The spear plunged deep into the ground, carving a deep ravine. Ausia barely managed to stop just before she reached the tower.
She let out a long breath and looked back in the direction she had come from. Her ice-blue eyes were still as water, her pale golden hair fluttering in the wind.
The rift dissipated, and the silver giant vanished as well.
Black Mist raged in fury, transforming into an indescribably colossal thing. Mountain-like tentacles swung through the air, every vortex an eyeball fixed relentlessly upon those by the tower.
The monsters howled and roared, surging forward like a restless tide, only to be blocked by some invisible force.
A semicircular barrier enveloped the tower, preventing Black Mist's power from invading.
A bizarre creature resembling a Giant Wolf burst from Black Mist, only to release a piercing howl the next moment. Crimson flames appeared out of nowhere and burned across its body.
Black fog rose as flesh and blood melted away. In mere seconds, it had vanished completely.
It was like a beginning.
More and more monsters emerged from Black Mist, attempting to cross the chasm-like distance and touch the faint firelight beneath the tower, even at the cost of their lives.
Like moths rushing into a flame.
The moment they saw the light they had pursued all their lives, they would disregard everything and beat their wings desperately to draw close, even if it cost them their lives.
Howls, roars, wails...
It was like a grand concert being held in this silent land where life had been cut off.
Ausia withdrew her gaze.
"Once corrupted by darkness, they only yearn for light more and more, even at the cost of their lives."
She sighed softly, and it was impossible to tell whether her words carried sorrow or reflection.