The gorge swallows them as they step under the black canopy, its dim grey light guiding their path.

Around them, plants twist unnaturally, their stems veined with shadow, leaves pulsing with faint black glow.

Beasts prowl among the rocks, their eyes like lanterns, bodies breathing shadow mist.

Even sprites flicker in and out, tiny forms darting like sparks of living night.

Jamie exhales slowly, voice hushed.

“It’s a holy place for those who walk the way of shadow.”

The others nod, uneasy but silent.

The strangest part—the beasts do not attack.

Their glowing eyes linger, but they move aside, as if acknowledging their right to pass.

On the trail, they cross other travellers—hooded figures, lone wanderers, groups of cultivators—entering and leaving the gorge without fear.

As they push deeper, the land opens to fields of shadow plants.

Men and women tend to them, carefully pruning, harvesting, and chanting faint incantations to draw out the essence.

The air here is thick with cultivation, as if the gorge itself breathes with the rhythm of power.

At last, the town appears.

It sprawls without walls, six dark towers planted around its edges, and one immense tower rising in the centre like a spear piercing the sky.

There are no guards to stop them as they cross into the outskirts.

Houses line the streets, children laugh in parks, and adults walk with calm dignity.

Yet every single one radiates an extraordinary aura, most steeped in shadow, some so strong the air bends faintly around them.

Even among the children, a few already shine with extraordinary presence.

As they head deeper, the streets swell with life.

Shops crowd close together, stalls bark with voices, churches devoted to one of the Thirteen Gods echo with chants, and armoured guards patrol with steady steps.

The sheer weight of extraordinary presence presses on them until their confusion grows heavy.

Lily’s eyes scan the crowd.

“We cannot search Heinrich by ourselves in this town.”

Adam nods, his gaze lingering on the central tower.

“We’ll need help from whoever governs this place.”

The others agree in silence, tension written on their faces.

But Lily suddenly groans, swaying on her feet, colour draining from her cheeks.

Nora catches her arm, worry sharp in her voice.

“But first we rest—and heal properly. If we push now, we’ll break.”

Adam’s jaw tightens, then he nods.

“An inn first. Then we plan.”

They find a modest inn on the bustling street, slip inside, and finally let the door close on the suffocating aura of Shadow Town.

The next day, with most wounds healed, the group gathers in the inn’s lobby.

If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it’s taken without the author’s consent. Report it.

Jamie looks at Adam, voice steady.

“Captain, where are we going?”

Adam nods toward the counter.

“Let me ask her if there’s police or something similar.”

They walk to the woman behind the counter.

She notices them approach, her tone polite but watchful.

“Guests, do you need anything?”

Adam leans forward slightly.

“Is there police, or something similar, in the town?”

Concern flickers across her face.

“Do you need help? You can tell us.”

Adam shakes his head.

“No, we only need to visit the station.”

She hesitates, then nods.

“In Shadowlight Street, beside the Church of Light, you’ll find it.”

“Thank you,” Adam says, before leading the group out.

They reach the station quickly, guided by directions from passersby.

But only minutes later, they walk out, disappointment carved into their faces.

James clenches his fists.

“They’re inside the kingdom’s territory, yet they say they have no obligation to capture Heinrich.”

Lily exhales softly.

“It’s understandable. They’re not part of the kingdom. And the kingdom can’t just march an army here.”

Adam’s eyes narrow in thought.

“Then we find information brokers. Heinrich’s trail will be for sale somewhere.”

The others nod as they move down the street, passing the tall spires of the Church of Light.

A voice calls from behind them, warm and familiar.

“Adam.”

The group halts, heads turning.

A woman with golden hair strides toward them, clad in white priest’s robes trimmed in gold, the emblem of the Church of Light glimmering on her chest.

Her eyes fix on Adam, shining with recognition.

“It’s really you, Adam.”

Adam blinks, stunned.

“Elowen?” Adam smiles and steps forward to meet her.

