The moment Snow instinctively stepped forward, a faint warmth spread in Noah's chest.
In his hand, the skill Judgment pulsed with restrained power, ready to be unleashed at the slightest threat.
Then—
From the right, deep within the treeline, the air suddenly shifted—thick, restless, charged.
Bzzzt!
A tearing sound split the air, and a gale exploded outward, whipping the forest into chaos. Trees snapped like twigs, roots torn free, as the windstorm carved a violent path straight toward Noah and Snow.
"Looking for death."
Snow's voice was ice. Her cherry lips barely moved as the cyclone bore down on them.
BOOM!
The instant the roaring wind broke through the underbrush, inches away from them, Snow's wrist snapped upward. Scarlet flames burst from her pale hand, and she thrust forward with lethal precision.
WHAM!
Her strike unleashed a torrent of fire that clashed head-on with the storm. The air shook with a deafening blast—
And then… silence.
The cyclone was gone.
A tall figure was hurled backward, tumbling across the ground before crashing more than a hundred meters away.
"Shit… that's no rookie."
The man staggered up, wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth, his eyes narrowing with feral aggression as they locked on Snow.
"You okay?" Snow didn't spare the man a glance. Her presence flared, forming an invisible shield around her. She turned slightly toward Noah, her expression steady but voice tinged with concern.
"I'm fine," Noah said, though a flicker of admiration glimmered in his gaze.
"Listen, he's probably a dangerous type. Stay close to me."
With another flick of her wrist, light shimmered and condensed into a white knight's sword in her hand.
"Got it." Noah didn't hesitate.
He let his dark eyes settle on the distant attacker, and the Eye of the Gods activated.
[Target: Classified as Murderous Outlaw. Land of Divine Punishment Level: 162. Rank: Private, Fourth Tier. No action required — your dear 'sister' can handle this easily.]
Relieved, Noah released the breath he'd been holding.
But then—movement again. Two more figures burst from the trees, sprinting toward the injured man.
"What the hell happened? How did you get hurt?"
"Boss, that chick's a powerhouse—at least a Fifth-Tier Private!"
"Chick? What chick?"
"I'm telling you, that's not the point—"
"Of course it's the point. So… you mean her?"
A man with greasy yellow hair, wearing a white-striped shirt, turned. His eyes lit up when he saw Snow.
The longer he stared, the more twisted his expression became—lust warping into frenzy.
"Well, well… look at that face, that body, that—hah! Brothers, that woman's mine!"
"Bring her to me alive!"
The filthy words snapped something inside Noah. This bastard just insulted Snow.
One Sanction and he'd be paste.
[Yellow-Hair: Land of Divine Punishment Level: 169. Private, Fourth Tier.
Fatty: Level 165. Private, Fourth Tier.]
[Don't act rashly. Your 'sister' can handle them.]
The Eye's warning kept Noah's temper in check—barely.
All three men out-leveled Snow, but their actual strength lagged behind her. If the Eye of the Gods said she could handle them, then she could. And if not… well, Noah could always discreetly open the Divine Domain.
Snow stood bathed in the morning sun, her figure outlined in light, eyes full of disdain. The tip of her knight's sword leveled at Yellow-Hair.
"Answer me. Have you killed?"
Yellow-Hair laughed, cruel and unrepentant. "And what if we have? Sweetheart, we didn't just wipe out everyone in this park—soon, we'll drag you into the trees and show you a real good time!"
Snow's brows knit sharply, her aura dropping into a killing cold. "Then those were your last words."
"Pfft! You're just a Fifth-Tier Knight. Brothers, let's take her down!"
The three launched into motion, splitting apart and rushing in from different angles. They were fast—blinding to most. But to Noah, they might as well have been moving underwater.
Snow's expression hardened, hatred flaring in her eyes. The air around her roared—
Shiiing!
Her blade flashed. She moved.
"Touch her and you die!"
A thunderous voice cut in from the side.
A black-clad figure shot forward like lightning, intercepting one of the attackers. Gold light erupted along his fist as he drove it into the man's head—
BANG!
Bone shattered. Blood sprayed.
"Third Brother!" Yellow-Hair and Fatty's faces blanched. They skidded back, retreating instantly.
This newcomer wasn't just strong—he was dangerous.
"Snow, you okay?" the man asked, turning to her with obvious concern.
He was tall—taller than Snow by a head—his cropped hair and earring catching the sunlight. Handsome in a rugged way.
"Jacob? You?" Snow blinked in surprise.
"Just passing by. Heard the fight and came to help. Didn't expect it to be you." Jacob's smile was warm, protective.
Noah's brows drew together. Oh, he knew Jacob. Or rather, his body's previous owner did.
Last year, Jacob had awakened an A-rank talent — Raging Thunder — and made local news. He was also the elder brother of Jacob's school rival, and had chased Snow since high school, showing up with expensive gifts despite being from another school.
The coincidence of his appearance now? Noah didn't buy it.
[Jacob: Level 160. Private, Sixth Tier. Third-fastest growth rate in the human race.]
…What? How did a mere A-rank talent surpass Snow's S-rank growth? Third fastest in the entire human race? That was absurd.
Snow's tone was dismissive. "I'm fine. You can go. These thugs aren't a threat to me."
Jacob only smiled, glancing at Noah. "So, this is the boyfriend you mentioned?"
Snow's cheeks flushed faintly.
"Yes," Noah said evenly, stepping forward. "I'm her boyfriend. Any problem with that?"
Jacob's smirk deepened. "Seems your strength isn't much, huh? Can't even protect your girl. Tell you what—let me deal with these two in the next two minutes."
Lightning surged around him as he launched toward Yellow-Hair and Fatty.
Tch. Noah's eyes narrowed.
You want to play hero?
Fine.
The Divine Domain unfolded around him—an invisible, glassy dome enveloping a hundred meters.
[Target locked: Jacob. All attributes -50%.]
The debuff settled over Jacob without him even realizing it, his confidence blinding him to the sudden weight dragging at his power.
And Noah… just watched.