Chapter 158 - Taming the Ancient Ruins - 8

"The numbness in your mana flow will only last a few minutes," Ren explained as he began pressing different points on the door. "It's better that you can't use mana for now... You're going to accompany us."

His fingers moved with precision, following the pattern he had perceived when he first touched the door. It was like playing an invisible melody, each point needing exact pressure at the exact moment.

Ren pressed the symbols with growing urgency as the presences approached at an alarming speed. He regretted not having the fast option, the key.

Sweat beaded on his forehead as he worked, but something wasn't right. They were moving too fast, as if something had fundamentally changed.

And then it hit him.

'The interrupted mana flow of my "hostage",' he thought as panic began to bloom in his chest. His fingers trembled against the cold metal of the door.