David sprinted deeper into the corridor the moment he sensed the violent eruption of energy coming from one of his subordinate shadows within his own chamber. He didn't bother with the servants or workers he brushed past.

"That damned girl!" he muttered under his breath, panic lacing his voice.

Sweat dripped heavily down his temples, his breathing ragged and shallow. His hurried steps struck against the marble floor, each rapid thud-thud-thud echoing like drumbeats that only heightened the urgency clawing at him. His shoulders were raised high with tension, eyes darting left and right, restless, as though he was trying to reassure himself that the situation was still—somehow—under control.

Not long after, he reached the final bend of the hallway, the last corner before the entrance to his own chamber. He cautiously leaned his body against the wall, tilting his head just enough to peek around it.

There—Dedy stood, positioned firmly before a shimmering barrier.

The corridor was fairly bright despite only being lit by the faint glow of wall crystals. Those crystals trembled ever so slightly, disturbed by the impact of energy raging from within the chamber. The very air grew heavy, pressing invisibly against the walls, as if a great weight was being forced down upon the entire place.

David swallowed hard, his back pressed tightly to the wall, his body stiff as a rod. His narrowed eyes strained, as though trying to pierce through the threat that awaited at the end of that passage.

He watched carefully, his nerves fraying. His gaze swept back and forth, desperate to confirm that things were still manageable.

Seconds later, a figure emerged—one of his subordinates, the same one he had once sent to spy on Al. The figure slipped forth from a distorted shadow.

Shhhkkk!

A low hiss accompanied the distortion of darkness as a man in a black suit stepped out, his expression taut with tension.

He moved almost soundlessly, the only trace of his presence being the faint flutter of his cloak, drifting like mist. He lowered his gaze briefly, then looked at David with anxious eyes.

"Young Master David," he spoke, bowing his head slightly.

"Sappe, what's the situation?" David demanded.

"For now, only Dedy is present here. Several bodyguards are already closing in, and Uncle Acok will not be far behind. Inside…" Sappe hesitated, then continued, "Inside, it's Kareeza's rampage. Some of the troops are trying to contain her, but her state is unstable. I believe she is aiming for the woman who slapped you earlier."

"Damn it. This is bad," David hissed. "Can you draw Dedy away from there?"

"I'm not certain, Young Master. It's very likely I'll be killed. But if it were Aliena or Sonu, then perhaps they could manage."

"And where are they?" David pressed.

"Young Master… They are with Master Hosan, working together to restrain Kareeza," Sappe replied.

"Ah… I forgot. Only those three are capable of handling Kareeza." David smacked his own forehead, his panic spiraling further out of control.

His jaw tightened, lips trembling uncontrollably, his eyes going momentarily blank before snapping back into frantic focus. The chaos of his mind was causing him to forget even the most obvious details. "We need to move before Uncle Acok gets here. If not, my position in this place will be jeopardized."

"Then what do you want me to do, Young Master?" Sappe asked.

David reached into the pocket of his trousers and drew out a tiny glass vial, no larger than his little finger. The pale surface of the glass shimmered faintly, containing a black liquid that rippled as though alive. When the cork was pulled free, it gave a faint, sinister plup.

David's hand trembled slightly as he handed it over. His unblinking eyes fixed on the liquid, as though he himself was afraid of what he was offering.

"Drink this and distract Dedy. It will amplify your strength. At the very least, you'll be able to escape without being caught, without even needing to fight seriously. With you as the bait, Dedy will chase after you, and the rest will follow. That will clear this place." David's voice carried both urgency and command.

"But Young Master, this is—" Sappe faltered, his throat tight.

"Hurry and drink it! We don't have time!" David snapped, his tone cracking with raw desperation. His voice shook the air around them, pressing down with its sheer force. "I'll take you to Father after this is over."

Sappe's expression twisted with unease, panic flickering in his eyes. He knew all too well that this so-called medicine carried dangerous side effects. Yet, in the end, despite his reluctance, he drank it and prepared to fulfill his role.

The black liquid burned its way down his throat, and within moments his body staggered violently as though something inside him was tearing apart. His hand clawed at his chest, fingers gripping his clothes so tightly they nearly tore. His body bent forward, then arched backward sharply, as though invisible waves were battering him from every direction.

It only took a few seconds before his body reacted. A massive surge of power erupted, seemingly from nowhere. Black energy enveloped his figure, filling the corridor with a suffocating vibration. The scent of ozone mixed with the sharp tang of iron, thick and heavy in the air, intensifying the dread.

Sappe's hair whipped about wildly, his pupils darkening into pitch black, and his lips curved into a smile that no longer felt like his own.

Grinning, he launched himself straight at Dedy, who was still focused on tearing down the barrier.

DUUMMM!!

