CHAPTER 389: CHAPTER 266: FRATRICIDE_2

"TSK, TSK, TSK... Your tricks are still the same old ones," Amanda’s tone was full of mockery, the expression on her face filled with contempt.

But then she seemed to realize something. She hadn’t been the one to close this distance. Tamara never dared to get close to me before. For her to take the initiative now... this is definitely not a good sign.

Damn it!

Cursing inwardly, Amanda flicked her whip, attempting to throw Tamara off. But Tamara was not someone to be trifled with. Perhaps her use of the ring had just been a cover, her true intent only revealed as she closed in.

"Attack!"

No sooner had the words left her mouth than a piece of Extraordinary Equipment Tamara wore activated.

This was a piece of equipment crafted from the Spiritual Materials of the Extraordinary creature, the Dread Specter, and could unleash its innate ability: Frenzied Screech.

However, Tamara had never used it since obtaining it because the attack did not discriminate between friend and foe, inflicting damage on everyone within a certain range. She had never used it before, which is why Amanda wouldn’t be on guard.

An area-of-effect attack like this... Amanda won’t be able to dodge it. She’ll have to take the hit along with me, Tamara thought.

A screech that defied description tore through the air, forming shockwaves visible to the naked eye, instantly enveloping both women.

"AAAH!"

Both cried out in agony simultaneously. The eerie power invaded their brains, like a red-hot iron rod thrust into their skulls and stirred relentlessly. Their heads felt as though they were about to explode, and the Spiritual Essence within their bodies surged, on the verge of losing control.

Extraordinary Equipment on both of them flared with light before dimming. However, the whip binding Tamara loosened its grip.

At that moment, the Combat Nun, who had been waiting in the carriage for a long time, finally leaped out. Her gaze locked onto Amanda, and she showed no hesitation. Raising the spiked hammer in her hand, as if mirroring the sun in the sky, a beam of light shot towards her enemy.

Although caught off guard by the attack, Amanda’s condition was much better. Aided by her item’s resistance, she quickly recovered and raised her hand again. The bracer on her arm once more blocked the attack.

But the Combat Nun had already lifted her spiked hammer and charged forward. The iron armor she wore clanged with her movements, creating an oppressive aura.

Amanda had just recovered from her previous state, and this was not the time to engage in combat. She immediately pulled back and shouted.

"She’s about to die, aren’t you going to save her?"

Amanda’s words successfully diverted the Combat Nun’s attention to Tamara, who had a peculiar look on her face.

Faced with the choice between attacking and saving, the Combat Nun chose to save. With a gesture, she cast Divine Grace to pull Tamara back from the brink of collapse.

"PHEW... Don’t worry about me! Hurry..." Tamara, recovering, immediately urged, her first thought not for herself but to press the attack.

A Combat Nun? Someone from the Church? Amanda wondered.

Having created distance, Amanda sized up the Combat Nun’s attire. The disdainful expression on her face turned more serious. She had guessed Tamara had a backup plan but hadn’t expected it to involve someone from the Church.

Amanda was wary, but not so much that the mere sight of the Church scared her. Such fear was for ordinary Transcendent who lacked backing, and she was not one of them. However, she still needed to clarify the situation.

"This is an internal matter, none of the Church’s business. Are you sure you want to intervene?"

Something is off... But what can I say now? the Combat Nun thought.

However, her momentary hesitation was enough for Amanda to notice and promptly press, "Do you represent the Church, or are you here as an individual?"

"Of course, as an individual." The Combat Nun had no intention of dragging the Church into this, so she replied almost without hesitation.

But she completely missed the unsightly look on Tamara’s face beside her.

I was planning to use the Church as a deterrent, but she saw right through it and called my bluff! Tamara fumed internally.

But looking at the nun’s straightforward manner, Amanda seemed to have guessed something and chuckled teasingly.

"HAHAHA, it seems your helper is quite honest..."

"Get moving, don’t waste words on her," urged Tamara, no longer dwelling on the Combat Nun’s admission. "She’s definitely not in good shape right now—don’t give her time to recover!"

