After unleashing all the holy light in his body, Roy reverted to his human form and fell from the sky.
Roy was utterly exhausted. Throughout this long night, he had fought Mary Shaw, the Hook Man, the Cabin, the Wendigo King, Ash, and Leviathan in succession. Each battle was more intense than the last, enough to wear down even the toughest of warriors.
At that moment, Iris swooped down, catching Roy and gently lowering him to the ground. Adrian also descended from the sky, landing beside Iris and Roy.
The clouds in the sky began to part, and the dawn's first light shone on them. In truth, day had broken hours ago, but the constant interference from foes like the Wendigo King's blizzard, Ash's gray clouds, and Leviathan's palace descending had kept the world shrouded in darkness. Only now, with the battles over, did they realize it was already eight in the morning.
"Uriel, Roy Black is hiding a lot of secrets. I sensed the authority of the Sin of Lust in him earlier," Adrian said, eyeing Iris with a knowing look.
Iris looked down at Roy in her arms and let out a deep sigh. The Wisdom Angel knew Roy was full of mysteries. At first, she thought he was just a kind-hearted demon. Then, during the Silent Hill incident, she discovered he was Nephilim. Now, she'd seen him transform into an angel. At this point, if Roy suddenly turned into the Almighty Himself, Iris probably wouldn't even bat an eye.
"I know," she replied. "But everyone has their secrets, don't they?"
Adrian fell silent. Her words were spot-on, especially since he himself was secretly meeting with Lucifer behind Heaven's back. If Iris ever used her Divine Eye on her own allies without reason, Adrian's cover would've been blown long ago.
Just then, Bumblebee, Ella, and Sentinel approached. Along with the six blonde women in Bumblebee's vehicle, they were the only survivors of this ordeal.
Sentinel spoke first. "Lady Iris, is everything resolved?"
Iris nodded. "It is, but there's still much work to be done."
The appearance of the War Knight signaled that the apocalypse was drawing near. The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse never appeared alone—where one showed up, the others weren't far behind. Unbeknownst to Iris, the Death Knight had already appeared and was in Roy's possession.
The scriptures of the three Abrahamic faiths all spoke of a Day of Judgment, when the gates of Hell would open, and everyone would face their final reckoning. The righteous would be redeemed and ascend to Heaven, while sinners and nonbelievers would perish with the Earth. But those texts were written by humans, not spoken by God Himself. And from the attitudes of the four Archangels, it seemed they were also trying to prevent Judgment Day. Perhaps it wasn't such a great thing for Heaven either.
At that moment, Bumblebee spoke up. "Lady Iris, can you hand Mr. Black over to us?"
Iris wasn't too surprised to see Bumblebee. The moment she laid eyes on him, her Divine Eye had identified him as a silicon-based lifeform. Unless someone was on her level, nothing could hide from the Wisdom Angel.
"What's the deal with the six girls in your vehicle?" she asked.
Ella answered, "They're the ones Mr. Black saved from those mercenaries. They were almost used as sacrifices."
Iris glanced at Ella, sensing a faint aura of sin. This perfect doll had clearly taken many ordinary lives. But because Ella bore Roy's mark, Iris held back from acting.
She handed Roy to Ella, and Bumblebee unloaded the six blonde women from his vehicle. In the warm morning sunlight, Bumblebee drove off with Ella and an unconscious Roy, leaving the Rocky Mountains behind.
Iris watched the tail of Bumblebee's vehicle disappear, a faint smile on her face. "Raphael, I think Michael was right. Heaven shouldn't judge someone's fate by their origins or their words, but by their actions. At least Mr. Black's actions show he's always stood on the side of justice. What do you think?"
Adrian stayed silent for a long moment before replying, "Maybe you're right."
Though the battle in the Rocky Mountains had caused quite a stir—earthquakes centered around Ravensfall and bizarre weather changes that caught the attention of some Washington state residents—the main battlefield was so remote that the FEA had an easy time cleaning up. A few federal announcements about "unusual geological activity" sufficed, especially since there were hardly any witnesses.
