Sukatsu her eyes fixed unwaveringly on the terrifying creature.
Haru clung tightly to Fyrel's thigh, trembling in terror. She held on with a desperate grip, while Hwa stood frozen in place, her face twisted in anger.
The sound of sirens began to echo through the village, and all the humans started running toward their homes. Everyone who had been outside scrambled for shelter.
I know this isn't the right time to ask questions... but what the hell is that?! Fyrel thought in confusion as the horrifying creature emerged in the sky.
The Celestial Gateway… a bridge between this world and the Divine Realm. It has come for me. Sukatsu answered calmly. Ipromised to be their offering… or they will destroy the village.
Fyrel was confused—why would the Divine Realm want her as a sacrifice? She was just an old woman with no power, someone who managed the village and nothing more. She was no different from any ordinary person.
Hey, Sukatsu… are you really useful to them? Fyrel scoffed. You could drop dead any day at your age. And let's be honest—you're not exactly beautiful with that wrinkled face. Do they have some weird fetish for old women or something?
Sukatsu bristled at his words and suddenly punched him in the gut. Ouch—! Fyrel doubled over, groaning at the surprisingly strong hit. Damn this old hag…!
But despite the pain, she felt a strange warmth in her chest. Fyrel wasn't the type to fear anything—he always stayed relaxed, even now. Still, her heart ached at the thought of leaving them… and what awaited her after this.
Hey, new leader… if I turned back into a beauty, would you save me from them? Sukatsu teased, trying to lighten the mood. Back in my prime, men would line up for me, you know.
Nah… I've never seen anyone more beautiful than my wife, Hwa, Fyrel shot back, rubbing his nose proudly. Maybe your face suits an angel better.
Sukatsu just smiled. You better do not take back those words—and take good care of her. If I find out you're cheating… I'll haunt you.
How?… You won't even be in this world anymore, old hag, he thought to himself.
Suddenly, a violent gust of wind slammed down from above. The sheer pressure forced them all to their knees, cracking the ground beneath them.
They looked up to see the source—a massive hand descending from the creature, reaching toward them.
Sparks dripped from the creature's scaly hand, scorching the earth black where they landed. On that massive palm stood a black-robed figure clutching a lozenge-shaped staff.
As the hand touched down, the robed figure descended gracefully—hovering just above the ground without ever touching it.With a single tap of the staff, the crushing wind pressure vanished, leaving they gasping for air as they struggled to stand.
The figure extended a hand, commanding Sukatsu without words. She obeyed, stepping forward—and with each step, her aged form shed years. Wrinkles smoothed, her back straightened, and by the time she reached the figure, the old woman was gone.
In her place stood a stunning beauty—crystal-clear eyes, flawless skin, and dark hair cascading like night. Her cheeks bloomed pink, soft as a child's. She turned to face the three, and smiled.
Fyrel, for no reason at all, burst out shouting:
HEY, YOU OLD HAG—! You really are beautiful!!
Sukatsu's voice—once aged and raspy—now rang clear, almost unbroken, like youth returning.Through tears, she laughed:
I knew you were stupid... HAHAHA!
The robed figure ascended back onto the creature's hand, waiting for her to follow. Just then—
HARU! DON'T GO NEAR THEM—IT'S DANGEROUS! Hwa screamed, as Haru broke free and sprinted toward Sukatsu.
Haru ran with all her might towards Sukatsu, throwing herself into her arms with a desperate, sobbing embrace. Grandma...!! Don't leave Haru!
Sukatsu gently comforted her, rubbing circles on her back while holding her close.
Grandma's just going away for a little while. When everything's okay, I'll come back to see Haru, alright? So wait for me...
Haru shook her head violently, tears flying. No! Grandma's a liar! I know you'll never come back! I hate Gods, Goddesses, and angels! They don't care about humans at all!
In a sudden burst of rage, Haru's eyes darted around—spotting a small rock nearby. She snatched it up and hurled it straight at the black-robed figure's face—but it phased through harmlessly, as if thrown at a ghost.
Sukatsu pulled her back urgently. Haru, don't throw things! They're dangerous... please, stop!
Then—
The black-robed figure tapped their staff once.
A heavy silence followed. Normally, this meant disaster—but nothing happened.
Relieved, Sukatsu begged, Haru, go back. Now. Her eyes pleaded desperately. Haru finally lowered her head in defeat and turned toward Hwa and Fyrel.
But as she took her first step back—
A sinister wind suddenly rushed at her from the right.
Haru whipped her head around—
A colossal hand was descending from the sky, aimed straight at them.
Sukatsu couldn't even scream—trapped inside an invisible barrier by the robed figure. If that hand reached them, the entire village would be obliterated.
And because of that her and Axazil promise... would be broken
They could only watch helplessly as the colossal hand descended toward them. The wind tore roofs from houses and sent wooden beams flying, sparks igniting the trees into flames. Hwa sprinted toward Haru, desperate to save her.
The hand was inches away—
Haru screamed, FATHER!!! as she squeezed her eyes shut.
Then—
Time froze.
Everything halted—the debris mid-air, the monstrous hand hovering a hair's breadth from Haru, even Hwa's desperate dash. Only two figures remained unaffected: the black-robed man and Sukatsu, trapped inside the barrier, her eyes clenched shut.
"Well… well… well." A lazy voice cut through the stillness. Sorry to interrupt the performance—but damn, Haru really sold it!
Fyrel strolled casually up to the frozen giant hand, poking its grotesque skin. Shit. This thing's huge. One hit and—poof!—no more village.
He then turned to the black-robed figure, grinning like a wolf."Now, about your two deal, 'Head Angel Axazil'—consider it broken, right? Since you technically started destroying the village already.
Right? Right? Riiight? Fyrel taunted, mocking the angel with a singsong sneer.