"What's your problem?" said Lady Corsa. "You already know we can hear your thoughts, yet you keep making the same mistakes."
"The same mistakes? Really?" Danilo replied, looking at her with an amused expression.
A thought struck everyone's mind at once —
He did it on purpose.
Of course he did. After all, based on the history between Danilo and Nzinga Otchali, resentment was far too weak a word to describe what existed between the two.
There was pure hatred — deep, burning, and mutual.
One felt that because of the other, she would never reach supreme glory.
The other longed for revenge for the torture and humiliation he had suffered just moments ago.
There was so much hatred between them.
Since he couldn't take revenge — lacking both power and opportunity — and since the chance had likely passed because they were to become a pair, he decided to irritate her while he still could.
Sooner or later, he would have to let go of that hatred.
His only revenge would come through her body.
So, he decided to take advantage of Lady Dragon's mind-link inconvenience to vent that rage — even if just a little — and make her uncomfortable.
As for his image before those ancient monsters?
It was already stained beyond repair.
So why bother?
Everyone understood.
"No! Impossible! I will never become the wife of that trash!" shouted Nzinga Otchali, her voice trembling with indignation.
"He's not worthy! So pathetic! So pitiful!" she continued, pouring out her deepest contempt as she stared into his eyes.
Danilo's expression hardened.
Such humiliating disrespect — and in front of others, no less.
She didn't even bother to hide it.
If it had been directed at someone else, he would've ignored it and dismissed both speaker and victim.
But this time, he was the target.
The saddest part was that he couldn't do anything.
Even if he had the strength, in front of these ancient monsters, he was powerless.
His irritation was written all over his face.
Seeing his expression and hearing Nzinga's words, everyone grew tense — especially the Crow Woman.
Nzinga was one of her descendants, after all.
And an alliance with a Chosen One was a tremendous advantage.
Nzinga was still trapped by her old image of Danilo — the same boy she had once attacked — unable to grasp the current situation.
Based on her understanding of him, and judging from the history of the other Chosen Ones — especially the one tied to the Primordial Sword — she should've known he was someone who valued relationships deeply… and was extremely vengeful.
The hatred he felt for Nzinga Otchali was immense.
That meant her death — and her family's — was almost guaranteed in the future.
The Crow Woman didn't want to see a talented descendant fall.
After all, Nzinga was gifted enough to have been chosen by the Father Himself.
That was the source of her concern.
That's why she suggested the marital alliance between the two.
It was her idea — and when the others refused to be left behind, they too decided to tie their own descendants to the Chosen.
Everyone stood to gain.
And they were genuinely worried.
The First Blade had appeared.
So had the Left Arm.
Even the Chaotic Heart.
And Earth — which should've been destroyed — still existed.
If Earth remained, the chances of that thing existing were dangerously high.
And if that thing was ever opened… it would mean the end of the Divine Dominion.
Those were matters better left buried — forgotten by all.
"There are things beyond your comprehension, child," said the Crow Woman in a conciliatory tone.
"You don't realize the opportunity before you. He is the Chosen One — destined to be the next Supreme."
"So what if he is?" Nzinga scoffed. "Once trash, always trash. The fact that the Primordial chose him only proves He's blind and imperfect. Even gods make mistakes."
The moment her words ended, everyone — except Danilo and Nzinga — froze in fear.
Instinctively, starting with the Crow Woman, they all raised protective barriers over Nzinga.
The younger ones looked around, confused by the sudden reaction.
Then, out of nowhere, Adam shouted:
— "Now!"
A black bolt of lightning — darker than the one that had struck Danilo earlier — fell from the heavens and crashed down upon Nzinga.
The ancient monsters' barriers tore like paper as the lightning, unstoppable and merciless, engulfed the girl.
Everyone turned pale — especially the Crow Woman.
"What… what have you done?" she whispered, trembling as she watched Nzinga's body convulse, black sparks surging through her flesh.
Just like with Danilo, the sparks slithered across her skin as if alive, finally gathering on her forehead.
There, they carved a black mark — a lightning-shaped tattoo, identical to Danilo's, yet darker and placed differently.
A cold, metallic chime echoed in Nzinga's mind.
[System Notification]
You have been struck by the Mark of the Heretic.
All attributes –90%
Luck –1000%
Enemy of the World — Hated by all living creatures. Abandoned by the Creator. Whoever kills you will have their Luck permanently increased tenfold.
Those near you will have their Luck reduced by 100%.
Reading those chilling words, Nzinga's heart sank. Her body trembled; her face drained of color.
At that same instant, another sound echoed — this time in Danilo's system panel.
[Chosen Mission – Rank S]
A Heretic has been detected nearby.
Eliminate it.
Reward based on power disparity:
Chosen: Class — Common
Heretic: Class — Emperor
Rewards:
Diamond Treasure Chest ×1
All attributes +100%
Danilo turned his gaze to Nzinga Otchali.