A thunderous boom rang out as the strike, brimming with unnatural energy, blasted Dedy away before he could react.

Dust exploded into the air, the marble floor cracked into spiderweb patterns, and the sound reverberated through the corridor like an echoing explosion.

Dedy's body slammed into the ground shoulder-first, his frame jolting harshly. He quickly scrambled back to his feet, brushing debris from his face, his eyes sharp and wary.

When his gaze locked on the shadowy figure surrounded by an oppressive black energy, his eyes widened. Without hesitation, he reached a conclusion—it was this figure that had unleashed the dreadful energy earlier that morning.

"Who the hell are you?!" Dedy shouted.

Sappe did not answer. He merely flicked his cloak, unleashing a surge of black wind that rushed toward Dedy.

Whoosshhh!

The blast of wind, tinged with the hiss of dark energy, slammed against the walls, rattling the stones of the corridor.

Dedy lowered his stance, raising both arms in defense. The muscles in his arms bulged, straining as he absorbed the impact. He managed to hold his ground and prepared to counterattack.

But Sappe was already gone, his body darting back and streaking away through the corridor. The dark blur left behind nothing but trails of thick haze.

He glanced back only once, a faint smile tugging at his lips, before vanishing in full flight.

Dedy immediately pursued, giving chase. Just as David had planned.

Seeing Dedy leave, David rushed into his chamber.

His footsteps hammered the marble floor, his shadow stretching along the dim walls of the corridor. His breathing was heavy, but his eyes carried determination.

With a casual flick of his hand, the barrier guarding his chamber shattered. A pale black glow quivered briefly before collapsing like shards of glass dissolving into nothingness.

He slipped inside, shoulders hunched low, vanishing into the darkness beyond, leaving only ripples of lingering energy in the now-empty hallway.

---

Meanwhile, Sappe, who was being chased relentlessly by Dedy, deliberately steered his movements toward the direction where the incoming bodyguards were gathering—and right into the path where Uncle Acok and Edward had just appeared.

His body shot forward like a dark arrow, his black cloak whipping violently behind him. Every time he turned a corner, he left behind rippling trails of shadowy mist that clung to the walls of the corridor like stains of darkness.

From a distance, Uncle Acok caught sight of Sappe gliding through the air. Without hesitation, he crouched low and launched himself upward, trying to intercept the shadow operative.

The muscles in his legs coiled with explosive power, the marble floor cracking under his weight. Then— BOOM! —his lean but hardened body burst through the air like a spear hurled by a giant.

But—

BRUKKK!

DUUGHH!

The clash was brutal. Uncle Acok's body was flung sideways as if struck by an iron hammer. He smashed against the wall, stone and plaster exploding outward, leaving behind a massive crater on the surface. Dust clouded the corridor, filling the air with grit and the sharp scent of shattered stone.

Sappe blinked in surprise. For a brief second he was genuinely shocked at the raw power that coursed through him now. The surge granted by the black potion was far greater than he had expected. Of course, he understood the price for this borrowed strength would be steep later, perhaps fatally so. But at least for now, it gave him exactly what he needed—to draw Uncle Acok and Dedy away from David's chamber.

"Uncle Acok!" Edward's worried voice rang out as he hurried to his side. "Are you alright?"

Edward bent down quickly, his pale hands grasping at his uncle's arm awkwardly, his face drained of color and tight with anxiety.

"I'm fine, Master Edward. We must catch that creature immediately," Uncle Acok grunted as he rose to his feet. He brushed dust from his shoulder with a firm slap and then smacked his thigh twice, as if to shake off the lingering sting of the impact.

"What… what even was that thing?" Edward asked in confusion. He had only caught a fleeting blur and, with the eyes of an ordinary human, there was no way for him to track the shadow's blindingly fast movements.

"I don't know," Uncle Acok admitted, his tone grave. "But it would be best if you stay here. It's too dangerous for you to get involved. That thing is strong. Far too strong."

Edward gave a small nod just as Dedy arrived, panting heavily, his chest heaving with every breath. Sweat streamed down his face, and his hands still trembled faintly from the backlash of his earlier clash.

Uncle Acok and Dedy exchanged a single sharp glance. Without words, they both understood.

In an instant, both of them leapt forward, bodies propelled by surging energy, while several groups of bodyguards followed close behind. A few others remained behind, forming a protective circle around Edward.

Acok and Dedy's figures shot down the corridor, their movements leaving behind faint luminous trails in the air. The pounding footsteps of the bodyguards followed, heavy and rhythmic, echoing through the long passageway like a war drum.

Yet, even as he chased, Uncle Acok's brow furrowed slightly. Something was off. The energy he had sensed earlier felt slightly different from the force he had just clashed with. Still, the fact that Sappe was radiating such massive black energy, combined with his abnormal strength, was evidence enough to conclude: he was the culprit.

