Chapter 124: The First Mystical Mission

Dong! Dong!

In his mind, the large black bell slowly emitted a deep and resonant sound. These bell sounds constantly echoed in his mind, forming circles of loops, ebbing and flowing, endlessly.

Time passed unknowingly, then suddenly, there was a clack.

Silas seemed to feel something break, and the special ripples of the bell sound actually merged into his spiritual energy, causing his spiritual energy to undergo a special change.

"Knowledge merges into spiritual energy, thereby forming the manifestation of knowledge. This is the mark of advancing from apprentice to professional," Silas was full of pleasant surprise.

According to the division of rating levels, each promotion had a landmark event, or rather, a change.

The entire apprentice period was a process of accumulating knowledge and spiritual energy. When this process accumulated enough, and the apprentice began to gradually master and control knowledge, it was the manifestation of knowledge materialization. At this time, the apprentice would enter the realm of a professional.

"Having the notes and experience of a senior indeed makes things twice as effective with half the effort. The Priest side hasn't made any progress yet, but this Evening Bell Executioner has taken the lead and entered the professional level," Silas opened his eyes, his expression full of joy.

Entering the professional level meant that he possessed sufficient combat means and capital.

After all, the difference between apprentice and professional was huge.

He casually picked up his staff and infused the spiritual energy, which had merged with the bell sound, into it.

Instantly, the entire staff began to vibrate violently, as if covered with a layer of frosted glass.

This vibration was the rhythm of the Evening Bell.

"Transform!" Silas said, and instantly, the vibration on it began to change into a large number of invisible sonic blades, turning the staff into a mace with countless ferocious sharp edges.

Dispelling the spiritual energy, the vibration of the staff gradually stopped. Silas shook his somewhat sore and numb hand and exhaled.

"In this case, I'll have more confidence next."

Ding, ding, ding…

At this moment, the doorbell suddenly rang.

Silas quickly went downstairs and opened the door, finding the youthful and energetic Sister Sheryl standing at the entrance.

"Huh? How come our busy person suddenly appeared in front of my house?" Silas stepped aside and welcomed Sister Sheryl in.

Sheryl smiled, revealing two beautiful dimples. "I'm very busy; how would I have time to come find you to play? Today, I'm on duty in the mission department. The Church has just officially assigned you a mystical mission."

Saying this, Sheryl took out a high-quality envelope with a dark red pattern from the black backpack at her waist.

The envelope was sealed with a wax seal, imprinted with the emblem of the Church of Holy Blood.

Silas took the letter and thanked her, "Thank you."

"Hurry up and prepare! Don't disgrace our batch!" With that, Sheryl, full of spirit, turned and left.

Closing the door, Silas picked up a letter opener, cut open the wax seal, and took out a piece of grey letter paper.

There wasn't much content inside.

Dear Silas Sotos, Purple Moon Agent of the Church.

We are pleased to inform you that the children of the Goddess need your help. By resolving this matter, you may gain the favor of the Goddess.

Location: Laihua Village, seven kilometers northeast of the city.

Time: Tomorrow morning at eight o'clock, depart by Church carriage.

Mission Description: With the arrival of spring, the hibernating beasts are gradually awakening, and along with them, some low-level magical beasts. Recently, Laihua Village has been attacked by small blood bats, and there seem to be water ghosts haunting the area. Please be extremely careful upon arrival.

Mission Objective 1: Help the villagers deal with the nearby nests of small blood bats and bring back the corpse of the Bat Queen.

Mission Objective 2: Determine the location and habits of the water ghosts. When confident, crusade against them and bring back the water ghosts' ears. If not confident, please request assistance from headquarters.

Looking forward to your good news, devout believer of the Goddess. May the glory of the Goddess illuminate your path forward.

The signature was: Laurien Keenan, Vice-Bishop of Bayne City, Church of Holy Blood.

Putting the letter back into the envelope, Silas said with surging emotions, "It's finally my turn to act!"

Without delaying, Silas turned and began to prepare the items he might need for this trip.

"Small blood bats, Level One magical beasts, highly aggressive, feed on human blood, primary spreaders of plague, only about the size of three human fingers, nocturnal animals, dig caves to build nests and live in groups, generally about fifty per nest, ruled by a Bat Queen."

"Small blood bats have a high demand for oxygen and are therefore very afraid of smoke. They dislike the smell of vinegar, have soft bodies, and are very afraid of physical cutting attacks."

Recalling the information about small blood bats in his mind, Silas first prepared five fire talismans.

"Water ghosts are Level Two mystical creatures, requiring 21 points of Spirit Vision. They are one of the few mystical creatures that ignore the 'ignorance is bliss' rule, not familiars, feed on humans, cannot leave water for long periods, often appear by rivers, are slightly smaller than humans but have greater muscle strength. They generally live in groups of five, build nests underground, have a strong sense of territory, and can understand human language."

"Weak to lightning, afraid of mercury, weak points similar to humans, low intelligence. Water ghost brains, livers, and eyeballs are Level Two mystical materials of high value."

"The most effective means against water ghosts is mercury potion," Silas thought, taking out two bottles from the side, containing a silver-white, strange liquid.

"If they are weak to lightning, bringing a few thunder talismans will have a miraculous effect. After that, bring a ball of black sheep's wool and lizard blood to make temporary familiars for reconnaissance. For ritual materials, I only need to bring the core bull horn and a bottle of night-scented grass. The remaining common materials can be sourced locally."

Putting the necessary items into his backpack, Silas nodded with satisfaction.

"Next, let's practice using the sound of the Evening Bell! Can't mess up at the critical moment."

...

The next morning, Silas put on a relatively light and thin white shirt, with his cassock over it.

Shouldering his backpack, he brought the Husky to the east gate of the Church of Holy Blood.

Outside the gate, a black four-wheeled carriage with the emblem of the Church of Holy Blood was already waiting quietly. The coachman uncle waved enthusiastically at Silas.

Taking a long deep breath, Silas quickly boarded the carriage and headed towards his mission location.

The journey was very peaceful. The carriage took the official road. Although it was a bit muddy due to the melting snow, it was still relatively flat.

Looking through the window, apart from the unmelted snow, there was no other scenery to be seen. Silas glanced twice and then withdrew his gaze, simply closing his eyes to rest.

An hour later.

The carriage stopped at the entrance of a village located at the foot of a low hill.

The village was not small, appearing to have over a hundred households. The houses were small buildings made of stone, with crisscrossing internal roads. Although the road surface was very muddy, it was generally very tidy.

Many villagers were already moving back and forth on the road, generally carrying or shouldering some heavy objects.

"These should be sowing tools. Spring has arrived, and it's time for sowing. First, we need to make sure the tools are in good condition," Silas thought as he got off the carriage.

The coachman, holding a pipe, turned his head. "Priest Sotos, approximately when do you estimate you will return?"

Silas thought for a moment. "Around four o'clock in the afternoon."

Tracking the nests of small blood bats was not an easy job; one had to be fully mentally prepared.

The coachman grinned. "Alright then, I'll be here at three-thirty in the afternoon sharp."

"Could you give me a strand of your hair? If I complete the mission much earlier, I can have my familiar notify you," Silas asked politely.

The coachman uncle had been driving carriages for the Church for over ten years and was very familiar with such requests.

He very readily plucked a strand of hair, then drove the carriage away, making a turn.