The real impact was felt higher up in the federal government. Many bigwigs in the White House, Pentagon, and Congress had watched the terrifying battle via satellite. The current president had seen most of Roy's fight with Ash, though the latter half—when the War Knight unleashed a gray beam that distorted the sky and Leviathan descended—was obscured by clouds, rendering even military satellites useless. The only footage came from Sentinel, acting as a war correspondent, recording through his tactical helmet's camera. But the battle's intensity forced him to retreat miles away, so the footage was blurry, barely showing the three angels and only capturing Leviathan getting blasted by holy light.
After reviewing the footage, the White House cabinet held a full-day meeting. These supernatural forces were beyond anything the government's top brass could imagine. Wealthy and powerful as they were, they were terrified of forces they couldn't control. Seeing was believing, and while past incidents lacked clear evidence, this time the visuals were too shocking to dismiss. Everyone who watched was gripped by fear. If Leviathan had descended on the White House, the president would've been toast.
The American public: "Is that even a bad thing? Do it again on Capitol Hill! And Wall Street next!"
The meeting's details remained secret—at least the current president wasn't foolish enough to create a White House WeChat group and invite tabloid editors. In the end, the FEA and Pentagon received massive funding boosts to research supernatural forces, and related tech companies got government support to prepare for similar events.
None of this concerned Roy, who had returned to Fallwater Town and was preparing to give Lilith a new body at Sawyer Manor. Ella had mastered the art of crafting dolls, and Roy handed her a perfect doll, which she shaped to Lilith's exact specifications.
The result was a breathtakingly seductive face and a curvaceous figure that screamed raw desire, rivaling some 3D masterpieces. Even Roy, who'd seen it all, was momentarily stunned.
"Is this what you used to look like?" he asked Lilith's soul, which had left Jennifer's body and now stood beside him in spirit form.
"The face is exactly the same," Lilith replied. "But I had Ella enhance the figure a bit. Don't you like it, little master?"
Gulp. "It's… alright," Roy managed.
Lilith saw through his feigned indifference and gave him a playful, sultry glance. "The body's ready. Now it's time for the empowerment."
Crafting a perfect doll wasn't as simple as stuffing a soul into it. That would only create a temporary vessel, with poor control and stiff movements, like when Mary Shaw possessed Billy the puppet. True empowerment, a technique unique to Mary Shaw, required syncing the soul perfectly with the doll and adding special abilities. Though Mary Shaw was gone, Roy had found her notes. After some research with Lilith and the Apocalypse Coven's witches, they'd devised a reliable method. Maria and Zoe did most of the heavy lifting—Madison and Carrie weren't exactly scholars.
The empowerment could be upgraded later, like adding modules, as long as the doll and Lilith's soul could handle it. With materials prepared, it was time for the ritual.
In the basement of Sawyer Manor (once Leatherface's haunt), Roy drew a perfect pentagram. Jennifer, Madison, Zoe, Maria, and Carrie each took a corner. This was a powerhouse lineup—the Apocalypse Coven's four witches and Jennifer all had immense talent. Carrie and Jennifer were already Supreme Witches, while Madison and Maria were close to legendary status. Zoe was the weakest in raw power but made up for it with her vast theoretical knowledge and dedication, making her the ritual's true leader.
Under the witches' combined empowerment, the doll in the pentagram's center began to look more human. Lilith entered the doll, merging with it seamlessly. Roy then infused it with the power of desire, granting it human senses. The ritual was complete.
"Mmm!" Minutes later, Lilith opened her eyes, taking deep breaths. Though the doll didn't need to breathe, the sensation felt wonderful.
"It's amazing! I finally have my own body!" she exclaimed, like someone who'd been crashing at a friend's place and finally got their own home.
After joyfully testing her new body, Lilith threw herself into Roy's arms. "How's it feel?" he asked.
She rested her head on his shoulder, hiding the tears in her eyes. Crying at her age felt a bit embarrassing. "It's perfect! Not quite my original body, but I'm more than satisfied."
"Good," Roy said, patting her back gently, sensing her emotions.
That only made Lilith more emotional. She kissed him passionately, letting her actions speak for her. Madison's eyes lit up at the sight. "Time for the next step?"