“Elowen, what are you doing here? Last I heard, you were in the Kingdom of Light for study.”

Elowen’s golden hair catches the dim glow of the street as she answers.

“My studies are finished. I joined the Church of Light and was stationed here three months ago. And you—what are you doing here?”

Adam straightens.

“I joined the Griffin Special Police. I’m here for a case.”

Elowen nods, her eyes curious.

Lily tilts her head.

“Captain, who is she?”

Nora’s gaze lingers on Elowen, a faint frown pulling at her brow.

Adam glances back.

“Oh, she’s Elowen—my childhood friend.”

He quickly introduces his team to her.

Elowen smiles warmly.

“Come to my home.”

Adam shakes his head.

“We’re in the middle of a case.”

Elowen leans in slightly, her tone sharpening with curiosity.

“What case? Tell me—maybe I can help.”

Adam studies her expression before asking,

“Elowen, do you know about information brokers?”

She arches a brow.

“Why? Do you need to find someone? Tell me the name. I can use the church’s network to search.”

Adam exchanges a quick glance with his team. The mission is no secret—finding Heinrich matters more than caution.

“Heinrich Krüger.“

Elowen repeats the name softly, her expression tightening.

“Any more about him?”

She shoots up at the name Darkfire Cult, eyes wide with alarm.

“A base of the Darkfire Cult lies outside the gorge.”

Adam’s gaze sharpens, and he exchanges a quick, tense look with his team.

“Where?” he asks.

Elowen’s voice wavers with the weight of what she knows.

“I can guide you, but if you try to raid it with only your team, you will all be dead.”

Adam’s jaw tightens.

“They’re that strong?” he asks.

Elowen nods slowly.

“The base leader, Charles, is a Tier Five extraordinary — at the peak and on the verge of breaking into Tier Six at any moment.”

Adam’s face hardens at the name.

“Then we’ll need help.”

“You can ask the kingdom’s detachment in town for assistance,” Elowen says.

Adam frowns.

“The kingdom has agents here?” he asks.

Elowen answers plainly, “This town is one of the most powerful extraordinary settlements on the border; of course, the kingdom has interests here.”

Adam exhales and asks the question that matters most.

“Where is the base?”

“I’ll take you,” Elowen says.

They wind through the lanes until a dark house comes into view, its windows shuttered, its aura heavy with restrained power. Adam halts as the door opens, his breath catching when he sees the man waiting.

“Richard Harris… the Earl of Devonshire,” Adam whispers.

Elowen bows, excuses herself, and slips away, leaving the team with the Earl.

Inside, Richard listens in silence as Adam explains about Princess Elanor’s kidnapping and their mission.

“I want to help,” Richard says at last, voice low, “but even if we combine forces, the mission will be perilous, and the princess’s life could be lost in the attempt.”

Adam answers firmly, “Then we must send word to headquarters and request a Tier Five extraordinary.”

Lily’s face tightens.

“The longer we wait, the greater the danger to the princess.”

Richard sighs, worry shadowing his expression.

“Yes, you’re right. If the town’s guard could be swayed to join us, the rescue would not be so difficult.”

Adam shakes his head.

“We already asked. They said it isn’t their concern. But perhaps they will agree if it’s you.”

Richard shakes his head.

“No. They will not for me,” his eyes shift, fixing on Nora, “but they will for her.”

The room falls silent. Adam frowns in confusion. The others glance at Nora, just as lost.

“How can I…” Nora begins, but her voice trails off.

Pieces begin to connect in her mind — a holy place for those of the shadow path, hidden within the Sakar mountain range, the same place Lin Yu disappeared to. Two years ago, he was said to rival a Tier Four. Now, surely, he must have reached Tier Five… perhaps even Tier Six.

Her lips part, and she whispers, “Lin Yu Weston.”

Richard nods gravely.

Adam turns sharply toward him.

“Who is he?”

Richard studies Nora, noting the flicker in her eyes, then speaks.

“The second son of Baron Weston… and the lord of Shadow Town.”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep