Volume Four: Withering in the Human World, Chapter 345: Falling

The sharp, menacing blade was pressed against Xiao Wu's face.

"..." "..."

The Serpent's Belly Sword was not unfolded, meaning that Sin Annihilation, who was wielding the Serpent's Belly Sword, was only a few steps away from Xiao Wu.

But this short distance now seems like an insurmountable chasm, impassable to anyone.

"Ugh... Guh..."

Xiao Wu tried to speak, but fingers were embedded in her neck and pierced her throat, leaving her only able to utter meaningless noises.

She tried to speak a few times but gave up.

Because moaning and groaning is just too unsightly.

It was as if those exaggerated and impressive offensive and defensive moves had never existed; the environment around the two had become deathly silent.

Xiao Wu stares directly at the Sin Annihilation.

Sin Annihilation, and the glare of Xiao Wu.

Her usually expressionless face did indeed show signs of anger at this moment.

But within this anger lies a profound sadness and helplessness, devoid of any sense of self.

Xiao Wu recognized that expression.

This is the expression of despair and self-abandonment, an expression many new members wear when they first arrive in this World's Little Corner.

Is this really the expression one would show when facing an enemy?

I really want to say something to her.

But she couldn't speak, and judging from the current situation, if she made any rash Sin Annihilation, Jue Mie would take action, and if it were her, she could very well kill Xiao Wu.

--etc!

Just then, Xiao Wu thought of a possibility.

Considering all of Sin Annihilation —his lack of emotion upon first meeting, his behavior while deeply involved in the gambling game, and his astonishment upon discovering he was the enemy—this is evident.

Can these things really be faked?

Could it be that this child is actually--

Xiao Wu composed herself.

Since she had already won a bet with the nameless man.

Why not take another gamble?

Surprisingly, it was Sin Annihilation who spoke first.

"... You didn't use your full strength, did you?"

"..." Xiao Wu was speechless.

"I can sense that this is by no means your full strength."

"..."

Sin Annihilation is not good at reading other people's feelings.

So even when she looked directly into Xiao Wu's eyes, she couldn't understand what Xiao Wu was thinking.

At that moment, Xiao Wu made a move.

"Don't move!"

The tip of the snake-belly sword was pressed directly against Xiao Wu's forehead; a mere slight movement forward would have caused her brains to splatter everywhere.

However, Xiao Wu simply stared straight at her, her movements continuing.

With a slight movement of her hand, the black and white pistols changed in response to this tiny signal.

It decomposed, gathered, and recombined, eventually forming a peculiar weapon that resembled both a blade and a hunting rifle.

"I said... don't move!"

The snake-belly sword trembled menacingly, piercing Xiao Wu's forehead and drawing blood. But Xiao Wu seemed oblivious, taking the strange weapon in her hand and pointing it at— Sin Annihilation's face.

Her ultimate weapon— the Gun Blade —was a major contributor to defeating Stone Strike.

The bullets, imbued with the essence of this land, are loaded.

The self-healing ability of the Sin Annihilation is off the charts.

So, what will she do when faced with Gun Blade attack that has such a wide area of effect?

The dark muzzle of the gun was pointed at Sin Annihilation.

The gleaming blade was pointed at Xiao Wu.

Both of them realized that what the other was holding was likely a weapon that could very well kill them.

In this situation, the person who makes the first move has already won half the battle.

However, the two remained motionless, like two stone statues maintaining their standoff.

What am I doing?!

Although he was still trying to maintain a cold expression on the surface, his heart was in Sin Annihilation.

She could sense that Xiao Wu wasn't using her full strength, and although she didn't know why, she couldn't let this opportunity slip by! But why was she acting like an idiot, pointing the snake-belly sword at her? She could have just silently slashed down! The death ray shot from her eyeballs would completely kill her cells, the sharp blade of the snake-belly sword would pierce her body and destroy her from the inside, and the chunks of flesh would corrode her body, turning every piece of her tissue into nothingness. Although Xiao Wu's self-healing ability was extremely strong, even if she didn't die, she would only be half-dead!

But...

The truth is, not only did he not make a move, but he also allowed Xiao Wu to control the dual pistols and create what seemed to be a very powerful weapon, and even made her point that weapon at him.

And for some reason, Xiao Wu, who was pointing the Gun Blade at herself, stopped and did not take any further action.

Why?

Has this woman also made a fool of herself?

Since that's the case, I'll take the initiative and end this boring battle!

"..."

The snake-belly sword trembled slightly, a sign that it was poised to strike; all it needed to do was unleash it—

"... Eh?"

I want to do it, but my body won't cooperate.

The hand is going against the will of the brain, and it just won't move.

"Huh... that's strange?"

How strange, this feels so strange.

Even though I've finally gotten rid of the troublesome enemy, how do I feel inside?

It feels damp, cold, stuffy, and a little painful.

It feels like someone has shoved a cold, wet dagger into my heart; it's so painful.

Lacking even the Sin Annihilation human emotions, I cannot comprehend what this feeling means.

Was it because the damp, cold feeling inside was overflowing outwards? Even my face was wet.