True to her nature, Madison's mind was always in the gutter around Roy. Lilith, despite her countless marriages and descendants (most modern witches were her kin), felt a flutter of first-love shyness under the other girls' gazes. Unbelievable!
Even Roy, holding her, was stunned. Was this an old tree blooming anew?
"Little master," Lilith whispered in his ear, "I want to give this new body's first time to you alone."
Roy considered it. This was practically a rebirth for her, so he'd indulge her. "Madison, you all hang out in the manor's living room for a bit. I'll join you soon."
Madison pouted. "Hogging her all to yourself? We've all been open with each other so many times—what's there to be shy about?"
Maria nodded vigorously, as if Madison had spoken for her. Jennifer smacked Madison's butt. "Let's go. Nidi's got a party ready for us!"
At the mention of a party, the Apocalypse Coven's eyes lit up. What American girl could resist a party? "Jennifer, I'm drinking you under the table this time!" Madison declared.
Jennifer, fortified by Roy's demon blood, wasn't fazed. "Bring it on!"
The girls rushed to the living room, kicking off their girls' night. Roy carried Lilith princess-style to the second-floor lounge, laying her on a soft mattress.
Lilith cupped his face, gazing at him tenderly. "I never thought I'd have a day like this."
Roy pressed his nose to hers. "Do you regret clashing with God back then?"
Her expression shifted, recalling a painful past. "Honestly, when I was cast out of Eden, I did regret it. But if all that led me to meeting you now, I don't regret a thing."
Her words were clear: the original witch had fallen completely for Roy's charm. Lilith: Adam, Samael, don't contact me anymore. I'm afraid Roy will misunderstand!
They gazed at each other, noses touching, breathing each other's air as the room's temperature soared. Finally, Lilith couldn't hold back. "Little master, love me!"
That was the starting gun. Roy took the lead, and Lilith's new body—crafted by Ella and empowered by the witches—was perfection. Her skin was smooth as jade, soft and elastic like jelly, almost fragile. Roy held back, afraid to damage such a masterpiece.
But Lilith didn't want his restraint. She craved his roughness, even if her new body's sensitive nerves amplified the pain. "Little master, don't hold back! This body's not as tough as Jennifer's, but it's not that fragile!"
Since she insisted, Roy obliged. Lilith's eyes widened, pupils almost turning heart-shaped, her heart—or whatever passed for it in a doll—nearly stopping. In an instant, she went from zero to warp speed, achieving her new body's maiden voyage. But that was just the start. She faced cosmic assaults, accelerating from first to third cosmic velocity, feeling like she'd transcended light speed and reached the edge of the universe.
Her new body was too sensitive, and despite her past prowess, Lilith succumbed quickly, passing out in half an hour. Roy, barely warmed up, let her be and headed downstairs, still buzzing.
In the living room, the girls' party was in full swing. A few drinks in, even shy Nidi and Carrie were letting loose, playfully roughhousing. The room was thick with a pinkish vibe. When Roy arrived, he saw the girls tangled up, likely stirred by the noises from upstairs.
Jennifer and Nidi, Madison and Maria, Zoe and Carrie were paired off, leaving Ella alone, a bit out of place with her age gap. "You guys started already?" Roy teased.
At his voice, the girls froze. "Roy, you're finally here!" Madison shoved Maria aside, leaping onto him.
Maria nearly fell off the couch, rolling her eyes. "Madison, you always try to take the lead, but you burn out the fastest!"
Madison, clinging to Roy, grinned smugly. "So what? You're all too slow—ow!"
While she was distracted, Roy let her drop, and her skin flushed pink. Maria smirked. "Tch, not even a minute this time, huh? New record, Madison!"
Madison, clinging to Roy like a drowning woman to a lifeline, gasped, "Shut up! Let's see you try!"
"Challenge accepted!" Maria, already eager, stepped up.
A wild, custom competition kicked off, with Roy racking up an eight-kill streak. Eight kills, so strong, one strike and it's over…
[Ding! Obtained Maria Esley's Conquest Chest! Open it?]
