Gun of Ashes

There was something writhing in the shadows, followed by a gush of warm air. Lorenzo staggered out from it, as he moved forward, the black armor on his body gradually fell off, clattering to the ground, gradually revealing his scarred body.

He took deep breaths of the cold air, the low-temperature gas filling his lungs brought a slight sting, clearing some of the chaos in Lorenzo’s consciousness.

But even so, there was still intense pain in his mind; it felt like his consciousness had been dragged out for a beating then stuffed back in, with residual pain lingering on his physique, disrupting his senses.

He felt like his chest had been pierced by metal, but in reality, there was no injury there; the blurred phantom pain tortured his mind.

With trembling hands, he picked up the Holy Silver crown and barely put it on, for a moment, his tumultuous thoughts seemed suppressed by some unknown force, easing Lorenzo’s discomfort greatly.

He took a few steps, then leaned against the side, resting in the shadows.

This was Lorenzo’s first attempt at [Gap] intrusion of the Armor of Original Sin. He realized this power when Watson used the Black Angel to save him. Essentially, the Black Angel is a Demon armored entity lacking controlling will, usually driven by the operator as the main brain. Under the authority of Gabriel, Lorenzo successfully managed to remote-control it.

However, due to Lorenzo’s inexperience, the side effects caused him significant pain, such as this overlapping phantom pain; the injuries of the Black Angel vividly reflected onto his consciousness, impacting his current body.

It’s not too bad; at least Lorenzo found a new combat method with which many perilous places can be reconnaissance by the Black Angel first, but...

Lorenzo cautiously observed his surroundings; he didn’t move rashly, instead sensing the flow of erosion around him.

He took off the crown and utilized Authority·Gabriel as per Watson’s warning; Lorenzo might likely be hunted by Silencers. At this moment, he wasn’t in a rush to join the cliff and the Morning Glow Advance, mainly waiting for these Silencers.

Yet, nothing happened.

Lorenzo waited for several minutes, considering the response speed of the Silencers, they should have appeared when he immersed into the black cocoon, but until the battle ended, after resting for this long, nothing unusual occurred.

Letting out a long sigh, just as Lorenzo lowered his guard and prepared to head to the cliff, his heart tightened once more.

A pitch-black figure stood not far away, leaning on a spear, positioned perfectly away from Lorenzo as if a ghostly figure suddenly appeared; it intimidated Lorenzo into halting his actions.

Lorenzo tried to pick up a weapon, only then realizing his Staff Sword was broken and the Winchester had no ammunition.

What to do?

After disconnecting from the Black Angel, the Morning Glow Advance hadn’t yet extricated from the battle; they couldn’t wait too long at the cliff, especially when confronted with this mysterious Pioneer, Lorenzo was uncertain of his chances.

”Pioneer... Are you the so-called Silencer?”

Lorenzo suddenly said, for lack of knowing what to do; it was better to verify his assumption, even if defeated by the Pioneer, getting killed; Lorenzo could still conduct a [Gap] traversal, invading the Black Angel.

But Lorenzo didn’t want to abandon this scarred body unless absolutely necessary; this was the last mark of his existence in this world, 047, forming the cornerstone of Lorenzo Holmes.

”Silencer?”

The Pioneer’s voice was ethereal, carrying a metallic tone.

Lorenzo’s gaze was grave; he hadn’t expected the Pioneer to actually speak. Previously, his silence made Lorenzo feel oppressive, but upon realizing the Pioneer could communicate, Lorenzo felt it wasn’t as bad.

”Let me guess, months ago, you gathered believers for a meeting, presumably you triggered something, say, touched those unspeakable matters, thereby inviting an assault by the Silencers.”

This was Lorenzo’s inference based on Galron’s account; Froki had participated in the gathering then suffered an attack from Silencers, losing consciousness; before assaulting them, those Silencers were combating within the Workshop against the Purification Mechanism.

A threat large enough to provoke Silencers into full extermination effort... not only did he survive, but he was standing here conversing with me.

Lorenzo felt overwhelming pressure, reminiscent of his first battle with Lawrence, against an unstoppable enemy, with profound helplessness and despair.

”Yes, Silencers.”

Lorenzo responded, Secret Blood preheating, agitating within his body. If necessary, Lorenzo would reach a Critical Breakthrough in an instant, perhaps even stepping into taboo areas, progressing towards demonization.

Facing such a formidable enemy, Lorenzo deemed he had mere seconds to act, either striking a heavy blow fleeing the Pioneer or the Pioneer countering him.

Like Lawrence, the Pioneer was an Undead with authority·Gabriel; he arbitrarily replaced bodies to endure the long years, and how many Immortals like him exist in this world?