章 76: The Cult & It's Cultists (1)

Lily's cold gaze drifted back to Ladon as she turned to leave, but something caught her eye—an unfamiliar mark on his arm. It was a tattoo, one that hadn't been there the last time they had crossed paths. The symbol was strange, a red star with an eye at its center. It pulsed faintly, as if it were alive, and something about it stirred a sense of unease within her.

She tilted her head slightly, her expression impassive as she took in the details. Then, with one of her blades in hand, she pointed it at Ladon's arm, the tip just inches from the tattoo. Her voice, when she spoke, was cold, devoid of any emotion. "What's this?"

Ladon, still writhing in pain on the ground, seemed to momentarily forget his agony at her question. His eyes, wild and desperate, flickered to the blade, then to the tattoo on his arm. He let out a gurgled, rabid yell, his voice thick with the blood pooling in his throat. "Don't… touch… it!" he hissed, his tone frantic, almost hysterical.