A deadly silence hung over the forest clearing.
The Abyssal Demonic Wolf lay not far away, the wound on its chest bleeding slowly. That brief outburst of power had left it severely injured; with a low growl, it dragged its broken body back into the depths of the cave. The surrounding pack of shadow wolves followed suit, dispersing into the gloom.
The battle was finally over. However, the atmosphere was now even more tense than during the fight.
Reg stood rooted to the spot, his gaze fixed piercingly on Lin Ye. That look was no longer one of suspicion—it was confirmation.
"Forbidden Book," he repeated in a low voice.
Lin Ye's heart sank. He knew there was no longer any way to hide the truth. Su Li stood between the two men, her expression turning solemn.
Reg began to walk closer, his footsteps steady and heavy, each one sounding like a hammer striking the earth.
"I have seen this power before," he said. "Ten years ago, in the Northern Territories."
Lin Ye remained silent.
Reg continued, "Back then, a man obtained a Forbidden Book. He slaughtered the inhabitants of an entire city."
The air suddenly turned frigid. Su Li's eyes flickered with a hint of worry, while Lin Ye knit his brows in defiance.
"I am not that kind of person."
Reg looked at him coldly. "Everyone says that in the beginning."
The words were as sharp as a blade. Lin Ye fell silent.
Suddenly, Su Li spoke up: "He hasn't lost control yet."
Reg turned his gaze to her. "Keyword: yet."
Su Li frowned. "Reg, you know that Forbidden Books don't always lead to the same ending."
Reg didn't answer. His gaze fell back onto Lin Ye. After a long moment, he spoke slowly: "You must come with me."
Lin Ye was taken aback. "Where to?"
Reg's answer was blunt: "The Demon Hunter Fortress."
Silence returned to the clearing. A strong sense of unease surged within Lin Ye. "And if I refuse?"
Reg looked at him levelly. "Then I will have no choice but to handle you as a threat."
Su Li's expression instantly turned cold. "You would kill him?"
Reg said nothing, but his silence spoke volumes. Lin Ye let out a bitter laugh. "It seems I don't have a choice."
Su Li suddenly stepped in front of him. "You do."
Reg's eyes sharpened. "Su Li."
She said calmly, "The research of Forbidden Books has always been the responsibility of the Academy, not the Demon Hunters."
Reg frowned. "He isn't a research subject."
Su Li retorted, "But he isn't a criminal either."
A brief silence followed as Reg appeared to weigh his options. After a while, he said slowly, "If he continues to stay in this village, the monsters will only increase in number."
Lin Ye felt a jolt in his heart. Those words hit the mark perfectly. Even Su Li fell silent.
Reg continued, "The abyssal aura will attract monsters. Sooner or later, this forest will become a disaster zone."
Lin Ye slowly clenched his fists. He suddenly realized a terrifying truth: if he stayed in Blackstone Village, the village might truly be destroyed. The villagers, the hunters... even Zhao Hu... they would all die.
Lin Ye looked up. "What if I leave?"
Reg answered, "The monsters will follow you. But the village will be safe."
The air grew still. Lin Ye was silent for a long time. Finally, he spoke softly: "Fine."
Su Li looked at him. "Lin Ye..."
Lin Ye shook his head. "He's right. I can't stay here."
Reg said nothing, but the hardness in his eyes softened ever so slightly.
Just then, a low growl echoed from the depths of the forest. All three turned their heads simultaneously. In the distant darkness, several pairs of glowing green eyes were visible. New monsters were approaching.
Reg whispered, "It seems we're out of time."
Lin Ye nodded. "Let's head back to the village."
At dusk, the three of them returned to Blackstone Village. The hunters at the village entrance saw them and immediately swarmed around.
Zhao Hu was the first to ask, "How did it go?"
Reg replied flatly, "The nest has been cleared."
The hunters let out a collective sigh of relief. But Reg added, "However, there is another matter."
He looked toward Lin Ye. The villagers' expressions slowly shifted to confusion. Lin Ye took a deep breath and spoke.
"I'm leaving the village."
Zhao Hu froze. "What?"
Lin Ye managed a small smile. "I want to go out and see the world."
Zhao Hu frowned. "Weren't you the one most afraid of the forest?"
Lin Ye didn't answer. Su Li stood by his side, watching him quietly. She knew that this wasn't a simple departure. It was the beginning of destiny.
Night slowly descended. The distant forest turned pitch black once more. And under the moonlight, Lin Ye's shadow flickered slightly—like a slumbering monster, waiting to awaken.
The true journey of Volume One was about to begin.