Chapter 234: Offers

"I find it strange too," the elder in black muttered, hesitation flashing across his face. "Our kind draws strength from sin. The more vile and sinful a person is, the stronger we become when facing them. And I can feel it, that boy carries an unfathomable burden of blood on his hands. But when I looked at him, there was no thrill, no rush of power. Only fear."

The witch responded calmly, "So that boy must be Viola's trump card. How curious. I wonder what method she used to bring him over to her side. Slept with him, perhaps?"

She smiled. That smile alone seemed to eclipse all beauty in the elder's world. It was the same smile that had once driven him to betray his entire clan, pledging his unwavering loyalty to this woman.

He had been a proud young man then. Sixty years had passed since, stripping him of youth, yet time hadn't touched her at all. Despite knowing he was no longer worthy of her, he remained determined to guard this singular light in his life.

The witch caught his enamored gaze and scoffed inwardly. Turning her back to him, she spoke coldly, "Bring the boy to me. But do not let Viola notice your presence. Understood?"

"Yes, my lady," the elder answered respectfully.

***

Meanwhile, Jon and Viola had arrived at the mouth of the cave.

Dark and damp, the cave pulsed with thick, tangible magical energy. Jon could feel it clearly.

"There's definitely something in here," he said, eyeing the dark passage ahead.

Suddenly, he sensed a ripple of magic. Glancing sideways, he noticed a section of the cave wall shimmer and twist into a glowing magical portal shaped like a door.

A normal person might back away or at least consult with the witch nearby. But Jon, ever reckless, casually stepped forward and reached out to touch it. After all, dying wasn't on his to-do list.

"Stop!" Viola shouted, panicked.

She'd assumed someone of Jon's power would have enough sense not to poke strange magical anomalies. Apparently, she overestimated him.

Too late. Either he ignored her, or simply didn't hear. His hand had already reached the portal, and in a flash, an immense suction force pulled his entire body through.

Viola dashed forward, but the magical door had already sealed shut.

"Damn it," she muttered. "This cave is crawling with Belith's minions. If he isn't careful, they'll tear him to pieces. I need to find out where that portal sent him."

She placed her fair hand on the stone surface, attempting to trace the lingering magic signature.

But before she could find anything, the cave trembled. The entrance collapsed under a pile of rocks. All around them, crimson eyes began to glow in the darkness.

Countless horned creatures covered in blood-red scales emerged from the shadows, surrounding Viola and Pinocchio.

***

Elsewhere, Jon had not been torn apart by Belith's monstrous minions, as Viola feared.

Instead, he found himself inside a cold stone chamber, eerily reminiscent of a living space, but with unsettling details: icy stone walls, skulls of strange creatures, and a background dim enough to raise goosebumps.

Oddly enough, there were also gauzy curtains and faint feminine touches, as if this were someone's private room.

As Jon assessed the space, a dark, graceful figure stepped into view. The woman took a seat across from him at a stone table, lifted a glass of red wine, and smiled seductively.

"Please, have a seat, young man," she said.

Jon didn't hesitate. He walked over and sat directly across from her.

"I don't like being spied on. Tell your man to come out," he said flatly.

He already suspected the woman was Belith, the witch Viola had warned him about. And judging by her aura, she fit the bill of someone drenched in sin. Even more intriguing, he sensed another presence, a hidden one, likely Belith's servant, also soaked in dark karma. That must have been the one who dragged him here, and their abilities piqued his interest.

At Jon's words, Belith clapped her hands lightly. From the shadows, the black-robed elder emerged, his gaze full of hostility as he saw Jon sitting comfortably, sharing wine with his mistress.

Jon downed his wine in one gulp and got straight to the point. "You went to a lot of trouble bringing me here. What do you want?"

"So direct," Belith said, amused. "Then I'll be direct too. Your power fascinates me. I want you to be my assistant."

The elder's face darkened.

Jon ignored him. "You don't even know what I can do. What makes you think my powers are interesting?"

"I have my ways," Belith replied with a mysterious smile, taking a slow sip of wine. "If you agree to be my assistant and help me eliminate that brat Viola, I'll grant you anything you desire. Anything."

She leaned forward slightly, her tone dripping with allure. The elder trembled with rage beside her, clenching his teeth so hard it seemed they might break.

Jon smirked, taking another sip. "Viola made me a better offer."

"Oh? Do tell," Belith asked, intrigued.

Leaning in, Jon whispered, "She offered me you."

"You bastard!" the elder snapped. He could take no more. With a wave of his hand, a dark greatsword appeared. He swung it at Jon with deadly intent.

But Jon didn't even blink. With a flick of his finger, a hellfire-formed fireball blasted the elder in the chest, sending him flying.

"Cough... ack!" The elder staggered to his feet, refusing to back down. He raised his blade again.

"Mecca, stand down!" Belith barked.

The elder, Mecca, froze in place. He shot one last hateful glare at Jon before turning and leaving the room.