As she spoke, she pulled out several stacks of invisibility talismans.

She handed one half to James without hesitation.

Then, stepping closer to Gwen, she extended the other half toward her.

Gwen froze.

Her eyes widened slightly as she stared at the talismans in disbelief.

"Are you... giving these to me?" she asked, her voice laced with confusion. "For free?"

Lana let out a small chuckle, as if the question amused her.

"What else should I do?" she replied lightly. "You haven’t done anything wrong to me."

She paused briefly before adding, almost casually, "Besides, James seems to have a one-sided crush on you."

With that, she turned and began walking away.

Behind her, both Gwen and James froze.

Gwen’s face flushed instantly, a deep red spreading across her cheeks, while James let out an awkward chuckle, rubbing the back of his neck as his own face grew warm.

Lana, however, paid no attention to their reactions.

She moved toward the cave entrance and deactivated the protective equipment.

Then she glanced back at them and gave a slight nod.

Seeing this, both James and Gwen hesitated.

Lana noticed.

With a small sigh, she spoke again, her tone slightly softer this time.

"I’ll run with you for a bit," she said. "Just to make sure you get out safely."

Without waiting for their response, she began guiding them through the forest, activating talismans one after another.

A teleportation talisman flickered briefly, distorting space for a moment.

The forest blurred around them.

Finally, they reached the edge of the ghost zone.

Lana stopped.

Without hesitation, she pushed both of them forward, forcing them out.

"Listen carefully," she said, her voice turning serious. "Even if you see anyone familiar... any friend... any familiar face... do not trust it."

Her gaze hardened.

"Until you see me come out, do not let anyone get close to you. And no matter what happens, do not step back into the ghost zone."

Before entering, she had already sensed it.

This place could create illusions.

And not just ordinary ones... high-level illusions that could deceive even experienced spiritualists.

’If they stay... they’ll die,’ she thought.

Hearing her warning, both Gwen and James grew visibly tense.

Gwen clenched her teeth slightly.

"If you’re trying to act like some heroic savior," she said, her tone still carrying a hint of hostility, "then at least make sure you survive."

Lana chuckled softly.

"I don’t know why you have such a bad impression of me," she replied calmly, "but when I say something... I mean it."

Her words carried quiet confidence.

Gwen fell silent.

Without another word, Lana turned and rushed back into the ghost zone.

Gwen watched her disappear into the shadows, then glanced at James.

"Aren’t you going to help her?" she asked, her brows furrowed.

James shrugged helplessly.

"It’s not like I can do much," he replied. "Once she decides something... she doesn’t change her mind."

Gwen shot him an annoyed look.

"If you keep acting like this," she muttered, crossing her arms, "you’ll never get a girlfriend."

Meanwhile, Lana moved swiftly through the forest.

It didn’t take long before she caught up to Mr. Crow.

He was already engaged in battle.

The mutated beast ghost loomed before him, its dark form twisting violently as it clashed against the crow’s attacks.

Lana narrowed her eyes.

’They’re at a stalemate...’

She exhaled slowly. ’If I fought this alone... I would lose.’

But with Mr. Crow here...

’I still have a chance.’

Without hesitation, she pulled out a stack of exorcism talismans and began activating them one after another.

The mutated ghost beast staggered slightly, clearly caught off guard by the sudden surge of attacks.

For a brief moment, it even seemed confused.

’More humans...?’

But it quickly regained its footing.

Even with Lana, Mr. Crow, and the talismans attacking together, the beast refused to fall back.

At one point, it almost seemed ready to unleash all of its stored ghost essence... but it hesitated.

’I’m close... so close...’ its instincts screamed. ’I won’t give up now!’

Meanwhile, Mr. Crow’s voice echoed urgently.

"My analysis was incorrect," he said grimly. "This creature is already close to 400 years of strength."

Lana’s pupils shrank slightly.

She took a deep breath.

Then, she reached into her storage.

’Looks like I’ll have to go all out.’

Thanks to Axel and Lucian, she possessed a wide array of powerful equipment.

’A rich uncle... and a rich boyfriend... I really am lucky,’ she thought faintly.

First, she took out a pair of earrings.

The moment she wore them and tapped them lightly, a piercing sonic wave erupted outward.

The beast recoiled violently, its entire form shaking as if its senses were being torn apart.

Next, she activated her bangles.

Blinding white light burst forth, slamming into the beast repeatedly.

She didn’t stop.

One by one, she threw out spirit orbs crafted by Lucian. Each orb exploded upon impact, releasing concentrated bursts of spiritual energy.

Attack after attack rained down.

Gradually, the beast began to falter.

Its movements slowed. Its form flickered. It realized something.

’At this rate... I’ll die.’

Just as it prepared to unleash its full power... Lana suddenly spoke.

"I know what you want," she said calmly.

The beast froze.

Its attention snapped toward her.

"I can tell you’re trying to evolve," she continued. "You want to become a holy beast, don’t you?"

A faint flicker passed through the creature’s form.

It was listening.

"If you become my Shiki," Lana said steadily, "I will provide you with the resources you need. I’ll help you grow stronger."

The moment it heard the word Shiki, the beast let out a sharp, furious shriek.

"I will not become anyone’s slave!" it roared.

Lana raised a hand slightly.

"It won’t be that kind of contract," she replied. "It will be equal. No slavery. No control."

Silence fell.

The beast stared at her.

And slowly... its aggression lessened.

Lana stopped her attacks as well.

"Is that true?" the beast asked, its voice low and suspicious.