Endless Debt Chapter 1331 - 102: The Cornerstone of Sacrifice (Part 2)

Bologue reluctantly imagines the scene: the Holy City engulfed in complete chaos, with its high walls on the brink of collapse. Yet, the scholars chose not to escape but rather to perish alongside the city and King Solomon.

Saqin was likely the most esteemed among them. In the banquet hall, he held the Last Supper, joining hands with the other scholars, uttering their final prayers.

"They didn’t die of hunger."

Bologue remarked involuntarily, as if struck by inspiration. He continued, "I’ve seen real hunger, Aimou. In the trenches, we were often so starved we’d catch rats. But these people were different."

Turning his gaze to the disarrayed banquet hall, Bologue recalled the details, "Their bodies are so orderly, with no signs of struggle among them before death..."

"Either they died elsewhere and their bodies were moved here, arranged in this hand-holding posture, or they sat here together, holding hands, then simultaneously met their demise."

Aimou followed Bologue’s speculations, unable to suppress a chill, "Whether the former or the latter is true, it seems like some kind of sacrificial ritual."

"Saqin..."

Bologue contemplated the name. As the Supreme authority here, Saqin orchestrated everything in the banquet hall. What was his intention then?

He couldn’t fathom it.

Bologue crouched down, intending to examine Saqin’s corpse more thoroughly, but time had eroded its last remnants. Amidst a crunching noise, the decayed skeleton crumbled into a pile of grayish white dust.

"Alas..."

Bologue sighed softly, clutching the badge and pinning it back onto his collar.

Drip, drip...

The clear sound of dripping water was followed by the deep resonance of a giant creature slithering. Bologue looked in the direction of the sound, only to see a bloody hole appear in the Dome after the bursting flesh hive, its charred meat hanging down like fallen organs, as sticky blood trickled down, forming a thin stream.

Had it been just this, Bologue would not have been alerted. But sensing the decay of the hive’s flesh, the numbing toxin exhausted, the giant creature finally became aware of this small patch of flesh on its body after many years.

"Damnit!"

Amid Bologue’s exclamation, rapidly multiplying flesh pushed through the opening in the Dome, scrambling to get into the banquet hall.

Scarlet flesh tendrils formed giant limbs several meters long, entangling and twisting with agility, greedily preying on any organic matter within reach—be it the corpses of poisonous bees or decayed bones, these tendrils gripped them tightly, swiftly decomposing and absorbing the remaining nutrients.

In the blink of an eye, a massive fleshy tumor replaced the original flesh hive. Without a second thought, Bologue turned and ran frantically, fully aware of the Calamity’s formidable Life Force—engaging it would be sheer wasted effort.

"Where are you going?"

Aimou asked nervously, noticing Bologue running back towards their initial path instead of searching for another door.

"Since every door is a Curved Path Gate, for us who previously lacked permission, it might randomly transport within a certain range, like a tourist attraction with only limited sections open to us!"

Bologue explained to Aimou as he sprinted, "But now we have Saqin’s badge, his authority — these doors should be able to directly send us to the corresponding locations, like Saqin’s personal research chamber!"

The door was getting closer, while the twisted flesh behind surged towards Bologue like a scarlet tide. He reached for the badge on his collar, whispering, "Someone of your level should have your own research chamber, right?"

With those words, Bologue turned sideways and barged through the door with his shoulder. Instantly, his silhouette vanished in the violent distortion of darkness, the door closing behind him, blocking the path of the flesh.

After shuttling through the Curved Path numerous times, Bologue thought he ought to be accustomed to the bizarre sensation by now. Yet, when his feet landed firmly again, he couldn’t help but feel his legs weaken and a strong urge to vomit.

That’s when Aimou would skillfully administer an injection, taking less than half a minute to restore Bologue to prime condition.

Bologue chose not to critique Aimou’s increasingly adept maneuver but instead, after ensuring the safety of his surroundings, stood up straight to observe his location.

This place had a layout similar to the library Bologue had reached before—the same sharp angle Dome, sealed by crystal walls on eight sides, with stacked layers of bookshelves. Bologue guessed it might also be located atop a Raymond Gaudent spire.

This time, however, traces of personal life appeared here—like a single bed placed in the corner, seeming a bit abrupt but typical for scholars. According to Aimou, in Belli’s research chamber, she’d prepared not only a single bed but also a simple dressing table.

"Always maintain perfect status." That’s how Belli explained it to herself.

"Is this Saqin’s research chamber? It seems quite simple."