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Ariel staggered, her instincts screaming as the Ragumon's claws raked across her shoulder, the sharp pain exploding through her. She twisted, but couldn't fully escape, the strike sending her crashing into a shattered building at the rear, plaster and brick dust billowing around her. She hit the ground hard, her golden hair matted with grime, blood seeping from the deep gash, staining her tattered dress. Gritting her teeth, she pushed herself to her knees, her small hands trembling as she pressed them to the wound, summoning a faint healing glow.

[System Notice]

Ariel Walker has used a healing attribute.

MP Used: 2,000

MP Remaining: 200

A single healing attribute usually costs 400 MP, but the wound was too severe, forcing her to channel the skill five times in rapid succession. Her breath came in ragged gasps, her vision swimming, as the gash closed just enough to keep her alive. But her mana was nearly drained—she had no MP left for another heal. One more hit, and she'd be done. She slumped against the wall, her blue eyes dim but defiant, clutching her side as blood trickled between her fingers.

With Kenshi and Yuna down, and Ariel barely holding on, only Valmer and Kai remained standing against the Elite Geminis. Valmer's eyes flicked across the battlefield, his long black coat swaying as he stood amidst the chaos, rosary beads clinking softly around his neck. His jaw tightened, and he glanced at his status window, the blue holographic screen shimmering faintly before him. It was all or nothing now.

[Status Window]

Player Name: Valmer Valgrace van Ruvoch

Username: van Ruvoch

Rank: Primordial

Class: Priest

Abilities:

- Divine Tongue: Turns holy words into healing, offense, or defense.

- The Lord's Prayer: Boosts all allies' stats by 15%. First damage received is reduced by half.

Special Ability:

- Judgement of God: Creates a divine attack on all enemies. (Uses all available Fate Points to activate.)

As a Primordial, no one may view your status without your permission.

Valmer stepped forward, his boots crunching on the gravel-strewn pavement, his hands steady as he raised them toward the sky. His voice rang out, clear and unyielding, cutting through the growls and clatter of the battlefield. "In Exodus 14:14, He promised to fight for me, that all I needed was to stand still. Now, you will all witness the might of the Most High. Divine Decree: Judgement of God."

[System Notice]

Valmer Valgrace van Ruvoch has activated the skill [Judgement of God].

Fate Points (FP) Used: All

Fate Points (FP) Remaining: 0

The sky darkened, the storm clouds thickening into a roiling black mist, as if a deluge was about to break. Thunder rumbled, deep and bone-shaking, the air crackling with electric tension. The Mistibeast, its swirling form pausing, tilted its misty head, confused by Valmer's sudden stillness. Sensing weakness, it charged, its claws shaping into a jagged lance, aimed at his chest. But before it could strike, a bolt of lightning tore from the sky, blinding and precise, striking the Mistibeast with a deafening crack. The attack ignored its misty form, searing through its defenses, reducing it to a smoldering heap of burnt flesh, barely alive.

The Dark Seraph, struggling to rise from Yuna's earlier missile barrage, its wings scorched and blue hair tangled, was next. Another lightning bolt slammed into it, thunder roaring as the strike burned through its red-furred body, leaving it writhing, ichor pooling beneath it. The Yoka, its [Shadow Armor] flickering, collapsed under a third bolt, its blue markings extinguished. The Ragumon, still blurring with [Sonic Break], froze mid-step as lightning found it, its lean body convulsing before it crumpled, smoke rising from its charred form. The Rocksborne, its stone-like skin cracked from Yuna's missiles, roared as a bolt shattered its arm, driving it to its knees.

The Whisperkin, its lean, dark form swaying, its faceless head tilted, sensed the attack's inevitability. It raised a claw, attempting to open a spatial portal, but no skill activated—the divine force nullified its abilities. A final bolt struck, and the Whisperkin staggered, its dark form scorched, collapsing in a dull thud.

Kai, his twin swords raised, paused, his dragon tattoo stark through his half-zipped jacket. He brushed a hand through his raven-black hair, his grin fading into awe as he watched the lightning storm. "Damn, Valmer," he muttered, stepping back, his boots scuffing the pavement.

