Now… use it right now? Damn it—do I even have another choice?
Red lightning crashed down, crawling along the ground like racing snakes—
no, not racing.
Competing to see which one would reach them first.
The two of them stood frozen, staring at Lam Huy Trường in shock.
The same question flashed through their minds—
why was he suddenly standing right beside them?
He didn't have time to explain.
His gaze dropped to the faintly glowing white stone hovering in his palm.
He wanted to shout—like those transformation scenes in movies.
But he stopped.
Not because something blocked him.
But because—
something surged through his brain like an electric current.
It… was connecting to him.
A pulling sensation.
As if reality itself had been yanked away.
He was thrown into another space.
Before him—
a towering structure rose.
A massive tower.
Its door creaked open.
Inside—
a pitch-black corridor stretched endlessly.
Ancient. Silent. Cold.
Where… is this?
Wasn't I trying to activate the third ability of the Nguyện Môn Vong Ức — Gate of Forsaken Vow…?
Don't tell me—
Lam Huy Trường didn't hesitate.
He stepped inside.
The moment his foot crossed the threshold—
the door behind him shut.
The space twisted slightly.
A blinding light burst forth, forcing him to shield his eyes.
When he opened them—
everything had changed.
It looked like…
a library.
Shelves towered like mountains.
Glass orbs floated in the air, each containing glowing flowers.
And at the center—
a raised platform.
At the top of the steps stood a stone pedestal.
And on it—
a book.
Lam Huy Trường walked forward.
Each step echoed softly beneath his feet, the hollow sound spreading through the space.
He stopped in front of the book.
Strange symbols covered its surface and pages—twisting, arranged in patterns he couldn't comprehend.
Then—
a voice echoed beside his ear.
Deep. Heavy. Resonant.
As if it came from something seated far above… issuing a command.
"Write the law you wish to inscribe."
"But remember—"
"The law must remain in balance with the universe."
"It cannot be too abstract… such as immortality or becoming a god."
"Your law will only last for five minutes."
The voice paused.
Then sank lower. Heavier.
"Be careful. Once written… the price you pay must be equal."
And then—
silence.
Lam Huy Trường stood still.
His eyes scanned the dim, oppressive space.
Did I really just get pulled into another dimension?
All I have to do… is write something?
Like making a wish?
He glanced around again.
Still nothing.
No presence.
No guidance.
His gaze returned to the book.
Light from a half-moon window above shone down—
perfectly centered on it.
Like a stage.
And the book—
was the centerpiece.
He reached out.
And slowly opened it.
Inside—
lines of red, twisted script appeared.
He froze.
What…?
Has someone already written in this?
He tried to read it.
But it was useless.
Not a single symbol made sense.
He flipped to another page.
Then another.
And another—
all the same.
Maybe… this language was encoded.
Only the writer… or the owner of the book could understand it.
But more importantly—
what should he write?
Did I really just "escape" into another space?
What's happening outside?
Has time stopped?
Or is it still moving?
What if… I'm just standing out there, frozen… waiting to be torn apart by monsters?
Lam Huy Trường frowned.
"…Damn."
One law… in exchange for an equal price.
And it has to be "balanced with the universe."
What kind of nonsense is that?
He clenched his hand.
"Wait…"
He couldn't rush this.
He needed to understand what was happening outside first.
And… what happens after writing?
Can I even go back?
If I don't write—
am I stuck here forever?
"Hello?!"
Lam Huy Trường suddenly shouted.
"Anyone there?!"
His voice echoed—
then vanished.
No response.
"Where's the exit?!"
Silence.
"No instructions at all?!"
He gritted his teeth.
"So I just write in my own language… right?"
A pause.
"…Then where's the pen?"
His eyes scanned the surroundings.
"What am I supposed to write with?"
His gaze stopped on the red text inside the book.
"…Don't tell me it's blood."
His hand instinctively pulled back.
Then—
a faint singing voice echoed beside his ear.
Soft.
Warm.
Yet it spread outward, filling the space.
It eased the tension tightening his chest.
Like a gentle stream flowing through his mind.
Lam Huy Trường froze.
A strange sense of peace washed over him.
This is—
He looked up.
Nothing.
Only tiny specks of light drifting down.
They touched his body…
and disappeared.
At that moment—
a faint sound came from behind him.
Lam Huy Trường spun around instantly.
And—
his eyes met a girl.
Pale red eyes.
Deep.
As if they contained a bottomless abyss.
She looked at him.
Said nothing.
Just stared.
"…Uh, hi?"
Lam Huy Trường raised a hand awkwardly.
