Chapter 530 Steven's Strength
With Neil's command, over a dozen priests charged toward Steven's group, battle cries tearing from their throats.
Steven's team remained composed—they'd been briefed about Snowfall Cult's corruption, if not the exact timing of Steven's attack on Neil.
Instead of falling back, Steven uncharacteristically stepped forward, positioning himself in front of his companions.
"Enough," he said quietly, covering his right eye with his palm. "I don't have time for this."
When he lowered his hand, a brilliant white light flickered in his right pupil. Those caught in his gaze felt the surrounding space begin to distort.
Suddenly, an immense force tore at the charging priests from every conceivable angle. Seven of them exploded mid-stride at the same time, their upper bodies disintegrating into a red mist.
The remaining priests froze in terror. Even Dean, the most aggressive among them, found his legs refusing to advance, rooted to the ground by primal fear.
"Pupil Technique," Theron whispered, momentarily stunned.
This was the first time Steven had publicly demonstrated his Martial Prowess.
He'd used it during the Five Armies battle, but his mastery had been limited then, killing only two rogue Psychics. Now, he had eliminated seven elite priests with a single strike.
Megan, Sebastian, and Leonard stared in disbelief. Steven's true power far exceeded their estimations. His reputation as a defensive specialist weak in close combat had been entirely fabricated.
"Steven! Neil's escaping!" Earl suddenly shouted, pointing toward the periphery of the battlefield.
Using the distraction of his priests' charge, Neil had turned and fled. His Telekinesis allowed him to propel his body through the air at tremendous speed.
"He's heading back to warn Natasha," Steven said, his voice urgent. "She's the real threat. We must eliminate her before she realizes we're coming, or everyone here could die."
Theron fixed Steven with a skeptical stare. "Why should we trust you?"
"You lose nothing by doing so," Steven replied calmly. "The truth will be evident when you see it with your own eyes. Surely Silvercrest District's elite aren't so easily deceived?"
Without waiting for a response, Steven summoned his snow vehicle and signaled his team to pursue Neil toward Snowfall Cult headquarters.
The surviving priests, still paralyzed with fear, made no attempt to stop them.
After a moment's consideration, Theron turned to his team. "Let's go. It's time we resolved Starlight City's mysteries once and for all. We can't let Otha's death remain unexplained."
The investigation team quickly mobilized to follow.
Megan, Sebastian, and Leonard's factions came to the same conclusion—they had nothing to lose by witnessing the truth, whatever it might be.
They each found their vehicles and headed to Snowfall Cult.
The six surviving Snowfall Cult priests, led by Dean, stood amidst the carnage, watching as the vehicles disappeared toward their headquarters.
"What do we do?" one priest asked frantically. "They're heading for the church! Should we follow?"
A female priest shook her head, terror evident in her voice. "Did you see what Steven did? He killed so many with a single attack and crippled Mr. Torres with a surprise strike. How could we possibly stop him?"
Dean clenched his jaw. "We are members of the church. If Ms. Carter hadn't taken us in and granted us Supernatural abilities, none of us would be alive today. Whatever happens, we must return. If they want war, we'll give them war!"
He located an abandoned snow vehicle nearby and jumped into the driver's seat. "Make your choice—come with me or stay behind."
The priests exchanged glances. Only two decided to follow Dean; the others chose to abandon Snowfall Cult entirely.
Dean gave the deserters a cold look but had no time to waste. He and his loyal companions sped away toward the inevitable confrontation.
The three who remained behind exhaled with relief.
"No matter how this battle ends, returning means certain death for us," said a gaunt man with a thick beard. "Better to find another path. Dean and the others are loyal to Natasha and Neil, but we're loyal only to ourselves."
They understood the situation clearly. Whether Steven's accusations were true or false, returning to Snowfall Cult was suicide.
If Steven spoke the truth, that Natasha was behind all this, then those who had used Frostheart would eventually be killed so Natasha could harvest their abilities.
If Steven lied, they would still face his overwhelming power in the coming conflict.
Neither would they survive—escape was the best. They even felt grateful to Steven, who had created this opportunity for them.
"Let's go," the bearded man said, exhaling a cloud of white vapor as he gazed into the distance. "With our abilities, we can survive anywhere in this world."
The three departed without hesitation. Starlight City was nearly depopulated now—resources would be plentiful. Any supermarket, mall, or warehouse could sustain them for years.
---
At Church of the Holy Ground, Natasha knelt before the altar in devout prayer.
Suddenly, her eyes snapped open.
She had just felt a powerful Supernatural ability merge with her being—Pupil Technique, which belonged to the investigation team captain, Otha.
Her eyes flickered like distant stars before returning to normal, a sweet smile spreading across her face. She knew exactly how powerful Otha had been.
But her smile quickly faded into a frown.
"Otha is dead? How could this happen? Who in Starlight City could kill him—who would dare?"
Otha's position as Silvercrest District's representative made his death a matter of serious concern. His death would certainly draw their attention.
Natasha's brow furrowed as an uncomfortable realization settled over her. Something had slipped beyond her control.
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