Crush the Mad Cult! 4
* * *
Para, para, para.
As shards of the exploding Blood Grail of Carnage rained down, Emi stood facing the cultists of Purple Dual Rings.
Dark Believer, Murder Monk, and Bloody Saint.
Having already defeated three of them, only two cultists remained.
(Damn it What is she!? What is that monster!!)
One of them, the man formerly known as Burning Fire Pastor, was trembling in fear.
A small monster who suddenly appeared and instantly slaughtered his comrades.
How could he not be afraid?
But at the same time, he couldnt help but hate her with a passion.
Because of that monster, the cults Holy Grail, the Blood Grail of Carnage, was lost.
The ritual of slaughter they had been preparing for was ruined!
By the way, the royal capital citizens they had kidnapped had all escaped in the chaos of the explosion.
It would have been nice if he could have taken at least one hostage, but with the monster glaring at him, he couldnt make any careless moves.
The current standoff was maintained only because he, Fire Pastor, and Hell Savior were both present.
If either of them showed an opening to take a hostage, the balance would collapse.
They would be picked off one by one and it would be over.
Therefore, he couldnt move.
The monster, and his comrade Hell Savior, were both silent.
For some reason, they were both in similar waiting stances, glaring at each other.
Hell Savior, like her mentor Short Warp, has a bit of a battle maniac in her.
Furthermore, shes relatively short-tempered and quick to start fights if she doesnt like something, often killing her opponents unnecessarily.
Shes a troublesome junior under normal circumstances, but in a situation like this, facing a monster, theres no more reliable comrade than her.
Facing the monster who had displayed such overwhelming strength, she was burning with fighting spirit and concentration, showing no fear, it was truly impressive.
Something Fire Pastor could never imitate.
Now, back to the story.
They continued to glare at each other, the situation at a standstill.
However, if you think about it normally, Purple Dual Rings has the advantage.
They have two people.
If they fight together, they might be able to kill that monster.
But the cowardly Fire Pastor didnt like that might.
Carefully, surely.
That was Fire Pastors motto as an assassin, and one of the reasons he had survived until now.
So what should he do to surely kill that monster?
The answer was to wait.
The situation will turn in their favor if they wait.
Fire Pastor knew that.
So, he waited.
He waited, even while his nerves were being frayed by the terrifying Intimidation constantly emanating from the monster.
And then.
Ring ring ring
He noticed the sound of a bell ringing in the distance, gradually getting closer.
And a grin spread across his face.
* * *
The sound of a bell ringing in the distance.
Of course, Emi also heard it.
She noticed the sound before Fire Pastor did.
But she deliberately ignored it.
Because she sensed that the remaining two cultists she was facing were on a different level from the three she had killed before.
Their demeanor.
Their mana control.
Both were refined.
They were undoubtedly professionals who made a living through combat.
So, Emi was wary of them.
She couldnt afford to be distracted by the sound of a bell.
She didnt know what they would do.
So, she continued the standoff.
To put it bluntly.
That decision was a bad move.
Emi realized that when the sound of the bell got closer and became clearly audible.
Ring, ring, ring
This sound is getting annoying.
She thought that, and then.
!?
Emi noticed.
The Black Arms extending from her shoulders were gradually disappearing from the tips of their claws, dissolving into a jet-black dust and melting into the air!
Whats this!?
The abnormality wasnt limited to her Black Arms.
Her armor, which she had created using the same method, was also melting into the air.
Her flower shop girl appearance, wearing an apron, was revealed.
Moreover, she couldnt put strength into her body like before.
She couldnt use Body Strengthening properly!
As long as this bell rings, you can no longer fight.
A hoarse voice spoke to Emi, who was unsteady, having suddenly lost her strength.
Turning towards the voice, she saw a small man standing there.
Ring, ring, ring
The man, dressed in the same dirty robe as the other Purple Dual Rings cultists, was holding a small bell in his hand and ringing it.
As the man said, Emis current condition was probably caused by the sound of this bell.
Then she needs to stop this man immediately.
Emi quickly took out a pebble from her pocket and without a word, threw it at the man with Stone Throw.
But however!
!?
The pebble Emi threw clearly hit the mans forehead.
But.
For some reason.
The pebble passed right through him!
My name is Church Bell. The sound of the church bell that tolls death. Sound cannot kill.
Ring, ring, ring
Church Bell muttered, still ringing the bell.
Thanks, Church Bell.
Fire Pastor, still wary of Emi, thanked Church Bell.
We are comrades, no need for thanks But, what happened? The ritual failed. Correct?
Church Bell sighed, looking at Dark Believer and Murder Monk, dead and embedded in the stone wall, and the shards of the Blood Grail of Carnage.
Pope-sama has finally finished his prayer. Hell be here soon, but
My apologies Its all because of that brat. Shell pay for her sins with her life.
Saying that, Fire Pastor slowly took a step, two steps forward and with a clench, smashed his fists together in front of his chest!
Ignition Flame, to my fists!!
And then, suddenly, both of Fire Pastors fists burst into flames!
This is the technique he created by applying his special ability Ignition, Flame Fist!!
The fists, enveloped in flames, torment the opponent with heat every time they strike, setting them ablaze.
A terrifying fighting technique incorporating a special ability!
Now, brat!! Die and apologize to our noble god!!
As soon as he shouted that, Fire Pastor enhanced his body with full-powered Body Strengthening, and with his blazing fists ready, he charged towards Emi!
The Purple Dual Rings cultists are unaffected by Church Bells Ability Sealing Bell thanks to the magic tool Unfairy they wear around their necks.
He can attack the weakened Emi with full power.
This is the certainty Fire Pastor had been seeking and waiting for!
How can you defeat your enemy?
You just have to weaken them before you fight!
That is Fire Pastors fighting philosophy, which he has cultivated over his life as an assassin!
UOOOOOOOOOH!!
The distance between Fire Pastor and Emi closed rapidly.
Fire Pastor swung back his blazing right fist towards Emi.
He was about to punch and kill her with all his might.
But at that moment.
He made eye contact with Emi.
And Fire Pastors body was covered in goosebumps!
This monster!
Her powers are sealed!
Thats how it should be!
But her eyes were burning!!
Were they reflecting Fire Pastors flames?
Absolutely not!
It wasnt just that!
What was burning in her eyes was!
Her fighting spirit!!
RAAAAAAAAAAH!!
Just a few moments before Fire Pastor unleashed his fiery fist towards Emi, instead of trying to dodge, she leaped towards Fire Pastor!
Emis signature counterattack strategy!
And Emi, with all her might.
Fire Pastors face!
She punched it!!
CRACK!!
With a sickening sound, Fire Pastor was blown away, rolling on the cobblestones.
And then, his body went limp, and he never got up again.
Emis punch, combined with his own momentum,
Broke his neck.
No way!? Thats impossible!?
Church Bell, still ringing his bell, was bewildered!
You! Your powers should be sealed! You shouldnt be able to use Body Strengthening!? Why can you fight!?
Thats simple.
Emi adjusted her stance, glaring at Church Bell and Hell Savior.
Her flower shop apron fluttering in the night breeze.
She slightly lowered her hips.
And assumed a fighting stance.
Because, even without Body Strengthening
She decided to tell him the answer.
Im already strong!!!