A total of three trigger-type trap spells.
Two hidden spells.
So far, only three have been triggered—two are still left, old hag!
And who told you spells could only be used one at a time?
Crack—
A faint sound rang out.
The last two offensive spells activated in succession.
A phantom stopwatch appeared over the Book of the Archangel.
Countdown: three seconds.
Three… two… one—
Dong—
A heavy tolling of a bell.
A hidden auxiliary skill, only learnable by the special class Annihilator: Death Knell of Decay—an instant death curse!
"Instant death? A curse?"
Ronova's scarlet eyes widened.
Someone actually dared to cast an instant death curse on her?
She was the Archon of Death.
The ruler of death itself in Teyvat.
And yet, this absurd curse actually took hold—
not immune…
"Courting death!"
The Authority of Death materialized.
Scarlet light filled the skies above Liyue.
But at that very moment—
from beyond the heavens, a radiant white light appeared.
Darkness was dispelled.
A divine hand descended, its finger shining with the light of day.
Skill: Hand of God — Ignores defense, delivers absolute true damage!
A silver-white giant hand pierced through the firmament.
Its index finger extended, precise and unstoppable, thrusting straight toward Ronova's colossal eye.
"...The Descender…"
At last, Ronova understood just what kind of existence she was clashing against.
A wave of panic surged through her.
But it was too late.
The scarlet sword of death surged upward to meet the hand of God.
"God War…"
Zhongli and Venti exchanged complicated looks.
Teyvat had already endured two such great God Wars in the past.
Each time, the world had nearly collapsed, its order shattered.
That was why the current Seven Archons existed—to stabilize the world.
And now… another clash of this magnitude.
The giant silver hand.
The sword of death.
Their collision sent light flashing violently across the sky.
And more figures appeared—
not only the immortals of Liyue but also two "outsiders."
A mature woman with crimson hair frowned in alarm:
"Who is fighting Ronova?"
A stern woman in violet observed with suspicion.
"…I don't know."
Zhongli nodded faintly.
"Long time no see, Beelzebul. And you as well, Mavuika."
"Long time no see, old man. Venti."
Mavuika, the Pyro Archon, answered openly.
"What's going on here?"
Of course she knew Ronova.
Every Pyro Archon of Natlan after the first inherited power through a pact with her.
Ronova was the reason Natlan could still resist the Abyss to this day.
And now, she was clashing with… something else, in Liyue no less.
How could Mavuika not be alarmed?
"If you must ask… simply an act of defying death."
Zhongli raised his eyes toward the battle above.
"Defying death?"
Mavuika frowned, thinking of the Flame's Rebirth Ode.
But that pact had nothing to do with Liyue.
"Then could it be… the Dust Goddess, Guizhong?"
Beelzebul's cold voice trembled with shock.
Her gaze fixed on the figure of Guizhong—alive once more.
Hadn't she fallen during the Archon War?
And yet here she was.
Defying death…
Liyue possessed the means to resurrect gods?
Guizhong smiled faintly.
"Hello, Beelzebul. It's been a long time."
Mavuika, who didn't recognize her, was startled.
But hearing Beelzebul's tone, the truth was obvious.
So Liyue really had committed the ultimate taboo.
"…Zhongli."
Beelzebul turned her eyes toward him.
"I know what you're thinking," Zhongli replied softly.
"But this is not my doing."
"Then—"
But before she could press further, the clash above reached its climax.
The scarlet sword shattered.
The silver hand collapsed.
It seemed… evenly matched.
But then came a roar that made hearts quake.
Pitch-black cracks spread across Ronova's eye, as though it might burst apart entirely.
The Authority of Death raged within her own vessel—
She, the embodiment of death, was actually being targeted by death itself!
Absurd! Unacceptable!
Yet the power opposing her was somehow above even her station.
She could neither dispel it nor comprehend why she was wounded.
(Taro: Absolute true damage. Did you really think Hand of God was just a surface-level strike? Did you really think it was that simple?)
In games, absolute true damage had only three counters:
1. Healing afterward to survive the hit.
2. Using a healing skill to restore life immediately after.
3. Employing a world-class item to forcibly nullify it.
If none of those conditions were met, and the strike was paired with an instant death curse…
The only outcome was death.
This was a finisher. A move meant to end battles.
"Quite lively for the middle of the night."
A glowing portal opened in the sky.
From within stepped Taro, left hand holding Mjolnir, right hand gripping a golden spear.
"Oh, Ronova, Archon of Death—
so you're the one trying to snatch my book?"
He glanced up at the crimson eye.
Golden light flickered along the spear in his hand.
"Here, let me give you a gift."
"Whether you can take it or not is up to you."
"If you can't… don't blame me."
Awaken—Gungnir!
World-class item: Gungnir.
The Spear of Destiny.
The spear that never misses, that pierces all, that kills without fail.
Target locked.
No death, no return.
"..."
Ronova's colossal eye bulged, emitting a piercing shriek.
"Stop!"
(End of Chapter)
[100 Power Stones = 1 Extra Chapter]
[Check out my Patreon to read 20+ chapters ahead]
[[email protected]/Zukooo]
[Thanks for your support!]