"Success Conditions for the Trial—Eliminate the mole and complete the Sacrifice Ritual."

At this soft whisper, everyone awoke from darkness. Their heads still throbbed with a pulsing ache.

"Where is this?"

Lucas frowned slightly, shaking his head.

Once the throbbing eased a little, he stood and scanned his surroundings.

He stood at a town’s center, surrounded by Chaos Cultists. Nearby loomed a tall, blood-red altar.

Just then, a Chaos Cultist rushed frantically from the altar to Lucas.

"Deacon sir! Disaster! The Sacrifice Ritual’s been sabotaged!"

With these words, trial memories flooded Lucas’s mind like a tide.

"I’m a Chaos Sect deacon, overseeing a special sacrifice. But as it began, a mole within the sect sabotaged it."

"The flesh materials must be remade. We must catch the mole fast—Church forces arrive soon. Restart the ritual immediately."

Lucas’s old memories were gone. He only recalled being a loyal sect deacon.

"Sabotaged?"

Lucas snapped out of his muttering, frowning at the cultist.

"Yes, sir! We don’t know who! Guards were posted everywhere, yet this happened!"

"Hmm. Then a little rat must be hiding."

Lucas nodded coldly.

He’d long suspected a Church or Adventurers Guild mole. This sabotage confirmed it.

"Stay here and guard the altar. I’ll scout around."

"But... Deacon! Church investigators are coming! They’ve heard rumors and will inspect us!"

"I’ll handle them."

Lucas waved dismissively. He strolled leisurely through nearby streets, secretly watching every cultist’s move.

Soon, he spotted one acting strangely.

Once the target was clear, it was simple.

Using hard-won world experience, Lucas tested the mole with cunning schemes. He executed him cruelly.

"Next, deal with the Church investigators."

Lucas split his forces: some guarded the altar; others followed him to ambush the Church squad’s path.

As they hid, a Chaos Cultist whispered, "Sir, our insider warns—a massive Church army follows this squad. We can’t fight them. Complete the sacrifice before they arrive."

Lucas nodded.

Still, this squad must die.

They’d lost their mole and intel. His side held the advantage.

Soon, the Church squad entered Lucas’s sight.

Though memory-less, Lucas’s battle-hardened instincts and ingrained tactics led his Chaos Sect unit. They ambushed and wiped out the investigators completely.

With the immediate threat gone, Lucas ordered covert strikes. His men stripped the city guard’s strength.

Clearing this last obstacle, Lucas pressed forward. He commanded the Chaos Cultists to sack the city. They bound every civilian to the altar. Using their flesh as new materials, they restarted the Sacrifice Ritual.

Thus, Lucas cleared the trial.

---

Meanwhile, at the Dark Mist’s heart.

Seth watched the screen, nodding in satisfaction.

He hadn’t expected anyone to follow his design so smoothly—or clear it this fast.

"Not bad. This Lucas... clearing it effortlessly. Perfect cultist material."

"Indeed, Seth. Your trial design is sharp," Gwen agreed, analyzing methodically.

"First, wisdom to catch the mole and prevent future sabotage. Second, combat or command skill to lead weak Chaos Cultists against the Church squad. Third, enough cruelty and evil to sacrifice the entire city—using them as materials to restart the ritual."

"Gwen, you understand me," Seth said, pleased. Her analysis matched his vision.

"This Lucas is a prime recruit. Must bring him in."

"Yes. His combat style... still vivid in my mind," Gwen added. She’d been deeply impressed.

Lucas had clearly survived countless life-or-death battles. That’s why he crushed the Church squad so easily.

"Hmm."

Even the High Priest nodded at Seth’s design.

"Covering wisdom, strength, and nature—it’s thorough."

Suddenly, Gwen asked, "Seth, could there be solutions beyond this standard path?"

Seth frowned, shaking his head firmly. "No! Absolutely not! This trial was painstakingly recreated from the Chaos Sect’s real history."

He paused. "I’ve seen the records. Completing that sacrifice was brutal. Church pressure and the mole nearly wiped out all cultists in the city."

"Only that deacon saved it. Wisdom found the mole. Combat skill crushed the arriving Church squad. Then he sacrificed the whole city—restarting the ritual to repel the main army."

Seth fixed Gwen with a serious gaze. "His speed was a miracle. Sect leaders had already abandoned the city. No other solution exists!"

The High Priest nodded at Seth’s certainty.

"Fine. Lucas cleared it—record the data. We’ll score later."

"Hmm. Check the others."

Seth pulled out parchment, scribbled notes, then switched the screen.

He skimmed randomly. Some followed the plot; others snapped under the mole’s tricks.

Watching, Seth recalled the cherry-haired loli who’d impressed him—Aelora.

He thought she’d manage, but curiosity nagged.

He switched the screen to Rayelle.