Ian’s eyebrows lifted slightly.0

Here we go again.0

He turned to glance at Lucia, seated in front of the saddle. Just moments ago, she’d been staring up at the top of the tower. Now, her gaze drifted outward, toward the world beyond, where darkness was settling in thick and heavy.0

It didn’t seem like she’d heard Yog’s whisper. If she had, she’d probably be staring at him with wide, startled eyes by now.0

—It’ll make excellent nourishment for the chaos you carry.0

Yog whispered, unbothered.0

—Perhaps even more so than devouring a dozen failed ones.0

Ian’s gaze shifted back toward the altar. In the heart of the rising darkness, the faint blue glow of Hyked’s silhouette flickered and swayed. The eyes of the priests standing on either side glowed like ghostly flames through the shadows.0

—And that one… it’s already worthy, but it hasn’t cast off its shackles. A wise choice, maybe. But for now, still mortal. Just like you, my friend.0

Enthusiastic today, aren’t you? Doesn’t suit you.0

Ian exhaled quietly through his nose. He already knew the chaos within him had started to form a will of its own. After leveling up a few times, it had quieted down, following his commands without resistance—but the more he absorbed, the more likely it was to act out again. And if it ever grew too strong to control, it wouldn’t hesitate to devour him instead.0

That’s probably what happened to the archdemons.0

If it came to that, he’d have no...0