Carter’s warning landed across the hallway with a heaviness that had the Magik warriors gripping their weapons tightly, but none of them made a move. Instead, they all looked at Captain Elisar, waiting for his reaction.

Rune let a small smile stretch across his lips. It was subtle, yet undeniable. And for some unknown reason, it unsettled Carter.

"Don’t worry. I won’t give you that chance." Rune spoke softly, but his words held a kind of surety that didn’t match the current situation.

Right at that moment, Rune finally heard the words inside his head he had been waiting to hear.

[Integration complete: 100%.]

The moment the system’s voice finished, everything changed. A surge of power erupted from the ring, but instead of spreading outward, it moved inward.

It rushed into Rune’s body like a flood breaking through a dam, violent and overwhelming. His veins burned. His senses sharpened to an almost painful degree. Every inch of his being felt like it was being torn apart and reforged at the same time.

His breath hitched slightly, and it took every ounce of his control to not his expression shift. The last thing they needed was Carter to sense something wasn’t right about this entire situation.

The thought barely formed before the intensity spiked again, threatening to overwhelm him completely.

For a fraction of a second, he nearly lost control. But at the very last seconds he felt another presence entering his body.

This one was softer, calmer, steady, and familiar.

This second stream of power flowed into him gently, weaving through the chaos inside him like a guiding hand. It didn’t suppress the jade ring’s power, but balanced it, smoothed and anchored it.

It was none other than Grace helping him through the integration.

Her energy wrapped around his, easing the strain, stabilizing the surge that threatened to break him apart.

And then, he heard her soft, clear voice inside his head.

"Relax."

It wasn’t a command, but the word still carried weight.

"Don’t fight it, Rune. Let it settle."

Rune exhaled slowly and did exactly as she asked from him. And almost instantly, he felt the chaos within him began to steady. Though it didn’t completely disappeared, it was still enough for him to get a hold on himself and not completely lose himself.

"Good," Grace’s voice came again, quieter now. "Now hand the ring to him."

"Elisar."

Carter’s voice snapped through the corridor, sharp and clearly impatient. His expression had darkened.

"You have delayed long enough," he said, his power already beginning to rise around him. "Don’t make me finish this myself."

The threat was real... immediate. He was done waiting.

Rune didn’t respond. Instead, he opened his palm fully and the jade ring sat right there.

And only the did he spoke the words Carter had been probably dying to hear at this point. "Let’s finish the exchange."

Carter’s gaze flicked to the ring. Then back to Rune. There was still suspicion in his eyes, but his greed overruled it.

"Finally," he muttered before extending his hand again.

The ancient book hovered above his palm, its worn pages carrying centuries of knowledge.

Both watched each other carefully as the moment stretched.

"Same time," Carter said and Rune nodded once. There was no hesitation, no resistance from either side as they started the exchange.

The book slid through the air toward Rune, while the ring left Rune’s hand and started gliding toward Carter.

Time seemed to slow as every eye in the corridor locked onto the exchange.

The distance started getting smaller and smaller, and then... both of them reached out and grabbed the items.

Rune’s fingers closed around the book the very exact second Carter’s hand wrapped around the ring, completing the exchange that had every person there on the edge.

The moment the book was in Rune’s grasp, 2025 began its work.

[Scanning initiated.]

The system didn’t hesitate even for a second as it copied the book’s every single detail.

Data surged as pages flipped rapidly - not physically, but digitally - and every word, every symbol, every hidden layer of information got captured at once.

It barely took about thirty seconds when the system’s mechanical voice spoke again in Rune’s head.

[Scanning complete.]

The entire contents of the book had been copied, and stored away securely.

Across from Rune, Carter froze for a second as his fingers tightened around the jade ring.

He had it.

After centuries of searching, planning, and waiting, the celestial artifact was finally... his.

A slow breath left him and he tightened his grip further, as if afraid the ring might vanish if he loosened it even slightly.

And then, he smiled. It was a wide, satisfied, almost manic smile.

"Finally..." he murmured before he lifted his eyes and met Rune’s gaze. There was triumph in them now, absolute and complete victory.

And then without warning, he flicked his wrist. His power surged out way too suddenly, attacking the book in Rune’s hand and igniting it. Flames erupted from the pages, burning bright and fierce.

"Wait-!"

One of the Magik warriors shouted, stepping forward instinctively. But it was too late. The ancient pages blackened instantly, crumbling under the unnatural fire. The cover cracked, the bindings dissolved... and within seconds... the book was gone.

Reduced to ash.

It all happened way too quickly for anyone to even react,

The corridor fell silent for a brief moment. And then, another one of Magik warriors snapped with fury, "You lied! You backstabbing-!"

Carter laughed, the sound both loud and unrestrained. "You actually believed me?" he said between laughs. "After everything?"

His gaze swept across them, mocking and amused.

"I have waited centuries for this moment," he continued. "Centuries." He lifted the ring slightly, admiring it. "And now... I finally have it."

His smile widened.

"There is nothing left to bargain."

The words hit hard, and the Magik warriors stiffened as understanding settled in with an unavailable heaviness.

He never intended to let them leave, not even for a second. And now, their only leverage was gone.

Carter’s laughter faded and got replaced by something colder, more dangerous.

"Kill them," he said simply.

His forces moved instantly, raising their weapons as power reignited across the space. But before any of them could attack Magik warriors, the High Lord spread his power across the space to stop them.

And Carter, he was already focused on something else - the ring.

He raised it slightly, studying it, feeling it. And then without wasting another second, he slipped it onto his finger.

The jade settled into place, and Carter closed his eyes briefly, waiting for the power... the surge, the transformation, the reward for everything he had done.

Everything he had sacrificed.

A second passed. Then another. But nothing happened.

His brows furrowed slightly as he focused harder, channeling his energy into the ring and tried to awaken it, to claim it.

But, there was no response, no power, no connection.

The ring... was empty.