For I Am A Side Character - 103: Mercenary against Angel

It was chaos inside that vault…

Shelves and cases of artifacts were seen flying all over the place as they got in the way of the battle between an angel and a mercenary who were out for each other’s throat and blood.

At the sight of a a normal man, he would have thought that a twister was somehow alive inside an underground vault, but in reality, in was simply the force of effect left by the speed in which the two were fighting. Their speed went pass the nature of wind and sound, all to a point that they were fighting at a speed comparable to that of light…

And in such a vault, normally it would have already crumbled due to their attacks and pressure, but the function of this vault wasn’t made simply to fall because of such attacks. It was made to handle even in a world ending apocalypse event. Not even a simple S-rank notion could ruin the walls and columns of this vault. Yet little by little, cracks were starting to show and soon their nature as near-entity like violence soon broke the very image of this vault as being the safest there is.

One could only imagine the sheer strength each one showed to overwhelm the other.

“Raaah!!!” Soril screamed as he swung his sword.

[Heaven’s Rift!]

A devastating vertical slash created a fissure in the ground, emitting pure energy that damaged and disoriented Agifell. This was a skill that was overwhelmingly more powerful that the [Mountain Splitter] as the moment he used such a skill for the first time, The very air seemed to ripple with the force of the attack. Yet in return, he too felt the burdened of such an attack.

As the attack fell on Agifell, she struggled to parry, all to a point that her expression shifted from confident to concerned. The overwhelming power of Soril’s advanced skills left her on the defensive.

Ting!

The sound of their weapons clashing against one another paired with the pressure of their swings caused not only the floors to crack and crumble but also the shelves and cases to shatter into pieces. Ancient artifacts were starting to show damage in return.

Yet that didn’t stop Soril from moving forward, his eyes burned with determination as he pushed forward, his shield up and ready to counter any attack Agifell threw his way. As for Agifell, She moved with the grace and speed of a holy being, her every motions were precise and deadly. Her wings flared out behind her, adding to the intensity of her presence.

“Is this all you’ve got?” Agifell taunted, a smirk playing on her lips as she deftly dodged another of Soril’s powerful slashes.

“I expected more from one who claims to be God’s warrior.” said Agifell as she conjured another attack down his way. It was an attack that resembled a swallowing void.

Soril gritted his teeth, refusing to let her words get to him. Instead, he focused on his next move, channeling the newfound power granted to him by the Aranean Spirit. His spirit roared within him, urging him to unleash his full potential.

[Unyielding Bastion!]

Soril’s shield glowed with a blinding light as it formed an impenetrable barrier, absorbing Agifell’s powerful strikes and reflecting the energy back at her.

‘Impossible!’ she thought as she recoiled, momentarily thrown off of her own balance by the unexpected defense. Seizing the opportunity, Soril launched into his next attack.

[Sentinel’s Fury!]

With a flurry of rapid shield bashes and sword strikes, Soril pressed the attack, his movements a blur of relentless force.

At that point of his life, he was constantly using the [Steps of the Emissary Ghost] to keep up with Agifell’s movements. And in his adaptive nature, his skill to using the steps turned from simply walking at fast rates to that of walking on air…it seemed as though he was at a level where he could fly on air.

Agifell struggled to keep up as Soril continues to bash on her with [Sentinel’s Fury], her defenses faltering under the onslaught.

And it didn’t end there, as right after he ended the bashing, he went and formed another new attack.

[Phantasmal Riposte!]

As Agifell attempted a counter-attack, Soril’s form blurred, creating a mirror image that confused her. Finding herself fighting a mere illusion, Soril came from behind her and he struck with a thrust so fierce, it simply broke through the very flesh that the Angel was once confident of.

“AghH!!!” she screamed as his sword pierced through.

In retaliation, she did a back swing to push him away, but before she could reach to him, he pulled away and recovered his breathing.

