CHAPTER 300: 300

As the group finally made their way back to the inn through the side alley entrance, the cool midnight wind brushed against their faces. The scent of sewage still lingered faintly on their clothes, but no one complained—they were alive, and that was more than enough.

The moment they entered their room, Vic flopped on a chair and let out a dramatic groan.

"My Lord... what kind of mess did you make this time?"

Kael, who was unbuckling his cloak and wiping his sweat-soaked brow, turned to respond but was interrupted by Barrett’s proud and cheerful voice.

"As expected of my Lord. Everything you do has to be high profile. It hasn’t even been a full day, and the entire city is already in a state of lockdown."

Everyone turned to look at Barrett, unsure whether he was being sarcastic or genuinely impressed. The lad, however, stood with his arms crossed and a sincere, almost awestruck expression. He seemed completely earnest.

Kael’s lips twitched at the remark.

"Aren’t you speaking too much?" he muttered, tossing his cloak aside. "Now stop this bullshit and get some sleep. We’ve been out for too long. We might fall under suspicion if we keep moving around."

No one argued. The adrenaline that had kept them sharp and nimble during their escape was beginning to fade, leaving behind only the dull ache of exhaustion.

Ariana quietly retreated into the inner room and locked the door behind her. From her satchel, she pulled out a small pouch and opened it carefully. Inside was a powdery, pale-blue substance that was dense, cold to the touch, and emanating a strange herbal aroma.

She stared at it, conflicted.

This was the tempering compound she had retrieved from the vault—the one said to reinforce the flesh, harden the skin, and push one’s stamina to near superhuman levels when dissolved in hot water.

But as she held it over the small wooden basin she had filled with steaming water earlier, her hand paused.

"Once I use this... will my body become like that?" she whispered to herself.

Her mind flashed back to the temple of the God of War of the the nuns she had fought. Women built like warriors, muscles flexing beneath their robes, their faces fierce and hardened from years of training.

The image made her shiver.

She lowered the packet slightly, conflicted. She didn’t want to become some tomboyish hulk. Her charm—her allure—was one of her greatest assets. If that disappeared...

"Ugh. Why is strength always so damn expensive?" she groaned.

Her brows furrowed in deep thought.

But in the end, she clenched her jaw, gritting her teeth.

"Alas, for the sake of power... I need to get stronger."

With a determined flick, she sprinkled the powder into the water. A hiss erupted as the liquid turned slightly blue and began bubbling ominously. The scent turned sharp—almost metallic—and the temperature surged for a moment. She stripped down to her shift and slowly stepped into the water, muscles tightening as the burning sensation spread through her limbs.

.......

Back in the common room, Kael leaned against the wall, eyes closed, breathing deeply. He didn’t use the thing instantly.

He decided to use this in capital.There were ways to increase the efficiency.

He could still hear the distant patrols in the streets outside, the muffled barks of guards, the creaking of iron gates being lowered across the district.

James had done his part. The inn guards hadn’t so much as blinked when they returned. But even with allies, Kael couldn’t shake off the creeping unease bubbling in his chest.

Too much had happened today. Too fast.

With one last look out the half-cracked window, Kael sighed and headed to his room. He didn’t bother changing clothes. The bed was calling him like a siren song.

For some reason he felt especially sleepy today.He let the darkness take him, unaware of what awaited in the silence of his dreams.

Kael tossed in his sleep, his body restless beneath the thin blanket. The air in the room felt oddly heavy, a stifling warmth that pressed against his skin. A growing discomfort gnawed at the edges of his consciousness—an unshakable feeling of being watched, or worse, hunted. He tried to breathe deeply, but it felt as though something ominous was curling into the room, thick as fog and just as invisible.

Then he heard it.

A voice—soft, melodious, and dangerously sweet. It was the kind of voice that could lull a man into a trance, dripping with allure like dewdrops on rose petals. Yet for Kael, it was a voice that chilled him to the bone.

"Did you miss me, darling?"

His eyes flew open, body frozen. Every strand of hair on his arms bristled as a jolt of terror surged through him. He turned his head to the side, breath caught in his throat.

A figure sat beside him—no, pressed against him.

He felt a soft silky sensation pressing his back that started to melt him.

