Mithra utilized Resonance Leap to close the distance, effortlessly ignoring the swarming, clawing monsters that surged around her, and swiftly reached out to claim the scepter.
But unexpectedly, the two Crystals of Eternal Night seemed to attract one another, refusing to separate immediately.
The Branch Bishop paid no mind to Mithra, plunging directly into the opened rift; his figure was instantly swallowed by the consuming darkness. As a growing horde of monsters poured forth, Mithra became completely overwhelmed, immobilized by countless forms of "little friends."
Rip!
The two Crystals of Eternal Night only began to gradually drift apart after the Branch Bishop had fully entered the Eternal Night Phantom World. He secured one crystal, while Mithra, still clutching the scepter, held the other.
As the separation concluded, the rift slowly contracted, shrinking down to the nexus point between the two crystals before finally snapping shut completely.
That Crystal of Eternal Night was carried into the Phantom World by the Branch Bishop. Mithra, now free from the scepter's pulling force, tumbled backward as the absorption effect vanished. The monsters clinging to her immediately scattered.
By this point, the mansion was in absolute chaos. Mithra first righted herself and calmly applied Calmness to her own system. After securing the scepter safely inside her person, she retrieved her hammer and began methodically clearing the area.
It required little effort. Every visible monster was swiftly reduced to scattered corpses. The wide mouth happily commenced its feast.
As for the few that managed to escape, the Patrol team would likely manage them. After all, the ruckus Mithra caused upon her forceful entry was substantial; they should have arrived by now.
Surveying the gruesome, messy scene, Mithra sat down amidst the piles of remains, momentarily stunned. Then, she pointed toward a corner of the room.
The wide mouth, mid-consumption, obediently extended its tongue, retrieving a Flesh Slime that was just about to slip through a crack in the wall.
"Mercy! Mercy!" The "Slime" emitted a high-pitched, child-like scream. It was the Chrysalis member whom Mithra had sliced in half from the chest, yet somehow hadn't managed to kill completely.
"Why haven't you dissolved yet?" Mithra questioned casually.
"Uh…"
"Never mind. Where is your diminutive leader, the short one? I don't see him around."
"Uh…"
"Ah, interrogating for intelligence is always such a tedious affair. Eat him," Mithra offered the Slime to the wide mouth, which accepted without hesitation.
"Wait, wait, wait! I refuse to betray the boss. Other than that, anything else is negotiable!" the Slime shrieked.
The wide mouth's tongue was already licking at it, appearing incredibly appetizing.
"What was your objective in coming to Xyrin City?"
"...The heart of the god."
"The heart, I see. Why are you involved with the Nightborne Church? What arrangement did you strike?"
"The Nightborne Church actively sought us out. They wanted to exploit our advantage as Earthlings and Flesh Transmutation Believers to infiltrate Xyrin City, enter that lightless domain, and retrieve a crystal identical to the one on their Bishop's scepter for them."
"That crystal he held, did you locate it?"
"Yes."
"That location is extremely hazardous; you must have gone through considerable trouble."
"It was brutal. Dodging and weaving constantly; it was completely pitch black, and I couldn't discern anything. I'm already a bit… uh…"
"Come, tell me your designation," Mithra abruptly asked, focusing on him.
"My name is… Uh… What was my name again?" The Flesh Slime suddenly froze, seemingly realizing belatedly that it had forgotten something vital.
"I, I, I, I, I…" The Flesh Slime instantly began trembling violently, and chaotic organs and limbs started grotesquely sprouting across its surface.
"High-intensity Flesh Transmutation, once it reaches this stage, is indeed irreversible. A pity."
Before the Flesh Slime could fully devolve into a Cursed Being, Mithra swiftly passed it over to the wide mouth.
This morsel of corrupted flesh was merely a light snack for the wide mouth, resulting in absolutely no feedback whatsoever.
In fact, a moment later, Mithra's backside was exposed as she plopped onto the ground. It turned out the wide mouth, while eating, had also inadvertently consumed the final monster corpse—the one that had been grasping Mithra's rear end.
Silently, after expertly tying the wide mouth's tongue into several intricate knots, Mithra waited for the Patrol team to arrive.
