Samael's new inherent ability, Instinct, kicked in like a horse as he felt a gut-wrenching sensation overwhelm him.

Reacting swiftly, he grabbed Lilith gently as he dragged her close to him. As he did, a curtain of light descended from above, cutting the stairs and shredding them. Where Lilith stood earlier was now nothing but ash.

Samael's face fell grim as he spared a glance at the curtain. The other nobles could not help but scream in fear as the same barrier entrapped them.

Icarius, Aphemis, and Ajax flinched as they swiftly approached the barrier. Icarius carefully examined it, while Ajax assessed where it came from. Aphemis, on the other hand, was going insane as she took a stance.

"It's not going to work," Icarius said.

"MY GRANDDAUGHTER IS ON THE OTHER SIDE!" She roared in rage.

"Can't you feel it? It's built to keep us out," Icarius said as his finger was coated in lightning. Slowly, he drilled through the barrier but was repelled back.

Aphemis could only utter multiple curses as she paced frantically, her mind scrambling for ways to get through.

Witnessing this, Samael deduced two reasons. Either someone was after Icarius and the rest, or... after them.

Shifting his gaze to the far end of the dancing hall, multiple footsteps left trails of echoes in the walls of the palace.

From the shadows, multiple cloaked figures wearing masks with slits revealed themselves, and in their hands lay a black rod emanating some form of miasma.

Witnessing this, Aphemis exploded in rage as she continuously banged the barrier.

"YOU MOTHERFUCKERS!!! YOU DIRTY BASTARDS!!!" She snarled as the palace shook under her bloodlust.

Icarius and Ajax could only frown as this was the first time they witnessed these people. But judging from Aphemis's reaction, there was no doubt these were the "ministry" fucks she has been venting about.

Fear, anxiety, and worry gripped Aphemis's heart, but to no avail. All the sound she made was blocked by the barrier, and even the force of her bloodlust was kept at bay.

Meanwhile, Lilith's eyes widened in horror as her face paled. Memories of Samael's demise flashed in her eyes, seizing her heart in its cruel grip. Unsure of what to do, she froze in place, her body trembling.

However, this time was different.

A hand slowly held her head, caressing her hair and enveloping her in a form of warmth capable of breaking her from her stupor.

Shifting her gaze above, she saw Samael's crimson eyes staring at her without fear. Inspiring courage to form within her.

With a small smile, Samael spoke. "Do not be afraid, Lilith. I'm here now."

Holding her hand, Samael gently pressed it.

Like ice on a summer day, Lilith's worries slowly melted away as she steeled her resolve.

Seeing that she was okay now, Samael shifted his gaze at the cloaked assassins and the rods they wielded.

Sparing Lilith one final glance, Samael took off his jacket as he gently placed it on the girl's shoulders.

"Keep these for me," he said.

Screams of terror echoed in the dancing hall as the nobles tried to flee, but to no avail. As the assassins closed in, the thaesir heir's had no choice but to clench their jaw. However, before they could step forward, Samael's footsteps reverberated.

Each step he took echoed within the marble walls of the palace, calming the screams and pleas of the nobles as they watched him go forward without an ounce of fear or hesitation.

Slowly, Samael held the surface of his mask as he undid it, removing it as it fell on the floor with a thud, revealing his face.

Seeing his bravery, the assassins looked at each other as they laughed. However, their leader remained stoic as he watched Samael's strides. Something about him was different.

"We'll give you one last chance to go back, or we'll make an example out of you," an assassin mocked.

However, his chuckles were silenced as Samael replied.

"Then do it."

The assassins flinched as they looked at Samael in silence before one of them roared. "You fucking serious? You think you're safe because you're a noble?"

"Enough chit chat; we have a mission," the leader said.

The other assassins clicked their tongues as they approached Samael, staring him down as though they were looking at an ant.

"You're lucky the boss said to spare you... for now," an assassin said before passing by Samael and continuing their journey. However, Samael's voice echoed in the halls, his tone deep and feral.

"Who said you could go?"

The leader of the assassins felt his blood run cold as he dashed back, his astral compass warning him of impending danger.

One of the cloaked individuals could only utter one word as his vision swirled.

"Eh?"

A loud thud bounced off the walls of the dancing hall as his corpse slammed against the floor, staining its white surface in blood as his head rolled beside him.

The other assassin's eyes widened as they hurriedly jumped back, regaining distance from Samael.

Cold sweat trickled down their foreheads as suffocating silence prevailed. The same question brewing in their minds.

What just happened?

Staring at the corpse of their comrade, they looked at Samael. He had barely moved. How could he have done this?

