My SSS-Rank Grim Reaper System-Chapter 75: The Father
[DAY 1 IN KHAR’SETH – MORNING]
Alex woke up with the heat already suffocating.
Even with the windows closed and the curtains blocking the sun, the temperature was brutal.
He dressed in light clothing—a linen tunic they had bought yesterday in the market.
More appropriate for the desert climate.
He went down to the inn’s common area.
Raven and Emily were already there—also dressed appropriately.
Raven in a sand‑colored tunic, light pants. Her hair tied up high.
Emily in a flowing white dress, a wide‑brimmed hat.
"Good morning," Alex greeted.
"Good morning," they replied.
They had breakfast—bread, local fruit, fresh water.
Then—they discussed the plan.
"The abandoned temple," said Alex. "It’s on the outskirts, according to Kira."
"Are we going straight there?" asked Emily.
"Yes. Observation first. See what’s really happening."
"And if Matthias is there?"
"We act natural. Curious visitors. Nothing more."
"Master. Should. Stay. Here," Grim suggested. "Skeleton. Would. Draw. Attention."
"Good point. Stay in your small form. In the backpack."
"Understood."
---
[OUTSKIRTS OF KHAR’SETH – 10 AM]
They walked thirty minutes under the relentless sun.
They passed the last buildings of the city—moving into a more desolate area.
Sand. Rocks. Sparse vegetation.
Then—they saw it.
The temple.
Not abandoned.
Not at all.
A stone building—architecture clearly from the Temple (Imperial style, not local).
But it was being... renovated.
Dozens of Beastfolk working.
Repairing walls. Clearing rubble. Painting. Building.
All moving with purpose.
But something felt... strange.
Their movements—too synchronized.
Their expressions—empty.
Like automatons.
"That’s not normal," Raven murmured.
"No," Alex agreed.
They approached.
Immediately, several Beastfolk turned—looking at them.
Not hostility.
Just... observation.
Then—the temple door opened.
A figure emerged.
A human man.
Middle‑aged—maybe 40‑45. Brown hair with grey streaks. A kind face, lined by frequent smiles.
Attire: a priest’s robe. White, simple. The Temple’s symbol on his chest.
A level floating above him: 78.
High. Very high.
But his expression was... warm.
Genuine.
"Good morning!" he called, his voice clear and friendly. "Welcome, welcome!"
He walked toward them—arms open, a radiant smile.
"You must be the visitors I heard arrived yesterday. How wonderful! We don’t get many humans around here."
He stopped in front of them—hands together in a reverent gesture.
"Allow me to introduce myself. I am Father Matthias. Humble servant of the Temple and... well, I suppose you could say, shepherd of this small community."
Alex extended his hand cautiously. "Alex. These are Raven and Emily."
Matthias shook his hand—a firm grip but not aggressive.
"Delighted, delighted. What brings you to this humble corner of the world?"
"We’re traveling to the Crystal Mountains," Alex explained. "We heard about this temple and... we were curious."
"Ah! The mountains. A dangerous but noble destination." Matthias nodded understandingly. "A spiritual pilgrimage?"
"Something like that."
"Wonderful. The Lord guides those who seek purification." He smiled. "But how rude of me—keeping you under this terrible sun. Would you like to come in? I have fresh water, shade, and if you have time... I would love to chat."
Too kind.
Too welcoming.
But refusing would be suspicious.
"We’d love to," said Emily, smiling politely.
"Excellent!"
Matthias guided them toward the temple.
As they walked, Alex observed the working Beastfolk.
None spoke. None looked at them directly.
They just... worked.
Like machines.
Raven noticed too—her hand resting near where her scythe would materialize.
Ready.
---
[INSIDE THE TEMPLE]
Surprisingly cool—the architectural design took advantage of air flow.
Clean. Well‑maintained.
But empty of typical religious decoration.
No statues. No icons. No symbols beyond the Temple’s basics.
