"While you were gone, they’d already finalized our engagement," the Holy Maiden murmured, closing her eyes as she wrapped her arms around Morris’s waist and buried her face against his chest. Catching his familiar scent, she finally relaxed. "I missed you so much."

"How could they possibly finalize it? Don’t try tricking me here—it’s illegal! Since when does the Church lead lawbreaking like some dark medieval trope?" Morris’s face twisted in disbelief. Nearby, Sif took two involuntary steps back, stunned by the tender yet terrifyingly powerful girl.

"Don’t you miss me?" Lenna lifted her head, crimson eyes deep and clear.

That fragile look tugged Morris back to nightly memories: the timid girl curling into his arms like a kitten fearing abandonment, letting out soft whimpers… *If only the shackles hadn’t been there.*

"Ugh, enough!" the red-haired man snapped, grabbing the white-clad man’s shoulder. "Let’s ditch this boring place. After collecting payment from Lord Thulaken, we’ll head straight to Kalan City for fun—"

"No!" Sif rushed forward, arms outstretched to block them. "Please wait. Lord Thulaken said we cannot leave yet."

The red-haired man smirked—until Thulaken’s voice drifted eerily from the distant cliff: "A moment longer, honored wizards."

"Wait for what?" someone called up. "Let the hunters handle the cleanup!"

"Your aid is precisely why I summoned you," Thulaken replied calmly. "Patience. It will be resolved shortly."

No one dared object—Thulaken’s reputation held firm.

The colossal beast’s blood flowed silently toward the abyss. Faint wisps of Arcanum seeped from the depths, pulsing with strange vitality. Suddenly, chaotic Arcanum erupted, weaving into threads that rose from the chasm. The ground shook violently. "Earthquake?!" the red-haired man yelled, stumbling back.

Morris’s gaze turned distant; the girl in his arms looked faintly confused.

Sif tried shouting for escape—but her body froze. Panic flashed across her face. Others stood equally stunned. The dusty ground melted into faint crimson. Countless Arcanum particles surged like a churning tide. The sky darkened. A force enveloped the wasteland. Three hundred kilometers away in Macedon City, Alex’s eyes widened—the holy icon’s cross burned hot. *A sign of catastrophe.*

Lenna pressed tightly against Morris’s chest. *Trapped? Or taking advantage?* Either way… *damn, she’s soft.*

An eerie sound swelled—from a whisper to a heartbeat vibrating straight through the soul. Legend whispered across the wastes: *Gaze into the abyss, and golden eyes gaze back.*

The earth trembled again. Dread dawned. *Thulaken’s entire mercenary company is here too!*

A roar echoed between cliffs. A shadow drifted. A violent surge silenced all breath. Space warped. Arcanum wove a net across the sky. A pale tentacle emerged, hanging at its center.

Faces paled.

Thulaken smiled, floating down like stepping on wind. Crimson earth parted only for him. He stood before Sif, amused by her horror. "After raising you all these years… I’ve waited for this day, Sif."

"My daughter."

Gasps rippled through the mercenaries. *Sif is Thulaken’s daughter?!*

"Esteemed guests," Thulaken proclaimed, arms wide, voice hymn-like, "you shall nourish the ancient god’s awakening—and become its first meal!" He stroked Sif’s stunned cheek. "Your mother’s bloodline is precious. Had I not severed it, you’d be an Arcane Source Wizard beyond my control."

Sif froze.

"Yours is the rarest blood here, my dear. You will restore the god’s power."

The ground collapsed. A mad, joyful roar erupted. A second tentacle shot skyward, dripping translucent slime. A colossal black shape burst forth with a sonic crack—so fast it twisted the air. People stared, stunned. *It… looks like a fish?*

Bone cracked as fresh flesh sprouted. Blade-sharp dorsal fin. Thick scales. Blood and dust swirled like melted ice cream. Dozens of tentacles writhed beneath a head crowned with golden, coldly gleaming eyes. It stretched like a waking human, drenched in scarlet—the Wolf of the Wasteland’s offering. Cathedral-sized eyes slowly focused. Tentacles detached from the Arcanum net; the web dissolved. *This is the god’s dominion.* Pale limbs floated. One thought echoed silently: *Thulaken is a madman.*

Yet Thulaken pressed a hand to his heart, voice trembling with awe: "A god! My god!"

He seized Sif by collar and waist, hoisting her overhead.

"Please, feast!"

Madness gleamed in his eyes as he lifted her suppression. Sif struggled—but Arcanum chains held her fast.

"I know You savor living offerings," Thulaken whispered, delighted.

"Father… what are you saying…" Sif stared at the impossible monster, mind numb.

The god lowered its head, pleased. A tentacle coiled around her, lifting her toward jagged teeth. Foul stench washed over her. *I’m going to die here.*

"This isn’t real…" she whispered. "Just a dream… Wake up, and everything’s normal again…"

A woman’s gentle face. Thulaken’s quiet smile. A little girl between them. So real. So distant.

Sif closed her eyes. "Mom… I’m coming."

"Though I hate to interrupt your reunion," a familiar voice cut in. Sif’s eyes flew open. The youth stood beside her, expression wry. "But reunions bought with death… who knows where they lead?"

He alone could say it—he’d crossed worlds through death.

Thulaken’s jaw dropped. *Morris just stretched… and walked through space?! What rank allows that? Two tiers above Law Aspect couldn’t!*

"Don’t ask. Call me a Dou Zong-level expert," Morris chuckled, slicing an arc to sever the tentacle. He pulled Sif into his arms. The god wailed; luminous blood sprayed.

Fury flashed in golden eyes—then shattered into pure terror.

Thulaken froze. *The god… is afraid?*

"Long time no see, Leviathan," Morris smiled softly. "Still gluttonous as ever."

The god shrank back. Tentacles retracted. A dry, human voice rasped: "L-Long time no see…" It gulped. "Saint of [Annihilation]… Your Eminence, Morris."

Silence fell—absolute, breathless.