Inside the Arcane Energy Workshop, this dagger had been labeled a "Cursed Masterpiece."
The forger's name had long since been worn away by time. It had been salvaged from a sunken ancient ruin, and beneath its rust-covered exterior was sealed a will with an extreme thirst for blood.
When Falin took it from the secret vault, he had signed a contract that would leave him repaying debts for the rest of his life.
This had originally been his trump card, intended to cut through Michael's shield or pierce Gale's heart at the decisive moment.
But he had miscalculated.
It could even be called a huge, ironic misjudgment.
The "Forbidden Blade" had been forced from its sheath in the second round.
Even more ironically, an attack that sacrificed most of his blood essence had only left a gash less than ten centimeters long beneath his opponent's ribs.
And now, the flesh buds around that gash were writhing and intertwining madly.
Like a swarm of diligent white grubs, they filled the wound within a few breaths, leaving behind only a faint pink scar.
Dago caught the thrown Communication Stone one-handed, his fingertips stroking its cold surface.
His gray eyes fixed on Falin's trembling hands, and his Adam's apple bobbed slightly. "What is this magical artifact called?"
"Jelgany's Edge of Envy... We'll have a proper chat when we get the chance."
Falin's voice sounded like two sheets of coarse sandpaper grinding together, every word accompanied by spasms in his lungs.
He truly looked done for. Even his voice had become incomparably hoarse. After tossing out a few polite remarks, he hurriedly left.
There was a desolate air of a fallen hero in his retreating back.
Dago slowly stepped down from the platform, and the stone pillar beneath his feet rumbled violently.
With the