Chapter 96: The Corrosive Flame

The gleaming longsword clashed with sharp claws, sparks flashing and dying in the mist.

Jeanne Decker continuously wielded her sword, repelling the Killer’s charges again and again.

With her longsword, her attack range surpassed that of the Killer, who fought only with claws. However, if they closed the distance, her longsword would become cumbersome, and hand-to-hand combat would overwhelmingly favor them.

Therefore, she had to maintain a distance advantageous for her weapon.

Jeanne Decker quickly assessed her opponent: a rather formidable foe, clearly possessing considerable combat training. Their fighting style, vastly different from a weapon user’s, made adapting to their offensive rhythm incredibly challenging without prior experience.

Moreover, just as Count Dunois had warned, this Killer was a blasphemer imbued with demonic power. The black carapaces and sharp claws covering their forearms were not metallic in texture or appearance; they resembled some form of biological tissue, yet possessed a hardness equal to, if not surpassing, metal.

Jeanne Decker could sense that being struck by those claws would entail far more than a simple injury.

At this moment, the Killer across from her was also somewhat surprised—this saintess of the church seemed to be no mere ‘flower vase’.

The ‘Executioner’s’ Demonic Claws, stronger than ordinary metal, coupled with their immense brute strength, should have allowed them to easily bend or dull her sword.

Yet, after several exchanges, they were astonished to find that the gleaming sword’s strength was comparable to that of the Demonic Claws.

This was the ‘Iron Knight’s’ resilience enhancement ability, the ninth-tier skill of the ‘Paladin’ class. An ‘Iron Knight’ could reinforce their weapon with Holy Light, not only making it glow but also significantly increasing its durability.

Combined with Jeanne Decker’s skilled swordsmanship, the Killer found themselves unable to gain any advantage.

Suddenly, the Killer lunged at Jeanne Decker, their claws aimed directly at her abdomen.

Jeanne Decker immediately sidestepped and retreated, but the Killer’s claw tip lightly grazed her waist.

‘Good—’ The Killer had barely formed the thought when they sensed something was amiss.

Their claw tip should have easily ripped through the uniform she wore; even a slight scratch would have been enough to activate the corrosive spiritual effect of the Demonic Claws.

However, the sensation transmitted through their claw tip felt like hard chainmail, and her garment remained completely unharmed.

Upon reaching the eighth tier, ‘Guardian,’ a ‘Paladin’s’ resilience enhancement ability is vastly improved. It can even briefly affect materials with no inherent strength, like cloth, making a thin fabric as hard as armor for several seconds.

As the Killer’s own attack failed to cause damage, Jeanne Decker found an opportunity to counterattack. The longsword in her hand transformed into a silver blur, its fierce thrust aimed at the Killer’s throat.

The Killer desperately twisted their body to dodge, the longsword missing their vital point but slicing open their shoulder.

They lost their balance and tumbled to the ground. As Jeanne Decker prepared to rush forward and pursue, the fallen Killer raised a hand towards her, and a dark green fireball erupted from their palm!

This was ‘Corrosive Flame,’ the seventh-tier ‘Warlock’ ability from the ‘Abyss’.

This abyssal fire, fueled by souls, possessed no high-temperature effect and could not burn physical objects like ordinary flames. However, the wounds it inflicted on a person could corrode the soul, producing an effect similar to the Demonic Claws.

Jeanne Decker instinctively sensed danger and hurriedly retreated, activating ‘Divine Sanctuary,’ the seventh-tier ‘Holy Warrior’ ability of a ‘Paladin’.

The dark green fireball, brimming with potent energy, shot straight from the Killer’s hand. Simultaneously, a golden shield forged of Holy Light materialized before Jeanne Decker, firmly blocking the fireball’s impact.

Jeanne Decker was astonished to find that after blocking just once, the Holy Shield immediately dimmed and quickly vanished.

The abyssal flames were not only effective against souls but also possessed an additional corrosive effect on physical manifestations summoned by blessed abilities.

“I didn’t expect to be suppressed like this. I truly underestimated you,” the Killer said, their voice low, as they swiftly rose from the ground. “I thought you were just a pretty face.”

They had not intended to use the Corrosive Flame so readily. The number of times they could use this ability was quite limited for someone who had just advanced to the seventh tier. Besides, they preferred the sensation of their Demonic Claws directly tearing through a victim’s flesh to tormenting a target from a distance with this ability.

“You are the ‘Ripper,’ aren’t you?” Jeanne Decker challenged, pointing her sword at the Killer.

“At this point, what more do you need to doubt?” the Killer retorted.

“You have committed numerous sins and deserve to die. Among those you’ve killed was my friend!” Jeanne Decker stared intently at them. “It’s excellent that you’ve appeared before me willingly. I’ve always sought an opportunity to put an end to you.”

“Sins? You Imperials are the ones who are guilty, especially you damned nobles! How much oppression have we endured from you? This blood sacrifice is what you deserve!” The Killer spread their arms wide and shouted.

“Sophistry! You’ve only killed defenseless young women. You clearly tortured them for your own amusement!” Jeanne Decker was enraged.

“What does it matter? They were nobles, Imperials, and they all deserved to die anyway!” The Killer’s tone was indifferent. “And you are next!”

No sooner had the words left their mouth than the Corrosive Flame flickered on the Killer’s claws again, preparing for another offensive and defensive exchange with Jeanne Decker.

Jeanne Decker also made her move, but this time, she did not summon a Holy Shield. Instead, she charged straight at the Killer without hesitation!

This action made the Killer momentarily freeze—was this woman losing her mind, rushing into close-quarters combat with them?

The Killer immediately prepared to aim at Jeanne Decker. However, in the next instant, Jeanne Decker abruptly spread her left hand, which wasn’t holding her sword, and a blinding light erupted from her palm. At that moment, the Killer felt as if they were staring directly into the sun!

Holy Light Summon is an ability possessed by ‘Paladins’ of every tier. The seventh-tier ‘Holy Warrior’s’ Holy Light Summon can unleash a dazzling, vision-stealing glare, leaving the caster completely unaffected.

The intense light stung the Killer’s eyes, causing them to instinctively shut them tight.

Meanwhile, Jeanne Decker silently changed direction, swiftly circling to their side, simultaneously raising her longsword.

Based on her earlier observations, the fireballs in the Killer’s hands could only attack in one direction. Now that their vision was impaired and they couldn’t find a target, the probability of a wild attack hitting its mark was minuscule.

While the Killer hesitated, her sword would first slice across their throat!

Unable to target, the Killer did not choose to randomly throw the fireball in their hand. In this disadvantageous situation, they surprisingly let out a laugh instead.

They calmly raised their other hand.

Then, Jeanne Decker was astonished to see a ‘coin’ appear out of thin air in their hand. The coin was translucent and dark gray, resembling a crystal of some kind.

Right before Jeanne Decker’s eyes, the Killer clapped their hands together, combining the Devil’s Coin in their left hand with the Corrosive Flame summoned in their right.

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