Ariel, slumped against the building, stared wide-eyed, her bloodied hand pressed to her side, her breath shallow. Kenshi, pushing himself up with his katana, blood dripping from his torn coat, watched the sky, his amber eyes reflecting the lightning. Yuna, leaning against the streetlight, managed a weak smile, her bruised ribs aching with each breath.

The Titnice, perched on the rooftop, its snow-white body still, black eyes narrowed, was the only Gemini untouched. It tilted its head, as if assessing the devastation below, its childlike form radiating a quiet menace.

[System Notice]

[Judgement of God] effect complete.

Valmer stood motionless, his eyes fixed on the rooftop where the Titnice perched, its snow-white body unmoved, black eyes glinting with cold indifference. His [Judgement of God] had unleashed a storm of lightning, striking down the Ragumon, Rocksborne, Yoka, Dark Seraph, Mistibeast, and Whisperkin, but his Fate Points were drained to zero. He couldn't muster another divine attack. "Guess I didn't have enough to take them all," he muttered, brushing a hand through his messy brown hair, his jaw tight with frustration. It was up to Kai now.

The Geminis' healing abilities, usually relentless, were slowed by the divine attack's lingering effects, their wounds oozing ichor instead of sealing instantly. But then, the Whisperkin stirred, its lean, dark form rising from the scorched pavement, its faceless head tilting as if the lightning had been a mere scratch.

"That was a fairly good attack for an insignificant life form like you," it rasped, its voice a chilling scrape, laced with mockery.

"What?" Kai stammered, his twin swords raised as he shifted his boots on the gravel, his eyes wide with shock, glancing at Valmer, who stood frozen, his hand tightening on his rosary.

Then, another blow struck.

[System Notice]

Dark Seraph has activated the skill [Transmission].

Effect: Transfers all damage received in battle to a chosen target (once daily). Chosen Target: Ariel Walker.

The Dark Seraph, its red-furred body still smoldering from the lightning, had chosen Ariel as its scapegoat. The Whisperkin's cryptic warning not to kill her had piqued its interest, and her apparent weakness made her a safe target compared to the enigmatic Whisperkin, whose rapid recovery defied logic. It had planned to use it on the Whisperkin if the chance arose, but choosing Ariel wouldn't be bad either. It thought, a mistake it wouldn't live to regret. Ariel, slumped against the crumbled building, her golden hair matted with blood and dust, screamed as a torrent of pain surged through her. It was as if she were swimming in a river of agony and pain. The Dark Seraph's wounds—burns, gashes, and scorched wings—transferred to her, her small frame convulsing as she writhed on the ground, her cries piercing the battlefield. Blood seeped from her reopened shoulder wound, mixing with fresh cuts and burns that weren't hers, her tattered dress soaked in red.

Kai spun, his swords flashing as he charged the Dark Seraph, his face twisted with rage. "You bastard!" he roared, leaping toward it, blades aimed at its chest. But the Gemini, now refreshed, its wounds gone, soared into the sky with a sharp rustle of its massive black wings, easily evading Kai's strike. It hovered, claws gleaming, ready to dive again.

Yuna, clutching her bruised ribs, staggered toward Ariel, her black crop top torn, her sharp eyes wide with panic. She raised a trembling hand, muttering a healing spell, a faint glow forming as she knelt beside the screaming girl. "Hold on, Ariel!" she gasped, her voice cracking, her other hand brushing Ariel's bloodied hair from her face.

The Dark Seraph dove, claws extended, aiming to finish Ariel before Yuna's spell could take hold. Kai pivoted, ready to intercept, but something else happened—a blur of motion, faster than any Gemini on the field. A figure flashed into existence, and a brutal kick smashed into Yuna's head, driving her face into the pavement with a sickening crunch. Blood sprayed, her body crumpling in a heap, her hands falling limp as the glow of her healing spell flickered out.

The figure straightened, cradling Ariel in his arms, her screams fading to whimpers as she clung to him, her blood staining his clothes.

The Dark Seraph froze mid-dive, mere inches from Ariel, its claws poised to strike. Sensing danger, it leaped back, wings flapping to gain distance from the white-haired man who had appeared in a blur. But as it retreated, its body slumped, headless, ichor gushing from the severed neck. Its head dangled from the hand of the figure—Zane Walker—his piercing eyes cold, gripping the dripping trophy with unyielding resolve.