...
"It must… it must be a misidentification somewhere. I just went out for a brief walk; I didn't do anything substantial, merely happened to grab some cured meat hanging outside the neighbor's house early this morning. It's not the first time, but apart from that, I definitely haven't committed any major infractions!"
Before them, the heavily pregnant woman wept profusely, clutching her swollen belly, repeatedly reiterating her defense.
Nino looked toward Leon beside him: "Are you absolutely certain your eyes are not deceiving you?"
"My eyes have provided extremely clear confirmation. You just tested my innate Sensory Synchronization eyes as well. Do you still harbor any doubt?" Leon stated with absolute finality.
Nino nodded slightly.
Even though Leon had just assisted them, suddenly bringing in an ordinary citizen and claiming she might be a Flesh Transmutation Believer wouldn't immediately secure their trust.
But Leon quickly demonstrated the unique precision of his sight. Nino also tested it using his own established methods, confirming that Leon indeed possessed innate Sensory Synchronization eyes.
Eyes that had achieved Sensory Synchronization since birth, known as Pure Water Eyes in Holy Sanctuary records, possessed the defining trait of penetrating, detailed observation. Even a fleeting glance from Leon revealed more than a painstaking examination by an ordinary person.
Coupled with the intelligence Leon had just provided, his credibility instantly soared.
"But there's no simple, quick means to test if the other party is a Flesh Transmutation Believer," Nino conceded.
Flesh Transmutation miracles were considered rare within the Dream Nexus. Although not banned on a massive scale like on Earth, their inherent dangers were equally notorious, and they possessed a significant learning threshold.
This faction also lacked convenient miracles for discerning the minds of individuals.
Soon, Nino's subordinate approached to report: "We have interrogated her based on her personal identity records. The suspect's answers regarding the matter were entirely fluent, and her alibi has been corroborated through her established social network."
Nino nodded, then looked back at Leon: "The subject truly appears to have no issues."
"Tsk." Leon clicked his tongue in annoyance.
A middle-aged man in simple cloth garments ran over, sweating profusely: "Lord Nino, what exactly is the nature of this issue with my wife? She only stepped out for a walk today. She has been resting indoors for days with the baby due any moment!"
"My apologies, certain matters require further verification, but you will receive a definitive answer shortly," Nino found himself in a difficult position, but could only offer that assurance.
However, Mithra didn't interject, only watched with a slight air of frustration. Suddenly remembering something vital, she quietly slipped away from the scene without a word to the others. No one present paid any mind to her departure.
Leon, momentarily pulled from his contemplation, frowned and stated: "Blood draw… No, the Dream Nexus doesn't possess such complete treatment records. Their own blood is also very easily suppressed in terms of activity… Right, if a 'Chrysalis' Flesh Transmutation Believer's flesh and limbs are separated, they will maintain activity for a measurable period. Testing this aspect is relatively straightforward."
As soon as he voiced this, Nino immediately furrowed his brow: "Flesh and limb separation—how extensive an action are you suggesting?"
"A small preliminary test, perhaps a finger. No, a casual arm. That should provide sufficient data," Leon asserted.
The pregnant woman's husband grew instantly agitated: "What nonsense are you speaking! How can an ordinary person withstand that!? Lord Nino, please disregard his absurd suggestions!"
Leon shot him a cold glare: "Flesh Transmutation Believers infiltrating the city to cause havoc—they could have acquired the 'Chrysalis heart' at any moment. If that artifact is unleashed, it will undoubtedly be a catastrophe that cannot be underestimated. Time is critical now; what is this small sacrifice compared to that disaster?"
The scene immediately devolved into a tense standoff. Silence descended upon everyone momentarily.
After an indeterminate pause, Leon seemed to steel his resolve, no longer willing to delay. He turned to face the visibly nervous man and declared: "If you are too bound by mercy, then allow me, a person hailing from the Enchanted Realm, to proceed. If the subject proves innocent, whatever compensation you demand is not an issue."
With that, he walked directly forward.
The pregnant woman gazed at Leon, her eyes filling with tears.
Water flowed from between his fingers, the gurgling fluid transforming into a shimmering blade of cold light.
