**Chapter 61 – Sacred Vow and Knight's Honor**
**[DEVASTATED FOREST – BLACK SMOKE]**
**Julia** — running through **absolute** darkness, black smoke swallowing everything around her, visibility **zero** beyond half a meter, hands **extended** forward touching air thick as water, boots stepping on damp moss producing muffled sounds, gasping breath **echoing** inside her own head.
She shouted — voice coming out **desperate**:
— **SAN**! **JESSICA**! Where are you?! Answer me!
---
**Voice** — male, deep, echoing from **all** sides simultaneously, impossible to locate the source:
"Two are already **down**, annoying girl." **Cold**, pragmatic tone. "You'll be **next**."
---
**Julia** — stopped for a moment, head **spinning** trying to identify direction, hearing the voice coming from: left, right, behind, above, all at once.
She shook her head — **ignoring** the provocation.
*I can't stop. I need to find them.*
She continued **running** — in a random direction because everything looked the same.
---
And she **saw** — not clearly but a **shadow** through the dense fog five meters ahead: human silhouette (male height, broad shoulders), arm **raised** holding something, another smaller silhouette (feminine, body **limp**) being held by the neck.
**Julia** — eyes **widening**, recognizing the proportions:
— **JESSICA**!
---
She **ran** — at maximum speed ignoring the still-throbbing abdominal pain from the previous blow, sword **drawing** preparing an attack.
The **shadow** — arm **moved**.
Jessica's **body** — **hurled** horizontally through the smoke like a rag doll, trajectory straight toward Julia.
---
**Julia** — stopped abruptly, arms **extending** catching the flying body, impact **pushing** her backward three meters, feet **dragging** on the ground trying to maintain balance, dropping to her knees but holding Jessica firmly.
She laid the body on the moss — looking in **horror**.
---
**Jessica** — partially unconscious, eyes **half-closed**, breathing **irregular** and shallow, face **pale**, body covered in **deep cuts**: arms (five parallel slashes), legs (three diagonal), torso (two horizontal through torn tunic), blood **running** staining the dark purple fabric almost black.
**HUD** floating above her:
```
╔════════════════════════════════╗
║ JESSICA ║
║ HP: 800 → 180 [-620] CRITICAL ║
║ STATUS: ║
║ • Severe Hemorrhage ║
║ • Deep Laceration (×10) ║
║ • Traumatic Shock ║
║ • Partial Loss of Consciousness║
╚════════════════════════════════╝
```
---
**Julia** — tear **sliding** down left cheek, hot against cold skin, voice **trembling**:
"Stay **calm**, Jessica!" Desperate tone. "I'm going to save you! I'll help you! I promise!"
---
**Jessica** — eyes **opening** slightly, focusing on Julia with effort, voice coming out **weak** but bitter:
"**Enough**…" Pause, painful breathing. "Don't **lie** to me anymore…"
Another pause — coughing blood:
"You **promised**… that you would protect me… if we entered that cave…" Broken accusatory tone. "And ever since we entered… I've only **suffered** nonstop…"
Breathing failing:
"And still… you **handed us over** to that dragon… let Garrett take me…" Voice breaking. "Terrible… **CEO**… terrible leader…"
---
**Julia** — throat **tightening**, more tears flowing, hands **trembling** holding Jessica's shoulders:
"I'm **sorry**!" Voice coming out **sobbing**. "I'm sorry for everything! For putting you in danger! For not being able to protect you! For failing as a leader! I… I…"
---
**Voice** — different, younger male, **weak** coming from ten meters away through the smoke:
"**Julia**…" San, barely audible. "Julia… where are you…"
---
**Julia** — head **turning** toward the voice, shouted:
"I'm **coming**, San! Hold on!"
She picked up Jessica — arms under armpits, **dragging** the body carefully five meters to the trunk of a giant tree, **propping** her back against the rough bark, checking breathing (still alive, weak but stable).
She stood — **running** toward where she heard San.
---
**Attacks** — came from **all** sides.
Not seen but **felt**: horizontal slash from the left, Julia **dodged** on instinct, blade **cutting** the left pauldron of sky-blue armor tearing metal; thrust from the right, body **spinning**, sword tip **scraping** breastplate cracking the plate; downward slash from above, rolled **sideways**, blow missing by centimeters but blade wind cutting a lock of blonde hair.