[Ding! Obtained Nidi Lesnicki's Conquest Chest! Open it?]
Roy sealed the deal with Nidi, who hadn't appeared in a while, ending the epic battle. Afterward, the Apocalypse Coven girls were out cold, their stamina no match. Ella, despite her sturdy doll body, was in pieces and needed reassembly. Only Jennifer and Nidi, enhanced by the blood fusion ritual, held out, leaning on Roy's shoulders.
"Roy, summer break's almost over. Are we heading to LA to start our new life?" Jennifer asked, excited. She'd never lived long-term outside Fallwater and was eager for college.
Nidi, an avid online lurker, was equally curious about university life. "Wonder what our roommates will be like?"
"I'll make sure everything's set up perfectly for you," Roy assured. UCLA was practically begging him to attend, and no request was too big. If he hinted at switching schools, every American university would roll out the red carpet for their Olympic champion.
"Mm!" they both chirped, basking in Roy's presence, their expressions dreamy.
"Alright, let's get them to their rooms. They'll catch a cold sleeping like this," Roy said. As for what came after moving the girls? Time to wash up with some cute cat soaps and open those chests!
From the Silent Hill incident, Roy had collected ten chests, plus two more from today's eight-kill streak, giving him twelve in total. He'd never had such a haul!
Most chests probably held minor rewards, but the big ones—Wendigo King, Ash, and Leviathan—were the real prizes. The rest were just warm-ups.
[Opening Zoe Benson's Conquest Chest…]
[Gained 1 Spirit Attribute Point!]
[Gained 1 Will Attribute Point!]
[Opening Jennifer Morgan's Conquest Chest…]
[Gained 2 Constitution Attribute Points!]
[Gained 2 Spirit Attribute Points!]
[Opening Nidi Lesnicki's Conquest Chest…]
[Gained 2 Agility Attribute Points!]
[Gained 2 Memory Attribute Points!]
[Opening Maria Esley's Conquest Chest…]
[Gained 1 Spirit Attribute Point!]
[Gained 1 Will Attribute Point!]
[Gained Special Ability: Sleeping Curse!]
Roy blinked. Sleeping Curse from Maria? Did she star in Sleeping Beauty or something?
[Sleeping Curse: A magical spell from "Maleficent." It puts a non-combatant into a deep sleep, unbroken until awakened by another.]
Huh, so it was Sleeping Beauty? Hollywood had a phase of dark fairy tale films, probably when this was made. Roy had no memory of it, so it must've flopped.
[Opening Ballet Girl's Fate Chest…]
[Gained 1 Strength Attribute Point!]
[Gained 1 Agility Attribute Point!]
[Opening Ella Aishen's Conquest Chest…]
[Gained 1 Constitution Attribute Point!]
[Gained 1 Will Attribute Point!]
[Opening Hook Man's Fate Chest…]
[Gained 1 Agility Attribute Point!]
[Gained 1 Spirit Attribute Point!]
[Gained Special Ability: Deceptive Space!]
Another hit!
[Deceptive Space: A unique ability from Belial, King of Sloth. It lets you deceive the world, becoming unobservable. But beware: prolonged use risks permanent disappearance, and strong mental fluctuations or attacks will break the state.]
This was how the Hook Man stayed hidden. It was an incredibly powerful ability—virtually invincible if no one knew you had it.
[Opening Mary Shaw's Fate Chest…]
[Gained 1 Memory Attribute Point!]
[Gained 1 Spirit Attribute Point!]
[Opening Leonard Wolf's Fate Chest…]
[Gained 1 Spirit Attribute Point!]
[Gained 1 Will Attribute Point!]
The warm-ups were done. Now for the main event.
[Opening Wendigo King's Fate Chest…]
[Gained 3 Constitution Attribute Points!]
[Gained 3 Spirit Attribute Points!]
[Gained Special Ability: Winter's Arrival!]
Nice! The Wendigo King's chest pushed Roy's Constitution to 99 and granted a new ability.
[Winter's Arrival: Consume spirit to create a blizzard, its range depending on the spirit expended.]
