After the Darkness

"We can only search," Taxisis said, biting her lip. "Take a wooden stick as a torch first. Start by checking the surrounding walls and see if there are any hidden doors or mechanisms."

"No problem." Xia Fan knew that time was of the essence. No one knew whether the enemy would keep sending people into the Dragon-Climbing Tower.

"Wait, move those two men in black over to my side first," the girl suddenly said.

He froze slightly, as though realizing something. He walked over to Taxisis and lifted her trouser leg.

Both her calves had already turned a dark bluish-purple.

"You... couldn't keep the poison under control?"

Xia Fan rose and leaned closer to Taxisis, only then noticing dark blotches on her neck as well. Her lips had also started to blacken.

Yet half a quarter-hour ago, her symptoms had not been nearly so obvious.

"Did you think I asked you to pull me up... because I wanted to?" A bitter smile touched her lips. "The circulation of magic power has affected my body's ability to heal itself. I still had a little strength left to contain the spread of the poison before, but now even this tiny bit of magic power is nearly gone. But don't worry. Once we leave the Dragon-Climbing Tower and remove this demon-sealing collar, I'll gradually recover."

"If that's the case, you should stay standing and remain still to slow the poison's spread."

"Don't be foolish. Two people searching are better than one, and the enemy might have something useful on them." Taxisis shook her head. "As long as you can take the news out, whether I leave this tower alive isn't important."

"Hey..."

"Of course, I won't squander your kindness either. So from now on, I'll move more carefully and try to avoid that