Han Chandu moved deeper into the shelter.
Silent.
Unnoticed.
Then—
he saw them.
Humans.
Working.
Not freely.
Carrying stone.
Cleaning paths.
Moving like they didn't own their own bodies.
"…slaves."
He already knew.
But seeing it—
still felt unpleasant.
A Spirit walked past.
Every human lowered their head instantly.
No hesitation.
"…efficient."
A pause.
"…but disgusting."
A sharp sound echoed.
Crack.
Han Chandu turned.
A human fell.
Dead.
The Spirit stood there.
Calm.
"You were slow."
No anger.
No emotion.
Just—
removal.
The others kept working.
Like nothing happened.
Han Chandu didn't move.
But his eyes—
grew cold.
"…waste."
The Spirit turned.
It noticed him.
"You."
Han Chandu stepped forward.
"…me."
The Spirit attacked.
Fast.
Han Chandu moved.
One step.
Minimal.
The attack missed.
His hand moved.
Precise.
Impact.
The Spirit's body froze—
Then collapsed.
Dead.
Silence.
The humans looked up.
Hope.
Confusion.
Fear.
Han Chandu looked down at the corpse.
"…temporary."
A pause.
"…you'll come back."
His gaze shifted.
Toward the center.
"…stone."
He moved.
Not rushing.
But direct.
Because this—
was the real target.
The central hall stood tall.
Larger.
Heavier.
Inside—
a statue.
And there—
between its brows—
A glowing crystal.
Spirit Stone.
"…found it."
A presence appeared behind him.
The Spirit.
Alive again.
Weaker—
but real.
"You dare—"
Han Chandu didn't turn.
"…took you long enough."
The Spirit attacked.
Desperate.
Han Chandu stepped forward.
Ignoring it.
The attack hit—
But he didn't stop.
"…too late."
His hand reached the stone.
The Spirit screamed.
"STOP—!"
Han Chandu didn't hesitate.
He tightened his grip.
CRACK.
The crystal shattered.
Light burst—
then vanished.
Silence.
The Spirit froze.
Its body—
began to break.
"No… this is—"
It collapsed.
Gone.
This time—
completely.
The pressure disappeared.
The shelter—
changed.
Empty.
Ownerless.
Han Chandu exhaled slowly.
"…now it's done."
He turned.
The humans stared.
No fear now.
Only shock.
"…you're free."
They didn't move.
"…that means leave."
A pause.
"…before something worse comes."
That worked.
They ran.
Fast.
Desperate.
Alive.
Han Chandu watched them go.
Then looked around.
Walls.
Structures.
Silence.
"…no spirit."
A faint smirk.
"…just a shelter."
He turned.
Walking deeper inside.
Because now—
this place—
had no owner.