Agifell’s confident demeanor was gone, as the very power Soril held against her made her doubt her skills. Her confidence was replaced with frustration and desperation. And along with such a desperation, She was left with an injury that was somehow not being healed by her nature as angel.

“…What did you do?” she asked as she felt pain develop in her injury. It was pain unlike any other.

“Xenados poison…the kind of poison that could easily tore through the flesh of a mortal.” said Soril.

The Xenados poison was inspired from one of the items that Lionel Crufter, the principal once used against Soril. Inspired by the Leather Glove that was able to tore through human flesh so easily, he thought that he might be able to use it against the angel, and to his assumption, he was right. The incredible healing factor of the angel was thwarted by the poison of the Xenados monster.

And to make such a poison, Soril had to rely on God’s Will once again. And despite the stress of making such a poison in battle, it seems as though it was worth the effort.

“Enough!” Agifell screamed, her voice tinged with panic. She spread her wings wide, summoning her full power. The dark halo which appeared above her head, started to swirl with an ominous energy.

Dark tendrils of void energy erupted from Agifell’s wings, reaching out like serpents. The vault’s atmosphere grew heavy as she manipulated the very fabric of space around her.

[Void Rend!]

Agifell slashed the air, creating rifts that swallowed light and sound.

These kinds of attacks were not normal for Soril…they felt more ominous than any form of attack he once faced. In input, it reminded him of the nature of that of the House of Shadows…more specifically the dark nature of their skills, yet its nature was on another level.

Soril narrowly avoided the void slashes. As for each narrow dodge, he felt the pull of the dark magic tug at his very essence as each slash was made like that of a blackhole. One scratch of that skill could easily tore through his flesh even with the durability of the [Body of the dark] in aid.

Parrying or countering wasn’t an option against such a skill, so he had to dodge all of the [Void Rend] that fell from the angel.

At a specific count, at least a hundred slashes fell from her for every ten seconds that passed by. It simply reminded Soril of rain as it was…

The Angel’s capability to produce that much power was incredible and admirable to say the least. But he had no time to admire it, for as soon as her attacks were coming to an end, it was finally his time to attack forward.

Soril channeled the Aranean Spirit’s power, his resolve unwavering and he used another set of skills.

[Phantom Rush!]

As the Void Slashes fell from above, Soril dashed in multiple directions, leaving afterimages in his wake. In just a mere second, he got close to the angel. And seeing his chance, he struck from different angles almost simultaneously, overwhelming Agifell with his speed and precision. Each strike landed true, further pushing her to the edge.

Agifell’s confident demeanor was gone, replaced with frustration and desperation. She barely managed to parry Soril’s strikes, each one carrying enough force to shatter her defenses.

But that didn’t fully crushed her spirit. And instead, it only motivated her to create an end to this battle.

[Spatial Collapse!]

In such a skill, the space around Soril began to distort and compress, threatening to crush him. He could feel the immense pressure bearing down on him, but his resolve remained unbroken.

[Etherial Shield Crush!]

Soril infused his shield with pure energy, shattering the spatial distortion and sending a shockwave that stunned Agifell. She staggered, struggling to regain her footing.

“I-impossible!” she said.

For not once has a mortal escaped that very skill. To do so meant that his power was beyond a mortal…

The battle continued, with Soril’s relentless attacks and Agifell’s desperate defenses. The vault’s structure continued to crumble, the walls and ceiling barely holding together under the immense strain.

Soril’s strike brought Agifell to her knees, but she wasn’t ready to surrender. As Soril approached, she tapped into a hidden reserve of power, her eyes burning with a dark light.

“You think this is over?” Agifell hissed, her voice echoing with malevolent energy.

She thrust her hand into the ground, summoning a void portal that pulled her away from Soril’s immediate reach. Reappearing across the vault, she spread her wings and unleashed a barrage of dark energy spheres that homed in on Soril.

[Void Barrage!]

Soril’s shield absorbed the initial impacts, but the relentless assault forced him to move.

[Mirage Step!]

