At first, Ethan felt overwhelmed by the strange shift in perception. It took him some time to adjust, but eventually he grew accustomed to it. In Da Dao Zai's field of vision, the world around him seemed strangely distorted—static objects appeared blurred and indistinct, as though painted in watercolors. Yet anything moving, such as the car rushing ahead, stood out with crystal clarity, slowed down several times over as though reality itself had been dragged into slow motion.
It was extraordinary.
Dynamic vision—invincible dynamic vision!
Ethan had never expected this. Without warning, he had awakened a new ability connected to Da Dao Zai and the others. This gift wasn't just some minor perk; it was a combat-defining skill. With this vision, he could see attacks, dodges, and movements with perfect accuracy, almost as if the world was telegraphing its intentions to him.
It was his very first exclusive Beast Master skill, something only he could claim.
He tested the sensation, narrowing his eyes and focusing on the smallest motions. Yes, it was exactly as he thought: the tiniest flick of an opponent's wrist or shift of a foot told him volumes. In battle, such insight was priceless.
His thoughts, as always, turned practical. If he could control his summoned beasts regardless of distance, perhaps he could send them outside the city to train on their own. Da Dao Zai was strong, but the rebellious Anti-Bone Boy and the others lagged far behind. Throwing them into the wilderness to fight monsters and gain experience could be a good strategy.
The only issue was uncertainty. Ethan wasn't yet sure if there was a distance limit tied to the sacred object he carried—the Blue Heart—which allowed him to reclaim dying summoned beasts. If his creatures pushed themselves too far and perished beyond his reach, it would be a tremendous loss.
Better to experiment later than risk them now.
---
Half a month passed quickly within the dungeon. By then, Ravenshade's dungeon no longer provided much challenge for him. Ethan decided it was time to step back into the outside world. With the entrance examinations looming, he thought it wise to use the organization's authority to gather more knowledge. Perhaps he could uncover better materials for evolving or "alienating" his summoned beasts—especially Anti-Bone Boy, who stubbornly remained the weakest link in his roster.
When he returned home, he noticed the house was strangely quiet. The principal and his grandmother from the Third Middle School were absent yet again. A small note left behind explained that they had something urgent to handle.
In truth, the principal's grandmother had taken him to consult with someone who might help alleviate his strange symptoms. Ethan, however, remained blissfully unaware of this. He simply assumed the two had gone off together, enjoying their romance. They were always doting on each other, after all.
During this time, Ethan had received messages from Fairwind. Unfortunately, messages couldn't reach him while inside the dungeon, so he read them only after returning. Fairwind's words brimmed with confidence—he believed he was making steady progress and was preparing for an important turning-point mission. Once completed, he promised he would return and "take Ethan to the skies," as he so boldly put it.
What Ethan didn't realize was how much his own accomplishments had shaken Ravenshade's youth. His performance during the last ranking battle had ignited a fierce wave of competition. Students who once coasted were now striving with everything they had. Under his unintentional influence, the entire student body had become one of the strongest graduating classes Ravenshade had seen in years.
Even Lily Winters, usually calm and focused, had been stirred. When she discovered that Ethan had cleared the Nightmare-level dungeon of "Myriad Realms", while she herself had only managed the Normal level, she refused to sit idly by. Almost immediately, she threw herself into a new trial mission issued by her family, determined not to fall behind.
---
Meanwhile, the Lord of Ravenshade was facing his own difficulties.
He had been struggling with a single, sinister item: a drop of evil god's blood. He tried countless methods with the Gatekeeper to destroy it, but every attempt failed. Even the principal's grandmother lent her considerable power, yet she too came dangerously close to being corrupted by the malevolent will contained within the blood.
The conclusion was grim—this essence could not be destroyed by human effort.
The Lord of Ravenshade was forced to accept reality. He had no way to avenge his lover through direct means. The best he could do was ensure the blood never fell into unworthy hands. Eventually, it was decided that the Gatekeeper would safeguard it until the secretive Dragon Cave Organization developed a proper container. Until then, the cursed essence remained locked away.
The mysterious stranger who had appeared several times in the city kept unusually quiet during this period. But everyone knew it was only an illusion. Rats hidden in the dark were already restless.
Time slipped by, and soon it was the night before the entrance exam.
---
The doorbell rang.
Ding dong~
Ethan opened the door, expecting perhaps Fairwind or one of his classmates. Instead, he found himself staring at Old Wang.
The sight nearly shocked him speechless. Once a middle-aged man with a commanding presence, Old Wang now looked decades older. His hair had turned completely white, his skin sagged with wrinkles, and his pale face carried the weariness of a man near death. Ethan barely recognized him.
Though they had never been close, Ethan still asked politely, "My lord, what has happened to you?"
Old Wang didn't waste time with pleasantries. His voice rasped like dry leaves. "Student Ethan, I've come to ask a favor of you for tomorrow."
"Please, come inside—" Ethan began, but the older man shook his head.
"There's no need. I won't dance around the matter. Tomorrow, during the entrance exam, if something goes wrong, I ask that you protect the other students as best you can."
Ethan frowned, puzzled. Old Wang sighed heavily and continued. "I'm already dying. Some time ago, a man in black approached me. He asked me to hold the exam in the Grey Fog Secret Realm. At the time, I agreed. He promised that afterward he would help me transfer to the Job Temple in Shanghai. It was… tempting."
His voice grew bitter. "But ever since that handshake, every night I've felt as though needles stabbed my heart. I realized too late—he planted something on me. He never intended to keep his promise."
Old Wang's eyes, once sharp, now brimmed with regret. "So I know the Grey Fog will hold danger. I also know you, Ethan. Your strength is already far beyond this exam. Whether you choose to study at a university or not hardly matters. But for the others… for the other students of Ravenshade, I beg you—please watch over them."
He paused, then added, "There is a level limit in the Grey Fog. Nothing above second rank can intrude. You should be able to handle it."
For the first time in his life, the old man bowed his head humbly. "This is my plea to you."
Ethan had been skeptical. Was this merely another scheme? But then he noticed something on Old Wang's neck—black spots, crawling like ink beneath the skin.
Recognition struck immediately. He had seen such markings before, on the body of the dwarf whose hand he severed while claiming the magic-breaking ring. That same curse had flared up then.
There was no denying it—Old Wang was cursed. And only one man could have planted it: the mysterious black-clad butler.
Ethan's doubts vanished. He nodded firmly. "Very well. If danger arises in the secret realm, I'll protect the others."
Relief softened Old Wang's expression. "Thank you, Ethan. Truly."
Out of kindness, Ethan gestured to his neck. "Haven't you sought someone to treat this?"
Old Wang shook his head slowly. Whether he meant he had already tried and failed, or that there was simply no hope, Ethan couldn't tell.
The old man turned to leave, murmuring a final confession: "I didn't expect my life to end like this. I was wrong—so very wrong. I misjudged you, and I wronged the principal too. Please accept my apology."
And then he walked away, hunched and frail, like a dog beaten by time itself.
Ethan stood in the doorway, watching silently. Only months ago, this same man had been vibrant and ambitious, striding into his new role with pride. Now he seemed little more than a husk, crushed beneath curses and regret.
For once, Ethan found himself without words.
---
End of Chapter 95
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