Things shouldn't be this way.
Within the alternate space of [Mercy Countdown], Enbillick felt rare anger flare up. No matter how briefly he rewound time, he couldn't escape from here—ending the [Mercy Countdown] prematurely would only be possible if Painter voluntarily lifted the spell, or if Painter were directly killed by him.
The former was definitely unrealistic, and Enbillick originally thought the latter wouldn't be too difficult. However, he was proven wrong.
This team of mortals wasn't here to "defeat him". They straightforwardly took a defensive approach, focusing entirely on defense. God knew whose idea it was, but the team's defensive measures were extremely irritating—
"Saint" Painter and "Flawless" Anakin both possessed top-tier healing abilities. These two had their skill sequences well arranged, always ready with the highest level of recovery magic. As long as Enbillick couldn't achieve a one-hit kill, it was almost as if he hadn't attacked at all.
Their protector was a magic swordsman who could break through space at will, forcibly neutralizing attacks. And that "Night Ranger", fearing Drake wasn't formidable enough, enthusiastically buffed the hero with various enhancements, making their entire team tougher than a turtle shell.
The most infuriating part was that Anakin, the core healer, was a Player, which meant she couldn't be killed.
Enbillick rewound time over and over, constantly trying different strategies. He tried aggressive attacks, he tried provocation, but this four-person squad was immovable like a mountain, with Drake almost cold-bloodedly maintaining command—as if nothing in this world could shake his nerves. Heaven knew what he had gone through.
He couldn't bait them into talking, nor could he win in a fight. Enbillick gave up on killing Painter. He could only start guessing their next move.
The time limit of [Mercy Countdown] was approaching. Could it be that the opposing side was willing to sacrifice Drake and Painter, dying together with his avatar?
This would match Painter's oracle; his death would fulfill Nol, the God of Creation.
No, that wasn't right. Enbillick immediately dismissed his guess. He knew that Nol definitely didn't have such ruthless methods. Teest might not mind doing so, but he would be considerate of Nol's feelings.
So, the answer was left with one—delay time, lock his consciousness in the alternate space for thirty minutes. Then, those two would take the opportunity to attack his real body. Considering the cooldown limitation of [Mercy Countdown], those thirty minutes were the limit.
Enbillick breathed a sigh of relief.
He had already considered such a scenario and had specially prepared his real body in a focused defensive state. If Nol arranged a tough turtle-shell team for him, then those two also had to face a turtle-shell-like Star Stealer Sol's real body.
He knew their limits. Thirty minutes was all. They wouldn't be able to make much of a splash.
As for the Players… his real body was at the zenith, which was extremely difficult to attack. Those humans, holding a timed quest, would probably spend over half an hour just discussing whether to attack the "real body", a monster that was outside of the quest.
Now, Nol probably realized his own judgment error.
Enbillick thought Nol and Teest wanted to eliminate his avatar first. He had prepared the most top-level curse within the flesh—
The moment the avatar was destroyed, the curse would erupt. Using his avatar as fuel, the curse was powerful enough to take away a False God. Such as Nol, of course, but more likely Teest.
However, the opponent wasn't greedy enough and attacked his real body first. Now, good. When the countdown ended, both his avatar and real body would survive.
Thinking of this, Enbillick was very satisfied with the more than half remaining on his health bar. He deliberately restrained his offensive, conserving strength. Sure enough, Painter waved his wand, canceling the spell.
Thirty minutes were up.
The moment he left the alternate space, Enbillick quietly pulled up the attribute panel. The moment he saw the clear panel values, his complexion turned pale.
[Enbillick Alva [Avatar] – System Temporary Administrator]
[HP: 26,787,000/35,634,800 | MP: 705,430/1,218,500]
[Star Stealer Sol – System Temporary Administrator]
[HP: 402,117,650/999,999,999 | MP: 512,378,760/999,999,999]
What happened?!
Half an hour ago, his real body still had 64% health. Under full defense, the opponents could at most reduce it to around 60%. Only 40% left? In just half an hour?
Shocked for a full two seconds, Star Stealer Sol realized something was off.
It was supposed to be deep night, yet the surroundings were as bright as daylight. The area was empty. The air was filled with heatwaves and platinum flames that licked the exquisite murals.
The entire space was draped with golden threads, as if a group of giant spiders spewing golden silk had built their nest here. The web-like threads reflected the brilliance of the flames, looking more like parts of the flames rather than actual gold.
On the ground, dark corruption sinisterly moved about. They hissed as they corroded the immaculate statues. Shadows like droplets slid down the statues' cheeks, resembling tears of blood.
Powerful magical fluctuations enveloped the surroundings, isolating the outside world and emitting an exceedingly dangerous aura.
Before him, those four mortals still assumed defensive stances. Looking at the burning Evergreen Church, Painter's eyes held a hint of contemplation. His new green eyes were brightened by the flames, appearing almost golden.
Unfortunately, Enbillick had no time to pay further attention to these four mortals.
Behind him, someone hummed a tune. The voice was soft and pleasant, soaked with sweet malice.
"You now have two choices, Mr. Rat."
The statue by the side of the hall collapsed. Teest sat leisurely on the broken white stone, swinging a leg.
"The first, immediately give up your real body and try to escape from under my hand and find a dark corner to cling to life."
Teest spoke with a smile. His white light armor and silver-white hair made him the most conspicuous light source in the flames. "The second, immediately give up your avatar and struggle with your real body—I recommend this one. It's more interesting. I can beat you up together with my beloved."