The woman standing before him looked nothing like the proud figure from the ceremony.
Thinking about it, since they'd reached the 12th floor, her journey had been anything but easy.
When she tortured him earlier, she already looked worn down.
Clearly, she had suffered too.
Then came the Void Dragon — and judging from her wounds, she'd been beaten long before the Crow Woman captured her.
And now… she had the audacity to question the Primordial and call his beloved Father blind?
"How bold," thought Danilo. "Good thing only praise ever leaves my mouth."
He lifted his eyes toward the divine sky, glowing with holy light.
I love You, Father. My life I place in Your hands.
You know why? Because You are my salvation.
The mission still glowed before him.
If he could, he would've killed that Amazon bitch without hesitation — but the disparity between them was absurd.
She was an Empress, six whole classes above a worthless commoner like him.
"What a shame…" he muttered. "All attributes +100% — with my bonus multiplier, that'd be glorious. Pity someone else will get the reward."
After all, with the blessing of her lineage, her attributes were probably capped at 100, while the Amazon's were near 300.
With a sigh, he glanced at her status panel again, more out of habit than hope.
And what he saw felt like a mirage in the desert —
beautiful, radiant… but unreal.
[Status Panel – Nzinga Otchali (Emperor)]
Level: 1
Power: 405
Mana: 400
Strength: 40.5
Agility: 41
Physique: 32
Intelligence: 40
Talent: Dark Domain — SSS
Title: Supreme Ruler — SSS
Condition: Heretic — SSS
Danilo's eyes widened.
A moment ago, he'd thought it was a mirage.
Now… he wasn't so sure.
Her attributes had been reduced —
reduced so much that a worthless commoner like him could actually crush her.
"So that's it…" he whispered, a grin curling at his lips. "Now I understand what it means to be truly chosen."
Three skills — all of them SSS.
"Some people really are born not with silver or gold spoons… but with diamond ones."
— he thought, half sighing, half smirking. —
Everything about her was SSS.
Even her curse.
"She even got the Supreme Ruler title thanks to me," he muttered.
"If I hadn't dared step into the twelfth floor, she'd never have gained this power.
And instead of thanking me, that Amazon bitch tried to kill me."
He looked up again, smiling coldly.
"But thank God… justice exists.
Even God Himself wants her dead."
"What are you doing, standing there stunned?! Kneel and beg for forgiveness!"
The Crow Woman's majestic voice thundered through the air.
Nzinga Otchali snapped out of her trance, trembling.
Without hesitation, she dropped to her knees and pressed her forehead to the ground, tears streaming down her face.
"F-forgive me, Father… please… forgive me…" she cried, over and over, her voice breaking.
Silence fell.
Then, one by one, everyone else knelt — except Danilo.
The Crow Woman raised her voice, fervent:
"Father, You who are Just,
You despise injustice and punish iniquity.
Your love for all creation is unmatched.
We do not deserve even the grace of existence,
yet You granted us life…"
She inhaled shakily, her eyes glistening.
"I beg You — forgive this poor child who spoke without thought.
Your servant implores You! She is but a child!
You know she didn't mean it, that her heart still honors You…
Her impulsiveness led her astray, that is all."
Then she bowed lower, forehead striking the ground.
"I beg You, Father… grant this small creature another chance…"
The others echoed her plea, glorifying the Creator and begging forgiveness for the fallen Amazon.
The scene lingered for long minutes —
until, cutting through the heavy silence, a cold voice broke the air.
"…And you," Danilo said, eyes gleaming faintly.
"Why aren't you kneeling?"
Common: Strength 5+ | Agility 5+ | Intelligence 5+ | Vitality 5+ | Energy 5+
Baron: Strength 50+ | Agility 50+ | Intelligence 50+ | Vitality 50+ | Energy 50+
Count: Strength 100+ | Agility 100+ | Intelligence 100+ | Vitality 100+ | Energy 100+
Marquis: Strength 150+ | Agility 150+ | Intelligence 150+ | Vitality 150+ | Energy 150+
Duke: Strength 200+ | Agility 200+ | Intelligence 200+ | Vitality 200+ | Energy 200+
King: Strength 250+ | Agility 250+ | Intelligence 250+ | Vitality 250+ | Energy 250+
Emperor: Strength 300+ | Agility 300+ | Intelligence 300+ | Vitality 300+ | Energy 300+
Saint: Strength 350+ | Agility 350+ | Intelligence 350+ | Vitality 350+ | Energy 350+
Divine: Strength 400+ | Agility 400+ | Intelligence 400+ | Vitality 400+ | Energy 400+
Super divine: Strength 600+ | Agility 600+ | Intelligence 600+ | Vitality 600+ | Energy 600+