Soril enveloped himself in an aura, increasing his agility and stealth. He maneuvered through the barrage with ease, appearing and disappearing like a ghost. With his enhanced speed, he closed the distance between them.

And to a point, he appeared beefore her with a confident smile.

‘Damn it! Damn it All! How!? How is it that God was able to find such a warrior to play in his place…this wasn’t supposed to happen! This wasn’t how the story would move on forward!’ inside her thoughts, she was contemplating on the very existence that Soril had played in this event.

In his involvement, change was underway…yet the Angel could felt overwhelmed even more.

[Sentinel’s Fury!]

The moment that Soril got in close to Agifell’s side, Soril unleashed a combo attack, his shield bashes and sword strikes fell down on her, overwhelming Agifell to a point that she could nothing but raise her hands in defense. She managed to parry some of the blows, but each strike drained her strength further.

Agifell gritted her teeth, refusing to be bested. She channeled her power, the air around her distorting as she prepared her next move.

[Spatial Rift!]

She slashed the air, creating rifts that tore through the fabric of reality. Soril dodged and weaved through the chaotic space, his focus unyielding. And in the moment, he countered.

[Phantasmal Riposte!]

Soril summoned a phantasmal duplicate of himself, the ethereal figure flickering into existence beside him. The sudden appearance of the mirror image bewildered Agifell, her eyes darting between the two Sorils in a frantic attempt to discern the real threat. In the split second of her confusion, Soril seized the opportunity. He dashed to her left, his movements a blur of speed and precision. From this unexpected angle, he lunged forward, his blade gleaming with lethal intent. The sword cut through her defenses with a decisive stroke, slicing through the protective aura and armor that shielded her. Agifell staggered back, the force of the blow caused her to lose her balance. Her fingers trembled, struggling to maintain a grip on her weapon as the pain and shock registered in her mind.

But she refused to be defeated. Summoning every ounce of her remaining power, Agifell’s dark aura flared to life, growing even more intense. The atmosphere in the vault became thick and oppressive, shadows lengthening and swirling around her like a living, malevolent force.

“Not yet! I’m not falling over just because of that attack!” she screamed, raising her hand high.

[Void Nova!]

A sphere of concentrated dark energy formed above her, pulsing with destructive power. She hurled it at Soril with all her might.

Soril stood his ground, his eyes blazing with determination.

[Unyielding Bastion!]

His shield glowed with an impenetrable barrier, absorbing the full brunt of the Void Nova. The energy surged around him, but Soril held firm. As the attack dissipated, his shield radiated with absorbed energy.

Soril saw his chance.

[Etherial Shield Crush!]

He infused his shield with the absorbed energy and charged at Agifell. The impact shattered her remaining defenses and sent a shockwave that stunned her. She fell to the ground, dazed and vulnerable.

Soril didn’t relent. He raised his sword, ready to deliver the final blow.

[Dominion Overload!]

His ultimate ability surged through him once more, enhancing his attributes and unlocking his hidden potential. With a roar, he brought his sword down.

[Heaven’s Rift!]

The devastating vertical slash created a fissure in the ground, emitting pure energy. Agifell’s eyes widened in horror as the attack struck her, the energy coursing through her body and tearing at her essence.

The vault trembled, the sheer force of the attack causing further damage to the already weakened structure. Agifell let out a final, anguished scream as the energy consumed her.

When the light faded, Soril stood over the fallen angel. Agifell lay motionless, her dark aura dissipating into nothingness. The vault was in ruins, yet it still stood as a testament to the fierce battle that had taken place.

Soril took a deep breath, his body aching from the intense combat. He knew there was still much to do, but this victory was a significant step towards his ultimate goal. He turned away from Agifell’s lifeless form.

But as Soril moved, a faint whisper reached his ears.

“This is not the end, Soril… others will come…”

He glanced back at Agifell’s diminishing form. The last remnants of her dark power were fading, yet her gaze remained defiant, as if she harbored a lingering belief that Soril’s victory was temporary.

“…and once they do, you alone will not survive.”

