TOP SECRET: Adventures in the Dark Continent Chapter 496: I can be anything you want

"This gate is really big," Liu Yang gazed upward, unable to spot its top.

Before the massive stone door, Liu Yang appeared as small as an ant.

"You can come out," Liu Yang released Alwine, June, the cursed beasts, and Fantina.

The group stared in astonishment at the enormous door ahead. They had no clue about their whereabouts.

"Liu Yang, where are we?" Fantina glanced around, sensing an eerie feeling.

"We're in a territory owned by the dryad race, but that doesn't matter. What counts is facing the challenge behind that door." Liu Yang gave a vague explanation.

"But Liu Yang, this area feels cursed," June remarked. She detected a familiar energy surrounding her.

Alwine experienced the same sensation. She and the beasts fought to stay composed, as the Curse of the Night's power overwhelmed them far more than in previous locations.

"Yeah. This place is totally cursed. Our task is to conquer the challenge, and then the curse will vanish."

"!!!!!!!!!!!!!" His declaration hit them like thunderclaps in their minds.

The three women struggled to accept it. They couldn't grasp how succeeding in a challenge could dispel the curse across the entire region.

"Liu Yang, is this for real?? Can winning the challenge truly lift the curse here?" Alwine rushed toward Liu Yang, unable to contain herself. At last, she spotted a lead to purge the curse from her body.

"Yeah. But I'm not sure if the curse on you and the beasts will lift too, since this is dryad territory and their curse fades with victory in the challenge." Liu Yang avoided raising too much hope for Alwine and the beasts, uncertain of the outcome.

"Liu Yang, it's still a lead. If beating a challenge can remove the Curse of the Night, I'll seize the chance," Alwine declared solemnly.

This was her deepest desire, so she refused to back down.

"Alright, I'll honor your determination and assist you afterward. Right now, though, we focus on clearing this challenge to aid the dryad race," Liu Yang planned to help them once the main issue was settled.

"Liu Yang, that makes me glad," Alwine beamed. In gratitude, she planted a kiss on Liu Yang.

roar !!

The beasts roared joyfully too upon hearing June's words—she could communicate with them, so she'd shared the situation briefly.

"Fine, but let's handle a few things first." Liu Yang settled them down.

"Liu Yang, are we heading in now? This challenge feels thrilling," Fantina said with excitement. She'd tackled Wall Challenges before, but none matched the peril of those in the Wild Region.

"Everyone ready?" They prepared thoroughly before stepping inside.

"Yeah."

roar !!!

All responded affirmatively.

"OK. Let's enter." Liu Yang stored them back in the dwelling ring, then drew a deep breath.

"..." He stared at the colossal door briefly before laying his hand on it.

brum brum crack crack

Grinding stone against stone echoed, followed by snapping cracks.

The stone door creaked open gradually, revealing pitch-black void beyond.

A chilling, intense aura washed over him—one he'd never encountered, not even entering the Wild Region.

A grave expression crossed Liu Yang's face at the sight.

"..." Silently, he advanced steadily into the shadows without pause.

boooooom !!!!!!!!!!!!!

A thunderous boom resounded as the door sealed shut.

Back at the great tree's location...

The dryad empress kept her eyes shut, yet she sensed the event. She'd caught the sound moments earlier.

"He has passed through the door." Her voice carried solemn weight.

Now, her faith rested in Liu Yang to triumph over the challenge.

"Husband, you must return alive. Our children still need you to watch them grow." Rhexia prayed fervently for his victory. She couldn't bear his loss.

"..." The empress remained mute, as if ignoring Rhexia's plea.

Gazing at the massive tree, shadows crept forward, gradually engulfing it.

The empress could endure only five more years, but that was her limit. The rest depended on Liu Yang.

Within the giant door...

Absolute darkness reigned, and Liu Yang wandered blindly—his night vision proved useless.

No matter how far he traveled, obscurity persisted.

After some time,

A intense glow erupted, flooding the space with light.

The blinding light compelled Liu Yang to squeeze his eyes shut and shield his face using both hands.

Once he pried his eyes open again, the sight before him jolted him. Yet it wasn't terror—it was sheer astonishment.

Liu Yang had materialized in the very same room from years back, when he'd first stepped into the wooden hut before heading to the starting village, or during his time in the Wall Challenges.

Unlike before, when the room held only a table topped with a single book, a dark shadow now perched upon one of the chairs this time.

With its pair of glowing white eyes fixed on Liu Yang for several seconds, the shadow then gestured with its hand, inviting him to sit.

"..." Liu Yang dropped into the chair without overthinking it.

No hesitation was necessary.

"Liu Yang, right? I congratulate you for making it this far. Even the other village leaders would have a hard time accepting this challenge." The shadow intoned in a mechanical voice.

Its voice carried an odd quality, impossible to pin as male or female.

"I appreciate that, but who are you?" Liu Yang asked casually, locking eyes with the shadow, curiosity stirring within him.

"Who am I? I can be anything you want" Its voice resounded once more. The shadow featured just two luminous voids where eyes should be, lacking any mouth.

Yet somehow, the shadow managed to speak.

"What do I wish for? If I want you to become a sexy and erotic succubus, will you become one?" Liu Yang joked. He'd never laid eyes on a succubus in reality, only in manga and anime.