The Unwanted Guests

[Barber] Spellmark flowed from Xiao Ran's fingertips into the [Executioner's Blade], activating the [Barber]'s professional skill, "Spirit Blade," as well.

"Shing—!"

A faint, sharp sound, almost drowned out by the trembling wine vats, rang out. The Executioner's Blade in his hand gleamed with a layer of silver light.

"Cut!"

Xiao Ran moved at incredible speed! His form melded into the ink domain as he stepped forward like a ghost, closing the distance in an instant! The [Executioner's Blade] swept through the air in his hand in a nearly perfect, dark arc, too swift for the eye to catch. It made no sound and gave off no hint of violence, yet carried an unyielding will to sever everything, tangible or intangible. With pinpoint accuracy, it swept across the neck of the humanoid malice.

There was no earthshaking collision, no spray of flesh and blood.

Where the blade passed, space seemed to come to a complete standstill for an instant.

At the same time, the [Executioner's Blade · Barber]'s privilege, "Punish the Guilty," was activated.

Punish the Guilty: The greater the target's sins, the more powerful the attack. Damage can be increased by up to three times.

The "body," formed from pure malice, touched the Executioner's Blade's serrated edge and vanished without a trace, like snow beneath the sun or grease thrown into strong acid. It offered no resistance at all. The dark, frigid arc silently... obliterated it!

It wasn't severed. It was erased completely!

The area reached by the blade—the humanoid malice's neck and everything above it—vanished in an instant, as if wiped away by an invisible eraser! Only black smoke remained at the stump, roiling as it tried to re-form, but held back by some unseen force! The huge mouth, split to the ears, fell silent mid-scream. Only a hiss