Flaxseed accepted the emerald badge with trembling fingers, and tears had sworn off years ago slid helplessly down his cheeks.

“Y-Yes… It’s the ancestral talisman,” choked out. The three of them scoured Venom Palace, unearthing troves of magical items looted during the massacre. Most pieces bore the Flaxseed clan’s seal, and Flaxseed gathered each one as though handling rare treasures.

Jared looked past the dissipating toxic mist outside the broken windows. “Next, we visit the Holy Light Sect,” said, voice sharp as frost. “None who joined that purge will escape…”

Holy Light Sect occupied the western edge of level five, where the Holy Light Plains were bathed year-round in golden radiance. Palaces of polished white jade floated among the clouds, shining like something torn from a child’s myth. Yet, only a handful knew how many filthy secrets lay buried beneath that holy facade.

Jared, Flaxseed, and Corin streaked across the sky, descending as three ribbons of light before the sect’s main gate.

The sentry, a disciple clad in immaculate white robes and gripping a silver longsword, stepped forward.

“State your names and present your invitation,” commanded. Flaxseed advanced a single step, gaze cold. “Summon your sect leader. Tell the last heir of the Flaxseed clan has come to collect a blood debt!”