"Isn't it too early for this!? We should have other hopes!"

Sacrifice.

The Paladin's signature skill, and also the last resort.

"..."

Zar couldn't help but step forward, his bound mouth twitching, wanting to say something to stop him.

But a mute cannot speak... nor can a self-imposed mute.

He could only gesticulate wildly with hand gestures no one could understand—yet the rapid motions looked very intimidating, making the already anxious High Tier Ghost Wolf more wary, delaying its attack plans.

The Nun Sister then spoke in a low voice: "Don't be rash, the commotion here is so loud, the other teams should notice us!"

The other Demon Hunting teams, although in a competitive relationship with them, were fellow members of the Monastery and could not possibly leave them to die.

Once someone notices the situation here, they will surely come to investigate and offer their assistance.

Their gazes filled with concern and reluctance to see him act impulsively.

However, when they saw Fao's eyes, they finally closed their mouths.

The blazing eyes burned with a flame-like determination, containing unwavering resolve.

Although Fao did not speak it out loud, everyone understood his intention.

Words are superfluous, my mind is made up.

"I understand your thoughts, it's the best choice for now."

"When I swing this sword, you must take the opportunity to escape... Do not waste the chance I create for you."

When the others reluctantly gave up, Fao slowly nodded and continued his prayers.

"My Lord, please listen to my plea."

"My companions are suffering at the hands of the enemy, their lives hanging by a thread, I witness all the pain and despair, feeling ever smaller in my own strength."

"I beg you, great Sun God, please grant me immense power, even if I must pay with my own life, I will not flinch."

"I am willing to use my life as a price to gain the power to destroy these evil foes and rescue my companions from endless suffering."

As the Paladin's words of prayer continuously chanted, a mysterious force gradually surrounded him.

Slowly, faint glimmers of light began to appear on his body, ultimately converging on the sword blade in his hand.

That was a symbol of the Divine Spirit responding to his prayer!

Each glimmer contained great power, enough to vanquish the darkness!

However, this power did not come from the Divine Spirit, but from his own being.

The power like streams continuously gathered, rushing out from within him, merging into the sword blade—Fao was extracting his own potential.

His complexion grew paler, and his once robust body began to shrivel,

With each additional force infused into the blade, his life was withdrawn accordingly, making him appear increasingly frail, like a candle flickering in the wind, at any moment about to extinguish.

Yet as Fao became weaker, he also became more dangerous.

The weaker he became, the more dangerous he was.

When he was at his weakest, he was also at his most dangerous.

He might even become so weak that he couldn't withstand the recoil after swinging the sword.

Fao understood his physical condition crystal clear—once he swung this sword, he would surely die!

By now, even the High Tier Ghost Wolf noticed something was off with Fao.

"Ugh..."

It wanted to strike early but suddenly stopped, fearfully watching the increasingly terrifying Paladin.

Death.

Death death death!

Should it abandon its clan members and escape alone?

Or try an attack first?

Fao, although extremely dangerous, was also highly alluring.

If he missed, he would directly die and become its food!

Just when Fao was about to unleash this mighty force, a few long and eerie howls sounded from afar.

"Awoo——"

The sound echoed across the silent battlefield, containing a mysterious intimidation that made every Ghost Wolf pause.

The Ghost Wolves, initially snarling around, looked as if they heard some irresistible command, a hint of doubt flashing in their eyes as they looked at their leader.

The leader, who had been pondering on how to escape, also hesitated, its ears twitched slightly, silently weighing something.

Then, they heard a second wolf howl.

"Awoo——"

This time, the wolf howl was closer than before, like a massive force steadily approaching them.

A trace of subtle hesitation and anger flashed across the Ghost Wolf leader's eyes.

"Whimper..."

But soon, it made up its mind, raising its head and releasing a long and resounding howl in response.

"Awoo!!!"

Immediately, the Ghost Wolf turned and left without hesitation, its agile form bursting with astonishing speed, disappearing into the mist in an instant.

And the other Ghost Wolves, hearing the leader's howl and seeing it leave first, breathed a sigh of relief and followed suit without hesitation.

Within just a few breaths, the Ghost Wolves' figures vanished into the mist shrouded with a mysterious aura.

The mist was like a giant curtain, completely covering the tracks of the Ghost Wolves, leaving only a silent battlefield, as if the tense standoff just now had never happened.

"Hmm!!?"

The whole thing happened so quickly that even Fao did not realize what was wrong, only watched the Ghost Wolves leave with open eyes.

Fao: ???

Gone?

Why did you leave?

I'm already like this, you... not playing anymore???

That's not right!

Or is it actually the Ghost Wolves' performance, a plot to lure the enemy deeper?

"..."

He still didn't relax his guard from the beginning, maintaining a vigilant posture.

However, after waiting for quite some time, there was no sign of them returning...

Did they truly retreat just like that?

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