The dark energy swirling around Eron surged violently. Massive cracks spread faster across the entire hall, while dust and debris rained down more heavily from the ceiling, which had begun to partially collapse.Thom did not waste any more time arguing. He could feel the golden energy inside him surging, flowing rapidly through every muscle in his body as his natural response to the very real threat of death standing before him."If that's what you want," Thom replied, his voice cold and firm, "then I'll make sure you fail to take anyone with you."He lunged forward first, refusing to wait for Eron to attack. His golden fist slammed toward Eron's chest, but the figure vanished just before impact, reappearing on the other side with a speed impossible for ordinary eyes to follow."You think your newfound power can match thirty-five years of complete mastery over Shadow Qi?" Eron snarled, his dark energy claws striking from behind.Thom spun around quickly, blocking the attack with an ar

Red Dragon tightened the restraints around Eron's wrists, the special device designed to suppress any remaining flow of energy. But before he could pull the old man to his feet, Eron let out a hoarse, bitter laugh that echoed throughout the ruined hall."You still don't understand, do you?" Eron said, lifting his head to meet Thom's eyes. Blood dripped from the corner of his mouth, but his gaze remained sharp, without a trace of regret. "This was never just about revenge for me. That was only the beginning."Thom stared at him intently. "Then tell me. What was your real goal?""The world," Eron answered simply, as though the answer were obvious. "I built the Obsidian Circle to become something far greater than a network of grieving soldiers and forgotten veterans. I wanted to reshape this world. Every government that abandoned people like us, every institution that allowed the weak to rot while the powerful feasted, I wanted to destroy them all and rebuild everything under my own rule

After dinner ended, Thom headed to his office, wanting to finish a few final reports before finally getting some rest. There, he found Iris standing near the window, staring out at Valemoor as darkness slowly consumed the kingdom. Her figure, usually surrounded by countless screens and streams of data, now appeared calm, almost contemplative."Iris," Thom greeted, slightly surprised to find her alone. "I thought you were already asleep.""I wanted to talk to you, King," Iris replied. Her voice was calm, but there was something different about it, something Thom had never heard from her throughout all their years of working together.Thom sat down in his office chair, studying Iris carefully."What is it? You seem different tonight."Iris turned to face him, a faint but sincere smile appearing on her face."I want to thank you, King. For the opportunity you've given me all these years, and for the trust you've placed in me with every major decision we've had to make together.""You sou