**********
A faint, humorless chuckle followed his words, though there was no amusement behind it.
Only resignation.
Even so, he held her gaze.
He refused to look away.
After hearing those words, Scarlette understood immediately.
There was no need for further explanation.
She knew exactly what he was referring to.
Those people—the ones who controlled them—had used something unforgivable.
A forbidden secret art.
A technique that should have never existed in this world to begin with.
'…So, they managed to bring it back.'
Her thoughts hardened.
Cold.
Sharp.
'Or rather…'
A brief pause lingered in her mind.
'That bastard didn't just recreate it… he improved it—pushed it further to the point where its effects are nearly impossible to counter.'
There was no hesitation in her conclusion.
Whoever stood behind this had gone beyond conventional limits.
And yet—
