Luck is like currency.

The more you spend, the more you must repay. This was one of the hidden rules in [Fractured]. Though Phoenix’s team had gone unscathed in the earlier sweep against the [Kasath Reclamation Army], their luck had to run out eventually. And it did—when they were ambushed by the [Root of Man].

Unlike the previous skirmish fought under cover of night, this battle unfolded in broad daylight.

This time, Maria and her group could clearly witness how grotesque and blasphemous the evolved forms of [Root of Man] truly were. Amid the thunderous crashes of collapsing buildings, grotesque, twisted beasts—some as tall as two-story houses—burst forth from the ruined slums. Their screeches tore through the air.

They were monsters.

True monsters.

These evolved [Root of Man] abominations were masses of rot and writhing flesh, tangled together in a mess of blackened, pulsating tissue. Tentacles jutted out in chaotic directions, inside and out, making it impossible to distinguish a head or eyes—only a warped, serpentine mass that radiated a life-defiling madness.

"Urgh!!"

Several players, overwhelmed by the sight and stench, immediately keeled over and vomited violently.

Just the sight of these creatures made it clear why the Church of the Solar Deity had waged a relentless, millennia-long purge against the [Abyss].

Their mere existence was a sin.

Maria, always keenly attuned to the [Abyss]'s tainted presence, had sensed it minutes before the attack. Without hesitation, she drew her blade-staff. Its shining tip hovered just above the ground, her posture like that of a predator ready to pounce.

When she saw the players doubled over in nausea, her lips curled with a touch of wicked amusement.

That’s all it took to make them puke?

The [Abyss]'s corruption was nothing compared to the true horrors of Chaos. Maria still shuddered recalling those patchwork abominations birthed from chaotic contamination.

"Sister, want to make this a contest?"

Sword in hand, Phoenix stepped forward confidently. Facing so many of the [Root of Man] emerging from underground, his fighting spirit surged. He glanced at Maria with a glint of challenge in his eyes.

"Gladly."

Maria shot forward like a fired arrow.

Her long sleeves snapped outward, and for a moment it looked as if black wings had sprouted from her arms. With wind howling past her ears, she dashed along a vertical wall, nimble as a shadow. Her agility allowed her to approach the enemy faster than anyone else.

One of the newly-emerged [Root of Man] raised its oozing, rotting head.

Backlit by the blazing sun, Maria’s silhouette shone with divine menace. Her blade-staff gleamed coldly in her hands.

Skill: [Relentless Hunter]—Activated!

"Die!"

A flash of searing light!

One clean strike.

Her blade remained spotless as she landed. A beat later, the creature froze. Then, with a hideous gurgle, its body split open along the deadly cut, spraying foul ichor into the air. Maria’s arc had sliced directly through the hidden core within the corrupted flesh. One blow. Instant kill.

She didn’t even pause. Maria understood the trajectory of her cut, how deep it went, and how lethal it was. Without missing a beat, she locked onto the next target and launched forward again.

That one died before it realized what happened.

The players, previously paralyzed with uncertainty, found their courage reignited.

"Beautiful!"

One of the [Flame Warriors] clapped and shouted in awe. But as he watched Maria move, a tentacle shot from one of the beasts—aimed squarely at the still-standing Phoenix.

Fast. Silent.

"Captain, behind you!"

But Phoenix didn’t need the warning. Without turning, he swung his massive sword backward, shattering the tendril with a fiery crash. The tentacle caught fire and recoiled, writhing in agony.

Phoenix rested the blade on his shoulder and tilted his head slightly. His sharp, noble face showed nothing but disdain for the attacker.

"Filthy creatures. Only flame can cleanse your wretched existence."

BOOM!!!

His crimson cloak billowed as if ignited. The temperature in the area spiked several degrees. All around, the squad could feel the heat of his burning will.

As a [Flame Warrior], Phoenix had undergone the purification rites, engraving the will of flame into his soul.

A new high-tier class developed by the Solar Deity Church.

Flame. Boiling flame. Purifying flame.

The fire along his sword extended its length by nearly half a meter. Phoenix stood amid the blaze unharmed, his face flushed but fierce.

He pointed his burning blade toward a twisted creature before him.

The instant the [Root of Man] sensed it was being targeted, it froze in terror. Every [Abyss]-spawned entity in the vicinity instinctively recoiled from the aura. This was their natural predator. Even without the First Flame, those who truly embraced the faith could emulate its divine power.

"Abomination of the Abyss—prepare to be judged!"

He roared, unleashing a fan-shaped blaze with a sweeping strike! The heartfire scorched everything born of the [Abyss], leaving others untouched. It was a flame that judged only the unclean.