1022 Answer (1/2)
Amidst the violent hurricane, Viscount Stratford was like a helpless leaf that was pitifully thrown about as though he could be torn to pieces at any moment.
In this state, he couldn't react at all, much less speak. All he could do was rely on a Disciplinary Paladin's powerful body to barely hold on, hoping that he wouldn't lose a limb or head inside this terrifying hurricane.
He originally believed that the hunt had succeeded and that Trissy's capture was at hand. Furthermore, he was extremely certain that his target didn't have helpers; hence, all his attention was focused on Shermane. To his surprise, he suddenly became the prey and fell into a trap without any prior warning.
Upon realizing that the hurricane was beginning to weaken and that he had only suffered some damage from the impact and didn't receive any fatal wounds, Viscount Stratford hurriedly tried to regain control of his body in preparation for the upcoming battle.
At that moment, he felt a stabbing pain in his head which felt as though a sharp dagger had been impaled into it before being twisted a few times.
This feeling was something that Viscount Stratford felt was both familiar and unfamiliar. This was because, although he had never experienced it directly before, he had ”attempted” it on several targets to observe their reactions.
This was one of the Beyonder powers he was most proficient with!
Psychic Piercing!
Bang!
Upon being attacked, Viscount Stratford, who had failed to adjust his physical state, slammed into the ground hard as the bronze cross loudly fell several meters away.
Tap. Tap. Tap. Xio held Wintry Blade and took a huge stride, dashing straight for Viscount Stratford who was struggling to get up.
As for Fors, she had already flipped through Leymano's Travels and flipped it open to a page that resembled a goatskin parchment.
As her fingers slid across the page, Viscount Stratford's shadows, which had surfaced once again, came to life, condensing into black chains that wrapped around its target, binding him tightly.
Viscount Stratford, who had just managed to catch his breath and become alert, still hadn't had the opportunity to choose the target for his ”punishment” and apply certain restrictions when he once again lost his freedom. Even his mouth was bound by a shadow chain.
Abyss Chains!
It was Abyss Chains from the Sanguine or Moon pathway's Mid-Sequence Beyonders!
Fors had used it once and was rather fond of this Beyonder power. She found it very useful, so she had spent gold pounds to get Mr. Moon, who had become a Viscount, to record it.
Bang!
At this moment, Viscount Stratford suddenly unleashed power that surpassed his previous strength, tearing the shadow chains apart.
He had chosen the ”bindings” restricting him to be the target of punishment!
But at that moment, Xio had already rushed in front of him like a high-speed train, thrusting that transparent triangular blade.
Amidst a splotching sound, the Wintry Blade stabbed into the target's abdomen.
Viscount Stratford's body stiffened once again as his eyes glazed over as though he had turned into an ice sculpture.
Xio released her hand and allowed Wintry Blade to remain stabbed into the stomach of the captain of the royal guards, seemingly hoping that the wraith which might've existed on the weapon would continue ”Possessing” her target and forcibly bring him under control.
Right on the heels of that, she swung her arm and slammed a punch right below Viscount Stratford's ear.
After two heavy blows, Viscount Stratford fainted without even letting out a grunt. His stiff body collapsed once again.
After completing this strike, Xio left her back to Fors and immediately moved past the staggering Viscount Stratford, who had Wintry Blade in his stomach, and dashed to Sherman who remained sitting on a wooden crate.
Fors flipped through Leymano's Travels once again, using other Beyonder powers to add another layer of restrictions onto Viscount Stratford's body. Then, she walked out of the row of wooden crates she had been hiding behind and first approached that bronze ancient cross.
The scene she saw made her suspect that it was an item at the demigod level. In the parlance of official Beyonders, it was a Grade 1 Sealed Artifact.
And with Viscount Stratford carrying and using it, she believed that the negative effects of the cross weren't that direct. She could attempt to pick it up.
Of course, as a former Astrologer, Fors took out the pure crystal ball as she walked, quickly doing a divination. ”There are no problems...” Fors glanced at the outcome and quickened her pace.
At this moment, Xio had already rushed in front of Sherman. Looking at this friend who had turned rather beautiful, she was momentarily at a loss for words.
To her, Sherman's condition was in a terrible state.
This Demoness's hair was floating up with each strand turning thick as if they were tiny snakes.
On the ends of the ”tiny snakes,” some had eyes or mouths. They appeared extremely bizarre and terrifying.
On Sherman’s face, a black paint-like mysterious pattern suffused out of her skin and was rapidly spreading across her body.
Her slightly vacant eyes quickly reflected Xio as she gradually recovered her spirit and, along with that, also came a little confusion and pain.
She opened her mouth and stuttered, ”Xio... I'm in so much pain...”
Xio's vision instantly blurred.
Although she was still lacking in many of the details regarding the mysterious world's general knowledge—since the Tarot Club's discussion was just way over her head, and the information she got from MI9 was mostly about secret organizations—she still knew quite a bit about losing control. Among unaffiliated Beyonders, it was something that couldn't be avoided.
Therefore, Xio knew that Sherman was beginning to lose control. It was irreversible, and the situation would only worsen.
Sherman seemed to sense her state as she gasped for breath, revealing a weak smile. She said with difficulty, ”Kill me... I've done... too many unspeakable sins... I've also obtained... what I've wanted...”
Xio's tears dripped down. Without hesitation, she flipped her hand, drawing her backup weapon—an ordinary revolver. She then placed the revolver at Sherman's forehead.
Sherman smiled as a mesmerizing charm appeared in her eyes once again.
”Call me... Call me Shermane...”