"Did you kill her?" Zhang Fan's pupils constricted. Although she was an enemy, he had not intended to actually slay her. Despite his relentless approach, he was certain a vampire like her wouldn't succumb so easily. However, Mea had just decapitated Hilda, and if she could survive that, it would be truly against the laws of nature.
Even though vanquishing foes necessitated ruthlessness, the demise of such a lovely loli right before his eyes was more than Zhang Fan could bear.
"Such demons deserve no pity, even if slain a thousand times!" Mea, the Vatican's exorcist, remained unmoved by the death of the enchanting loli. Her demeanor grew even more bloodthirsty as she turned her attention to Katz.
"Your turn now," Mea declared, her great sword pointing unwaveringly at Katz, embodying the spirit of a swordswoman who never looks back.
Zhang Fan, though internally conflicted, recognized Mea's life-saving intervention. He resolved to consider this a trial, steadying his heart. Enemies, no matter how charming, remained foes beyond doubt.
"You think you can kill me? Have your pitiful scriptures not told you of our immortal nature?" Katz's mocking laughter broke the silence. Her resurrection was a stunning display, her body merging with the shadows, then re-emerging unscathed before them.
"Damn it!" Mea cursed under her breath. Facing the undying vampire was a tiresome ordeal. As Mea reengaged with Hilda, Zhang Fan swiftly confronted Katz.
"Now, it's time for our duel!" Zhang Fan smirked, having understood Katz's capabilities. He was confident he could capture her alive.
"Let's see your strength, then!" As Katz commanded, her crow swooped down from the sky, targeting Zhang Fan in a coordinated assault with a surge of water.
In the nick of time, a bullet shattered the window, striking the crow with impeccable precision – a testament to Lei Ji's extraordinary skill. Now Zhang Fan needed only to shatter the water attack.
Gathering energy, Zhang Fan's fist glowed as he unleashed his powerful Jade-Breaking Fist, shattering the seemingly formless water attack and continuing its trajectory towards Katz.
"You're a super detective!" Despite Katz's defenses, the impact of the fist forced her back several steps, betraying a trail of blood at the corner of her mouth.
Suddenly, an icy chill filled the air. Zhang Fan instinctively retreated, avoiding a layer of ice that instantly formed where he stood. Hidden in the room was an ice-controlling superpower user.
"Could it be... the Demonic Sword, Joan D'Arc?" Zhang Fan frowned, recalling the storyline's legendary ice-controlling girl. Was she linked to this criminal syndicate?
"What are you?" The disembodied voice was cold and trembling slightly. Zhang Fan's accurate guess had clearly rattled her.
"A Silver-haired beauty with sapphire eyes, clad in partial armor and wielding a Western sword – the very image of a mythic warrior goddess," Zhang Fan observed as Joan D'Arc materialized, wielding the frost-laden sword Durandal.
"Your ability to perceive my presence deserves commendation. However, as your opponent, I must defeat you!" Joan declared, her sword radiating an icy aura.
Unfazed, Zhang Fan prepared for battle, embracing the trial as a chance to test his true strength. With his gun in one hand and sword in the other, he employed techniques learned from Lan Bao. His sudden charge, enhanced by the skill Extreme Sprint, brought him instantly before Katz.