1,000,000 Karma: My Reward Is a Quiet Life-Chapter 55: The Pinnacle of Exorcism

[The Snake’s Eye] [Tintri] [Enhance]

In addition to empowering his physical capabilities, down to the acuity of his reflexes and vision, he called upon magecraft to further bolster his body. A flame gathering within his core, heating up like an engine for his muscles, pushing them past their limits.

"Valor," a spell utilized by soldiers that empowers their bodies with fire, raising their body temperatures greatly in the process. While Astrid taught it to him, it’s only usable for those with strong compositions.

He shot forward with every bit of speed he could imbue his body with. Just a single step forward surpassed the swiftness of a bullet, yet–the former Saint only needed to complete a single motion. In no way was there he could reach the spirit before the jade sword could be swung, and no feasible outcome in which he’d survive–

Of course, the one who lived and died by the sword as an indisputable legend would have every advantage when it came to a single strike. Except for one factor:

[Spirit Binding]

Midway through the motion, Octavius halted as chains slithered around his arms, squeezing desperately. In that split-second, the breaths of the onlookers froze, even those who didn’t require oxygen–

The former Saint snapped the ethereal bindings off without effort, yet Noah closed the distance.

[Mega-Chop] [Soul Rend]

Interrupting the path of the jade edge, the axe set forth direct devastation to the hollow spirit. A perfect slash split the knight from his shoulder to his stomach, leaving the spiritual essence leaking into the air.

"...That was a cheap trick," the words left the lips of the fading Saint, though lacking any condemnation with the soft smile he wore.

"Sorry, but against someone like you, that’s what it takes to win," Noah explained with a victorious smile, pulling his axe away.

"The win is yours, young man."

[EXP: +100,000]

[Level 16 Reached.] [Current Experience: 30,000/75,000]

[Body: 2000] [Spirit: 2000]

["Close-Quarters Combat" Proficiency Up +20] [170/999]

["Dueling" Proficiency Up +10] [30/100]

["Axe Mastery" Proficiency Up +10] [224/999]

["Superspeed" Proficiency Up +1] [2/10]

["Exorcism" Proficiency Up +5] [9/10]

[Skill(s) Acquired: "Soul Trap" | "Auto-Reflex" | "Blade of Purging" | "Spirit Gateway"]

"You...How?!" The woman of many arms gritted her teeth, clenching the rests of her throne in complete disgust. "--That damn, hideous knight! I knew he was no good! He’s never been any good! All he was good for was swinging a sword, and he couldn’t even do that...!"

The complete tantrum collapsed any image of dignity the phantasmal empress held as she rose from her seat, practically foaming at the mouth in disdain.

Y’Sila’s anger seemed to condense itself as she wore a smile faker than any other with veins practically bulging out of her forehead, "This leaves a vacancy as for who will be my manservant. Come, boy, swear fealty–"

"Hard pass," Noah interjected.

"Hah?..." Y’Sila let out quietly in complete confusion.

"Listen, not trying to be rude here, but you’re completely and totally ego-centric. Nobody likes those who believe the world revolves around them," Noah explained directly, while the girl behind him shook her head as if every word dug their graves deeper. "So, to put it in a way you’ve never heard before: No."

The limbs of the woman turned red with a scarlet fury, extending to her elbows as her nails turned to blades, her hair rising like coiling snakes.

[Greater Identification] [A-Rank Close-Quarters Combat Skill]

["Y’Sila"] [Designated Level: Appx. 15] [Species: Transcendent Phantasm]

[Weaknesses: Spiritual attacks | Magic]

[Immune to physical harm.] [Immune to fire.] [Immune to wind.]

[Immune to water.] [Immune to mental attacks.] [Immune to arrows.]

[Immune to axes.] [Immune to hammers.] [Immune to poison.]

Reading the assessment from his skill almost brought a laugh out of him despite the circumstances, having to question what the enraged phantasmal wasn’t immune to.

"Is it something I said, you think?" Noah asked the girl behind him.

Rain looked on the verge of tears at the sight of the enraged empress, "What—?! Can’t you take this seriously?!

"It’s fine," Noah assured, pulling his axe back.

"How can you be so sure?" The exorcist questioned.

While they argued, the malevolent phantasmal raised her hands, inviting pikes that rose from the tiles, returning to her grip. A wicked smile persisted on Y’Sila’s face, as if utterly delighted in the carnage to come.

Yet, Noah calmly stepped forward without a trace of concern, "I’ll only ask this once: bring my friends out safely and I’ll spare you."

A bluff? That was the first idea that circulated through the chaotic mind of the phantasmal, that much was written on her scrunched expression.

"You’re making demands? Of me?" Y’Sila spoke through clenched teeth before breaking into a full shout as her hair slithered. "--I am the one who orders! And when I give an order, it is an absolute demand! Any objection is punishable by death! Execution!"

The entirety of the palace shifted; marble walls bled as crimson flooded through the once regal interior. It was then, and only then, the sight of his companions was revealed: they were all captured in the unending hair of the phantasmal.

Astrid, Otto, and Redrum were suspended by the accursed locks, though none seemed conscious, but still alive. That discovery and confirmation alone was enough for him to accept the maddened entity’s answer as a rejection, leaving him only one choice:

[Vanquish Evil]

A skill that almost seemed unbeatable, though only applicable in certain circumstances, once every twenty-four hours:

First, the target must have a ratio of ninety-to-ten bad karma to good.

Second, the user will use ninety-percent of their mana to manifest the skill.

Third, and most importantly, once used, if the target survives, the user is unable to harm them further.

"What–?" Y’Sila witnessed as the anger left her eyes, only total astonishment and fear at the enigmatic power that arrived.

The expanse of purifying radiance filled the deteriorating palace, reverberating with a sound reminiscent of a whale’s call.

["While the skill can only be triggered when used on a target possessing ninety-percent negative karma, it has various effects depending on their karma.

In the case of the transcendent phantasmal, conceited and full of avarice, Y’Sila was one-hundred percent negative."]

"What’s happening to me?! This can’t–this can’t happen to me!" Y’Sila shouted angrily at the cleaning pulsation.

There was no fighting against it; the phantasmal simply began to fade, her form crumbling away like a breath breaking apart dust. All of the anger was washed away, only leaving a hollow husk soon to fade.

[EXP: +30,000] [Current Experience: 60,000/75,000]

["Exorcism" Proficiency Up +1] [10/10]

[Skill(s) Acquired: "The Ten Souls"]