A warm liquid flowed down his face, originating from his eyes, running down his cheekbones, jaw, and chin, finally dripping onto the snake-belly sword in his hand. The snake-belly sword seemed to sense the warmth of the liquid, and its trembling, poised to strike, subsided, as if soothed.

The warm liquid kept flowing, and Sin Annihilation started to panic. Was it sweating from her eyes?

Xiao Wu, standing before him, moved her lips slightly.

Although she couldn't make a sound, Sin Annihilation could clearly read her lips.

--Your Sin Annihilation.

"No... no... my eyes are just sweating!"

--Human eyes don't sweat, right? People usually call this phenomenon █.

"No... no! I... it's impossible for me to have that kind of function, impossible..."

--But you look very sad...

"... sad?"

I was stunned.

Did I express sadness?

Is the emotion I feel "sadness"?

Like the feeling you had when you held the badly injured Xiao Wu in your arms after the gamble ended?

Could it be that--

"... I... really... cried?"

Why are you crying?

Why would you cry over something so small?

The answers to these little questions are quite obvious.

Sin Annihilation finally acknowledged reality.

The moment she realized it, the tears that had been trickling down her face burst forth, and the snake-belly sword in her hand fell to the ground.

They knew that the murderous intent that had been burning so fiercely just moments before had burst and vanished like a punctured balloon.

For the first time, I cried as a tool of slaughter.

For the first time, I truly experienced my own feelings.

He knew that Xiao Wu was an enemy, but he couldn't kill her no matter what.

Knowing that Blood Emperor Huangye and the Qipao Woman were enemies, he probably wouldn't be able to bring himself to harm them either, because they were Xiao Wu's companions.

"Sin Annihilation..."

Xiao Wu finally put away her gun and stood up. As Sin Annihilation collapsed, the fingers stuck in her neck fell out on their own.

The bet was won.

What she was betting on was whether the girl in front of her was genuinely evil or merely a heartless tool controlled by the Church.

If it's the former, then I have no choice but to fight to the death.

Fortunately, it now appears that the Sin Annihilation does indeed belong to the latter category.

Um...

But what should we do now?

... Should I pat her head?

Just then--

Boom!!!!!!!!!!!!

A deafening explosion erupted from afar, shaking the entire earth! Xiao Wu turned her head and saw an enormous golden cross bursting through the clouds in the distant sky, like the eye of God looking down upon the world! An unprecedentedly terrifying pressure erupted directly beneath the cross, its intensity even surpassing that of the Stone Strike!

Even Sin Annihilation's shoulders trembled, and her eyes widened.

"Why did she come...?"

"...'she'?"

"Yes, it's her,"

Sin Annihilation nodded.

"One of my fellow Goddess."

Let's rewind ten minutes --

Cathedral of the True God, Pure Courtyard--

"I'm sorry, Lord Prayer! The Spirit Master is still unwell and unable to see anyone!"

The guards in front of the spirit's residence apologized profusely to the Prayer, looking utterly disheveled. The spirit and the Chief had only instructed them to "carry out a secret mission, and refuse any visitors on the grounds of poor health" before leaving, leaving these heavily stressed guards to repeatedly cover up their lies.

Each time they used a lie to cover up their Prayer, their guilt deepened. After all, lying to the Lord Prayer, who was the mouthpiece of God, was blasphemous enough to warrant punishment. All they could do was pray to the Supreme God every day not to punish them.

"Really... it hasn't recovered yet..."

Prayer his head in dejection, his tone slightly somber.

She held freshly baked tea snacks in her hand.

"I'm so sorry! I will definitely visit you personally once you recover!"

"Alright then... I'll go back first--"

"--Feeling unwell?"

The guards and the Brother Simon all shivered.

Accompanying that monotone voice was an oppressive force capable of terrifying anyone.

She had long, orange-yellow hair, a dark gold robe, a tall and athletic figure, and a strikingly beautiful face with a touch of heroism.

"Tianlu, sir..."

The newcomer was none other than Tian Lu. She walked with very steady steps, her movements seemingly small.

In just a few breaths, she was already close at hand. Her face remained calm and indifferent, but a discerning eye could see a subtle shadow in her eyes.

After a moment's hesitation, Zanla Simon mustered his courage and spoke.

"Excuse my intrusion, Lord Celestial Law, but you seem... to be in a bad mood?"

"--sorry!"

"Several major cities, including Sadington, Richelieu, and Kent, are under attack simultaneously. Should we add to the trouble here...?"

In fact, although he didn't show it directly, Tianlu's mood was currently at its lowest point.

Five major cities are under simultaneous attack by the Rebel Army. The great teleportation array has been cut off, preventing timely dispatch and support. The high command of the Holy See is in chaos. Tianlu desperately wants to kill the Rebel Army leader immediately, but the Rebel Army leader's exact location is unknown. If she were to launch a rash attack, she might fall into a trap. Therefore, she can only wait in the Pure Courtyard.

And now the spirit is sick? Still not better at this crucial moment? Are you kidding me!

"Spiritual medium, I am the Heavenly Law Master. Let me in to examine your condition."

The sound, amplified by the divine magic, was loud enough for those inside to hear, but there was absolutely no response.

"Um, Lord Tianlu! Lord Jiling is currently unwell, please—"

"... Get out of the way!"

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An extra chapter is scheduled for today! This is the first one!