Chapter 153 - 152: Loris’s Invitation

Chapter 153: Chapter 152: Loris’s Invitation

Loris climbed out of the rubble and straightened his crooked helmet, only then noticing Hesia and his party in the distance.

The Holy Professional’s pained grimace instantly vanished, replaced by a stoic expression. He brushed his Right Hand over the Sun Emblem on his chest and struck a solemn pose, as if he wasn’t the one who had just been sent flying.

"Adventurers! It seems the guidance of the Holy Light has led you here at this crucial moment!"

He pointed a finger at the skeletons ahead. "Do you see? This land has given birth to such immense evil! These Undead Creatures desecrate the cycle of life."

Loris took a step forward, his eyes fixed intensely on Hesia.

"Now, I, Loris—a Sword Holder of the Saint Sun Church of Rose Town and a member of the Hand of Radiance—formally extend an invitation to you!" He paused, as if giving Hesia time to digest this great "honor." "This is an opportunity for your soul to be bathed in brilliance! Join me! Fight by my side! Let us wipe these foul Undead Creatures from the earth and allow the light of the Saint Sun to once again shine upon this forgotten corner!"

Hesia stared at him, his face impassive. His gaze traveled past Loris’s forced, stalwart posture, sweeping over the dents in his armor before landing on the hand gripping his sword hilt, which was still trembling slightly.

"So..." Hesia began slowly, "You’re saying you can’t win on your own and want us to help?"

Loris’s expression froze for a split second before he quickly recovered.

"Shallow! Adventurer, your interpretation is far too mundane. This is not a request for aid, but a matter of duty—"

Before he could finish, the towering, Giant Axe-wielding skeleton had already charged him.

"WHOOSH—!"

The Giant Axe let out a sharp whistle as it tore through the air in a powerful, sweeping horizontal slash aimed straight for Loris’s midsection!

"CLANG—!!"

The deafening shriek of metal on metal exploded! The axe blade slammed into Loris’s hastily raised Shield, sending a shower of blinding sparks into the air.

The immense impact sent him sliding back several meters, his feet carving two shallow grooves in the ground.

The arm holding his Shield was trembling violently, visible to the naked eye.

Hesia frowned slightly. ’No wonder his hand is trembling. This skeleton’s Power is absurd.’

Loris fought through the searing ache in his arm and steadied himself, attempting to continue his grand speech. "Ignorant Undead! Do not presume to interrupt a decree of the Holy Light! I am—"

Once again, his words were cut short as the shadow of death fell over him.

The Giant Axe Skeleton leaped into the air with an agility that defied its size, its form silhouetted by the moonlight as it loomed over Loris.

The skeleton raised the door-sized Giant Axe high above its head, aiming right where Loris stood.

The Giant Axe came crashing down!

At the same time, the surrounding skeletons swarmed in like a tidal wave.

On the verge of being overwhelmed, Loris yelled again:

"Hey! A little help! I can’t hold on much longer!"

’Couldn’t he have just said that from the start?’ Hesia was speechless.

A thought flickered, and his Magic Power instantly surged forth.

"BOOM!"

A thick stone pillar erupted diagonally from the ground in front of Loris, perfectly positioned between him and the descending Giant Axe!

"CRACK!"

The Giant Axe slammed into the stone pillar, sending rock fragments flying and stalling its downward momentum.

Although the pillar was ultimately shattered by the ferocious Power, the momentary obstruction bought Loris precious time to dodge.

He executed a clumsy but timely side roll, narrowly avoiding the fatal blow.

’What kind of Magic was that?’

Still shaken, Loris glanced at the fractured stone pillar.

As an elite of the Saint Sun Church, he prided himself on his knowledge of low-level Magic, but this didn’t resemble any spell he knew.

The fluctuation of Magic Power felt more like the earth itself had come to life.

’This man...’

’It seems he’s a genius, just like me.’

At almost the exact moment Hesia acted, Zoya’s figure vanished.

A moment later, she appeared behind a few skeletons.

Her dagger sliced into the joints of their cervical vertebrae.

With a few sharp CRACKS, the skeletons collapsed into pieces.

Loris didn’t dwell on Hesia’s Magic. As if to prove a point, the silver warhammer in his hand erupted in a white light even more brilliant than before. With a great shout, he smashed a standard Holy Light Strike into the giant skeleton’s arm.

"Holy Light, purify this filth!"

"BANG!"

Scorching Holy Light Energy exploded against the giant skeleton’s arm!

The white bone instantly turned black and started smoking as if doused in strong acid. The Giant Axe Skeleton’s movements stiffened, and the Soul Fire in its eye sockets dimmed.

The suppressive effect of Divine Energy on the Undead was obvious.

"That was a fine display, Mage!" Loris said, catching his breath as his old tone returned. "However, you and your companions can just handle the minions! Leave this troublesome beast to me!"

With that, he shook out his still-numb arm and charged the Giant Axe Skeleton with another Roar.

Although its left arm was seared by the Holy Light, slowing its movements slightly, the giant skeleton’s combat instincts were terrifyingly fierce. Its Giant Axe still swung with immense power, and its attacks flowed together seamlessly, a clear sign that it retained the masterful Combat Skills of its former life. Loris, relying on the boons of the Holy Light and the protection of his armor, skirmished with it. Warhammer and Giant Axe clashed repeatedly, sending sparks flying, but for the moment, neither could gain an advantage.

Hesia ignored Loris’s "orders" and calmly observed the battlefield.

The other skeletons, including the skeletal hounds, had very simple attack patterns, seemingly operating on pure instinct.

This Giant Axe Skeleton, however, was completely different. Its every move—parrying, cleaving, dodging—was filled with technique. It was as if it had been a powerful, battle-hardened Warrior in life, its combat memories seared deep into its very soul.

’Is something controlling it? Jasmine? Or Tammy?’ Hesia wondered. ’But it doesn’t make sense. Whether they’re an adopted orphan or a commoner’s daughter, neither of them should possess such masterful Combat Skills.’

At the same time, Hesia caught sight of a familiar "face" out of the corner of his eye—it was his own missing skeleton, the one crafted by the grog-nosed Wilson.

It had picked up a rusty sword from somewhere and was now mixed in with the horde, mechanically charging toward them.

With a flicker of his will, Hesia sent out a simple command, and the skeleton instantly froze in place.

’It seems that without my specific commands, it falls under the control of whatever presence is here.’

With Hesia’s magical support and Zoya’s efficient culling, all the other low-level skeleton minions were quickly wiped out, leaving only the one Hesia had just brought back under his control.