The carcass of the Grotto Lizard Leader lay on the ground, its blood slowly seeping into the cracks in the stone. The torchlight flickered against the damp walls.
Lin Ye's breathing gradually steadied. In that split second earlier, he had released his power almost entirely by instinct. It felt completely different from before—the shadow responded to his emotions as if it were a living extension of himself.
Reg stood a short distance away, watching Lin Ye. His gaze had become profoundly deep.
"That strike just now," Reg spoke slowly. "It wasn't ordinary magic."
The air stilled for a heartbeat. Lin Ye didn't answer.
Su Li stood up at that moment. Though she had been slammed against the stone wall earlier, she had recovered some of her strength. "Let's get out of here first," she said. "There might be more monsters in the mine."
Reg nodded. "Let's move."
The three of them began walking toward the exit. No one spoke along the way; the atmosphere was heavy with silence. Lin Ye could feel Reg's eyes falling on him from time to time—a gaze filled with unmistakable suspicion.
When they reached the entrance of the mine, sunlight finally poured in, and the air turned fresh. Lin Ye took a deep breath. The suffocating pressure from inside the tunnels finally vanished.
Su Li asked softly from his side, "Can you still walk?"
Lin Ye nodded. "I'm fine."
Su Li glanced at him, seemingly confirming for herself if he was truly alright. Lin Ye suddenly felt a bit self-conscious. "You were the one hit harder back there."
Su Li shook her head gently. "It was just a bump." She paused, then added in a low voice, "But... thank you for back then."
Lin Ye was taken aback. "I just did what I had to."
Su Li looked at him, her eyes quiet and calm. "If it weren't for you, I might have been seriously injured."
Lin Ye didn't know how to respond, so he just scratched his head. "In that case, you'll have to treat me to some honey bread later."
Su Li couldn't help but smile. "Deal."
In that moment, her smile was exceptionally soft. Without realizing it, Lin Ye felt his own mood lighten significantly.
Just then, Reg came to a halt. He turned around, his gaze landing directly on Lin Ye.
"We need to talk."
Lin Ye's heart tightened. Su Li also frowned. "Reg." She clearly guessed what he was about to ask.
Reg ignored her. He looked at Lin Ye, his voice low. "Your power... where did it come from?"
Silence reclaimed the air. Lin Ye remained quiet for several seconds. He knew this day would come sooner or later. Reg was a Demon Hunter; their duty was to eliminate danger, and the power of a Forbidden Book was one of the most dangerous things in existence.
Su Li suddenly cut in, "Reg, now isn't the time for this."
Reg looked at her. "Then when?"
Su Li had no answer. Reg turned back to Lin Ye. "Do you know about the Seven Forbidden Books?"
Lin Ye's heart sank.
Reg continued, "After the Ancient War ended, the powers of the seven Abyssal Lords were sealed. Each Forbidden Book possesses the power to destroy an entire city." He paused. "I have seen a Forbidden Book holder before."
The air suddenly turned cold. Reg's voice was grim. "That city... nothing was left but ruins."
Lin Ye clenched his fists. "I'm not that kind of person."
Reg stared at him. "Everyone says that in the beginning."
Su Li knit her brows. "Enough."
Reg was silent for a while before finally withdrawing his gaze. "Perhaps," he said. "But I will be watching you."
Lin Ye said nothing more. The three continued their journey. In the distance, the walls of Iron Rock City were visible, appearing solid and steadfast under the sun. Lin Ye had a strange feeling—the city looked safe on the surface, but in reality, danger was already gathering in the shadows.
Just then, a black crow flew across the distant sky. It perched briefly on the city wall before taking flight again. No one noticed, but upon closer inspection, the crow's eyes were a dark, murky red.
In a dark tower far away, a figure cloaked in black slowly raised his head. He held a tattered book in his hands, its pages shimmering with black runes.
The cloaked man whispered, "The aura of the Abyss... it has finally appeared."