The world has turned into Hell's Game, why should I stay human?
Chapter 260 - 256: S or M, That is the Question

Chapter 260: Chapter 256: S or M, That is the Question

The Suffering Church, located in Yate Central, was as silent and deserted as usual.

The once glorious Suffering Church now had only this cathedral left.

And the reason this cathedral still existed was that the Blood Healing Church had almost effortlessly replaced the position of the Suffering Church, to the point where they had no interest or necessity to completely obliterate them.

The base of the Blood Healing Church was not in Yate City Center but in Church Town located to the west of Yate.

According to a clergy member of the Blood Healing Church, even without the appearance of the Blood Healing Church, the Suffering Church would have declined sooner or later anyway.

"Because their doctrines themselves are leading them to extinction," he said.

That clergy member spoke thus.

But tonight, a group of people appeared near the Suffering Church.

A middle-aged man and a woman with three little girls pushed a cart, moving forward with great difficulty.

Meanwhile, a tall young man with his hands behind his back, humming a song that no one understood, followed leisurely behind.

His attitude was so relaxed that it seemed as if he were out for a stroll.

On the cart piled with potatoes, a man wearing only underwear lay, his body spasming from time to time — it was unclear if this was from the cold or a nightmare.

A large San Huamao cat sat on his back, eyeing the back of his head, ready to pounce.

Naturally, this group of people was Liu Zheng and Anke’s family.

Having crossed half the city, they finally reached their destination, the Suffering Church.

The perimeter of the church was enclosed with thick iron railings, the tops fashioned into extremely sharp spikes.

Inside the iron railings, a three-story small cathedral painted with white paint lay amidst a garden of variously colored flowers, appearing serene and tranquil.

However, Anke and his wife Marian looked at the church’s iron gate with a look of fear.

Only the three little girls, ignorant and fearless, pointed at the flowers in the garden.

"What, is there danger inside?"

Liu Zheng looked at their expressions and asked with curiosity.

"There’s no danger, it’s just that, the requirements to enter the Suffering Church are quite stringent."

Anke replied.

"What requirements?"

"People who enter the church must undergo the baptism of suffering. And the form of this baptism varies with the month."

Anke said.

"What is it this month?"

Liu Zheng asked.

"This month, it should be needle piercing. At least five for adults, and even children must have at least one."

Anke thought for a moment and said.

"So is one baptism enough, or does it have to be done every time one enters the church?"

"A baptism is required each time one enters the church."

Anke said with a bitter look.

"Goodness, then those devout believers would turn into a beehive after a month."

"That’s true. So back when the Suffering Church was still prosperous, there were believers who died from excessive blood loss every month."

Anke nodded.

"No wonder the Suffering Church can’t compete with the Blood Healing Church. Not to mention that they can cure diseases, even if they could do nothing, they would still be better than this curse that harms its own followers."

Liu Zheng commented sarcastically.

"It’s said that the original doctrines of the Suffering Church were not so outrageous; they only became extreme due to unknown reasons later on."

Anke said.

"Are you sure it’s safe inside this church? I wouldn’t want us to have just entered and then have your wife and children bled by someone."

He reminded him.

"That won’t happen. As long as you go through the painful baptism at the entrance, the ceremonies that follow are all voluntary."

Anke explained.

"It seems you’ve got a pretty good grasp of the situation."

Liu Zheng raised his eyebrows.

"If you want to survive in a city like this, you have to be well-prepared."

Anke sighed, then stepped forward and pulled the bell rope on the iron gate.

The device connected to the interior of the church was activated, and the faint sound of bells emanated from inside.

Soon, a window on the second floor of the church opened.

An old woman in a crimson robe leaned out and looked down at them.

"Who are you? Why have you rung the church bell?"

The old woman asked.

"Sister Felicity, I’m Anke from Anke Tavern, and these are my family members. I made a donation last month; do you remember me?"

Anke tried to tilt his face up so the old woman could see him clearly.

"Ah, yes, yes, I remember you, Mr. Anke."

The old woman indeed remembered him, and her tone became much warmer.

"So, Mr. Anke, what brings you to the church today?"

"My home is no longer safe, so I brought my family to seek sanctuary at the Church. Is that okay?"

Anke asked bluntly.

"Oh, certainly. The Church, of course, welcomes such devout and generous believers. However, you must be clear, no matter who it is, they must abide by the Church’s rules."

The old woman’s gaze swept over the pile of supplies on the cart as she spoke.

"Of course."

Anke quickly agreed.

The old woman nodded and then closed the window.

It wasn’t long before the Church’s large doors opened.

A man with a spired helmet and an iron mask on his face walked out.

He wore a crimson robe like the old woman’s, but his robe was different in that it had many tacks sticking inward.

With each step, these tacks would pierce his skin, staining the robe with patches of blood.

The helmet man walked slowly up to the iron gate, then pulled out a large brass key from his belt, preparing to unlock it.

Suddenly, he stopped his motion, his gaze turning towards the Hunter on the cart.

"Clang! Clang!"

He struck the helmet twice with the key, and the old woman popped half her body out of the door.

"You’ve brought a Hunter?"

She questioned.

"Yes, he was out of his mind, trying to attack us. To avoid more trouble, we had to knock him out and bring him along,"

Anke explained.

"Has he beastified yet?"

The old woman asked.

Before Anke could respond, the helmet man shook his head.

"Then let them come in. Those willing to embrace the Suffering, shall have the Lord’s protection,"

the old woman thought for a moment and then said.

"Thank you for your kindness, Sister Phyllis."

Anke quickly expressed his gratitude.

"Don’t thank me; this is the Lord’s mercy,"

the old woman said, shaking her head.

With her permission, the helmet man opened the iron gate.

Anke thanked her once again, then proceeded inside with his family, pushing the cart.

The helmet man no longer looked at the Hunter but stared intently at Liu Zheng, his gaze seemingly puzzled.

Yet Liu Zheng, under his gaze, remained calm and collected, even raising his tentacle to greet him.

However, the helmet man did not respond.

"Before entering the Church, one must first undergo the baptism of Suffering. This month’s baptism is the blessing of needles. Who will come forward to receive it first?"

the old woman asked.

"I’ll go first,"

Anke said through clenched teeth, stepping forward.

"Good,"

the old woman nodded.

The helmet man, having secured the iron gate, came over, pulled a bloodied tack from his own robe, and then jabbed it into Anke’s arm.

Anke grunted, holding back from crying out.

After all, in front of his wife and daughter, he had to maintain his dignity as husband and father.

"There’s no need to endure. The cries of pain are a Gospel bestowed through your mouth by the Lord,"

the old woman said.

Hearing her words, Liu Zheng had a strange expression on his face.

This Suffering Church didn’t seem any more proper than the Blood Healing Church.

If cries of pain are Gospel, then what exactly is the Lord of Suffering—S or M? That’s a question.

"Ah!"

Since the old woman had said so, Anke no longer held back, crying out in agony for the following four needles.

Anke’s wife and daughter teared up in distress, and Flora’s face also showed pity.

The old woman, on the other hand, seemed pleased with his cries.

"You may enter now; next one,"

she gestured with a wave of her hand.

"Excuse me for cutting in,"

Liu Zheng walked up to the front.

"I was wondering, if you get a few more pricks, is there any extra benefit?"

he asked with a smile.