---
**Armor** — being **destroyed** progressively: left pauldron torn off (metal falling to ground with CLANG), breastplate cracked (fissure spreading), right vambrace sliced (protection lost), left thigh exposed (blue fabric torn revealing skin), back struck (hot blood running inside armor).
---
**Julia's HUD**:
```
╔════════════════════════════════╗
║ JULIA SILVA ║
║ HP: 2400 → 1800 [-600] ║
║ STATUS: ║
║ • Multiple Lacerations (×6) ║
║ • Moderate Hemorrhage ║
║ • Armor: 40% Integrity ║
║ • -15% Defense ║
╚════════════════════════════════╝
```
---
**Voice** — Garrett, echoing through smoke in **mocking** tone:
"So?! Aren't you ever going to **fight back**?!" Short laugh. "Just run like a scared rat until you die from a thousand cuts?!"
---
**Julia** — completely **ignored** it, absolute focus on finding San, pain being **suppressed** by sheer determination.
*I need to find him. I need to save both of them. I can't fail again.*
---
**Attacks** continued — three more slashes: right side (deep, explosive pain), left arm (superficial but bleeding), right thigh (muscle hit, movement hindered).
**HP**: 1800 → 1200 [-600]
But she kept **running** — now staggering, vision **blurring** at the edges, every step **hurting**.
---
And she **saw** — through momentarily dissipating smoke: **kneeling** body leaning against a tree twenty meters ahead, unmistakable silhouette (thin, disheveled hair).
— **SAN**!
---
She **ran** — last meters, kneeling beside him.
**San** — eyes **half-closed**, dried blood covering half his face, breathing **irregular**, right arm **hanging** useless, left side stained with blood through torn tunic.
**His HUD**:
```
╔════════════════════════════════╗
║ SAN ║
║ HP: 340 → 280 [-60] ║
║ STATUS: EXTREME CRITICAL ║
║ • Fractured Jaw ║
║ • 3 Broken Ribs ║
║ • Severe Internal Hemorrhage ║
║ • Severe Concussion ║
║ • INCAPACITATED ║
╚════════════════════════════════╝
```
---
**San** — eyes **opening** slightly seeing Julia, voice coming out **slurred** through broken jaw:
"Julia…" Painful pause. "**Run** away from here… go get **help**…" Breathing failing. "This mission is **too much** for us… way above our level…"
---
**Julia** — shook her head **no**, arms **carefully** taking his body, placing his arm over her shoulders, **lifting** with extreme effort (San weighs seventy kilos, injured Julia barely able to support him).
Legs **trembling** under the weight but holding firm.
---
**San** — confused:
"What are you **doing**?!" Desperate voice. "**Leave** me! Go find reinforcements! Save yourself!"
---
**Julia** — thought flashing through her mind as she began **walking** carrying San toward where she left Jessica:
*I will not abandon you here. Not while I'm still breathing.*
---
**Attacks** — resumed now that she was **slow** carrying weight: slash to back (armor finally **breaking** completely, metal falling to ground, only thin blue fabric remaining), slash to shoulder (skin exposed bleeding), slash to leg (almost falling but maintaining balance).
**HP**: 1200 → 600 [-600]
---
**Voice** — Garrett **laughing**:
"Pathetic! Absolutely **pathetic**!" Mocking tone. "Carrying a half-dead while getting sliced like a pig in a slaughterhouse! When will you **learn**?!"
---
**Julia** — kept **walking** — ten meters, fifteen, twenty, every step **agony**, blood running down legs staining boots, vision **darkening** at the edges, but she **did not stop**.
---
She reached the **tree** — Jessica still propped up breathing weakly.
She **placed** San carefully beside her, both backs against the bark.
She turned — positioning herself **between** them and the smoke, sword **drawing** despite trembling arms, adopting combat **stance** even critically wounded, staring into the dark fog ahead breathing with extreme **difficulty**, blood running from a dozen cuts covering her body.
*I will be their shield. I will not let them suffer any more.*
---
**Garrett** — voice echoing:
"I don't need this **theatrical** smoke anymore. I want to see your faces when you die."
---
Black **smoke** — began **dissipating** not naturally but being **sucked** back into Garrett's sword like liquid being drawn in, speed increasing, fog **swirling** in a spiral converging on the blade, ten seconds until completely gone.
---
**Visibility** — restored.
Green-ghostly forest light returning, giant tree shadows projecting, moss glowing faintly.
