Three days later, in the morning, at Shadow Path, the only route connecting Shadow Land to the outside world.
Underneath a signboard pieced together with several wooden planks, Lynch took out his pocket watch to check the time. He had agreed to meet Avery at 8 a.m., but it was already 7:55, and she was nowhere to be seen.
"Running late?"
Just as this thought crossed Lynch's mind, the sound of footsteps suddenly echoed from afar.
"Tap, tap, tap..."
The dense morning fog still cloaked the forest, and Lynch squinted into the direction of the sound, barely able to make out a few vague silhouettes approaching through the mist.
As they drew closer, Lynch finally saw who it was—it was Avery.
Spotting Lynch in the middle of the road, Avery gave a polite smile. "Didn't expect you to arrive first. Have you been waiting long, Apprentice Lynch?"
Lynch shook his head. "I just got here."
As he spoke, his gaze shifted to the people next to Avery.
