Era of Players: Death God

The following morning, Noah emerged from his deep sleep and proceeded with his customary rituals before rendezvousing with Lilith. Together, they embarked on their journey towards the Sun guild, readying themselves for the task of patrolling the vibrant city square.

As they reached the guild, Arion was nowhere to be found, as he had already embarked on a mission. However, a man by the name of Chrysler stepped forward and beckoned them to follow him. Without hesitation, they complied, marking the beginning of their eventful first day on the mission.

The Sunhold city square, usually a lively tapestry of bustling merchants and chattering locals, was now draped in an eerie stillness. The vibrant chaos that usually filled the air was replaced by an unsettling calm. In the heart of the square, where the majestic fountain once danced and sang, a man stood motionless, casting a striking silhouette against the cloudless sky.

He was not a street performer seeking attention, nor a deranged soul lost in madness. No, the intensity in his eyes and the tautness of his bowstring told a different tale. With every sinew of his muscles taut and determination etched upon his face, the man aimed, directing his arrow straight toward the blazing sun.

Noah and Lilith were looking at a fountain in front of their eyes.

Not only Noah and Lilith but there around hundreds of people in the vicinity of the fountain. It was a popular tourist attraction, especially among youth.

There were rumors that one could get their wish fulfilled by praying to the man aiming the bow at the sun. Of course, there was no truth in them, but this didn't stop people from praying.

Chrysler halted his steps, allowing Noah and Lilith to marvel at the magnificent statue that stood as a symbol of the city's pride. The duo stood in awe, appreciating the artistry and craftsmanship that went into creating such a masterpiece. They did not engage in the tradition of making a wish, simply content to bask in the statue's beauty.

Suddenly, the system, which had remained silent for some time, broke its silence with a notification. A message appeared, presenting them with a new mission.

[Ding! New Mission: Endure the next ordeal. Will you accept or not?]

Noah furrowed his brow in confusion. This was the first time the system had issued a mission that gave them the choice to accept or decline. It was an unfamiliar and unsettling proposition.

While Noah was contemplating whether to accept or not he stopped asking the system a question.

"What are the rewards?"

[A system update and an Ego Weapon!]

Noah's eyes widened as he read the second part of the mission notification. The thought of receiving an Ego weapon as a reward made his heart skip a beat. The allure of such a powerful weapon was hard to resist, and Noah found himself salivating at the prospect.

Despite his initial hesitation, Noah made up his mind and accepted the mission. He recognized that with higher risks came higher rewards, and he couldn't let go of such an enticing opportunity. The desire for strength and power outweighed any concerns he had about the ordeal that awaited him.

''I accept!"

[Ding! Commencing the Operation, the task will commence shortly!]

Noah's frown deepened as he observed the system's actions, sensing that something was about to happen. His heightened awareness did not escape Lilith's attention, who had been quietly observing him.

"What's wrong?" she asked, her face devoid of expression. Noah responded with a simple command,

"Remain vigilant!"

Although she couldn't quite comprehend why Noah felt the need to issue this warning, Lilith rationalized that he must have his reasons. Trusting his judgment, she made the conscious decision to stay alert, just in case.

Noah felt a chilling sensation run down his spine, triggering an instinctual alarm within Lilith and Chrysler. Their heightened senses screamed a warning just moments before it happened.

BOOM!

The deafening explosion shook the entire area, its force shattering the man aiming the bow at the sun statue and causing the ground to quake. In an instant, a terrifying mushroom cloud engulfed the region, leaving no time for tourists and stall owners to react.

The cries of the victims were abruptly cut short by the overwhelming power of the explosion. Just moments before, the hearts of the tourists had been filled with joy and love, as they made wishes at the mermaid fountain. The stall owners had been expressing gratitude to their customers while serving their signature dishes. The atmosphere had been light and cheerful, but now...

In their worst nightmares, they could never have fathomed that visiting the famous fountain would lead to such devastation. The pain they experienced before their deaths was unimaginable. The explosion targeted the very essence of their genes before obliterating them, inflicting suffering not unlike that of a nuclear blast.

Regardless of one's strength, there was no time to react or defend against such an overwhelmingly powerful explosion.

Noah shielded a young boy from the explosion, Lilith did the same, and Chrysler did as well, they quickly evacuated the survivors.

A figure emerged from the opposite direction, extending his arms wide.

Jammer, the man, stroked his chin contemplatively, surveying his surroundings.

