As long as she was facing a forbidden artifact, Olivia wasn't particularly worried, because so far, there hadn't been a single forbidden artifact she couldn't counter with the blood pupil in her left eye.
At the very least, she believed that a rule-grade forbidden artifact could absolutely be suppressed by her.
As the crimson glow from her left eye spread, the entire Village of Oblivion began to look different in Olivia's eyes.
She stood up and slowly walked out of the tavern, returning to the street.
People were still passing by on the street. A worker coming off his shift instinctively stepped around her as he approached, continuing on his way.
Clearly, she was no longer being ignored.
In the blink of an eye, Olivia had broken free from the Village of Oblivion.
Saying she had broken free wasn't entirely accurate, as she hadn't emerged completely. Instead, she was in a state where she was half-returned to the normal world and half-still within the Village of Oblivion.
As the light in her left eye grew more dazzling, the entire Village of Oblivion began to twist and warp.
This sight caused Preston, hidden in the shadows, to narrow his eyes.
What was happening?
As the owner of the Village of Oblivion, Preston could even sense an emotion radiating from the artifact at this moment.
At this moment, the Village of Oblivion seemed to have come to life, transmitting an intense sense of fear to him. It felt as absurd as anything could be.
A forbidden artifact could actually feel fear?
Even for Preston, this was a situation he had never encountered before, making it completely incomprehensible.
What Preston found even more unfathomable was that while the Village of Oblivion felt fear, it also began to harbor a sense of submission.
What the hell was going on?
Standing in a corner, Preston pulled a pendant from his pocket.
The pendant held an oval black gemstone—this was the Village of Oblivion.
He looked at the pendant and said solemnly, "Village of Oblivion, abide by your contract with me. At this moment, you shall become my weapon and fight for me."
Upon hearing his words, the black gemstone part of the pendant floated up directly in front of Preston. Then, with a violent jerk, it slapped Preston across the face with a sharp crack.
The gesture seemed to say: if you want to go to your death, go by yourself; don't drag me down with you.
Preston was stunned.
Why would this forbidden artifact turn around and attack him?
In such a short span of time, the various behaviors exhibited by the Village of Oblivion were beyond his understanding—and even harder to accept.
Then, before Preston could take any further countermeasures, the forbidden artifact suddenly broke free from his palm and flew away in a flash.
"Where are you going?" Preston shouted instinctively.
"To me, of course."
Olivia's figure had appeared nearby.
The Village of Oblivion flew toward her, landing straight in her hand.
Holding the forbidden artifact, Olivia looked at the incredulous Preston and smiled.
"This forbidden artifact belongs to me now. I should actually thank you."
Under the suppression of the blood pupil, the Village of Oblivion's defection was a foregone conclusion.
"That's impossible."
Realizing that his contract with the Village of Oblivion had been severed, Preston's expression turned grim, clearly finding it hard to accept.
He had no idea how Olivia had achieved this, but it was precisely because he couldn't understand it that he felt it was both absurd and infuriating.
Then, Olivia used the Village of Oblivion again, keeping both herself and Preston stationed within the rift in time.
Once again, the people passing by were unable to see them. They walked right through their bodies as they moved past.
"This time, it's your turn to be trapped here," Olivia said unhurriedly.
Even though the situation had suddenly turned against him, Preston did not give up.
He said coldly, "How could I be trapped in a place like this? I have plenty of ways to leave."
"Then why don't you show me how you plan to do that?" Olivia teased.
"Before that, shouldn't you return the Village of Oblivion to me? It belongs to me, and it belongs to the Time Chamber of Commerce," Preston said with an unfriendly look.
Olivia found his words laughable.
She shook her head and said, "You want back something that has already reached my hands?"
"I never said the price for provoking me would be so low."
"Besides, I've already told you—the Village of Oblivion is mine now."
Who would complain about having too many forbidden artifacts? Especially a rule-grade one with such significant utility.
Preston's face darkened at her words. "So, you're determined to oppose me?"
"Who is opposing whom? Can't you tell? You were the one who came looking for me, so you must pay the price," Olivia said calmly.
"A fine 'paying the price.' I'll tell you this: my things aren't something you can just take whenever you want." A dangerous glint appeared in Preston's eyes.
As he spoke, a scimitar appeared in each of his hands.
Then, the element of wind swirled around his body.
"Storm Fighter," Olivia whispered.
This was Preston's transcendent path; she had learned about it through the magic mirror long ago.
The Storm Fighter path possessed exceptional close-quarters combat abilities and a high level of control over the wind element.
When Olivia uttered the name Storm Fighter, Preston narrowed his eyes.
As a Protagonist of the Era, he had fought in many places, so his transcendent path was no secret.
It wasn't surprising to him that Olivia knew he was a Storm Fighter.
However, seeing that look on her face—as if she had everything under control—filled Preston with deep dissatisfaction.
In the next instant, Preston swept forward like a gale, reaching Olivia in a flash. The twin blades in his hands, wreathed in azure light, swung down heavily.
But the moment his blades swung down, Olivia's figure flickered and vanished, causing Preston to strike empty air.
Having already mastered the Village of Oblivion, Olivia could naturally perform infinite flashing within its boundaries.
This sight caused Preston's eyes to narrow. Only now could he be truly certain that Olivia was able to control the Village of Oblivion.
Was this woman not afraid of the forbidden artifact's backlash?
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