CHAPTER 384: 263 RUNNING IN THE DARK (4K)_2

Sweat streamed down from his body, wetting the ground beneath him.

He lay there like a salted fish, struggling to catch his breath.

His lungs already felt like they were about to burst, wheezing like an old bellows.

His mouth, however, wasn’t dry, the moist liquid making him feel somewhat better.

"Ha... ha..."

Herbert lay on the ground, panting for a while before slowly crawling up.

He was exhausted.

He had to use both hands to support his knees when rising, his body trembling violently, barely managing to stand up.

After straightening his body, he staggered back and forth a bit, almost sitting back down again.

"Ha... haha."

Once he stood steadily, Herbert couldn’t help but laugh twice.

He was able to hear again and could speak.

Herbert could have questioned Luhier why she treated him like this or even humbly begged her to spare him.

But he didn’t.

He did not ask.

Herbert was extremely arrogant by nature.

He had his own pride and perseverance.

Since you don’t speak, I won’t actively ask.

Is this the challenge you’ve given me?

Okay.

I’ll show you how I’ll break through!

No matter what the opponent’s real intentions are, since Nenasha hasn’t intervened, there’s likely no danger... perhaps there might even be benefits to be gained.

"Heh, even if there are no benefits, I will finish this path."

Taking a deep breath, he swallowed his saliva and strode forward.

Thud...

Thud...

Thud!

Step by step, stumbling, moving forward.

From the eight thousandth step onward, Herbert completely relied on willpower to endure.

The time taken for one thousand steps was longer than the previous eight thousand combined.

Thud.

The... nine thousandth step.

When the nine thousandth heavy step landed, Herbert’s brow furrowed as he tasted the rustiness in his mouth.

His taste had returned.

The liquid in his mouth wasn’t saliva but blood he had unknowingly coughed up.

"...Huh."

Gulp!

He forcefully swallowed the blood foam in his mouth and continued forward.

One foot deep, one foot shallow.

Just like that, he continued walking for a while, and suddenly Herbert felt as if he had broken through a thin membrane.

In an instant, everything changed.

The bloody taste in his mouth vanished!

"Huh?"

The sudden change almost caused Herbert to fall, but his right foot, extended forward, stamped firmly onto the ground.

Thud!

He felt strength returning to his body.

The back curved from pain and fatigue gradually straightened, and his steps grew increasingly powerful.

He had regained the power to run again!

"..."

Herbert silently furrowed his brow, realizing all previous sensations were just an illusion.

Without pondering much, he continued to walk.

Tap, tap, tap...

The ease in his stride mimicked the beginning.

The ten thousandth step.

As Herbert ambled along the ten thousandth step, the last sense returned.

His sense of smell was restored.

At the same moment, Herbert picked up a scent.

A slightly unfamiliar, elusive, faint fragrance.

Like a gentle breeze, the subtle scent silently drifted into his nostrils, spreading slowly across his mind.

The fragrance involuntarily made Herbert think of many things.

Like morning flowers with dewdrops, mist from distant tranquil forests, or possibly a forgotten but cherished moment hidden deep within his memory.

Peace.

Upon catching this scent, Herbert’s weary soul instantly found peace.

The aroma, like a gentle hand, lightly brushed over every crease of his soul, smoothing out all fatigue, anxiety, and unease.

But Herbert wasn’t completely entranced by it.

The most crucial point was that Herbert could clearly sense the source of this fragrance lay ahead.

No.

She was ahead.

She was within reach!

Thud.

Herbert’s toe tapped slightly, abruptly bringing himself to a halt.

She was right before him!

Opening his eyes would allow him to see her.

To gaze upon the culprit who unceremoniously imposed the trial on him.

The powerful Fallen Angel.

Was he really going to open his eyes?

Are you really ready to face her?

What will you confront?

Malice? Kindness?

The young man was silent for a moment, then his lips curved slightly, and he gave a self-deprecating smile.

