Poison Fang hunched over, moving close to the jagged rock wall like an invisible shadow.
Not far behind him, Rex and the other six Intermediate Apprentices held their breath and moved as quietly as possible.
They had left the Forge camp four days ago and were cautiously scouting the area marked out by Wizard Sterling.
The smell of sulfur hung in the air, mixed with an indescribable tension. Every rustle of wind made their hearts tighten.
Poison Fang could clearly feel the changes in his body. Since taking the Bloodline Potion, not only had his strength surged, but a steady, weighty foundation of power had also taken root within him.
His strength, endurance, and especially his resistance to blows had risen to heights he had never dared imagine before.
It was as though an invisible yet resilient layer of padding had formed beneath his skin. His muscle fibers had become denser, and even his bones seemed to have grown heavier, carrying the texture of stone.
This newfound power did not conflict with his curse magic. Instead, it allowed him to endure more violent magical backlash and toxic erosion when employing those sinister methods.
"Something's ahead!"
Poison Fang suddenly stopped, narrowing his gray-black eyes as he stared at a crevice concealed by dark red lava.
He specialized in curse magic, and his senses for life force, malice, and death energy far surpassed those of ordinary people.
Rex immediately raised a hand to signal the team to halt, then cautiously moved closer. "What is it?"
"Two... Their presence is faint, as if they've blended into the shadows."
Poison Fang lowered his voice, his tone carrying its usual chill. "They're from Shadow Stinger."
Rex's expression changed. In their squad, only he and Poison Fang were Advanced Apprentices. If they lost in battle, the