Chapter 231: THE PATH ALONE
"If you want her alive, then yo—" Lucas began after tossing the locket, but he couldn’t even finish his words...
Logan blurred from his spot.
And in the next instant....
Lucas’s feet left the ground. His body was dragged through the air and slammed into the back wall with a heavy thud. The stone cracked in a spiderweb pattern where he hit.
"Where is she?" Logan’s hand clamped around Lucas’s throat, pinning him against the wall. His voice was calm, but the pressure he released was cold... suffocating.
Lucas felt it. So did the others. Ali, Noah, and the rest of the hunters sensed the weight pressing down on them.
Logan’s bloodlust had reached its peak.
"Damn it," Ali muttered under his breath. "This is just like back then... when that human-faced monster came with those four minotaurs two years ago. He’s not going to listen to anyone now. Worse... I don’t think even my power will be enough to hold him back."
Lucas could barely speak, but with great effort, a broken voice escaped his throat. "If you want her alive... you’ll have to go alone. My master will release her only if you come by yourself. The address is... *********."
Everyone caught his words clearly—except the last part. His voice dropped so low that no one could make it out.
Logan didn’t wait. Still holding Lucas pinned to the wall by his throat, he raised his left hand and pressed it against his chest.
BOOOOM!
A thunderous bang shook the hall.
From behind Logan, no one could see what had happened to Lucas’s chest. All they heard was the echo still rolling through the stone chamber.
Then Logan released his grip and turned around.
Only then did they see it. The wall behind Lucas was blown inward, a deep hole carved into it, its edges scorched black.
And Lucas himself... a matching fiery hole burned straight through his chest.
Everyone’s mouths hung open in shock.
Charles, who had initially doubted Logan’s strength, was now completely convinced. Even those who had believed in him but never witnessed his power were equally stunned.
Logan stepped forward, stopping in front of Ali. "Master," his voice was calm yet firm. "You should return. Or wait at my home in Aerundale. I’ll bring my mother back soon."
Ali knew it was pointless, but he still tried to reason with him. "Logan, don’t go alone... they’re dangerous."
Logan met his gaze, unwavering. "I know, Master. But I can’t risk my mother getting hurt. And..." He paused for a moment. "Don’t worry. I know what I’m doing."
Ali pondered for a while before finally nodding. "Alright. But at least tell us where she is. We’ll stay close. The moment you need help, we’ll be there."
Logan shook his head. "No, Master. It’s not that simple. They stayed quiet all this time, but the moment I entered the Guild, they already knew I was back. That means they have a wide network for collecting information, or maybe spies in the guild. And right now, I am sure they also have people hidden in various places along the way, watching to see if I bring anyone with me. I can’t take that risk."
Ali fell silent again, deep in thought. He knew Logan was right. He also knew Logan was far stronger now than he had been two years ago. And yet... the thought of letting him face this alone weighed heavily on his heart. After all, Logan was the one person with whom he believed his long-held dream could be realized—reclaiming the territories swallowed by dungeons.
And no matter how short the time, Logan was still his student.
Forcing down the heaviness in his chest, Ali finally spoke. "Very well. But take this." He handed over a scroll. "This is a communication scroll. It’s rare. You can only use it to contact me. Just write down what you want me to know. If you need help or coordination, let me know."
"Alright." With that, Logan accepted the scroll and tucked it into his pouch.
But just then, Noah stepped forward.
"Logan, take this ring. It’s a storage ring. If you go like this, that scroll and your sword might be taken from you before you even get the chance to use them."
Logan’s eyes softened as he looked at him with gratitude. "Thank you, Mr. Starwind. I’ll never forget this."
With that, Logan accepted the ring and slipped it on. He brought the sword from his back to the front and willed it toward the ring. Instantly, it vanished inside. He tried the same with his pouch, and that too disappeared in a flash.
He then turned to Ali.
"I’ll be going now, Master."
At any other time, the joy of receiving such a rare ring would have meant something. But right now, there was no room for that.
Ali gave a firm nod.
"Best of luck."
Without another word, Logan rushed toward the exit. He crossed the hallway in long strides, passed through the main gate, and emerged from the cliffside.
Seeing him, Jasper and Oliver hurried over. Since they hadn’t gone inside, they had no idea what had happened.
"Logan, what happened? Did the mission succeed?" Oliver asked quickly.
Logan glanced at them, his expression unreadable.
"I’m sorry, but please wait for the Guildmaster. He’ll explain everything."
With that, Logan sprinted ahead without waiting for a reply.
Oliver and Jasper exchanged puzzled looks.
"What just happened? Where is he suddenly rushing off to like that?"
Meanwhile, Logan was already descending the mountain. He pushed himself to move faster, barely paying attention to his footing. At one point, his foot slipped, sending him stumbling down a few steps—but he didn’t care. He just kept going.
_________
Somewhere else at the same time,
Inside a dark room, Alice sat tied to a chair. She was unconscious.
But slowly, her eyes fluttered open. She was regaining consciousness. At first, everything was a blur, but the haze cleared bit by bit until the sight in front of her came into focus.
A young man sat casually in a chair opposite her, his face expressionless as he stared at her.
"Finally, you’re awake," he said flatly.
Alice stiffened, instantly on guard.
"Who are you? And where am I?" she demanded.
"Who I am doesn’t matter." A thin smile crept across his lips. "Why I brought you here... now that’s more interesting. Haven’t you been waiting for your son for a long time? I thought I’d arrange a little reunion for you. Who knows if you’ll ever see each other again after this?"
He started laughing like a madman after that.
But the man’s words struck deep inside Alice’s chest. Her heart skipped a beat, and her lips trembled. "You’re lying," she whispered, shaking her head in denial.
But even as she spoke, her voice cracked, and tears blurred her vision. "He... he is alive?" Her disbelief gave way to desperate hope. Tears spilled freely down her cheeks.
"Yes," the man replied calmly. "Though I can’t say... for how long."