### Chapter 7: Church of Light (1)
==============================
Stuck in Demon Camp, Heart in Han?
As soon as Lin Nan saw that username, she clicked into the post faster than you can say “dungeon.”
Just as she expected, it was a distress call from a player born in the demon zone.
Help! Help!
We’ve been trapped in a pitch-black tunnel for nearly a month.
Every day, we get two buns and drink water that’s a mix of coal dust and who-knows-what-kind-of-grossness. For thirty long days, we’ve felt like dirty rats, anxiously hiding and wondering what our final fate will be.
Sure, compared to those players stuck in the human realm, starving and freezing, at least we’re still breathing. But our fear and despair… well, it’s not exactly a walk in the park either.
I have reason to believe that our captivity isn’t just some random decision by the demon race.
In fact, they may be brewing a big ol’ conspiracy.
I’m not just talking out of my hat.
As the days go by, we can definitely hear the “rumbling” noises outside the tunnel getting louder, as if someone is digging right next door.
Maybe when that digging suddenly stops, that’ll be the end of us.
I’m begging everyone here, especially “High School History Teacher,”
If you see this post, please report to the higher-ups in Cold Wind City, and notify Her Excellency, the Cold Moon Witch.
Even though we were trapped as soon as we arrived in the demon territory, we’ve learned a bit about the Cold Moon Witch’s deeds through the forum.
The Asking Dao Continent is so vast it could cover the entire Earth,
Yet, all we can rely on is the Cold Moon herself.
She, kind-heartedly gathering players from the human realms, doesn’t want to see them fight each other to d*ath.
Such selflessness is not something ordinary folks possess.
And please, cast your gaze a bit further—humans imprisoned by the demon race need your help.
Once we manage to escape, we swear that everyone will bow down to Cold Wind City and follow your orders without question.
…
Reply 1: “Old Iron, Don’t Worry, I Don’t Eat People”:
The demon empire is so big, who knows where you’re stuck?
Besides, if the demon race is keeping you alive, it means you’re still useful.
Just hang tight! Cold Moon Witch probably can’t help you out right now. Here’s a secret: Princess Witch seems to have gone with the big squad to attack Black Stone City. That place is a dump, and it seems like no one knows what the Princess’s next move is.
Reply 2: “Black Market Lady Sun Erniang”:
Borrowing the floor to shout a bit.
Selling human meat buns for five Spirit Coins each!
Made from human arms, legs, brains—you name it, just DM for prices. All fair and square—you can trust me, kids and adults alike!
Reply 3: “Heart of Despair with No Place to Rest”:
Is the person above sick? If you want to sell stuff, make your own post and don’t annoy us here.
It’s spring now, and you’re still selling human meat? Watch out, when it gets hot, they might spoil. If you’re so hungry, just eat yourself!
I’m eating river fish in Cold Wind City every day—tastes great! Who the heck wants to eat human meat again?!
Reply 4: “High School History Teacher”:
I’ve seen the post. Don’t worry; I’ll do my best to inform the higher-ups in Cold Wind City about your situation.
It’s true what the first floor said: the Cold Moon Great King isn’t in the city right now, but I believe the Second Great King will report to the King through some channels.
After all, calamity is just around the corner—we must unite all possible forces.
The Cold Moon Great King is currently busy working for the alliance of the Three Races. If she can strike some kind of deal with the demon race, I believe your lives won’t be in danger.
Please trust us and hold on.
Also, you need to harness the spirit of self-reliance and never give up.
Do your best to explore the surroundings of the cave—at least give some coordinates we can use for reference. Otherwise, with the vast demon territory and sparse population, even Cold Moon Great King could be left helpless!
…
This “High School History Teacher” has some skills.
Once she returns to Cold Wind City, it might be worth promoting her to the management team. But the urgent task is to find the exact location where these humans are being held.
Lin Nan kept scrolling down.
Many replies weren’t particularly useful for reference, and a bunch of players were snickering at the original poster instead.
You’re all very lucky, okay?!
At least you don’t have to scramble for three meals a day since you were born, nor do you have to watch your friends starve, much less become a beast and eat each other’s flesh to survive.
The demon race has been kind enough to you; just focus on mining for them.
You’re already way better off than those who died in this world and can’t return to reality!
Of course, many people had counterarguments to such comments.
“High School History Teacher” was particularly fiery about it:
The pain and suffering that players arriving at Asking Dao have experienced are already too much. Although everyone has endured different hardships, that shouldn’t be a reason for some to attack each other.
Two years from now, the Divine Punishment will completely engulf the continent,
Haven’t you seen the near-destruction of Sky Sword City and Sky Void City?
The more critical the moment, the more we players need to unite. Otherwise, when the divine punishment descends upon the entire continent, all we can do is wait for d*ath.
…
After the “High School History Teacher” lashed out on behalf of Cold Wind City’s officials, many people joined in to criticize the players who didn’t distinguish right from wrong and just wanted to hurl insults.
The thread got back on track,
People kept brainstorming ways to help the players stuck in the demon cage.
Finally, just now, “Stuck in Demon Camp, Heart in Han” made a new reply:
From private messages on the forum, we estimate there are about 5,000 players trapped underground. Most of them are young adults, so thankfully, we haven’t lost anyone yet.
However, some caves had disturbances where the strong bullied the weak for food.
Luckily, a few soldier players quickly intervened to stop it, preventing the strong from eating the weak.
Based on analysis and testing by knocking on the walls, we believe the 5,000 are divided into six separate caves, and the caves do not connect to each other.
Our daily meals come down via several ventilation shafts above each cave with numerous baskets lowered simultaneously.
To maintain a basic order, we assigned someone to distribute the food evenly so that everyone can survive.
Meanwhile, we haven’t given up on self-rescue.
Since we often hear rumbling sounds next to the tunnel, we’re taking advantage of the noise to dig toward the source of the sound.
Hard work pays off; we finally opened up a small hole in the thick wall that lets us see outside.
Turns out, right next to the cave is a gigantic pit.
Those rumbling sounds are from people in black robes floating in the air, casting spells on the bottom of the pit.
What exactly they’re doing, we can’t make heads or tails of.
But I think once they finish their work, it’ll be our time to shine as players!