---
And twenty meters ahead — **Garrett** standing centered, sword in right hand (blade still faintly glowing black residue of smoke), armor intact, breathing **regular** with no visible effort.
**Marcus** — three meters behind him, kneeling still recovering from Shadow Clone punch, clutching stomach but alive.
---
**Garrett** — looking at wounded Julia protecting two fallen, cruel smile curling lips:
"**End** of the line for you rookies." **Cold** final voice. "It was fun while it lasted."
---
**Julia** — hearing that, processing the inevitability, knowing she cannot win in her current state.
And she **smiled** — not despair but determination.
She **ran** — not tactical, not strategic, no special skill, just **direct** straight-line run sword raised preparing a simple slash.
---
**Garrett** — eyes **slightly widening** in surprise:
"What the **hell**?!" Incredulous tone.
---
**Kick** — simple, effortless, boot striking Julia's stomach while she was still running.
**IMPACT** — moderate force but enough for her wounded body.
**Julia** — body **folding**, air expelled, **falling** backward three meters, rolling to a stop face-down, sword slipping from hand.
**HP**: 600 → 400 [-200]
---
**Garrett** — shaking his head:
"I **hope** you finally learn. It's over. Accept defeat."
---
**Julia** — hands **planting** on ground, pushing body up with extreme effort, knees **trembling**, slowly rising, picking up fallen sword, using blade as **support** stabbing into ground, pulling body vertical with both hands on hilt.
Breathing **gasping** irregular, blood running from mouth (internal hemorrhage beginning), but **standing** again.
---
And she **ran** — again, same direction, same lack of technique, just **raw** determination.
---
**Garrett** — not believing:
"**Seriously**?!"
---
**Kick** — again, same force.
**Julia** — fell **again**, HP: 400 → 200 [-200], body **broken** multiple bones cracking audibly, lying on back looking at green sky through tree canopy.
---
**Garrett** — firm voice:
"**Accept** defeat, girl. It's done."
---
**Julia** — rolled sideways, hands **planting**, pushing, body **protesting** every torn muscle, but **rising** again, sword as support again, pulling to vertical, small **smile** curving bloodied lips despite absolute pain.
---
And she **ran** — a third time.
---
**Garrett** — face **twisting** in rage:
"Since you **want** to die so badly…" Roaring voice. "**THEN DIE**!"
---
Sword **glowed** — intense red, skill activating:
— **CHAIN ATTACK**! — Cost: 200 mana.
---
**Movement** — blur of impossible-to-follow speed: first slash (diagonal downward shoulder), second (horizontal mid), third (upward leg), fourth (thrust side), fifth, sixth, seventh, **fifteen** slashes in two seconds, each cutting not just flesh but remaining **armor**.
---
Julia's sky-blue **armor** — completely **destroyed**: breastplate shattering into dozens of pieces falling CLANG-CLANG-CLANG, vambraces disintegrating, greaves breaking, helmet (miraculously intact until now) **splitting** in half.
Left only — thin blue fabric under armor, now **torn** in multiple places, stained dark-red with blood.
---
**Julia** — body **launched** backward by accumulated force of fifteen blows, flying ten meters, **crashing** heavily at the feet of Jessica and San still propped against the tree, lying face-down **motionless**.
---
**Her HUD**:
```
╔════════════════════════════════╗
║ JULIA SILVA ║
║ HP: 200 → 50 [-150] CRITICAL ║
║ STATUS: ║
║ • Multiple Severe Hemorrhage ║
║ • Bone Fractures (×8) ║
║ • Deep Lacerations (×15) ║
║ • Armor: DESTROYED ║
║ • Moderate Concussion ║
║ • EXTREME CRITICAL CONDITION ║
╚════════════════════════════════╝
```
---
**Garrett** — finally breathing heavily from effort, turning his back:
"**Finally**." Tired, satisfied tone. "It's over."
Looked at Marcus still kneeling:
"Come on, Marcus. We need to reach Cassandra before she ruins everything with the dragon."
---
**Movement** — behind him.
Sound of **metal** scraping stone.
---
**Garrett** — body **freezing**, head **slowly** turning back looking over shoulder, eyes **widening** in absolute shock.