Then tall, veiled woman with cascading hair the color of ink and a smile that curled with wicked delight. But it wasn’t her face that terrified him—it was her arms. Veins bulged against tanned, monstrous muscles, far too developed for a woman her size. Her grip was as gentle as a coiling snake.

She leaned closer, exhaling hot breath onto his cheek. "Oh, Leonard... you’ve become even more handsome." Her hand slid along his jaw, fingers cold and calloused, sending shivers through his spine.

Kael wanted to scream, to leap up, to push her away—but his body refused to move. It was as though he had been paralyzed, chained down by some unseen force. His heart thumped wildly in his chest, but his lips refused to part. He was trapped in a nightmare and it was only getting worse.

And worst,he was enjoying it and subconsciously wanted to proceed further.

It was like a twisting feeling of creepiness that was conflicting inside.

She traced her finger along his lips, then licked them slowly with a flick of her tongue. "You’re so cruel... forgetting your wife for so long. You haven’t written me a single letter. I had to come all this way to see you." Her voice was petulant now, but layered with underlying menace. "That means you need to be punished."

His thoughts screamed. Who is this lunatic!?

What the hell is going on?!

Then, without warning, her beastly hand snaked under the blanket and into his pants.

Kael’s entire body spasmed, but still—he couldn’t move. She wrapped her strong fingers around his groin with an expression of twisted joy.

"Ohhh!" she purred. "Still so firm even when you’re frozen? My, my... it’s even bigger than last time. You’ve really taken care of yourself."

"Hehe..I wonder if it can fit inside."

She licked her lips hungrily and began to slowly stroke him under the sheets, her other hand trailing up his abdomen like a predator savoring its prey.

Kael’s mind reeled in panic and shame.

Rage, fear, disgust with every emotion collided in a whirlwind of helplessness. This wasn’t just a dream—it was an invasion. A violation. Her mocking laughter rang in his ears, sharp and cruel.

Then she said it—softly, but with venom.

"You belong to me, Leonard. Body, mind... and soul."

And something in Kael snapped.

His mouth finally moved, forcing out a hoarse, broken scream. "FUCK—!"

A massive burst of aura exploded from his body like a shockwave. The bedframe cracked, the walls groaned, and the force flung the veiled woman back like a leaf in a storm. His eyes snapped open, wide with fury and adrenaline as his body jerked upright.

Except—there was no woman.

He tumbled from the bed, landing hard on the wooden floor, sweat pouring down his face. His breath came in ragged gasps, and his vision blurred for a moment before slowly coming into focus. The room was still. No laughter. No voice. No monstrous arms or hot breath.

Just the cold silence of morning.

Kael sat there, panting, staring at the ceiling. The sun had barely crept past the horizon, its light spilling in thin lines through the shuttered window. His entire body was drenched in sweat, chest rising and falling as he tried to calm his hammering heart.

"A dream," he whispered.

But it hadn’t felt like a dream. It had been vivid, real—too real. The warmth of the woman’s breath, the iron strength in her grip, the grotesque sweetness of her voice... all of it lingered like a foul aftertaste in his mind.

He looked down, half-expecting the bedsheets to be torn or the room to show signs of destruction. But everything was intact—just slightly askew from his violent awakening. Kael ran a hand down his face, wiping away sweat and trying to shake the remnants of the nightmare.

It took a moment for him to realise who she was.

"FUCKKK!"

"That’s the crimson witch...How..No why the hell did I dream of that bitch.."

"Damn..Was it coincidence or is it a bad premonition?"

Kael grabbed his hair..He thought it’s better to go and look for Seer but were there any capable ones around but wait a moment..

"How did she know about it and moreover how did she invade my world?My soul is strong enough to resist so why?"

At that moment he looked around and saw the bloodied book.

"Is it possible that this might really be a dream which occurred because of the influence of the book?" he muttered under his breath.

Countless questions arose in his mind

"I should start unlocking my soul power."

His soul was already strong and needed need any excercise.He just didn’t use it because his body wasn’t capable to handle the influence.

But now..

A quiet knock came from the hallway, followed by a familiar voice Barret.

"My Lord, are you alright? I felt something just now. A surge of mana."

Kael didn’t answer immediately. He stood up slowly, steadying himself.

"I’m fine," he finally said. "Just... a nightmare."

There was silence on the other side, then the sound of retreating footsteps.