The once-living bodies are now reduced to charred remains by the unexpected blast.

The terrified mob fled frantically, their actions resembling those of the insane.

A smile crept across his face as he observed them.

"I have granted the gift of purification to those fortunate enough to live under the shelter of the Almighty. May their transgressions be forgiven. Amen!"

"Why did you do that?" Chrysler demanded angrily, his face contorted with rage, as he conjured a golden spear.

The Jammer merely tilted his head to the side in response.

"Who dares to judge me, a sinner who is not under the guidance of the True God?" The Jammer's menacing voice sent a shiver down Noah and Lilith's spines, causing them to hesitate in their steps. Even the Master rank Chrysler was temporarily frozen, recognizing the potential danger presented by the Jammer's strength. This revelation spelled trouble for the group, but Noah was determined to survive.

He held an unwavering faith in the system, a creation of his mother. He believed that the system wouldn't present him with an impossible challenge. No matter what, he would persevere and make it through.

Suddenly, the Jammer extended his arms wide and muttered under his breath.

"Behold the immense power bestowed upon me by the Almighty!"

His face twisted grotesquely as his eyes turned red with blood.

"Please judge these sinners forever!"

A radiant light emanated from his body, accompanied by a faint melody that reached Noah and the others' ears.

Ding-a-ling!

Their bodies rebelled against their own commands, refusing to obey.

"Was there another one?" This thought echoed in the minds of all present.

In that moment, the Jammer's extraordinary ability fully manifested itself.

His 'unique skill' was a force to be reckoned with, requiring knowledge to confront.

It possessed an unfathomable power capable of shaking the very foundation of this world.

[Status Window Interference]

A non-conventional ability that disrupted status windows within a specific range, temporarily rendering them useless and impairing consciousness.

The Jammer earned his moniker due to this unparalleled capability, solidifying his belief in being a chosen disciple of the Absolute God.

In his presence, it mattered not whether one was a superhuman or an ordinary individual.

One by one, those who had come to aid found themselves frozen in place, then collapsing helplessly. Noah, Chrysler, and Lilith were not exempt from this fate.

Thud-

In a matter of moments, every superhuman present succumbed to the same fate.

"Amen."

It was not a matter of incompetence.

The interference of their status windows proved to be an overwhelmingly unfair advantage.

Noah's consciousness sank, and before his eyelids completely closed, he could have sworn to see a white-haired woman holding a lute walk towards them with a smile. Her ethereal beauty was captivating, and her presence seemed to emanate a sense of tranquility.

As she approached, the woman gracefully strummed the lute, producing a melodic tune that echoed through the air. The music seemed to transcend time and space, filling Noah's mind with a soothing sensation. It was as if the melody carried a message from a distant realm.

The woman's eyes sparkled with wisdom, and her smile revealed a deep understanding of the mysteries of the universe. Noah felt drawn to her, as if she held the key to unlocking the secrets hidden within his own consciousness.

Without uttering a word, the white-haired woman extended her hand towards Noah, inviting him to join her in a journey of self-discovery. Intrigued and filled with a sense of curiosity, Noah reached out and grasped her hand.

Instantly, Noah's surroundings transformed. He found himself in a serene garden, bathed in golden sunlight. The flowers bloomed with vibrant colors, and the air was filled with the sweet fragrance of nature. The woman continued to play her lute, and each note seemed to weave a new chapter in Noah's unfolding story.

Together, they embarked on a voyage through Noah's memories, dreams, and aspirations. They explored the depths of his fears and insecurities, unraveling the layers of his consciousness. With each step, Noah gained a deeper understanding of himself and the world around him.

Time seemed to lose its meaning as Noah delved into the recesses of his mind, guided by the white-haired woman's gentle presence. She encouraged him to embrace his truest self, to acknowledge his strengths and confront his weaknesses.

Out of nowhere, a sense of unease washed over Noah as he realized that something was amiss. The presence of the system had vanished, leaving him feeling unsettled. In a desperate attempt to break free from this unsettling feeling, Noah cried out twice, his voice echoing through the air.

"Release me from this torment!"

As if in response to his plea, the world shattered into pieces, snapping Noah back into reality. Standing before him was a woman with flowing white hair, her expression tinged with surprise.

At last, Noah grasped the truth behind their assailants - they were none other than demons.

"As expected, you are truly the son of the Spear of Destruction," she remarked, before swiftly rendering him unconscious once more.

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