Five minutes earlier
While Sukatsu walked toward the black-robed person, Haru tried to persuade Fyrel to stop her grandma from being taken by that person.
Father… can't we do anything about Grandma? she asked with a sad expression, her eyes glistening as she looked at Fyrel.
Fyrel remained silent, and it was Hwa who answered, We can't. Once a pact with an angel is made, everything is set in stone—unless they break the agreement themselves.
Haru looked like she was about to cry but held back her tears. Fyrel couldn't bear seeing Haru's heartbroken expression.
He then whispered something to her—just between the two of them—while Hwa watched from the side. As soon as he finished whispering, Haru's spirit seemed to reignite.
I can do it...
Present time
The robed figure stayed silent, unfazed by Fyrel's provocation. He tapped his staff once against the ground.
Mehhh… That won't work. Fyrel said, rapping his knuckles against the barrier trapping Sukatsu inside. You're on my timeline now. The one controlling time here is* me. Nothing will happen even if you try.
So, what's your name, Angel? I'm pretty sure we've met before, right?
The robed figure released his staff, letting it float midair, then removed his robe—revealing a man with an innocent face, golden eyes, and a crimson lozenge-shaped angelic sigil on his forehead. Shadowy feathers and a dark aura swirled around him.
He opened his mouth. My name is Nocturne—Angel of Destruction. As an angel, I apologize for my rudeness. Let's settle this: I will take Sukatsu and cease the village's annihilation. In return, you will forget what happened here.
Fyrel stood with his fingers pressed to his forehead, deep in thought as he considered Nocturne's offer. Hmmmm… nope.
Suddenly, his hand gripped the barrier trapping Sukatsu—it shattered instantly, sending Sukatsu tumbling forward. Fyrel caught her effortlessly with one arm.
Then, smirking at Nocturne, he said:
How about this? You take my offer instead. Leave quietly and never bother us again. Go back and tell Axazil you failed—because you got outplayed by a human. After all, angels lack true cunning, don't they? Pretty awesome, right?
Nocturne's anger flared. Hahahaha! You truly believe humans are superior to angels? The gods cursed humanity long ago. To us, you're nothing but specks of dust in the wind!
Shhhh… Fyrel pressed a finger to his lips, silencing him. Let me ask you something—if the gods despise humans so much, why don't they just wipe this world out with their power?
Nocturne scoffed. Because the god pity you.
Fyrel formed a finger gun and mimed a shot. POW. That means they still love humanity, doesn't it? His grin turned sharp. Who started all this? The goddess . And who first betrayed them? Angels. So tell me… why do you think you're above us?
Leaning in, he delivered the final blow:
One last thing—humans are the greatest creation in this universe. And deep down? Even the gods know it. HAHAHAHA!
Nocturne fell silent—utterly speechless. No words could describe what he felt. He raised his staff toward Fyrel, his lips moving as if whispering something under his breath. With a swing of his staff… nothing seemed to happen.
Fyrel, still standing, burst into laughter. HAHAHAHA! What are you even—
Before he could finish, his body split in two—a clean slash from shoulder to waist, severing him in half.
Nocturne scoffed. What a stupid human. Never anger an angel… or you'll face the consequences. He turned away, walking toward Sukatsu, who stood frozen in shock. As he passed Fyrel's corpse, he crushed the fallen head beneath his foot, grinding it into the dirt.
Sukatsu's eyes were empty—lifeless. Let's go meet Axazil. We're already late.
But then… something strange happened.
Time remained frozen. They were still trapped in that moment.
He should be dead… so why hasn't time resumed? Nocturne muttered in confusion.
Weird, isn't it? Wondering why time's still stuck? A voice whispered directly into his ear.
Nocturne leapt back in shock, putting distance between himself and the source. And there—standing before him, waving cheerfully—was the last person he wanted to see.
Fyrel. Alive.
Chill... did I scare you that much?" Fyrel teased, his demeanor suddenly shifting. He closed his eyes and simply smiled. You know what's funny? I can't kill humans... but angels? I think that's fair game. Should we test that theory?
In the blink of an eye, Fyrel vanished without a trace.
Nocturne spun around, staff at the ready, but couldn't detect him anywhere. Check your back, a whisper ghosted past his ear. He swung his staff backward - nothing but empty air.
As he turned forward again, Fyrel was nose-to-nose with him. Heeee~ Fyrel grinned before driving his fist square into Nocturne's cheek. The impact sent the angel crashing to the ground.
Awww... Fyrel shook out his hand, Damn, punching angels actually hurts! He looked down at the fallen Nocturne. Get up already. I know you're not dead yet.
As Nocturne struggled to rise, Fyrel suddenly kicked him back down. Oops... my bad, he said without remorse.
Nocturne burst into dark laughter. HAHAHA! Hurt me all you want - you can't kill me anyway! He rose to face Fyrel. Know why humans can't kill angels? Because the backlash would make you suffer unimaginable pain until death claims you. You'd never smile again, never feel happiness - just endless agony.
His gaze shifted to Hwa. Just ask her... about her father. The first human who killed an angel. They thought he died of old age, but the truth? The pain destroyed him in a single day. He took his own life. And the cruelest part? Nocturne's voice dropped. Even the goddess who loved him couldn't save him.
Fyrel fell silent. This time, it was Nocturne's turn to mock him. So tell me - who do the gods love more? Humans or angels? HAHAHA!
The angel's laughter was cut short—literally.
Fyrel's hand shot out, crushing Nocturne's face in an iron grip. SPLASH! Blood sprayed across Fyrel's face as the angel's head exploded like overripe fruit. The decapitated body collapsed, its severed head rolling away in grotesque, twitching movements.
But victory came at a cost.
Fyrel's knees hit the ground with a heavy thud.Dup... Dup... His heart convulsed as excruciating pain erupted through his entire being. His hands clutched at his chest as his body arched violently - every nerve feeling like it was being skewered by countless burning blades. That carefree smile? Gone. Now his face could only contort in silent agony.
Meanwhile, Sukatsu—finally free from the angel's control—blinked back to awareness. Her vision cleared to reveal the macabre scene before her: two figures in what looked like a twisted prayer vigil for the dead.