Shhk. Shhhk.

The hem of someone’s garb was dragging along the ancient, tan bricks. A black-haired woman was going down the dark passage. She did not hesitate, even though even a brave knight would be nervous in her shoes. Moreover, she wasn’t even holding a torch.

The passage wasn’t straightforward either. It was quite complicated with multiple branches along its path, and the occasional wail of the wind only added to the gloomy, bizarre atmosphere of the passage. Nevertheless, the woman continued walking through the deep, dark passage without hesitation. After walking for a while, she finally arrived in front of a thick stone gate. Etched into the stone gate was a dragon with its jaws spread wide. The engraving of the dragon looked as if it were alive, and the crimson jewels that took the place of its eyes only amplified the imposing nature of the creature.

However, what filled the woman’s eyes were loneliness and longing as she stared at the engraving. She slowly walked forward and stroked the stone dragon as if she were reuniting with a long-lost lover. Suddenly, a drop of blood rolled down the tip of one of her long, pale fingers. The drop had surfaced without any visible wounds by penetrating out of her skin.

Shhhhh…

The droplet slowly permeated the engraving of the dragon as if it were...