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After passing through the portal, Malin, despite having prepared for the world beyond, was still startled by its desolation—no vegetation at all, only bare hills. The castle Ails had mentioned looked like it hadn't been maintained for hundreds of years.
"This is a dead world indeed." Old Hoffman surveyed the world before him, nodding with a smile, "Truly a fitting place for my eternal rest."
·Greetings, respected Mr. Hoffman.
Ails came forward, giving Old Hoffman a Mage's salute.
·I'm amazed that you can still keep your wits about you at this time, Mr. Hoffman. Your willpower inspires awe in me.
"So you're Ails, the white-bone Lich my apprentice Malin spoke of." Old Hoffman sized up Ails with a glance, smiling as he reached out his hand.
Ails did not reach out in return but instead humbly bowed his head and took two steps back.
Old Hoffman didn't mind, withdrawing his hand: "Ails, where is the ritual to be held?"
