Apocalypse: becoming the hidden Ruler[English]

Snap.

In that instant, Axel deliberately shattered his own joint.

Return to Origin.

The moment the bone knit itself back together, an old, battered radio appeared in his hand.

“Go ahead...... Play me for a fool…”

A mournful melody crackled out of the speaker—low, aching, soaked in grief.

Savannah, who was charging straight toward him, froze.

The monkey-masked man behind Axel stiffened as well.

A wave of sorrow slammed into them both, raw and suffocating. For a split second, the monkey-masked man reacted—

Axel roared.

He tore free.

“Don’t let him escape!” Savannah snapped, forcibly crushing the grief clawing at her heart.

The monkey-masked man lunged again.

Damn it.

Another Saint.

Axel’s heart sank. This wasn’t just bad luck—it was a setup. This bastard had ignored the others entirely, choosing to ambush him alongside Savannah.

Which meant only one thing.

Lilith and the rest were in danger.

Five versus six had looked like balance. Now Axel understood—Lorenzo and Savannah’s earlier panic had been bait.

“You’re not getting away!” the monkey-masked man snarled, locking Axel again with a vicious joint hold.

Savannah rushed in.

Clang.

Axel’s sword arm was pinned.

The Soul Devouring Blade slipped from his grasp and hit the ground.

Both Saints exhaled in relief.

Axel’s awakened abilities were mostly supportive—but that blade was a nightmare. Especially its soul-rending edge. Savannah’s mind still throbbed from it.

The monkey-masked man frowned as Axel suddenly slammed his back into him again. And again.

“What, is he fucking spasming—?”

Then he felt it.

Even without the blade, lightning surged with every impact, stabbing straight into his body.

“AAAGH!”

Savannah flinched at the scream.

Axel twisted violently and threw a punch.

“Broken Halberd!”

BOOM!

An advanced combat technique detonated point-blank.

Savannah took the blow square in the chest, blood spraying from her mouth as she was sent flying. The monkey-masked man staggered too, lightning still tearing through him.

“We can’t let him go!” he rasped.

Axel grabbed the Soul Devouring Blade and turned to flee.

One-on-one, neither of them could beat him.

But Axel’s Force reserves were nearly dry. The earlier exchanges had drained him badly.

If he had a stash of life crystals, this wouldn’t even be a question—but now?

He couldn’t guarantee a kill fast enough.

“Grab him!” the monkey-masked man roared.

He latched onto Axel’s leg with both arms. A terrifying suction locked Axel in place, his Force dragged down and sealed.

“Savannah, now!” the monkey-masked man bellowed, voice strained. “He still has tricks—I can’t hold him!”

Savannah lunged forward, a thin needle already glinting between her fingers.

“This time,” she said coldly, eyes fixed on Axel’s chest, “you’re not escaping.”

Axel swung a punch, but she ignored it completely and drove the needle down—

Clang!

Metal rang sharply.

The needle struck a blade and ricocheted away.

Axel’s heart skipped.

That presence—

“Who—?!” Savannah gasped.

Whoosh.

Annabelle appeared as if stepping out of thin air.

Her long hair cascaded behind her. Her face was beautiful, delicate—and utterly empty of emotion. Purplish-red markings streaked from her brows down her cheeks and arms, glowing faintly.

With one clean motion—

Slash.

The monkey-masked man’s eyes bulged.

A horrific gash split his throat open.

“Annabelle?!” Axel shouted.

“Savannah—run!” the monkey-masked man screamed.

His mask shattered, revealing a scarred, twisted face contorted with terror.

Awakened bodies could seal wounds. Even ruptured arteries could be stabilized with Force.

But Annabelle didn’t give him that chance.

Her slender fingers brushed lightly across his neck.

Instantly, it felt as if every drop of blood in his body was being ripped out.

Blood vaporized into mist, flowing endlessly into Annabelle, wrapping her in a faint crimson haze.

She looked angelic—pure, serene—

And utterly terrifying.

“Brother,” Annabelle said softly, smiling sweetly as she released him, “I can finally help you.”

