Mithra and Nino's squad arrived at Sunshine Village.
The breach in the wall and the surrounding area had become a Chrysalis cursed creature village. Besides the lack of a massive flesh mass, it was similar to the one in Eternal Night.
As soon as the squad arrived, the cursed creatures attacked, blocking their advance.
A scout approached Nino. "The village perimeter is secured by our 'Cleansing Fire Wall' miracle. The suspect is heading for the top of the breach!"
Mithra glanced at the nearby wall of fire, blazing high into the sky, raising the temperature around them.
[Cleansing Fire: A fire miracle. An exorcism fire miracle fueled by solidified spirit. When shaped into a wall, it is intangible yet more formidable than any physical barrier, capable of blocking curses. The stronger the spirit, the taller the wall.]
Nino looked towards the breach. Occasionally, the bodies of townspeople fell from above, transforming into writhing flesh upon impact.
"To the wall! Everyone, be careful!" Nino shouted, charging forward.
The complex terrain around the breach negated their numerical advantage.
The squad moved through the narrow passages atop the wall, constantly attacked by transformed residents, and chaos erupted.
Following the strong scent of the curse and the rhythmic heartbeat, Nino pressed forward, his sword blazing with Ignite, clearing a path.
Sheng, standing on the narrow, elevated passage, watched as Nino approached. He couldn't run any further.
He was forcing Nino onto the passage. The narrow terrain would prevent him from being surrounded.
The cursed creatures he had placed along the way had slowed down the pursuit. If Nino hadn't arrived, he would have destroyed the bridge and escaped.
But he wanted to stop them personally.
Nino stepped onto the passage and, igniting his sword, attacked Sheng.
Sheng's fingers extended, transforming into sharp, curved blades, meeting Nino's attack. They clashed fiercely on the narrow bridge, the flashes of their blades glinting under Xyrin's light.
After a brief exchange, Nino created distance and unleashed a volley of fireballs.
Sheng's chest bulged, fleshy projectiles firing rapidly.
Fireballs and projectiles collided, neither side gaining an advantage.
Suddenly, a blue light flashed beside Sheng.
Sheng turned to see the Hunter Greatsword.
Swish!
Half of Sheng's head was severed, skull fragments flying. Mithra kicked his body off the passage.
Normally, a blow to the head would be fatal for a Flesh Transmutation believer.
But Sheng wasn't a normal believer.
Tentacles sprouted from his limbs, grabbing the nearby buildings and pulling him back. One tentacle retrieved the severed half of his head and reattached it, a young man's face quickly reforming.
"It's you!" Sheng said, glaring at Mithra.
"It's me," Mithra replied seriously.
Something about her demeanor fueled Sheng's anger. "I'm going to cut out your tongue!"
Mithra: ?
Had she said something wrong? She hadn't done anything.
Just as he spoke, Sheng swung his sword. But a blazing sword energy slashed towards him. Sheng quickly dodged then climbing higher up the wall.
Mithra looked at Sheng's twisted figure.
["Chrysalis Larva," Sheng: The "Arm" has seized the "Heart." Even with insufficient flesh, its form is nearing completion. The Flesh Transmutation-created reptile is struggling within its chrysalis. Will it be reborn, or become a monster?]
The prefix given by Night Eyes had changed. Sheng was at a crucial stage.
Nino reached Mithra, nodding his thanks for her assistance before continuing his pursuit.
As they climbed, fierce attacks were exchanged. The believer, having achieved Unified Sense, fought without restraint, creating quite a spectacle.
Flesh and fire clashed, the chase continuing through the buildings.
From Mithra's perspective, Nino unleashed a variety of fire miracles, some familiar, some new, an impressive display.
But with the area engulfed in flames, it was difficult for anyone else to intervene.
Sheng was chased to the top of the wall. Flesh pulsed across his body, emanating a red glow.
Nino arrived, his body wreathed in flames, his aura powerful.
Sheng looked at Nino. The flesh on his body compressed and contracted along the tentacles, transforming into a long, sharp whip that lashed out at Nino.
Nino calmly parried with his ignited sword, unleashing flames to burn the flesh.
After deflecting most of the whip's attacks, he seized his opportunity. With a powerful burst of speed, he stomped on the ground, sending debris flying, and charged forward like a fiery lion.
The whip quickly retreated, forming a protective net even as new whips extended towards Nino.
A blue light flickered, and Sheng heard a series of clangs.
Mithra, moving like a ghost, weaved through the gaps between his fleshy tentacles, her greatsword and straight sword a blur of motion as she severed the tentacles blocking Nino's path.
With incredible speed, she appeared beside Sheng, gently tapping her swords together before vanishing, leaving Sheng exposed to the oncoming flames.
Boom!
A massive explosion erupted. Sheng's fleshy armor was blown apart, scattering in all directions. He was thrown back, reverting to his smaller form.
Nino, panting, was splattered with Sheng's flesh and blood.
Sheng coughed up blood, staring at Nino, his eyes bloodshot. "You've finally touched my flesh!"
He had intentionally allowed some of his flesh to survive the flames, letting it land on Nino.
He had even taken more damage to ensure this.
Nino's eyes widened slightly.
Hiss!
The small pieces of flesh clinging to him began to grow, using his body as a host!
Mithra appeared beside Nino, trying to remove the flesh, but Nino had fallen to one knee, Cleansing Fire erupting from his body.
"His flesh has a strong binding power. Don't touch me, Mithra," Nino said, feeling his heartbeat intensify.
Mithra briefly met his gaze, then turned, the Hunter Greatsword gleaming in her hand, the Night Eyes slowly opening.
Sheng slowly stood up. "You don't think you can defeat me, do you, you fools?"
"But aren't you also injured?" Mithra asked, still approaching.
"I'm close to completion, close to becoming a god! These miracles are less effective against me. Even if I'm injured, I'll just absorb you and use your tongue to heal myself! I'll even keep your face as a trophy," Sheng snarled.
As soon as he finished speaking...
A flash of blue sword energy. Several of Sheng's tentacles and arms were severed, blood spraying.
"I have Godly miracles, and a god-killing weapon. Isn't that convenient?" Mithra said, her pupils shifting between human and beast, her voice strangely layered.