allen_manhwa

In a world where science and mysticism intertwine, and where supernatural powers stem from ancient secrets and unknown entities, a young man named Elias Corvin wakes up in the body of another person within a city teeming with conspiracies and hidden truths. With no clear memories of his past life, he soon discovers that he has inherited a mysterious legacy tied to the Grand Talisman Codex—a legendary artifact said to hold the forbidden knowledge of ascension.

But there's a problem... Every previous owner of this book has either vanished under mysterious circumstances or transformed into something inhuman. Yet, Elias finds himself unable to rid himself of it, as he begins to see beings that do not belong to this world and hear whispers revealing secrets of the cosmos.

As time passes, he learns that the world is governed by hidden Orders, each seeking to control absolute knowledge. While uncovering the enigma surrounding his fate, he begins to trace the path of the Lost Sequence, a power system believed to be cursed—where all who tread it either become the Lord of Shadows or succumb to existential erosion.

Lord of Shadows: Rise of the Grand Talisman

Chapter 32: The First Echo

The cold night air felt heavier than before. As Elias, Leira, and the Watcher emerged from the underground ruins, the sensation of something watching lingered at the edges of Elias's mind. It wasn't just paranoia—he knew something had changed.

The world felt different.

His vision swam briefly, and for the briefest moment, he swore he saw the city again—the one from his vision. The towering buildings, the masked figures, the blood-red sky. It was there, like an imprint burned into his mind, before vanishing.

Leira caught his unsteadiness. "You alright?"

Elias exhaled sharply, forcing himself to focus. "Yeah. Just... still feeling the effects of the ritual."

The Watcher studied him carefully. "You saw something, didn't you?"

Elias hesitated. He could still hear the whisper from the vision. You are not the first. You will not be the last.

The Watcher narrowed his eyes but didn't press further. "Then we need to move. Whatever's coming next, you won't want to be caught off guard."

They returned to their temporary hideout—a small, abandoned safehouse on the outskirts of Valesh. The room was dimly lit, filled with the scent of old wood and dust.

Elias sat on the edge of a worn-out chair, his thoughts spiraling. The vision refused to leave him. The city... it felt real. Not just some hallucination from the ritual.

And then there were the whispers. They hadn't stopped.

At first, they were faint—like wind shifting through cracks in a wall. But as the minutes passed, they became more distinct.

He didn't recognize them, but each carried weight, as if they belonged to something... important.

Leira, standing by the window, glanced at him. "You're quiet."

Elias met her gaze. "Something isn't right. That ritual... I think it did more than just sever the Shadow's Hand's connection. It connected me to something else."

The Watcher, seated across from him, leaned forward. "What exactly did you see?"

Elias hesitated before answering. "A city. Massive, dark, and filled with people in masks. It felt... ancient. And familiar, somehow. Like I was supposed to be there."

The Watcher finally exhaled. "I was afraid of this."

Leira frowned. "What do you mean?"

The Watcher stood, walking toward one of the old shelves in the room. He rummaged through a pile of worn documents before pulling out a single, yellowed parchment. He set it down on the table in front of Elias.

The ink had faded, but the image was unmistakable.

A city. Towering spires, long bridges, masked figures walking its streets.

"This place," he muttered. "This is what I saw."

The Watcher nodded grimly. "Then you are already entangled in its web."

Elias clenched his fists. "What do you mean?"

The Watcher's expression darkened. "There is a city that exists beyond what normal men can see. A place shrouded in secrets, hidden from the eyes of the ordinary. Some call it the Veiled City, others refer to it as the Heart of the Forgotten."

"It is a place where knowledge, power, and fate intertwine," the Watcher continued. "Few ever see it, and fewer still are chosen by it. But if it has revealed itself to you... then your path is already set."

Leira's voice was tight. "Set toward what?"

The Watcher's gaze locked onto Elias.

"Toward something far greater than you can imagine. And once you step forward... there is no turning back."

He had no choice.