"Again. Who said you could go?" Samael repeated, his voice growing deeper and darker by the second.

A bone chilling sensation drilled through the cloaked assassins flesh as they went on guard, their onyx dark rods pointing at Samael.

However, before they could even mutter anything, one of them blew up as his blood sprinkled everywhere and his body cleaved in five different directions.

Unable to take it any longer, one of the assassins roared. "SHIT, SHIT, SHIT!!! WHAT THE FUCK IS GOING ON?!"

But like the rest, he too was not spared.

The leader's eyes widened as he roared. "WATCH OU—"

"Void Cleave."

The assassin's body was torn in the middle as his flesh slowly separated, his guts and organs spilling out like water as they slid on the smooth surface of the floor.

The other remaining assassins remained frozen as they watched their comrade reduced to a lump of flesh. They couldn't even see the attack, but their leader did, albeit slightly.

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For a brief moment, a blink of an eye, he could see Samael's hand whip.

Now taking his warning seriously, the assassins froze in place as cold sweat drenched their backs.

One wrong move was all it took.

Seeing the assassins finally listen, Samael focused his attention on the man with multiple slits on his mask.

"I assume you're the leader?" he asked.

Slowly, Samael made his way forward as he met the man in the eyes. Shifting his gaze at the rod he wielded, he spoke. "I know this weapon. I know it very well."

Looking the man in the face, he said.

"Demon-slaying rods."

The leader's face fell as he roared. "KILL HER NOW!" as he swinged at Samael with his full power.

The other assassins dashed forward as they swiftly closed the distance, their weapons spearing forward towards Lilith.

Lilith could only watch the blade flash before her pupils before a fiery explosion shook the grounds.

"NO! LILITH!!!" Aphemis roared.

Screams of terror escaped the nobles lips as the wind forced them to close their eyes.

As the dust settled, the assassins found themselves engulfed in despair and horror.

Their improved demon hunting rods proved to be futile as Samael stood before Lilith and the assassin, the tip of the rod sticking at his chest, unable to even pierce his skin.

Lilith's face morphed in worry, but Samael reassured her with a smile as he focused on the assassin.

"You had your chance."

The assassin tried to dash back, but Samael's hand flashed sideways, tearing off his head as it blew into a mist of blood.

Remembering the events in the Crimson Forest, Samael could feel his rage boil.

He wasn't angry they tried to kill him. He was angry they tried to kill Lilith. And now, they're back.

Unfortunately for them, he was not the same weak boy he was then.

Left with no choice, the other four assassins broke in different directions as they launched consecutive attacks at Lilith.

However, Samael effortlessly deflected their blades with his bare hands as he spoke.

"Abyss spikes."

A plethora of onyx black spikes burst from the ground, impaling the bastards as they hung, dead.

Seeing his men die so easily, the leader clenched his teeth as he dashed back. However, as he did, he struck something hard as he fell down.

Looking up, he felt dread devour him.

There stood Samael, his face consumed by unyielding darkness. His crimson gaze peering through that Void and into his soul.

"I remember you all," Samael muttered, his tone as cold as ice.

"You and your masks. I remember it all," he said.

The leader felt his body tremble as unimaginable fear enveloped him, a fear so violent and pure he could feel his soul shake.

"We don't even know you," he said.

"But I do," Samael said.

"And this time, no more mercy," he resumed.

A titanic pressure smashed against the entire palace, devouring every corner and every single crevice of the building.

Aphemis, Icarius, and Ajax flinched as they felt the dense, bone-chilling blood lust Samael let out, triggering them to raise their guards as Icarius laughed in disbelief.

"Just what the hell is this?" he said.

Everyone within the palace except Lilith saw the world drenched in crimson, as though thousands upon thousands of creatures were slain and their very blood painted the walls.

They couldn't breathe, they couldn't speak, and they couldn't even move. It felt as though they were submerged in an ocean of blood.

Unable to bear the pressure, they were all forced to kneel as their bodies buckled under their weight.

However, what truly sent fear rippling in their hearts was the view before them.

Samael's figure appeared as though he were standing in darkness, as though he were one with the Void itself.

The only thing they could see was the pair of crimson eyes peering through that darkness.

The leader of the assassins felt a violent force slam against his body, shattering the ground beneath him as he was sent sprawling down.

Even then, he was unable to scream. He could only cry in pain as the titanic pressure and bloodlust slowly ripped his skin and pulverized his bones. But that wasn't even the worst of it.

What truly made him suffer was not the pain, but that thing.

The assassin screamed internally as a collosal white eye manifested from the darkness Samael emitted, gazing upon him from above.

