Killing Death shot forward like an arrow, a hint of morbidly cruel amusement on her face. The dozens of meters between them vanished in an instant.
Hiss!
The Cross Spear Scythe carved an arc through the air, its sharp blade tearing at the atmosphere. A shadowy blur, almost an illusion, flashed past, aiming directly for Tang Zheng's neck!
Against a Magic Caster, closing the distance was all that was needed!
She had initially thought him just a toy to pass the time.
But it turned out...
He was an unexpected surprise. To describe him using the "Divine Words" left by the Six Great Gods, he was like a "blind box."
Still, a toy was a toy, after all.
Even if he could instantly deal with the Four Elements, the person before her likely couldn't comprehend higher-dimensional power.
This wasn't arrogance!
It was the confidence and understanding built over a long time!
"What secrets are you hiding... I'm really looking forward to it!" Killing Death's heterochromatic eyes grew brighter and more cruel.
"Gravity Reversal."
Tang Zheng spoke in a low chant, the air before him briefly distorting.
Killing Death suddenly felt her entire body grow heavy. Her forward momentum and the swing of her weapon were affected by the sudden gravity, altering her attack.
Her movement speed slowed!
The swing of the Cross Spear Scythe, due to the sudden increase in gravity, caused the blade to complete its arc just past Tang Zheng's nose.
Bang! Bang!
Her black boots stomped heavily onto the ground, sinking slightly. The exaggerated black blade of the Cross Spear Scythe, as if cutting through cream, easily pierced the earth.
A magic that changes weight!
Killing Death's slender eyebrows rose. She had never seen anything like it.
Had her attack missed?
It wasn't entirely unexpected; she hadn't even used a Martial Art yet. This attack was more of a probe.
When facing opponents like Warriors...
Magic Casters' methods were usually to maintain distance or use defensive magic. The magic Xiao Hei used, increasing weight, could also be classified as defensive.
But—?
What was with this reaction speed!
Killing Death felt a bit surprised. She had observed clearly: Xiao Hei had cast his magic at just the right moment.
This kind of reaction speed shouldn't exist in a Magic Caster at all!
"Magic Resistance Enhancement!"
While instantly analyzing the information gained from this brief exchange, Killing Death immediately activated a Martial Art.
A flash of blue light!
Killing Death broke free from the influence of "Gravity Reversal," a cold smile on her lips. She didn't lift the Cross Spear Scythe after it had struck the ground.
Instead!
Using the momentum from her swing into the ground and the effect of the gravity magic, she swung her slender arm in a circle.
When a normal Warrior's attack misses and their weapon hits the ground, they need to lift their arm to retrieve their weapon.
This was a normal action.
But in Killing Death's eyes, it was a waste of time.
Even if this time difference was pitifully short, in combat, being able to attack faster than the opponent could directly decide the outcome!
Of course!
She could utilize the power and swing her weapon in a circle along the ground because the Cross Spear Scythe in her hand was the weapon of the human savior, one of the great Six Great Gods, the "Surshana God."
Its sharpness was such that cutting through the ordinary soil beneath her feet was like using a hot knife on cream... no, it was like cutting through air, completely unimpeded.
"Flow Acceleration!"
"Triple Slash!"
"Super Slashing Attack!"
Killing Death's already incredibly fast movements increased another level. Her slender arm and the Cross Spear Scythe, due to the excessive speed of the attack, vanished into the air.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
Three black lightning bolts streaked towards Tang Zheng!
"This is the end!"
Killing Death watched Tang Zheng, who seemed unable to react, and the corners of her mouth turned up, tinged with disappointment.
At this close a distance, he wouldn't be able to dodge, nor would he even have time to chant magic.
In her field of vision.
Tang Zheng clearly observed the three slashing attacks that had vanished into the air, and the corner of his eye caught Killing Death's triumphant smile.
Huh?
This level isn't enough.
"Silent Magic - Tenth Tier Magic - Hellhound."
His lips didn't move.
BOOM!
A massive black figure materialized between Tang Zheng and Killing Death, its monstrous form rapidly expanding within the confined space between the two of them.
As the summoner, Tang Zheng was naturally unaffected.
Killing Death, however, felt her vision instantly engulfed by the dark silhouette, and then her body was uncontrollably sent flying.
BANG!
The black and white figures shot out, their boots carving a nearly hundred-meter-long gash in the ground.
"Cough!"
The dull impact on her chest made Killing Death nearly gasp for air, and she coughed violently.
Drip...
A drop of bright red blood trickled down the corner of her mouth, blooming on the back of Killing Death's fair hand.
Injured? The thought flashed through Killing Death's mind, her pupils widening slightly.
So painful!
It was a high-intensity impact of pure strength.
Killing Death looked forward in disbelief. A massive monster, nearly five meters tall, appeared in her sight.
It was a giant magical beast she had never seen before!
It resembled both a dog and a lion, with three exceptionally ferocious heads, sharp teeth protruding from the sides of their mouths, dripping saliva.
Its tail was like a viper's, lashing about wildly!
It looked capable of attack, and a faint purple glow could be seen on its tail!
Killing Death quickly searched her mind, confirming she had no recollection of it.
All members of the [Darkness Scripture] were trained in various forms of knowledge, but this creature before her was definitely not among them!
BANG!
The Hellhound lifted a thick paw, slamming it heavily onto the ground and creating a deep crater. Its three heads, glowing crimson, stared at Killing Death and began to hunch forward in a pouncing motion.
Foul-smelling breaths spewed from its three mouths!
It looked incredibly terrifying and chilling.
"What kind of monster is this..."
Stared at by six pairs of crimson eyes, Killing Death felt an inexplicable chill run down her spine and instinctively spoke.
She actually felt a sense of danger emanating from this monster.
How could that be?
It's just a summoned monster!
Killing Death's laziness and contempt completely vanished.
"It's called a Hellhound."
Tang Zheng emerged from behind the Hellhound's massive body, smiling as he stood beside the monster, gently patting its short, coarse fur with one hand.
"Back in the Theocracy, the Dominion Authority Angel you so easily destroyed would also be easily destroyed before this Hellhound."
A little prickly.
"Oh."
"Oh."
"Oh."
The Hellhound (Lv. 70) felt Tang Zheng's touch, and all three of its heads responded simultaneously, appearing to want to nuzzle him.
Alas.
The Hellhound's size was simply too great compared to humans; it was impossible for it to nuzzle affectionately.
Looking at the Hellhound in her vision, with its ferocious and savage expression, actually acting affectionately.
This sent a thrill of indescribable horror and a sliver of fear through Killing Death.
Her sharp gaze had already caught sight of three small wounds on the foreheads of the Hellhound.
These were the injuries left by the Martial Arts skill "Triple Slash" she had just used!
The battle hadn't even begun.
Even before fighting, Killing Death could already sense the Hellhound's astonishing power and defense.
Her gaze flickered.
Looking at Tang Zheng's gentle smile across from her, Killing Death found it inexplicably mysterious.
No wonder he had seemed so composed back in the Theocracy. According to his explanation then, it was because he knew resistance was futile.
That guy was lying through and through!
"What level of Magical Beast is this?" Killing Death's pale face contorted slightly as she asked in a high-pitched voice.
She didn't expect an answer, but she asked anyway, holding onto the slim hope of one and trying to distract herself.
"Tenth Tier magic level."
"How's that for an answer? Guardian of Humanity, Your Excellency." Tang Zheng maintained his smile, looking at Killing Death opposite him.
"As I mentioned before, I'm very skilled in Mana-based Magic."
Tang Zheng deliberately emphasized "Mana-based Magic" again, aiming to deepen Killing Death's impression.
He answered?
Wait!
That wasn't the crucial point. Tenth Tier magic—how was that possible!
Killing Death's eyes widened. She wanted to refute him immediately.
Her knowledge did mention that magic had ten tiers, but magic of this level was said to be only graspable by beings like the legendary Six Great Gods.
It was also rumored that there was even stronger magic called "Eleventh Tier."
The Theocracy itself had not confirmed this information, so it was best to treat it as mere legend.
She swallowed the rebuttal that had already reached her lips.
This was likely his strategy, to use such astonishing magic to intimidate her, thereby affecting her judgment and combat effectiveness.
"Is this your trump card?"
Killing Death stabilized her emotions, raising her Cross Spear Scythe and letting out a cold, mocking laugh.
"As expected, even disguised as a Faith-based Magic Caster, your summoning methods haven't changed."
"You certainly startled me, but it's too early to defeat me with just this kind of Magical Beast, you scumbag!"
Killing Death licked her lips and spoke loudly.
If she remembered correctly, Team Leader Tang could summon two Angelic Magical Beasts. Even with a disguise, such a summoning-based reinforcement structure shouldn't change.
But now!
He had only summoned one high-ranking Magical Beast, the Hellhound.
Why was that?
"Mana!" Killing Death provided the answer to herself.
During the recent close-quarters combat.
Tang Zheng had summoned this Hellhound in an instant. She hadn't detected any chanting process.
This meant he had used some kind of Magic Enhancement to bypass chanting—Silent Magic!
Killing Death knew of this kind of enhancement technique. That's because the [Fire Extinguishing Scripture], one of the Six Great Scriptures, specialized in a unique class.
This class possessed the ability to use any Magic Enhancement technique, though it could only be used once per day.
"Silent Magic" consumed a massive amount of Mana.
With these thoughts clear, Killing Death's inner unease immediately dissipated. For a Magic Caster, the amount of Mana consumed was the key to victory.
"Heretic Judgment!"
Killing Death activated her Class Skill, immediately devising a corresponding countermeasure.
This skill could cause opponents whose faith differed from Killing Death's to consume slightly more Mana when casting magic.
As this skill activated!
"Heretic Verdict!" A white light flashed across Killing Death's body again, and immediately after, she activated another Class Skill.
This was the other of the two special skills she could learn upon reaching the highest level of her class, [Heretic Inquisitor].
Its effect was largely the same, increasing the chance of an opponent's magic failing, while still deducting the Mana cost even if the magic failed.
That's right!
Using high-tier magic inevitably consumes more mana, and with the boost from these two skills, the opponent's mana consumption will further increase.
This will subtly shift the balance of the battle!
"Gale Break"
"Gale Break"
"Ability Enhancement"
"Ability Super-Enhancement"
"Super Slashing Attack"
"Super Pierce"
"Possibility Enhancement"
"Don't get too full of yourself!!" Killing Death let out a wild laugh, and several beams of light instantly erupted from her body.
Swish!
The black and white figure vanished from its spot, charging towards Tang Zheng at a speed beyond what ordinary people could track.
The numerous Martial Arts not only increased her agility and strength but also her astonishing observation skills and sixth sense.
"Stop it," Tang Zheng said calmly.
If it weren't for his intention to specifically showcase high-level magic-based spells, he would have had many ways to deal with Killing Death.
Boom!
The ground beneath the Hellhound exploded, its massive form charging like a speeding dump truck with astonishing ferocity.
Tear—Scrape!
Killing Death's rapid charge abruptly halted, her boots skidding against the ground with a piercing screech:
"Unfalling Fortress!"
The Cross Spear Scythe swung, emitting a layer of blue-green light, and collided with the charging Hellhound.
The impact force, which seemed terrifying.
Was nullified the instant the Hellhound and the Cross Spear Scythe made contact, not even a normal muffled impact sound occurring.
A hint of confusion appeared in the scarlet eyes of the Hellhound's three heads, but its attack did not pause. Its three heads opened their massive maws and lunged.
"Flow Acceleration!"
"Super Evasion!"
Killing Death activated two Martial Arts in conjunction. Her white hair ribbon flew through the air, as if transforming into a sprite, leaping amidst the bites of the three heads.
"Stupid Magical Beast," Killing Death sneered with a ferocious grin, spinning her left foot and lightly tapping the ground with her toe.
The Hellhound, like a wall, was actually dodged by Killing Death's agile movements.
She had no intention of going head-to-head with this thick-skinned Magical Beast; her target, as always, was the caster, Tang Zheng.
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