The moment she landed, Li Wen sensed intense danger. A frigid aura swept over her, and immense force struck her from behind. Caught off guard, Li Wen could only roll over to shed the remaining impact.
Remaining health: 71%.
That sneak attack had dealt Li Wen 29% damage. If not for the Emerald Star Cloak's inherent defensive power, her health would likely have fallen below 60%.
This was a dimly lit basement. The attacker had perhaps heard the commotion and readied himself to strike.
She glanced at her assailant. He was a bald man with dark skin and a face covered in tattoos. His eyes were fierce, and he muttered strange words while holding a scarlet eyeball split down the middle.
He was speaking Terran Language, sometimes called the language of the Jabah people. That region lay at the boundary between the eastern and western Inner Continent, a neutral territory crowded with religions and mixed beliefs. Even churches devoted to Deep Darkness or decay, organizations feared by all, were not uncommon there.
It was said that one could reach Canaan by crossing the Terran Sea, which was why churches of the Umbral Lineage were especially active there.
Li Wen raised her short sword and said in fluent Terran Language, "Take me to your leader. Tell him that beneath Radiance lies only Deep Darkness."
"Dark Dawn?" The bald man's hostility eased slightly, though his eyes remained wary. "Have you found the goods already?"
"I'll discuss the details of the goods with your leader, not you. Or are you qualified to represent all of you?"
The man froze, his face turning green. Li Wen had evidently struck a nerve. If he had truly been someone important, he would not have been assigned to guard the door.
He was merely a