Chapter 241: Holy Communion

“Hope…?”

Where exactly is my hope?

Inside the grand and solemn main hall, the low hum of the pipe organ echoed beneath the dome, accompanied by Latin hymns.

Lin Yu stood awkwardly at the back row of the pews. Imitating the old lady in front of him, he dipped his fingertip into the cool holy water in the stone basin and clumsily drew a cross over his chest.

That clumsy motion looked less like prayer and more like he was searching for a missing button on his shirt.

The priest stood at the altar ahead, his compassionate prayers already echoing for quite some time.

Yet that so-called “hope” he spoke of was just like the faint incense in the air—illusory and intangible.

But in truth, Lin Yu knew better than anyone what he was confused about.

He feared his future, and felt lost about the final choice regarding becoming a “magical girl.”

After enduring the past few days of torment, he had actually already grasped the trick to “not feeling pain after transforming.”

No need for medicine.

As long as that small heart belonging to a girl started pounding from the “flutter” of being noticed—

A warm current would surge through his body, dispersing those nauseating toxins within him.

The method was there, but…

The reason for becoming a magical girl wasn’t for money, but…

…to be favored?

And even because of that, his soul had reflected that kind of embarrassing pink girlish hue?

Such a reason…

Was that really okay?!

Did that even make sense?!

To become a magical girl for such a vulgar reason…

Wasn’t that just too strange?

Wasn’t it?

Before, transforming was just putting on a layer of a girl’s body—just treating it like a disguise.

But if even his “heart” and “emotions” had to rely on that flutter toward a man… if he had to completely compromise to a female way of thinking…

Then wouldn’t he really become…

“What are you thinking about?”

“Mm—!”

Lin Yu jolted violently in fright, his whole body shaking as he nearly bumped into the back of the chair in front of him.

He suddenly turned his head and met Luo Shaotian’s deep eyes hidden behind sunglasses.

“How many kilos did you dump in there to take so long? Careful you don’t get hemorrhoids!”

Faced with such crude words, Luo Shaotian merely shifted slightly, completely unfazed.

“The security here is stricter than expected.”

Looking straight ahead, his lips moved slightly as he spoke in a volume only the two of them could hear.

“I took the chance while going to the restroom to scout around. There are an astonishing number of hidden cameras.”

“More than those budget hotels near university towns?” Lin Yu couldn’t help but quip.

“…Ayu, that comparison is strange, but very accurate.”

Luo Shaotian nodded.

“The more a place advertises itself as sacred and secret, the more surveillance it has. There must be something hidden here.”

“So what exactly is the shady secret that required the company to send us here to listen to sermons?”

Lin Yu frowned.

“…I can’t tell you yet. But I’m close to finding clues.”

“Can’t tell me? Why? I’m the assigned officer for this mission!”

Lin Yu glared, somewhat unconvinced.

Luo Shaotian’s gaze softened slightly as he shook his head gently.

“Ayu, the more you know, the heavier your mental burden becomes, and the easier it is for your disguise to slip. I don’t want to put that much pressure on you.”

He reached out and lightly patted the shoulder of the expensive custom suit, transmitting a reassuring sense of strength through the fabric.

“Don’t worry. Investigating and doing the dirty work is my specialty. I’ll handle this case properly. You just need to keep playing your role as the ‘confused big boss’ and stand here to draw their attention.”

“When the time comes, you’ll still get the main credit in front of Manager Qian.”

“Sigh…”

Lin Yu let out a helpless sigh, his shoulders drooping slightly.

“Got it. So my role right now is basically that taunt unit in Hearthstone, a vanilla follower card—just there to take hits and draw aggro.”

Even though he complained, a trace of disappointment still rose in his heart.

But he could understand Luo Shaotian’s decision.

Compared to a professionally trained, mentally strong criminal police captain, someone like himself—a halfway amateur shut-in—was indeed far too likely to panic in emergencies. Forcing himself along would just make him dead weight.

Sensing his low mood, Luo Shaotian leaned a bit closer and comforted him softly:

“You just lack experience. Don’t rush. Take it slow.”

“After all, the world belongs to you as well as to us, but in the end, it belongs to you.”

“That sounds really familiar… where have I heard that before? Who said that line?”

“This line is—”

Luo Shaotian had just begun to answer.

Dong—Dong—Dong—

Three clear bell chimes rang in the distance, interrupting their whispering.

“Shh…”

Luo Shaotian raised a finger, signaling silence.

The low pipe organ abruptly stopped, and the entire cathedral fell into a silence so deep you could hear a pin drop.

At the altar, the priest lifted the white wafer with both hands, slowly raising it above his head.

A spotlight from the dome converged on him, coating his robe with a sacred golden edge.

