Ayla's urgent voice was still echoing in the receiver when Ryan lowered his phone. He looked at the restored celadon vase on the table, then glanced at Marvin, who was slumped in the corner, pale and shaken. Ryan felt caught in a difficult position.
The red glow of the black symbols had faded, but a faint green energy still lingered around the vase. Lia's residual spirit had not fully stabilized yet. At the same time, the situation in the suburbs was critical. If he arrived any later, Ayla could be in real danger.
"Detective Ryan… is something wrong?" Marvin asked carefully, noticing the tension in Ryan's expression.
Ryan took a deep breath and made his decision."Mr. Marvin, I have an urgent matter to deal with. But the seal on the vase isn't fully secured yet. I need to reinforce it one last time to make sure nothing goes wrong."
He spoke into the phone again."Ayla, I need a few more minutes to wrap things up here. I'll head to the suburbs in ten minutes. Stay alert and don't act alone."
"Alright. Be careful," Ayla replied briefly before hanging up.
Ryan put away his phone and focused. According to the Spirit Contract Restoration Manual, a stabilization ritual performed after restoration could strengthen the bond between a spirit and its vessel, while isolating it from lingering dark energy.
He took out the spiritual stabilizer once more and let two drops fall onto the base of the vase. Then, following the instructions in the manual, he slowly recited the stabilization incantation. This spell was gentler than the restoration spell—its rhythm soft and soothing, like spring rain falling onto the earth.
As the incantation echoed through the room, the pale green energy on the vase began to flow smoothly instead of chaotically. Lia's figure gradually emerged from within the vase, far clearer than before. The patterns on her white ancient gown were now faintly visible.
Her expression was no longer one of pain. Calmness and gratitude filled her eyes as she looked at Ryan, her form floating gently in rhythm with the spell.
Ryan could clearly feel his magical energy resonating with Lia's natural power. Together, they formed a thin, translucent barrier that wrapped around the vase. Through the Eye of Truth, golden specks shimmered across the barrier—the sign that the stabilization ritual was taking effect. The last trace of dark energy was completely expelled.
Ten minutes later, Ryan finished the incantation and let out a long breath.
Nearly all of his remaining magic had been drained, but the result was undeniable. The green energy around the vase flowed steadily without leaking. Lia's form had become far more solid, her aura pure and gentle, free of the instability she had shown before.
"Thank you, young human detective," Lia said softly at last. Her voice was light as a breeze, carrying the ancient clarity unique to the elves."If not for you, my soul fragments would have long since faded into time. For a thousand years, I was trapped within this vase, watching the remnants of my homeland crumble into dust. I thought no one would ever remember the elves again."
Ryan smiled."No need to thank me. It's my job. Protecting the rightful existence of supernatural beings is one of the Balance Council's core principles."
Lia nodded gently, a hint of sorrow crossing her features."A thousand years ago, darkness swept through the Elven Forest. My people gave their lives to protect our home. To preserve even a trace of our legacy, I sealed part of my soul within this vase. I never imagined that after centuries of slumber, it would still attract dark forces."
She looked at Ryan, her expression turning solemn."You have helped me. I must repay you."
She raised a slender finger. A pale green leaf materialized at her fingertips. The leaf glowed softly, saturated with natural magic identical to her own, and drifted toward Ryan.
"This is a Leaf of the World Tree," Lia explained."It contains pure natural magic. It can block one fatal dark-magic attack. In critical moments, it can also restore your stamina and magical energy. As long as you carry it, it will warn you when dark energy approaches."
Ryan's eyes lit up. He carefully took the leaf, which felt warm and smooth in his hand. A cool current flowed into his body, instantly easing his exhaustion and restoring part of his depleted magic.
"This is incredibly valuable," he said sincerely."Thank you, Lia. I'll keep it safe."
Lia bowed slightly, her form gradually becoming transparent."I must return to the vase and rest to restore my soul. If you ever encounter matters involving the elves, speak my name to the vase, and I will respond if I can. I hope that one day, you will uncover more traces of my people and let the world remember that an elven race once lived in harmony with nature."
With that, her figure merged back into the vase. The green light faded, and the artifact returned to the appearance of an ordinary antique. Only the leaf in Ryan's pocket, still warm, proved that everything had truly happened.
At that moment, a system notification echoed in Ryan's mind:
"Side Quest Completed: 'Restore the Ancient Vase and Soothe the Elven Remnant.'Rating: ExcellentRewards: 300 Shadow Points, Intermediate Magic Analysis Manual ×1Skill Unlocked: 'Basic Nature Affinity.'"
A stronger wave of cool energy surged through his body. His fatigue vanished completely, replaced by a lightness he hadn't felt in days. Knowledge from the Intermediate Magic Analysis Manual and the fundamentals of Basic Nature Affinity flowed into his mind. The skill would greatly improve his ability to sense and manipulate natural energy, enhancing healing and defensive spells.
"Three hundred Shadow Points… and an intermediate manual!" Ryan was thrilled. It was the largest reward he had ever received. Opening his system interface, he watched his balance jump from 43 to 343 points, instantly feeling far more secure.
"Detective Ryan… is it really over?" Marvin asked cautiously as he stepped back into the shop.
"Yes. There won't be any more trouble," Ryan replied."This vase is an elven relic. Its natural energy will purify the surroundings rather than cause disturbances. Just don't let it get damaged or handled casually."
Marvin nodded repeatedly and handed over a thick envelope."Thank you so much! Please accept this—fifty thousand."
Ryan accepted it without hesitation. It was earned, and another solid step on his path as an official supernatural detective.
He left the shop and hurried toward the parking lot.
While driving to the suburbs, Ryan skimmed through the Intermediate Magic Analysis Manual in his mind. It contained detailed explanations of mid-tier spells and deep analyses of dark magic runes—including the Shadow Devourer Rune he had encountered before.
According to the manual, this rune belonged to an ancient dark magic system, often associated with a mysterious organization. The symbols used in Dr. Kallen's experiments were a simplified version of it.
"So the darkness behind Kallen is far older—and far stronger—than I thought," Ryan muttered.
Suddenly, the leaf in his pocket glowed faintly green, accompanied by a sharp tingle. His heart tightened. He activated the Eye of Truth and looked toward the suburbs.
A thin layer of black mist hung in the distance, saturated with dark magic—far denser and more violent than anything Kallen could produce alone.
Ryan stepped on the accelerator, unease flooding his chest. He tried calling Ayla, but there was no signal. The road grew more isolated, trees looming like shadows in the dark.
Minutes later, he reached the abandoned warehouse district. Patrol cars from the Balance Council were parked nearby, their lights flashing—but no officers were in sight.
The dark magic grew heavier. The leaf's glow intensified, the pain sharper.
Ryan got out of the car and scanned the area. On the ground, a massive dark magic circle was carved into the earth. At its center was a fusion of Kallen's experimental symbol and the Shadow Devourer Rune.
Ayla's presence was there—weak and unstable—right in the middle.
"Ayla!" Ryan lunged forward, but the leaf flared brilliantly, forming a green barrier in front of him. At the same time, the magic circle ignited with red light, releasing a terrifying suction force.
Ryan barely managed to grab a tree to keep from being dragged in.
In that moment, he understood—this wasn't just a trap for Ayla. It was bait, set for Balance Council detectives themselves.
And worse still, within the magic circle's energy, Ryan sensed a familiar presence—the same aura as the hooded figure from Starlight District, the one who had sold the bracelet to Li Mo.
That mysterious man… was here too.