Chapter 86: Swallowed by the Forgotten City (1)

Ashvarn trembled.

It was the middle of the night—an hour usually defined by stillness and solemn quiet…

Yet tonight, a violent tremor shook its very foundations.

This was no ordinary earthquake.

Every single soul within Ashvarn without exception … felt it.

A sinister energy.

One that planted terror in some… stirred unease in others… and even the most powerful elders were not spared from its influence.

The tremor lasted only a few seconds—barely even a minute.

But it was enough.

Enough for the entire Heart clan to realize the magnitude of the danger.

Deep within Ashvarn, in one of its most concealed locations…

A hidden sanctum lay at the core of the dark city.

Within it stood a grand hall, illuminated by a colossal flame.

A sacred structure.

At its center rested a massive vessel that held the Flame of Lord Vassel … the very fire that sustained the strength of the bonfire flames throughout the region.

A fire born from the ashes of thousands of the Heart.

A flame that seemed eternal… as though it would burn forever.

Yet even it was not spared.

The moment that dark energy touched it, its flames dimmed … if only slightly…

As if that darkness were its natural antithesis.

Before the flame stood an elderly woman, leaning on a wooden staff.

Shock and fear carved deep lines across her aged face.

“My… God…” she whispered, swallowing against her dry throat.

“The Lord’s flame… is weakening?”

Her ancient eyes—eyes that had watched this flame for decades without ever seeing it falter—

Now witnessed its dimming.

For the first time.

She quickly turned her gaze around, her eyes glowing faintly…

And there … she saw it.

Traces of dark mana still lingering in the air.

“This is the power of the curse… but that’s impossible… Ashvarn’s borders are protected—how could it reach this far?!”

“That,”

A voice came from the entrance.

“…is exactly what I would like to know.”

It was Kevin Heart.

One of the clan’s elders.

He stepped forward, extending his hand toward the sacred flame.

Instantly—

His body erupted with Aura Armor, so immense that it expanded outward, covering a vast area.

He pushed his aura to its absolute limit…

Then poured it directly into the vessel.

The flame surged in response—burning stronger, brighter.

Even in the face of crisis, Kevin remained composed.

Turning toward the old woman, he spoke firmly:

“Lady Rosa, summon at least ten advanced-ranked hunters and have them channel their power into the flame.”

His tone sharpened.

“We are standing at the edge of a disaster… one we have not seen for hundreds of years.”

Rosa nodded, though hesitation lingered in her eyes.

She understood.

Far too well.

“Do something quickly, Kevin… if the curse spreads within Ashvarn…”

Her voice trembled.

“You know exactly what will happen.”

“I do.”

Kevin clenched his fist, turning his back to her as he walked away.

“I believe I already know the cause.”

That night…

Ashvarn did not sleep.

Every hunter. Every guard capable of combat.

All were summoned to gather at headquarters.

The civilians—both Heart and non-Heart—were ordered to remain on standby.

Evacuation was now a real possibility.

Kevin moved swiftly, wasting not even a single moment.

His leadership … precise, decisive.

“My brothers of the Heart… and those beyond it…”

His voice rang out.

“You felt it… didn’t you?”

Without exception, every fighter armed themselves.

Torches were lit.

And together—they descended underground.

Toward the Legacy Dungeon that had only recently been cleared.

It was the source.

The elders … those with the sharpest senses had already confirmed it.

“What you felt… was dark mana.”

“The same mana that accompanies the Curse of Darkness… now creeping toward the borders of our home.”

His voice grew heavier.

“Somehow… that vile curse has found its way beneath our feet.”

“The darkness… has reached us.”

With every word Kevin spoke, the Heart moved faster.

The highest level of alert had been declared.

“The Flame of Lord Vassel protects us.”

“And the hunters will do everything in their power to repel whatever source this curse comes from.”

He turned toward the gathered civilians.

Facing them with absolute clarity.

“Remember this—no matter the cost…”

“The Heart must not be turned by the curse.”

“We will stop it … even if it costs us our lives.”

He paused briefly… then raised his voice.

“It is still too early to determine how this will unfold.”

“But I want all of you to prepare for the worst.”

“If the hunters fail…”

His voice thundered across the space.

“…we abandon the city.”

Silence fell.

Heavy.

Oppressive.

They hesitated… but they trusted him.

And that was enough .

Kevin exhaled slowly.

“We cannot allow history to repeat itself… no matter the cost…”

His thoughts were dark.

He feared it.

Another purge.

Another tragedy like the one that had erased the past.

That was why …

He had not informed the ruling Ardyn family.

Not yet.

“Don’t push yourself too hard, Kevin.”

A voice came from behind him.

Calm. Grounded.

A rare seriousness replacing its usual levity.

It was Asterion Heart.

“You know exactly why I’m worried.”

“I do,” Asterion replied, placing a hand on his shoulder.

“But for now… trust the hunters.”

“They are our best chance.”

The two stood together…

Alongside the other elders.

At the edge of the pit leading down into the Legacy Dungeon.

And this time …

Every available hunting squad…

Had already been deployed.

Even if it meant turning the entire dungeon upside down, their orders were clear: locate the source of that ominous energy… and deal with it, if possible.

All squads were deployed, along with a large number of guards, turning the dungeon into a dense swarm of hunters.

With such overwhelming numbers, the discovery of the hidden passage beneath the throne was only a matter of time—and it was found quickly.

A dark staircase… leading into the unknown.

One after another, the hunters descended, driven by the need to uncover what lay on the other side.

The First Hunting Squad—the strongest of all—took the lead, guiding the way. Behind them stood the Third Squad, led by Moon Heart, positioned directly after them due to the absence of the Second Squad.

That placed Ethan and his team next in terms of strength.

Ethan walked silently among his companions, keeping to himself.

Among the dozens of hunters who entered the tunnel and advanced through its darkness… he was the only one who knew what awaited them on the other side.

The passage was narrow, forcing them to move in single file.

Ahead of him, Raiden led the way alongside Moon, who illuminated the path with her flaming sword.

Behind him were Alicia and the archer Chai… along with a familiar face.

Luna, the young witch, had been sent as well.

With her assigned squad still absent, she had been temporarily placed with the Third Squad.

And just like that, Ethan’s hunting team was complete.

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