A Gift from the Abyss

A crimson halo suddenly erupted from beneath the sewer cover, instantly flooding the entire alley.

Xia Lin only had time to tackle Sky to the ground before nauseating whispers rang in his ears.

Chaos itself was singing; madness was murmuring; the Abyss was whispering.

As the whispers continued, Xia Lin felt an invisible wave sweep across his body, as though an unseen giant hand were violently tearing away all his magical protections.

[Shield Spell] vanished.

[Raptor Form] vanished.

[Haste] vanished.

All enhancement spells were stripped away in an instant.

Then something even more terrifying arrived.

[Blasphemous Word]

Those chaotic whispers suddenly became clear. They pierced directly into Xia Lin's mind, trying to tear apart his sanity and shatter his consciousness.

Xia Lin instinctively closed his eyes, waiting for the impact of madness.

But—

Nothing happened.

The whispers were like water washing over rock, sliding past the edge of his consciousness without being able to penetrate it.

(Hm?)

Xia Lin froze for a moment and opened his eyes.

He saw every member of the Inquisition squad lying on the ground, convulsing in agony.

Priest Jerrik clutched his head tightly with both hands, his fingernails digging into his scalp as he let out a beast-like howl.

The other agents were no better off. They spasmed and rolled on the ground, their eyes bloodshot, muttering gibberish mixed with bloody foam.

They had fallen into a state of madness induced by the spell.

"Fuck—" Xia Lin cursed under his breath.

Just then, a burst of laughter rang out.

The hook-nosed War Priestess whom Xia Lin had knocked unconscious stood up.

The injuries Xia Lin had inflicted on her were healing at a visible rate. Her broken ribs reset themselves, her bruises faded, and even her torn clothes seemed to be mended by some force.