Long chapter
—-
Ethan spotted the woman the moment he stepped onto the next level of the pagoda. She had already reached the center of the chamber, though judging by the situation she clearly was not having an easy time of it.
Apparently this was her first visit here.
He could tell because she had triggered the trap herself.
Dozens of stone monk statues had come to life and were swarming her from all directions, their heavy bodies moving with mechanical precision as they attacked without pause.
Ethan paused where he stood, watching the scene unfold.
That was unexpected.
The way the woman had moved through the forest earlier, weaving through the terrain with perfect confidence, had suggested complete familiarity with the area. She had behaved like someone who knew every tree and path by heart.
But here, inside the pagoda, she looked completely different.