It felt a bit underwhelming. Roy already had Fear Incarnation for area attacks, so a blizzard's main use seemed to be obscuring vision.
[Opening Ash's Fate Chest…]
[Gained 10 Strength Attribute Points!]
[Gained 10 Constitution Attribute Points!]
[Gained Special Ability: War Domain!]
Jackpot! No surprise from the War Knight's host—20 physical attribute points!
[War Domain: A special ability from the War Knight, symbolizing endless battle! Passive: Gain endless stamina while standing on the ground. Active: Enter a full combat state, continuously boosting all physical attributes, potentially surpassing the world's limit! Effect fades quickly when leaving the ground.]
Whoa. With War Domain active on the ground, a long enough fight could push Roy's physical attributes past Earth's 200-point cap? Truly a War Knight's power.
Now for the big one: Leviathan, King of Envy's chest.
[Opening Leviathan's Fate Chest…]
[Gained 20 Strength Attribute Points!]
[Gained 20 Constitution Attribute Points!]
[Gained Leviathan's Armor!]
[Gained Leviathan's Axe!]
Holy cow! Leviathan's chest delivered 40 physical attribute points, pushing Roy's Strength and Constitution past 100, plus two pieces of equipment! If Roy recalled correctly, Leviathan's Armor was from League of Legends, and Leviathan's Axe was from God of War: Ragnarök.
[Leviathan's Armor: A living armor forged from Leviathan's flesh. It devours the lives you kill, granting extra Constitution attributes unbound by the world's limit. Current extra Constitution: 0]
A true "kill-to-grow" armor, with no death penalty. Unlike in games, death in reality was punishment enough. When Roy equipped it, the armor melded into his body, leaving only a red mark on his chest.
[Leviathan's Axe: A living weapon crafted from Leviathan's teeth and World Tree branches. Killing legendary creatures grants powerful rune enhancements. Current runes: 0]
The axe was a surprise—a growth weapon like the Execution Blade, but with a higher baseline, though harder to upgrade. Legendary creatures weren't exactly common in modern times. Or were they? Michael had confirmed the Kraken was one, and the Wendigo King likely was too. The Execution Blade could go to Jennifer, whose witch talents and physique suited melee but lacked a good weapon.
Roy summoned the axe, admiring its blend of power and beauty. He couldn't put it down.
"Roy, why aren't you sleeping?" Nidi, a light sleeper, was woken by the axe's swings and sat up.
"Nidi, I got you!" Roy grinned.
"Wait, that's not what I meant—ah!"
Round two of the eight-kill streak began!
(Leviathan's Axe)
---
Postscript: Only one chapter today. The summer break arc is over.
Roy's Current Stats:
- Roy Black
- Nephilim
- Strength: 112
- Agility: 79
- Constitution: 129
- Memory: 74
- Spirit: 94
- Will: 84
- Abilities: Mike Tyson's Boxing Skills, Bob Munden's Shooting Skills, Grigori Rasputin's Charm, Sawyer Family Chainsaw Skills, Key of Solomon, Master Thief, Trap Master, Nightmare, Eye of Judgment, Touch of Darkness, Eye of Truth, Assassin's Heart, Expert Water Sports Skills, Soul Substitute, Selina Kyle's Athletic Skills, Ashen Envoy, Blood Frenzy, Super Self-Healing, Phoenix Force (Dormant), Telepathy, Desire Incarnation, Fear Incarnation, Sleeping Curse, Deceptive Space, Winter's Arrival, War Domain
- Items: Smith & Wesson M625 Revolver, Smith & Wesson M629 Ivory Revolver, Smith & Wesson M500 Revolver, M1014 Shotgun, Ghostface Mask, Cursed Twin Daggers, Mason's Camcorder, Cursed Hair, Remington M870, Sin Fragment (Greed), Hound Ring, Nidi's Black-Rimmed Glasses, Ghost Wolf Blood, Jason's Hockey Mask, Seed of Silence, Leech Serum Recipe, Execution Blade, Fire Seed Source, Sin Fragment (Wrath), Eye of the Reaper, Leviathan's Armor, Leviathan's Axe