Little Pink Starfish

Pei Sen noticed the players’ confusion and asked Bix Magic Cube in puzzlement, “Could it be that members of the Church of Light are weakened in the dark?”

Bix Magic Cube replied, “No.”

Pei Sen thought so too. The Church of Light in this world was essentially just a group of religious fanatics—did they really have a darkness debuff because they worshipped light?

“Then why has their combat effectiveness dropped so drastically at night?”

“The standard diet for Light Knights includes twenty pieces of white bread and one bottle of holy water per person per day. Once a month, there’s a special meal—usually a small piece of some magical beast’s meat.”

Pei Sen: “???”

Bix Magic Cube: “Based on their diet, while the Light Knights appear physically fit, their nutrition is unbalanced.”

Pei Sen didn’t immediately grasp the issue.

Night blindness, a condition rare in modern times, was still common in impoverished regions. Vitamin A—mostly found in animal liver and meat, and also in vegetables like carrots and spinach—was severely lacking among the commoners of Yali Continent. Most peasants were lucky to fill their bellies with black bread. The Church’s support of the Light Knights was already a significant expense, and given the Knights’ rank within the church, they weren’t exactly being pampered.

What’s more, under the Church’s ascetic values, many priests and clergymen followed strict, frugal diets of just bread and water. For the Knights, being fed soft white bread and holy water was already considered a luxury. Their muscular builds were due to physical training, not proper nutrition.

Only the nobility, with steady access to meat, were free from “poor man’s diseases” like night blindness.

As night battles continued, the Knights’ condition exposed their night blindness, and the players realized how much weaker they were in the dark—significantly easier to defeat.

Commanders “Knife Drawn” and “Sky River” were also surprised. Things were going much more smoothly than expected. They only had to approach before realizing that the Light Knights were vastly less effective in the dark. It became easy to tear through the defensive line and reach the Light Holy City’s defensive barrier.

Even though the barrier was active, it wasn’t invincible. A faint glow surrounded the city wall, but it was weak and hard to notice—nearly impossible to destroy through brute force. However, some players had already snuck into the city. They eliminated the wall guards from the inside and opened the city gates.

These guards weren’t as strong as the Light Knights. In the dark, they might as well have been blind.

While the barrier was too tough to destroy directly, players weren’t aiming to break it—they stormed the gates. Because of their overwhelming numbers, the gate became jammed with shouting and jostling players. Some smart ones pulled out makeshift wooden ladders from their inventory and propped them against the wall, creating crude siege ladders, which proved faster than fighting for the gate.

Once a few players got on top of the wall, the climb became easier. Many guilds had prepared ropes in advance, and countless ropes now dangled from the battlements. Players—already supernaturally strong—scaled them quickly.

“This feels like a Western fantasy setting, but why does it suddenly feel like a wuxia game with people flying over rooftops?”

“Flying? Bro, without ladders or ropes, let’s see you try climbing this thing.”

“These city walls are smooth as glass. Not even martial arts heroes could climb it without help.”

“…Bix Magic Cube isn’t a wuxia game, folks. It doesn’t include wall-running or roof-hopping.”

“Hahaha, well, we’re going through the gate. No need for fancy footwork!”

“Let’s go. That cathedral looks super extravagant. Think we can loot it?”

“Probably not. Systems usually have limits—but we can ‘scavenge.’”

“Right! Is Trash Brother here this time?”

“Definitely. I bought my house from Trash Brother—we’re not even allowed to dig through his trash heap anymore. Real shame.”

“……”

Under the bright moonlight, the players made their way toward the dazzling Church of Light. Everyone was in high spirits—it was all going way too smoothly.

Thousands of players flooded the streets. The townspeople obviously weren’t oblivious. The daytime brainwashing and encouragement by the Church hadn’t been in vain—some fervent believers rushed out to block the players’ advance, only to be mercilessly slain.

Then, two figures appeared before them. Just two people, standing quietly in front of the cathedral, bathed in a sacred glow.

The players’ momentum faltered. The sheer aura from the pair made them hesitate.

Pei Sen looked toward the sleeping Eagle and said, “Young Master, it’s time we head out too.”

Eagle opened his eyes. “Alright.”

