Chapter 3: Crow Woman (Void · Arcane Eternal Star / Dangerous Unit)
The dim light in the alchemy laboratory flickered, casting long shadows across the stone walls. Mage Sage Seraphilia stood before a massive workbench, her slender fingers tracing the intricate runes carved into the surface of a black metal tablet.
"Still no response from the Dukain Family?" she asked, her voice cold and sharp like a blade scraping against ice.
Behind her, a figure cloaked in dark blue smoke shook its head. "The Abyss Spawn have cut off all communication channels. The Divine Emperor Adventure Group and the Blood Gate Adventurers have both reported heavy losses in the central region."
Seraphilia's eyes narrowed. "And the Apocalypse Sisters?"
"Retreated to the western continent. They're regrouping with the Wolf Cavalry Legion."
A faint smile curled at the corner of her lips. "Good. Let them bleed a little more. It'll make them more desperate for our help."
The dark blue smoke figure hesitated. "But Sage, the Void Tree Reputation is dropping. If we lose too much influence in this world—"
"We won't." Seraphilia turned, her robes flowing like liquid shadow. "The Supreme Being has already sent the Platinum Apostle. The Lord of the Abyss won't dare to push too far."
She walked toward a corner of the laboratory where a cage of crystallized mana stood. Inside, a young woman with raven-black hair sat motionless, her eyes hollow and empty.
"Crow Woman," Seraphilia said softly. "Still refusing to cooperate?"
The woman didn't respond. Her lips were sewn shut with threads of pure darkness, and her wrists were bound by chains that hummed with arcane energy.
Seraphilia sighed. "Pity. You would have made an excellent vessel for the Origin Stone: World."
She turned back to her workbench, dismissing the dark blue smoke figure with a wave of her hand. "Leave me. I have experiments to conduct."
The figure bowed and dissolved into the shadows.
Alone now, Seraphilia picked up a vial of shimmering liquid—Primordial Life Force, extracted from the heart of a slain Ancient Dragon. She poured it carefully into a crucible, watching as it mixed with powdered Black Maple Tree branches.
The mixture hissed and bubbled, releasing a scent of ozone and burnt sugar.
"Almost ready," she murmured. "Just a few more adjustments, and the Law-Destroying Teleportation Array will be complete."
She glanced at the caged woman. "You'll be useful yet, Crow Woman. Whether you want to be or not."
The woman's hollow eyes flickered, and for just a moment, something like defiance sparked within them.
But it was gone as quickly as it appeared, swallowed by the endless void of her captivity.
Outside the laboratory, in the winding corridors of Arcane Eternal Star, the sound of footsteps echoed. A figure in a hooded cloak moved swiftly, avoiding the patrols of Spellcasters and their summoned guardians.
The figure stopped at a sealed door, pressing a hand against its surface. Runes flared to life, recognizing the touch.
"Kukulin Bai Ye," a voice whispered from within the door. "You're early."
The hood fell back, revealing a face marked by scars and cold determination. "I have news. The Archbishop of the Abyss has mobilized the Three Brothers of National Football."
A pause. "Then we're out of time."
The door swung open, revealing a chamber filled with maps and glowing orbs. Inside, Mawen Hua'erzi and Green Gillian stood waiting, their expressions grim.
"Tell us everything," Hua'erzi said.
Bai Ye stepped inside, and the door sealed shut behind him.
The hunt was about to begin.