[Chapter 40: Cultist]
When Daniel drew the prayer seals, he also reached out to an elusive heavenly power, seeking a trace of energy. Compared to the overwhelming force he now felt coursing through him, that power was like a drop in the ocean.
The sensation of imminent explosion stirred a restless fire inside Daniel, making his nerves raw and agitated. As he swung his hands, thin flickers of lightning danced faintly around his fingertips.
The successful Divine Empowerment had no visible effect on Daniel's physical form; only he could sense the violent storm raging within. His eyes fixed on the burly Thrall towering before him. In Daniel's view, Flesh-Mangled Face was beneath the burly Consecrated Thrall -- a clear step down -- and was steadily retreating.
Though Flesh-Mangled Face was only a spiritual projection, each blow chipped away at his essence, rendering him more ethereal with every hit. The curse energy the Thrall wielded was potent enough to scar even a spiritual form's core. Yet, under Daniel's command, Flesh-Mangled Face endured, retreating slowly but fighting fiercely, unwilling to give up.
"Hahaha, the ghost you raised is nothing more than this," Morian said, his tension easing as he watched the burly Thrall seize the upper hand.
"Is that so?" Daniel's voice was cold, a predatory edge beneath it. He took a few powerful strides forward. "You can retreat. Let me take care of this."
Sensing Daniel's surging power, Flesh-Mangled Face vanished in an instant, retreating completely. Now it was Daniel alone, facing off against the burly Thrall.
...
The Thrall stood over 6' 7" tall -- nearly a full head taller than Daniel's 6-foot frame -- and his massive bulk was far wider.
With a sudden "Boom!" the Thrall slammed a fist the size of a sandbag down toward Daniel. The air itself seemed to tear apart under the force, detonating with a series of concussive blasts. Coupled with its dark curse energy, that single punch had the power to blast a head clean off.
Daniel met the attack with a headbutt, his skull absorbing the blow squarely. But instead of suffering damage, a burst of lightning erupted from his head, striking the Thrall thick in the chest.
The Thrall staggered back, the burned spot smoking where Daniel's lightning had scorched him.
"Lightning?" Morian and Katherine gasped, their expressions frozen in disbelief.
Lightning was the sworn enemy of all dark, evil forces -- especially spiritual curses. Not even the Thrall could resist its power.
Their eyes locked on Daniel's, wide with shock, mingling surprise, anger, and a hint of fear. Douglas, Sheriff Ford, and Lara shared that stunned silence. They knew Daniel was formidable -- Ford and Lara had firsthand experience -- but they had never imagined he could command power like this.
...
Pressed by his advantage, Daniel relentlessly pursued the Thrall, each punch crackling with electricity. Boom, boom, boom -- the lightning-infused thunderclaps hammered the giant back, forcing a howl of rage as wisps of green smoke curled from his wounds.
The Thrall unleashed his fury, roaring defiantly and shrugging off the lightning damage to counterattack. Boom after boom, Daniel and the Thrall exchanged furious strikes, obliterating every piece of furniture in their path.
The home -- once belonging to Lawrence -- succumbed to utter devastation, its interior wrecked by their wild combat. Even untouched glass shattered under the shockwaves of their blows.
Despite withstanding the relentless lightning assault, the Thrall's brutal ferocity was only masking his weakening state. Signs of exhaustion crept in; deep wounds bled and chunks of flesh and bone flew with every impact. Meanwhile, Daniel seemed to grow stronger, sustaining a high-energy output unshaken.
Witnessing Daniel seize the battlefield completely shocked everyone. Though visibly smaller, Daniel's dominance in such a brutal clash was impossible to ignore -- a striking testament to his raw power.
With a decisive, lightning-charged punch, Daniel blasted off one of the Thrall's massive arms. Flesh churned grotesquely at the fresh wound, broken bones exposed -- but blood barely dripped.
Daniel swept a leg fiercely.
Crack! The Thrall's leg was forcibly severed and sent flying. The giant collapsed, mouth spewing blood, his aura flickering as his colossal form began to shrink.
In moments, he shrank rapidly -- 6' 7", 6' 3", 5'10" -- until barely 3 feet tall. Yet he kept shrinking.
Even Daniel blinked in surprise and ceased his attack, stepping back. Before he could fully react, a loud "bang" echoed -- then the shriveled Thrall exploded in a violent burst, reducing him to a pile of scattered, shredded meat.
...
"Don't let them escape," Daniel barked sharply.
Sheriff Ford and the group looked up in alarm just as Katherine and Morian were slipping away, using the chaos to retreat hastily.
"Bang, bang, bang..." Ford fired without hesitation.
Morian shoved Katherine aside, letting her dodge the hail of bullets while taking several himself. Blood gushed from his back and mouth.
"Morian!" Katherine cried, rushing forward. But he waved her back firmly.
"You go, quickly," he urged through gritted teeth. "When I kill them, your status stays intact. Your dream of wealth will be fulfilled. Go now..."
Morian pulled a blood-soaked doll from inside his clothes and shoved it into his mouth, swallowing swiftly. His flesh rapidly withered, but his aura flared up, swelling dangerously.
"Not good!" Sheriff Ford emptied his magazine. Lara joined the bullet storm. But even dozens of bullets barely slowed Morian. His body, shriveled like a desiccated corpse, looked closer to skeletal than human. Bullets passed through easily, dropping to the floor.
...
Glaring at Daniel with poisonous hatred, Morian spat out venomous words. "It's you. All of this is your fault. I'll take you down with me."
With a guttural roar, he shed his frail legs and lunged.
"You're not worthy to kill me," Daniel said calmly. A triangular prayer seal ignited in his palm, ablaze with mystical fire.
Morian's steps faltered as invisible flames curled through his shriveled flesh.
"Ah..." he screamed, writhing in torment as skin blistered and burned without flame.
"How could... this... what did... what did you do?" his voice trembled.
Daniel replied coldly, "With your given name and hair, this was easy."
Morian howled in pain, rage, and stubborn defiance, staggering forward. "I can't let you live -- you'll hurt my wife. Die! You'll die with me!"
Daniel didn't flinch. Calling out hand signs, he intoned:
Life marks the path; blood seals the claim.By judgment above and binding below, the target is enclosed.Let soul be torn from flesh, and all anchors be undone.Threads are cut, bonds are broken-By decree, be cast down and carried away.
Morian froze mid-stride. His face locked in horror. Then his body collapsed to the ground as remaining flesh peeled away, revealing a bare skeleton.
[Ding! Cultist killed. 5,000 Merit Points gained.]
[Ding! Cultist killed. Acquired: Inner Sanctification Rite.]
Daniel's internal system confirmed Morian's complete eradication.
"No!" Katherine shouted, golden hair whipping wildly. Her face twisted in anguish, her aura shifting violently as her body began contorting unnaturally, threatening to become a second Morian.
*****
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