**CLANG—!!!**
The ear-splitting shriek of metal on metal erupted almost simultaneously with the fading of the light beam! The leader in black armor, capitalizing on the lingering energy, had launched a surprise attack at a speed beyond his limits, his heavy sword wreathed in eerie black flames hacking viciously towards Phaethon's face!
Phaethon brought his own sword up horizontally to block, his footing remaining rock solid, though the stone bricks beneath his feet shattered further. From the seams of the black helmet, a mix of madness and disbelief flickered.
"Is this the Oath of Radiance? The price is burning your life and pure soul? High-level spellcraft? The Oath of Radiance? Where did you learn it?" His voice was hoarse and distorted.
"What's it to you?" Phaethon's voice was flat and even, his gaze piercing through the crossed blades, his eyes like a frozen abyss ten-thousand years deep. "Your body is wreathed in the souls of many wronged spirits. How many have you killed?"
"I am a noble Golden Descendant. Do you count the ants you've stepped on, the dust you've crushed?" Verto's wrist suddenly exerted force, trying to press down Phaethon's one-handed sword, spitting out each word, "I said, you can't possibly use another..."
*Hum—!*
Before he could finish, Phaethon's sword erupted with blazing white light once more! This time, the light didn't shoot out, but coiled tightly around the blade itself, as if he were gripping solidified lightning!
Verto: 0_O?! Bro, are you actually hacking?
(Phaethon: I am sorry for hacking?)
**BOOM—!!!**
An explosion at point-blank range! A violent torrent of light erupted at close quarters!
Phaethon deliberately controlled the power. The light detonated but did not completely consume his opponent. The black-armored knight's heavy body was blasted away like a ragdoll, his expensive, finely crafted black armor shattering piece by piece, turning to powder along with the robust physique it encased.
The entire right side of his body was gone, the left side charred and smoking. Only his head remained somewhat intact, landing in a scorched crater of rubble. Golden blood, like molten gold, flowed freely through the grooves of the ancient stone bricks, sizzling.
Phaethon slowly sheathed his sword, the soles of his boots treading over the sizzling golden blood with a faint sizzle. He walked to the remaining head and looked down dispassionately at the face twisted in agony and terror.
"Heh," a sneer filled with utter contempt. "Noble Golden Descendant? You don't look so different now."
The boiling golden blood flowed over the millennia-old inscribed stones, steaming up a mist that smelled of earth.
"Repent well," Phaethon's voice was icy, like a pronouncement, "Or, in your final moments... continue to harbor hatred."
[Individual life signs have completely vanished from the observation range.]
[Core Protocol Activated.]
[Target individual's 'Life Signature', 'Core Abilities', and 'Mental Imprint Fragments' have been collected.]
[New 'Folder' created. Abilities are available for use.]
[Please name the folder ______.]
> Name it: Verto.
Every enemy encountered along the way was just another teacher. Phaethon thought to himself. Then he activated two more skills.
[Levitation Blessing], [Wind Control Blessing]
An invisible force lifted his body, air currents swirling at his feet. Phaethon's figure shot up like an arrow from a bow, instantly soaring into the air, hovering above the chaotic din of Janusopolis. The fierce high-altitude wind whipped at his robes.
His gaze pierced through the disordered streets, fixing on the two massive mansions deep within the city that emanated a lavish golden light even in the night—the city residences of Helios and Ascalon.
"According to the information in the folder, Helios and Ascalon are actually at the Sanctuary right now? So be it," he murmured to himself, his words scattered by the wind but carrying a resolve that could sever anything, "Then let me collect a small... trifling interest first."
Suspended in mid-air, the chaotic city sprawled beneath him like an anthill. Finally... no need to worry about collateral damage.
He slowly raised his hands, the sword held within them. Vast photonic energy converged and compressed madly between his palms, emitting a low hum that seemed capable of tearing space itself! The light grew so intense it briefly outshone the city's lights and the stars above!
"EX—
—CalibUr!!"
*HUM——————!!!*
Two beams of destructive light, ten times thicker and a hundred times more condensed than before, like spears of judgment cast down by a deity, tore through the night sky. With the power to incinerate all things, they plunged down with precise, merciless accuracy!
**BOOM! BOOM—!!!!**
No struggle. No resistance. The two colossal mansions, symbols of the ultimate worldly power and wealth of Helios and Ascalon, along with all their carvings, treasures, plots, and ambitions, upon contact with the light beams—vanished like ice under the blazing sun, silently turning into the finest dust!
The power of the "Oath of Radiance" was finally, at this moment, unleashed completely and without reservation, at full firepower!
The light beams' momentum continued unabated, like giant divine ploughshares of light, carving two immense, bottomless trenches across the ancient, sturdy ground of Janusopolis. The edges of the trenches were molten, radiating blinding light, heat, and an aura of utter destruction. Everything in their path—buildings, roads, sculptures—evaporated, leaving behind two savage, burning scars running through the city!
The flames of light slowly died down, leaving behind silence and towering plumes of dust and smoke.
Phaethon hovered in the air, his clothes flapping violently, coldly observing the two new, massive wounds etched into the city beneath him.
"Next..." He slowly raised his head, his gaze piercing through the smoke and dust, firmly locking onto the distant, massive complex atop the cliff—the Sanctuary, appearing even more imposing, sacred, cold, and oppressive in the night.
"Time to collect the principal."
---------------
Author's Little Theater~
Author: Hey, Golden Finger, say hi. Make sure Phaethon's skills don't kill any bystanders. Accidentally killing people won't get past the censors.
Golden Finger: Who're you calling 'hey'? What does Phaethon throwing skills have to do with me?
Author: Oh, come on, I know you. The skills are technically used by Phaethon, but the actual operation is all you, right?
Golden Finger: Piss off! Don't even think about it! Wouldn't it be better if this crappy book of yours got banned?
Author: Gwah! You refuse a toast only to drink a forfeit? I really have to control you now.
Golden Finger: Gwah! What have you do— Mglrwah— Ska...%#&*@... Caliburn... Pfft! ...EX... Bzzzt—... Saber-chan's... (Gulp)... Noble Phantasm Exhibi— Bzzt!... Holy Sword... Zzzzt... ErrOr404... Fate... Hello? Hello?... @_@?
Golden Finger: You madman, what have you done! Gwah! Why do I feel so strange now!
Author: Not bad, Golden Finger-chan. You've already taken my shape.
Golden Finger: Gwah! Change me back! You shameless Observer!
Author: Shhh~ Don't make a fuss. I am merely a narrative entity engaged in the act of observation.
(Yesterday, watching the preview, I discovered Cyrene really has gained weight, turning into a Fairy lady with a height of 163cm and weight of 55kg.)
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