Chapter 29: The Abyss Beckons

“I remember that ring was linked to another… the one Song Ze wore,” a person muttered quietly. “Now it’s shattered like this. That was the highest-grade gemstone; it couldn’t have broken so easily…”

“Could it be that Song Ze—”

Before the man could finish, an overwhelmingly terrifying aura descended, suppressing him completely. He couldn’t utter another word.

The Holy Son’s voice rang out suddenly, as if trying to convince others or himself: “This inheritance is indeed difficult, but if it’s Song Ze… he will definitely be fine.”

As he said this, he suddenly realized his hands were clenched so tightly they were nearly bleeding. The Holy Son froze. He had never imagined he would worry about someone’s life to such an extent.

In the past, everyone in the Church was just a pawn for him to use. Fundamentally, they were different. Why would he care about their lives? But if it was Song Ze…

“Don’t think about it,” Aliel coldly cut in. “He won’t be in danger.”

“But what if…” someone hesitated.

“Ha.” Aliel sneered, summoning the longbow that radiated a terrifying aura. “Then I’ll make this ruin—and everyone here—be buried with him!”

The crowd was stunned. They wanted to curse him for being a madman, but the overwhelming gap in power left them speechless. They could only pray silently that the Holy Son would deal with this damn guy.

Unfortunately, because of Song Ze’s situation, the two had no heart to fight. Originally, they were fighting for Song Ze. If Song Ze really died, what was the point?

Hearing Aliel’s words, the Holy Son paused. Then his gaze turned toward the direction of the ruin. “You’re not wrong. I have a way to find him.”

“Holy Son?!” The people around were shocked. “Are you going to use that method?”

“You can’t! It will damage your body! How can you do this for an ordinary person…”

“Even if he dies, it’s only because he wasn’t skilled enough. We can find another successor!”

The Holy Son raised his hand, and the ground around them suddenly burst with light. Several magic arrays appeared around him, exuding an imposing aura.

The already bright magic arrays shone even more intensely. Amid the nearly blinding light, a scene suddenly appeared before everyone.

Contrary to what they expected of the ruin’s interior, the image showed a pitch-black forest with towering trees reaching into the clouds. In the center of the scene, a magic vehicle was nimbly weaving through.

Despite the dense branches and grass, making even walking difficult, the magic vehicle moved as if on flat ground, aided by magic.

Everyone was stunned.

“That’s the Dark Forest!” someone exclaimed. “The Holy Son’s divination is never wrong. Song Ze is definitely in that carriage…”

“How did Song Ze end up in the Dark Forest? The distance between here and there is enormous!”

Aliel immediately thought of Song Ze’s previous disappearance. His expression darkened as he gritted his teeth. “It must be the demons. They’re after this damn inheritance.”

Aliel had never considered whether Song Ze having this divine inheritance was a good thing. If not for it, the two of them would have already returned to the elven capital and gotten married!

They clearly loved each other, yet those disgusting foxes shamelessly seduced Song Ze. It was infuriating!

“We can’t let the successor fall into demon hands!”

“Is he heading to the abyss of the Dark Forest? It’s said there’s a spatial entrance to the demon realm there.”

Other clergy members realized the severity. If Song Ze died, it would be a glorious sacrifice for the temple. But if he was taken alive by the demons, then the divine inheritance would fall into demon hands! That was absolutely unacceptable!

So this was why the Holy Son was so anxious. He truly had foresight.

Everyone’s admiration for him grew.

The Holy Son’s expression darkened. Looking at the carriage in the projection, he said coldly, “These demons won’t succeed.”

Even from such a distance, with his power, he was confident he could tamper with the spatial rift in the abyss…

Moreover, after the inheritance ended, though he hadn’t gained anything apparent, he felt as if some shackles had shattered, enabling him to do things he previously couldn’t.

****

Song Ze felt that things were not looking good.

They were about to reach the deepest part of the Dark Forest. If they entered the abyss, he’d definitely end up in the demon realm… He might be heading straight for a bad ending!

He had to find a way to escape. At level 45, he could handle most dangers.

“You want to run again?”

As if sensing Song Ze’s thoughts, Andreya spoke abruptly, his crimson eyes narrowing as he smiled.

“No, no!” Song Ze quickly shook his head, then cautiously took Andreya’s hand, lowering his head to appear harmless. When he looked up, his azure eyes were filled only with Andreya. “Lord Andreya, why would I think of that? Besides, it’s so dangerous out there. If I leave, I’ll definitely die… Staying by your side is the safest.”