Suddenly, the pregnant woman shrieked.
Everyone present was startled; Leon hadn't even executed his action yet.
The pregnant woman collapsed onto the ground: "What… My stomach… My stomach hurts so much… The baby is coming… It's manifesting!"
With that exclamation, she let out a cry and spat out a large gush of blood. The abnormal volume of bleeding caused Leon's face to darken, and the water blade shot directly towards the pregnant woman's head.
Rip!
The sickening sound of flesh tearing erupted. A bizarre infant, sporting the visage of a mature young man, directly tore open the pregnant woman's abdomen and burst forth.
With its emergence, a strange heartbeat suddenly resonated in everyone's ears.
The bloody water surged outward. Nino quickly rushed to block in front of Leon, his hands burning with fire to repel the liquid.
The seemingly harmless bloody water splattered everywhere, triggering small bursts of explosions upon impact.
The strange infant's back sprouted insect-like legs, which rapidly crawled. With a few leaps, it vanished from the room. Nino shouted: "Pursue it!"
The surrounding guards immediately reacted to the sudden turn of events, all giving chase after the infant.
The pregnant woman's husband, heartbroken, rushed to his beloved wife's side, disregarding the blood as he gently embraced her, calling out her name, tears streaming down his face.
Leon stared blankly at the scene unfolding, his entire being lost in deep thought.
Not the pregnant woman… but the infant?
Footsteps quickly approached. Redwyn returned, bringing Salomo, the Holy Sanctuary's ambassador to Xyrin City.
Redwyn was unsure of the correct protocol, but given his positive impression of the Holy Sanctuary, he chose to seek assistance from a familiar authority. Furthermore, he knew Salomo had aided Mithra.
Arriving at the scene, even he was slightly bewildered, uncertain of precisely what had transpired.
Salomo's gentle countenance became instantly serious. He quickly approached the pregnant woman, his hands flashing with the Self totem, then directly imprinted it onto the woman's body. The light of inspiration swiftly enveloped her shattered form.
"...Severe deficiency of bodily flesh. The structure is being affected by suspected Wandering God power, undergoing passive Flesh Transmutation followed by deprivation... I can only stabilize her immediate condition. Little Nie, accompany me and transport her back to the Holy Sanctuary headquarters. I need to ascertain if anyone nearby is proficient in Flesh Transmutation miracles who could assist with treatment later. I intend to attempt contact."
Salomo spoke with extreme speed. Redwyn didn't have time to question Leon; he could only comply to offer aid.
As he passed by Leon, he spared a glance at the stunned man, unsure of what comment was appropriate. He left with Salomo, carefully carrying the injured pregnant woman toward the Holy Sanctuary headquarters. The woman's husband rushed anxiously to follow.
The scene was suddenly left with only Leon.
He stood isolated, slowly raising his hand to cover his face, his fingertips lightly pressing into his eye sockets, causing an intense ache in his vision.
...
This day, a strange, echoing heartbeat began to resonate from a distant corner of Xyrin City.
Mithra, who was currently arguing with the guards while being escorted toward the Guardhouse, abruptly halted upon hearing the pulse. She turned to scan her surroundings, her nostrils catching the faint, metallic scent of fresh blood.
"Is someone experiencing a severe anxiety attack here?" Mithra inquired.
"I'm not sure, but we certainly don't practice such customs here," a guard replied uncertainly.
At that precise moment, a nearby passerby shuddered violently, collapsed to the ground, clutching his chest while letting out a sharp scream.
"Sir, what is wrong?" a guard immediately rushed over.
"I feel… terrible. My heart—it pains me just to beat…" the passerby gasped weakly.
It wasn't an isolated incident. As this first person fell, a significant number of people on the street simultaneously felt unwell and collapsed, most of them being ordinary citizens of Xyrin City.
Mithra suddenly lunged fiercely in one specific direction. The guards accompanying her scrambled to keep pace.
In the Southwest City District, as Mithra moved past, a fallen civilian who couldn't rise suddenly began a grotesque physical change. Insect-like appendages sprouted from his back, and he lunged directly at Mithra.
