The voice echoed through every corner of Anruin, carrying with it a weight that felt almost alive, crawling into every alley, every market, every home.
"I am from the Immaculate Circle. The priest representing Diligence, Torion Aruz. It is a pleasure to meet you all."
In the streets, merchants froze mid-step, citizens glanced at each other nervously, whispers bubbling like a shaken cauldron.
"Immaculate Circle?" one man murmured. "Is this some kind of joke?"
"This is nonsense," another merchant scoffed, clapping his hands to shoo the growing crowd. "Children must have gotten into the broadcast tower again. Go back to your work! Follow the rules!"
But before the crowd could fully disperse, the sky itself seemed to respond.
A roaring wind tore through Anruin. Shops' signs twisted, carts tipped over, awnings shredded. People clutched their ears, screamed, and stumbled. A pregnant pause of sheer panic—then a roar that rattled the very stones beneath their feet.
From the top of the broadcast tower emerged a creature so immense, so utterly terrifying that the world seemed to contract around it. A dragon, black as obsidian, jagged scales catching the sunlight like shattered glass. Its wings stretched wide, blotting out the sky, and its molten-lava eyes glowed with a malice that felt ancient. Every movement it made sent shivers through the air; every flap of its wings tore through sound itself.
"Did you hear that? That was the sound of my pet… THE BLACK DEATH. Now you know I am not okay. I am Torion Aruz of the Immaculate Circle, and you will remember that name."
Screams erupted. Women clutched their children. Men grabbed weapons they could never hope to wield against such a monstrosity. The streets became chaos incarnate—carts tumbling, crates spilling gems and minerals into the dust. People ran blindly, some screaming, others paralyzed by fear.
Inside the palace, Gatling Zellon's guards scrambled. One guard barreled into the parlor, bowing low.
"Your Majesty! Please forgive my intrusion! I believe… you've heard the broadcast."
"Yes," Gatling replied, eyes narrowing. "Prepare a squad. We leave for the Ten Tower immediately."
Shoda's voice cut in, sharp with disbelief. "Wait. A Circle priest is here, in Anruin?!"
Gatling turned, irritation flashing. "Didn't you hear the broadcast? Of course he's here. Are you dense?"
Shoda's eyes narrowed, stepping close to Gatling. His voice dropped low, laced with anger. "You don't have to be damn rude."
Gatling recoiled slightly, brushing it off. "Who are you anyway?"
Elmira stepped between them, placing a hand on Shoda's shoulder. "He is Iwamoto Shoda, my friend. And we apologize for our earlier… misunderstandings."
Gatling's composure returned. He turned to a nearby guard. "Bring me a telecom crystal. Activate the castle's speakers. Now."
Shoda's gaze went to the door. "I'm going—"
Elmira grabbed his arm, concern etched on her face. "Are you insane? Why are you going out there?!"
"I'm looking for Mira and Shun," he said simply. "We haven't seen them in over an hour."
"You'll get yourself killed," Elmira whispered sharply. "Eldritch wouldn't forgive it."
Shoda offered a reassuring smile. "Relax. I'll be careful. Don't worry about me. Just… stay here."
Elmira exhaled, a small shiver running through her spine. "You have a big heart… and you never let anyone get hurt, even when they deserve it. Be safe."
Shoda sprinted into the chaos, determination burning in his eyes.
---
Outside, the city writhed in fear. Market stalls lay in ruins. Gemstone carts shattered. Magic from the Axis Mundi Tree pulsed faintly in the distance as if sensing the approaching calamity.
From the castle balcony, Gatling called out with a voice that resonated across the city. "I am Gatling Zellon, King of Anruin! State your business, Circle Priest!"
Aruz emerged, a dark man with a blindfold over his eyes, his presence so oppressive it bent the air around him. "Oh-ho-ho," he chuckled, pacing slowly, every movement deliberate. "How excellent. I have caught the king's attention. Now… I can make my demands known."
"What do you want?" Gatling demanded. "Why are you here?"
Aruz's voice was calm but chilling. "I am here for the Devil Sister's remains. Buried beneath the Axis Mundi Tree, west of Anruin. Nothing will stop me from obtaining them."
