I had long ago left my power imprint on Lu. As long as she wasn't taken to the other side of the planet, I could sense her location.

"We're here."

After sprinting through the dark suburbs for over two minutes, I suddenly slowed down and gently landed on the ground.

"Hmm? It seems the other team has failed."

Immediately after, a man's voice rang out.

I looked toward the source and spotted a white-clad warrior holding a massive hammer. I also glanced around slightly, and my face instantly turned icy cold.

Dozens of white-clad warriors surrounded me. The cross emblems on their gear marked them as Holy Church members, but that didn't matter.

My gaze fell on Lu, unconscious.

She was trapped in a magic circle, sealed by four Epic Level mages. Lu lay curled up like a helpless kitten, motionless on the ground.

But she showed signs of life—just temporarily unconscious.

"Holy Church..."

I stared frostily at the paladin-like enemy, softly uttering their faction's name.

"As expected, the first to hunt me down are you arrogant fools..."

After glancing at Lu, I shifted my gaze away.

She was still alive—that alone eased my mind.

But relief didn't mean I was in a good mood.

"Hmph! Just a mere fragment of a lost soul! Let me guess—you dealt with the other side so fast, your strength must be Legendary now?"

Right after my words, the man snorted disdainfully. Then, with extreme arrogance, he spoke to me.

I just silently tightened my grip on my heavy sword, saying nothing.

"Hmph, last time your body escaped. This time, we won't let you run..." Seeing no reaction from me, he snorted again with a disgustingly smug expression. "Ah, the body of Phoenix... such a magnificent form, so alluring... We'll utterly destroy your soul and take your body as a trophy. We'll return in triumph with the head of the Daughter of the Demon Emperor—a feat for the Holy Church!"

"Trophy? It's just an excuse to vent your beastly desires."

I gave him a cold look, raised my heavy sword one-handed, and pointed its blade at him.

"Enough nonsense. Done?" I said calmly.

"Ha, who are you scaring?"

As my words fell, twenty-nine Battle Halos erupted from the man's body. Simultaneously, three others behind him revealed dozens each—no fewer than twenty-five per person. I couldn't help but raise an eyebrow.

So, four Legendaries.

I thought to myself.

"Peak Legendary, one step from Divine General—is that your basis for arrogance?" I said with a cold laugh, staring at him.