Mithra casually waved her hand, releasing Ki Conduction to seize control of the opponent's structure, yanking him violently to the ground. She then brought her heel down upon the still-groaning human face.
Bang!
The human head fragmented into pieces, but the resulting gore and flesh did not immediately lose its vitality.
She calmly ignited both hands and began to incinerate the remains beneath her feet.
Once the burning ceased, it was confirmed: this individual had inexplicably mutated into a Chrysalis Cursed Being.
The guards cautiously approached Mithra, visibly shaken by the transformation: "What exactly is going on?"
"It appears something hostile has surfaced. The outbreak is surprisingly swift. This doesn't feel like the correct timing for a grand showdown," Mithra remarked while surveying the chaos.
It seemed the Believers remained unaffected. She herself, and even the accompanying guards, were unharmed, as were many Earthlings walking nearby.
Yet, numerous screams and the repulsive sounds of tearing and squelching flesh echoed all around. Many passersby began to transform into Chrysalis Cursed Beings.
The Earthlings present were certainly alarmed, but they also found the spectacle rather novel.
Upon completing their transformations, the Chrysalis Cursed Beings unleashed indiscriminate attacks in every direction. The street instantly descended into utter pandemonium.
Mithra reapplied Calmness to her own internal state, effortlessly drawing her hammer from her hip: "Everyone, we should fight our way back to the Guardhouse now."
The guards hefted their weapons, forcing themselves to maintain composure amidst the terror.
After a tense moment, Mithra, leading this small patrol unit, fought their way to the Guardhouse in the Southwest District. Outside, a horde of Cursed Beings surrounded the structure. The continuous sound of firearms blended with the radiant blooms of miracle inspirations, showcasing the Guard team bravely engaging the Cursed Beings.
"I didn't anticipate experiencing this kind of fantastical zombie siege," Mithra observed upon taking in the scene.
"It will be extremely difficult for us to force our way in with just this many personnel," a young guard admitted nervously, gripping his rifle.
Mithra looked at him, lightly patting his shoulder: "No need to be anxious. You will grow accustomed to it with sufficient experience."
"Is this the sort of ordeal one can gain more experience in?"
"Who can say?"
Mithra tilted her head, returned her hammer to its resting place, then drew her straight sword, gripping it two-handed with the tip pointed skyward.
After a flame totem appeared on both her hands, blazing flames seamlessly attached themselves to the blade. However, this was far from a standard "Ignition." The burning flames didn't merely cling to the steel; they continued to project forward into the air, swaying subtly in the wind.
"Falling Fire?!" the young guard exclaimed in shock.
"Oh? How do you recognize that?" Mithra had been genuinely excited to finally test out this powerful miracle she had been concealing, but her enthusiasm instantly waned upon being recognized.
"Captain Nino also knows the technique…" the young guard stammered timidly, intimidated by Mithra's penetrating gaze.
Right, she was a captain after all. Although Nino was generally approachable, his inherent strength was certainly not negligible.
[Falling Fire: Miracle of Flame. Embraces the flames descending from the sky, a progressive miracle that allows intense, cruel temperatures to scorch the earth. It can be imprinted onto any wielded implement, thereby manifesting different forms of transformation.]
[——When the sky fire scorched the earth, the 'Ember-Host' was born from self-destruction. This miracle is sculpted based on the image of its fiery genesis.]
This specific miracle was one Mithra had learned from the residual texts left by Safin. She had practiced it solely because the illustration in the manuscript looked exceptionally striking.
It was neither particularly bizarre nor overly practical, mainly due to the extensive channeling time required.
However, when Mithra first studied it, she used her Eyes of Night and discovered that this miracle seemed tied to an underlying narrative, coupled with such a cool moniker, compelling her to seriously commit to learning it.
The flickering flames were channeled through Mithra's long sword, which she then powerfully swept forward!
The blade itself dragged a long trail of flaming sword energy, and the flames condensing in the air simultaneously coalesced into a small, localized sea of fire, descending upon the Cursed Beings ahead.
Boom!
A fierce detonation occurred precisely at the point of impact. Countless Cursed Beings were instantly reduced to charred ash.
Mithra smoothly sheathed her sword. The residual heat hissed as the long blade plunged into the remaining flesh, carrying an oddly savory scent of roasted meat.
