"What the hell...is this thing?!"

The Flame Wizard roared, scrambling to dodge a sweeping Tentacle.

"Abyssal Pollution! It’s an Abyssal Pollution entity!"

The Shadow Wizard finally severed the Tentacles wrapped around his waist and staggered back.

A dark purple patch had already appeared on his arm. He quickly caught the Purification Potion Herman threw to him and poured it all over the wound.

The Potion made contact with his skin, emitting a "HISSS" of white smoke. The dark purple markings faded slightly but continued to spread slowly.

Sweat beaded on his forehead. He knew he had to return to the High Tower as soon as possible for deep Purification treatment.

In just that short time, the blob of flesh had already broken through the initial containment.

It squirmed toward a more densely populated area, leaving a corrosive trail of black smoke in its wake.

A nauseating, rancid stench filled the air.

"Don’t let it enter the residential area!"

Herman shouted sternly, "Activate the regional Isolation Array!"

Several Array System Wizards on duty hurriedly activated their Dharma Seals.

Intertwining patterns of light lit up on the ground, attempting to seal off the area where the flesh blob was.

But as soon as the light patterns rose, a large amount of dark purple liquid seeped out from beneath the flesh blob. The light patterns immediately began to flicker, letting out a "SIZZLING" wail. It was clear they wouldn’t last long.

The situation was on the verge of spiraling out of control.

HUMMM!

A silvery-white column of light, more solid and oppressive than before, descended from the sky.

It landed perfectly, enveloping the madly squirming blob of flesh.

This time, the Energy level contained within the column of light was completely different.

If the previous Purification beam was a high-pressure water jet, this column of light was a ten-thousand-ton hydraulic press.

"AAAAAHHH!"

For the first time, the flesh blob let out a clear, discernible howl filled with twisted agony.

All its Tentacles twitched frantically and melted within the column of light. The shadow Shell on its surface vaporized instantly, and the dark purple flesh rapidly dissolved and shrank.

It struggled, trying to squirm out of the column of light.

But the edge of the light column had become an Iron Wall; no matter how it crashed against it, it couldn’t break through in the slightest.

The light dimmed slightly, revealing the scene at the center of the column.

The flesh blob had shrunk to a third of its original size, barely maintaining a humanoid silhouette.

But its body was covered in molten cavities and scorched marks.

The dark purple color had faded, and its squirming slowed.

It raised a lump of charred flesh, using two swirling dark purple vortexes to "look" in a certain direction outside the column of light.

There, in the direction of the Shadow Element offices.

Julian stood there, his face as dark as a stormy sea.

Grey Falcon, or rather, the last remnant of consciousness in that thing.

In the moment before its complete demise, it caught a familiar aura.

’Lord Julian...’

Deep within its chaotic, insane, and thoroughly eroded mind, a deeply buried fragment of logic suddenly flared.

’Betrayal... exploitation... silenced...’

Its dark purple vortex eyes stared fixedly in Julian’s direction.

It opened a fissure that could barely be called a "mouth," as if trying to make a sound, to speak that name.

It wanted to roar out all the secret collusion, the whispers in dark rooms, the commands it once received...

It mustered its last bit of Power: "Hrk... hrk... Ju..."

Julian’s gaze turned bone-chillingly cold in an instant.

He gave the thing no chance.

His half-clenched right hand suddenly tightened into a fist!

PSHHHT!

From within the flesh blob’s remains, seven or eight shadow spikes, so condensed they were almost solid, erupted without warning.

They tore it to pieces from the inside out!

The shadow spikes were imbued with strong corrosive and decomposing properties, disintegrating the remaining flesh.

In its place, only a small pile of dark purple crystalline fragments remained.

They resembled some kind of insect Shell or mineral, emitting a faint Abyssal Aura.

The column of light dissipated.

The battlefield suddenly fell silent.

Only the night wind blew, stirring the Ashes on the ground with a soft "RUSTLE."

All the Wizards who had participated in the battle, whether injured or unscathed, stood frozen in place.

They stared at the pile of fragments, then looked up at the window of Julian’s office, their expressions varied.

The Shadow Liquidation Wizard clutched his arm, his eyes filled with shock and suspicion.

The Flame Wizard frowned, looking as if he wanted to speak but held back.

Herman narrowed his eyes, his gaze shifting back and forth between the fragments and Julian.

Kevin swallowed and subconsciously took half a step back.

’Just now... Was that thing trying to say something before it died?’

’And Lord Julian’s reaction... wasn’t it a little too quick?’

Behind the window, Julian slowly retracted his hand, his expression returning to its usual gloom and calm.

He pushed open the window, his gaze sweeping over the devastated battlefield below before finally landing on the pile of fragments. His voice, amplified by a spell, carried across the area.

"The Abyssal Pollution entity has been eliminated. All individuals who made contact must immediately proceed to the Medical Department for a full examination and Purification treatment.

"Law Enforcement Team, secure the scene, collect the remains, and thoroughly investigate the Pollution Source."

His voice was steady, carrying the unquestionable authority of a Crystalized Wizard.

