A sense of danger washed over him, prompting Aaron to retreat several steps involuntarily and release the scorpion in his hand.
The next instant, the eyeball swelled to its limits, and countless bloodshots wriggled within it, akin to earthworms... finally...boom!!!
A terrifying explosion occurred.
Even the residual effects were enough to turn the adjacent ancient castle into ruins.
"Prefer to let your avatar die than to utter those two names?"
Aaron muttered to himself as he withdrew the snake scale defenses from his body, "It seems... perhaps, I might have meddled with something quite formidable..."
...
Time moved into night.
Aaron immediately left the semi-abandoned ancient castle and headed to another lakeside villa for a holiday retreat.
Night fell.
The lights were dim.
He took out "Curse of Ai Lan" and laid it on the desk.
Just as Aaron was about to open the cursed book, the emerald scorpion sprang to life, waving its two large pincers at him and hissing menacingly.