Dark Evolution Begins with Marrying an SSS-CLASS Blind Monster
Chapter 117: Rose

Chapter 117: Rose

In the dimly lit and frigid cave nestled beneath the floor of the Zenith church, a solitary oil lamp flickered with an eerie glow, its flames fueled by dark magic.

Behind the cold iron bars, a huddled group of children, their ages varying from tender six-year-olds to slightly older, around eight or nine, cast sorrowful shadows on the damp walls. Bruises adorned their fragile bodies, their skin marred with the cruel imprints of abuse.

Some even bore broken limbs, a testament to the cruelty they had endured. Though their voices quivered with weakness, they summoned enough strength to cry out for salvation.

"Please! Please, someone, save us!" their desperate pleas echoed through the desolate cavern.

One young boy’s cries escalated into uncontrollable sobs, his anguish reverberating through the air.

The collective shivering of the imprisoned children mirrored the tremors of their hearts, while the girl nearest to the distraught boy fought to suppress her own welling tears, striving to maintain composure amidst the prevailing desolation.

She appeared to be around nine years old, her flowing tresses cascading in a cascade of chestnut brown.

Her dirt-streaked visage testified to the trials she had faced, yet she wore a simple dress fashioned from humble fabric and leather.

She, too, resided within the confines of the cage, a part of their anguished collective.

This girl bore the name Rose.

"Brother," her soft voice quivered, trembling with fear, "I’m scared. Please, save me."

As her words hung in the oppressive air, a sinister presence materialized from the depths of the shadows, causing a shiver to race down the spine of every child present.

It was a priest, a member of the Zenith church, yet his countenance betrayed a monstrous essence. His malevolent gaze fixated upon the caged children, and a wicked smile curled upon his lips, radiating malevolence and malice.

Terror engulfed everyone in the dimly lit cave, and screams erupted from their quivering lips, save for the silent girl, Rose, whose wide eyes remained fixed upon the menacing figure before them.

With a measured pace, the Priest advanced towards two men positioned near the cage, his ominous presence commanding obedience.

"Open it," his voice sliced through the air like a serrated blade.

One of the men obeyed, stepping forward to unlatch the cage door. The Priest’s hand extended within, fingers curling around Rose’s trembling shoulder.

He began to pull her away, a stark contrast between his malicious intent and her desperate pleas for help, muffled amidst her screams, unheard by those around her.

"Help!" Rose’s voice trembled, desperately seeking salvation, yet the oppressive atmosphere rendered her pleas futile.

The Priest tightened his grip, unyielding to her struggles, dragging her forcefully from the cage’s confines.

Her cries resounded, echoing in the cavernous space, but no one came to her aid, not even the older children who understood the impending horror.

"Brother!" Rose’s voice echoed again, beseeching the presence of a protector. Yet, once more, her call fell upon deaf ears, unanswered by anyone within the claustrophobic darkness.

"Brother Jin!" She cried out again, this time louder than before.

The mention of a name, "Jin," seized the attention of the Priest, his lips parting in a twisted grin.

"Ah, at first I thought you were crying out for your oldest brother but to think you are yelling out the name of someone who is a useless piece of trash. It is kind of strange how your brain works, isn’t it?" his voice dripped with sadistic amusement.

However, despite the agony and torment that enveloped her, Rose summoned the strength to utter one final retort.

"Heh... Useless trash?"

In that moment, an ephemeral storm of dust and sand erupted from the cavern’s floor, startling the Priest as his gaze darted towards the unfolding phenomenon above.

"Quick, eliminate him!"

"Halt his advance!"

"Create a luminous shield!"

"Beware of the crimson aura surrounding him!"

Fear and confusion took hold, spreading like wildfire throughout the chamber. The Priest stood perplexed, unable to comprehend the escalating panic among those on the upper floors.

Rose met the Priest’s malevolent gaze with the unwavering determination of a fearless warrior. Death held no sway over her spirit.

