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Chapter 140 — Legacy of the Incomplete Darkness
Saen remained silent for a long moment.
His hands trembled slightly.
Then, slowly, he began to speak.
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"Long ago," Saen said quietly,
"there existed a Dark Ancestor… a true Dark Mage."
Shen listened without interrupting.
"That ancestor chose a poor human boy," Saen continued.
"He was weak. Powerless. Forgotten by the world."
Dark mana stirred faintly around Saen.
"The Dark Mage passed his technique to that boy."
Saen clenched his fists.
"The technique was incomplete," he said.
"Not perfected."
"But even unfinished… it was terrifyingly powerful."
The boy grew strong—far beyond what his era could handle.
"And over time," Saen continued,
"his bloodline endured."
Centuries passed.
"For three hundred years, my family became one of the most powerful dark families in existence."
Shen's eyes narrowed slightly.
"But power always invites betrayal," Saen said bitterly.
"My father trusted a close friend—someone he treated like family."
Saen's voice shook.
"That man betrayed us."
He swallowed hard.
"He took everything. Our name. Our land. Our authority."
Saen's fists tightened.
"He destroyed our family from within."
Silence filled the chamber.
Sael, standing near the doorway, lowered his head.
Saen continued, his voice heavy.
"We survived by running."
"This palace…" he glanced around,
"…is a place to hide."
"We are here to escape him."
Saen finally looked up at Shen.
"If he finds us," Saen said softly,
"there will be no escape again."
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Shen remained silent.
The room felt unbearably heavy.
Then—
Shen stepped forward.
His voice was calm.
Cold.
Absolute.
"If he finds you," Shen said quietly,
"then I'll erase him from this world."
Saen's eyes widened in shock.
Shen lifted his head, a confident smile appearing on his face.
He looked directly at Saen.
"Tell me," Shen asked,
"do you want to become stronger?"
Saen hesitated.
Shen continued.
"Do you want to rebuild your dark family?"
Saen's face twisted with confusion.
"I… how could I—?"
Shen spoke again.
And the words struck Saen like thunder.
"I will guide you," Shen said firmly,
"to complete your dark technique."
Saen froze.
"Complete it…?" he whispered.
"But how is that possible?"
Shen's smile sharpened—motivated, unwavering.
He met Saen's eyes.
"Because I have the same power."
The air trembled faintly.
Shen spoke clearly.
"Because," he said,
"I possess Dark Mage power."
Saen stared at him, stunned.
For the first time since his family's destruction—
Hope ignited in his eyes.
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