Strangely, even after Eagle left, the camp aura he provided remained active. Players who respawned still received the buff.

Pei Sen gripped his staff and began casting a teleportation spell. Unlike scrolls—which teleported based on distance and luck—mage teleportation was directional and precise, but it had short range, long cast time, and was easy to interrupt—unsuitable for combat.

This was a top-tier mage skill. Yet none of the high-level mage NPCs—or even players—had ever successfully used it in battle.

But now, in a quiet environment with no interruptions, casting it while carrying one person was no trouble at all.

The two figures in front of the cathedral were none other than Saint Radiance and Saint Spirit—current Son and Daughter of Light. Unlike the Light Knights, they didn’t suffer from night blindness due to their very different training.

Saint Radiance declared coldly, “Purge the heretics!”

Saint Spirit added, “Light is eternal!”

The players shivered. Though the siblings were beautiful, their sanctimonious tones were unbearable.

Then their bodies radiated overwhelming light. The power of light was blinding—even more so in the night.

“Divine Judgment!”

Massive silver lightning, as thick as barrels, shot from the sky, sweeping everything around. Players in front were vaporized instantly—no chance to react.

The players behind were stunned.

“Holy crap, this boss is nuts! Instant kill!”

“Of course it’s a boss! Lots of bosses have instant-kill skills.”

“Yeah, but don’t they have cooldowns? This lightning’s been going for seconds! How long is this skill active?”

“This has to be a lightning field. Step in = instant death. No way they can maintain that level of power forever.”

“Where are the mages? Can we hit them from range?”

“Nope. Our spells are being neutralized the moment they enter the lightning.” A mage shook his head.

Saint Radiance and Saint Spirit had their eyes closed, hands in prayer. Their light was endless, their divine lightning forming an impenetrable wall.

As fraternal twins, their power combined exceeded even the most seasoned priests within the cathedral.

Knife Drawn sighed. “This is the downside of supernatural games. You can plan everything perfectly—then an unbeatable boss shows up, and there’s nothing you can do.”

Sky River added, “It’s still a game. There’s always a way forward in the main quest.”

Right then, Pei Sen and Eagle teleported into view. The players stepped back, recognizing a cutscene when they saw one. As usual, when a boss was invincible, an NPC would step in.

Eagle stared at the siblings. “I sense the power of the Seed of Light on them.”

Pei Sen was surprised. “They have it too?”

“Incomplete Seeds of Light,” Eagle replied, gazing at the lightning field. “They’re probably successful experiments of the Church.”

Pei Sen understood what Eagle meant.

In the original timeline, Eagle and these twins were known as the Church’s most powerful trio—Children of Light. Radiance and Spirit were not just saints; they were, in essence, Children of the Light God.

Pei Sen guessed it was due to the Seeds of Light within them.

Pei Sen readied his staff, preparing to force open a path through the divine lightning using his high-tier spells.

But Eagle stepped ahead of him. “No need. I can handle them.” A slight smile curled his lips. “When it comes to divine magic, I’m not sure anyone in this church could beat me now—and certainly not them.”

He didn’t shout a skill name. He simply took another step into the lightning. At that moment, an even more blinding bolt of divine lightning—twice as thick and powerful—descended from the sky.

In an instant, it shattered the lightning field before them. Radiance and Spirit struggled to maintain a protective glow, but it was visibly fading.

“Divine Judgment?” Eagle scoffed. “No need to invoke the Light God’s name. Divine magic is just the manipulation of power. If my power is stronger, so is my divine magic. You’re devout, but I don’t believe in any god. And still, my divine magic surpasses yours.”

Spirit bit her lip and exchanged glances with Radiance. They retreated in sync, narrowly avoiding Eagle’s spell. Still, the impact of a non-believer wielding such divine force left them shaken.

Eagle waved his hand, dispersing the lightning. The cathedral now stood directly ahead.

The players behind him stared in awe.

“Holy crap, the Little Count is OP! He keeps getting stronger!”

“Wasn’t he just a delicate plot character we had to protect?”

“He was so cute and helpless before… now I want to hug his leg and call him daddy!”

“Our faction leader is strong AND hot! I’m never switching factions!”

“BOSS down, charge!!”

“CHARGE!!!”