"...Heh."

After staying in the darkness for too long, I’ve become timid.

"Honestly, what’s the point of dwelling on this? Is there a difference?"

There isn’t.

No matter what Luhier thinks, she won’t be able to overturn the heavens.

This is the Third Commandment Hall.

I am the Prison Warden.

I am the one in charge here!

Herbert didn’t dwell further, directly opened his eyes, and calmly looked ahead.

And just at the moment Herbert opened his eyes, he faintly heard the sound of something shattering.

Crack!

It was as if the barrier shrouding his soul had completely broken.

His will broke through layers of darkness, finally allowing the light to once again fall upon him.

When the light re-entered his eyes, that moment became incredibly long.

It was as if he had returned from Hell to Earth, as if thousands of years had condensed into a single instant.

The tension that had long been taut in the darkness was completely released at that moment.

["Congratulations~"]

And a long-missed noisy whisper.

["Ahahaha~ My dearest, bravest, most adorable ally! You really did it! You didn’t disappoint me~"]

["You successfully held onto your soul in the endless darkness, not assimilated by it!"]

["It’s truly astonishing!"]

Nenasha, unexpectedly excited, teased noisily:

["You must be careful~ You know, with a soul of such quality, even if you fall into the Abyss now, you could directly transform into a powerful Demon!"]

["Heh heh, you better be mindful! If you’re too showy, you could be targeted by the Evil God! By Them... Oh, I am the Evil God, so never mind~"]

"...Hehe."

Nenasha’s noise made Herbert’s lips curve slightly, and he shook his head gently.

Although he didn’t know what this sudden trial meant to him, judging by Its reaction, it seemed he gained quite a lot.

A sure win.

But... heh.

After being absent-minded for a while, Herbert steadied himself and looked at the Fallen Angel respectfully bowing with one knee before him.

He scrutinized Luhier’s attitude and said softly: "It seems this time, I’ve won."

Indeed, Herbert had won.

He passed the trial Luhier imposed on him.

"Yes, you’ve won."

Luhier didn’t raise her head, speaking softly and respectfully: "You indeed surprised me; not only did you pass the path of darkness, but you also did it in only one percent of the time I expected."

"Your will is a hundred times stronger than I imagined."

Herbert shook his head indifferently at Luhier’s praise.

A hundred times?

Perhaps.

To awaken quickly, he resorted to some tricks, relying on Nenasha to ascertain his state.

"Enough about this, tell me, why did you do it?"

Even if he might have gained some benefits, Herbert disliked the way she gave him this opportunity.

He hated forced love.

Especially this kind of speechless, zero-frame start forced love.

"You ask my reason... haven’t you noticed yet?"

Luhier raised her head and spoke softly:

"You have already been marked by Its aura."

What?

Whose aura?

Herbert was about to speak, but at that instant, a cold sensation suddenly spread from his chest.

!!!

A deep bone-chilling cold made Herbert’s body tremble slightly.

"Cough!?"

Herbert coughed, slowly lowered his head, a look of confusion and bewilderment in his eyes.

Only to see a cold, pitch-black Sword Feather piercing through his chest from behind, protruding through the front.

Huh?

The Sword Feather gleamed coldly, seemingly carrying the breath of death, as blood slowly seeped from the wound, staining his front.

When?

The Fallen Angel, formerly in front of Herbert, silently appeared behind him, four arms gently wrapping around his body.

The tall Fallen Angel embraced Herbert tenderly like a child, whispering gently but irresistibly in his ear:

"Please don’t worry, and don’t resist. I’m merely helping you rid of It."

Tell me clearly who exactly you’re freeing me from!

Herbert wanted to struggle, but his consciousness again gradually faded.

And before losing consciousness, a thought flashed in Herbert’s mind.

"Damn..."

"Her embrace is so warm!"

And...

"Damn it!"

"Again!!?"

"I don’t want to sleep..."

Herbert’s vision turned dark.