To Sin Is Divine

The trees fell silent.

No birds. No insects. Even the wind had vanished.

Kael stopped mid-stride, his cloak still damp with blood and smoke, the unconscious boy resting gently over his shoulder. Zayne followed closely behind, his hands glowing faintly with mana, every step laced with tension.

They weren't alone.

[Alert: Wrath-Class Inquisitor Approaching]

"Combat probability: 94%."

"Warning: Sin-Blessed detected."

Kael lowered the boy behind a boulder.

"Stay behind me," he said to Zayne. "Don't attack unless I give the signal."

Zayne frowned. "What if he attacks first?"

Kael's eyes glowed. "He will."

The forest split apart as a figure dropped from the trees, crashing down with enough force to crater the earth.

Dust and leaves shot up in every direction.

The man who rose from the impact was built like a war statue—tall, broad-shouldered, black armor lined with crimson runes. His helmet was shaped like a beast's skull, glowing red slits where the eyes should've been.

"Kael Draven," he growled. "Ex-knight. Heretic. Bearer of forbidden power."

Kael stepped forward. "You're late."

The knight ripped off his helmet.

A brutal scar crossed his face from chin to brow. His eyes were burning orange.

"I am Inquisitor Garron. Wrath-Blessed. First Blade of the Holy Church."

"By divine sin, I sentence you to death."

[Sin Signature Detected: Wrath +85]

"Skill: Frenzied Strikes – Active."

Garron lunged forward.

BOOM.

The ground cracked beneath his boots as he shot forward like a missile. Kael ducked under the first punch, the shockwave alone sending trees flying back like matchsticks.

Garron spun—his gauntlet catching Kael's ribs mid-roll.

CRACK.

Kael hit a tree and dropped to one knee.

Blood spilled from his lips.

[Damage Taken: -24 HP]

"Cooldown remaining: 12 seconds."

Garron grinned. "Your virtue can't save you now."

Kael stood slowly. "I don't need to be saved."

He exhaled.

[Skill Activated: Stillness Zone Lv.1]

Time slowed.

Kael dashed left, the world crawling around him. He moved past Garron's swing and slashed upward with his blade, cutting a clean line across the man's side.

Blood sprayed.

[Wrath Interrupted. System Imbalance Detected.]

Time snapped back.

Garron staggered.

Then roared.

"You think that was enough to stop me?! I am the flame of the Church!"

The veins in Garron's arms bulged. His muscles expanded. His armor cracked.

[Wrath Surge Activated]

"Strength x2. Speed x2. Sanity -50%."

Kael's eyes narrowed. "He's sacrificing control for power."

Zayne shouted from the tree line. "We should retreat—he's not human anymore!"

Kael stood firm. "Then I'll remind him what it means to be one."

Garron slammed his fists together. The air exploded.

Kael blinked once.

Garron was already in front of him.

FWOOM.

Kael raised his blade in time, but the sheer weight of the strike sent him flying backward into a boulder. Stone shattered. Pain screamed down his spine.

[HP: 43%]

"Cooldown ready."

Kael coughed blood—and grinned.

"Let's try this again."

[Skill: Stillness Zone – Activated]

The world slowed again.

Kael didn't dodge.

He stepped forward.

One move. One perfect strike.

[Virtue Condition Met: +10 Patience]

[New Skill Unlocked: Mirror Counter Lv.1]

"Reflects enemy strike with 80% force."

Garron's fist hit Kael's open palm.

And bounced back.

CRACK.

His own arm bent backward. His roar became a scream of pain.

Kael twisted, slamming his hilt into Garron's throat. The Inquisitor staggered, coughing blood.

"I warned you," Kael said, "that wrath makes you blind."

Garron swung wildly, rage overtaking form.

Kael ducked, pivoted, and drove his blade through Garron's shoulder—pinning him to the ground.

Blood poured.

"Finish it!" Zayne shouted.

Kael stared down at the man.

And slowly pulled his blade back.

"No."

[Mercy Given: +5 Virtue Points]

"Restraint acknowledged. System Balance Increased."

Garron blinked through blood. "You… spared me?"

Kael stood.

"I didn't come to destroy the Church," he said. "I came to rebuild what it burned."

The forest was quiet again.

Zayne approached slowly, eyes wide.

"You could've killed him."

Kael nodded. "That's why I didn't."

[Virtue System Update:]

Party Member Zayne: Trust +1

New Title Gained: [Breaker of Chains]

Kael wiped his blade.

"We move before more arrive. Wrath never hunts alone."

Zayne looked back at Garron—writhing, broken, but breathing.

"Won't he come after us again?"

Kael sheathed his sword.

"Maybe. Or maybe he'll remember what it felt like… to be shown mercy."