The corridor stretched into darkness. Lin Shen ran fast, the summoning was complete. Something was following.
He did not look back.
The sound of footsteps echoed behind him.
One.
Two.
Three.
They were slow at first, almost casual. Then they grew faster.
Lin Shen's breathing remained steady as he pushed himself harder. His boots struck the stone floor, each impact sending a sharp echo through the narrow passage. The walls seemed to shift around him, their ancient stones sweating black moisture that dripped onto the floor.
He reached the first corner and turned sharply.
Nothing.
For half a second, there was only darkness.
Then something scraped against the wall behind him.
Lin Shen stopped.
His fingers tightened.
The summoning had already been completed. Whatever had answered the ritual was no longer bound to the circle. He had felt its presence the moment the final seal broke. A pressure had filled the chamber, crushing the air from his lungs.
