Chapter 68: Beyond the Hidden Passage

Chapter 68: Chapter 68: Beyond the Hidden Passage

This peaceful moment couldn’t last forever.

After some time, Damon slowly opened his eyes.

His gaze settled on the mysterious passage beyond the place where the Stormreign Wyvern had guarded until its last breath.

Every now and then...

Tiny streaks of ice element drifted through the opening before disappearing into the air.

He narrowed his eyes.

"So that’s where it’s coming from..."

His curiosity had been growing since they discovered the passage.

Now...

It had become impossible to ignore.

Still, he wasn’t in a hurry.

He allowed Freya and Sylphie to finish eating first.

The two spirits looked much happier after filling their stomachs.

Soon enough, they stood beside him.

Freya stretched lazily before sparks danced around her fur.

Sylphie spread all six wings proudly.

She looked eager to show Damon what she could do after her latest breakthrough.

Damon smiled.

"I know."

"I’ve been looking forward to it too."

He picked up his spear before looking toward the passage once more.

"Let’s go."

The two spirits happily rushed ahead first.

Freya led confidently while Sylphie circled above her.

Damon followed behind them.

The moment he stepped through the passage...

His expression changed.

"...What?"

The peaceful silence vanished.

BOOM!!

A deafening impact echoed through the cavern.

Ice exploded everywhere.

Cold mist rolled across the ground while violent Aether pressure filled the entire chamber.

Damon froze for only a heartbeat.

The underground cave before him was enormous.

Crystal pillars covered the cave from top to bottom, glowing with blue and silver light.

At the center...

A battle was already reaching its end.

A young woman stood there alone.

No...

She was barely standing anymore.

Her long snow white hair flowed behind her like silk despite the fierce winds sweeping through the chamber.

Her pale skin looked almost unreal beneath the cold light.

Even covered in blood...

She still looked breathtaking.

It wasn’t simply beauty.

She carried a quiet elegance that made her seem almost untouchable.

Like an ice sculpture carved by the heavens themselves.

Her white and blue armor had been torn apart in several places.

Fresh blood stained the beautiful fabric beneath it.

Cuts covered her arms.

Bruises marked her legs.

Her breathing was uneven.

Yet...

She refused to fall.

Before her stood an enormous beast.

An A Rank guardian.

The Frostfang Tyrant.

It resembled a gigantic white wolf, but far larger than any ordinary beast.

Sharp crystal spikes covered its back.

Its icy mane spread around its neck like a frozen crown.

Every breath it released froze the air itself.

Its blue eyes held no emotion.

Only absolute dominance.

Its pressure alone made the chamber feel heavier.

Even Damon instinctively tightened his grip.

"So this is another guardian..."

Then he noticed something else.

Beside the young woman stood a Frost Lynx.

Its beautiful icy fur had long been stained red.

Its breathing was just as heavy.

It desperately protected its master despite barely remaining on its feet.

The Frostfang Tyrant suddenly moved.

It disappeared.

Damon’s pupils shrank.

"So fast!"

CRASH!!

Its massive claw slammed into the woman’s cracked ice barrier.

The shield shattered instantly.

The remaining force struck her directly.

Her body flew backward.

She hit the ground without making another sound.

The Frost Lynx cried desperately before throwing itself toward the beast once more.

Damon didn’t hesitate.

"Freya."

"Sylphie."

The two spirits understood immediately.

Without waiting for another word...

They charged.

Lightning burst across the cavern.

Wind followed right behind it.

The Frostfang Tyrant finally shifted its attention toward the new opponents.

That single moment was all Damon needed.

He dashed across the battlefield.

The unconscious girl lay motionless on the frozen ground.

Seeing her up close made him stop for the briefest moment.

She looked even more beautiful than before.

Long white lashes rested quietly against her pale cheeks.

Even with blood running down the side of her face...

There wasn’t the slightest flaw in her features.

She looked fragile.

Far too fragile to be lying alone in a place like this.

Something inside Damon tightened.

His first thought wasn’t admiration.

It was simple.

She has to live.

He carefully lifted her into his arms before retreating away from the battle.

Only then did he hear a growl behind him.

The Frost Lynx.

It had forced itself back onto its feet.

Its body trembled from exhaustion, but it still stood between Damon and its unconscious master.

Its icy eyes never left him.

Damon slowly raised one hand.

"Easy."

"I’m not your enemy."

The Frost Lynx growled again.

Its body remained tense.

Damon sighed.

"I just want to save her."

The Lynx glanced toward the battlefield.

Freya and Sylphie had already occupied the guardian completely.

Only then did its hostility lessen slightly.

Damon slowly took out a healing potion.

To prove it wasn’t poisoned...

He uncorked it and took a mouthful himself before swallowing.

"See?"

"It’s safe."

The Frost Lynx quietly watched him.

Its growl finally faded.

Damon let out a small breath.

"Thanks."

He looked down at the unconscious girl again.

"...Now comes the difficult part."

He gently lifted the healing potion.

She couldn’t drink it herself.

Which left only one option.

Damon froze.

His face slowly turned red.

"No way..."

He looked at the unconscious girl.

Then at the potion.

Then back at her.

"I’ve..."

"I’ve never done anything like this before."

Even his heartbeat became louder.

Freya and Sylphie were busy fighting.

The Frost Lynx stared at him.

And the beautiful girl lay unconscious in his arms.

Damon swallowed nervously.

"...This is going to be really awkward."

Damon let out a slow breath.

He had finally worked up the courage.

Never in both his lives had he imagined his first kiss would happen like this. Not with a girl he had met only moments ago. Not because she was dying.

Still...

Saving her came first.

"Sorry," he whispered softly.

"I’ll explain later."

He took a small mouthful of the healing potion without swallowing it.

Then he leaned forward.

His lips gently touched hers.

For a brief second, his mind went completely blank.

A/N:

Finally Our Female Lead.. Cheers to the adventure ahead

#DamLia..