"I'm hungry…" A tongue that had just tentatively emerged was instantly pressed back inside by Mithra.
Mithra herself rubbed the spot on the sword where she had just sheathed the burning blade, pondering that in the future, it might be prudent to allow a weapon infused with the Miracle of Flame to cool down fully before re-sheathing it.
Leading the patrol squad, she strode confidently back toward the Guardhouse.
She nearly collided with Nino, who was just arriving from the opposite direction.
Nino displayed several visible wounds; some were clean cuts, while others suggested injuries where flesh had been violently torn away.
"So, it was you. I was wondering who was causing all that commotion outside," Nino stated, seeing Mithra, and let out a slight sigh of relief.
Mithra had no time for small talk and got straight to the point: "Has the Chrysalis thing been activated?"
Nino sighed and began recounting his harrowing experience.
With Leon's assistance, they had successfully pinpointed a primary suspect. Just as they were about to conduct a decisive test, the suspect suddenly launched a violent counterattack, forcefully bursting out of the pregnant woman's womb as an infant and making a daring escape.
Nino initiated the pursuit. The opponent's condition appeared compromised, and for a short while, the escapee was cornered effectively.
But soon, the Flesh Transmutation Believer's body began to break free from its initial infantile form, transforming back into a roughly human shape before violently counterattacking.
If struck by the opponent's flesh attacks, one's own flesh would rapidly mutate, necessitating a quick decision to excise the corrupted tissue to prevent transformation; otherwise, the victim would quickly become a Chrysalis Cursed Being.
Simultaneously, a strange heartbeat began to spread, forcefully transmuting large numbers of civilians into Cursed Beings.
Amidst the chaos, the Flesh Transmutation Believer vanished entirely.
"Currently, the affected area is confined to the Southwest City District, likely because the Sun Creation node remains inoperative. The Sun Creation is temporarily completely incapable of suppressing this disaster," Nino admitted self-reproachfully. The damage inflicted upon the Sun Creation node was clearly his dereliction of duty.
Mithra wasn't overly concerned with these technical details and simply asked: "Is that Flesh Transmutation Believer the short one?"
"...Would you classify an infant as a 'short one'?" Nino replied bluntly.
Mithra paused for a moment, then explained in detail: "I told you before—a Believer whose face looked as if it had been aggressively imprinted with handprints."
Nino's eyes widened in realization: "Yes, it was him. But his handprints didn't seem as dense as you described. At least, his face was largely whole, though one side still bore distinct white markings."
It seemed this final Flesh Transmutation Believer was indeed the short-statured Busheng.
Nino then began detailing their immediate arrangements.
A dedicated team of craftsmen had already been dispatched to repair the damaged Sun Creation node. If that crucial node could be restored, it might significantly alleviate the current disaster.
Concurrently, the Guardhouse was focused on tracking Busheng. He was the epicenter, and they absolutely had to destroy him along with the Chrysalis heart he possessed.
Nino, after consolidating the available manpower, prepared to move out.
Events had unfolded suddenly. Although he had already sent out urgent signals, help from other districts had an uncertain arrival time. Given Xyrin City's current precarious state, relying heavily on outside aid was not wise; they absolutely had to manage the crisis themselves.
He asked Mithra if she wished to join the offensive team. Mithra agreed immediately. In any case, if she failed to eliminate Busheng this time, she would feel inexplicably unsettled.
There would not be a third opportunity.
Mithra proceeded through the Guardhouse. Numerous wounded soldiers were being treated there—mostly Xyrin City guards, alongside some ordinary Believers or Earthlings. Simultaneously, many people had sought refuge inside the fortified structure.
Normally, not many Earthlings frequented the Southwest City District. The ones present today were demonstrably quite unlucky.
Along the route, she overheard numerous Earthlings loudly complaining, while the local Xyrin City residents worried anxiously about the fate of their homes next.
As she moved toward her objective, Mithra heard an escalating argument.
"Leon! I heard this entire mess was your doing?! Damn it, I nearly got stabbed to death by those monsters!" A heavily bandaged individual confronted Leon, who stood passively nearby, cursing loudly.
