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Upon uttering these words, Maude\'s physique began to transform.

The once ethereal remnants of his spirit became even more insubstantial, flowing like a stream of gray-black energy along his arm and continuously infusing the human body. With the infusion of this shadowy essence, the lifeless form stirred to life.

Moments later, the human figure sat up.

He gazed at his own arms, then gently closed his eyes to attune to his current state, unable to contain a jubilant laugh, "I have finally succeeded!"

This marked the resurgence of Maude.

After donning a robe with a casual flourish, he opened the great doors of the Node Temple, casting his gaze upon the jungle beyond, and strode forth with purpose.

In that instant of contact with the outside world, elemental energies from the surrounding air surged into his being.

Maude\'s power escalated rapidly.

In the blink of an eye, he ascended to Level 6, followed swiftly by Level 7, Level 8, and ultimately, Level 9.

Upon reaching the zenith of Level 9, his advancement halted. He looked into the distance and mused, "It is time to reclaim what was once mine. With the bloodline of the ancient human race from the Fierce Beast continent, combined with the purified essence of my soul, my talents now rank among the finest in the Starry Sky. Once I retrieve what I seek, I shall depart from the Fierce Beast continent..."

Having spoken, Maude\'s figure vanished.

As he departed from the jungle, the uniquely crafted metallic Node Temple trembled, and gradually sank into the ground, leaving behind only a vast pit in its wake.

…

Meanwhile.

Enzo and Karina were making their way toward the Otrank Mountains.

As a forbidden realm within the Fierce Beast continent, it instilled fear in many. Yet, numerous individuals, confident in their strength, disregarded the dangers of the Otrank Mountains, opting instead to venture within and explore.

With the influx of adventurers, a modest Gathering Place emerged.

Over the course of a century, this locale evolved into the present Otrank City. Unlike Ambera City, however, Otrank City lacks a definitive lord. Its inhabitants are predominantly supernatural beings of considerable prowess.

These individuals hailed from various regions of the Fierce Beast continent.

They included a number from the outside world.

Upon hearing of Otrank City, Enzo\'s interest was piqued. Entering the Otrank Mountains was not a hasty decision. Thus, at Enzo\'s suggestion, the two resolved to remain in Otrank City for a time, gathering information about the mountains before making their foray.

As evening fell, Enzo and Karina arrived at Otrank City.

They casually selected a modest inn to lodge in.

"Enzo, don\'t you find that Mr. Maude rather peculiar?" Karina inquired curiously, entering their room with two glasses of juice. After handing one to Enzo, she settled beside the table.

"Indeed, something is amiss." Enzo conceded.

Whether it was the Mau whom Karina had previously known, the eccentric whom they had met urging them toward the Otrank Mountains, or the figure that had appeared near the Node Temple—everything seemed intricately linked to Maude.

But Enzo did not inquire, nor did Maude voluntarily disclose.

This was a secret that belonged solely to Maude.

As long as this secret posed no threat to her or her loved ones, Enzo adhered to the principle of avoiding unnecessary trouble. Although he harbored a curiosity regarding Maude\'s secret, he had no intention of probing further.

Thus, he chose to depart with Karina.

At the very least, the primary objective—resolving the elemental seal upon him—had been achieved, and he had also acquired an immensely powerful divine art of soul defense from Maude, known as Soul Fortress. This could certainly be deemed a bountiful gain.

Perceiving the unspoken implications in Enzo\'s words, Karina refrained from pressing the matter further.

That was not the purpose of her visit to Enzo.

Instead, she continued to sip her juice, as if the questions lingering on her mind were too difficult to articulate.

Enzo furrowed his brow in mild perplexity and said, "Karina, feel free to ask whatever is on your mind."

Upon hearing Enzo\'s encouragement, Karina finally lifted her gaze, her hazel eyes reflecting a peculiar emotion, and then she posed a question to Enzo: "Enzo, during that ephemeral experience in the Node Temple, why did you reject me... when I would have yielded completely to you at that moment?"

"Reject you?" Enzo responded, slightly taken aback.

It soon dawned on him that this occurred within the illusory scenario crafted by the fallen Maude, where Karina had suddenly thrown herself at him, her gaze dazed, yearning to unleash her desires, yet he had turned her away then.

