Multiverse: Dimension Hopping Mage

Chapter 11: Have I Walked Into a Trap?

This sudden and unexpected encounter left both sides momentarily stunned.

Alex hadn't anticipated that these cultists would teleport directly into this cellar. In the game, when players reached Warson, they saw a town already consumed by flames and overrun by cultists.

Naturally, they assumed that the cultists had invaded Warson. But thinking about it now, if the priest in Warson was indeed a cultist, it made sense that the teleportation array here would be connected to Medusa's lair.

On the other hand, the cultists clearly hadn't expected to encounter Alex in this secret cellar.

Judging by his attire, he looked like a militiaman, but how could a regular militiaman be here? Could he be an ally?

"You..."

The lead cultist looked at Alex and was about to say something when Alex charged forward, gripping Soulrend with both hands and swinging it forcefully.

The best defense is a good offense!

There were over ten cultists who had teleported in—possibly an advance team. Alex knew there was no time to escape, so he seized the initiative, striking before they could react.

Crusader Strike!

As Alex's sword cut through the air, Soulrend vibrated, emitting a blinding holy light that illuminated the dark cellar like a flashbang.

The cultists, disoriented and unprepared, instinctively raised their hands to shield themselves.

The upgraded Crusader Strike unleashed a power Alex had never imagined. Holy symbols appeared around the blade, striking the cultists like hammers and exploding in flashes of light.

The cultists were blown back, slamming into the walls and collapsing in a heap.

'Wow, this is powerful!'

Alex was taken aback by the upgraded Crusader Strike's wide-area effect.

It was almost as strong as the skills of Nephalem in the Demonica world.

But given that both were created by the same company, such a transformation wasn't too surprising.

Could it be that in the Demonica world, Crusader Strike has this effect?

Regardless, for Alex, this was a welcome change. He quickly moved, absorbing the residual golden light from the holy symbols into Soulrend and thrusting the sword at the lead cultist.

"Ah—!!"

The light-imbued blade pierced the cultist's chest, who screamed and fell silent. Alex swiftly withdrew the sword and slashed at two more cultists, killing them instantly. However, as he prepared to strike again, a shadow loomed before him.

"Roar—!!"

A pitch-black, monstrous hellhound appeared, snarling and snapping at Alex. Forced to defend himself, he drove the hellhound back with a swing of his sword and scanned the area.

The other cultists had recovered, raising their hands to summon their dark minions. Black portals formed around them, and various demonic creatures emerged, blocking Alex's path.

These cultists are quite skilled.

Impressed by how quickly they regained their composure, Alex reassessed the threat level of these cultists.

His previous battles with the undead had shown him that real-world enemies were far more formidable than their in-game counterparts.

In the game, even the weakest enemies could pose a significant threat in reality.

The cultists were proving no different. After forming a wall of summoned creatures, they began chanting spells, and soon, fireballs flew toward Alex.

'Not good!'

Seeing the approaching fireballs, Alex rolled to the side, taking cover behind a platform. Explosions rocked the cellar, and searing heat whooshed past him.

Flames scattered everywhere, igniting the furniture and spreading rapidly. Thick smoke filled the air, and the cellar was soon engulfed in flames.

"Damn it, why do cultists always resort to fire?"

Enduring the thick smoke, Alex couldn't help but mutter a complaint. The entire basement was now a sea of fire, and the exit was completely blocked.

Alex found himself trapped, with cultists in front and raging flames behind. All he had was Soulrend, with no useful equipment or items.

He hadn't picked up any good loot from the undead he had fought earlier and was still wearing his militia gear. If he stayed here any longer, he was dead for sure!

There's no choice but to fight!

With that thought, Alex stopped hesitating. The cultists seemed to have a way to survive in this environment, but he didn't. He quickly grabbed a piece of rubble and hurled it towards the cultists!

"Clang!"

The stone hit something with a loud noise, and the cultists and their summoned creatures turned towards the sound. Seeing this, Alex felt a surge of hope.

'Now's my chance!'

As the cultists were distracted, Alex vaulted over the platform, charging forward with Soulrend, transforming into a whirlwind that struck the enemies before him.

The brilliant holy light flared up again with a thunderous roar, and the hellish creatures in Alex's path were blown away.

Seizing the opportunity, Alex stepped forward and plunged Soulrend into the heart of a cultist behind the monsters.

He lacked the power of a paladin to turn himself into a human cannonball, so he had to rely on this more straightforward method.

"Kill him!!"

Alex heard the cultists' shouts of anger. He quickly rolled to the side, feeling a searing heat brush past his back, followed by an explosion.

The cultist Alex had stabbed was hit by a fireball, disintegrating completely, while Alex was sent tumbling by the shockwave.

'This is just my luck!!'

Alex's entire body ached from the burns. His shoulder felt numb, as if a chunk was missing, and his strength was waning.

He felt utterly miserable; in his past life, he had died in an accident, and now, even after reincarnating, he was constantly hunted and besieged.

What had he done to deserve this? He had even helped old ladies cross the street!

Blame it on bad luck!

But there was no time for self-pity. Alex tried to get up, only to realize his right hand was pressing on something hard—a stone slab engraved with patterns!

Found it!! Delighted, Alex looked down and saw a glowing teleportation array beside him!

'This is it!'

Without hesitation, Alex rolled into the teleportation array. His goal in attacking the cultists wasn't to kill them all but to reach the teleportation array! If he could activate it, he could escape...

"Swish."

'What's happening?'

Alex looked around in confusion. He had just entered the teleportation array and hadn't had time to activate the portal to Tristran when the scenery suddenly changed.

The burning basement disappeared, replaced by a dark, eerie hall.

Then, a woman's voice echoed in his ears.

"Who are you?"

Alex turned towards the voice. A scantily clad woman, with two butterfly-like creatures flanking her, floated in the air, glaring coldly at him. In front of her stood dozens of robed cultists.

"I..."

Seeing the woman, Alex was speechless—wasn't this Medusa, the leader of the cult and the one responsible for Brendon Cain's death?

Have I walked right into a trap?

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