Gun of Ashes

The raging flames rose from the streets of the city, as the gas pipes were detonated by lacquered antimony. The pressurized gas surged out from the pipes, igniting into towering pillars of fire, growing larger and larger with each explosion, like a rampant Red Dragon breathing freely over the streets.

People screamed in terror, unaware that this was just the beginning of the apocalypse. The shattered soil fell into the crack of the explosion, accumulating another explosion, shaking the entire street violently with each blast. The lacquered antimony flowing through the main road completely destroyed it, and the fireworks ascended with black smoke, resembling columns of stone reaching to the sky.

The aftermath of the explosion swept through the entire city district. The masses at the theater plaza toppled in an instant, the impact arriving with violent winds, making everyone tumble in this invisible tide. The erected platform directly collapsed, and the kindled flames extinguished at that moment. The distant sunset was devoured by darkness, plunging into despair.

All light was lost from the world… The sky was dark.

In the darkness, the ancient Yega Grand Theater appeared as a menacing silhouette, akin to that of a dilapidated old castle, with countless branches below waving frantically like sharp claws, fallen leaves flying with a sense of desolate death.

A slightly warm wind surged indoors, and there was a continuous sound of deep breathing, leaving only the sharp sword glinting in the dimness.

It was a spontaneous assassination.

Lorenzo looked at the battered Corey in front of him, slowly raising the Winchester.

In the original plan, Lorenzo didn’t intend to assassinate Corey. His primary goal was to assassinate the Pope, to rescue Ivar. But once he saw Erin’s memories, everything changed.

The invasion of the [Gap] was a very peculiar feeling; Erin’s life blended with his, allowing him to feel Erin’s joys and sorrows, to experience all she saw and learned.

So even though this was Lorenzo’s first meeting with Corey, within Erin’s [Gap], Lorenzo had already encountered Corey countless times. They had shared those long years together, Lorenzo knew Corey just like Erin knew him.

This is a madman; he is the Root Source of the war.

As long as Corey is alive, there will always be a chance for war to break out. So Lorenzo changed the plan, defying orders; he wanted to kill Corey, to end it all here.

”Goodbye, Corey Ferre.”

Lorenzo whispered, wasting no words, directly pulled the trigger.

The booming gunshot sounded, the shattered bullet pierced through the body, stirring a heavy mist of blood.

A guard blocked Lorenzo’s path, half of his body was shattered by the Winchester, the penetrating bullets hitting Corey behind him. But because of this layer of human shield, Corey’s injuries weren’t fatal.

Corey gritted his teeth, struggling to get up and crawl, in utter distress.

He tried to escape, but the cold Staff Sword pursued relentlessly, Lorenzo launched a decisive slash, but at that moment the dying guard reached out a hand, attempting to grab onto Lorenzo to hinder his actions.

Another gunshot rang out.

The guard’s figure froze in place, revealing a deep blood hole on his forehead, while at the other side, Erin stood up with difficulty, taking out the handgun Lorenzo had previously given her, fired.

”I didn’t ask you to shoot.”

Lorenzo struck down with the Staff Sword forcefully, its sharp blade sliced into Corey’s body easily, descending along the shoulder, cutting off his entire left arm.

Blood splattered, yet Corey didn’t make any sound of pain, he remained silent, bearing the excruciating pain, rolling forward, Lorenzo was about to pursue, Erin’s voice rang out.

”You didn’t say the plan was like this then!”

Erin, overwhelmed by the impact, had her breathing erratic, her exposed skin covered in abrasions. She gasped heavily, pointing the gun elsewhere.

”And... did you anticipate these?”

Erin spoke with fear.

Lorenzo looked towards the direction Erin was facing, his gaze solemn.

”I expected some, but not this much.”

According to Lorenzo’s plan, the explosive impact was enough to cause a temporary loss of resistance for the common people. These guards would be knocked down, and during their time of getting back up, Lorenzo could kill Corey many times over, but he never thought these guards were not ordinary.

The power of Secret Blood surged violently within them, every guard resembled a beast, with a menacing face, a bloodthirsty growl from their throat.

The Choir.

Under the boundless night, beastlike roars echoed, they were countless, and the snarling sounds reverberated across this dark world.

”You’re not the only one prepared, Lorenzo Holmes.”

Corey’s face was pallid, he covered his gruesome wound, his expression seemed like a smile, yet could also be hatred.

Warm blood quickly departed from his body, he was nearing death.

But he still had a chance to live.

”Hold him off.”

Corey commanded, the guards surged forward.

These individuals couldn’t hold Lorenzo for long, even if fully transforming into demons, they posed no threat to Lorenzo; with all their might, they could only delay him for mere seconds.

No, perhaps not even seconds.

The sharp sword glow shredded the flesh, bright white flames surged, it was so bright, turning into the sole light in this darkness.

A chilling sound resonated, the body being torn apart under the Staff Sword, the edges of flesh ignited with bright white flames, already burning as they fell, the rapid heat carbonizing them, transforming into unnamed ashes, cleansed by the whirlwind raised by the sword’s momentum.