I have nothing to do so here is more chapters~ (I'm singing this in my mind lmao)
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The twisted, hideous lump of flesh moved slowly, its maw clamped around frail Ekbert. In its grotesque jaws, the old man looked pitiful—fragile as porcelain, as though the slightest touch would shatter him.
And in truth, it was no exaggeration. His wounds had yet to heal, his magic utterly drained. At this moment, Ekbert was no stronger than an ordinary, withered elder.
Though creatures of light possessed tougher flesh than mortals, this monster was no mere beast—it was Mammon's own arm, reshaped into a monstrous mass. With but a single thought, he could bite Ekbert clean in half.
"Well then, Venerable Singer," Mammon's lips curved into a cold smile, eyes fixed on Asmit. "What do you think now?"
Yes, Asmit was powerful, but so what? From their earlier exchanges, Mammon had already seen it: this Singer valued Ekbert deeply. He had even sacrificed precious opportunities to ensure the Redeemer's survival. That made the helpless elder the perfect hostage.
And as for whether threatening a half-dead old man was beneath him? Mammon scoffed inwardly. He had always been a pragmatist. Profit outweighed honor.
Asmit's expression did not change. His eyes shone with cold divine light as he answered, voice calm and unreadable."Do you truly think to use Teacher Ek as a shield against me? Do you believe you can threaten the Singer of Light?"
He stepped forward slowly, folding his hands. A faint holy radiance rose from his body, each step exuding sacred pressure.
"Do not overestimate yourself, vile creature. As Redeemer of the Goddess, Teacher Ek has long embraced the will to sacrifice for the realm of light."
His voice dropped low, edged with restrained fury. "Hear me, Singer Asmit makes this vow before heaven—today, I will purify you."
His tone was unwavering, carrying an oath of absolute conviction. No one present doubted his words. For the first time, the holy and indifferent Singer was truly enraged.
Shen Ji and Xiongshou exchanged glances, blood still staining their lips. They dared not act. Everything depended on whether Mammon's ploy could hold the Singer at bay. If not, none of them would leave this battlefield alive.
Mammon's grin widened, icy and cruel. "Oh? Is that so?"
His pupils twisted, bleeding into beast-like vertical slits. Crimson lines crawled from their centers, radiating a chilling bloodlust.
Then—crunch!
The monster's fangs snapped down. A muffled crack echoed.
One of Ekbert's legs dropped limply from the corner of its maw.
"Aaaaghhh—!"
Ekbert's scream split the air, his face ashen, drenched in cold sweat. Pain twisted his already pallid features, and the old man's body shook like a brittle leaf.
Asmit's eyes blazed, the divine light within them erupting. His magic power surged uncontrollably, a flood of radiance that painted the heavens white. The sheer weight of it bent the air itself, choking the battlefield.
But Mammon only sneered, unshaken beneath the crushing aura. "Do you see it now, Lord Singer?"
No matter what Asmit proclaimed, Mammon was certain of one thing: the Singer did care. Otherwise, why abandon his mission? Why appear here, risking all, to save this frail old man?
Even if Mammon had misjudged, he still had insurance—the Holy Light Guardian, an epic-grade artifact stolen from Chantwell. With Naruto's protection, even Asmit could not kill him in an instant. One second of defense was enough. Enough for escape. Enough for profit.
Wealth is born of risk. This truth Mammon knew well.
He licked his lips, tightening his grip on the bleeding Redeemer. "Enough games. Toss over your storage ring, Singer. Yes—toward that demon."
His grin widened, malicious and mocking. "A man of your standing must have quite the collection. Don't disappoint me."
Asmit's face grew colder still. Shameless, greedy—an evil thing fit only for the abyss.
Mammon's sneer deepened. "If you want your precious Teacher Ek to live, I suggest you make the rational choice."
The grotesque monster's fangs pressed once more against Ekbert's trembling body, the old man groaning in agony.
Shen Ji and Xiongshou's eyes widened. Even they, veterans of countless battles, were shaken. To see a being brazen enough to hold an epic Singer hostage, demanding his treasures—was this madness? Or genius?
Either way, one truth was clear: Mammon had forced the battlefield itself to bend to his will.