---

Sappe's speed was blistering. His shadowy form darted with frightening agility, streaking through the air like a black specter.

But Uncle Acok was not far behind, his own movements steady, his body surrounded by a vibrating aura of energy that kept him balanced midair.

Dedy, though slightly trailing, continued to press on. His breathing was heavy, sweat dripping down his temples, but the determination in his eyes never wavered.

Behind them, more bodyguards struggled to keep pace.

Sappe felt confident with the distance he had created. Even though he was forced to circle wide around the estate—having to trick and distract uncle Acok and the others earlier—he had managed to lure them toward the western wing.

The estate itself was enormous, sprawling like a fortress. Even crossing from the eastern wing to the western side consumed precious time. Their rapid footsteps cracked the marble floors beneath them, and every burst of movement stirred up violent gusts that spiraled into small whirlwinds in their wake.

Uncle Acok narrowed his eyes. He could see the shadow trying to escape further west.

Drawing in his breath, he gathered energy into his hand. A mixture of Entra and Vita surged through his veins, the skin of his arm glowing as blue veins bulged visibly. His palm trembled under the sheer pressure of power, and a circle of silver and navy light began to manifest around it.

"I won't let you get away!" Uncle Acok roared.

Advance Martial Skill: Roaring Arok Palm!

SWOOOSHHHH!

The technique unleashed a concentrated blast of energy, compressing the air until it shattered outward. A colossal palm of shimmering silver-blue energy surged forward, tearing through the atmosphere with a sound like thunder splitting the heavens.

The shockwave rattled every glass window in the estate, sending a tremor through the entire wing.

The massive palm hurtled toward Sappe, its crushing aura pressing down like a tidal wave.

The force made Sappe's body jolt midair, pushing him back slightly. But instead of fear, a sharp gleam flashed in his darkened eyes.

Skill: Shadow Slash!

SHRRKKK!

With a casual wave of his hand, Sappe cut through the massive energy palm. A blade of thin, black wind materialized, sharper than steel, tearing across the sky. The movement was elegant yet deadly, graceful yet filled with venom.

The silver-blue palm split apart, bursting violently against the walls. An explosion ripped through the western wing, sending debris, wooden beams, and shattered bricks raining down. Flames began licking the edges of the ruined wall, filling the corridor with firelight.

But Sappe's attack didn't stop there. His dark blade of wind continued flying forward, aimed directly at Uncle Acok.

Acok's sharp eyes caught the incoming slash. He could dodge easily. But when his gaze flicked to the servants and guards nearby, he made his choice instantly. His jaw locked, his muscles tensed, and his body blurred forward like lightning.

SHHRRKK!

The black slash collided with a shimmering shield of transparent blue that materialized before uncle Acok. The shield looked like a giant pane of glowing glass, cracking under the force of the blow. The impact hurled him backward, his body sliding across the floor—only barely saved when Dedy rushed in and caught him.

Uncle Acok coughed, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth. His body shook, his breath ragged. The price of holding back that strike weighed on him.

Sappe laughed.

"Ha… hahaha!" His voice rang out like a mockery. "I never imagined this borrowed power could make such a low-level skill so devastatingly strong. Hahaha!"

His laughter carried across the ruined corridor, twisted and loud, unsettling every servant and bodyguard who heard it. Some of the maids took fearful steps back, their faces pale. His voice echoed like the jeering of a devil.

Sappe's confidence surged. He now entertained the idea of completely crushing both Uncle Acok and Dedy right here and now. Perhaps it would be fitting retribution, a cruel compensation for being forced into this task by David.

But before he could act—

WOOOSHHHH!

"AAAHHHHHHH!"

A scream tore out behind him.

Sappe's head snapped around just in time to see a construction worker—one of the project laborers—hurtling through the air toward him at terrifying speed. He didn't even have time to dodge.

DUUGHHHH!

The body slammed into him with brutal force. The impact sent Sappe crashing into the inner wall of the estate.

The wall split like shattered glass, cracks spiderwebbing outward. Chunks of stone collapsed, and Sappe's body was half-embedded into the ruined surface before dropping heavily to the floor.

The violent impact stirred up a storm of dust, billowing thick smoke into the air. Within the haze, Sappe's dark silhouette staggered unsteadily, his body twitching, his fate uncertain.

From the side of the ruined wing, Al stood calmly with his arms crossed over his chest. A faint, almost mocking smile curved his lips, while his cold eyes regarded the scene as though watching a pitiful insect flailing.

"You make far too much noise," he murmured, his tone cutting and disdainful, "for someone relying only on borrowed power."

And with that, his figure blurred—and vanished.

---

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