The blazing afternoon sun scorched the earth. The sweltering weather inevitably made people irritable, and even the air seemed warped by the heat.
Within the endless sea of forest, birds chirped noisily on the branches as a cool forest breeze blew through. The canopy overhead blocked the vicious sunlight, casting broad patches of light across the dead leaves on the ground.
This was the Eastern Forest, located over thirty kilometers from Zul City. Because of its beautiful environment, nobles and wealthy merchants from Zul City occasionally came here to hunt. However, the season was hot, and few people ventured into the Eastern Forest.
Near a pool of water in the Eastern Forest, the trees grew even more densely. Amid those crowded trees, a wooden cabin could vaguely be seen.
The cabin had grown together with the surrounding trees. Unless one approached and examined the area carefully, it was difficult to notice its existence.
A colorful python hid above the cabin, its cold eyes constantly scanning the surroundings. It was a Fiend Beast, and a powerful one at that.
The furnishings inside the cabin were simple. It was less than thirty square meters, with a wooden bed against the wall. Opposite it stood a rack made of logs, upon which several rows of glass bottles were arranged.
A short-haired, gray-haired fiend lay on the wooden bed. Its entire body was dark brown, and it had only one arm left. Unlike other male fiends, it lacked exaggerated muscle definition and was instead emaciated. Fine cracks covered its face armor, yet above that armor were sixteen eyes. This was the Sixteen-Eyed Fiend, Fadir.
Fadir was extremely weak. Although it had once been powerful, it was now old and frail. After enduring more than a decade of torment in the Dark Prison, its vitality