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The air around him felt heavy and oppressive, as though the weight of exile itself pressed down. The blood circle vanished, leaving the sharp scent of iron thick in the surroundings.
Ulric sensed a powerful, bloodthirsty presence directed straight at him. The man with long red hair covering half his face stepped forward slowly. Each step spread black and dark-red miasma.
A glowing sigil burned faintly on his forehead, radiating a curse that warned anyone who saw it: he was untouchable, doomed to wander for his sin.
"Are you… my master…?"
The man spoke in a dry, exhausted voice. His hands trembled. His eyes turned bloodshot. His calloused hand slowly reached toward Ulric, who recoiled.
"D-Don't touch me! I didn't summon—Ungh?!"
To his shock, Ulric felt a powerful curse appear on his left shoulder—a strong Binding Spell that linked him to this man.
Whoever he was, this was not the entity Ulric had intended to summon.
