The gates of the Absolute Zero Information Archive opened only a crack wide enough for one person to squeeze through sideways under the Seeker's precise control.
The pure pale-blue cold light within the archive stood in stark contrast to the filthy dark-blue energy outside, as though a tear had been forcibly ripped between two worlds.
A powerful, pungent corrosive stench, tides of heart-palpitating negative will, and the Vengeful Entity's faint yet bone-clinging malicious shrieks instantly poured through the gap.
But this time, they were no longer met with the same helplessness and vulnerability as before.
Shadowfiend stepped forward, his deep-gray body standing before the gap like the most dependable bulwark.
He cast no dazzling spell. He merely stood there, his body emanating a profound aura transformed by the ancient majesty of the Initial Embers and the pure essence of shadow.
It spread outward like an invisible field of repulsion!
Hiss—!
The surging Corrupting Energy, upon touching the edge of that aura, split apart and retreated to either side like waves striking a reef!
It had not been defeated. Rather, as if it had encountered some higher existence that instinctively made it uncomfortable or wary, it chose to go around.
Even the Vengeful Entity's faint shrieks seemed to weaken slightly, taking on a hint more confusion and... vigilance?
"Its attention... still lingers near the gates... but its hostility toward us... seems to have hesitated because of my aura."
Shadowfiend's dark "gaze" pierced through the gap as he sensed the situation outside. "We can go out, but we must move quickly and avoid provoking a full-force attack."
"Move!" Ming Xin barked. Carrying the still-sleeping "Starlight" in one arm, he followed close behind Shadowfiend and squeezed sideways through the gate. The Seeker's Light Mist compressed to its limit and clung closely to Ming