Forced to Sell Myself to the Female Lead After Killing the Male Lead

This was a handsome man with long dark emerald-green hair.

His tall, slender figure was matched by a refined, elegant face, and his eyes were filled with a harmless-looking "kindness."

However...

This scholarly-looking man exuded an indescribable sense of oppression.

Appearing silently behind Xiumu, coupled with the terrifying aura of an Eighth-Tier powerhouse and the blood-soaked scent concealed within it, instantly put the Marquis on full alert. Every hair on his body stood on end.

Judging from the respectful gazes of the members of the Heavenly Punishment Holy Church nearby, there was no doubt that this man was their leader.

A Bishop of the Heavenly Punishment Holy Church?

Or perhaps...

Their Cult Leader?

But regardless of which he was...

The man before him was unquestionably an enemy.

The moment he realized this, Xiumu unleashed every ounce of his water-attributed power! In the next instant, he spun around violently. Surrounded by surging sword aura, he swung the longsword in his hand straight toward the green-haired man's head!

"Sigh..."

Yet, in the face of Xiumu's attack...

The green-haired man merely smiled faintly.

Then, in an instant faster than the eye could follow, he raised his fist and slammed it directly into Xiumu's abdomen!

"BOOM!!!"

A deafening explosion shook the heavens and earth as violent energy erupted outward!

The dense azure battle aura surrounding Xiumu instantly shattered!

The protective aura covering his body, together with his sturdy armor, was effortlessly pulverized by that single punch!

The horrifying impact struck Xiumu's body head-on!

Agonizing pain flooded his brain, forcing even the battle-hardened Marquis to let out a heart-rending scream!

The power gathered upon his sword instantly dispersed.

His entire body was blasted backward!

Only after flying several hundred meters did Xiumu barely regain his senses, forcefully stabilize himself, and recover his footing.

However...

The moment he came to a stop, the unbearable pain overwhelmed him, causing him to collapse onto one knee.

A mouthful of blood suddenly burst from his lips...

"Lord Marquis!"

Seeing this, Mengxi immediately broke free from the attacks of several black-robed men and rushed to Xiumu's side.

"Are... are you alright?"

"I... I'm still alive..."

Xiumu answered between heavy breaths.

Covering the wound on his abdomen, the Marquis slowly stood up again. Out of the corner of his eye, he glanced at the bracelet on his wrist, which had completely lost its former radiance.

A trace of relief surfaced in his heart.

Had it not been for the stored Sanctuary Magic—Abil Crystal Barrier Shield within the bracelet...

He would have already lost the ability to fight from that single blow.

'So this... is the power of an Eighth-Tier...?'

Truly terrifying...

However...

The magic bracelet was now ruined as well.

If he was struck by that man again...

There would truly be no hope left.

Gripping his longsword tightly, Xiumu raised his head and stared vigilantly at the green-haired man.

"Who... exactly are you?! What do you want?!"

Seeing Xiumu stand back up once more, a trace of surprise gradually appeared on the green-haired man's composed face.

He clearly hadn't expected Xiumu to rise again.

After all...

That punch should have been enough to cripple any Seventh-Tier expert.

Yet this man had actually stood back up?

Hm?

Was it because of that flash of light just now?

Thinking of this, the green-haired man's gaze shifted to the bracelet on Xiumu's wrist. He narrowed his eyes slightly.

'A bracelet capable of storing Sanctuary Magic? No wonder... Such a rare treasure...'

Heh.

That fellow Benjamin...

The intelligence he provided was still insufficient.

Well...

It didn't matter.

The green-haired man let out a cold chuckle.

Instead of attacking again, he performed an elegant bow with impeccable noble etiquette toward Xiumu and Mengxi.

"My apologies. I neglected to introduce myself."

"I am the Cult Leader of the Heavenly Punishment Holy Church..."

"Welt-Sislov."

"It is a pleasure to meet you, Marquis Xiumu, and..."

"Dear Child of Destiny~"

As he spoke, Welt's cold eyes, burning with unmistakable fanaticism, locked firmly onto Mengxi.

Even Mengxi couldn't help feeling a chill run down her spine.

"What a disgusting man."

Mengxi shot Welt a look filled with contempt without the slightest hesitation.

In response...

Welt merely waved his hand indifferently.

Then he swept an amused gaze over Xiumu and Mengxi.

