In a luxurious yet hollow elite residential area stood the Arkana family residence. Tall walls towered above, hidden cameras watched every corner, and uniformed guards patrolled with trained steps. But all that security wasn’t meant to guard against outside threats. On the contrary—it was to ensure that someone inside couldn’t escape.Lauren Arkana.The only child of Rian Arkana, a real estate tycoon widely known as a successful business figure. However, not many knew that Rian’s wealth didn’t stem solely from his business acumen. Behind the scenes, he was a supporting member of the Wind Eye Sect, a shadowy organization that supplied elites with fighters and assassins in exchange for power. Not only that, Rian was also the nephew of the Chairman of the Heavenly Alliance—the most feared martial coalition in the entire nation of Epora.But today, all that power meant nothing to Lauren.She sat on the window ledge of her third-floor bedroom. There were no bars, no locks, but her freedom

The classical-style living room of the Arkana residence felt calm that night, broken only by the pattering sound of rain outside.Rian Arkana sat relaxed in a leather-upholstered chair, a cup of green tea in his left hand. Across from him sat an old man in a gray robe with golden threads around the collar—Elder Juan, one of the most trusted elders of the Wind Eye Sect, renowned as the best spiritual tracker and seer.Just as he was about to lift his teacup, Juan’s brow twitched suddenly.“There is someone… retreating using inner energy.”Juan’s voice was calm, yet clearly carried a warning.Rian Arkana quickly set his teacup down. “What do you mean, Elder? Has someone actually dared to infiltrate my home?”Juan nodded slowly, his eyes narrowing. “Their energy is faint, as if masked. But I sensed the signature of an energy redirection technique. Someone very well trained. I must pursue them before the trace disappears,” he said.With a swift motion, Juan stood. His hand performed an in

Light rain swept across the windshield as Hansen turned the steering wheel toward his apartment in the city center. The wipers moved slowly, wiping away the lingering night. The city lights were dim, the roads wet, and his mind was no less gloomy than the scene around him.He activated the hands-free and called Elara. The dial tone rang twice before connecting.“Hansen?”“Yeah. Any news on Kira?”There was a pause on the other end, then Elara answered in a frustrated tone.“Nothing yet. The information seems locked from the inside. I’ve tried every route—even the insiders I could usually pressure are staying silent. It’s like someone higher up is forcing them to shut up.”“That means Kira wasn’t just transferred. She’s being hidden.” Hansen sighed, gripping the steering wheel. His voice was heavy. “Keep looking, Elara. I’m counting on you.”“I’m tracking it too. But be careful, Han. If it’s the ‘Central’ that’s moving… we’re dealing with something much deeper.”The call ended. Hansen

Morning crept in, chasing away the lingering dew clinging to the apartment window. The first rays of sunlight pierced through the curtains, casting warm streaks across the wooden floor.Alyssa slowly opened her eyes. The room remained quiet, but the bed beside her was empty. She looked to both sides—Hansen was nowhere in sight. With a sigh, she sat up and brushed aside her messy, long hair.A strange but refreshing aroma drifted in through the slightly open door—a scent that mixed wild mushrooms, forest herbs, and a faint trace of… metal?Curious, she walked out while letting out a small yawn, wrapping her arms around herself. Her steps led her to the kitchen, where she found Hansen standing by the stove, wearing a plain apron and stirring something on the burner.“What are you cooking?” Alyssa asked in a half-groggy, half-intrigued voice. “Is that… a mushroom? It looks weird. Isn’t it poisonous?”Hansen glanced over his shoulder and gave a slight smile. “It is poisonous.”Alyssa’s br

The green liquid inside Kira’s capsule rippled gently. Her eyelids fluttered—a sign that her soul was beginning to react to the chaos erupting around her.But her body remained still.The antidote Hansen had crafted—capable of neutralizing spiritual poison and reviving Kira’s consciousness—was still tucked inside his coat pocket. He hadn’t had the chance to give it to her yet. And now, he stood surrounded by armed assassins, any one of whom could shoot him at any moment.Then came the explosion of energy.Spiritual chains burst from Hansen’s body with a roar that echoed like a primordial beast. This wasn’t raw power alone—this was pure, unfiltered fury. The rage of a man who had lost too much for too long and wouldn’t let anyone take away what little he had left.“You think you can touch her? You think this world owns her soul?!” Hansen’s voice boomed, shaking the entire chamber.The four soldiers closest to him were hurled against the steel wall, which cracked on impact. Their bodies