Chapter 81: Dead… But Not Completely

Josuna stepped toward her, one step at a time. The gentleness on her face had completely shattered, replaced by a twisted, ferocious expression born of extreme rage. Every word she spoke seemed squeezed out from between clenched teeth, carrying a destructive fury.

“Pereti” was embedded in the wall, her entire body wracked with pain. Her mind was hazy, barely able to function.

Before she could recover, more than a dozen spears formed from condensed light elements appeared out of nowhere. With sharp whistling sounds, they pierced straight through her body, pinning her firmly against the wall.

The intense pain snapped her consciousness back. She struggled to lift her head, staring at Josuna as she approached step by step—her eyes filled with disbelief, terror, and confusion.

How was I exposed?

Her every word and action had perfectly mimicked Pereti. Aside from the signature, that letter had nothing in common with the original.

How did Josuna notice?

That shouldn’t be possible!

“Talk! Where is she? Where did you hide the real Pereti?!”

Josuna grabbed her throat, blood seeping through her fingers and dripping to the ground, blooming into vivid red stains.

“How… did you… find out…”

“Pereti” struggled to breathe, her voice broken as blood spilled from her lips.

“Where is she?!”

Josuna ignored her completely. Her eyes burned with madness as she thrust another spear of light into her chest.

Numbness spread through “Pereti’s” body as overwhelming pain swallowed her like a tide. Her vision blurred, her consciousness slipping away.

Am I going to die…

So this is what death feels like… at least… no regrets…

Just as that thought formed, a flicker of brightness passed through her vision—

—and everything fell into darkness.

The pain still lingered, but Josuna’s frenzied screams grew distant, fading into nothing.

At the very moment “Pereti’s” breath completely stopped, Josuna suddenly snapped back to her senses.

No.

She can’t die.

Before she reveals Pereti’s whereabouts, this imposter must not die!

A sharp light flashed in Josuna’s eyes. Gentle yet overwhelming radiance burst from her palm, flowing along the spears embedded in “Pereti’s” body, restoring her nearly shattered life.

Before the agony of death could even fade, “Pereti” gasped awake, choking as consciousness returned. The pain only became clearer, as if every bone in her body was screaming.

“You’re awake?”

Josuna’s voice was icy, devoid of warmth. Watching her struggle in pain, there was no pity in her eyes—only obsessive madness.

“Now tell me—where is Pereti?!”

Just as “Pereti” tried to speak, Josuna suddenly yanked out one of the spears. The violent pain forced a scream from her lips, darkness threatening to swallow her again—

—but in the next instant, healing light enveloped her once more, dragging her back from death.

“I won’t let you die so easily.”

Josuna leaned close to her ear, her voice like a whisper from hell.

“Does it hurt?”

“I’ll let you experience death again and again… until you’re willing to tell me where she is.”

Light and agony alternated.

Death and rebirth repeated endlessly.

Inside the church, only the imposter’s shrill screams and Josuna’s cold interrogation echoed. Sunlight streamed through the tall windows, yet it couldn’t dispel the suffocating madness and despair in the air.

“AAAAAAAHHHH—!!!”

“Qingcheng… Qingcheng… Qingcheng… Qingcheng…”

“I know you can hear me! I’ve been calling you forever—at least respond!!!”

In an empty space, Pereti sat alone on a sofa, eyes closed as she thought through her plan.

The Gluttony Church had already infiltrated the Holy Light Church. With her authority, they could accomplish many things—but they didn’t have the time.

Her behavior after being captured, along with the contents of that letter, would put immense pressure on them. To figure out who “Hood” was, they would definitely investigate.

Of course, they wouldn’t find anything—because that name was known only to her and Josuna.

In the end, they would question people close to her… and eventually reach Josuna, who would uncover the flaw.

At that point, the Gluttony Church’s infiltration plan would collapse completely, forcing them into an all-out confrontation with the Church.

It would take some time, but Pereti had no choice except to wait.

The Gluttony Church’s high-end combat power was strong, but their average strength likely couldn’t match the Holy Light Church—otherwise they wouldn’t resort to infiltration tactics.

On her side, there were two powerhouses: the Pope and Feiye.

The Gluttony Church likely had two as well. Though she didn’t know their exact strength, Feiye’s abilities were more than enough to stall for time.

Without top-tier fighters, ordinary followers wouldn’t be able to stop the Holy Light Church’s offensive.

All she needed to do… was wait.

The only ones she owed an apology to were probably Feiye and Ailbana. She had kept both of them completely in the dark—but without that, her plan wouldn’t work.

Feiye would never agree to let her put herself in danger. And Ailbana, with her poor acting, might expose something to the Gluttony Church.

When this was over… she’d apologize properly.

Pereti had always liked quiet places. And honestly, this environment wasn’t bad—at least there was a comfortable sofa.

But for all her calculations… she had overlooked one thing.

Her stomach.

Being locked in here… she had nothing to eat.

Was this how strategists died? Entering the game themselves… only to starve in a prison?

She was the Witch of Light—how could she starve to death?!

So she began calling out to Qingcheng nonstop, trying to awaken even a shred of her conscience.

“Qingcheng, you idiot! If you’ve got even a bit of decency, get over here and bring me food!”

…Silence.

Pereti collapsed weakly onto the sofa, beginning to doubt whether Qingcheng was even her real name.

At least the Gluttony Church had some conscience—they’d given her somewhere to sit.

“Pretty humane, for the Gluttony Church…”

Just as she thought that, the space around her shattered into countless fragments.

“Huh? I’m… out?”

Pereti leaned forward, curiously examining her surroundings.

All she could see were endless ruins—collapsed walls and broken structures. The sound of metal clashing rang sharply in her ears.

“Where the hell did they send me? Is this even Falisa anymore??”

She had expected a large-scale conflict between the two Churches—but not this large. Buildings had been completely destroyed.

“Big sis!”

Suddenly, someone hugged her tightly from behind. Golden hair fell over her shoulder.

“Josuna? That fast? Looks like I overestimated that imposter’s intelligence.”