Chapter 128: The Unknown Blacktiger Ford

Chapter 128: Chapter 128: The Unknown Blacktiger Ford

’So incredibly cautious...’

’Serafelle Sinclair might be an unknown now, but as long as she stays alive, her name will one day shake the entire Black Mist World!’

’If I can get on her good side now, or even just work more closely with her, there will definitely be huge benefits down the line.’

Hannah Morgan’s gaze was intense. She planted her feet firmly on the steps, sticking close behind Seraphina Sinclair.

Although Chloe Reed’s face was white with fear, his survival instincts kicked in, giving him an unprecedented burst of speed as he stumbled along behind them.

The sound of the staircase crumbling behind them was an immense psychological burden, but they had all passed the novice trial. They could handle a certain amount of pressure.

Chloe Reed might have seemed timid, but he never choked when it mattered most.

The group managed to reach the third area just before the collapsing staircase could catch them!

It was a blessing in disguise. The collapsing stairs had pushed them to their top speed, and because of that, the effect of the rune hadn’t worn off yet!

The monsters were beginning to stir, but the force field restraining them made their awakening incredibly slow.

Seraphina Sinclair said nothing, simply leading the others quickly through the area.

As expected, the same thing happened to the stairs between the third and fourth areas. If the first collapse had caught them off guard, this time it was a thrill they were prepared for.

By the time they returned to the fourth area, they were all drenched in sweat.

Seraphina Sinclair hadn’t even caught her breath when her Sunflower’s tearful accusation exploded in her mind. ’That villain! It’s back! That villain...? Who are you holding?! WAAAAH!’

The racket made a vein pulse at Seraphina Sinclair’s temple.

Her face a blank mask, she strode over to her Sunflower, dropped the one belonging to Magnus Barrett onto the floor, and cradled her own in both hands.

The noisy telepathic complaints sputtered and, miraculously, fell silent.

Seraphina Sinclair’s mind quieted, and she finally let out a true sigh of relief before turning to face the other three, who were still shaken.

Chloe Reed had collapsed onto the floor, gasping for air. His face was completely drained of color, and he clearly hadn’t recovered from the life-or-death sprint.

Milo Shaw was leaning against a wall, his chest heaving. But beyond the lingering fear in his eyes, there was also a flicker of excitement and relief.

Hannah Morgan was the quickest to regain her composure. She stood up straight, her gaze complex as she looked at Seraphina Sinclair, and said sincerely, "Serafelle, we owe you for this one."

The respectful title now came to her lips willingly.

But Seraphina Sinclair had never cared for such things. She waved a hand, gesturing for Milo Shaw to place Magnus Barrett’s Sunflower into the recess.

’And that will... revive him?’

’It seems to be the mechanic of this instance. Death is just part of the process, which is why something as miraculous as revival is even possible, I suppose?’

And... compared to "revival," Seraphina Sinclair was more inclined to believe that he hadn’t truly died in the first place.

Of course, this all hinged on the assumption that the person who came back would still be Magnus Barrett.

Milo Shaw quickly complied. His limbs still feeling a bit weak, he picked up the pot containing Magnus Barrett’s Sunflower and carefully placed it into the recess on the pedestal—the one facing the direction from which they had come.

The bottom of the pot fit perfectly into the recess with a soft CLICK.

In that instant, the twisted, agonized statue seemed to be infused with life!

Eerie, jade-green patterns lit up across the pedestal and the statue itself, the light pulsing like a breath. The tangled, fused torsos began to squirm, their sharp claws vibrating faintly.

The characters on the inscribed Stone Tablet also began to flow like liquid.

An indescribable wave of energy, a mixture of fresh floral scents and the stench of rot, radiated out from the statue.

"HUMMM—!"

Amidst the low hum, the patterns on the floor at the apex of the opposite triangular area suddenly flared, forming a swirling green vortex of light.

Within the vortex, a human silhouette rapidly solidified from an ephemeral shape into a solid form.

It was Magnus Barrett!

He gasped violently, like a drowning man finally breaking the surface. His eyes snapped open, pupils contracting sharply as consciousness flooded back, filled with utter terror and confusion.

With a THUD, he collapsed to his knees, coughing violently, his body wracked with uncontrollable tremors.

Revived... He was really revived!

Witnessing this impossible scene with their own eyes, Chloe Reed forgot to breathe, Milo Shaw’s mouth hung open, and even Hannah Morgan’s pupils dilated slightly.

Even though they had been prepared for it, the shock of seeing someone brought back from the dead was still indescribable.

Seraphina Sinclair quietly watched the newly returned figure, waiting for him to speak.

"I... I’m not dead?"

Magnus Barrett finally caught his breath, his voice raw and broken. He stared at his hands in disbelief, turning them over and over, before snapping his head up to look at the four people before him.

"It was you! You’re the ones who pushed me out to die!"

Magnus Barrett’s eyes instantly reddened. He struggled to his feet, his voice twisted with rage. "Hannah Morgan! Milo Shaw! And you! Serafelle Sinclair! You’re the ones who got me killed!"

His furious roar, filled with venomous resentment, echoed through the empty chamber.

Seraphina Sinclair’s lips curled into a slight smile. ’Yep, that’s him all right. He’s back.’

Milo Shaw’s face went white. He subconsciously took a half step back, his eyes darting away.

Hannah Morgan, however, quickly composed herself. She took a step forward, her voice cold and clear, cutting through Magnus Barrett’s roars. "Magnus Barrett, get a grip! We’re the ones who revived you! If we hadn’t risked our necks to go back for your Sunflower, you’d still be dead!"

She pointed first to the Sunflower in the pedestal’s recess, then back toward the dark, not-yet-fully-closed stairwell behind them.

"Risked your necks? Hah!"

Magnus Barrett sneered, shakily pulling himself up to his full height. "So what? You got me killed. Am I supposed to be eternally grateful just because you brought me back? You bunch of bastards! Especially you—"

He glared viciously at Seraphina Sinclair, but fell silent the moment he met her gaze, apparently recalling some rather unpleasant memories.

Seraphina Sinclair just watched him quietly, her face impassive.

But even so, her silent stare was no less intimidating to Magnus Barrett!

Magnus Barrett trembled with rage, grinding his teeth, but he didn’t dare utter a single harsh word.

A venomous look flashed in his eyes. His chest heaved as he panted heavily. He felt a little better after mentally running through a thousand ways to kill Seraphina Sinclair, then raised his head and turned his ire on Hannah Morgan and the other two.

"Hannah Morgan! Cut the f*cking sanctimonious act! You didn’t say a single word when I was pushed out! Now you’re playing the hero? And you two! Milo Shaw! Chloe Reed! I’m telling you, this isn’t over! Don’t think bringing me back settles the score! You all owe me a life! And I’ll make every last one of you pay it back!"