Chapter 57: Two Leads

The warm water of the waterfall pool still surrounded them as Victoria finally began explaining everything she had gathered about Kassia.

"When the WHA searched Kael’s house, they found a secret file," she said. "It was about Kassia.

I haven’t seen the full contents yet, but the Association has it locked away. Once we return to Ashford City, we can talk to my aunt. She’ll give us access to it."

Daemon listened without interrupting, his expression growing more focused with every word.

"From what I already know," Victoria continued, "Kassia awakened a rare bloodline. It’s almost as rare as yours. She has a regeneration ability that hasn’t been recorded even once in the hundred years since dungeons first appeared in our world.

That file should contain more secrets. We need to check every page carefully."

Daemon’s thoughts drifted before he could stop them.

He and Kassia had once lived a quiet, simple life. Before she received the job offer from Apex Guild, they had believed that joining a famous guild would finally solve their money problems.

They had talked about building a stable future together. About starting a family once things became secure.

Everything changed the moment she accepted that offer.

Daemon’s fist tightened under the water.

Victoria and Sana both noticed immediately. Without saying anything at first, they each took one of his hands and gently pressed their palms against his chest, anchoring him in the present.

"Don’t overthink it," Victoria said softly. "She’ll be fine. We’re with you this time."

Sana nodded, her voice calmer than usual.

"I know you feel guilty for not confronting her again after the breakup. But from what we’ve seen so far... she might have left you to keep you away from her problems.

To protect you." She looked straight at him. "I think she’s a good soul."

Daemon gave a small, sad smile.

"Yes. She’s a beautiful, kind girl... just like you two."

He pulled both of them closer in the warm water. Neither woman resisted. For a moment, the three of them simply stayed like that, the sound of the waterfall filling the quiet space around them.

After a while, Daemon spoke again.

"You still haven’t told me about the second lead."

Victoria let out a short sigh and rubbed her temple.

"Why do I keep forgetting things today..." She straightened slightly, water sliding off her shoulders.

"When we first entered the Corrupted Mountains, Lucien used Astral Resonance. He found a Corruption Core inside the mountain the same one you destroyed later.

That core was releasing the same type of energy that blocked him when he tried to locate Kassia before."

Daemon’s eyes sharpened.

"So they’re using that kind of corruption in connection with her?"

"Most likely," Victoria replied. "Kael also said he wanted that core. They’re either creating something with it, or using it to control or suppress her ability."

Daemon’s expression darkened. For a brief moment, the urge to storm Apex Guild immediately rose inside him like a burning wave.

Victoria caught his wrist firmly before the thought could turn into action.

"Don’t even think about rushing there just because you’ve gotten stronger. I know you can already suppress most S-Rank Awakeners.

But that doesn’t mean you can fight an entire guild by yourself."

Her voice was calm, but there was no room for argument in it.

"First we collect the reports. Then we plan properly. We strike with preparation and rescue her cleanly. They need her alive her ability is far too valuable for them to throw away carelessly."

She continued without pause.

"For now, Sana and Lucien should go investigate that place and gather evidence. After that, we move together."

Daemon was silent for a few seconds. The heat in his chest slowly settled.

Then he nodded.

Victoria was right. Charging into Apex Guild alone would be reckless.

It would also drag everyone around him into unnecessary danger. Sana’s shadow techniques and Lucien’s Astral Resonance were far more suitable for quiet investigation than raw force.

Sana smiled slightly at the decision.

"That works for me. Lucien and I can go tomorrow night."

"Alright," Victoria said. "I’ll inform Lucien."

Sana stretched her arms above the water and rolled her shoulders.

"Before that, I need to go home. My father asked me to come."

Victoria frowned immediately.

"You two still don’t get along. He always creates problems for you."

"He does," Sana admitted without denying it. "But my mother is there. I want to check on her, and... I need to tell him I’m already married.

So he’ll finally stop trying to push me back toward my ex."

Daemon looked at her carefully.

"Can you handle that alone? Or should I come with you?"

Sana shook her head and smiled.

"No. You should spend some time with Victoria and the others. I can take care of this myself."

She leaned in and kissed his cheek without hesitation.

Victoria’s eyes sharpened at once. Without saying a single word, she leaned over and kissed Daemon’s other cheek, making her claim extremely clear.

Sana burst out laughing.

"I don’t know how you’re going to survive in the future. You really need to control that jealousy, dear."

Victoria didn’t even look embarrassed.

"I don’t care. I’m his first wife. I have every right."

Sana laughed even harder.

"This is exactly what I’m talking about."

The two of them started bickering again, their voices overlapping with playful sharpness.

Daemon simply watched them with a quiet smile before closing his eyes and resting against the warm rocks. The sound of their arguing mixed with the steady rush of the waterfall, strangely comforting.

A few hours passed.

By the time morning light filtered through the trees, all three of them felt refreshed and alert again. The long soak in the heated water had eased their fatigue completely.

Victoria stood up first and looked at Daemon with a more serious expression.

"You need to report to the WHA. Clear at least one dungeon gate. If you and Roxanna keep ignoring assignments, my aunt might terminate your Hunter status."

She smirked slightly after a pause.

"So if you want to keep that job... do it. Or you can become a house husband like I want."

Daemon rejected the second option without the slightest hesitation.

Victoria sighed, half amused and half disappointed.

"Fine. Then we’ll bring Roxanna here first. After that, both of you can report to the WHA together."

Daemon looked at her, a small glint appearing in his eyes.

"In that case... are you ready for Virendal?"

Victoria’s eyes lit up with clear curiosity.

A new world she had never seen.

And this time, she would step into it herself.