Seeing this, the pupils of the other members of the Church of the Holy Light contracted in shock. The twelve Holy Light Paladins were all terrifyingly strong, each comparable to a Ninth-stage martial artist from the East.
To raise Paladins like these, the Church of the Holy Light spends not just vast time and resources—the key is, Paladins are the church’s strongest public symbol. Now, with them smashed apart in a single blow, all that hard-won momentum could collapse in an instant.
"Damn it!"
A ferocious killing intent appeared on Pope Gary II’s face.
"I'll go help the Two-Winged Angel!"
Gabriel took a step forward, and the hundreds of meters between him and the square shrank beneath his feet. With just a few strides, he was already atop the high platform in the square.
Splat! Hilder's fangs sank into Gabriel's neck, draining him dry in seconds. Gabriel's body shriveled instantly, turning into a lifeless mummy.
The Two-Winged Angel burst out from beneath the collapsed platform, his former radiant image nowhere to be seen—he looked utterly battered and miserable.
"Two-Winged Angel, let's fight together!" Gabriel called out.
"Alright!"
After a few brief exchanges, even the Two-Winged Angel realized he wasn’t a match for this vampire. As proud as he was, he could only accept Gabriel’s help.
"Another one here to die!"
Hilder looked utterly fearless at Gabriel’s arrival.
"Die!"
Gabriel let out a low shout, his hunched body snapping upright like a javelin thrust into the earth. The next moment, his right foot slammed down, launching him forward like a shooting star—a gray great-staff materialized in his grip.
Crash!
The great-staff swept in a heavy arc, crashing down toward Hilder’s head. At the same time, the Two-Winged Angel flashed into motion, his figure flickering and leaving afterimages all around. In a blink, he appeared behind Hilder!
"Die!"
The Two-Winged Angel swung his fist with all his strength.
Faced with their pincer attack, Hilder’s expression remained utterly unconcerned.
Splat!
Just as Gabriel and the Two-Winged Angel’s attacks were about to land, Hilder’s body suddenly exploded into a cloud of black mist—right as Gabriel’s great-staff and the angel’s fist slammed into each other.
Bang!
A deafening crash echoed out as both Gabriel and the angel were hurled backward, sent flying by the force of the impact.
In a flash, Hilder appeared behind Gabriel, his hand twisted into a razor-sharp claw covered in black fur. With a wet squelch, the claw punched through Gabriel’s back and out his chest, crushing his heart in an instant.
Cackle!
With a creepy laugh, Hilder pressed close to Gabriel’s back, his fangs sinking deep into Gabriel’s neck. In just two breaths, Gabriel’s body shriveled and dried up, turning into a mummy that Hilder casually tossed aside.
I've heard angel blood is delicious. I want a taste!
After draining Gabriel dry, Hilder flashed a wicked grin at the Two-Winged Angel and lunged toward him.
A flicker of terror flashed in the Two-Winged Angel’s eyes. He beat his wings furiously and shot toward the sky, clearly trying to escape.
Heh heh, trying to escape?
Hilder sneered. Suddenly, a pair of blood-red flesh wings sprouted from his back, covered in dense, sinister runes. His suit split apart as his body swelled to a third larger than before.
Whoosh!
A flash of blood-red light streaked by—Hilder easily caught up, snatched the angel by the ankle, and swung him hard toward the ground.
Boom!
A thunderous crash shook the ground, sending clouds of dust billowing. When the dust cleared, a deep, human-shaped crater—over ten meters down—gaped in the square, with the Two-Winged Angel lying spread-eagled at the bottom.
He looked utterly miserable, golden blood constantly trickling from the corner of his mouth.
Whoosh!
Hilder swooped straight into the pit, seized the Two-Winged Angel, and hauled him back up into the sky. With a wet squelch, his fangs pierced the angel’s neck.
Hilder, don't!