Chapter 55: An Angel?

"What do we do now?!" Eva, eyes wide with fear, stared at Daniel and asked. Even she could feel the terrifying aura radiating from Orlin.

"Of course we run." Daniel stepped forward without hesitation and jumped onto Vorak’s shoulder. A crooked, confident smile curled on his lips.

"What?!" Eva gasped, grabbing onto Daniel’s arm.

"Are you kidding?! Did you see that monster?!"

Daniel cast a quick glance at Orlin, who was gently landing in the distance with his half-angel wings.

"Don’t be stupid. We can’t beat that monster right now. This is a pointless fight."

"Where do you think you’re going? The game’s only just begun..." Orlin’s smile widened. He stepped forward, his voice cutting through their ears like a dull dagger:

"Vorak! Down the valley! Don’t stop for even a second!" Daniel shouted immediately.

Vorak let out a loud roar. The ground shook under his paws as his massive body surged forward like a shadow through the valley.

"Azarak, pride... the rest of you—get moving, now!" Daniel barked his orders without pause, telling the other Fallen to leave the village and head toward him.

Eva was now riding behind him, hands trembling but tightly gripping Daniel’s waist. Her ragged breaths were swallowed by the howling wind.

Up above, Orlin had spread his white wings wide. With brutal speed, he was chasing after them. His eyes were filled with rage, and if eyes could kill, Daniel would’ve died a thousand times by now.

The valley narrowed with each second. The rocky walls drew closer like a pair of jaws.

Suddenly, Vorak stopped. The path was blocked. Tall cliffs sealed the way forward. No way back, no way ahead.

"There’s really... no escape this time..." Eva glanced around in panic.

White wings cast a shadow. Orlin landed right in front of them. Dust exploded beneath his feet.

"Wasting time won’t help you, filthy creature. This is the end of the road." His venomous gaze locked onto Daniel.

"Filthy creature? Are you stupid? We’re both human." Daniel didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. This idiot had managed to become racist toward his own species in just a few minutes.

"Heh, I meant you foreign trash," Orlin sneered.

"You foreign scum are always too proud. Ever since you came to this world, you act like it’s yours..."

"Because we have the power to make it ours." Daniel raised his chin, his grin deepening.

He didn’t deny what others from his world had done, but he definitely wouldn’t tolerate racism against them either.

"Shut your mouth, filth. It’s time to die." Orlin narrowed his eyes.

"What’s wrong? Can’t handle the truth?" Daniel laughed.

"Hmph, consider yourself lucky. I wasn’t planning to use this item to turn into a half-angel, but I had no other choice," Orlin growled.

He couldn’t afford to fail this mission. If he did, he’d definitely lose his place in the Church. And losing one’s status in the Church wasn’t a small thing.

He’d worked hard for his current rank—especially since he wasn’t particularly talented. After reaching Rank D, he’d hit a wall and couldn’t grow stronger.

Even this item he used now only lasted for an hour. The power wasn’t permanent.

But if he completed this mission, the Church had promised to reward him with the blood of a real angel.

The blood of a true angel could greatly boost his potential.

He stepped forward toward Daniel and Eva—but suddenly, heavy footsteps echoed.

From both sides of the valley, knights in purple armor appeared.

Alongside them were three winged humans, with antlers like stags.

"These... are...?!" Eva whispered in disbelief.

"See, idiot? Fate can change in a second," Daniel said, running a hand through his messy hair with a satisfied grin.

Orlin’s brows furrowed. A sudden sense of danger overwhelmed him. If he didn’t escape now, he might never get the chance again. He would definitely die.

And returning without Eva wasn’t an option. The Church Council would skin him alive.

Damn it. Where the hell did this bastard find them? What even are these things?

His eyes locked on Eva. In an instant, he lunged at her with a flap of his wings. The air grew heavy with holy energy.

"Surround him! Now!" Daniel’s sharp voice rang out.

To push him back, Daniel instantly activated [Light of Destruction] and launched it at Orlin.

Orlin was forced to retreat, but the ten Fallen quickly surrounded him.

"Damn it!" Orlin cursed, wasting no time and activating his skill:

[Lament of the Holy Choir]

A halo of golden light burst from his wings. A piercing, holy sound echoed out, so sharp it cracked even the stones.

The weaker Fallen dropped to their knees in pain.

Pride, one of the Fallen, charged forward with his spear, activating the technique [Shining-Pierce Strike] and aiming it at Orlin.

"Aghhh!!" Orlin used his wings as a shield, but the spear pierced right through them.

"I’ll kill you bastard trash!"

"Spear? I can use that too." Orlin growled.

[Golden Holy Spear]

A spear of holy light fell from the sky and launched at Pride. He tried to dodge and used a defensive technique, but it didn’t work. The spear pierced his body.

"Heh. One down," Orlin said coldly, glancing at them with contempt.

Although Pride seemed dead, the formation didn’t break—and no one reacted much.

Daniel watched the fight from afar. The ten Fallen, like patient hunters, attacked Orlin from all sides. He fought back with skill and power, but the wounds on his body kept adding up.

His wings were soaked in blood. His movements were slowing.

Azarak saw the opportunity with his massive sword. With a mighty roar, he raised it and brought it down in a strike that shook the entire valley. The blade tore through flesh and bone mercilessly.

Daniel stepped forward, eyes fixed on Orlin’s shattered body. His gaze was emotionless. Just evaluating.

"The Church will hunt both of you to the end of time," Orlin spat, eyes full of rage and hatred, before finally closing them.

Daniel ignored him. Then turned his attention to Ghorour. He sent him into his spiritual sea for healing.

As long as he lived, the other Fallen wouldn’t die either. Their existence was tied to him. Only his death could trigger theirs—one by one.

"I think it’s time we had a talk," he turned to Eva and said.