It sent a form of fear he had never felt before. Fear so potent and primal that his very being trembled, his very existence abhorred.

He could not remove his eyes from it. He could not run away from it. It will always be there, in the darkness and in the nothingness, watching him.

Samael did not know what was happening anymore. He felt consumed by his emotions and by his wrath. So much that he was blinded.

Multiple panels warped before him as messages came one after the other.

Passive [Primal Fear] has taken effect! Your enemy has entered a state of self-preservation!

Your enemy has fallen into a state of panic and hysteria!

Your enemy has fallen into a state of terror!

Your enemy has frozen in fear!

However, even the loud blaring noises of the Codex failed to break Samael from his wrathful stupor.

Giving in to his rage, Samael's bloodlust peaked higher and higher, sending the man deeper as he dug a hole under the tremendous pressure.

The surrounding walls, floor, and ceiling around Samael shattered into pieces as they fell like glass.

Slowly, Samael stepped forward, driving the leader of the assassins even deeper into the earth.

Taking another step forward, the ground surrounding the assassin shattered, giving out and forming an even larger crater.

The assassin spewed blood as all his orifices bled uncontrollably; his flesh had long been stripped and his bones turned to mush. His flesh had warped beyond recognition, but even then, he was still alive.

Taking another step forward, the pressure had gone so violent and strong that even Icarius, Aphemis, and Ajax had to deploy their astral veils to protect the other nobles from the unrelenting waves.

With another foot forward, the entire palace started to crack as its foundations trembled.

Even mundane people could feel the tremors under their soles and that cold, sharp sensation caressing their skin.

Samael did not know what was happening. He was far too consumed by his emotions.

They've already taken everything from him once. When he finally finds someone he can call family, they try to take it away from him again. Now, they're here, and they once again threaten everything he holds dear.

Was the death of his family not enough? Was his slavery not enough? He's had it with them. If they weren't going to stop, then he'd stop them himself.

No more mercy.

There is no pardon for them.

No fucking pity. Just...

Death.

Reaching for the crippled assassin, Samael felt power beyond belief within him. But as he was about to grasp it, a hand took over.

"No more, Samael," Lilith said as she enveloped him in an embrace, her wings clutching him tight.

"No more," she pleaded.

Samael felt as though cold water was splashing in his face as he felt the world clear.

Blinking twice, he shot a look at the barely breathing assassin before him.

I... did this...? He couldn't help but ask himself.

Glancing at the crowd of nobles trembling in fear and the crumbling walls of the palace, along with the pain in Lilith's tone, he felt his stomach churn.

He nearly lost himself, and in doing so, he nearly hurt the innocent and the person he loves.

His fear nearly manifested.

However, before Samael could condemn himself, Lilith held his cheeks as she dragged him close.

"Don't. Don't blame yourself," she whispered.

She could feel the overwhelming remorse Samael felt. It was so degrading... So... Destructive. How could she watch as he destroys himself?

"But I—"

"Don't..." Lilith cut off Samael.

"Just look at me," she said.

"You protected everyone. That's all that matters. That's all it will ever be," she said as she hugged him tight.

Feeling Lilith's warmth, Samael allowed himself to melt in her arms.

As the barrier of light faded, Icarius and the rest refrained from moving for a while before a sigh escaped Icarius's lips.

Approaching the scene, he kneeled down as he inspected the leader of the assassins.

"He's still alive. Barely," he said.

"Move," Aphemis beckoned as black flames slithered throughout the body of the man, healing some of his wounds.

"This is the best I can do. His bones and his skin are basically gone. He's a cripple, but he should be able to speak in the least," she said.

"Good job, kid," Aphemis praised.

"Grandmother!" Lilith exclaimed.

"What?! These guys are inhumane! And that's coming from a demon! These are people who would kill such a precious child without batting an eye!" She said.

"Not now!" Lilith replied, prompting Aphemis to sigh.

Approaching Samael, Icarius spoke. "You did the right thing."

Samael carefully broke free from Lilith's embrace as he spoke. "I do not care that I nearly killed this man. I know of their deeds, and I have personally seen the atrocities they can commit. But losing control and nearly hurting everyone is something I never wish to experience again."

"But you didn't," Icarius said.

"Not without her help," Samael said as he squeezed Lilith's hand.

"Look, I know you losing control is inexcusable. But now isn't the time. My forces have already mobilized to sweep and put Tera on lockdown. For now, we need to get you guys to safety," Icarius said.

Samael gave a nod. Unfortunately, Lilith had to go with Aphemis, so they'll have to part ways for now.

"Be careful," Samael said.

"You too," Lilith replied before she was dragged away by Aphemis.