Mutt

The Church of the Lamb assigned roles to its members upon their swearing allegiance to the Shepherd, each role carrying distinct privileges and responsibilities.

The Lambs were the entry-level members, granted access to the Church's support.

They received monthly funds and protection, ensuring their basic needs were met under the Church's care.

The Mutts were warriors and enforcers, provided with enchanted weapons, influence, and the duty to protect both the Church and its followers.

The Keepers stood at the top, governing each church and wielding significant authority. Typically, only one Keeper presided over a single church.

From their actions and equipment, it was clear that these two were Mutts.

I raised my blade, pointing it at Cabel while a grin stretched beneath my mask. "Are you sure you want to continue? I might just kill you."

He scoffed, brandishing his weapon. "Then come and do so."

"Abby, now!" he called as he charged toward me.

She raised her hand, hurling a spear of lightning. I sidestepped the projectile, blocking Cabel's incoming slash.

Countering, I slashed sideways, grazing his armor just as Abby threw another spear.

The spear struck my shoulder, sending me staggering slightly.

Cabel followed up with a downward swing, and I barely managed to parry, flicking my wrist upward to release a burst of raw mana in a brilliant blue.

He tumbled back, but Abby lunged at me from the air, her spear aimed for a fatal strike.

I jumped back to evade, only for Cabel to close in behind me, his blade swinging toward my neck.

I ducked, rolled to the side, and pulled a card from my pocket a card imbued with a spell he had unleashed earlier.

"Return!" I commanded. Instantly, the massive lightning dragon he had summoned earlier appeared above me, now under my control.

Cabel's eyes widened in shock.

Acting quickly, he rushed to Abby, forging a silver shield bearing the Shepherd's sigil.

He raised it just in time as the dragon hurtled toward them.

What he didn't know was that my ability increased the power of any attack I stole.

This ability, Thief, wasn't derived from my Order or pathway. It was originally part of the Criminal pathway.

I managed to replicate it using my cards, enchanting them to mimic the technique.

As long as I had these enchanted cards, I could use the ability.

However, there was a limit.

Unlike those lucky bastards who could wield Thief indefinitely, I could only use it about three times before having to replace the cards.

This time, though, it was enough.

As the dragon crashed into his shield, the force threw them both backward, leaving behind a massive explosion of lightning and wind.

I remained standing amidst the chaos, unharmed.

I began walking slowly toward them, releasing three percent of the Dormant Edge's power.

At this level, the blade amplified my strength, effectively multiplying my output by five times.

Of course, this wasn't true power augmentation; the blade simply allowed me to wield more of my own potential without it overwhelming me.

Still, I was limited.,

The Dormant Edge could only channel up to ten percent of my strength before the strain became unbearable, risking both the weapon's integrity and my own.

However, I wasn't the only one holding back.

Members of the Church of the Lamb were bound by their oaths to relinquish half their power upon entering the Church, a condition symbolized by their collars.

As the dust began to settle, Cabel stood firm, his shield raised but nearly shattered.

Its once-pristine surface was cracked and dim, struggling to maintain its form.

He glanced back at Abby, who stood nearby. "Stay back. I'm going to take off my collar."

She nodded without hesitation, retreating to a safer distance. Cable tossed his shield aside, letting it crash onto the ground, and began removing his cloak.

For the first time, I could see his neck clearly.

Around it hung a collar with a dangling charm bearing the Shepherd's sigil.

His eyes locked onto mine, with igniting fury.

With a single motion, he gripped the charm and ripped it off.,

For a moment, silence engulfed us. Cabel's piercing gaze bore into mine, as if stripping me down to my soul.

Then it happened a spark of lightning flickered above him, faint at first but quickly multiplying, growing into a storm that coiled around his figure.

With a single step faster than the crack of lightning itself he closed the gap.

In an instant, dozens, no, hundreds of movements blurred together as he appeared behind me.

"Thunder Clap and Flash!" was all I heard before his blade plunged through my back.

But like a mirage in the wind, my form dissipated into mist, leaving nothing but empty space. I reappeared a few meters away, solidifying once more.

Cabel turned to face me, his glare sharp enough to cut stone. "Slippery little one, aren't you?"

Our blades collided with a resounding clash.

He swung toward my side, but I parried, each strike of our blades sending crackling bursts of lightning into the air.

I infused more mana into my sword, feeling its weight grow heavier as my strength surged.

Rosaline had retreated far enough now; I could stop holding back.

As I pushed him back step by step, the restraints on my power began to fall away.

My strikes grew faster, heavier. I swung, cleaving through a bolt of lightning hurled by Abby, then lunged at Cabel, catching him as he tried to evade.

With a raised hand, he conjured a brilliant orb of condensed light, which fired at me as a searing beam.

Bracing my blade, I deflected it upward, but the continuous stream forced me to hold my ground.

Then, Abby struck.

At my side, her spear grew to an enormous size, crackling with power as she hurled it toward me. I had no time to dodge.

All I could do was pour every ounce of mana I had into my left side and brace for the inevitable.

The spear struck, its impact throwing me back.

