Chapter 51: A Sky Without Mercy
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> 3 Hours Later
Lian sat on a fractured pillar inside the ruined Citadel, his body wrapped in makeshift bandages soaked with his own blood. The medics — just two teenagers who barely knew what they were doing — had done their best. But his bones felt like dust, and the system was warning him of spinal instability.
> [Status Alert]
• HP: 7/100
• Movement: Reduced
• Consciousness: Fading
• Recovery Options: Coin-based regeneration (Cost: 75,000 coins)
He didn't hesitate. Coins meant power, but power meant nothing if he died before the next battle.
> [Coins: 963,450 → 888,450]
Full Recovery Initiated.
A scream echoed from the lower floors before he could even breathe in peace. The scream of a child.
He grabbed his gear. There was no break here — not on this world that devoured hope.
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As he descended the Citadel's central stairs, the survivors gathered around him.
A group of them stood trembling, blocking the way. A girl clutched a half-burned teddy bear. A soldier was clutching a dying comrade, whispering a prayer.
> "The sky," someone muttered. "It opened again…"
Lian looked up.
The roof above the Citadel cracked — not from an attack. From reality breaking.
The Sky Maw had appeared.
A void opened in the heavens, leaking withered angels — corrupted divine beings stripped of mercy, their halos bent into chains. Their wings oozed darkness, and their eyes cried blood.
> [New Event: Broken Heavens – Elite Raid Event]
Objective: Defeat the Heaven's Scourge before the Citadel falls.
Countdown to Skyfire Rain: 1 hour
Optional: Save the corrupted angels.
Warning: This world will cease to exist if the event is failed.
Lian gritted his teeth.
"No rest, huh?"
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Wave One: The Choir of the Damned
He barely had time to set up defenses. They came down like falling meteors — thirty winged horrors with spears of light turned black.
Lian activated Elyra's Dome, protecting a group of children in the central tower. Jayce's dodge saved him twice. Korran's passive kept him on his feet as one angel slammed a broken trumpet into his side.
He fought like a man possessed.
Every swing was a memory.
Every dodge — a promise.
He activated a hidden item: Coin Bomb x5, bought hours ago.
> BOOM—BOOM—BOOM—!
Half the angelic wave was vaporized.
But not without cost.
A chunk of the Citadel's west wing collapsed, burying three survivors.
He heard them scream… then go silent.
> [Survivors Lost: 3 | Remaining: 54]
Lian froze — staring at the blood seeping through the stone.
> Permanent consequence.
He had made a call… and people died.
He turned toward the main tower, eyes burning. The sky cracked again.
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Final Phase: Heaven's Scourge – Tier 5 World Boss
A figure descended.
Tall. Radiant. A twisted mockery of justice.
Her name floated above her in burning letters:
> [Seraphim Dae'ra – The First Fallen]
Class: Heavenly Executioner
Tier: 5
Rank: Sovereign Calamity
Status: Broken by duty. Craves absolution through annihilation.
Her sword glowed with the light of a million lost prayers.
> "This world was judged impure. I bring salvation through fire."
She raised her blade.
> [Skyfire Rain – 60 Seconds]
Lian's body trembled. He wasn't ready for this. Even with buffs, even with the Echo of Loss...
He was one man.
Then, a miracle.
Three figures joined him.
One was a girl wrapped in stormlight — eyes glowing with future sight. "I've seen this end a hundred times. But I think this time... you might survive."
One was a boy with a slingshot and a grin. "Let's blow her up and make her beg for forgiveness. Haha, I've been saving this for a laugh!"
The last was a woman whose presence warped the air — lucky beyond logic. She winked. "Let's see if the universe still rolls a 20."
> [New Party Formed]
Futureseer Melia
Trickster Boom
Gambler Sera
They stood beside Lian.
> "Let's rewrite fate," he whispered.
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And the battle for the sky began.
Spells exploded. Comedic traps defied physics. A cosmic coin landed on its edge, triggering a triple critical strike. Melia rewound time for 5 seconds, just enough to save Sera from decapitation.
Lian drove his Phantom Cycle straight up the Citadel wall, launching himself into the air — spear aimed at Dae'ra's heart.
> CRACK!
Her blade pierced his gut. His spear pierced her chest.
They both screamed.
The system exploded with text.
> Dae'ra Defeated
World Rank Achieved: Tier 4 Cleared
Bonus: Angelic Shard (Legendary Artifact)
New Talent Awakened: Skybreaker's Oath – Once per world, defy a world-ending event.
> Survivors Saved: 49
> But at what cost?
Lian collapsed, bleeding out. His hand reached toward the cracked sky.
> "Still breathing… Still fighting…"
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Chapter End