Chapter 528 A Sudden Strike
Leonard approached Otha's body and knelt, offering a soldier's respect.
The others followed suit—without this man's sacrifice, Starlight City would have fallen.
Lanny remained on the ground, cradling his captain's body in stubborn silence, unwilling to let go.
Vice Captain Theron's face had already hardened, grief giving way to duty.
"With Otha's death, according to Silvercrest District regulations, I temporarily assume command," he announced, his voice steady despite the circumstances.
He removed the communication device from Otha's uniform and established contact with headquarters.
Everyone watched tensely. The undead had been eliminated—now Silvercrest District needed to fulfill their end of the bargain by canceling The Grim Reaper's Sigh.
"So he's gone," Ian's voice came through, followed by a quiet sigh. "Perhaps it's for the best. As a soldier, dying in battle is his most fitting end. I'm sure he wouldn't have wanted to waste away in a hospital bed."
"Mr. Peterson, what are our next orders?" Theron asked.
On his screen, Ian studied the survivors gathered around Otha's body.
"Bring him home," he said finally.
The investigation team had lost their strongest fighter and commander—they were no longer at full capacity.
Ian couldn't risk losing more elite warriors, especially since Starlight City's immediate crisis had passed. Another major outbreak wouldn't happen soon.
"Yes, Mr. Peterson."
After ending the communication, Theron turned to the others. "Blizzard City has canceled the launch of The Grim Reaper's Sigh."
A collective exhale rippled through the group. Their city—their foundation and home—had been saved. The crushing weight of imminent destruction lifted from their shoulders.
Neil approached, his face a perfect mask of solemnity. He crossed his hands over his chest, reciting prayers for Otha and the others who had perished.
No one appeared devastated by Otha's death—just grateful his actions had saved them all.
In fact, beneath the veneer of respect, a palpable sense of relief permeated the gathering. The nightmare was over.
Steven watched Neil perform his rituals, something cold and calculating settling in his eyes.
Without warning, he reached into his extradimensional space and pulled out Dragon Roar—the gleaming blade catching the light as it materialized in his hand.
The sudden appearance of a weapon shattered the momentary peace. Everyone stared at him in confusion.
"Steven, what are you doing?" Eris asked, her brow furrowed.
Steven turned, eyes locked on Sebastian, who stumbled backward in alarm.
"Steven?" Sebastian gasped, raising his hands defensively. "What are you doing?"
"What am I doing?" Steven replied with a cold laugh. "Taking your life!"
He activated his eight-fold speed enhancement and lunged forward, thrusting the blade with lethal precision.
The Edelmann Alloy weapon—capable of cutting through steel—sliced through the air toward Sebastian.
But the blade vanished mid-thrust, only to reappear somewhere else entirely.
It emerged from Neil's chest with a wet sound, the blade glowing with an eerie blue light as blood trickled down its length, staining the priest's white robe crimson.
Neil's pious expression dissolved into shock. He looked down at the blade protruding from his chest, confusion filling his eyes.
A moment later, comprehension dawned. Though Steven had appeared to lunge at Sebastian, he'd redirected his attack through his Supernatural ability.
Steven withdrew the blade sharply. The blood groove's design ensured maximum damage upon exit, leaving a wound that wouldn't easily close.
Neil collapsed, clutching his chest as blood soaked through his fingers.
"Steven!" He struggled to speak, glaring at Steven with hatred filled in his eyes. "Why are you doing this?"
Steven's attack had been too swift to dodge.
Despite being one of Starlight City's top Psychics, Neil's Telekinesis ability gave him no physical advantage—his body was as vulnerable as any ordinary person's.
For all his mental power, a blade through the chest had rendered him helpless.
"Steven, what are you doing?!" Megan shouted, her voice cutting through the stunned silence.
The battlefield—moments ago unified in victory—instantly divided into opposing forces.
Snowfall Cult priests surrounded their fallen leader, faces contorted with rage.
Lily and Steven's team stood ready beside him, hands on their weapons.
Dean, the most hot-tempered priest, was about to charge when Lily drew her blade, the cold steel giving him pause.
"You bastard, I'll kill you!" Dean snarled, fingers crackling with psychic energy.
Theron and the investigation team watched with wary expressions but remained silent.
Internal conflicts of Starlight City weren't their concern, not when they were still processing their own loss.
Sebastian, Megan, and Leonard looked at Steven with growing alarm. This unprovoked attack threatened to unravel everything they'd fought to preserve.
"Steven, you need to explain yourself," Leonard said firmly. "Otherwise, we won't stand by and do nothing."
While they cared little for Snowfall Cult's fate, Steven's actions suggested he might be eliminating rival factions—a dangerous precedent they couldn't ignore.
The three survival outposts had maintained a fragile balance for years. This could shatter it completely.
Steven stood with Dragon Roar in hand, blood dripping from its edge. His strike had missed Neil's heart—deliberately, it seemed—leaving the priest neutralized but able to speak.
"Neil," Steven said, his voice dangerously soft, "are you going to keep pretending even now?"
He turned to address the others, his eyes never leaving the wounded priest. "The mastermind behind Starlight City's zombie outbreaks was Snowfall Cult all along."
His accusation fell like a thunderbolt, stunning everyone present.
Megan's eyes widened. "What? Snowfall Cult orchestrated the outbreaks?"
Even the Snowfall Cult priests appeared shocked, exchanging confused glances. Had their own leader betrayed them?
"What nonsense are you spewing?" Dean roared, stepping forward despite the danger. "Do you know how many of our people died to these hordes?"
Sebastian nodded emphatically. "Indeed. Snowfall Cult suffered the heaviest casualties. Why would they orchestrate something so self-destructive?"
Valid questions—ones that had almost concealed the truth. Steven turned his cold gaze back to Neil, who knelt clutching his wound, fighting to maintain his facade of innocence.
But something had changed in Neil's eyes—a flicker of something wild and unhinged. He never imagined Steven would uncover their secret.
"Shut up!" Neil hissed through clenched teeth. "Stop spreading lies! You think anyone will believe you?"
Steven's laugh was devoid of humor. "Whether they believe me now doesn't matter. Once they hear everything, they can judge for themselves."
His eyes narrowed as he stepped closer to the wounded priest. "What are you afraid of, Neil?"
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