Jack''s crazed smile gradually faded, his expression darkening into a frown as his eyes locked onto the figure standing before him.


    "Tch… One day, I decide to stretch my wings a little, and trouble just crawls out of the woodwork," he muttered, annoyance thick in his voice. His hands twitched at his sides, his fingers itching to summon the darkness that churned within him.


    However, Ivan''s focus wasn''t on Jack. His piercing blue eyes were trained on the stunned Alisha, who stood frozen, her face pale as disbelief radiated from her. The shattered remains of her barrier still flickered faintly in the air, as if mocking her failure.


    Jack''s spear had torn through her defenses like they were made of paper.@@novelbin@@


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    "You may have a great deal of karma," Ivan finally spoke, his voice calm and measured. "But your understanding of power is limited. It''s not that I doubt your capacity, but I suggest you step aside. Let me deal with this."


    Ivan''s closed eyes opened slowly as he reached for his de, its white scabbard gleaming like the morning sun. When he unsheathed it, the de seemed to hum with restrained energy, a light that whispered of divine judgment. His silver hair caught the dawn''s rays, giving him an otherworldly glow.


    Jack cocked his head and sneered. "It''d be unfair for two of you to gang up on me, wouldn''t it? I thought the Church prided itself on its honor. Or is that just for show?"


    His words were mockery, but there was an edge of truth in them. Jack knew he couldn''t back down now. His hand was already yed; the darkness within him had been exposed. Hiding would be useless. Retreat, impossible.


    Alisha''s trembling hand clutched her staff tighter, her lips pressed into a thin line. For a moment, she hesitated. Then, she stepped back, her voiceced with venom. "Why waste ourbined efforts on someone like you? Don''t worry. Saint Ivan will send your wretched soul back to the void where it belongs."


    Jack smirked. "Dying again doesn''t sound all that bad. Who knows? Maybe I''ll even enjoy it this time." His words hung in the air, a taunt, but his eyes betrayed the turmoil beneath his calm fa?ade.


    Before he could say more, Ivan shot forward. He moved like lightning, the ground beneath him exploding into shards as his speed shattered the earth. His de came down in a thunderous arc, and Jack barely managed to block. The impact of their sh unleashed a shockwave, tearing through the ground and sending a powerful gust outward.


    Jack''s arms trembled under the force. The difference in their strength was ringly clear. This wasn''t a fight he could win outright—at least not yet.


    ''The others mighte too. If the inspectors catch up, it''s over. I need to figure this out now,'' he thought, his mind racing even as his face remained a mask of defiance.


    "You," Ivan''s voice broke through the storm of Jack''s thoughts, his de pressing down like an unrelenting tide. "Who are you really? And what is your motive?"


    Jack''s grin returned, though it was tinged with strain. "Who am I? I thought you were the experts on knowing everything. Didn''t the Church brief you?"


    Ivan''s de inched closer, the weight behind it unyielding. His eyes betrayed no emotion, like the depths of an unfathomable sea.


    With a quick pivot, Ivan drew his sword back, raising it high before bringing it down with devastating force. Jack braced himself, his feet digging into the ground as the strike sent him skidding backward. He barely managed to stay upright, dust rising in a cloud around him.


    [me st!]


    Jack''s voice rang out, and orbs of fiery energy ignited in the air around him. He thrust his hand forward,unching the zing projectiles at Ivan while dashing in close behind them.


    [MP: -50]


    "Magic too? Impressive," Ivan said, his voice calm but his movements swift. With fluid precision, he wove through the onught, his sword shing through the mes like a knife through water. Each swing of his de carried an elegance that belied its deadly intent.


    Jack''s mind raced. ''He''s faster than anyone I''ve faced… even Alogra. This guy''s in a league of his own.''


    Ivan was unrelenting, closing the gap between them in an instant. His strikes came faster and harder, each one sending Jack scrambling to dodge or block. The arcs of light emanating from his de cut through the air like divine projectiles.


    Jack could barely keep up. The gap in their skill and power was like an abyss, but his mind remained sharp. He had to use everything at his disposal.


    "Judging by that title of yours," Jack began, dodging a particrly close strike, "you must be on par with the Lady of the Church. A saint, right? And that weapon—definitely a sacred relic. Am I wrong?"


    Ivan didn''t respond, but the slight furrow of his brow was enough to tell Jack he''d struck a nerve.


    ''I can''t keep this up much longer,'' Jack thought. His gaze darted to Alisha, who was watching the battle intently, anger still burning in her eyes. Then his focus snapped back to Ivan, whose attacks were bing sharper, more precise.


    "This knowledge you have…" Ivan''s voice was low, his strikes steady. "How do you know so much about the Church''s secrets?"


    Jack grinned despite the sweat beading on his brow. "Oh, Ivan. If I told you, it''d ruin all the fun."


    Ivan''s expression darkened, and his movements became even faster, if that were possible. Jack''s breathing grew heavier as he dodged the onught. His mana reserves were dipping dangerously low, and his options were running out.


    [Dark mes!]


    The ck fire surged around Jack''s de, crackling with raw, malevolent energy. He swung it downward, sending a streak of darkness toward Ivan''s iing attack. The two forces collided in a burst of light and shadow, the sh creating a momentary reprieve.


    Jack took a step back, his eyes narrowing. "I''m here to help your precious High Priestplete his mission," he said, his toneced with mockery. "Really, you should be thanking me."


    "What mission?" Ivan demanded, his attacks pausing for the briefest of moments.


    Jack''s smile widened. "Don''t y dumb, Saint. You know exactly what I''m talking about. I''m here to kill your dear Lady of Light."


    The air grew heavy with tension. Ivan''s grip on his sword tightened, his calm fa?ade cracking just slightly. Alisha gasped, her face a mixture of fury and disbelief.


    "You…" she began, but her voice faltered.


    Jack''s smile turned wicked.


    The battle wasn''t over—not by a long shot. And Jack had the best n that could possibly be his saving grace.


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    [A/N: please spare a moment to visit the author monthly report chapter, for new updates... Thank you dear readers]