Dark Divinity

As Anna drew closer, Omen waited until she was just a few inches away before pulling her into an unexpected embrace. The suddenness of the move shocked everyone present, including Anna herself. The initial intent behind the hug was to assert his new-found confidence and to test the waters, but the reaction it elicited was more complex than she anticipated.

Anna's mind raced as she felt Omen's arms around her. She had initially planned to use their encounter to uncover more about him, potentially exploiting his weaknesses for her own advantage. However, the unexpected gesture made her reconsider her approach. Omen's survival through two purges was no small feat, and this revelation prompted Anna to reassess her strategy.

Her fake surprise masked the shift in her strategy. She knew that showing weakness or surprise could be exploited, so she maintained her seductive demeanor. Her fingers brushed against Omen's, sensing the twitch in his eye, which only confirmed her suspicion that his planning might not have been as meticulous as he hoped.

"Well, someone is surprised to see me," she purred, her voice laced with a playful yet calculating tone. Her smile was both seductive and challenging.

As Omen held Anna in the embrace, his true objective was far from the seductive game she was playing. He used the moment of contact to activate his [Soul Manipulation] skill, probing the essence of the demoness in his arms. What he discovered was deeply unsettling.

The connection revealed that Anna before him was not the same entity he had previously encountered. The demoness was now an unknown force, a new presence that had overtaken her. Omen could sense the alien essence within Anna, and though he was confident in his own abilities, he knew better than to underestimate this new force. He was aware that curses often had unpredictable consequences, and the aftermath of defeating such a being could be catastrophic.

The realization made him wary. He was not just dealing with a demoness anymore but with an unknown entity that could have unforeseen repercussions. The risk of testing his strength against her was too great, considering the potential fallout.

As the overseer stepped onto the podium, his presence commanded immediate attention. The eerie smile on his handsome face was a stark contrast to the seriousness of his words.

"I'm not one who's easily surprised, but seeing the most powerful set of purgers here fills me with so much joy," he announced, his voice echoing through the arena. The sense of anticipation in the air grew palpable as he continued, "There are now only two purges left, and due to a necessary rush, it will begin in earnest thirty hours from now."

A murmur of surprise and speculation rippled through the survivors. The overseer raised his hands, his smile widening slightly, "Now, I must place a rule I'm extremely reluctant to say this but killing will be prohibited during these thirty hours. You all need some time to rest—believe me, you'll need it during this next purge."

The purgers were met with relief, simultaneously fed up and pleased.On the one hand, the temporary suspension of violence provided a brief respite and an opportunity to relax. On the other, the enforced pause in hostilities might create new tensions and rivalries among the survivors, with all the accumulated grievances and rivalries bubbling just beneath the surface.

Omen took in the overseer's words with a wary focus. The prohibition on killing would undoubtedly shift the dynamics among the remaining purgers. It would provide a chance to assess and strategize, but it also meant that any underlying animosities could fester in the absence of direct confrontation.

As the overseer concluded his speech and retreated, the survivors began to disperse as well, Omen was making his way to exit the area when Anna stepped in his path, her presence commanding immediate attention. She moved closer, her face mere inches from his, and her voice dripped with seductive intent.

"Would you mind coming with me?" she purred, her voice carrying a seductive tone that caused a few men around them to pause, their faces reddening as they observed the interaction.

He could feel something foreign trying to infiltrate his mind and his [mental attack immunity] activated automatically. Omen's mind raced with paranoia; something would have happened to him if not for his mental attack immunity skill. In a moment of unguarded honesty, he blurted out, "The acolyte clearly declared a no-killing rule."

Anna paused, her eyes narrowing slightly as she processed his words. A mischievous smile slowly spread across her face, her earlier charm giving way to a more dangerous glint. "Oh, I do want to kill you... In a different way though," she said, her tone both teasing and ominous.

[mental attack immunity], the skill activated automatically again. She pressed her body against him, her full breasts pressing into his chest, and her face remained just centimeters from his.

The atmosphere around Omen quickly descended into a chaotic mix of lust and revulsion. Men ogled Anna with such intense focus that some had visibly soiled themselves, while others, more resistant or disgusted, quickly withdrew from the scene.

Omen, however, remained composed. Thanks to his Immunity, Anna's seductive manipulations were rendered ineffective against him. He was able to repel the mental influence effortlessly, even as he feigned a lustful expression to maintain his cover. To everyone watching, he was still perceived as a weak darkling with only night vision, flanked by two formidable allies.

Anna, oblivious to Omen's true resistance, was momentarily taken in by his seemingly enthusiastic response. His words, dripping with faux desire, were delivered with a convincing smile. "Alright sweetie, kill me mercilessly."

Anna's eyes sparkled with a mix of amusement and intrigue. Her seductive façade remained intact, though she remained wary, knowing the complexities behind Omen's seemingly submissive demeanor. She leaned in even closer, her breath warm against his skin.

"Well, aren't you a bold one," she purred, clearly pleased by his response. Omen's pretense was effective; Anna was satisfied with his response and moved closer; her own hidden intentions masked by her outward charm. As she prepared to lead him away, her gaze remained shrewd, her thoughts clearly calculating.

Anna guided Omen as two other girls suddenly joined them, flanking them from behind through the snowy expanse, their path winding through the sprawling yard. The observers, their imaginations running wild, speculated that Omen was heading for a rendezvous, their envy tangible. Omen, however, was fully aware that this was a strategic move, he wanted to see what sort of trap laid in wait for him so he readily followed them.

The group approached one of the large metallic buildings, distinct from the one Omen had previously occupied. This bunker, designed to accommodate a thousand individuals, was much larger and more imposing. The structure was a towering edifice of metal, its design reminiscent of the previous bunker but on a grander scale. The interior was equally metallic and spacious, but the layout suggested it had been purpose-built for a much larger population.

As they entered, the sheer scale of the bunker became evident. It was fairly enormous, with long halls and numerous chambers. Omen realised there must have been hundreds of purgers assigned to this sector, and all of the chambers were perfectly maintained and in pristine shape. Omen even questioned if he should continue to regard the purgers as slaves. The metallic surfaces sparkled under the artificial lighting, creating an eerie glow over the vast room.

Anna led Omen down a series of winding corridors, her steps echoing off the walls. The other girls followed closely as Omen remained alert, his mind racing with thoughts of the potential danger and the need to stay vigilant. The bunker, while seemingly a place of refuge, could easily be a trap, and he was determined to navigate it with caution.

The trio finally arrived at a heavily reinforced door, which Anna unlocked with a swipe of her hand. The door slid open with a low hum, revealing a room that was starkly different from the rest. It was outfitted with various amenities and seemed to be designed for high-ranking individuals. Anna motioned for Omen to enter, her demeanor one of controlled excitement.

Anna's command was straightforward, her tone urgent as she directed the pale, emaciated girl, Bertha, to perform a mental scan. The room's atmosphere shifted, and Omen's focus sharpened as he watched the scene unfold.

Bertha, her gaunt figure casting a forlorn shadow, approached Omen with a hesitance that suggested her skills might not be entirely reliable. As she reached out, her hand trembled slightly, and she began to chant softly, her eyes glowing faintly as she initiated the mental scan.

Bertha's scan finally concluded, and she stepped back, her face pale and drained. She gave a slight nod to Anna, indicating that the scan was complete. Anna's expression shifted from irritation to one of calculated satisfaction as she turned to Omen, her demeanor shifting from frustration to a predatory calm.

"Well, well," Anna said, her voice dripping with false sweetness. "It seems your mental defenses are stronger than anticipated. But I'm not too worried. We have our ways of making sure you're well… accommodated."

Her eyes locked onto Omen's, and she took a step closer, her smile now more of a challenge than an invitation. The two girls stood by their roles secondary to Anna's plans. Anna's eyes narrowed at Bertha suddenly whispered something in her ears, her frustration palpable. She took a step closer to Omen, her previously seductive demeanour replaced by a cold, calculating gaze.

"You're certain about this?" Anna asked, her voice edged with disappointment. "Nothing more?"

Bertha nodded solemnly, her expression a mix of exhaustion and defeat. "Yes, Anna. I've checked him thoroughly. There are no hidden abilities beyond what he's shown. He only has night vision and a beast-summoning aura. His mental defenses are unusually strong as well, but that's all."

Anna's lips curled into a thin, disappointed smile as she turned back to Omen. The shift in her demeanour from seductive to calculating was evident. The room's atmosphere grew tense as the implications of Bertha's findings settled in.

"I see," Anna said, her voice taking on a more authoritative tone. "Well, it seems we have no choice but to accept the situation for now, maybe the spies were wrong when they said he was the one that killed Clay."

Her gaze flicked to Bertha and then back to Omen. "Since the overseer has imposed a no-killing rule for the next thirty hours, we will have to adjust our plans. But don't think this means you're off the hook, Omen. We'll find another way to deal with you."

Anna's smile returned, but it was cold and devoid of the earlier seduction. She motioned for Bertha to step back and then turned her full attention to Omen.

"You'll stay here for now," she said, her tone brooking no argument. "We have preparations to make, and I'm sure we'll find a use for you soon enough, Janelle…show me what you can do."