Scorching

In the endless darkness, Ria sat alone and helpless, hugging her knees. Though she had forgotten what had happened, she felt terribly sad, terribly miserable, as though something important was waiting for her to do it. Yet now, she was surrounded by this boundless darkness.

Just as Ria sank into despair, a speck of light suddenly appeared in the endless darkness. Small as it was, it illuminated her entire body.

"Child, do you believe in the light? Do you want to do what your heart desires? If you want to put your unfinished regrets to rest, hold tightly to the speck of light before you! Don't let go, and don't be afraid. It will guide you back into the embrace of the light!"

The young girl abruptly lifted her head and looked at the faint light before her. Lost and uncertain, she felt a warmth she had not known in a long time. Listening to that kindly, majestic voice, she seized the light as though it were her last lifeline, clasped it tightly to her chest, and cried out!

"I want to believe in the light forever! I want to know who I am! I want to know what it is I must do! I want to see the light again!"

"Hahaha... hahaha!"

"Then let the light illuminate everything about you! Even your future! I will be with you, now and forever. I came to this world for you!"

"Yes! I will forever believe in... the holy light!"

As Ria spoke with conviction, the speck of light in her hands grew brighter and brighter, more and more dazzling. Like the sun breaking through before dawn, it dispelled all the darkness, gentle and reassuring!

Amid a snow-white halo, Ria slowly opened her eyes.

"So beautiful!"

It was the most beautiful night Ria had ever seen. The pure white full moon was like a silver platter set into the pitch-black sky, casting its silver radiance below. A faint halo encircled it, while the lingering specks of light in the sky drifted slowly toward the earth like a sky full of fireflies!

Ria gradually became lost in the sight! Her black, gemlike eyes seemed to reflect the entire starry sky.

"Is it beautiful, my bishop?"

The sudden voice brought Ria back to her senses. Feeling the warmth in her heart and the absence of weakness and pain in her body, she smiled serenely.

"It's beautiful. Thank you, holy light!"

"Haha, I look forward to working with you, Artoria, my archbishop!"

"And I look forward to your guidance, holy light, my faith!"

"Then, Ria, let us go do what we must!"

"Yes! The will of the holy light is Ria's will!"

Ria closed her eyes slightly, quietly sensing the changes brought about by merging with the holy light. Her entire body brimmed with strength, and her mind was connected to the holy light. Its power and the rules governing it were naturally clear to her!

Ria silently recited in her heart, Character panel!

A screen of light formed before her:

Artoria

Faith: 100

Level: 15

Strength: 20

Agility: 20

Spirit: 25

Mana: 100

Skills: Holy light strength enhancement, Holy light agility enhancement, Holy light spirit enhancement, Sword of Light, Light Shield, Light Tracking Technique, Avatar of Light, Judgment of Light, Light Leap, Light Restoration Technique, Greater Resurrection...

A long list followed, all grayed out and marked unavailable. After a moment's thought, Ria understood. Too little time had passed since she had merged with the holy light. The longer she remained united with it, the stronger she would become, and the higher her level would rise!

To Li Ming, Ria was the most special person in this world, because without her, no one here would be able to sense him or the holy light.

Moreover, everyone else needed him to split off a holy light seed, then undergo prolonged training. Only through the seed's baptism during that training could they increase their levels. They also needed sufficient faith to unlock skills, and the skills they unlocked varied from person to person. To the holy light, every believer was a patch of fertile soil. He was only responsible for sowing the seeds. How bright and powerful that light became depended on each person's diligent cultivation and unwavering will!

Anyone could believe in the holy light. He was not a god, but hope-the hope for a better life-and the power to protect it. How strongly someone willed to protect that hope was what set people apart. The more steadfast they were, the stronger they became. The holy light was fair; he would give everyone hope! But he was no babysitter. Whether they could truly protect their own hope depended on their determination!

Of course, all this required Ria to use the power of the holy light to establish the Church of the Holy Light. Otherwise, they could only rely on Li Ming splitting off holy light seeds himself. One method sowed seeds far and wide; the other planted them slowly, one at a time!

"Light Tracking Technique!" Ria called softly.

A faint glow spread outward from Ria into the distance. Ahead, a trail of footprints shining silver-white stretched far into the dark night. Following them, Ria set off in pursuit.

She was going to take revenge, and to fulfill the will of the holy light-to reduce those fiends to scraps in its scorching radiance, until nothing remained but scattered ashes!

Along a secluded path stood a brightly lit room. Several burly men were drinking and eating small dishes, their faces flushed red. Bursts of wild laughter rang out from time to time. They were having the time of their lives!

"You know what? That little girl I ran into today actually asked me to leave her some. Said a few brats back home were about to starve to death! Heh heh, you have no idea how pitiful she looked! Am I, the great Yamamoto, really that kindhearted? I gave her a kick so she could reunite with her starving little brothers ahead of time! I've got to say, the great Yamamoto really does have a loving heart! Hahaha..."

