Ian's voice wasn't loud, but it carried a very strong penetrating power—a consequence of the residual "Wave Singer" Origin Structure he still had.
Within seconds, the clamor and laughter inside the city came to an abrupt halt, followed by calls of alarm.
The moment Ian raised his voice, the shadow's restrained hands suddenly exerted force, unleashing a burst of cold metallic Essence that with First Level Power shook off the young man's grip.
And Ian, "without any fear," likewise triggered his Essence to counter.
Boom! The two Essences collided, creating a huge shockwave, an even louder and more identity-revealing sound than Ian's previous shout.
The calls in Twin Trees Town became more vigilant.
Realizing this, the shadow gritted his teeth and silently retreated; he moved like a black panther, smoothly and agilely rolling backward to land in the grass behind him.
Then, he moved rapidly, seemingly trying to flee.
