The betrayal broke whatever thin trust remained.
Only two pairs were keyless now:
The Silent Monastery monks… and the black-robed women.
Everyone else had a key.
…
The monks exchanged a quiet look.
No words were needed.
Then... they acted.
Both monks slammed their palms against the tiny bronze bells strapped to their wrists.
Dong…
Their essence poured into the bells like blood rushing through arteries.
The bells warped. Then expanded.
The engraved runes writhed like they were waking from sleep.
When the monks coughed blood, the entire crowd gasped—
"THEY'RE USING THEIR TRUMP CARD?!"
"THAT TECHNIQUE KILLS THEM IF THEY'RE NOT CAREFUL!"
The bells finished expanding, transforming into massive temple bells. They floated behind the monks like twin golden mountains.
Then—
DOOOOOOOOONG!
A sound wave exploded across the ring.
A ripple that didn't simply vibrate—
It crushed.
Marie's colossal titan shattered from chest to hip.
"WHA—"