My left arm was obliterated only bone and charred remnants of skin dangled where it had been. Pain surged through me, but I had no time to scream.

Cabel was already upon me.

From my right, he swung downward, a bolt of lightning trailing behind his blade.

I raised my sword to block, but his attack carried a second strike of thunderous force. It hit me squarely, and I collapsed to my knees.

I gasped for air, clutching my blade for support as Cabel loomed above me. With a brutal kick, he sent me sprawling to the ground.

My mask pressed against the dirt as I struggled to lift my head.

Cabel towered over me, his blade poised above my chest. "It seems my death wasn't as certain as you thought."

Through the haze of pain, I chuckled, blood pooling in my mouth. "Oh, how much of a fool you are. Did you really think... this was enough?"

His sword plunged down, piercing my heart. My vision went dark, the world fading into nothingness.

Then, I awoke.

I stood once again, face to face with Cabel. He was gripping the charm, moments away from ripping it off.

That exchange it wasn't real. It was a vision. My future, flashing before me.

My Order as a Visionary grants me the ability to see glimpses of possible futures. It was the first gift I unlocked upon reaching the second stage.

I smiled under my mask as Cabel began undergoing the same transformation I had seen before.

Rubbing my arm, I glanced at the sky as his blade hurtled toward my neck.

My form faded like mist, becoming intangible, and I ascended into the air, leaving a trail of blue mist that gradually turned black.

From above, I looked down and reformed my physical body.

Cabel raised his hands, his eyes following me. As I floated above him, I let out a sigh. A beam of light erupted from his palms.

I reached the second stage after meeting her Nuru.

Perhaps it was her beauty, or perhaps it was something deeper within her. Whatever it was, I owe her my thanks.

That moment of clarity gave me more than sight.

The beam came at me, but it moved so slowly—slower with each passing second. I felt my pupils shift together, the world bending to my perception.

As the beam was about to reach me, time slowed to a crawl, its movement nearly imperceptible.

Descending to the ground, I placed my hand on Cabel's armor.

This gift of mine it does more than slow time. At its peak, it can stop it entirely.

That's what happened with Daniel. I managed to stop time, though only for brief moments ten seconds at most. After that, they begin to move again.

Drawing my arm back, I punched Cabel's chest, shattering his armor and revealing a loosely buttoned shirt marked with the Shepherd's sigil.

I smiled as I slashed across his chest, watching him react to the pain in excruciatingly slow motion.

Being in this state is truly... strange.

I turned to Abby and walked over to her. Holding my hand over her eyes, I severed her senses entirely.

I hadn't been able to do it before she was too fast, and I had been expending too much mana. But now, it was effortless.

With these actions complete, I blinked a few times. My pupils shattered, and time began to accelerate once more.

And then I laughed.

I laughed as Cabel stumbled backward, falling to the ground. I laughed as Abby screamed, fumbling blindly on the ground.

"Such pitiful mutts," I said, looking down at Cabel.

"Impossible... you shouldn't be this strong," he said between bloodied breaths.

"You made a grave mistake attacking me," I replied. "I am a devout follower of the Lamb God. After all, I am your messiah."

For a brief moment, I unleashed my aura a technique I had mastered during my imprisonment.

Forming mana into a shield around me, the purity of my presence was overwhelming.

Cabel felt it he must have. My aura invaded his body, turning it blue as if tainted by my mana.

He coughed and managed to speak. "Such a holy being... has graced us."

At that moment, I stood straight and placed my hand over my mask as if rubbing my chin.

As I looked at Abby, who stared in awe, and Cabel, who slowly moved to kneel, an idea sparked within me a grand idea.

After all, I aspire to be someone known across this entire world. In this kingdom, I am only recognized as a Visionary.

But I want to be much more. I want to be feared, respected, and idolized.

Closing my eyes briefly, I reopened them with newfound clarity. "You two made a mistake I'm willing to forgive."

Both of them now knelt before me, their heads bowed. I wagged my finger as if chastising a dog.

"This mistake has forced me to reveal myself, but I cannot simply kill those who could stand with me."

"We are very sorry," Abby said, pressing her forehead into the ground with such force that the stone beneath her cracked and crumbled.

"It is fine," I replied calmly. "All I ask is that you vow never to disobey me and, of course, fulfill a task for me."

They both nodded fervently before slamming their heads back to the ground in submission.

"I am Nishto" I declared, my voice firm and commanding, "a being granted power by our god to sanctify this world and prevent its fall."

I paused, considering my next words, then extended my hand to Cabel. "I offer you the first glimpse of the beginning of something new."

Abby looked on in pure awe as Cabel, trembling, lifted his hand slowly to grasp mine.

While I still wish to aid the Silent Court, I have yet to bind myself to their will. Instead, I think I shall form my own something far greater.

The Silent Court seeks only to revive Nicholas. My ambitions reach beyond that.

I smiled as I lifted Cabel to his feet. "I offer not only you but all those who follow him a chance."

Turning to Abby, I extended my hand to her as well, helping her to stand.

With a smile, I revealed the foundation of my plan.

"Bind yourselves to me."