

They were currently in the middle of a peculiar and likely dangerous situation. However, it felt like Mark and the three girls treated it lightly.

"Sir Mark," General Wijaya approached while glancing at the corpse of General Piliang. "Do you have a plan?"

It seemed that General Wijaya developed a bit of reliance on Mark after the things that happened before. The young General knew he could help in regular situations, but the current one was far beyond just normal. Now, he felt that it would be better to listen to Mark in this situation.

But to everyone\'s surprise, Mark gave an unexpected reply.

"There\'s no need to plan. It\'s time to leave."

It was not just Mark\'s allies, but the Deity of Soul Sacrifice watching them also felt surprised by his words.

The expected action was to fight, cause as much havoc, attempt to destroy the runes, or try to interfere with the birth of the new Goddess. At the least, try to kill the non-resisting enemies, or even him, the Deity of Soul Sacrifice.

However, none of that came out of Mark\'s mouth.

Mark\'s intention was to leave.

"Are you sure?"

Estia stepped forward and asked Mark.

"You are weebs," Mark looked at the swordwoman. "You should know the scale Gods and Deities fight, right? And remember, where we are right now."

Those words confused General Wijaya and Farel. However, the rest felt shivers in their spines as they realized the situation.

Battles between Gods and Deities lead to catastrophic destruction. It was definitely not something to look forward to, especially when they were underground and within a dormant volcano.

"Besides," Mark continued. "We don\'t have much time. Right, Melfiss?"

Everyone looked at Luna\'s Cursed Divine Keris, prompting it to glow and assume her humanoid form.

"Yes. We don\'t have much time," Melfiss confirmed Mark\'s words as she glared at the Deity of Soul Sacrifice, who was surprised to see her transform. "This sacrificial ritual is draining the seal placed upon this place. Once the seal is gone, this volcano\'s dormancy will also meet its end."

Melfiss\' words widened everyone\'s eyes in shock.

"He-hey. Don\'t joke around..."

Kela could not help but voice out, trying to pass those words as a joke.

"I also wish I was joking."

Melfiss said with utmost seriousness.

Everyone now realized a far more urgent problem than the birth of a Goddess.

"You said the ritual is draining the seal?" Edge asked Melfiss. "What if we stop the ritual... No... that\'s just going back to zero."

Edge thought of an expected suggestion, but he stopped. Trying to stop the ritual meant fighting the Deity of Soul Sacrifice and destroying this place. It would definitely end with them burying themselves alive in this place.

"Head home," Mark told the allied members. "Spera will send you all back to the entrance. Fetch the people there, and she will send you back to your settlements. Immediately prepare to evacuate."

Mark then turned to Spera, who nodded, understanding what he wanted her to do.

Spera then opened a portal.

"Enter quickly."

Mark urged Luna and the others.

"What about you all?"

Luna asked Mark\'s group.

"We\'ll go with General Wijaya. We still have to fetch the soldiers at the other entrance. Spera can\'t open a portal there yet. We will catch up to your group after."

"Okay," Luna nodded. "We\'ll be waiting."

The leaders of the allied settlements entered the portal, and Spera entered last. Spera would then return after sending everyone home.

Mark and the rest then stayed put, waiting for Spera\'s return.

It was when the Deity of Soul Sacrifice was unable to hold back anymore and spoke.

"You Royal Demons are quite peculiar. Demons do not pass the opportunity for a good challenge, unleash havoc, or just a pure bloodbath filled with bloodlust. My sacrifices are all prostrated. They can be killed without resistance. But none of you even lifted your weapons to kill one."

"Because we are not stupid," Mark retorted. "You want us to hasten the process of your ritual by killing the sacrifices, right? And if we use magic, it will give more power to the ritual, too. Yeah, there\'s no way that\'s happening."

"This is utmost unexpected," The Deity of Soul Sacrifice seemed to be amused by Mark\'s answer. "You sure are quite an Enigma. It seemed that even among Demons, your race must be special."

Mark did not answer. Even so, that silence was an affirmation.

At this point, Spera finally returned.

"Let\'s go."

Mark ordered, and the group began to move, leaving through the destroyed door.

"Are you guests leaving without making a move?"

The Deity of Soul Sacrifice asked without receiving a single answer. He watched as the remaining guests left, to his dismay.

"What a pity, my beloved creation," The Deity of Soul Sacrifice began speaking to the sleeping Goddess. "There is no one who wanted to welcome your birth."

The Deity of Soul Sacrifice then caressed the glass of the chamber as the sacrificial ritual continued.

Leaving the cathedral, Mark\'s group ran back to the staircase they had taken before. Along the way, Mark could not help but notice General Wijaya glancing at him repeatedly.

"I know you have questions, but save that for later."

Mark suddenly spoke to General Wijaya. It caused the General to let out a fake cough.

Unknown to the General, Mark\'s eyes were currently glowing red. The Deity of Soul Sacrificed might have asked if he was not going to make a move, and he did not reply. However, he never said that he would not, either.

Returning was far faster than going. Mark\'s group reached the first underground cathedral faster than before. And without needing to take the tunnel Mark dug, they just passed through the door.

"General!"

The soldiers who stayed in this place immediately saluted when they saw General Wijaya.

Looking at the soldiers, they already managed to tend to the wounded. Unfortunately, not a lot of them would be fit to continue fighting.

"Did you w--!!"

The soldiers wanted to ask if Mark\'s group returned after winning the fight.

However...

RUMBLE!

The whole place shook violently. It was not a shaking caused by a fight. It was an earthquake caused by the volcano\'s approaching eruption.

While the earthquake only lasted for a few seconds, it felt frightening.

"Don\'t ask questions and carry the injured. We will leave this place as soon as possible."

General Wijaya ordered the soldiers. Sensing the urgency in his tone, they moved even faster.

The exit of this cathedral collapsed because of General Piliang. However, after Mark told Mei to load a small crystal into her sniper rifle and shoot at full power, a new path was melted open through the fallen debris.

With the path open, everyone rushed out of the underground passage.

RUMBLE!!!

Another earthquake occurred. This time, it was stronger and longer.

As time passed by, the situation was becoming more and more dangerous.

"General!"

The soldiers guarding the dilapidated church saluted. This time, no one asked the General if they won or not. Instead, they waited for the General\'s instructions. The repeated earthquakes were definitely not a good sign. That was why these soldiers threw their curiosities away.

"Listen! Prepare to leave!" General Wijaya gave his order. "Mount Muria is about to erupt at any moment! We need to proceed with evacuations immediately!"

The order made the soldiers frantic. Not everyone knew that Mount Muria was a volcano, and those who knew had known it was an inactive one. Yet, the General suddenly declared it was about to erupt.

It was hard to make out the situation, but the soldiers knew of the incoming danger.

"Cahya." General Wijaya called his secretary. "You will spit up with several of our soldiers. Your mission is to inform the Northside Peak of the incoming danger. Can I leave it to you?"

"Sir, Yes, Sir!"

Staff Sergeant Cahya saluted, accepting the important task she was given.

"Still, the crocodiles might behave stubbornly..." General Wijaya said with a frown. "Prioritize informing the Astrias, Miss Limabela\'s family. They would not think twice about something involving her. As for the rest, just spread the news as much as you can. We need to inform as many people as possible so they can get ready before we sound the alarm.

It might end up becoming chaotic, but we had no time or choice."

After receiving the order, Staff Sergeant Cahya and a few select soldiers immediately left with one of the vehicles. As for the others, they returned to Southside Peak through Spera\'s portal.

And there, the alarm sounded throughout the Muria Sacred Fortress amidst the suddenly increasing earthquakes.