Leon offered no reaction. The individual's Ki flared aggressively, and he tried to push forward, but a pulsing red light of Suppression instantly restrained him.
Redwyn spoke from the side: "Senior, please maintain composure. We are simply trying to assist. The origin of this incident and… Leon are not directly responsible for this crisis."
"I nearly died! How can you expect me to be calm?! Everyone here is just a student; what's the urgency to help? You're only causing an obstruction! I heard earlier that Leon was almost eliminated by that Chrysalis individual. Is this just him trying to save face by manufacturing trouble?!" the man angrily blurted out everything on his mind.
Leon still didn't look at him, merely quietly lowered his head.
Redwyn's brow furrowed sharply: "If you've said your piece, then leave. Don't assume being one year older than me grants you any privileges." His own temper was not famously placid to begin with.
As his words concluded, a large-scale Ki Bodyguard swept outwards, repeatedly forcing the opponent backward.
Thump!
Then, he collided with a sturdy student.
This student, visibly fuming, wanted to rush forward and confront Redwyn, but his shoulder was suddenly pressed down forcefully. Turning to look, he met a pair of cold, dark, utterly lightless eyes. His rising anger seemed to be instantly swallowed by those profound eyes.
"You, you are…"
"How many lives do you have left?" Mithra asked with faint curiosity.
The opponent's mouth gaped, unable to form an immediate response. He harbored a strong intuition that answering would lead to an extremely unfavorable outcome. In the end, he could only flee in frustration.
Redwyn let out a breath of relief, turning to Leon and remarking: "See? You're too accustomed to arrogance on a normal day. When real trouble strikes, you become a helpless target, and now people are looking for a fight."
"It was likely someone instigating him to provoke me. It just so happened that he nearly died, and this anger needed an outlet. Someone who disliked me simply provided him the opportunity," Leon stated, slightly lifting his head. Although his tone was quite relaxed, his usual overly dramatic mannerisms were noticeably subdued.
"Easier said than done," Redwyn muttered, then looked at Mithra as she approached, "Mithra, are you unharmed?"
"Are you inquiring about me? Shouldn't I be asking you?" Mithra countered, genuinely puzzled.
Redwyn was momentarily speechless, feeling that Mithra was sometimes even more challenging than Leon.
"It's good that you're alright. Just stay safe here until this matter is resolved," Leon nodded slightly, settling down onto a nearby chair.
"What's wrong with him?" Mithra looked at Redwyn.
Redwyn shrugged: "That pregnant woman has been transferred to the Holy Sanctuary headquarters, and her condition has been stabilized. I also took this chance to rush back and discovered this situation. Then, he probably feels he misjudged someone."
"Nonsense," Leon cursed without restraint.
Redwyn was left dumbfounded: "You are in quite a negative state, Leon. What, are you throwing a childish fit?"
Leon took a deep breath and explained: "I wasn't mistaken; the anomaly was indeed connected to that pregnant woman. My eyes provided clues, but I became too singularly focused on partial evidence. The initial bizarre mark I detected on her arm captured all my attention."
Leon closed his eyes, leaning back against the chair with exhaustion: "Mithra previously severed the lower half of that Flesh Transmutation Believer. If he couldn't inexplicably regenerate massive amounts of lower-body flesh, then the most fitting mimicry for this Believer would indeed have been an infant, and the fetus within the womb also fell within the scope of my observation. I unconsciously dismissed that potential."
"Even accounting for the fetus in utero, if I had observed meticulously, these eyes should have discerned the signs. But I myself did not fully grasp the fundamental nature of the problem, so I missed these crucial details."
"In my first engagement with Mithra, I also failed because I blindly trusted my sight; clearly, I have not internalized that lesson."
After speaking, Leon offered a self-deprecating laugh.
"Even if you had known the infant was the issue, you might not necessarily have altered the pregnant woman's current outcome," Redwyn advised gently.
The unborn infant and the mother's physical structure were inextricably linked. Even with prior knowledge, handling the situation would have been immensely complicated, and ultimately, the mother's fate might not have been significantly better.