The monkey-masked Saint’s corpse hit the ground like a discarded doll.

“Annabelle…”

Axel’s vision blurred. His nose burned as he stared at his sister, bathed in blood.

He knew.

The talk about having enough crystals—that had been a lie. A lie she’d told him to keep him from worrying.

She had crossed the line he never wanted her to cross.

But once again… she had chosen to stand behind him.

“Now it’s your turn.”

Axel and Annabelle spoke almost in unison.

The monkey-masked man was dead. The situation had completely flipped.

Savannah—soaked in blood—had already reverted from her demonic form back to her original body. She looked pitiful now, small-framed, her delicate face still carrying a faint, instinctive seduction. Axel didn’t lower his guard for even a second.

He knew her too well.

This woman was a consummate actress. And a peak Level Five Awakened always had one final trump card—Force: Spirit Burn.

If she truly decided to die fighting, he and Annabelle would still be dragged into another vicious battle.

Yet something was wrong.

Savannah showed no intention of resisting. Her Force aura had completely withdrawn. She sat there numbly, eyes fixed on Annabelle as if she were staring at something unreal.

She remembered it now—the blood mist, the way Annabelle had devoured the monkey-masked man’s blood.

Savannah’s lips trembled. Her voice shook with disbelief.

“Royal Blood…” she whispered. “Why do you have Royal Blood?”

Axel froze.

Annabelle froze.

Royal Blood?

Savannah suddenly turned to Axel, panic flooding her eyes, her voice nearly breaking.

“Axel… don’t kill me. I won’t hurt you anymore. I swear.”

She collapsed back to the ground, crawling weakly, her pale hands scraping frantically at the dirt as she tried to retreat—yet she dared not move toward Annabelle.

“What is Royal Blood?” Axel asked coldly, tightening his grip on the Soul Devouring Blade.

Savannah shook her head violently. She stole another terrified glance at Annabelle—only to see the girl staring back at her, expression empty.

Annabelle parted her lips slightly, revealing small fangs, as if still savoring the lingering taste.

Savannah’s breath caught.

To her, Annabelle no longer looked human—only a demon wearing an angel’s face.

She covered her mouth and crawled toward Axel instead.

“Axel… I’ll do anything. Anything you want. Just—please—spare me.”

Axel’s heart sank.

Did the Saints know about Annabelle? Did they understand what kind of bloodline ran through her veins?

Was it… stronger than theirs?

“Please…” Savannah edged closer.

Axel moved.

A single, clean slash.

Savannah’s legs were severed instantly.

Her blood-soaked feet vanished into Axel’s Space Capsule.

“AAAH—!”

She screamed as pain ripped through her body, her face draining of all color. She tried to stand, then collapsed helplessly to the ground.

She loved her feet.

Small. Pale. Perfect.

Men loved staring at them—Saints included. That was why she hated shoes. She adored the way men, clearly obsessed with her body, pretended to be gentlemen while groveling at her feet.

But now—

All she saw in Axel was pure, emotionless cruelty.

“Brother…” Annabelle murmured softly. Even she hadn’t expected this.

“Axel… no…” Savannah’s voice cracked. Real terror finally consumed her.

Annabelle on one side.

Axel on the other—eyes bloodshot, body trembling with barely restrained agitation.

To Savannah, both were demons.

Snap.

Two more slashes.

Savannah’s arms flew free.

Axel calmly stored them away as well.

Thud.

Her Original Pool shattered.

With her will broken, Savannah had lost even her final chance to resist. She stared at Annabelle in the distance—who watched with quiet curiosity—and her face turned completely ashen.

These siblings weren’t normal people.

They were monsters.

“It’s useless!” Savannah sobbed hysterically. “Do you think she can walk in the sunlight? The moment she’s discovered, she’ll die—and you’ll die too! You’ll both die!”

Tears streamed down her face before turning into mad laughter.

“Shut your mouth,” Axel said quietly. “Let me enjoy this moment.”

“Monsters…” Savannah rasped. “You siblings… you’re both monsters—”

The final slash fell.

Silence.