The Mad Monk toyed with a small hunting knife in his hand, his tone as gentle as a sermon.
Star Stealer Sol naturally had no intention of listening to the enemy's nonsense. His rage grew fiercer. He immediately controlled his real body, lifting the pure defensive state. Several blood-red beams, accompanied by rigid meteorites, mercilessly smashed towards the main hall.
They successfully penetrated the cathedral's roof, followed by the beams being scattered by the golden threads, and the meteors burnt up by the golden fire. Teest widened his eyes innocently. "Oh dear, you didn't think all these were just set pieces, did you?"
Enbillick was expressionless. In those few seconds he lowered his defense, his real body's health immediately dropped from 40% to 39%.
Could the avatar named "Enbillick" escape? Indeed, it could.
If he abandoned his real body and escaped from here, he could definitely do it. But he couldn't afford to give up his real body—it would be too insane. Things weren't that desperate yet.
Sacrificing his real body, giving up the vast majority of his power, losing almost all system permissions, and starting over while being hunted by Nol and Teest under their watchful eyes. It would be just like…
Just like Nol initially.
Enbillick involuntarily looked towards Teest—Teest was holding up a hand, signaling the four-person squad not to move. He smiled at Enbillick, his pair of golden eyes showing not amusement but thick mockery.
This guy was doing it on purpose, Enbillick thought. If he wasn't mistaken, the Mad Monk was even enjoying this moment.
"Coward," Teest said lightly, with a grin. "Nol was in a worse state than you initially. At least you know the causes and consequences, and your head isn't filled with mental corruption."
Saying that, Teest lightly jumped down from the remains of the statue without making a sound. "It seems you choose to give up the only way out."
With a casual flick of his hunting knife, it transformed into the appearance of a long sword, gleaming coldly.
Enbillick didn't respond. He charged directly at Teest. Yes, he wouldn't risk abandoning his real body. Since it seemed the avatar couldn't be saved, he had to make this body count as much as possible.
The battle wasn't over yet. He intended to let the erupting death curse take Teest with it.
This time, Enbillick didn't focus on defense. Top-level items exploded like money was no object, and in the limited space of the main hall, he wildly unleashed destructive magic, even if those spells affected him too.
Under this nearly suicidal onslaught, the four-person group indeed couldn't intervene smoothly. Only Teest could grapple with Enbillick—black-red orbs of light and platinum orbs collided incessantly, while large chunks of debris fell from time to time.
The ground seemed to have been scourged by artillery fire hundreds of times. The previously mirror-like tiles were gone, leaving only countless big and small explosion pits. The two gods fought as if they were at the end of their ropes while the grand cathedral rumbled in the flames.
Considering that Teest had completely sealed the hall, Drake decisively switched to a defensive position. He led the others, staunchly defending a corner. They all knew that interfering carelessly at this time could likely complicate matters for Teest.
At this point, Enbillick no longer hid the magic unique to Star Stealer Sol. It was cold and viscous, emitting a black-red glow, like a swamp that had swallowed thousands of people. Unfortunately, compared to Teest's magic, it still lacked destructive power—
The madness of the two sides wasn't even on the same level.
Teest battled Enbillick with his real body, but his behavior was even more outrageous than the quietly dying Enbillick. Teest attacked like a lunatic, completely ignoring defense. He seemed to feel no pain, solely focused on turning the avatar in front of him into mincemeat with his sword.
"You killed my family."
Teest murmured almost inaudibly, as countless golden threads wrapped around Enbillick's body. "I didn't get to say goodbye to them. My parents said it was rude not to."
Enbillick hastily crushed a gem, barely freeing himself with a top-tier protective spell.
"You also want to kill Nol."
Teest swung his long sword decisively, the blade casting out whips of golden flames. "My Nol."
Crimson ropes shot from the ground towards the high skies, attempting to bind Teest's ankles. Enbillick moved his fingers, condensing numerous large and small black orbs in the air, their surfaces shooting out countless spikes, intending to impale Teest in midair.
Teest allowed those spikes to pierce his skin. As blood splattered, the tips of the spikes ignited with golden fire, turning to ash.
"Finally."
Teest charged directly at Enbillick, his entire form seemingly transforming into a golden fire spear. "You even stole the wishing gold wheel Nol gave me—"
Enbillick: "..."
Unreasonable fool! This is a battle of gods. What nonsense are you talking about?
While dodging, he carefully glanced at the panel.
[Enbillick Alva [Avatar] – System Temporary Administrator]
[HP: 197,645/35,634,800 | MP: 52,190/1,218,500]
[Star Stealer Sol – System Temporary Administrator]
[HP: 370,552,100/999,999,999 | Mana: 314,917,080/999,999,999]
Almost there, Enbillick thought. His curse would attack nearby. Next, he had to receive the right hit to ensure the curse didn't target the wrong target.
He just needed—
Bang!!!
The gold threads throughout the hall vibrated simultaneously, accompanied by a piercing, shattering sound, and an exceptionally fierce magical fluctuation came from the door. The next moment, a powerful presence approached rapidly.
"Mad Monk!"
Eugene Malloy was covered in wounds. His handsome face was twisted with anger. In his hand, the "Dominator" sword emitted a dazzling light.
Clearly, with that sword, Eugene forcefully broke through Teest's blockade. On his pant leg, clung a shivering, dazed big white cat.
For the first time since the battle began, Enbillick truly smiled.
His reinforcement had arrived.