Man: "Well, someone is hurt — not just physically, but in the soul."
Moses: "How do you see when you don't even open your eyes?"
Man: "Sigh… this is no time for jokes, Moses. But… my sight has grown much stronger since the two worlds became one."
Moses walked past the man, heading toward the entrance of the church.
Moses: "Yes, because the time has come… but Paul, just give us enough time, alright?"
Paul: "Don't worry about that."
Moses opened the door and stepped inside.
Moses: "The moment I hand her over to Esther, I will come back and help."
Paul: "Just go — it's already here."
Moses entered and closed the door behind him. Paul rose to his feet and gripped his sword.
Paul: "So, Leviathan — why are you following Moses around like a dog?"
Leviathan descended and landed on the ground.
Leviathan: "Mmmm… I can smell the humans. So this is where they are hiding."
Paul: (Drawing a slow, deep breath) "Let me make one thing perfectly clear — no demon shall ever set foot in the house of God."
Leviathan: (Raising his trident) "Mere mortal. Do you truly believe you can defeat me? Among all the apostles, you are the weakest.
Paul: "Indeed. I am the weakest."
Leviathan: "People of God have no pride."
Paul: "Pride is a sin — yet it is also a part of man, and man must learn to master it."
Leviathan: "Tch. What exactly did I expect from Apostle Paul."
Paul: "What can I say."
Paul stood completely still, not making a single movement. Leviathan steadied himself, preparing to attack.
Leviathan: (Why isn't he moving? Why isn't he doing anything?)
Leviathan surged forward and swung his trident with full force, but Paul caught the blow with his sword. Paul shoved him back — but Leviathan drove his claws deep into the earth, anchoring himself before he could be pushed further.
Paul: "No need to rush, Leviathan."
Leviathan: "Shut your trap!"
Leviathan hurled his trident straight at Paul — but Paul sidestepped it effortlessly, still making no move to counter. With a single gesture, Leviathan extended his hand and the trident flew back into his grip.
Leviathan: (I don't understand it. It feels as though he already knows every move I'm going to make. On top of that, this body can't even contain the full extent of my power. No matter — Eve will forge me a new one. For now, I should simply enjoy this battle.)
A dark aura began bleeding out from Leviathan's body.
Wings of jagged scales tore from his back, and a slow grin spread across his face. Leviathan vanished in an instant — then reappeared with his trident raised, unleashing a relentless barrage of strikes. But Paul blocked every single one. Leviathan pulled back, eyes narrowing as he tried to make sense of what he was seeing.
Paul: "Don't even bother, Leviathan."
At those words, Paul opened his eyes. They were blue — and within them, the shape of a brown cross burned clearly. A tremendous wave of holy energy surged outward from his body.
Paul: "Well then — try not to die."
Paul took a single step and was already standing directly in front of Leviathan.
Meanwhile, Moses moved through the church, carrying his rod in one hand and Luce cradled in the other. Torches lined the walls, casting flickering light over the huddled people — wrapped in blankets, trembling with fear, parents drawing their children close. When they caught sight of Moses, their worry only deepened. He pressed on until he reached a door at the far end, pushed it open, and stepped inside. An altar stood before him. Gently, he laid Luce upon it.
Moses: "Esther."
A woman sat in a chair nearby, eyes shut, perfectly still — until slowly, she opened them. She had green hair and green eyes, and wore a black smock beneath a white coat. The moment her gaze landed on Luce, she moved without hesitation, pressing her hand against her as a warm, brilliant yellow light poured from her palm.
Esther: "What happened to her?"
---
Moses: "She fought."
Esther: "She fought who?"
Moses: "Eve."
Esther raised her hand and conjured a radiant orb of light, which she lowered gently onto Luce. Luce began to rise from the altar, floating weightlessly as Esther guided her back down with care.
Esther: "So who is outside fighting Paul?"
Moses: "Leviathan."
Esther: "And?"
Moses: "That's all."
Esther: "What about Babylon — is she not out there?"
Moses: "No. She vanished the moment Leviathan roared. Not a trace of her anywhere."
Esther: "Ah… it was difficult enough just pinpointing John's location."
Moses: "We knew he was powerful — but he is something else entirely."
Esther: "Explain."
Moses: "Every blow I exchanged with him… it felt like he was holding back the entire time. I don't believe Paul can defeat him."
Esther: "I'm certain Paul can."
Moses: "Sigh… I'm not going to repeat the same mistake I made with Luce."
Esther: "I need you here with Luce."
Moses: "And where exactly do you think you're going?"
Esther: "To Eve."
Moses: "About that — she's currently having a little chat with her dear husband."
Esther: "Do you think I care?"
Moses: "Do you think you would live?"
Esther: …Sigh.
Moses moved toward the door, hand outstretched.
Esther: "Don't."
Moses: "Why?"
Esther: "Paul doesn't want you out there. I've been doing everything I can to hold the line… but it's no use."
Moses: "You all seem to forget — I'm older than every single one of you."
Outside, Paul seized Leviathan by the face and drove him into the ground with crushing force. Leviathan couldn't move — couldn't even twitch. Paul placed his foot on his chest. Black blood spilled from Leviathan's mouth. Then Paul stepped back.
Paul: "No need to look so shocked. We're just playing, after all."
Leviathan slowly pulled himself upright.
Leviathan: "Hahaha… I see it now. I finally see it — haha! I'll admit, it took me some time. Not just a little time — a very long time — to unravel your ability. Your skill works by perceiving the other world… the spirit realm. In simple terms, my spirit moves before my body does — and you can read it. You see my next attack before it ever comes. But there's more to it than that, isn't there? You don't just strike the body — you strike the soul itself. Haha… now it's over for you!"