Ria and Carlos bolted without hesitation, darting behind a nearby wall as if their lives depended on it.0

“… I don’t see him.”0

Fortunately, Deculein didn’t give chase—or rather, he had never intended to, which was surprising in itself. Of course, the instant his eyes fell on Carlos, his pupils flared wide, like a ghost. Seeing the Yukline bloodline awaken at the mere sight of a demon was nothing short of terrifying.0

“It’s okay, Carlos,” Ria said, patting Carlos’s head.0

Just crossing paths with him had drained the color from Carlos’s face, leaving him trembling with fear.2

"Let’s see…" Ria muttered, peeking over the wall and scanning the area. Everything looked normal—no one was chasing them. "... Carlos? Let’s go. It should be okay now."0

Carlos nodded silently, and the two slipped out like mice, moving quickly. Their destination was the entrance to the Passage, where their party awaited. Glancing around cautiously at their surroundings, they continued until, just as they approached their goal, a voice called out to them.0

“Oh, there they are.”0

Leo stood alongside Yulie and Sylvia, waiting. Ria, now safely reunited with her party, finally let out a breath of relief.1

"What's wrong, Ria? Carlos doesn’t look so good either," Leo asked.0

"Did something happen?" Yulie asked.0

The two merely shook their heads before turning back to the passage. Its entrance, gaping like the maw of a cavern, remained sealed, yet the space around it bustled with people moving about.0

"When will it open?" Ria asked.0

“That fool has been standing there,...1