---
**Julia** — **rising** again.
Not fast but **slowly** painfully: hands planting on ground trembling violently, arms **pushing** body millimeter by millimeter, knees buckling under impossible weight, pink hair **disheveled** covering blood- and dirt-stained face, torn blue uniform exposing skin cut in dozens of places, body **shaking** uncontrollably.
But **rising**.
---
**HP**: 50/3000 — less than **two** percent.
Any additional blow = instant death.
---
She picked up fallen sword — hands **gripping** hilt with both palms, stabbing tip into ground, using it as **support** pulling body vertical centimeter by centimeter.
**Eyes** — closed in extreme concentration blocking pain.
---
**San** — seeing that, voice **desperately shouting**:
"You don't have to **sacrifice** yourself for this world, Julia!" Pleading tone. "For this Church! Let's just take the chance these guys want to leave! We **escape** too! We reach level 100 far away from here! Not as Nellis knights!"
---
**Jessica** — weak voice but agreeing:
"That's **exactly** right, CEO!" Pause coughing blood. "This isn't **our** problem! Let's take this chance to live!"
---
**Julia** — eyes **slowly opening**, focusing on Garrett twenty meters ahead, body adopting combat **stance** despite extreme trembling, sword **raising** to guard position even though arms barely support the weight, small but genuine **smile** curving bloodied lips, face showing **absolute** determination burning through the pain.
---
**Memory** — flashing uninvited but **vivid**:
---
**[REAL WORLD – 10 YEARS AGO]**
**Julia** — nine-year-old child, lying in small bed in pink room decorated with medieval knight posters, princess comforter covering small body, sleepy eyes **slowly closing**.
**Grandmother** — sixty-five years old, gray hair in a bun, reading glasses hanging on a chain, sitting in chair beside bed holding thick leather-bound book (illustrated Arthurian legends), voice **soft** maternal:
"And so, my dear granddaughter, there existed in ancient Britain a very **famous** knight — King **Arthur Pendragon**." Reverent tone. "He was the pride of great Britain, a king who **inspired** his soldiers in the hardest wars, who possessed **unshakable** determination even in the face of apparent defeat, who was **charismatic** and deeply loved by everyone in his kingdom."
Pause turning page showing illustration: Arthur raising shining Excalibur.
"And beyond that, he possessed one thing every **good** knight must have above strength or skill…" Dramatic pause. "**Honor**. Honor in keeping one's word. Honor in protecting the weak. Honor in never abandoning companions. And because of that, he possessed a **unique** weapon that seemed made specifically for him… the legendary **Excalibur**."
---
Child **Julia** — eyes **shining** with fascination, sitting up in bed:
"**Grandma**!" Excited voice. "Can I one day be like King Arthur too?! With a magic sword and everything?!"
---
**Grandmother** — gentle **smile**, hand stroking Julia's pink hair:
"Of **course** you can, my dear granddaughter." Encouraging tone. "But if you want to be a true **good** knight… never forget the most **important** attribute." Significant pause. "**Honor**. Always keep your word. Always protect those who need it. Never abandon your companions. That is the soul of a true knight."
---
Child **Julia** — nodding **seriously**, mentally promising.
---
**[FOLLOWING YEARS – MONTAGE]**
**Julia** growing — ten years old playing medieval RPG on computer, choosing **Swordsman** class, rejecting online friends' suggestions to change ("Swordsman is weak! Play Mage!"), always answering: "**No**. I have **honor**. I will never change my class."
Twelve years old — school fencing tournament, losing final but refusing to cheat when opportunity arose.
Fifteen years old — new online game, again Swordsman class, friends questioning, same answer.
Nineteen years old — eve of being transported, playing last RPG, creating character, **Knight** class, reading description: "Honor, Protection, Sacrifice."
---
**[PRESENT – FOREST]**
**Julia** — memories **fading**, focus returning to Garrett ahead, smile **slightly widening**.
Voice coming out **firm** despite broken body:
"Jessica… San…" Pause, painful breathing. "I deeply **apologize**. I promised that after we entered that cave I would **protect** you with my life if necessary… and I have **miserably failed** until now."
Pause — eyes **closing** momentarily:
"But **trust** me now in this final moment." Voice gaining strength. "I will **not** let you suffer one more second. This is my renewed oath."
---
**San** — shouting:
"You're going to **DIE**, Julia! Look at your HP! Fifty points! One hit and it's over!"
