(Heartfelt thanks to 'Lin', 'You Bi Ji Yue', 'Yakumo Maki', 'wangaishui', 'Eternal Night★Dawn', and 'World's End Ballad' for their tips!)
The dense darkness had arrived so abruptly.
By the time everyone present reacted, the entire space had already been completely enveloped by an oppressive aura of darkness.
Not only that, the darkness that had blanketed the entire space in an instant carried a tangible pressure, bringing with it an indescribable weight that made Hades and Meredy tremble from head to toe, fear surfacing in their eyes.
Even Hades, who stood closest to the essence of magic and the Abyss of magic, whose understanding of darkness was nearly unrivaled, was no exception.
Of everyone present, only Noah showed no change in expression. Yet his heart still sank slightly as he abruptly turned toward one direction.
"Rustle..."
Almost the instant Noah turned his head, a faint, unusual sound slowly echoed through the air.
It was the sound of footsteps.
Accompanied by those footsteps, a figure moved with steps so soft they were nearly inaudible, gradually entering everyone's field of vision.
Among those present, including Noah, not a single person could clearly make out the approaching figure's full appearance.
That was because dark magic like a gentle breeze swirled around him, sending out ring after ring of airwaves and concealing most of his features.
However, as he drew closer, everyone gradually made out his general appearance.
He was a young man.
A young man with short black hair, dressed in black and wrapped in long strips of white cloth.
The moment they saw him, Noah and Hades both reacted.
"Is that you?" Noah exclaimed in surprise.
"Ah... ah..." Hades' eyes widened instantly. He stared fixedly at the approaching young man, unprecedented excitement rippling across his aged face.
That young man was the mysterious