They left before sunrise. No noise. No goodbyes. Just a quiet step out into the cold morning air of Oros City. Ren didn't look back at the door. If he did, he might hesitate. And hesitation would get him killed.
"Still think this is a good idea?" Lira asked as they moved through the empty streets.
"No," Ren replied.
"…Good. At least you're honest."
"But I'm still doing it."
Lira sighed. "Of course you are."
The city was different at this hour. Quieter. Slower. But not asleep. Oros never truly slept. Guards still patrolled. Shadows still watched. Ren kept his hood low.
"We avoid the main gate," he said.
Lira nodded. "Too many eyes."
They took the longer path—through broken alleys, across narrow walkways, past crumbling walls that marked the edge of the lower district. Eventually, the city thinned. Stone turned to dirt. Buildings to scattered huts. Then—nothing. Open land stretched ahead, dry and uneven, with patches of dead grass and scattered rock formations.
"…Feels worse out here," Lira muttered.
Ren nodded slightly. Because it was. No guards. No order. No protection. Only strength mattered out here.
They walked in silence for a while. Ren's hand occasionally twitched, faint traces of mana flickering and fading. Still unstable. Still dangerous. But better than before.
"You're doing it again," Lira said.
"…What?"
"That thing with your hand."
He glanced down. A faint glow flickered—then vanished.
"…I'm trying to control it."
"And?"
"…It's not trying to kill me immediately."
"Progress," she said dryly.
Ren smirked faintly. Then his expression shifted.
"…We're not alone."
Lira's posture stiffened. "Where?"
"Left. Far."
She didn't turn. Didn't react.
"…Following?"
"Yeah."
A pause.
"…Bandits?"
Ren shook his head slightly.
"…No."
Because the presence didn't feel sloppy. It felt careful. Measured. Watching. The same feeling from the city.
"…Union?" Lira whispered.
"…Maybe."
They kept walking. Didn't run. Didn't panic. Because that would confirm it. Minutes passed. The presence stayed. Distant. Patient.
"…They're not attacking," Lira said.
"Not yet."
"Why?"
Ren's eyes narrowed slightly.
"…Because they're waiting."
"For what?"
He didn't answer immediately.
"…For me to lead them somewhere."
Silence.
"…Black Hollow," Lira said.
"Yeah."
A trap. Not just for them—but for whatever waited there. Ren exhaled slowly.
"…Good."
Lira blinked. "Good?!"
"If they want to follow," he said quietly, "then let them."
She stared at him. "…You're starting to think like a dangerous person."
"…Took me long enough."
The land began to change as they moved farther out. The ground dipped slightly. The air grew colder. Heavier. Even the wind felt wrong.
"…Do you feel that?" Lira asked.
Ren nodded. "…Yeah."
Like something ahead was pulling at the world itself. Not strong. But constant. They reached a ridge. And beyond it—they saw it. Black Hollow. A massive depression in the earth, like the land had collapsed inward. Jagged rock formations surrounded it. At the center—darkness. Not shadow. Not lack of light. Something deeper.
"…That's it?" Lira whispered.
"…Yeah."
Even from a distance—it felt wrong. Like the Ashen Tombs. But worse. Older. Hungrier. Ren's chest tightened slightly as his core pulsed in response. Not pain. Recognition.
"…I don't like this," Lira said.
Ren stepped forward.
"…We're not here to like it."
Behind them—a faint movement. Still watching. Still waiting. Ren didn't turn. Didn't acknowledge it.
"…Stay close," he said.
Lira nodded. "…Don't do anything stupid."
"…No promises."
He took another step. Closer to the edge. Closer to the darkness. Closer to whatever waited below. His grip tightened on the scroll. His eyes sharpened. His fear—still there. But controlled. Because this time—he wasn't just falling into danger. He was walking into it. On purpose. And somewhere in the shadows behind them—someone smiled. The hunt had only just begun.