Matthias led them to a side room—small, comfortable.
He indicated seats. "Please, make yourselves comfortable."
He poured water from a pitcher—clear, fresh.
"So," he said, sitting across from them. "Adventurers, I assume. From your gear."
"Yes," Alex confirmed. "Registered with the Guild in Coral Port."
"Coral Port. Beautiful place. I was there... oh, five years ago." He smiled nostalgically. "And what specifically brings you to the Crystal Mountains? If I may ask."
"The Sanctuary of Dawn," Emily replied. "We seek... spiritual purification."
Matthias raised his eyebrows—genuinely surprised.
"The Sanctuary of Dawn? Oh, that’s... ambitious. Very few make it there. The path is treacherous."
"We know," said Raven. "That’s why we’re gathering information."
"Wise, wise." Matthias leaned back. "I can help with that, actually. I’ve mapped routes during my time here. Some are safer than others."
He pulled out a map—surprisingly detailed.
He spread it on the table.
"Here," he pointed. "The northern route is shorter but has Ice Wyvern nests—level 110+. The eastern route avoids them but adds three days. The western route..." He hesitated. "...passes through the territory of something worse."
"How much worse?" asked Alex.
"Ancients. Creatures that existed before the dungeons. Level..." He paused. "...the system can’t properly measure them. Like a Tiamat, but of ice."
Silence.
"I would recommend the eastern route," Matthias continued. "Longer but survivable for a team of your level."
He marked the route on his own map—impressively detailed.
Then he handed it to Alex.
"Take it. A gift. Consider it... a contribution to your spiritual quest."
Too generous.
Alex accepted cautiously. "Thank you. That’s... very kind."
"It’s my duty. To help those who seek the light." He smiled. "Though I must admit—I’m surprised. Young adventurers seeking spiritual purification. In my experience, most seek wealth or glory."
"We all have our reasons," Alex said carefully.
"True, true." Matthias studied them—his eyes traveling over each one.
Pausing slightly longer on Alex.
Specifically on his chest.
Where the Fragment mark was.
Invisible under his clothes.
But Matthias seemed... to notice it.
His expression didn’t change.
His smile remained.
But for a fraction of a second—
Something glinted in his eyes.
Interest.
Hunger.
Then—it was gone.
"May I ask something personal?" Matthias said softly.
"That depends on how personal," Raven replied, her voice neutral.
"Your quest for purification. Is it..." He looked directly at Alex. "...due to corruption? Of a dark nature?"
Absolute silence.
How did he know?
Alex kept his expression neutral. "Why do you ask?"
"Because I recognize the signs." Matthias pointed to Alex’s white streak. "A physical mark. Depigmented hair. Typical of prolonged exposure to dark magic."
A reasonable explanation.
But...
"I’ve helped others before," Matthias continued. "Adventurers who dealt with curses. Corrupted artifacts. Forbidden magic." He paused. "If you need additional help... I offer my services. Free of charge, of course."
"What kind of services?" asked Emily, curious despite her suspicion.
"Minor purification rituals. Not as powerful as the Sanctuary of Dawn, but they could reduce your corruption by 2-3%. Enough to stabilize you until you get there."
A tempting offer.
Too tempting.
Alex felt his instinct screaming: NO.
"We appreciate the offer," he said politely. "But we prefer to wait for the Sanctuary."
"Of course, of course. I only wanted to offer." Matthias smiled. "The door is open if you change your mind."
He stood up.
"Now, if you’ll excuse me—I have pastoral duties. But please, feel free to explore the temple. And if you need anything during your stay in Khar’Seth... don’t hesitate to look for me."
He guided them to the exit.
At the door, he stopped.
"One more thing," he said casually. "If you see a fox woman named Kira... tell her to come visit me. I have something that might interest her."
A chill ran down Alex’s spine.
"You know her?"
