r, planning to visit at midnight when supernatural activity was rumored to peak. Preparations included purchasing magical items like crucifixes and fortifying himself with a hearty steak meal. As night fell, he recruited like-minded mercenaries to explore the chapel with him.

His companions were a trio: a rotund man with a belly resembling a beer barrel, armed with a flail and small shield; a grim-faced, muscular man wielding a short sword and tower shield; and a delicate, beautiful woman with a crossbow firing magical ice arrows, the epitome of an idolized beauty in this era. However, Brutols was indifferent to her charms, focused solely on the mission.

The rotund man’s flail and shield complemented the stark contrast of the grim man’s short sword and tower shield, while the beautiful woman's crossbow equipped with magical ice arrows added long-range firepower. Brutols, having formed the team, led them into the chapel.

The previously chatty fat man now trembled visibly, worried he might accidentally harm himself with his flail. The grim mercenary’s ominous aura seemed to diminish, revealing uncertainty. The beautiful woman, once composed, clung to Brutols in fear. Brutols ignored their discomfort; he hadn't intended to rely on them but knew extra hands could be useful.

Upon scouring the chapel, they found no ghosts, prompting the fat man to boast, “I told you there are no ghosts! It's all made-up nonsense. We can go back and tell everyone they’re fools!” The grim mercenary relaxed slightly, but the beautiful woman remained unsettled. Brutols silently observed, knowing premature conclusions were dangerous.

Carefully, Brutols explored further, discovering a loose floorboard hiding a staircase descending into the depths. The revelation shocked his team, rendering the fat man speechless and the grim mercenary mute with tension. The beautiful woman clung to Brutols, trembling.

Unfazed, Brutols theorized that the previous explorers had found this passage and vanished inside. Recognizing the inherent danger but feeling invigorated, he offered his team the choice: join him or leave. Their decision was critical.

After a tense moment, they decided to proceed, motivated by curiosity and fear of the eerie fog and shadows outside. Brutols’ confident demeanor and promise of discovery bolstered their resolve.

Descending the narrow staircase, they proceeded in single file: Brutols leading, followed by the fat man, the grim mercenary, and the nervous beauty. As they ventured deeper, Brutols warned, “Be cautious; something feels off.” His words induced fear, but they pressed on, unnerved by the haunting wails echoing around them.

At the bottom, they stumbled upon what appeared to be a temple’s interior, shrouded in mystery and foreboding.

Chapter 5: The Con

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