---

Inside the cathedral, the old high priest suddenly opened his eyes. “Darkness may shroud the night, but this is the sacred land of light. You heretics cannot simply barge in here.”

The first group of players charging toward the cathedral watched in horror as the entire building began to glow. Those who entered were instantly disintegrated by the divine light, leaving no trace—not even bones.

“Holy crap! The cathedral itself is a boss now?!”

Pei Sen looked at the towering cathedral. In the original timeline, the Church of Light grew even more powerful, and the Light Holy City became even more majestic. Naturally, no one had ever succeeded in invading the sacred cathedral, so he wasn’t sure what lay within.

“Young Master?” he turned to Eagle.

Eagle stared at the cathedral in the moonlight. “That’s very powerful light energy.”

Not far away, Saint Spirit sneered. “Of course. Just because you possess the Seed of Light doesn’t mean you’re stronger than everyone. Only the Pope, blessed by the Light God himself, holds the world’s greatest divine power. No one can defeat him. No one can breach the Church of Light.”

Pei Sen and Eagle ignored her. They silently watched as waves of players continued charging toward the glowing cathedral barrier—dying and respawning, over and over. Their deaths were total; they were completely erased by the divine light.

Eagle said calmly, “The power is weakening.”

“What?”

“The light barrier around the cathedral. It’s getting weaker. Just a little—but I can tell. It consumes energy to disintegrate everyone who enters. I don’t know what fuels the barrier, but it’s clearly not infinite.”

Hearing that, Pei Sen finally felt relieved.

If nothing else, they had numbers. Only a tiny portion had reached the barrier so far. Once the respawned players returned, the shield would surely collapse.

Under the command of Knife Drawn and Sky River, the players continued charging. Within ten minutes, even without Eagle’s explanation, they could see the light visibly dimming.

Nearby, Saint Radiance and Saint Spirit prepared to move again, but Eagle simply cast them a glance—enough to make them hesitate.

Their divine spells were completely suppressed by Eagle. After all, they only wielded an incomplete Seed of Light, unlike Eagle, who had fully awakened his.

Pei Sen looked up. “The priests and bishops are coming out.”

As the light shield dimmed, the Church of Light finally realized: this divine barrier, capable of annihilating any creature, had no effect on the undead-like Bix clan. The players feared nothing because they couldn’t truly die. The shield couldn’t stop them.

With no other options, the priests and bishops finally emerged.

Deep within the cathedral, the senior clergy were deeply worried. They had known the Bix were troublesome—but not this troublesome.

“There are too many of them,” said Luria, exhausted. “If we can’t strip away their immortality, there’s no way to defeat them.”

The old high priest sighed. “If they really were abyssal creatures, we’d have ways. But… I don’t think they are. Aside from their immortality, nothing else about them fits.”

“There’s no point in arguing now,” Annan said urgently. “We must decide—do we stay, or do we run?”

It wasn’t unprecedented for the Church of Light to flee. They’d done so at least three times in history. Their doctrine claimed: as long as the Flame of Light still burned, the Church could rise again. No need to perish with their enemies.

“Go, if you must,” said a misty voice from deep within. All the high priests immediately straightened in alarm.

Only the old high priest remained calm. “Yes, Your Holiness.”

The twelve clergy members hurried into the cathedral’s deepest underground levels. There lay the escape route—and years of the Church’s accumulated wealth.

But at the bottom of the stairs stood a handsome young man. He smiled gently. Beside him was a tall, golden-haired youth with lake-blue eyes, watching them silently—as if ready to say “hello.”

The old priest’s face changed dramatically. “You—how?!”

Pei Sen, seeing them, knew at once his teleportation had been accurate.

In the original timeline, the cathedral had never fallen. But players had still mapped everything—screenshots, clips, detailed layouts, secret rooms, and even treasure vaults. Many priest-class players, favored by the Church, had even explored the Pope’s bedroom.

As a mage, Pei Sen only needed accurate coordinates to teleport.

Thus, he brought Eagle and himself straight to the Church’s escape route—and blocked it. In his hand was a thick stack of magic scrolls.

“Don’t move,” Pei Sen said mildly, “or I’m afraid your centuries of accumulated wealth will go up in fireworks.”

The twelve clergy stared, dumbfounded.

How… how could this have happened?