An Unexpected Turn

"GWEN!!!"

Lin Hai's roar rang out especially shrill across the empty grasslands. He watched helplessly as the destructive dark energy burst swallowed Gwen's figure, and it felt as though an icy hand had clenched his heart, nearly stopping it from beating.

The horrific image of Gwen covered in blood and collapsed on the ground flashed uncontrollably through his mind. An unprecedented fear washed over his entire body like ice water.

Like a mad leopard, blue-gold energy radiated around him as his speed surged to its limit. He charged desperately toward the center of the energy turbulence that had yet to fully dissipate.

Every step felt incomparably long, and the scenery around him blurred into indistinct blocks of color.

However, when he broke through the remaining energy waves and saw the scene before him clearly, his suspended heart finally dropped back into place. But what followed was an even stronger wave of lingering fear and heartache.

Gwen had not collapsed like he had feared.

The Dawn Buckler she had successfully activated at the last moment had played a crucial role. Though the enormous magical light shield was covered in cracks and its glow had dimmed, it still stood stubbornly, blocking most of the explosion's force.

But the immense impact still sent her flying like a kite with its string cut. She was now falling from midair.

Lin Hai rushed forward in a single stride and opened his arms, catching Gwen firmly and precisely against his chest. The tremendous force made him stagger, but he steadied himself and held the person in his arms tightly.

"Gwen! Gwen! How are you? Answer me!" Lin Hai's voice trembled in a way he did not even notice. He lowered his head and called out anxiously, his gaze darting frantically across Gwen's pale face.

Caught in