Soril remained silent under her scrutiny, his eyes betraying no hint of weakness. The Angel’s confidence seemed to linger even in her final moments, and her unsettling laughter filled the vault with an ominous echo.

“Hehehe…” Agifell’s laughter was a haunting reminder of the threat that still loomed. Despite her fading power, she relished the thought of Soril’s eventual downfall.

But Soril’s attention was drawn away by the sound of approaching footsteps. He turned and saw three figures emerging from the shadows of the ruined vault. Their faces were familiar.

“…?”

“If they do come, he’s not alone,” a voice called out, breaking through the chaos.

Soril’s eyes widened in disbelief as he recognized the newcomers: Cecil, the Principal, and Tyen-lin, all members of the House of Shadows. Their arrival was unexpected but timely, and it shifted the dynamics of the battlefield.

“!?” Agifell’s expression shifted from one of confidence to stunned disbelief. The revelation that Soril was not alone seemed to deflate her bravado. Her body, once formidable and imposing, crumbled under the weight of her realization. Her eyes remained locked on Soril, filled with a mixture of frustration and resignation.

Words ceased, but the exchange was clear. Agifell understood that her confidence had been misplaced and that her fate was sealed with the arrival of Soril’s allies.

“So you survived,” Cecil remarked, his eyes scanning Soril’s battered but unbroken form. “Against an Angel of her caliber, you managed to hold your ground.”

Cecil’s observation was tinged with both surprise and respect. “It seems you’ve grown since our last encounter.”

“Against an Angel of such a level, you survived. It makes me wonder who your true identity actually is,” the Principal mused, his tone a blend of awe and curiosity.

“How long have you been watching?” Soril demanded, his voice betraying a mix of weariness and irritation.

“Long enough to hear that the Angel mentioned you were an Agent of God,” Cecil answered, his gaze steady and analytical.

“And is it true?” pressed the Principal, his expression a mix of skepticism and intrigue.

“Does it matter if it’s true?” Soril shot back, his patience wearing thin.

“Of course it matters!” Cecil’s voice rose in frustration.

“The implications of your claim are significant.” added the Principal.

“…then yes, I am God’s agent,” Soril admitted, his voice firm and unyielding. There was no longer any point in denying the truth.

“I see.” said Cecil as his eyes narrowed thoughtfully.

“Lionel, give him the artifact,” Cecil instructed, turning to the Principal.

The Principal hesitated momentarily, then handed over the artifact with a wary but resigned nod. “You have much to answer for, Soril. Don’t think you’ll be able to avoid our questions.”

“I won’t,” Soril promised, accepting the artifact with a determined grip. His eyes met Cecil’s with a resolve that spoke of the challenges still ahead.

As the dust settled and the vault’s oppressive atmosphere began to lift, Soril stood among his allies, ready to face whatever lay beyond the shadows of the fallen Angel’s final words.

“For now, just go home. We’ll handle the rest here,” Cecil instructed firmly.

“…What? You’re letting me go?” Soril asked, his voice laced with disbelief and confusion. His eyes darted between Cecil and the Principal, unable to reconcile their unexpected leniency with the gravity of the situation.

“Get some rest, you’ve done enough for the day,” Cecil said as he approached Soril. With a reassuring pat on Soril’s back, Cecil’s gesture carried a hint of brotherly affection, a stark contrast to the sternness in his voice.

Soril felt a single tear escape from his eye, the weight of the day’s struggles and Cecil’s unexpected kindness overwhelmed him. The efforts he had put forth had made Cecil contemplate his true identity, but they also filled him with a quiet pride.

“…Okay,” Soril replied softly, his voice choked with emotion. With a final nod, he turned and began to leave, his steps heavy but filled with a sense of reluctant peace.

As he walked away, the night seemed to embrace him with a comforting silence, offering a brief respite from the chaos he had endured.

That night, he completed his mission and he grew as a warrior…

Now, the only thing waiting for him that day was the warm embrace of his lover…