Gatling's eyes darkened, his mind racing. How does he know…? Only the royal family knew of this secret. It can't be Hector… he's loyal. Then who…?
"You cocky bastard," Gatling muttered under his breath. "We do not have what you seek. Anruin prospers because of its gems and minerals—not the corpse of a Devil Sister. You won't get it."
"Oh? Is that so?" Aruz's smile twisted, anger simmering beneath the surface.
---
Meanwhile, Shoda pushed through the panicked crowd. He dove under falling debris, grabbed a child flung from a tipped cart, and sprinted as elemental storms converged overhead. Fire, wind, lightning, water, and earth combined into a blinding, destructive force around the Black Death.
"Stay back!" he cried, clutching the child. "Hold on!"
A massive shard of stone collapsed from above, crushing the child he had just saved. Shoda screamed, tearing at the rubble with bloodied hands. His arms ached, his leg was broken, his head throbbed with pain, yet he continued to fight through agony.
The Black Death landed behind him, a shadow of molten terror. Its eyes locked on him, unblinking. Shoda's breath came in ragged gasps. "Holy crap…" he whispered. Pain, fear, and desperation fused into a singular resolve.
He ran. Every step was agony. Every movement drew blood. His head and limbs screamed in protest, but he pressed forward, thinking only of those he loved.
Then the crushing weight came. The dragon's paw slammed down, shattering his ribs. Pain so absolute it felt like his soul was tearing apart.
Blue poison erupted from the dragon's maw, searing into him. He inhaled it helplessly. His veins burned, skin bubbling. Agony clawed at every fiber of his being. "Stop… please… Elmira… Mira… help…"
And then… darkness.
---
Elmira, Mira, Shun, and Gatling arrived too late, witnessing the horror. Shoda lay beneath the Black Death, lifeless.
Elmira screamed, heart fracturing. She formed icy blades with trembling hands, stabbing herself through grief. Shun and Mira's cries pierced the chaos, a chorus of despair that would echo in Anruin forever.
Gatling stood frozen, helpless, haunted by the carnage.
The Black Death roared, wings blotting out the sun, a symbol of Torion Aruz's will.
The city of Anruin had never felt terror like this, and none would forget it.
Shoda's vision blurred as the world collapsed into white noise, the screams of Anruin echoing like knives in his ears. Then, suddenly, everything snapped back—the broadcast tower, the wind, the dragon, the chaos—gone.
"I… I'm back?" he whispered, clutching at his chest. His body shook violently, sweat pouring down his face, limbs trembling as he checked himself. No injuries. Nothing. Everything was as it had been before the Black Death had crushed him.
Elmira bolted toward him, panic in her eyes. "Shoda! What happened? Are you—are you okay?"
"I'm fine… really," he forced a smile, though his chest still heaved.
"You don't look fine," she said sharply, her voice slicing through his daze.
From the balcony, Gatling frowned. "Huh? What's this now? Another broadcast?"
Shoda turned to him, voice urgent. "Gatling, listen to me! That broadcast is real. This… this priest—he's here."
Gatling arched an eyebrow. "What are you talking about? What does that even mean?"
"Please," Elmira pleaded, stepping closer, "trust me. He's serious."
Gatling's eyes narrowed. "And how do you know? What proof do you have? Are you… part of some prank?"
Elmira stood her ground in front of Shoda. "I trust him. I believe him. Think about it—would a child, a merchant, or anyone else in Astrae dare claim to be from that cult? Who would disrupt our peace after a hundred and fifty years of calm?"
Gatling's lips pressed into a thin line, finally sighing. "Fine. Okay. So, what do we do, then?"
Shoda's mind raced. I can't tell him why the priest is here… not yet. If he knows about my ability, if I act alone… I'll die again.
"Grab some guards. A lot of them," Shoda said, his voice low but firm. "We take the fight to him."
Gatling scoffed. "Are you a fool? One priest could destroy this city in minutes."
Shoda's voice rose, raw and desperate. "Do you have a plan? Or will you sit on your hands while thousands die?"
"Shut your mouth," Gatling snapped.