"Oh, yes. A sweet girl. Very curious. Sometimes... too curious." He smiled. "But well‑intentioned."
He left it hanging.
"Goodbye, friends. May the Lord light your path!"
He closed the door.
Leaving them outside.
Under the brutal sun.
Surrounded by Beastfolk working silently.
---
[15 MINUTES LATER]
No one spoke until they were far from the temple.
Finally, Raven broke the silence.
"That man..."
"Yeah," Alex agreed.
"Something is very wrong with him."
"Yeah."
Emily frowned. "But he was kind. Helpful. He gave us a map for free."
"Exactly," said Raven. "Too kind. Too helpful. No one is like that without a reason."
"And he knew about my corruption," Alex added. "The white streak? Yes, that’s an explanation. But the way he looked at me..." He touched his chest. "...like he could see the Fragment."
"Master. Correct," Grim confirmed from the backpack. "Felt. Holy. Power. Strong. From. Him."
"Holy power?"
"Yes. Level. 78. But. Real. Power. Higher. Maybe. 85+."
That was... concerning.
"And the Beastfolk working?" asked Emily. "They were acting... weird."
"Controlled," said Alex. "Like Kira described. Without their own will."
"But the Temple doesn’t value Beastfolk," Raven observed. "It considers them inferior. Why would Matthias have a whole congregation of them? Working on his temple. Acting like devout parishioners."
"Unless..." Emily paled. "...they aren’t willing parishioners."
Horrible silence.
"Mind control," Alex murmured. "He’s controlling them."
"But how? And why?"
"I don’t know. But..." He looked back—the temple visible in the distance. "...we’re going to find out."
They kept walking.
Reached the city.
Went straight to the tavern where they had met Kira.
The Golden Claw.
They went in.
Asked for her.
The bartender—a bear man, level 40—frowned.
"Kira? I haven’t seen her since last night. Weird—she usually comes by every morning."
"Where does she live?" asked Raven.
"South district. Blue building. Third door."
---
[KIRA’S HOME – 20 MINUTES LATER]
They found the building.
The door was closed.
Alex knocked.
No answer.
He knocked again.
Nothing.
Raven checked the window—curtains drawn.
"We break in," Alex decided.
"Are you sure?" asked Emily. "That’s—"
"Appropriation of unclaimed space," Raven interrupted with a small smile.
"It’s not funny!"
But Raven was already working on the lock.
CLICK.
The door opened.
They entered.
A small room. Messy. Papers everywhere.
But no Kira.
Alex searched—found notes.
About Matthias.
Observations. Dates. Names of people who had visited the temple.
And at the end—the most recent entry:
"Day 47: Matthias knows I’m investigating him. He saw me yesterday. Smiled. Said ’come visit me.’ I can’t. I mustn’t. But I feel... a compulsion. Like something is pulling me. I need to resist. If I disappear... someone needs to know. Matthias is NOT what he seems. He is—"
The note ended abruptly.
As if it had been interrupted.
"Shit," Alex muttered.
Emily found something else—on the floor, partially hidden.
A lock of red‑orange hair.
Fox hair.
Kira’s hair.
"They took her," said Emily, her voice trembling. 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂
"Or she went on her own," Raven suggested. "The note said she felt a compulsion."
"Mind control," Alex repeated. "Matthias can control people."
"What do we do?" asked Emily.
Alex considered.
Option 1: Ignore it. Focus on the Sanctuary. Not their problem.
Option 2: Investigate further. Take a risk. But potentially save Kira and others.
It wasn’t really a choice.
"We go back to the temple," he said. "Tonight. When it’s dark. We see what he’s really doing."
"And if he discovers us?" asked Raven.
"Then we fight."
"Level 78 maybe. Real power 80+. Against us."
"Yeah."
"Brave idiot," Raven murmured.
"It seems like that’s going to be my nickname now, huh?"
"Yes."
But she was smiling.
Because she had also made the same decision.
---
