Despite the fact that there were five enemies, launching attacks from various directions, the Hero seemed unable to split herself to handle so many Sharp Blades.
But when the burst of Magic Power reached an immensely domineering level, the limitation of "two fists can't defend against four hands" no longer held.
She only needed to throw a punch straight ahead, and the Wind Pressure it generated was enough to blow away the entire fan-shaped area, forming a torrent filled with the Light of Purification and Violent Fire.
The Black Gate members directly in front of her were already reduced to bones and ashes, with even their daggers pulverized into dust, and the other Black Gate members were not spared, except for the one at the very edge who was luckily pushed away by the Wind Pressure and survived.
But his ability to resist was also utterly shattered; he couldn't even groan and was just twitching slightly on the ground, proving that he was just barely different from the other motionless corpses.
The Hero lowered her eyelids, her gaze landing on the Black Disciple who was barely breathing, a flicker of complexity in her eyes, but they quickly returned to calm.
Then she raised her head, her gaze colder than the harshest winter, sharply directed towards the vanished direction of the Black Gate Captain.
And then, the Hero raised her fist.
The clear voice, like a heavy hammer, harshly struck the dark unknown where the Black Gate Captain was hiding, causing his heart to abruptly beat erratically, sending a shiver through his entire body.
[Hero activates Skill: Calamity]
2d163=d163(92)+d163(29)=121
[Black Gate Captain's Resistance (Charm less than 1/5 of Hero's, -50, Leader +30)]
D84+d5=d84(68)+d5(4)=72
To most ordinary people, things like Temperament and personal Charm seem to be intangible.
However, this kind of power really exists and unknowingly influences everyone.
Some people's words naturally convince; some people, despite being silent, instill Fear; some people's actions naturally draw followers and imitators.
This influence might stem from a disparity in status, perhaps from accumulated experiences, or even just a difference in character.
Just like a child's reverence for a strict parent, a criminal's fear of a authoritative law enforcer, a base person's shame in front of someone noble... Ultimately, it all builds on "self", the influence over others.
In other words, it's the difference in "Charm."
Even the most wicked villain, even a sanity-defying Believer of Black Gate, sometimes fears to raise their blade in opposition, and at times lacks the Courage to fight.
Although their Strength isn't weak, the moment their eyes meet the Hero's, they are like creatures stared down by their natural predator, losing all morale and will.
And the result of opposing the Hero with such feeble blades becomes those corpses scorched into char by the Inferno.
The girl stands erect in severe nobility, her fists burning with a blinding Light, her red hair dancing with flames in the wind.
The silver Chainmail on her upper body outlines her curves, while the golden-blue light of her battle skirt below complements it, emanating a Holy and untouchable majesty.
Looking at the pitiful, mangled corpses of Black Gate members beneath her feet, the cruel yet glorious contrast almost silently articulates an undeniable truth—
Evil does not triumph over Righteousness.
[Calamity judgment successful, Black Gate Captain's Shadow Fetal Movement resolved]
After the Hero spoke, nearby the ground seemed to ripple as if struck by a massive stone,
Then, within the hard-to-discern shadows on the dark soil, the disheveled, kneeling figure of the Black Gate Captain emerged.
His expression constantly shifted between distortion and panic, now ferocious and vicious, now weak and fearful, like a son both hating and fearing his father, attempting to resist yet fearing the beating that was sure to come.
If only his expression was observed at this moment, one might even believe that the present Hero is the villain.
The Hero's brows furrowed slightly, just a change in expression, yet it made the kneeling Black Gate Captain shudder violently, crushing the last bit of frail resistance in his heart.
"Damn it... this is absurd..."
He reluctantly raised his head, his breathing rapid and disordered.
With his strength and capabilities, even if he kicked against the pricks, running away wouldn't have been difficult.
But this woman in front of him, she wasn't even using a mental Magic, she just uttered a request—a command!
Yet he was unable to resist, involuntarily obeying her, submitting to her!
He tried to resist with the little rationality he had left, but the consequence of failing against his instincts was the complete disarray of his body's rhythm. Sweat rolled down his forehead, soaking his face, as his kneeling body seemed bound by an intangible pressure, trembling unable to stand.
"What a joke... you... who on earth are you..."
The Black Gate Captain couldn't utter a complete sentence; he kept gasping for air, sweat continuously beading on his forehead.
He attempted to grip the dagger in his hand, trying to regain the brutality of the Disembowler, but his fingers were weak and numb, hardly able to grasp; his forearms felt as heavy as if bearing a great weight, utterly unable to be lifted.
It was like his entire body was resisting his will, craving to comply with the simple words of that young girl.
The Hero silently watched the Black Gate Captain's struggle.
[Hero's next action—]
10. Critical Success/Extreme Failure
Watching the enemy's weak and powerless state, the Hero albeit quietly relieved, didn't loosen her clenched fist.