"Today’s incident was an isolated outbreak of an Abyssal contaminant. All departments are to heighten their alert level. There is no need for excessive panic."

After speaking, he closed the window and his figure disappeared inside.

The Wizards present looked at each other, but no one spoke.

Members of the Law Enforcement Team quickly entered the scene and began collecting the fragments and contaminated soil from the ground with special containers.

Wizards from the Medical Department rushed over with stretchers to evacuate the injured Wizards.

Herman walked over to the pile of fragments, crouched down, and carefully picked up a piece with tweezers, examining it in the moonlight.

It was dark purple, translucent, with fine patterns of flowing Abyssal Energy inside.

’It is indeed characteristic material of an Abyssal Demon, but... something feels off.’

’These fragments are too "clean," aside from the Abyssal Aura...’

He stood up, dusted the ash from his hands, and left without a word.

Kevin sidled up and asked in a low voice, "Witch Herman, this..."

"Do as Dean Julian says."

Herman cut him off, his tone flat. "Get your wound treated first. Don’t meddle."

...

「The next day.」

In the circular great hall at the top of the High Tower.

This place was rarely opened, used only when matters of great importance concerning the entire High Tower were being discussed.

At this moment, the hall was filled with people.

The deans of all factions, High Tier Stewards and mentors of Level Two and above, and the leaders of important projects were all present.

The air was so heavy you could wring water from it.

On the high platform at the end of the hall, there was only a single stone chair.

The stone chair was empty.

But everyone had their heads slightly bowed, not daring to look directly in that direction, their breathing softened.

TAP! TAP! TAP!

Footsteps echoed from a side corridor, unhurried, so clear it was as if they were stepping on everyone’s heartbeat.

An old man in a simple gray Long Robe walked out.

His hair was graying and meticulously combed. His face was deeply wrinkled, but his eyes were bright, like two pieces of Obsidian that had settled over countless ages.

He was not tall, but his back was ramrod straight, and the hem of his robe did not stir as he walked.

The Tower Master of Shadow Moon Tower, a Level Three Great Witch, Morton of the [Eye of the Stars].

He walked to the stone chair but did not sit. He simply turned around, his calm gaze sweeping over everyone below.

He didn’t release any aura, nor did he use Spiritual Power to apply pressure.

But the moment his gaze passed over them, the air in the entire hall seemed to freeze.

All the Level Two Wizards felt a tightness in their chests, as if an invisible hand had gently pressed down on them.

The Level One Wizards turned pale, breaking out in a cold sweat instantly.

"I know what happened last night."

Morton spoke. His voice was not loud, but it was hoarse, and every word struck their ears like a chisel.

"Abyssal Pollution, appearing inside the High Tower, and in the Shadow Faction’s activity zone no less."

His gaze lingered for a moment on the faces of several deans and Stewards from the Shadow Faction.

Those few immediately lowered their heads, sweat pouring down like rain.

"Investigate." Morton said only one word.

"Each faction will conduct an internal review. The Law Enforcement Team will conduct cross-examinations. All personnel who have recently come into contact with Abyss-related materials, missions, or locations are to be registered and filed. The Medical Department will cooperate by conducting deep psychological screenings."

"Three days. I want results."

There was no questioning, no reprimand, only the simplest, most direct command.

But everyone understood the weight behind his words.

The Tower Master had personally ordered a thorough investigation. This meant a storm was about to sweep through the entire High Tower.

"Yes, sir!" the crowd below replied in unison, their voices echoing through the hall.

Morton nodded, said no more, and turned to leave the hall.

As soon as he left, the formless pressure vanished abruptly.

Many people let out a long sigh of relief, wiping the cold sweat from their foreheads.

For the next three days, the entire Shadow Moon Tower was in an uproar.

Internal review forms were distributed like snowflakes, and long lines formed outside the psychological screening rooms.

Wizards from the Law Enforcement Team, their faces grim, knocked on the doors of every Laboratory and residence to question, record, and verify.

The Shadow Faction was the primary target of this scrutiny.

Julian’s subordinates, in particular, were screened over and over again.

Grey Falcon’s residence was turned upside down, and all his belongings were confiscated for examination.

Julian himself was summoned to the Tower Master’s office twice, and his face was darker each time he emerged.

「Three days later, the preliminary results were compiled and sent to the Tower Master’s office.」

No second Abyssal-polluted individual was found. 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

This seemed like good news.

But another report made the atmosphere even stranger.

During their cross-examinations, the Law Enforcement Team traced Grey Falcon’s recent movements. Following the trail, they caught three Wizards who had been acting secretively and had recent clandestine contact with Grey Falcon.

One was a teaching assistant from the Curse Magic System, another a Deacon Apprentice in charge of the materials warehouse.

And the last one, surprisingly, was a squad leader from the Outer Tower District patrol team.

Several items were found in their residences.

Bone Tokens engraved with a twisted, pupil-less eye pattern; fragments of several letters written in cipher, with contents concerning "spying," "infiltration," and "timing."

There were also some handwritten copies of forbidden knowledge from the Shadow Element, their origins unknown.

[Eye of Dusk]!