She looked like a tiny princess.
Holding a book tightly in both arms.
A thin, simple dress clung to her body.
Her hair was tied with two symmetrical ribbons on either side, just behind her short bangs.
If he had to describe her—
she looked like a shy librarian.
A true bookworm.
But—
her expression was changing.
Bit by bit.
From curiosity…
to fear.
Lam Huy Trường froze.
"Hey—"
Before he could say anything—
she suddenly turned.
And ran.
In that brief moment—
he caught a glimpse—
beneath the thin fabric—
two small white wings.
And a faint whisper brushed past him like wind:
"Not him… not him…"
"Wait—!"
Lam Huy Trường reached out.
But—
the space around him suddenly twisted.
An invisible force crushed down on him.
And then—
smack!
Like someone had flicked his forehead.
"Ow—!"
His vision shattered.
Everything collapsed.
The very next second—
cold rain slammed into his face.
The roar of monsters rushed in from all directions.
He… was back.
"…Great. Another thing that makes no sense."
A panicked female voice rang out beside him:
"Why are you suddenly next to me, Professor?!"
Professor?
Which professor?
A male voice cut through the rain.
Lam Huy Trường turned.
Two people.
One male. One female.
Lyra Granger.
And a brown-haired young man, soaked to the bone.
The moment the man saw him—
his expression shifted.
From shock…
to hostility.
So fast it was almost jarring.
His right hand dropped to his waist.
Gripping something.
Black light gathered.
Condensed.
In an instant—a pitch-black sword formed.
Long. Smooth. Cold as obsidian.
For a split second—
Lam Huy Trường felt as if that blade had already passed through him.
Split him clean in two.
He moved instantly—leaning left.
Whoosh—!
A slash tore through the air.
Cutting across where he had just stood.
And—
slicing straight through a Clone charging from behind him.
Lyra shouted immediately:
"No! That's the Professor! Kai, what are you doing?!"
"No."
The man's voice was ice-cold.
"He's definitely a fake."
"There's no Professor here."
He pulled the sword back.
Lowered his stance.
Preparing to strike again.
Lam Huy Trường clicked his tongue.
"Hot-headed kids…"
"Never listen to explanations."
But his eyes flicked into the distance.
The red lightning—
was already close.
Just a few more seconds—
No.
Not just him.
All three of them… would lose control.
"No other choice…"
Lam Huy Trường gritted his teeth.
"Damn this game…"
He lifted his head, staring straight at the two in front of him.
Lyra still stood in front of him, shouting to stop Kai.
And Kai—
his gaze was murderous.
"Hey—you two!"
Lam Huy Trường shouted.
A faint golden light flared around his body.
At the same time—
he activated the stone.
And the Gate of Forsaken Vow responded.
A sound echoed.
Melancholic.
A low, lingering piano note that seemed to touch the depths of emotion.
As if the power itself… was answering his call.
"The second ability…"
"Time Slow."
he whispered.
"Five seconds…"
"…is enough."
He lowered his gaze.
Toward the ground beneath his feet.
In his vision—
the red lightning was no longer lightning.
They were snakes.
Slithering forward.
Winding.
Only a few steps away.
But then—
something changed.
Color… drained away.
As if stripped by an unseen force.
Everything turned into a cold silver.
Not just the lightning.
Raindrops froze midair, stretched into thin silver streaks.
They brushed against his coat… so slowly it felt like a gentle touch, leaving trails of cold wetness across the fabric.
Everything.
Space.
Sound.
The entire world—
was stretched.
Slowed.
Warped.
A voice behind him—
dragged out, distorted:
"W…h…a…t…"
"P…r…o…f…e…s…s…o…r…"
Lam Huy Trường stood there.
In a world stripped of color.
Only he—
remained vivid.
A single pillar of color in a silver-gray painting.
Golden light spread beneath his feet.
Wrapping around his body.
Without hesitation—
he moved.
So fast it broke through the sluggish drag of space.
In an instant, he was beside them.
One hand on each shoulder.
Their bodies were nearly frozen.
Every movement… slowed to meaninglessness.
Lam Huy Trường lifted his head.
His gaze turned upward.
Above—
a blue moon.
Like it was made of ice.
Floating.
Ripples spread around it.
Like disturbed water.
He narrowed his eyes.
"…Alright."
The golden light surged stronger.
Engulfing all three of them.
He glanced down—
just in time to see—
the red lightning closing in.
Sealing off the entire area beneath their feet.
Only a single moment remained—
before the encirclement was complete.
And—
whoosh.
All three vanished.