"Now, you shall witness the power of a so-called useless piece of trash," Rose declared, her voice resonating with a newfound strength. With a swift motion, she freed herself from the loosened grip of the Priest’s hand, his surprise evident on his face. And in a resolute tone, she called out:

"Brother Lee Jin!"

An abrupt stillness descended upon the upper floors, enveloping the chamber like the hush of a moonlit night. Then, like a bolt of electricity, a figure shrouded in crimson smoke materialized before the bewildered Priest, his arrival so swift that even the Priest’s eyes failed to track his movement. The figure cast his gaze upon Rose, uttering her name with a mix of familiarity and concern.

"Rose."

"Brother!" Rose exclaimed, her voice a gentle sigh of relief, her face illuminated with a radiant joy at the sight of him standing there before her. The disheveled state of her dirt-streaked visage and tattered garments seemed inconsequential in that moment.

Lee Jin, her brother, looked upon her, a hint of a smile playing at the corners of his lips. "You’re a mess," he remarked, his attention solely focused on his sister, disregarding the presence of the Priest.

The Priest seethed with rage, his hand raised, poised to strike at Lee Jin. "Are you her bro—"

However, before he could complete his sentence, a furious barrage of lightning bolts descended from above, striking the Priest and the two guards standing nearby with merciless precision. The lightning rent through the air, obliterating the four floors above them in a cataclysmic display of power.

In an instant, as the lightning consumed the Priest and his cohorts, they were reduced to mere vapor, vanishing without a trace.

Lee Jin’s gaze remained fixed on the spot where the Priest had stood, his expression grave and unyielding. "I am, so what?" he replied, his voice dripping with menace and an icy coldness.

He extended his hand towards Rose, and she eagerly took hold of it, embracing him tightly as her tears were now replaced by a sense of relief.

The other children observed their reunion in awe, their eyes wide with astonishment. This powerful figure had emerged to save them from the clutches of certain death.

"Thank you, Brother!" one of the children shouted, gratitude ringing in their voice.

"Thank you!" another chimed in, their words filled with heartfelt appreciation.

However, Lee Jin was not the sort of person inclined to help others. His intervention had been purely coincidental, driven solely by his desire to rescue his sister. He regarded the children with an indifferent gaze, as if their plight was of no concern to him. "Get lost," he hissed, glaring at them, causing fear to ripple through their trembling forms.

In response to her brother’s dismissive words, Rose shook her head in disappointment. "No, brother. We are going to help them," she declared, wiping away the remnants of her tears and fixing him with an unwavering stare.

Lee Jin regarded his sister’s determined face and sighed, reluctantly yielding to her will. Nodding his head with a stern expression, he uttered, "Fine, but you better not get hurt, alright?" His words held a mixture of concern and admonition, conveying the depth of his protectiveness.

Rose smiled, reassured by her brother’s agreement. "Don’t worry, I’ll be fine. Now, come on." Taking hold of Lee Jin’s hand, she led the way, striding purposefully out of the dark cavern.

Observing their bold exit, the other children, no longer confined by the unlocked cage, began to follow suit. They were drawn by the prospect of newfound freedom, their faith in Rose and her brother bolstered by the courage they had displayed.

As they ventured farther away from the accursed church, Lee Jin’s countenance grew even darker and colder, his resolve deepening. With measured steps, they continued their journey.

Then, without warning, a thunderous roar rent the air, followed by a colossal thud that echoed across the entire continent. The Zenith church, a once towering structure, crumbled beneath the weight of a gigantic crimson staff crackling with electric energy. It dwarfed the surrounding buildings, stretching beyond the horizon.

In an instant, the church succumbed to destruction, reduced to a haze of dust and ashes. The remnants of its grandeur were swiftly reduced to naught, while the mighty staff stood resolute, its power lingering in the air.

«Demonic System»

— Divine Weapon ’Ruyi Jingu Bang’ has been summoned.