Andreya reached out and gently brushed a strand of hair from Song Ze’s ear, looking pleased. “I’m really glad you rely on me like this.”

[Affection with Andreya +5. Current affection: 70.]

Song Ze was shocked. Affection increased!

Thinking the matter was resolved, he temporarily ignored the potential forced bromance and looked up with joy.

“Since you’re so looking forward to it, let’s strengthen our bond further… You’ll be happy too.” As Andreya spoke, Song Ze felt a burning sensation at the spot on his neck where he had been bitten earlier.

He looked down in shock and saw blood-red patterns spreading from the wound, forming chain-like shapes that encircled his slender neck. At first glance, it looked like a beautiful yet ominous tattoo.

The pain wasn’t strong, and the strange sensation quickly faded. The blood-red chain patterns also vanished into his skin, as if they had never existed.

Song Ze: “!!!” What kind of move was this?!

[A ‘Shackle’ has been placed on the host. Until it is removed, the host’s strength is suppressed to level 10.] The system’s voice sounded. [The host cannot break free with their current power.]

Song Ze: “…” Shameless! How could he be so shameless?! And how did the affection increase anyway?

This was Andreya’s doing, after all! Now he really couldn’t leave. If he went outside, even a random monster could kill him!

“Good.” Andreya was clearly in a good mood. He leaned in and kissed Song Ze’s cheek. “We’ll be home soon, okay?”

But at that moment, the magic vehicle lurched. If Andreya hadn’t caught him, Song Ze would have rolled around inside.

The next moment, Andreya held him tight, and everything went blurry. When his vision cleared, they were outside the vehicle.

“Wha—what’s happening?” Song Ze looked around in confusion.

They were now right above the abyss. This was considered a forbidden area of the continent. No one dared come here, and various sages had set up protective magic arrays. But those arrays couldn’t stop a high-level demon like Andreya.

Yet now, the abyss was filled with spatial turbulence, blocking the ordinary entrance.

Moreover, the turbulence seemed affected by some force, radiating a pressure similar to what Song Ze had felt from the Holy Son. It was rapidly expanding, swallowing the magic vehicle they had just been in.

“It must be those temple people.” Andreya’s gaze turned cold, then he acted like a child, hugging Song Ze and whining. “They only act recklessly because of the seal. Now they’re being so arrogant… How annoying.”

Song Ze’s body stiffened, but he had to force himself to gently stroke Andreya’s hair. “Y-yeah, they really went too far.”

At the same time, Song Ze’s affection for the Holy Son increased. He hadn’t expected the Holy Son to try to save him at a time like this. What a good person! If he had to choose among the four to engage with, he’d definitely pick the Holy Son!

No… That kind of choice would never happen to him!

While Song Ze was letting his thoughts run wild, the spatial rift expanded further, and strange monsters emerged from it. They looked like nothing from the real world, charging at them with claws bared.

“How terrifying.” Andreya sighed softly, hugging Song Ze tightly as if truly scared. He looked like a pitiful black-haired youth.

But at the same time, the monsters’ bodies seemed to have chunks bitten off by something invisible. They let out unwilling, terrified screams before turning into mist.

Even with his brain, Song Ze knew this was Andreya’s doing. The demon prince’s combat power was no joke, and he was even more unhinged than the other three… at least during the game.

But more monsters kept coming. They couldn’t be killed instantly like before.

Andreya cast a protective spell on Song Ze and whispered, “Be good. I’ll handle these quickly.”

Song Ze nodded. He wasn’t stupid enough to run in this environment. That would be suicide!

Besides, things had already come to this. Maybe he should just go to the demon realm with Andreya and see if he could get the demon inheritance.

As for escape, although spatial turbulence could send someone to another space, it was too uncertain. With only level 10 strength, he didn’t want to risk his life!

Thinking this, he took a step forward to get closer to Andreya. It would be safer and show sincerity, possibly increasing the future boss’s affection.

Then, in the next moment, a spatial rift formed right in front of him.

Song Ze: “WTF?!?” How could this happen? Was the world so coincidental?

With his strength suppressed to level 10, he had no chance to resist. He was sucked into the spatial turbulence.

As darkness closed in, Song Ze felt like crying. This happened for the second time. He couldn’t imagine what Andreya would do when he saw him again! But this time, he really hadn’t tried to escape!

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