---
**Julia** — smile not fading:
"Don't **worry**, San." Calm voice. "I'm not going to die here at all. Do you remember the **oath** I made back in the city of Kend that night at the inn?"
Pause:
"I said I would **survive** the remaining days in this world and **return** to my family in the real world. To my grandmother who taught me what it means to be a knight. To my parents who are waiting. To my little sister and little brother."
Voice gaining **power**:
"So I **will not** die here under any circumstances! After all…" Dramatic pause. "This is my **SACRED VOW** as a knight!"
---
**SYSTEM** — **shone**.
Not normally but **intensely**, interface appearing not only to Julia but **visible** to everyone around:
╔═══════════════════════════════════════╗
║ JULIA SILVA ║
║ CLASS: KNIGHT ║
║ ─────────────────────────────────────║
║ CLASS AFFINITY: ║
║ FINAL REQUIREMENT ACTIVATED ║
║ ║
║ ⚔️ HONOR ⚔️ ║
║ [████████████████████] 100% ║
║ ║
║ HEXAGON COMPLETE: ║
║ • Humility ✓ ║
║ • Protect the Weak ✓ ║
║ • Loyalty ✓ ║
║ • Discipline ✓ ║
║ • Courage ✓ ║
║ • HONOR ✓ [NEW] ║
║ ─────────────────────────────────────║
║ SPECIAL ABILITY UNLOCKED: ║
║ ║
║ ✨ SACRED VOW ✨ ║
║ ║
║ DESCRIPTION: ║
║ Allows the knight to strengthen ║
║ actions when fulfilling their word. ║
║ ║
║ ACTIVE EFFECTS: ║
║ • +200% Physical Resistance ║
║ • +150% Attack Power ║
║ • +100% Movement Speed ║
║ • +300% HP Regeneration ║
║ • Immunity: Fear, Despair ║
║ • INSPIRING AURA (Allies +50%) ║
║ ║
║ DURATION: While fulfilling the vow ║
║ COST: 0 Mana (Based on Conviction) ║
╚═══════════════════════════════════════╝
```
The **AURA** — materialized around Julia.
Not ordinary magic but pure brilliant white, emanating from her body like silent flames, rising three meters above her head, illuminating the surrounding forest and transforming the ghostly green into celestial white, particles of light floating upward like reverse snow.
**Garrett** — eyes widening in shock, taking an involuntary step back:
"What… what kind of aura is that?!" Voice trembling for the first time.
**Marcus** — behind him, finally standing, staring at the aura:
"I've never seen anything like it…" Reverent tone.
**Jessica** and **San** — watching from the tree, complete confusion:
"What kind of aura is that, CEO?!" Jessica.
"Julia… what did you do?!" San.
**Julia** — smile widening, body no longer trembling, pain dissipating replaced by comforting warmth from the aura, wounds still present but no longer hindering movement.
**HP** — did not increase (still 50/3000) but regeneration active: +15 HP/second.
And she **launched** — not a run but an explosion of speed.
Previous speed (normal): 30 km/h
Current speed (Sacred Vow +100%): 60 km/h
Twenty-meter distance — covered in one second.
**Garrett** — barely had time to process, sword raising defensively in front of him.
Julia's sword — collided against Garrett's blade with massive amplified force (+150% attack power).
**SOUND** — CLAAAANG metallic echoing through the forest, explosive white sparks radiating from the point of impact.
Force — not balanced but dominant.
**Garrett** — body hurled backward by the sheer power of the impact, feet dragging across the ground ten meters before managing to stop, back smashing into the trunk of a giant tree hard enough to crack the bark.
Eyes widening in complete disbelief:
"IMPOSSIBLE!" he shouted. "You were practically dead! Broken! How…?!"
**Julia** — did not respond verbally.
She charged again — same absurd speed, white aura trailing behind like a comet.
**Garrett** — leapt vertically escaping by milliseconds, body rising fifteen meters to reach a thick branch of a giant tree, running upward through branches like a ladder.
Looked down — saw Julia following.
Not jumping but literally running vertically up the tree trunk defying gravity through pure speed, boots planting on bark with every step propelling her upward.
She reached the branch where Garrett stood — twenty meters high.
Attacked — horizontal slash.
**Garrett** — blocked, counter-attacked with a thrust.
**Julia** — dodged, counter-attacked with an upward slash.
Combat — exploded at impossible-to-follow speed from below.
