When Damon finally returned to the campsite, there was a vile and cursed aura around him that made everyone instantly uneasy.
Georgina, who had already opened up her mouth to say something offensive, no doubt, quickly shut herself up and took a few steps back. Even Damon’s mother and father felt a shiver run down their spines.
"Hubby, you are scaring them," Aurora said softly as she stepped forward. Her expression remained calm, but there was concern in her eyes. She raised her hand and quickly cast a purification and calming spell, golden light spreading outward in gentle ripples.
Her skill did not completely erase the curse-laden murderous stench, but at least it dulled the whole aura. Damon exhaled slowly. Only then did he realize just how much of the battlefield he had brought back with him.
"Sorry," he said, rubbing the back of his neck. "I didn’t mean to drag... all of that here."
Kate approached next, eyes scanning him with a mix of worry and curiosity. "You’re bleeding," she pointed out, even though his wounds were already sealing themselves. "Just how long were you fighting?"
Everyone knew about Damon’s insane stamina and mental strength, and to see him tired and exhausted like this... it sent a quiet ripple of unease through the camp.
Even Third straightened from where he was sitting, his usual lazy posture gone. Blood Wraith stopped mid-sentence. Phoenix’s brows knit together as she studied Damon more closely. No one said it out loud, but the thought was the same for all of them.
If Damon looked like this, then whatever he fought was no joke.
"My love... shall I help you heal and nourish a little? I can help you recover faster?" Lirae offered, her voice gentle but edged with worry.
Damon smiled and shook his head. "I need a little time. I will be back with you guys in a bit."
Damon turned and walked a short distance away from the camp, stopping beneath a cluster of trees. He lowered himself onto a flat stone and finally let everything settle. This time, he had unexpectedly gained a lot. He wanted to assimilate all of it without wasting even a single skill.
His blood essence also churned restlessly, still echoing with the battlefield’s madness. Fragments of rage and resentment brushed against his mind, turning his mood grim. He knew he needed to stabilize his mind before something happened.
He did gain a lot. But at the same time, he could feel how much he had gained... and how close he had come to losing control if he had pushed even a little further. He closed his eyes and silently meditated, calming himself down and the raging energies in his body.
Meanwhile, behind him, the camp gradually returned to its rhythm. The fire crackled. Someone laughed softly. The women resumed their meditation. Damon’s mother fussed over food, pretending not to watch him every few seconds.
Damon sat there quietly, eyes closed, blood essence flowing in slow, deliberate cycles. Time passed quickly, and soon another day was about to end. There were now only 24 hours left for the Golden Throne event.
This was also the second day on which no one was kicked out of the game. It looked like the system shutdown was truly a thing of the past.


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