CHAPTER 59: THE CARDINAL’S DEATH

The moment their fists clashed in the middle, the entire hall erupted like a thunderclap.

The ground beneath them cracked, dust exploded into the air, and everyone felt the shockwave from the clash ruffle their hair and send them a couple of steps back.

For a moment, there was silence.

Gabriel’s grin widened on his face, and the cardinal’s eyes trembled in shock, surprise, and fear.

"You... this strength... you must be the spawn of the demons!" the cardinal shouted, his voice booming across the entire auction hall.

"Spawn of the devil? It can’t be!"

"If he’s the spawn of demons, then we’re finished!"

Whispers broke out among those present, and their faces only grew even paler with each passing second.

Neon’s eyes glimmered with realization. ’So that was it. That was the reason he was so strong and easily destroyed all my men and that monster attacking the front gate. He definitely had something to do with it as well.’

Inside the elven cage, one of the younger girls, around the age of five, looked up to a girl around thirteen years old.

"Big sister, what does he mean, the spawn of the demon?" the little girl asked, her curious green eyes blinking.

The older elven girl hesitated before speaking in a quiet voice. "The spawn of demons are those who are slaves of the demonic empire... they’re beings who are very powerful—so powerful that their strength doesn’t make sense."

"S-So the mister is someone like that?" The little girl’s green eyes widened in horror.

For a moment, she thought she, along with her siblings, would be saved by the masked individual. Who would have expected that their savior would be someone even more evil than the Chain of Veylor slave trade organization?

The thirteen-year-old, who happened to be the oldest among the captured children, didn’t respond to her sister’s question yet. Instead, she activated her special talent.

Her eyes glowed faintly. If one looked closely, they’d notice strange magical patterns within.

When the light dimmed, she leaned in and whispered, "No, he’s not... but he’s someone very special."

The eyes of the others lit up when they heard this.

Meanwhile, Gabriel felt like facepalming.

Naturally, he knew what the cardinal meant by spawn of the demon.

’Well, I’ve been called a monster before, well, I don’t mind adding another one to the title.’ He smirked, his electric blue eyes flashing dangerously through the mask.

The cardinal kicked the ground, distancing himself a few steps back and pointed a finger while shouting,

"You—a vile creature such as yourself is not supposed to be among us! Unfortunately for you, I awakened the Exorcist Class. I shall exorcise you!"

"You lot are really big hypocrites." Gabriel shook his head in shame. "Truly, your organization needs to be wiped off the face of the earth."

"Hahahaha, naive!" The cardinal’s laugh boomed as radiant magic circles flickered into existence behind him, five layers stacking on top of each other, their golden light swirling with terrifying energy.

"Behold!" the cardinal’s voice echoed. "The Five Rings of Holy Judgment!"

The pressure in the room skyrocketed. Even the spectators could feel it pressing against their faces.

"Move back!" Neon barked, sweat dripping down his temples as he quickly retreated to the corner. ’This is bad. I didn’t think the cardinal would bring out this level of power!’

The cardinal’s voice roared again. "This is divine punishment for your sins!"

Without wasting a second, he thrust his palm forward.

"Holy Chains!"

Giant pillars of chains exploded out of the magical circles, surging toward Gabriel at a terrifying speed.

The chains were like snakes.

Gabriel summoned Crimson Judgement and, channeling 150 MP into his blade alone, he boosted the power tremendously. With his 100 strength, he slashed furiously, cutting the first chain apart.

Using the same momentum, he cut the next, and the rest were eventually shattered into fragments as well.

During this process, he had already covered the distance between him and the cardinal, whose face was pale as sheets of paper.

He had activated his most powerful skill—Holy Chains—which was very effective against demon spawns.

When bound, the Holy Chains slowly incinerate the target until they are reduced to a pile of bones.

One more thing... if he were truly a demon spawn, then merely being in the presence of holy skills like that should weaken him considerably.

The cardinal’s pupils shrank. Could it be that he was mistaken?

"Impossible..." he spat out, refusing to believe someone could have such unbelievable strength at such a low level.

"I told you..." Gabriel slowly stepped forward, putting away his sword and cracking his neck. "...you lot are hypocrites."

Boom!

He dashed forward.

The cardinal barely raised his arms in time to block Gabriel’s punch, but even then, he was blasted several meters backward, his boots scraping harshly against the floor.

"Damn you—!"

Gabriel didn’t wait. He stomped the ground, activated Burrow Shift, and instantly appeared behind the cardinal like a ghost.

Bang!

His knee drove into the cardinal’s back, sending him flying like a broken kite.

The cardinal crashed into one of the stone pillars, groaning in pain as he struggled to get up.

"Why... why do you have this much power?! What kind of monster are you?!"

Gabriel casually walked over, his steps echoing faintly against the ground.

Neon’s lips trembled. His earlier arrogance had completely vanished. He realized that even the cardinal—someone he thought to be invincible—was getting thoroughly overpowered.

"This isn’t right..." Neon muttered, his legs threatening to give out. He was a powerful summoner, yes, but his power was only in his summons. With Gabriel’s monstrous strength and that strange skill that allowed him to pop behind others, he would be dead even before a real fight could take place.

From inside the cage, the younger elf children clutched the bars tightly, their eyes shining with hope.

The cardinal staggered to his feet and roared, "You dare mock the Holy Church? I’ll burn you to as—"

BANG!

Gabriel’s punch landed squarely on the cardinal’s chest, crushing the armor instantly and sending him flying across the hall.

The cardinal coughed out blood as his body slammed against the far wall, collapsing to the ground with his limbs twitching.

Complete silence.

Everyone stared at Gabriel like they were seeing a devil incarnate.

The cardinal struggled to lift his head. "Y-You... what are you?"

Gabriel lowered his body and whispered close to the dying man’s ear.

"...A nightmare for people like you."

Snap!

His hand moved swiftly, snapping the cardinal’s neck.

---

[Ding! You have defeated Level 65 Human]

[Ding! You have received +46 EP]

[Ding! You have leveled up!]

[Ding! You have leveled up!]

[Ding! You have received +10 free attribute points]

---

Gabriel ignored all the screens and said in his mind.

"Extract!"

[Ding! Would you like to extract the target? Cost: 29 EP]

"Yes!"

Please choose what to extract.

[Holy Chains]

[Demon Exorcist]

[Elixir of Life]

When Gabriel saw the options, his eyes widened in shock.