Marcus, Jessica, San — watching from the ground twenty meters below, seeing only sparks: sky-blue (Julia's aura) and black-red (Garrett's residual smoke) clashing repeatedly, continuous rapid metallic CLANG-CLANG-CLANG-CLANG, branches breaking under the force of impacts, leaves raining down.
**Julia** — not merely attacking but dancing.
Full Wushu style: body spinning three hundred sixty degrees in mid-air between attacks, feet planting on different branches every second, sword cutting from impossible angles, movement fluid like water yet lethal as a blade.
And she invoked — a second sword.
Passive Knight ability: Weapon Duplication (can create a temporary replica of equipped weapon, duration 5 minutes, cost 0 mana if Sacred Vow is active).
Second sky-blue sword materialized in her left hand, identical to the original.
Two swords — attacking in coordination:
Right slashes high horizontal, left thrusts low simultaneously — Garrett blocks the first but the second hits his side (armor cracking, -50 HP).
Left slashes diagonal, right slashes opposite creating an X — Garrett retreats but tips graze breastplate (additional -30 HP).
Both spin synchronized like a propeller — Garrett blocks horizontally but force pushes him back three meters.
**Garrett** — sweating for the first time, breathing accelerated, arms aching from blocking massive attacks:
"Where did you suddenly get all this strength from?!" Frustrated shout. "You were dying thirty seconds ago!"
**Julia** — did not answer.
She leapt back five meters, landing on a thicker branch, swords crossed in front of her chest, white aura intensifying to blinding brightness.
Right arm pulling back preparing a throw, right sword vibrating with accumulated energy.
And she **threw** — not gently but with full force (+150% amplified).
Sword — launched like a projectile, estimated speed one hundred kilometers per hour, spinning creating a high-pitched WHIIIIIIINE air-cutting sound, perfect straight-line trajectory aimed at Garrett's chest.
**Garrett** — eyes widening, sword raising horizontally to block.
**IMPACT** — colossal force.
Thrown sword collided with Garrett's block, not stopping but pushing, kinetic force transferring through blade to his arms to his entire body, feet losing contact with branch, body flying backward fifteen meters through air, smashing into adjacent tree trunk with devastating force, falling twenty meters free-fall, body crashing into forest floor with impact that cracked the ground.
**Garrett's sword** — split in half: upper blade (sixty centimeters) separated from hilt, fallen three meters away; lower blade (sixty centimeters) still attached to broken hilt in his hands.
**Julia** — did not wait for recovery.
She leapt — from twenty-meter-high branch, body diving vertically like an eagle, remaining sword (left) raised above head preparing massive downward slash, white aura trailing behind like a comet's tail, face showing absolute determination not rage but focus.
**Garrett** — lying on ground stunned, looking up seeing Julia descending like a meteor, thought flashing through confusion:
Where did she get this strength?! This isn't the same life level as before, it can't be! How is she dominating me?!
**Julia** — landed beside him with impact that cracked the ground in radiating web-like fissures three meters wide, sword stabbing into soil five centimeters from Garrett's head, looking down with serious expression.
**Garrett** — looked sideways seeing Marcus's sword fallen two meters away (Marcus dropped it when hit by Shadow Clone).
Hand extending trying to reach it.
**Julia** — foot stepping on his wrist pinning it, sword tip moving from ground to his forehead, touching skin between eyebrows, light but lethal pressure.
Voice coming out cold and controlled:
"If you value your life even a little…" Pause. "Don't pick up that sword."
**Garrett** — froze, hand stopping centimeters from Marcus's sword hilt, looking up seeing Julia's determined unwavering eyes.
Voice coming out bitter and defeated:
"It doesn't matter if you beat me here…" Defensive desperate tone. "The Church will believe me — twenty years of loyal service — over you rookies who've been here barely a month! As your supervisors, I'll smear your reputation until you're imprisoned or expelled! My word against yours!"
**Julia** — still serious, free hand moving to her face.
Fingers touching right eye — blinking, removing something small and transparent.
Contact lens — not normal but magical: transparent disk five millimeters diameter, faintly glowing blue, microscopic runes engraved on surface.
Held it between thumb and forefinger — showing it to Garrett.
**Garrett** — eyes widening in absolute horrified recognition, body trembling:
"That's…" Voice failing. "Image Capture Lens?!" Shocked tone. "You… all this time…?!"
