Clayton quickly gathered his mana, using his purification trait to suppress the violent surge of strange energy inside him. He trembled where he stood, his face pale from the pain. Beads of sweat formed at his temples.
Gritting his teeth, he clenched his fists, doing everything he could to keep his body from reacting in a way that might draw attention. After a long struggle, he finally forced the energy back down before it could erupt again.
He let out a shaky breath.
"Whew... That was close…"
His gaze shifted back to the deer—clearly the source of the disturbance.
Unlike Clayton, who could still resist the sickness within, the deer was defenseless against the malicious energy gripping its body.
Its muscles spasmed as it let out pitiful, agonized cries—haunting and unnerving. The crowd, which had been watching with idle curiosity, now grew uneasy. Some backed away. Others left entirely, afraid of catching whatever illness afflicted the creature.
