Bone

Upon hearing the words "Abyssal Transformation".

Diana, who was initially very sleepy, immediately widened her eyes.

Indeed, Diana was very interested... or rather, she was interested in anything that could enhance her abilities.

[Abyssal Transformation] is an extremely dangerous area, even referred to as a [forbidden zone] by the Knight Order.

Commander Kuran's warning remained in her heart... But after stepping into the forbidden zone once and obtaining its powerful energy, Diana wanted to try it many more times.

The man before them, Nicholas, was someone closely associated with the Otherworldly Demons.

Commander Kuran had also privately suggested that Diana consult Han Dong about the issue of the Otherworldly Demons... This was one of the reasons why Commander Kuran deliberately encouraged the two to cooperate.

At the Knight Tournament, it was verified by Commander Hugo of the Whisper Knight Order.

Han Dong possesses an extremely rare "Immune to Corruption" constitution... It was precisely because of this constitution that Han Dong was able to directly demonstrate a relatively complete Abyssal Transformation state at the Knight Tournament, blocking the terrifying Egyptian Princess in the Golden Apple Trial.

The biggest risk of Abyssal Transformation is self-contamination; such a constitution can be described as a bug-level existence.

Moreover, in the "Inner Chapter" incident.

Han Dong used the power of the Otherworldly Demon in front of the team many times... Although Diana didn't say it, she had long wanted to ask Han Dong about the issue of Abyssal Transformation.

Because of some things that happened in the past, especially the fact that he was defeated by Han Dong at the Knight Tournament.

Diana, who is extremely competitive, has always regarded Han Dong as her rival.

"You... seem to be very knowledgeable in this area," Diana said softly.

In the search for "Source Core Ore", Diana only unleashed 5% of the Otherworldly Demons, yet instantly wiped out all the dwarf demons in the mine...

"Due to my physical condition, Mr. Black and White allowed me to access the realm of otherworldly demons very early on."

Han Dong also used the immune system that Commander Hugo had found for him as an explanation, and combined it with the reputation of Mr. Black and White, so that Diana would completely believe him.

"Then... Ah!!"

Suddenly.

Diana reached out and pressed her shoulder, and saw thin, bony strands emerging from her pores.

Upon seeing this, Han Dong immediately stood up and used a single finger to press the bone back into his body... The hardness of the white, thin bone was similar to that of cartilage, somewhere between bone and tentacles.

"So soft..."

As he helped to suppress the slender bones, Han Dong's fingers naturally landed on Diana's shoulder.

It is unusually soft, and you can't even feel the presence of any bones.

The soft, limp body of the young girl, combined with Diana's eighteen-year-old student appearance and delicate short hair and small face... Han Dong still didn't react at all.

but.

It was because of saying "so soft" that Diana blushed a little.

Han Dong then said to himself, "Strange... Logically speaking, if it were a normal breakthrough, the alien demon would have been completely destroyed! You were just using its energy to break through, so there shouldn't be such a strong reaction."

Diana didn't hide anything and told everyone what she knew:

"The alien demon I chose when I broke through to the next level was Terrifying Existence that my father encountered when he traveled the Silk Road... There's a reason why Uncle Kuran told me not to get involved with Abyssal Transformation for the time being."

Moreover, when I killed this thing, it wasn't completely killed by me; instead, it committed suicide for some particular reason.

"Suicide? Why?"

"I don't know either... My father's will mentioned her existence, and that when I grow to the Seed Breaking Stage, I only need to be a hundred kilometers away from the Holy City, and she will automatically appear by following my scent."

Uncle Kuran seems to know something, but he's been refusing to tell me.

As Diana said that...

This also completely piqued Han Dong's curiosity, making him even more curious about Diana's father.

What kind of person could be completely expelled from Dragon City, yet travel thousands of miles through the apocalypse with an infant daughter to reach the Holy City, and even pre-select a future target for their daughter's species?

"No wonder Commander Kuran went to such lengths to train Diana; her 'special qualities' are enough to add a significant fighting force to the Holy City."

Just as Han Dong was pondering, the Scarlet Count within his body suddenly transmitted a message:

"Nicholas, the thing inside this little girl is interesting... The thing inside her is like me, retaining a part of its consciousness, and it doesn't belong to any Europe species. It must have come from a very far place."

The old king was very strict about the allocation of territory, so this situation would not usually occur.

"Nurture this girl well; she'll be a great help if we need to face the [Ten Demons] again."

"Yes, I know."

Han Dong took a deep breath; the situation was more complicated than he had imagined.

Teaching Diana to be familiar with Abyssal Transformation is not as simple as it seems... We must first peek into what kind of demonic entity is hidden within her.

After all, Diana was a real human being.

Recklessly undergoing Abyssal Transformation could very likely backfire, and even if you successfully clear the Destiny Space, you won't be able to explain yourself to Commander Kuran.

Can I touch your forehead?

"...Can."

Diana had expected Han Dong to touch her forehead with his finger, just like before.

Who knows?

Han Dong suddenly stood up and leaned forward, bringing his face close... It gave the illusion that a couple was about to kiss.

Stress response.

Snap!

Even Though osteomalacia, Diana's slap still resounded loudly...

The wall of the convenience store was smashed open, leaving a human-shaped opening, and a dark figure fell directly into the cornfield a hundred meters away.

It took Han Dong more than ten seconds to recover from his concussion before he walked back to the convenience store with a helpless expression.

Perhaps Han Dong didn't explain things clearly, and he didn't blame the girl.

Diana, already weak, collapsed onto the table, completely exhausted after unleashing that powerful blow, unable to move.

"Hey... let me explain again."

Han Dong pointed to his forehead, where his eyes had just opened.

"I need to place this eye on your forehead to spy on your physical condition and capture as much information about the Otherworldly Demon as possible... I have no other intentions."

"Sorry..."

Diana could only say these words while lying down, as if she would have to rely on Han Dong to carry her home that night.

This time, as he approached, Han Dong deliberately conjured a layer of yellow sand on his cheeks as a defensive measure.

Don't be fooled by the fact that she's a soft, limp high school girl in front of you; she can knock an ordinary person's head off with a single move.

The two touched foreheads.

The scene was quite intimate, causing Diana's cheeks to flush slightly.

Similarly... Han Dong was pressed tightly against her, was also flushed, with many veins bulging on his forehead and sweat dripping down his face.

"What's this!?"

On a hillside piled with countless bones, grows a bleached, withered tree.

A woman sat under the withered tree.

Perhaps it was from watching too much Journey to the West, but as Han Dong stared at the woman's face and figure, he couldn't help but utter four words: "Lady White Bone..."