The black mist writhed inside the magic cage like a living creature. Every time it brushed against his skin, a sharp sting shot through Ryan, and he could feel the already weak magical energy inside him being rapidly drained. His limbs grew heavier, and even lifting his hands felt like an impossible effort. He stared unblinkingly at the approaching mechanical arm. The needle gleamed coldly, the black potion atop it seeming to mock his helplessness. On the lab table, Mr. Linton's breathing grew faint, his pale face turning ashen—he wouldn't last much longer.
"I can't give up!" Ryan gritted his teeth, forcing the last ounce of strength in his body to resist the magical energy's grip. He lunged toward the corner of the room, snatching the fallen dagger and slashing at the red light shield. With a sharp clang, the dagger bounced off the shield, sending a jolt of pain through his hand. Only a faint ripple appeared on the shield before vanishing. Meanwhile, the black mist crept up his ankles like icy serpents, slowly winding higher.
"System! Show me! What else can I exchange?" Ryan shouted in his mind. In this desperate moment, the Shadow Pawn System was his only lifeline. The system interface flashed in his mind, an endless list of items scrolling by. Most required far more Shadow Points than he had. After using 50 points to exchange for the magic disruptor, his initial 100-point reward had dwindled to 53. Only a few options were available.
"Minor Healing Spell: 20 Shadow Points, restores a small amount of health and injury.""Dispel Charm: 30 Shadow Points, dispels low-level dark magic."
Ryan skimmed the list, feeling his heart sink. These items either only healed him or couldn't counter the high-level magic cage before him. The mechanical arm was now less than three meters away, the needle's glare stabbing at his eyes, the black mist crawling up to his knees, slowing his movements further.
At that moment, a skill option popped into view:
"Fireball Spell (Basic): Costs 50 Shadow Points. Guides magical energy into a fireball to attack enemies. Moderate power; accuracy requires manual control. Note: Must understand basic magical energy guidance methods."
Ryan's heart leapt. He remembered the Basic Magic Manual he had obtained after completing the main quest in Chapter 5—it contained the foundational principles of the Fireball Spell, though he had never exchanged for or learned it.
"This is it! Exchange for the Fireball Spell!" he thought. Without hesitation, he commanded it in his mind. Fifty Shadow Points vanished instantly, and a stream of information flowed into his mind: energy pathways, casting gestures, aiming techniques. His chaotic magical energy began to coalesce under the guidance of this information.
"You think a basic spell can break my magic cage? Foolish!" Dr. Kallen's voice blared through the loudspeakers, dripping with scorn. "This cage was formed using high-level dark magic. Only a full strike from an advanced ability user could break it. You? You're just an experimental subject!"
Ryan ignored the taunt, focusing all his mind on channeling the energy according to the guidance. Magical energy flowed slowly through his body, stabbing pain coursing through his veins—the first time he had attempted to actively guide magic into an attack. The black mist still gnawed at his strength; sweat beaded on his forehead, vision blurred slightly. Yet he kept his eyes locked on the red light of the cage, using his True Sight to scan. The runes were dense, but near the metal door, one rune's energy flow was weaker—a key node in the magic array.
"Found it!" Ryan's heart raced. He adjusted his stance, feet shoulder-width apart, right hand formed into a fist. Following the Fireball Spell gestures, he slowly lifted his hand, channeling the gathered energy into his palm. Heat pooled in his palm, a small red flame flickering to life. It was unstable and could die out at any moment. The basic Fireball Spell was not overwhelmingly powerful, but it was precise and controllable.
The mechanical arm had reached him; the icy needle was less than a meter from his shoulder. Ryan inhaled deeply, banishing all distractions, and concentrated solely on the flame, locking onto the weak energy node with his True Sight.
"Hah!" he shouted, thrusting his hand forward. The fireball shot like a bullet, its faint red glow striking the weak point.
"Ssshh—" A piercing sound rang out as the fireball collided with the red shield. The shield shuddered violently; the rune at the weak point dimmed instantly. Black energy cracks spread like a spiderweb. Dr. Kallen's mocking voice abruptly cut off, replaced by a furious roar: "Impossible! How… how could a basic fireball break my cage!"
Bang! The red shield shattered like glass. The black mist, deprived of support, dissipated instantly. The energy restraining Ryan's legs vanished. He staggered back, gasping, the flame in his palm extinguished, his magical energy depleted—exhaustion washed over him. But he did not relax; the mechanical arm was still advancing.
Suddenly, with a loud clang, the room door was violently kicked open. A golden figure darted in like the wind—Ayla! Her black cloak was torn, stained with black blood and dust. Her face was pale, but her eyes remained sharp as a hawk's. Without hesitation, she leapt forward, claws swinging, severing the mechanical arm at its base.
"Are you okay?" Ayla landed beside Ryan, a trace of concern in her voice. She quickly scanned the room, spotting Mr. Linton bound to the lab table, frowning sharply.
"I'm fine, save Mr. Linton!" Ryan shook his head, pointing at him. The Fireball Spell had drained him—he could barely stand.
Ayla nodded and dashed to the table. Linton remained unconscious, breathing shallowly. Three magical chains still pumped black magic into him.
"These are mid-level dark restraint runes," Ayla said. "We need to destroy the remaining energy nodes to free him." She looked at the three red-glowing crystals on the table.
Without hesitation, she slashed at the second crystal. Crack! It shattered, loosening the second chain. As she prepared to destroy the third, the lab shook violently; lights fell with clang, and Dr. Kallen's voice erupted through the loudspeakers:
"Since you've broken my magic cage, don't blame me for being ruthless! Defense systems, activate fully!"
Walls on either side opened, revealing dark openings. Black energy beams shot toward Ryan and Ayla. Ayla reacted instantly, pushing Ryan aside and dodging sideways. The beams struck the lab table, blasting a hole through it; shards of stone and glass flew everywhere.
"This is bad! We're surrounded!" Ayla's expression turned grim. She tried to lead Ryan and Linton out, but heavy metal gates sealed the door, while beams continued firing. The floor began to sink slowly—clearly an attempt to trap them underground.
Ryan leaned against the wall, catching his breath. Using True Sight, he scanned the lab and saw the energy core above the ceiling. Destroying it could temporarily disable the defense system—but it was protected by thick metal and surrounded by dark runes.
"Ayla! The energy core is above! Destroy it and the defenses will stop!" Ryan shouted.
Ayla glanced upward, determination flashing in her eyes. She drew in a deep breath, golden energy flowing again around her. Her stamina was not fully restored, but she had to act.
"Watch Mr. Linton! I'll destroy the core!" she said. Launching off the ground, she darted toward the ceiling, her golden afterimage weaving through the energy beams.
Ryan moved to guard Linton, dodging debris. He watched Ayla maneuver through the beams, worry gnawing at him. Just as she neared the metal plate protecting the core, the lab's speakers crackled—Dr. Kallen's mad laughter echoed:
"You think destroying the energy core lets you escape? Foolish! I've prepared my final 'gift' for you—it's on its way!"
Footsteps rumbled from deep within the lab, growing louder with each step, shaking the ground violently—as if a colossal beast was approaching. Ryan's True Sight detected a massive black shadow advancing, dark magical energy swirling around it far denser than any modified creature they'd faced before. The oppressive aura made it almost suffocating.
Ayla turned, seeing the shadow approaching. Her expression darkened. Kallen's "gift" had arrived—it was likely his ultimate weapon. She was still in midair, just one step from the core, unable to return in time to assist. Ryan watched the looming shadow, then glanced at Ayla in the air, his heart sinking to the depths—they had just escaped the magic cage, only to face a new, far more terrifying predicament.