The night in the warehouse district finally fell silent. A cool breeze swept through the shattered streets, carrying a slight chill. The scars left by the battle were still vivid—fissures webbed across the ground, debris and wooden planks were strewn everywhere, and several ruined warehouses continued to emit faint trails of smoke.
The sky gradually brightened. The dark clouds slowly dispersed, and a weak sliver of morning light appeared on the distant horizon.
Lin Ye stood in the center of the ruins. His shadow had returned to a state of calm, resting quietly against the ground like that of any ordinary person. Had it not been for the devastated environment around them, it would be hard to believe that a terrifying battle had just taken place.
Su Li walked slowly to his side, her footsteps light. "Is it over?" she asked softly.
Lin Ye looked at the distant ruins. "It should be," he replied, his voice thick with exhaustion. That final strike had drained nearly all of his strength. Although the shadow was quiet now, he could feel that profound darkness still slumbering deep within his body.
Su Li didn't say anything more. She simply stood beside him in silence, as if confirming that he was truly unharmed.
In the distance, Reg was inspecting the battlefield with several other Demon Hunters. The ashes left behind by Versailles had already been scattered by the wind, and the runic array was losing its last flickers of light. Reg stared at the fractured symbols, his brow furrowed.
"The Shadow Council..." he muttered. "They won't let things end this easily."
A Demon Hunter approached him. "Captain, the summoning array is completely defunct."
Reg nodded. "Clear the scene. Finish before the sun is fully up."
The hunters began their work—moving rubble, checking surrounding structures, and maintaining a perimeter. Though the fighting had ceased, no one dared to relax completely.
Reg then walked toward Lin Ye. His steps were steady, and his silver sword was still gripped in his hand. When he reached Lin Ye, he stopped. The two of them locked eyes for a long moment.
"That strike just now," Reg finally spoke. "It was dangerous."
Lin Ye nodded. "I know."
Reg remained silent for a heartbeat. "I've seen Forbidden Book holders before," he said. "Most of them are eventually consumed by the power."
The air grew quiet. Su Li suddenly looked at Reg. "Lin Ye won't be." Her tone was unwavering.
Reg glanced at her, then back at Lin Ye. After a while, he let out a soft sigh. "Perhaps," he said. "But remember one thing." Reg's voice turned solemn. "The stronger the power, the heavier the price."
Lin Ye nodded. "I'll remember."
The sky was getting brighter by the minute. The distant city walls became clearer in the morning light. Iron Rock City was beginning to wake up; the first bell of the morning echoed through the streets.
Su Li suddenly spoke. "We should head back."
Reg nodded. "There is much to be handled in the city."
The three of them left the warehouse district. The streets were still quiet, as most residents had not yet awoken. Only patrol guards moved through the lanes. By the time they entered the Demon Hunter Guild, the sun was fully up.
The hall was brightly lit. Irene stood behind the counter, clearly having stayed up all night. Seeing the three return, she let out a visible sigh of relief. "You're finally back." She took in the dust and wounds covering them. "What on earth happened last night?"
Reg briefly explained the situation. Irene fell silent for a long time after hearing his report. "An executor of the Shadow Council..." she whispered. "This is no small matter."
Lin Ye stood to the side, not interjecting, just listening quietly. Irene turned her gaze toward him, her expression complicated. "The whole city is buzzing about the 'dark explosion' last night," she said. "Many people saw that shadow."
Lin Ye gave a bitter smile. "That wasn't what I wanted."
Irene sighed softly. "Perhaps. But sometimes, power chooses its own master."
For a moment, silence filled the hall. Su Li turned to look out the window. Sunlight was slowly flooding the hall, and more people were appearing on the streets. The city was returning to its mundane routine, as if nothing had happened.
But they all knew that last night had changed everything.
Reg suddenly spoke. "Lin Ye."
Lin Ye looked up. "Yes?"
Reg stared at him. "What do you plan to do next?"
The question caught Lin Ye off guard. He hadn't truly thought about it. Stay? Continue as a Demon Hunter? Or leave this city?
Lin Ye walked to the window. Sunlight bathed the streets. People were beginning their busy day—vendors pushed their carts, and children ran along the sidewalks. It was all so ordinary, but it was exactly this ordinariness that one felt compelled to protect.
Lin Ye was silent for a long time. Then he spoke softly. "I want to see the rest of the world."
Reg wasn't surprised. He simply nodded. "Perhaps that is the best choice."
Su Li stood nearby. She didn't speak, but her eyes brightened ever so slightly.
The sky outside was crystal clear. A breeze blew in from the direction of the city gates, carrying the scent of far-off places. A new journey, it seemed, was already waiting.