The last pursuer fell as black dust beneath Ryn's feet.
Silence returned to the forest, but it was a silence groaning under the weight of death.
Ryn wanted to turn to Leora to reassure her, but his body wouldn't obey.
Suddenly, the violet light in his eye vanished, replaced by a profound darkness.
Ryn felt thousands of white-hot needles piercing his spine.
The System's voice exploded in his mind, but this time, it was utterly merciless.
[ Alert: A "Taboo" class skill was used without sufficient compatibility. ]
[ Collecting the Price... ]
[ Status: Temporary Total Paralysis (Duration: 12 hours). ]
[ Activating "Nerve Cleansing" protocol — Pain Level: High. ]
Ryn's body collapsed suddenly, like a puppet whose strings had been cut.
He fell face-first onto the cold dirt, unable to move even a single finger.
The pain began to tear through his muscles; a stifled scream remained trapped in his paralyzed throat.
Leora rushed toward him, panic flooding her face.
She turned his body over with trembling hands, only to find his face deathly pale, drenched in sweat.
"Ryn! What's happening? Answer me, Ryn!"
She screamed while shaking him, but he just stared into the void, unable to speak.
Leora realized that the beast who had wiped out the pursuers moments ago was now the weakest being in this forest.
She looked around at the thick shadows, knowing the scent of blood and darkness would attract worse things.
She took Ryn's cold hand and felt his body trembling from the intensity of the pain.
Despite her fear of him moments ago, seeing him this helpless stirred something in her heart.
"I won't leave you here..." Leora whispered as she tried to lift him with all her strength.
"I will carry you even if it costs me my life, just as you did."
Leora began dragging Ryn's heavy body deeper into the woods, away from the site of the battle.
In that moment, amidst his agony, the System screen appeared before Ryn's eyes one last time before he drifted into unconsciousness:
[ Note: Affection level with "Leora" has increased by 5%. ]
[ Hint: Survival is the primary objective. ]
)؟