Chapter 278 :Raiding Date

As they continued down the corridor, Seraphina kept her arm firmly linked with Adrian's, her body practically pressed against his side.

Every so often, she would tighten her grip, as if ensuring he wouldn't pull away—not that he had any intention of doing so.

Adrian, meanwhile, let his system do the work in the background. With a mental command, his Remote Collection ability activated, sweeping through the hideout and gathering anything of value.

Coins, potions, rare artifacts, and even hidden documents vanished from their dusty corners, silently appearing in his inventory.

The dim corridor held a few broken weapons and shattered relics, but Adrian knew there were more valuable finds deeper within.

Seraphina, noticing his slight distraction, poked his cheek. "Are you ignoring your wife already?" she teased, tilting her head in mock offense.

Adrian smirked, catching her wrist and placing a kiss on the inside of her palm. "Not at all. Just multitasking."

She narrowed her eyes playfully. "Multitasking? Hmph, that better not mean flirting with another woman while you are with me, through some secret magical transmission."

Adrian chuckled. "Jealous, are we?"

Seraphina huffed, looping both arms around his as they walked. "Obviously. My husband is too charming for his own good. I can't let my guard down."

Adrian leaned in, his breath tickling her ear. "You don't have to. I belong to you."

Seraphina's cheeks flushed slightly, but she quickly recovered, giving him a knowing smirk. "Good answer, husband. You're learning."

As they walked, Adrian's Remote Collection continued working, and occasional notifications appeared in his mind.

[Item Acquired: Enchanted Ritual Dagger][Item Acquired: Cultist's Ledger – Records of Sacrifices][Item Acquired: Abyssal Core Fragment]

His expression darkened slightly at the ledger's title. The cult had been performing sacrifices here—not just simple rituals, but actual blood sacrifices.

Seraphina noticed the shift in his demeanor and lightly squeezed his hand. "What is it?"

Adrian sighed. "Found some records. It's on all the people they have sacrificed so far."

Seraphina's playful teasing faded, replaced by cold fury. "Disgusting. Do you think we'll find survivors?"

"Possibly," Adrian admitted. "But if they were keeping prisoners, they'd be deeper inside. We should hurry."

Seraphina nodded but didn't let go of his arm. "Then let's go, husband. I'll cling to you for strength."

Adrian chuckled at her words. "Or just because you like it."

She smirked, not denying it. "Maybe."

They continued deeper into the hideout, the air growing heavier with a strange, lingering energy. Adrian could sense remnants of abyssal magic, though it was faint—perhaps the Harbinger had been the main source of it.

Seraphina, however, didn't seem too concerned. Instead, she tugged at his sleeve, slowing her steps. "You know," she mused, "since you're already collecting things, why not collect me too? Store me somewhere safe."

Adrian raised an eyebrow. "Are you asking to be put in my inventory?"

She giggled. "Wouldn't that be fun? You could carry me around everywhere."

Adrian shook his head, amused. "You just want an excuse to cling to me all the time."

Seraphina rested her chin on his shoulder, her lips close to his ear. "Oh? You make it sound like that's a bad thing."

Adrian felt a shiver run down his spine at her sultry tone. He glanced at her, smirking. "You really are getting spoiled."

She grinned. "Well, whose fault is that? My husband keeps indulging me."

Adrian sighed dramatically. "Fine. I suppose I have no choice but to keep spoiling you."

Seraphina hummed in satisfaction, still holding onto him as they moved forward. Meanwhile, Adrian continued his Remote Collection, scooping up ancient tomes, hidden gold, and magical artifacts.

His system's efficiency made it easy—by the time they reached a wider chamber, most of the hideout's valuables had already been secured.

Stopping at the entrance of the chamber, Seraphina looked up at him. "What do you think we'll find here?"

Adrian studied the space carefully. The walls were lined with old, tattered banners bearing unfamiliar sigils.

A large, cracked altar sat in the center, and dark stains marked the stone floor—likely from previous rituals. His instincts told him something important had been kept here.

"I'm not sure yet," he admitted. "But we're about to find out."

Seraphina grinned. "Then lead the way, my dear husband."

Adrian smirked. "As my wife commands."

With her still clinging to him, they stepped into the chamber together, ready to uncover whatever secrets lay hidden within.

As Adrian and Seraphina stepped into the chamber, the oppressive atmosphere weighed heavily upon them.

The air was thick with residual energy—not just abyssal magic, but something older, more insidious.

The cracked altar at the center of the room, with its dark stains and faint traces of eerie inscriptions, hinted at rituals best left forgotten.

Adrian didn't hesitate. Remote Collection—Activate.

The system obeyed instantly, sweeping through the chamber like an invisible hand, plucking anything of value from its resting places.

[Item Acquired: Abyss-Imbued Pendant][Item Acquired: Bloodstained Ritual Cloth][Item Acquired: Ancient Grimoire of Forbidden Summonings][Item Acquired: Veilbound Parchment – Whispers of the Abyss]

Adrian’s breath hitched slightly as his gaze locked onto the last notification. Veilbound Parchment – Whispers of the Abyss? Unlike the rest, which were valuable but expected, this one carried an unsettling weight. The very name of it sent a prickle of unease down his spine.

Something about it felt wrong.

His mind's eye flashed an image—a tattered piece of parchment, darkened with age, its surface stitched together with what looked like sinew rather than thread.

The edges were uneven, as if it had been torn from something far larger, and faint, writhing script ran along its surface, shifting and twisting as though refusing to be truly read.

Seraphina noticed his sudden distraction and frowned. She tugged gently on his sleeve. "What is it?"

Adrian blinked, snapping out of his momentary daze. "I found something… strange."

Seraphina tilted her head, her blue eyes gleaming with curiosity. "Strange how?"

Adrian hesitated for a moment, then shook his head. "I'm not sure yet. But I don't think we should check it out here."

He exhaled, tightening his grip on her hand. "We don't know what it is, and I'd rather not deal with something like this while we're still in enemy territory."

Seraphina studied him for a second before nodding. "Fair enough. If it's dangerous, better to examine it when we have the time and safety to deal with it properly."