**[FLASHBACK – CITY OF ELLIS – 3 DAYS AGO]**
**Julia** — in a corridor of one of the buildings in capital Ellis, seeing Austin leaning against a wall with a serious expression waiting for her.
**Austin** — holding small blue velvet box, opening it revealing glowing transparent lens:
"Julia, I deeply regret having to ask this of you." Genuinely apologetic tone. "But we need you to volunteer to wear this Image Capture Lens during the mission with Garrett in the Kingdom of Killvis, in the city of Kend."
Heavy pause:
"The Church has suspected for years that Garrett, Cassandra, and Marcus are involved in questionable activities. Multiple reports of destroyed cities where they were supervisors. But we have a sacred oath: never judge anyone without concrete proof no matter how guilty they appear."
**Julia** — worried expression:
"But if Garrett discovers I'm recording… he might kill us all to hide evidence…"
**Austin** — nodding:
"Exactly why I regret asking. It's mortal risk. But you're the only one who can do it. San is too impulsive, he'd be discovered. Jessica is too nervous, her behavior would change. You… have the emotional control required."
Pause offering the box:
"If you accept… also take these three Rank S Full Recovery Potions." Pulling out three shining red vials. "Use them at the most necessary moment. They can save your life and your companions'."
**Julia** — hesitating, looking at potions and lens.
Thought: Putting San and Jessica's lives in danger… but saving an entire city…
She took — lens and potions:
"I accept the mission, Sir Austin."
**[PRESENT – FOREST]**
**Garrett** — processing the betrayal, voice coming out furious and broken:
"You BITCH!" he shouted. "All this time you were deceiving me! When you called me captain! When you accepted my rudeness! When you smiled falsely! EVERYTHING WAS A LIE!"
**Julia** — cold voice without remorse:
"Exactly that." Firm tone. "And on this lens are recorded all your crimes since we left Ellis: treason, attempted genocide, attacking subordinates, everything. Irrefutable evidence."
Pause:
"So surrender now before you make your already desperate situation worse."
**Garrett** — staring at the glowing lens, understanding that twenty years of hope for freedom had ended, face twisting with pure rage mixed with despair.
Looked at the piece of broken sword still in his hand — lower sixty-centimeter blade with hilt.
And black smoke — began emanating again from the broken blade, not as intense as before but sufficient.
He seized — the moment of Julia's distraction looking at the lens.
Rolled sideways, smoke exploding around creating a curtain, body rising running in the opposite direction, disappearing through the trees.
**Julia** — reacted too late, smoke already covering the area:
"GARRETT!" she shouted. "Get back here!"
Ran — through dissipating smoke, looking in all directions.
Empty — he had escaped.
**Voice** — behind her, feminine:
"It's too late, Julia." Jessica, being carried by limping San, both slowly approaching. "He's completely gone."
**Julia** — turning, seeing both alive, white aura still shining around her.
**Jessica** — small genuine smile curving bloodied lips:
"Thank you…" Weak but sincere voice. "For finally keeping your promise, Julia. For protecting us until the end."
**Julia** — smile appearing too, tension leaving her body.
"You're welcome, Jessica. I…"
**Pain** — exploded through her entire body.
Not gradual but instant massive.
**Sacred Vow** — deactivated (promise fulfilled = effect ended).
Bonuses +200% resistance, +150% strength, +100% speed — removed immediately.
White aura — dissipated like smoke.
**HP** regeneration — stopped: 50 + (15 × 30 seconds) = 500/3000 current.
But physical wounds — still present: fifteen deep lacerations, eight bone fractures, severe internal hemorrhage, concussion.
**Julia** — legs failing, body falling forward.
**San** — carefully set Jessica down, caught Julia before she hit the ground:
"JULIA! Hold on!"
**Julia** — eyes closing, consciousness slipping, last thing hearing being San and Jessica's worried voices calling her name.
And darkness — took everything.
**[JULIA: UNCONSCIOUS, HP 500/3000]**
**[SAN: HP 280/1200, INJURED]**
**[JESSICA: HP 180/800, CRITICAL]**
**[GARRETT: ESCAPED, BROKEN SWORD]**
**[EVIDENCE: RECORDED ON LENS]**
**[SACRED VOW: FULFILLED]**
**[HONOR: PERMANENTLY UNLOCKED]**
**[NEXT: CONSEQUENCES AND RETURN]**