After a brief rest, the group rose once more and continued along the passage. At the end of the corridor, a massive stone door stood tightly shut, covered in mysterious runes that radiated a powerful wave of dark energy. Lin Xiu stepped forward, examining the runes closely in an attempt to find a way to open the door. Just then, the stone door slowly trembled with a dull roar and swung open on its own.
A thick, pungent aura of darkness surged outward like an invisible giant hand, rushing toward them and causing everyone to instinctively take a step back. Alice tightly grasped Lin Xiu's arm. Her palms were slick with sweat, and her slightly trembling fingertips betrayed her inner tension, yet her gaze remained firm and resolute, completely devoid of retreat.
"Everyone be careful, the Dark Mage might be inside," Lin Xiu said in a lowered voice. His gaze was like a torch, locked onto the dark depths beyond the stone door, while the Void Fang in his hand vibrated faintly, seeming to brace itself for the imminent danger.
Chapter 43