"Oh no," Shoda shouted, the anger spilling over. "Because of your cowardice, people will die! I won't let that happen. I don't care—I'll find Mira and Shun myself, and we'll stop him!"
Without waiting for a response, Shoda turned and stormed out. Elmira's voice caught in her throat.
"Where are you going?"
"I'm leaving to find Shun and Mira. Are you coming or not?" he said, holding out his hand.
Her hands shook. "I… I can't…"
"I understand. Stay here, with your cowardly king," he said, voice heavy with frustration.
Elmira's eyes stung with tears, but before she could speak, Gatling's voice cut sharply. "See how he talks to you!"
Fury and heartbreak clashed in her chest. She stepped forward, slapping Gatling across the face.
"Huh? You… a king—who do you think you are?" he sputtered, stunned.
Elmira's voice cracked with emotion. "He isn't angry with me! He's angry because of you! You won't do anything, and people will die because of your cowardice!"
Shoda froze, chest heaving. Elmira turned away, tears spilling freely.
Suddenly, a voice boomed from the pendant at her side. "Enough!" Lucky erupted, ice cracking across the palace floors. Gatling's shield of divine clearance deflected it effortlessly, but the anger in Lucky's roar shook everyone.
"Try it again!" Gatling said, a smirk on his face. "Blessings don't harm me. You'd need faster, stronger…"
Elmira clenched her fists, voice trembling but determined. "Lucky, that's enough! Gatling, I won't let you harm Shoda or my self-respect! I'll stop you!"
Meanwhile, Shoda ran through the chaos of Anruin, panting, eyes scanning the streets. "Where are they…? Shun! Mira!"
"Big bro!" a voice called.
"Thank God you're okay, Shoda! What's happening?" Mira ran up, panic on her face.
"We don't have time to explain," he said, grabbing them. "We're going to the broadcast tower. That priest—the one singing on the mic—we're stopping him."
Shun nodded. "I don't fully get it, but I'm in. Let's go!"
"Wait!" Mira protested. "We can't just rush in! He's an Immaculate Circle priest! We need a plan."
Shoda's frustration flared. "Fine! Then help me with one thing—Shun, teach me your cloning technique. I need all the help I can get."
"Huh? That's only meant for me," Shun said, surprised.
"You learned it from a book in the library, idiot," Mira pointed out. "I saw it while cleaning."
Shoda's eyes narrowed. "I can't use magic."
Mira's fingers glowed as she wrapped threads of her Weaver ability around him. "Your mana… it's clogged. I've unclogged it, but even now… you're different. No one in Astrae is like you."
Shoda's mind raced. I… don't have mana… then how… the rewind…
Shun transformed into a massive bird, lifting them swiftly toward the broadcast tower. Below, the Black Death slept, its obsidian scales glinting in the sunlight.
Mira whispered, fear in her voice. "I wish I hadn't come. One of the Four Calamities is here…"
Shoda clenched his fists. "Then let's end this. You two handle the Black Death. I'll face Aruz."
"Are you insane?!" Mira cried.
Shun grinned. "Death sentence? Perfect. Let's do it."
Shoda ascended the tower steps, heart pounding, every nerve screaming. He opened the first room—empty—until Aruz appeared, landing a punch that sent him sprawling.
"Little hero," Aruz laughed. "You think you can stop me?"
Blood trickled from Shoda's nose, but he straightened, voice low and sharp. "I… am from the Immaculate Circle. The priest representing Diligence, Torion Aruz. Pleasure… to meet you… dead."
Outside, Mira and Shun plotted, watching the Black Death stir, calculating their attack. Inside, Shoda's fight began—clones spawned, mana unleashed, Aruz absorbing every blow.
A flash step, a swing, and Shoda's head flew from the window, blood painting the walls. His vision swam. The Black Death attacked outside, incinerating Mira and Shun.
Shoda screamed, agony and despair melding into a single, unbroken wail. Then, everything went black.
And then—he woke.
The broadcast echoed again, relentless, terrifying.
"I am from the Immaculate Circle. The priest representing Diligence, Torion Aruz."
Shoda bolted upright, screaming, terror etched into every line of his face.
"Ahhhhhh! No! Not again! Not again!"
The chapter ends with our protagonist dying again