Recalling this, Enzo replied, "That was a special trial."

This trial, known as The Seven Sins Curse, pertained to Temple of the Seven Gods from the Starry Sky and was likely intended to ensnare Maude\'s fallen soul.

Upon hearing Enzo\'s explanation, a flicker of disappointment crossed Karina\'s expression.

She nodded, rising to her feet, poised to retreat to her room, when Enzo grasped her wrist, inquiring, "Karina, what troubles you? This is not like you."

Though their time together had been brief, Enzo was keenly aware of Karina\'s decisive nature. She would not have dared to oppose Cornelius otherwise, nor would she exhibit such hesitance today.

Could it be that she encountered something else within the Node Temple?

Enzo recalled the peculiarities surrounding Karina\'s initial appearance in that enigmatic Node Temple.

Karina shook her head, seemingly reluctant to elaborate, murmuring, "It\'s nothing."

Yet, her insistence only underscored the gravity of the situation.

With a gentle but firm tug, Enzo drew her closer. Karina, caught off guard by his action, stumbled against him. At the moment of contact, she instinctively shivered, as if resisting the intimacy of close proximity with another.

"What happened?" Enzo asked, concern etched in his voice, sensing her fear.

In his embrace, Karina lifted her gaze, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.

Softly, she confessed, "I... I recalled moments in the temple..."

Karina clenched her teeth, haunted by a past that had wrought immense torment upon her spirit.

The sight of her distress deepened Enzo\'s empathy.

He gently enveloped her, whispering near her ear, "Do not worry, Karina. It is all behind you. With me, you shall never endure such anguish again."

Karina nodded, a flicker of reassurance crossing her features.

Then she stood, facing Enzo.

Dressed in a flowing white body-hugging gown, its simple fabric enveloped her form, obscuring any clear understanding of her shape.

At that moment, Karina undertook a startling act.

She placed her hand at the neckline of her flowing gown and, without hesitation, pulled it down, revealing her form before Enzo. Yet, upon catching sight of Karina\'s delicate silhouette and the gentle sway of her softness, Enzo felt no hint of desire.

Karina\'s body bore countless scars.

The patterns of these marks indicated they were the result of years of being lashed with a whip. Some were faint, while others were a deep, dark hue. Most notably, as a supernatural being, Karina\'s ordinary wounds would leave no trace.

These scars were etched by a means most sinister.

"Does it hurt?" Enzo inquired with concern.

Upon hearing his compassionate words, Karina shuddered, her eyes brimming with tears that spilled forth like a torrential flood.

She began to recount the harrowing tale of her past, describing the torment she had endured, her yearning to escape, and her longing for someone to rescue her. These tragic experiences filled Enzo\'s heart with profound sympathy for Karina.

He gently lifted the gown she had begun to remove and comforted her, saying, "Karina, it is all in the past now."

However, Karina grasped Enzo\'s hand and pressed it firmly against her chest.

Her gaze ignited with fervor.

The meaning behind her eyes was unmistakable—an invitation.

Enzo did not hesitate. He leaned in and softly kissed Karina\'s lips, treating her as one would a cherished work of art, striving to be gentle and to envelop her in warmth.

Karina responded clumsily.

She encircled Enzo in her embrace, her hands wandering aimlessly over his form, as she let her gown slip away once more.

The foreplay was brief, and soon Enzo lifted Karina and carried her to the bed.

Then, a sphere of verdant light materialized in Enzo\'s palm, emanating an aura of life\'s essence. Karina, perplexed, turned her gaze toward him.

Enzo explained, "I will help you erase these scars."

Karina was momentarily stunned, contemplating for what felt like an eternity before she finally nodded gently.

As the life force began to work its magic, the scars on Karina\'s skin gradually faded away, her flesh regaining its silky smoothness, reminiscent of pure milk. Throughout this transformation, she kept her eyes fixed on Enzo, a myriad of unspoken emotions flickering within them.

Once the task was complete and she sensed warm hands resting upon her chest, Karina gasped in sudden realization.

Then, in a soft voice, she expressed her gratitude, "Enzo, thank you."

A smile graced Enzo\'s face as he replied, "Karina, rather than mere words of thanks, I would prefer a more tangible reward."