The Laboratory fell silent once more.
Ian paused and looked at his shoulder.
Gaga had woken up at some point, its small, silver-gray eyes fixed on him.
"Ian."
It tilted its head, a childlike voice echoing in their Soul Link.
"Were you… lying to her just now?"
Ian faltered for a moment before shaking his head.
"I didn't lie. I just omitted certain facts."
He stood up, walked to the temperature-controlled cabinet, and pulled open the door.
A blast of cold air, fragrant with herbs, rushed out. Dozens of unfinished Potion intermediates were neatly arranged inside.
'A Purification and tranquilizing Potion... definitely needs to be developed.'
After a moment, he picked up a dark red liquid in a Test Tube and held it up to the light.
Fine, black, flocculent matter slowly settled within the liquid, like congealed blood.
He had used his extensive knowledge of the Abyss to create a rough simulation of the corrupting aura on the Clan Leader.