"That would have at least opened up more avenues to potentially save lives sooner. Even a small chance should have been considered. Regardless, this is my failing. As of this moment, I personally feel unworthy of possessing these eyes." Leon concluded coldly.
"Are you finished reflecting?" Mithra suddenly cut in.
Leon and Redwyn were startled, turning to look at Mithra.
"A strike team will be organized shortly to purge the Cursed Beings outside. Volunteer to sign up; handle it yourselves." Having stated this expressionlessly, Mithra turned and departed.
After all that discussion, if she couldn't directly excise her own eyes for self-examination, then the only recourse was to strive to achieve something tangible.
Mithra walked with purpose. These two appeared sufficiently motivated, which was a benefit. She didn't need to micromanage them, and besides, she wasn't skilled at offering emotional comfort anyway.
Redwyn watched Mithra's receding form for a moment, then chuckled and turned back, asking: "Crab, are you coming?"
Leon bowed his head in silence briefly, then slowly looked up, his eyes once again flashing with keen sharpness: "Let's go."
...
"Confirmed Flesh Transmutation Believer, possessor of the Chrysalis heart, the Enchanted Realm operative Busheng's location! He is making his way toward the breach in the Southwest City wall!"
Mithra had just returned when she heard a loud, urgent report.
Nino had changed into a brand new Xyrin City Guard captain's armor. His entire being radiated a powerful, palpable aura. Mithra could even vaguely perceive the inspiration glowing intensely across his form.
Safin had noted in his surviving texts that when the Sensory Synchronization components displayed such an inexplicable flicker, it signified a Believer's spirit had reached its apex—a state of perfect resonance between their conviction and their inspiration.
Believers entering this state would often achieve a momentary, higher realm when casting miracles.
He had finalized his preparations, intending to deploy his full strength to eliminate the monster that had damaged Xyrin City.
When Mithra approached, he offered a curt nod of acknowledgment.
Mithra paused to consider for a moment and then inquired: "The breach in the Southwest City wall?"
"Yes, but the reason why he's heading there is unclear. If he intended to flee, the Southwest city gate would be the more direct route. Although that location is also heavily guarded, his current condition probably wouldn't be deterred by that level of military presence," Nino admitted his own confusion.
Mithra glanced briefly at the tactical map. It indicated the locations of several operational Transmission Points within Xyrin City.
"Because that breach offers the nearest open passage. He intends to reach a Transmission Point," Mithra stated plainly.
"We considered that possibility, after all, he is still an Enchanted Realm native," Nino replied seriously, but then added: "However, the village sector does not contain a Transmission Point."
"It does, a Transmission Point that was recently activated just a short while ago. From the Southwest Guardhouse to the city wall breach, it's a shorter route than going directly to the nearest known Transmission Point within the city. So that must be it—they deliberately located and opened that Transmission Point specifically for calculating their retreat," Mithra concluded, finally understanding why those five initial individuals hadn't gone directly to a Transmission Point in Xyrin City upon arrival, but instead needed to establish a new exit themselves.
"Re-confirm his precise location!" Hearing this realization, Nino's brow deeply furrowed, and he instantly issued another order. The scout positioned ahead quickly relayed the updated intelligence.
The destination was no longer distant; the opponent was nearly at the breach!
"Relay this intelligence immediately to the Xyrin City Enchanted Realm Ambassador! We mobilize instantly! Forward teams, prioritize obstruction and delay the target's advance! Interception engagement commences!" Nino shouted decisively.
Mithra reaffirmed Calmness within herself. Her slightly distracted gaze drifted toward the distant horizon. Today, the sky was obscured by a noticeable haze.
...
Beneath the hazy, oppressive sky, Busheng was enduring intermittent assaults intended to halt his progress. His body was encased in layers of muscle and flesh armor, transforming his originally slender frame into something tall and formidable.
Several flickering fireballs rapidly bombarded his frame; the flames burned his accumulated flesh painfully. Yet, he charged directly through the fire, each step leaving deep fissures in the ground as he surged forward.
The breach in the city wall was directly ahead.
He needed to bring the heart of the god to Earth!
There, the deity would find richer ground for its resurrection.
And he, too, could finally shed this hideous, corrupted form and manifest as a perfect human!