The Combat Nun, naturally sensing the earlier mockery was directed at her, didn’t hesitate. She hefted her spiked hammer and charged.

Amanda also restrained her smile. You can look down on their intelligence, but you can’t ignore their strength. These types are the most troublesome.

The whip swung again, lashing at the Combat Nun. Clad in armor, she was least afraid of such impact-less attacks.

But this was no ordinary weapon; it was a piece of Extraordinary Equipment imbued with eerie power. As the whip made contact, the Combat Nun felt an unsettling sensation. My Holy Flame Protection... it’s fading! It’s weakening my connection to the Holy Flame!

If their earlier exchange was just a minor skirmish where the Combat Nun hadn’t gone all out, this attack ignited her fighting spirit. She immediately parried the whip and swung her spiked hammer toward Amanda.

Tamara might not have withstood such close combat, but Amanda, however, was also proficient up close. The whip vanished, replaced by a uniquely designed, exquisite hatchet that materialized in her hand, and she met the Combat Nun’s attack head-on.

The Combat Nun’s combat style was very direct, simply swinging the spiked hammer with brute force, while Amanda favored agility and nimbleness, adept at dodging attacks.

But to wield such a metal hatchet suggested Amanda’s strength was considerable. She obviously possessed equipment that enhanced her strength and was not to be underestimated.

Yet, there was indeed a gap between them: armor.

This wasn’t some video game trope where less clothing meant higher defense; actual defensive power was directly related to armor.

The Combat Nun was fully armored; as long as she protected her vitals, she could withstand several hatchet blows without issue. But Amanda, dressed in light garments, would suffer cuts or worse at the first successful strike—a blow to the head could prove instantly fatal.

You can dodge me countless times, but I only need to land one hit, the Combat Nun thought.

And clearly, that was precisely the Combat Nun’s line of thought.

Amanda was more skilled and had better control of her weapon. She did not seek confrontation but relied on her agility to dodge and then counterattack opportunistically.

However, the Combat Nun’s wide attack movements left openings. Amanda, ever watchful, wouldn’t miss such an opportunity and immediately swung her hatchet.

But the Combat Nun was even more relentless, closing the distance instantly and using her armor to block the hatchet mid-swing before it could gain full momentum.

CLANG!

The hatchet struck metal, sending a shower of sparks into the air, but neither combatant paid it any mind. The Combat Nun’s counterattack was already underway, and Amanda could only rely on her graceful movements to dodge.

Assassins counter mages, tanks counter squishies... Such sayings aren’t perfectly accurate, but they certainly reflect my frustration right now, Amanda thought.

The real issue is that I’m not used to this fighting style. I know nothing about this Combat Nun’s abilities, and I constantly have to watch out for potential Divine Arts, not to mention Tamara over there. Tamara looks like she’s at death’s door, but knowing her, that’s exactly when she’s most dangerous.

It had to be said, Tamara’s plan was succeeding. The Combat Nun had successfully engaged Amanda, giving Tamara the space she needed to perform her ritual.

Tamara was hunched over, hands cradling the Crystal Ball, her mouth murmuring incomprehensible words.

"Have you lost your mind? Are you trying to kill yourself?" Amanda, sensing the threat, cried out. She no longer held back, creating some distance from the Combat Nun and, with a flick of her wrist, tossed something.

Though nothing appeared to be in her hand, a sphere suddenly rolled out in front of the Combat Nun and detonated before she could react. An unknown force descended, suppressing her. I’m... I’m growing weaker, the Combat Nun felt.

"Protect me..."

On the other side, as Tamara was preparing the ritual, she uttered a feeble plea for help, pulling the Combat Nun’s attention back.

The Combat Nun realized Amanda had bypassed her and was charging toward Tamara. Her battle instincts were sharp; knowing she couldn’t match Amanda’s speed, she didn’t try to chase. Instead, she raised her Holy Canon to cast a Divine Art.