"I told you to speak carefully. Idiot…"
Kyle muttered, gritting his teeth as he tried to contain the magical combustion.
The herb master screamed again, voice cracking, body trembling violently.
For a moment, it seemed he might explode from the pressure building within.
Then—sudden stillness.
Kyle forced a surge of his own mana, clashing against the wild storm.
For a heartbeat, time seemed to freeze. Then the mana inside the herb master dispersed—like smoke in the wind.
He collapsed, unconscious, but breathing.
Kyle stood over him, chest rising with effort.
His injured arm throbbed from the exertion.
He turned his head slightly, watching as Queen circled once and landed near him. It tilted its head, eyes gleaming with concern as it silently observed the collapsed man.
Kyle didn't look at it.
"I think I found my lead…and lost it as well."
Queen let out a quiet screech.
Kyle turned away, heading back toward the dungeon entrance, his mind spinning.
