He was shocked to see Brad in a petrified state like a statue. His whole body was covered by some grey layer which had something to do with how his whole body was staying frozen, including his eyes, limbs, and everything.

But the most shocking thing was how not only Brad but everyone else around Viktor was in a petrified state as well.

Everyone was standing frozen on their spots like statues, and Brad was still grabbing his arm.

"Brad? Are you okay?" Viktor became worried as he waved his hand before his face, but Brad's eyes were not moving at all, not even his expression. It was still that of a panic-stricken expression, just like most others.

"What the hell is going on?" Viktor mumbled, feeling a sense of uneasiness about the whole thing and wondering how to help Brad.

If it were not for seeing that Brad was still breathing, Viktor would have become even more worried, thinking something bad might have happened to him.

Viktor carefully unfolded Brad's fingers wrapped around his arm and could feel how ice-cold his fingers were just like a corpse, making him wonder if Brad was really okay or not.

"Shit.." Viktor was feeling unsettled since there was nothing he could do to help Brad, nor could he understand what was happening around him.

*Vwooooo...*

The wails were still permeating through the woods, and the fog was getting denser while the pungent smell wasn't getting any better.

"Getting scared are we, Immortal? Hehehe.." A bewitching voice of a girl followed by her sweet giggle echoed near Viktor.

"Huh? Who is that??" Viktor was startled and called out as he turned around. But other than the dense fog and the trees nearby, he saw nothing.

Her voice sounded a bit seductive but enchanting at the same time, making anyone who listened to this voice feel their souls entranced by her voice.

However, Viktor did his best not to get distracted by her voice, and this was the first time he felt losing control of his thoughts for a moment because of her bewitching voice.

There wasn't any girl near him other than the petrified people standing frozen on their spots.

The fact that she even called him an immortal meant that she probably knew his identity and was not someone he could treat lightly despite how young she sounded.

Viktor's brows furrowed as his eyes constantly kept scanning his surroundings, but because of the low visibility, there wasn't much he could do to look at what was far ahead.

Still, the voice sounded as if she was standing right beside him, and that was what made him feel that something definitely felt wrong, including the whole situation that was happening right now.

"No need to look around like a puzzled frog. My voice is in your head, silly, hehe.." Her voice sounded again, which sounded as if she was whispering in his ear and slipping into his mind.

Viktor couldn't believe what she said since he had never seen anyone who could communicate through their minds, nor did he ever experience hearing voices in his head. This was the first for him, and it felt no different than someone speaking in his ears.

Viktor felt confused, "What...Are you telling me this is all in my head? That your voice is something, I am imagining?"

"Of course not. What makes you say that?"

historical

"Then, if you are real, come out already! Stop playing mind tricks with me," Viktor was feeling annoyed since he was only getting bad vibes the longer he stayed in his place while not knowing how to help Brad.

"Aah, don't be angry, immortal. Don't you want to help your petrified friend?" The girl asked in a melodious tone, making Viktor feel more relaxed and comfortable. But then he shook his head, realizing that her voice was making him unconsciously let down his guard, and shouted, "Stop messing with my mind! And you better tell me what is happening in this place and how to help my friend."

Viktor didn't know who she was or how she was talking in his mind. But he didn't bother to ask these questions since he felt that Brad didn't have much time before something happened to him. So the only thing that was in his mind was to get out of here after saving Brad.

"Aiyo, I was only trying to calm you down. I didn't mean to make you angry.." The girl said in a pained tone as if her feelings got hurt though Viktor didn't pay any mind to it.

"Okay, okay. I will help you. But first—"

"Hey, you. What are you still doing here? This is not the time and place to shout like that."

Hearing the feathery yet stern voice of Nyissa, Viktor turned around to see her and her people approaching him.

Nyissa and her people looked at Viktor with a strange expression upon seeing him standing between a group of petrified people.

"You people are able to move?" Viktor was surprised to see that they were not standing frozen like the others, making him wonder why he and these people were the only ones able to move.

"You should leave right now. One of my people can escort you down the hill since they know the way around these hills," Nyissa said as she looked at Ayana, her female disciple, and nodded at her.

Ayana bowed and stepped forward towards Viktor, "Please follow me."

Viktor, however, didn't move an inch nor glanced at Ayana and said as he looked at Nyissa's eyes, "I am not going anywhere without my grandpa."

Nyissa frowned, seeing how he was determined not to leave, and saw Ayana glancing at her for further instructions. She was ready to drag him away but wanted to ask for her Master's confirmation.

"You people know something for sure. Now tell me what is wrong with my grandpa and the others," Viktor asked with crossed arms. However, inwardly he was wondering why he was not hearing the voice of the girl anymore.