The Fallen's Guide - chapter 1

Tang Nian pushed open the heavy, ornate doors and was met with utter darkness.

Something was sleeping on the high platform deep within.

As she took her first step, the massive Sculptures hidden in the shadows began to crack one after another. The ground shook violently beneath her feet, as if some monster was about to burst forth.

The plaster shells on the Sculptures began to fall away.

A compassionate Saintess crowned with thorns, a Headless Knight clad in chilling silver armor, a Dragon with a menacing exoskeleton.

Pairs of empty, pupil-less eyes turned toward her, fixing their gaze on the uninvited guest who had entered the Temple.

The oppressive presence of these colossal figures made it hard for her to breathe.

Tang Nian continued forward.

Suddenly, the Knight Sculpture appeared before her, its sharp greatsword poised to strike her down.

But at that instant, time froze.

Clang…

The sound of Chains dragging across the floor echoed.

A moment later, a clear, gentle voice called out from the distant high platform.

“Is it you?”

Tang Nian looked over.

A faint moonlight streamed in through the floor-to-ceiling windows, illuminating the high platform shrouded in darkness.

A beautiful, slender humanoid creature slowly sat up.

Long silver hair spread beneath him, as clean as moonlight, cascading messily down the platform.

His waist and abdomen were slim and tight, his muscles exquisitely defined, like a handsome Greek statue torn from an oil painting and brought to life.

From his back extended pure, holy white Wings.

“Is it you?”

He propped himself up, silver hair flowing like water over his shoulders, and asked again, “Andrea?”

This was a being that could never exist in the real world.

“Loading…

Generating character…

Game character coming online…”

Across the great distance, the humanoid Angel reached out to her.

“Come to me.”

Like a God bestowing grace upon a Believer.

“Ding-”

“Congratulations, Player, loading complete. Please begin the game.”

The prompt in her mind finally ceased.

This was a Temple.

On the high platform, chained, was a creature that existed only in fantasy.

A Six-Winged Angel on the verge of falling into darkness.

–

Angels are religious beings, first recorded in the Bible, agents of God, masterpieces of the fifth day of creation.

Cold Chains, snow-white Wings, all manner of strange and beautiful elements imprinted themselves on Tang Nian’s eyes.

God’s creation appeared before her, breathtakingly magnificent.

He was so perfect.

He slowly lowered his head, his brows and eyes tinged with a damp red, fragile yet beautiful. His pupils were like lakes without reflection. He released his bitten lower lip and softly enticed his Believer, “Could you come a little closer? Come to me.”

The holy Angel, in a gesture of condescension, was luring the harmless, lamb-like human forward.

Why would a member of the divine race tempt a human?

Tang Nian climbed up the vines to stand before the suffering Angel.

The Angel was gravely wounded.

Chains pierced his collarbone, Steel Nails pinned his broken Wings, the other end of the Chains fastened to a massive stone pillar. Looking further up, there was an Idol shrouded in darkness.

According to the background information provided by the game, he was guilty and was being subjected to Divine Punishment.

This was also the Mission Tang Nian was currently undertaking.

The Angel’s hollow eyes carefully traced her outline, even his eyelashes were pure silver-white, without a trace of impurity.

What a pity, such beautiful eyes, yet they could not see.

“It’s been a long time since you last came.”

The Angel lowered his lashes, his voice soft, “I’ve been waiting for you, Andrea.”

Like an elegant predator reproaching its tardy prey.

Tang Nian thought, not long at all.

She had logged off for nine hours, slept, and it felt like the blink of an eye.
“I’ll come earlier next time.” Tang Nian made a promise she had no intention of keeping.

Feathers affectionately brushed against her ankle, slowly moving upward. The Angel reached out, pulling the soft human body into his embrace.

On that flawless, holy face appeared a trace of indulgence and satisfaction, utterly at odds with his identity.

Tang Nian reached out to touch the wounded Wings.

Steel Nails pierced through slender bones, pinning him firmly to the Altar.

“Does it hurt?” she asked, feigning concern.

“It does.”

He trembled, because of her gentle touch.

“So you need to soothe it.”

His cold face pressed against her neck and shoulder, eyes gently closed.

He nestled against her with the intimacy of a lover, his broad Wings spreading out, enveloping her as if encircling a cherished gift.

The Angel breathed softly against her neck, inhaling her scent like a human nuzzling a cat.

“Ding-”

“Mission prompt: Please soothe the Angel.”

“Please bear with it,” Tang Nian said softly. “I’ll help you remove the nails now.”

God’s Divine Punishment prevented the Angel from touching these terrifying Steel Nails, but the innocent human could.

There were seven nails in total, corresponding to the Seven Deadly Sins.

Tang Nian had already removed five; this was the sixth.

He must be in great pain.

Broken bones protruded through Feathers, the Wings stained with mottled blood, their tips already tinged with black-the beginning of his fall.

The Angel let out a faint, uncontrollable moan.

He held Tang Nian tighter, as if wanting to crush her into his arms, his lips pressed gently to her warm neck, trembling uncontrollably.

His body was bound by Chains, unable to move. The Steel Nails drew streaks of blood, flowing along the Feathers-a shocking sight.

Tang Nian lifted her hand to brush aside his damp hair from his forehead. “Can you still bear it?”

“Mm.”

He answered in a weary, soft breath, his cheek pressed to her palm, damp lashes brushing against her skin, the ticklish sensation seeping into her blood.

Clearly a cold and indifferent race, yet his actions and words carried unconscious intimacy.

It must be an illusion. How could a noble, ascetic Angel be so close to a human?

“Ding-”

“Please lower the Angel’s psychological defenses. After removing Divine Punishment, the Player must continue to stroke his Wings.”

“Prompt: Wings are the sensitive point of the Winged Race.”

The prompts sounded one after another.

Finally, Tang Nian pulled out the nail from his bone Wings. Following the prompt, she stroked his back, soothing him in a gentle voice, “It’s done. Does it still hurt?”

The Angel trembled, breathing silently, leaning against her as if unable to endure.

“It hurts.”

Tang Nian stared at his lips, damp and crimson.

The seduction of the divine was not subtle.

So she leaned in obediently, kissing his trembling, wet lashes-softly, again and again.

She whispered by his flushed ear, “You are beautiful.”

The humanoid creature lying on her lap stiffened slowly.

His silver eyes, like a dark sea, surged with astonishing fervor.

“Mission target’s emotions are fluctuating greatly.”

“Please soothe him promptly.”

Tang Nian smoothed the chaotic marks on his Feathers, her fingers gliding lightly over the sensitive wing bones of the Angel.

Tracing the bones, feeling his tremors.

This closeness was the result of all her past days, risking her life again and again.

She was a reckless Believer, making the Deputy of the Celestial God tremble.

Tang Nian reached out and grasped his moonlit, lustrous hair.

The Angel arched his neck, nearly reclining on her lap, his long legs slightly curled, ankles slender and strangely alluring.

Like a canvas, like untouched snow.”