"How hypocritical," Orlin said in response to Daniel's words, a mocking smile curling on his lips.

Daniel just shrugged. He didn't feel the need to show respect to enemies weaker than himself. He was the type who normally spoke to others with respect—

Unless they were his enemies. And in that case, it depended: if they were weaker than him, he naturally didn't bother. But if they were stronger, he'd avoid provoking them—at least until he was strong enough. Unless, of course, they provoked him first.

"Anyway. The orc attack... That was your doing, right?" Daniel asked suddenly.

"Of course. We used them to cover our tracks. When you want something, you have to make sure no one notices." Orlin replied. This operation was highly sensitive—no trace could be left behind.

"So let me guess... it's my turn now, right? Am I supposed to get killed or something?"

"Exactly," Orlin said with a smile.

"Get it over with. I don't have all day," he added, then turned toward the knights.

Four knights—all clad in golden and white armor, with steel helms—leapt down from the edge of the ravine. The drop wasn't too far, maybe three meters at most.

They rushed Daniel all at once.

But Daniel—didn't take a single step back. In fact, a slight smirk of contempt formed on his face.

The first knight came in fast, swinging downward toward Daniel's head. But Daniel smoothly stepped aside and, in that moment, crushed the knight's helmet—and his skull—with a single punch.

The sound of his throat collapsing echoed, and the knight's lifeless body dropped to the ground.

The second one lunged without a word, aiming his blade at Daniel's side. Daniel reacted instantly—hooked his arm, twisted, and snapped his neck in one brutal motion.

The crack of bones breaking sliced through the air like a dry branch snapping.

The third knight stood a little farther back. He was more cautious. He realized Daniel wasn't someone he could beat, and glanced at the bishop.

But the bishop barked at him to fight. The knight sighed.

"What, you scared?" Daniel dragged his hand through the fresh blood on the ground, then smirked.

"A holy knight never fears a heretic," one of them muttered. The two remaining knights exchanged looks, reciting a rule of the church.

Daniel just gave them an empty stare—and rushed one of them. The knight tried to defend, raising his weapon, but Daniel clapped both his palms on either side of the knight's helmet and caved his skull in.

Orlin's expression darkened as he watched his knights getting slaughtered. He wondered if he should use that item—but after a second thought, decided against it for now.

"You heretic—you'll pay for killing my comrades!" the fourth knight shouted and charged at Daniel in rage.

Daniel picked up the fallen sword from the ground.

With one clean, merciless motion, he spun and unleashed the blade at his enemy.

[Shining Strike - Penetrator]

The sword tore through the armor like paper. Moments later, pieces of the knight's body hit the ground.

Silence. Daniel looked down at the knights—they weren't weak, but they weren't anything special either.

All of them were D-rank, not even at the peak of D-rank. After everything he'd gained in the Colosseum Dungeon, Daniel could now comfortably fight any Awakened below B-rank.

"Useless bastards. Shouldn't have counted on you." Orlin, his smile now long gone, muttered in frustration.

But before he could move—

Daniel turned his head casually toward his massive beast, Vorak.

"While I deal with this bastard, go free the girl."

Vorak rumbled low in response. His eyes gleamed. Then, with shocking speed, he got up and darted toward Eva.

Daniel, meanwhile, locked eyes with the bishop.

Orlin's eyes burned with fury. It was like a deep wound had struck his pride.

"I won't waste any more time." The bishop muttered, and in a flash, dark violet magic lines flared across his body.

The ground beneath Daniel cracked. Compressed spells surged toward him like a flood.

But Daniel stood calmly. He took a step forward—slow, steady—while raising his sword.

"Slash of Destruction."

No scream. Just one motion. But that one slash tore the air apart.

A wave of destructive energy, shaped like a massive crescent moon, surged toward the bishop. The spells shattered. The earth cracked. And Orlin's body was directly in the path.

"No—what is this—" he screamed, but it was too late. The blow landed. A cry of pain and disbelief echoed through the mountain.

Orlin was thrown back. His armor cracked open. The magic lines on his body fizzled out. And then… he fell to his knees.

His eyes were still open, but lifeless. His hands limp. And finally, his body collapsed.

"Didn't you say this mission was super important to your church? Then why the hell would they send some trash D-rank?" Daniel frowned, confused. The bishop was only at the peak of D-rank.

If this matter was really so crucial to the church, why send someone so weak? Then again… maybe they wanted to avoid drawing attention. After all, powerful individuals always attracted unwanted eyes.

Vorak let out a short growl as he snapped the last chain. The girl nearly stumbled from the sudden release.

Daniel took a step toward her.

"Why… why did you save me?" Her voice trembled. Not from fear—just disbelief.

"Because of those two old folks who were ready to kneel to save you," Daniel replied with a bitter smile.

"Uncle Garol… Aunt Mira… Are they alive?!" Eva's eyes welled with tears.

Daniel nodded slowly.

But then—a rasping voice, like a shard of glass scraping, came from behind.

"Where do you think you're going? We're not done yet…"

Daniel turned.

Orlin… was standing again. He pulled out a large white orb—and crushed it.

The earth trembled.

"What the hell did you just do?" Daniel swore.

Then he saw it—Orlin's body was changing.

From behind his shoulders, two massive white wings spread out.

But they were bloodstained. Filthy.

A faint golden aura coiled around him. His power surged.

From C-rank… to the brink of B-rank. Just half a step below.

"…"

Daniel didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

Weren't heroes supposed to be the ones with plot armor? Why the hell was it reversed now?