All the believers collectively held their breath.

“Take this, all of you, and eat it: this is my body, which will be given up for you.”

The priest’s voice reverberated through the dome, shaking everyone’s eardrums.

The white wafer trembled slightly between his fingers.

Then he lowered the wafer and raised a magnificent golden chalice.

The dark red wine inside swayed under the dim light, giving off a chilling, shadowy sheen.

“Take this, all of you, and drink from it: this is the cup of my blood, the blood of the new and eternal covenant, which will be poured out for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins.”

“Do this in memory of me.”

At that very moment, Lin Yu’s heart suddenly tightened.

He didn’t know if it was an illusion, but the space around the altar… seemed slightly distorted.

That was definitely not an optical illusion, but a heavy “presence,” like invisible lead blocks, slowly filling the entire cathedral, pressing down until even his spine felt sore.

“…What the hell?”

“Buddha—uh, no—Christ is manifesting?!”

“Let’s go. Time to receive communion.”

Luo Shaotian didn’t seem to notice anything unusual. He lightly nudged Lin Yu’s elbow and led him into the long line.

“Still eating?”

Seeing the believers ahead devoutly opening their mouths, Lin Yu’s face turned pale.

He lowered his voice and muttered with resistance:

“Last time I drank that red date water, I almost died. This time… it’s not going to be some kind of deadly food poisoning trick again, right?”

“Don’t worry.”

Luo Shaotian took off his sunglasses and said softly:

“I already sneaked into their kitchen storage earlier. The bread and wine packaging were still there—they’re organic products from the Xinong United Group. They’ve passed quality inspection, and they’re even supplied to Sam’s Club.”

“Sam’s products? This church has quite a budget.”

Lin Yu relaxed.

“If it’s legit supermarket goods, then I’m relieved.”

One by one, the believers ahead received communion.

Soon, it was Lin Yu’s turn.

He stepped forward, imitating the others, and lowered his head slightly.

“Child, receive your hope.”

Father Li Yanfeng looked at him, a mysterious smile appearing on his face.

The thin wafer, held between his fingers, was placed lightly onto Lin Yu’s tongue like a drifting snowflake.

Then came a small sip of red wine from the rim of the chalice.

The wafer carried a faint wheat fragrance, the wine slightly sour. After swallowing, his stomach felt warm—unexpectedly… it actually tasted pretty good.

After returning to the pew with Luo Shaotian, Lin Yu licked his lips and checked his condition.

No pain, no nausea. Other than tasting good, nothing unusual seemed to have happened.

The believers around him closed their eyes and clasped their hands, beginning devout prayers.

A low, fervent murmur filled the hall.

Sitting there, Lin Yu felt that if he just stared blankly without following along, he would stand out too much in this fanatical atmosphere.

So he imitated the old lady beside him, closing his eyes and clasping his hands.

Facing the large crucifix behind the altar, Lin Yu began silently praying in his heart.

Although the priest had talked about “despair,” “price,” and “hope,” Lin Yu, being a mundane person, had very down-to-earth wishes:

“Ahem… well, I hope my parents live long and stay healthy. I hope Dad’s stomach problems don’t flare up again.”

“I hope my sister succeeds in her studies, stops being picked on by that foreign PhD supervisor, and finds a gentle, rich boyfriend who treats her well.”

“And finally… I hope tomorrow I can casually buy a scratch ticket and win five million! After tax!”

“Make it five hundred million. Five million is too little now.”

A voice descended from above, carrying an ethereal echo.

“…Huh?”

Lin Yu froze.

He suddenly opened his eyes—and in the next second, his blood seemed to freeze.

The surroundings… had gone dark.

The old lady in the velvet hat in front, Father Li Yanfeng at the altar, even Luo Shaotian beside him…

The vast cathedral was completely empty.

Only he remained.

A bizarre sense of weightlessness gripped his nerves.

Intense nausea and dizziness surged up, stomach acid rising as if he might vomit on the spot.

Creak—

The sound of wood grinding.

Lin Yu stiffly raised his head and followed the sound.

The crucifix behind the altar—the painted wooden sculpture—moved.

The “Jesus” nailed to it slowly lifted his head, reached out his blood-covered hands, and casually pulled out the nails from his palms and ankles.

Rip—

The sound of flesh tearing.

“Jesus” climbed down from the cross, barefoot, stepping onto the cold marble floor, walking slowly toward Lin Yu step by step.

The figure stopped less than half a meter away, lowering its blood-covered face slightly.

“Calm down, child.”

Looking at the terrified Lin Yu, he spoke calmly:

“Don’t vomit the communion I just gave you onto my face.”

“Eh—”