Sylvia’s face tightened with wariness as she stared at the man before her—so familiar, yet utterly alien.
She had no intention of fleeing. After all, the Hero’s sudden transformation was undeniably tied to her.
She was no ingrate. Unless it was truly life or death, she would do everything possible to restore him.
But how?
The Corrupted Hero’s power had surged again—perfectly matching the invincible legend from the "Fallen Hero" arc.
Yet with Sylvia’s strength only restored to level 70, even boosted by Hymn of Hope, she stood no chance in a direct clash.
She had to break his Corrupted State directly.
High-tier Sacred Healing?
It was the only option left. Sylvia prepared to cast it precisely at Kroso ahead.
But the spell required a brief chant—and left her dangerously exposed.
The Corrupted Hero was waiting for exactly that moment.
Whoosh!
In a blur, he flashed right before her.
Startled, Sylvia tried to dodge.
She’d severely underestimated his speed. Just as she thought she’d retreated far enough, his afterimage reappeared.
So fast!
Like true teleportation.
Now she truly grasped the monstrous nature of the Hero’s Flash Step. Before she could even gasp, a scorching hand—hot as a branding iron—seized her.
“Mmph!”
No time to evade. Instantly pinned tight against his chest by overwhelming strength.
So hot! So hot!
Unbearably hot!
His body burned like an erupting volcano. His upper garments had vanished, revealing bronze, corded muscle.
Her pure white angelic attire shimmered perilously under heat intense enough to vaporize flesh.
But worse was the crushing pressure.
To keep her trapped, he poured every ounce of strength into a brutal, physical lock.
Savage—but devastatingly effective. Against a smaller opponent, sheer force could suffocate or rupture organs.
And Sylvia was precisely that: petite. Even her Body of Holy Spirit’s regeneration faltered under constant compression. Healing cells could only numb the pain—not rebuild.
Breath vanished. She felt herself melting into him.
Good grief…
What combat intellect was this?
To spot the Body of Holy Spirit’s weakness after a single glance?
No wonder the Corrupted Hero ran rampant through the Holy City. A heartless humanoid war machine.
Sensing his mindless killing intent, Sylvia instantly cast Hymn of Hope on herself.
True to its level-70 might, the debuff removal surged. An irresistible force shoved the Corrupted Hero back.
High-tier Sacred Healing!
Knowing he’d pounce again, Sylvia began chanting without hesitation.
A pristine white magic circle bloomed beneath her feet. Eager to kill, the Corrupted Hero finally stepped inside.
“Hiss… Hiss… Hiss…”
Purified violently by Holy Light, his face twisted the moment he crossed the threshold. He jerked back.
But the spell had already latched on. Wracked by agony, he Flash Stepped to the living room corner. White vapor rose from his entire body.
His expression turned feral. Dark crimson eyes glowed like a wounded wolf’s, ready to tear flesh. A low, beastly growl rumbled from his throat.
It worked!
He truly feared her High-tier Sacred Healing!
Joy flared in Sylvia’s chest. She finally understood why no one in the original story could stop him.
Because the Archangel of Supremacy—the only one who could save him—had died the exact moment the Hero fully corrupted.
Leaving only one tragic ending.
But now? Everything was different!
She still lived. And the Hero had corrupted right before her eyes—early.
Stumbling upon the key to undo the story’s greatest tragedy, excitement surged through her.
Yet…
How to actually purify him remained uncertain. With his tactical mind, he’d surely avoid the spell after feeling its irreversible damage.
Sure enough, still steaming, the Corrupted Hero began weaving nimbly.
His glare stayed fierce—but now edged with caution.
He wouldn’t let her go. He knew the chant was her weakness.
If the circle missed his movement, Flash Step would pin her again.
Sylvia held her ground. No rash moves.
Seconds ticked. Tension thickened the air.
They locked eyes across the room, studying each other. Neither moved first.
Not good…
Her aura felt weaker. Nervousness crept in.
She was on the defensive. He moved freely—staying only to find an opening to kill her.
Her only counter required waiting for *his* move first.
So hard…
The crushing helplessness of being utterly outmatched tightened her nerves to the breaking point.
How could she possibly predict his flawless footwork?!
Watching his towering form flicker like a broken slideshow, she seethed at the Hero’s absurd Flash Step—as if it had zero cooldown.
Wait…
Yes!
Flash Step?
Blink Rune!
A flash of insight: the guardian contract sealed on her right palm by the Hero. Her heart leaped.
If she activated the Blink Rune now… would the Corrupted Hero’s body instantly teleport to her side?