"To be honest, I should thank both of you."

"And what exactly do you have to thank us for?"

"Oh? Well..."

"The two of you just happened to be together. That saves me quite a bit of trouble~. Now I don't have to search separately. I can sacrifice both of my targets to Lord Demon God in one go."

Smiling faintly...

The corners of Welt's mouth slowly twisted upward into a horrifying, sinister grin.

The very next moment...

After hearing those words, the surrounding members of the Heavenly Punishment Holy Church immediately sensed that something was wrong and hastily retreated!

And the instant they withdrew—

An overwhelming torrent of magical power exploded from Welt's body like an erupting volcano!

Dark emerald-green magic surged forth like a howling Grim Reaper, and boundless deathly energy instantly engulfed the entirety of Wind Facing City!

Even the civilians at the city's outskirts felt a terrifying pressure reaching into the depths of their very souls!

And that was merely at the edge of the city!

The Duke residence, standing at the center of Welt's power, was instantly battered by an unprecedented wave of pressure!

Buildings collapsed with thunderous crashes.

Flowers, grass, coffins, and trees all withered beneath the waves of death.

Even some members of the Heavenly Punishment Holy Church who failed to retreat in time fainted under the pressure released by Welt's aura.

The entire Marquis's estate...

Had already become a living hell.

The rotten aura of death permeated every corner.

Even Xiumu and Mengxi were forced onto their knees beneath the overwhelming pressure.

They desperately circulated all of their power to resist the corrosive energy surrounding them.

In such a condition...

Completely suppressed by Welt's overwhelming aura...

Neither Xiumu nor Mengxi seemed to possess the slightest chance of victory.

"Give up resisting."

"If you do, I might even let you die a little more peacefully."

"In your dreams!"

Xiumu rejected Welt's proposal without the slightest hesitation.

"I see."

"Then it can't be helped."

As he spoke...

An enormous crimson scythe forged from black steel slowly emerged from the summoning array before Welt.

Ordinarily...

There was no need for Welt to become this serious against a Saint-Class opponent and a mere Sixth-Tier cultivator.

However...

To erase the shame caused by his subordinate's previous failure, he absolutely had to complete this mission.

He could not disappoint the Son of God.

He could not disappoint Lord Demon God.

The Duke Family, who stood against the Abyss Demons...

Had to fall.

And the Child of Destiny who threatened Lord Demon God...

Had to die.

He still remembered what the Son of God had once told him.

Even if your opponent is weaker than you...

Never underestimate them!

Especially when facing the so-called protagonist group!

—"As a boss! The moment you run into the protagonists, go all out from the very beginning! Kill them immediately, got it?!"—

The Son of God's crisp voice echoed once again within Welt's mind.

Because of that...

After exchanging only a few polite words, Welt immediately activated the Corrosion Formation and summoned the Soul-Devouring Blood Scythe.

He had no intention of holding back.

He would kill these two directly.

'Black Death Scythe Prison—Soul Reaping!!!'

After roaring the name of the technique within his heart...

Welt suddenly swung the blood-red scythe in his hand!

In an instant—

Violent winds erupted!

Accompanied by overwhelming wind pressure, crimson and dark emerald light rapidly gathered before Welt, transforming into countless wind blades overflowing with terrifying killing intent!

They tore forward toward the two of them with unstoppable force!

Wherever the wind blades passed...

Everything was corroded into nothingness.

Watching the incoming attack...

Xiumu involuntarily held his breath.

An unprecedented sense of danger flooded his mind.

'Damn it...'

After cursing inwardly, Xiumu forced himself back onto his feet with every ounce of strength he had left and immediately shielded Mengxi behind him.

Even in the face of such overwhelming danger...

His very first instinct was still to protect the benefactor of the Duke Family.

Battle aura continuously poured into the sword in his hand.

Faced with this unavoidable attack...

The only thing Xiumu could do was gather every bit of strength he possessed and take it head-on.

However...

Just as determination filled Xiumu's face...

The black cat that had been resting on Mengxi's shoulder the entire time suddenly revealed a fierce expression!

It leaped into the air!

Landing directly in front of Marquis Xiumu!

"Meow!!!"

?!

'Huh?!'

Xiumu couldn't help but reveal a puzzled expression.

Then...

Right before his astonished eyes...

Brilliant lightning suddenly erupted...