The Divine Armor of the Old Century（Book 1）

Chapter 70

At the edge of their vision, the lighthouse standing amidst the eerie green haze was now within reach.

Whether it was due to the dreamlike state or the effects of the massive source of corruption, Eve and Red Falcon's sense of time and space twisted as they approached the lighthouse. Initially, they felt like they had walked for at least an hour, yet when they looked back, the Radiance was still clearly visible, as if they had been treading in place all this time.

But then, the distance between them and the lighthouse suddenly began to shrink rapidly. When they turned around again, the Radiance was no longer in sight. At first, Red Falcon thought it was the blood and flesh altering the terrain, but this explanation was quickly dismissed. Such a significant change would not have gone unnoticed.

The world seemed to have gone mad. The hands of the pocket watch began to move backward, and their sense of space became chaotic. The faint source of corruption was now right before them. Eve's eyes were filled with caution and gravity.

"This journey is essentially a death march. The source of the corruption is a monstrously powerful demon, and we are now in its vicinity."

Large drops of sweat rolled down his neck. The high-ranking knight of the Purification Agency was enduring unimaginable pressure. As they drew closer, the eerie corruption grew heavier. Though hallucinations hadn't started yet, Red Falcon's senses were already faltering.

His hands had lost all feeling. If he couldn't still see them, he would have thought his hands no longer existed.

Demon hunters, trained and specialized from a young age, wielding forbidden blood and arcane alchemy, had the means to fight demons. But Red Falcon had none of that; he was just a mortal. His only training had been to slow the corruption a little.

In his hand, he held a state-of-the-art weapon, his only trump card. Like other knights, he moved forward with the mindset of certain death.

This was the nature of their world. The wall separating them from the demons was built by those who went to their deaths, and now Red Falcon would become part of that wall.

"How do you feel?"

Besides the mental strain, the greatest anomaly might be the girl beside him.

Eve seemed unaffected by the pressure. Apart from her serious expression, she was as relaxed as if she were on a hike.

This ease was as if she had undergone countless rounds of specialization.

"I'm fine."

Eve's answer was brief. From the beginning, she had felt the strange call. Now, as they approached, the voice grew louder and more urgent, urging her forward.

This was the center of the vortex, dragging everyone in.

Lead-gray clouds swirled above the lighthouse, with a gleaming green light embedded like a gem. It was a primal warning, like animals instinctively knowing to avoid fire without any prior knowledge. The light warned Eve, yet it also drew her closer.

In this dire situation, it was the only thing she could do. She didn't even know how many would wake up again.

"This is far enough."

Red Falcon suddenly spoke. They were very close to the lighthouse now. The distorted sense of space made it hard to judge their exact position, but no matter the error, the lighthouse wouldn't be far from where they stood.

Taking out the incendiary launcher, Red Falcon raised it high.

"Can they see this?"

Eve thought for a moment before asking again. She also felt the bizarre sense of space. With communications down, this was their only way to signal.

"Whether they can or not, this is all we've got. Besides... the mission is already a failure. I just don't want to admit it yet."

Red Falcon's voice trailed off. The mission had failed before they even saw the enemy. The entire squad had fallen into a dream, and if they all died here, it would be a severe blow to Old Dunling's forces.

He didn't want to give up yet. He clung to the slim hope that someone would wake, see the signal, and destroy the source of corruption. Even if he died, he wanted it to mean something.

So, he pulled the trigger. The white phosphorus flare shot into the air, leaving a burning trail. It exploded at its peak, raining fiery sparks down on the land.

The flames would burn for a few more minutes. This was their last effort.

Red Falcon turned to Eve.

"Eve, you believe that's the center, right?"

He had followed her instincts the entire way. Eve nodded confidently. She believed the lighthouse was the source of the corruption.

Red Falcon seemed to understand something and strode toward the lighthouse.

"Your journey ends here, Eve. From here on, it's my turn."

"Wait! Aren't you going to wait for them?"

Eve still hoped someone would see the flare. But Red Falcon shook his head.

"No need. I'll go ahead and scout."

He sounded casual, but Eve didn't feel any relief.

"Are you crazy?"

"This is what I can do. And you need to live, to tell the story of what happened here!"

Red Falcon spoke earnestly. He wasn't joking.

"No... how can this be?"

Those associated with the Purification Agency always had this grim determination, as if it weren't death but ascension to heaven.

"Because... Eve!"

Red Falcon's words were cut off by something. He grabbed Eve and pulled her close, firing behind her.

The thermite rounds cut through the air, striking the approaching demons, but they were endless, like a tidal wave.

There was no need for resolve or choice now. Everyone here was going to die today.

Without thinking, perhaps driven by another strange force, Red Falcon dragged Eve toward the eerie lighthouse. To him, its solid walls were the only barrier against the demons.

Despite the distance, they reached the lighthouse in an instant. The demons followed, filled with hate and bloodlust.

Red Falcon grabbed the rusty door handle. He didn't care what awaited inside; he just hoped the door wasn't locked. Luckily, it wasn't. He and Eve rushed in, slamming the door shut and securing it. Heavy thuds and the sound of gnashing teeth followed.

"Huff... we're alive, for now."

Red Falcon slumped to the ground. Despite being ready to die, he clung to the slim chance of survival.

Eve didn't feel the same. Her face was grim. She looked at Red Falcon, then around at the dark surroundings, as if realizing a terrible truth.

"It succeeded."

Yes, it had succeeded.

The voice that had lured Eve here had succeeded.

A deep chill gripped their hearts. In this darkness, something worse than death awaited them.