"Uncle Yamamoto, you're still such a bastard! You wouldn't even spare a girl that young. That's just like you!" a sleazy young man beside him said with a nasty grin.

"What the hell do you know? In this world, you've got to be ruthless to survive. I had my eye on that girl first thing this morning. I didn't think much of her at first, but who knew that old man Coco would hire her? That pathetic old bastard—when are we going to go fleece him good?" the fat Yamamoto said viciously.

"Good idea! That old man's got no children. Even if he dies, no one's going to come after us!" the other men agreed gleefully.

"Let's do it, Big Brother Yamamoto!"

"Come on, brothers! Keep drinking!"

Standing outside the room, Ria listened to the scum's utterly inhuman words, her heart filled with disgust. They even wanted to go after Grandpa Coco.

A sword of light slowly formed in Ria's hand as she murmured, "Strength enhancement, agility enhancement, spirit enhancement, Light Shield." Then she said, "A pack of cowardly bandits, scum who only know how to bully the weak. Prepare to face the judgment of the holy light!"

Her entire body glowing, Ria swept her sword of light diagonally upward and burst through the door!

The burly men inside froze in unison and looked toward the doorway.

Yamamoto reacted first. Seeing the figure at the entrance, he slammed the table in a fury. "It's you, you little bitch! You're not dead! And you actually dared to come here!" As he spoke, he heaved his fat body up and walked toward Ria, one step at a time.

"How could I resign myself to the darkness before seeing a piece of scum like you sent to hell?" Ria shouted! Without waiting for Yamamoto to lumber over, she pushed hard off her right foot and flashed forward, swinging the blade of light toward his neck!

Yamamoto's pupils contracted. Instinctively, he raised both hands to shield his broad face. Just as he was congratulating himself on escaping the scare and preparing to unleash his fury and teach this big-mouthed girl a lesson, he discovered he could no longer move his body. His vision shook violently, and three jets of blood erupted!

Ria did not turn back to look at the fallen corpse. Nor did she feel any pleasure in her revenge. Instead, her heart grew even calmer.

Looking down at the head that had rolled to her feet, its eyes wide open, she said in an unusually steady, low voice, "You should thank the holy light for his mercy. He let you die without pain! Repent properly in hell!"

Ria turned her head slightly and smiled at the thugs who had been ready to enjoy the show. "All right, it's your turn. Don't be afraid. As you've seen, the holy light is merciful. I promise not one of you will escape!"

The thug nearest Yamamoto touched the warm blood on his face. Looking at Ria's smile, he shuddered and turned to flee. Only when the others saw him move did they snap out of their stupor!

"Run! She's a ninja!"

Their legs buckled as they scrambled and crawled toward the door!

At that moment, Ria found them ridiculous. "So you're this cowardly! Unfortunately, I'm not a ninja!" She turned toward the men rushing for the doorway. Her figure flickered, and a string of afterimages swept past them like a gentle breeze.

A silver-white gleam traced a wavy thread through the air! Time seemed to come to a sudden standstill!

Thud! Thud!

Several heads dropped to the floor and rolled in different directions as their bodies fell heavily! Blood covered the room, which spanned roughly a hundred square meters. Wreathed in light, Ria looked like an angel walking through hell.

Smelling the pungent stench of blood, Ria slowly made her way toward the doorway. Suddenly, her body went limp. She hastily braced both hands against the doorpost and slowly sank to the ground! How could she feel nothing after killing for the first time? She had merely relied on courage to suppress her fear.

"Holy light, I did the right thing, didn't I?" Ria asked uncertainly.

Looking at Ria's exhausted face, Li Ming thought of how this little girl was, after all, only a fourteen-year-old child. Unable to help feeling tenderness for her, he spoke.

"My archbishop, you did very well! You were very brave, too! Have no doubts in your heart. The holy light will always protect you. If evil goes unpunished, then no matter how merciful the holy light may be, hope cannot be protected!"

Listening to his gentle voice, Ria's weary heart finally found relief!

"Yes, I understand. My heart and my will are devoted to justice. I'll work hard to be a good archbishop of the holy light! And I'll make becoming pope my goal!" Ria clenched her fists and shouted to the sky!

The bright full moon hung overhead, quietly listening as the girl proclaimed her goal!

"I believe you will, Ria! Now, let's go home together!"

"Yes, that's right! It's so late, and I still haven't gone back. My little brothers and sisters must be worried! I'd better hurry home!" With that, Ria hastily prepared to leave!

"Wait, Ria!" Li Ming hurriedly stopped the impatient girl. "Take a look. What's that pile of things on the floor?"

"What's this?" Ria turned her head and saw a pile of money pouches. For a moment, she was stunned. Then joy surged through her heart. "It's money! So much money! $_$" Ria gleefully counted the pouches in her hands. "A thousand ryo in total! How long could this last?" she wondered. My little brothers and sisters shouldn't have to go hungry for the next few days! Then, could I always... A bad thought surfaced in Ria's heart, but she shook her head.

Li Ming watched the little money-grubber with amusement. She's still a child, after all! But she's not bad. Hahahaha...