Soon, Xiao came to logan. "Let's go. Father said you need to visit the library and take a book."

Logan gave a small nod.

The two of them began walking toward the grand library. Neither spoke along the way. Silence hung heavily between them. Xiao led Logan all the way to the entrance before stopping. "You can go in from here," he said quietly, then turned and left without another word.

His heart was heavy. The losses suffered by the Long Family still weighed on him.

Logan understood that feeling well. But he didn't have the luxury to stay. He needed to leave Spirit Mountain soon. He had already been away from home for several days. There was no clear danger waiting for him… yet, for some reason, an uneasy urgency gnawed at his chest — pushing him to return as quickly as possible.

Without wasting a moment, Logan stepped inside the library.

He moved straight to the fifth floor, not sparing a glance at anything else.

The moment he crossed into the floor...

A sudden force tugged at him. Logan's body stiffened. Something… was calling him. No — pulling him.

He could feel it. A strange vibration, as if something was struggling — fighting to reach him, yet being held back by an invisible barrier.

Logan narrowed his eyes. He took a slow step forward. The pull intensified. Another step. Stronger.

Then another.

Now, he could clearly sense the direction.

Logan turned his gaze toward it...

Only to find a plain, gray wall. Standing silently before him.

Logan stepped closer, stopping just a single pace away from the wall. He stared at it… unmoving.

Seconds passed. Then minutes. His gaze grew distant, almost hollow — as if something unseen had seized his mind.

Slowly, as though guided by an invisible force, he raised his hand.

His fingers inched forward.

Closer…

Closer…

Just before his fingertips could touch the surface...

A sharp streak of light burst out from his storage ring. "Stop!"

Audrey's voice rang out as she shot forward, positioning herself between Logan and the wall.

"There's something inside," she said, her tone tense. "Something… powerful." Logan blinked, the haze in his eyes shattering instantly.

He pulled his hand back. "Powerful?" he asked, frowning slightly. "Is it dangerous?"

Audrey hovered silently for a moment before replying. "I'm not certain," she admitted. "But… it's the same kind as me. A soul weapon."

She paused, her voice turning heavier. "Except… it has no soul at the moment."

Logan's expression tightened. "A soulless soul weapon?"

"Yes," Audrey continued. "And that's what makes it dangerous. Your soul could be pulled inside… and once that happens, you might never come out."

Silence fell between them.

Logan's eyes flickered as he looked back at the wall. "I see…" he murmured.

But then...

A faint hesitation crossed his face. "What if it's not dangerous?" he said slowly. "What if it's just… powerful? Wouldn't I be missing out on a huge opportunity?"

Audrey didn't hesitate this time. "Don't be greedy." Her voice was calm, but firm. "True strength is built step by step. Slow… steady… unwavering. That path leads to absolute power. But shortcuts?" she continued. "They often come with a price far greater than you expect." A brief pause. "I don't think I need to explain that to you."

"It's not about greed," Logan said, his voice steady. "It's about taking risks." He kept his eyes on the wall as he spoke. "I don't crave powerful weapons or rare treasures. But right now… I need something I can rely on to face what's coming. The dungeon boss in Solmyr is strong. That much is certain. But I don't know how strong. And what if it's not alone?" he continued. "What if it can call reinforcements from wherever it came from?" His fingers clenched faintly at his side. "If that happens… I'll be completely at their mercy."

He turned his head slightly, his eyes calm but resolute. "So if there's even a chance that I can obtain something to help me overcome what lies ahead… don't you think I should at least try?"

Silence followed. This time, Audrey didn't respond immediately.

She understood. More than anyone, she knew the true terror of the monster race — far beyond what Logan had seen so far.

The thing hidden behind that wall… was dangerous. But what awaited beyond this planet...

Was far more terrifying.

Audrey said nothing more. She slowly drifted to the side.

Logan raised his hand and pressed it against the wall — this time fully aware, his eyes sharp and focused.

The moment his palm made contact...

The resonance surged.

The entire library trembled violently. Dust rained down from above, the air thickening with an oppressive force.

Then suddenly...

Boom!

A violent explosion erupted from the wall.

Logan was blasted backward, his body thrown through the air as dust and smoke swallowed the spot where he had been standing.

Before he could even regain his footing...

Whoosh! Whoosh!

Two crimson streaks shot out from the smoke, tearing through the air at terrifying speed, heading straight for him.

Logan's pupils shrank. There was no time to react.

But just before the streaks could reach him...

Clang! Clang!

A flash of silver cut across his vision.

The red streaks were deflected, forced away as sparks scattered in the air.

Logan looked up. Audrey hovered before him, her blade gleaming faintly — standing as a shield between him and danger.

He was unharmed. Gritting his teeth, Logan forced himself back to his feet...

But he could already hear the sharp whistling sound that tore through the air once again.

The red streaks were coming back.

Faster. Deadlier.

"Be careful," Audrey warned, her voice low and tense. "There are two of them. Even without souls, they sure are pretty alive."

A brief pause. "Or rather… they're desperately searching for a soul."

Logan was ready this time. Mana surged through his body as he activated his control. The air around him grew heavy....

Gravity intensified.

An invisible force pressed down like a mountain, crushing toward the incoming weapons.

Yet...

The two weapons didn't stop. They tore through the pressure, storming forward with relentless force.

Logan's eyes narrowed. Now, he could see them clearly.

Two daggers.

Their crossguards were shaped like the heads of serpents — mouths slightly open, fangs bared. From each hilt extended a long, wave-like blade, resembling a long, venomous tongue thrust outward.

They twisted through the air like living creatures. Hunting. Locking onto him.

Rushing forward as if they craved his life itself.