Chapter 8: Clash of Sins
Village Outskirts – Near the Emerging Dungeon
BOOM!
The ground trembled. Fires raged through the edge of Virelia as the chaotic magic from the dungeon pulsed across the battlefield. Villagers fled while adventurers scrambled to maintain control.
Captain Elara vs Leon – The Prideful Clash
Captain Elara stood at the edge of the battlefield, the wind rustling her cloak, her blade glowing faintly with elemental energy.
Across from her, Leon stepped forward, pride oozing from every confident stride. His lance rested lazily on his shoulder as if he had all the time in the world.
> "It's been a while, Captain Elara," Leon sneered. "Still juggling your elements like a jester with a circus trick?"
Elara narrowed her eyes, her stance shifting as wind circled around her boots.
> "And you're still as arrogant as the last time you lost to me."
That made Leon pause for just a second—then he chuckled.
> "Oh? So you remember me now?"
"I thought you'd forgotten all about me," he grinned, cocking his head.
"That wound on your pride must've healed quite well."
Elara's blade flashed with fire, heat rippling off its edge.
> "I don't forget those who underestimate me."
With a burst of wind, she vanished, reappearing behind Leon in an instant. Their weapons clashed violently—sparks flew as fire met steel, wind roared with her momentum.
Leon twisted his lance, deflecting the blow, smiling wide.
> "Let's see if your magic's improved… or if you're still just dancing with colors."
The ground beneath them cracked from the shockwaves of their duel as Elara switched between lightning and water, testing his defenses with rapid elemental changes.
> "You'll regret coming here, Leon."
> "Darling, I never regret a good dance."
With a flash, Elara vanished in a gust of wind.
Leon parried the strike with his lance just in time, the air shrieking with pressure. Elara danced between elements—lightning sparking along her blade, then switching to water to extinguish the fires spreading nearby.
Their weapons clashed again and again, wind and fire spiraling around her while Leon's lance created shockwaves with each swing.
> "Still holding back, Elara?"
"No. Just saving the big tricks for when you stop smiling."
---
Ursa vs Kalea – The Envy Duel
Not far from the captain's duel, Ursa summoned a towering earth golem in the shape of a bear—her signature.
> "Division 10's vice captain…" Kalea whispered, eyes shimmering green, "...I always hated women like you."
Thorn whips lashed out, glowing with sickly green envy, slicing into Ursa's golem. Ursa leapt backward, molding the earth mid-air to create a new armored suit around herself—a bulky form of stone gauntlets and shoulder plates.
> "You envy strength? Then I'll show you how much you lack!"
Kalea hissed and launched a barrage of twisting vines and corrupted roots, trying to tear through Ursa's armor. Earth and poison collided, shaking the very ground.
---
Meth and Aloy vs Bob – Gluttony Unleashed
In another street, Bob the Glutton barreled through stalls, his massive gut bouncing with each heavy step. He held a dual cleaver—one for each hand—and his saliva dripped as he laughed.
> "Y'all look delicious!"
> "Gross!" Meth shouted, slamming her palms down. "Mud Wall!"
The street exploded into thick, heavy mud, trapping Bob's legs. But the giant grinned and ate the mud, burping loudly.
> "It's just... seasoning."
> "I'm gonna puke," Aloy muttered, forming sharp aluminum shards and launching them. The metal pierced Bob's shoulder, but he just ripped them out and chewed on them like candy.
> "Mmm. Crunchy!"
> "He's eating aluminum!?" Meth cried.
> "New plan—let's not let him touch us," Aloy said, eyes wide.
---
Background Chaos – Maria, Las, and Shaw
While Division 10 handled three of the Sins, Maria, with seductive flames dancing on her fingertips, Las throwing golden coins like explosive projectiles, and Shaw, silent but seething with destructive aura, faced off against a band of brave B-rank adventurers.
> "You're not my type," Maria said, blowing a kiss that ignited the ground in a heart-shaped explosion.
Las scoffed. "These peasants aren't even worth my gold."
Shaw didn't speak. He simply punched, and the very air cracked like thunder.
---
Back to Division 10
Captain Elara, breathing hard, switched from lightning to earth magic, slamming the ground and creating a spike that narrowly missed Leon.
> "You've improved," Leon admitted. "But you still haven't answered my question…"
He grinned.
> "Where's your pretty little recruit? That Synoh kid?"
Elara narrowed her eyes.
> "You'll wish you never asked."