Vivian Ouyang smiled and faded into the darkness. As she vanished, I caught a glimpse of her pitch-black eyes growing clear and bright again.
Yet I remained, adrift in the darkness, floating without purpose. What was happening to me?
What I’d just witnessed was Vivian Ouyang’s memory. Now that the memory had ended, I was still here, clueless about what was happening outside.
Detective Stone, Rachel Lan, Howard Lee, the students—what had become of them? I kept drifting, but all I saw was endless darkness.
My body felt lighter and weaker, so limp I barely had the strength to wander. I began to sink, descending slowly into the dark.
Suddenly, the darkness brightened. Scenes from memories flickered before my eyes, one after another.
"Tired?" a voice called out. I closed my eyes. Yes, I was exhausted—body and soul.
This slow descent was strangely soothing, almost liberating. My mind went blank, as if I could forget every worry, sorrow, and joy.
"Brother, where are you going?"
Just then, above me, a burst of red light—Quentin Yin suddenly grabbed me, stopping my fall.
Suddenly, I snapped awake. I had no idea how much time had passed. My hands were still pressed tightly against Chief Stone’s wound, refusing to let go.
Mona Ouyang had vanished, and the two from the Ghost Syndicate were nowhere to be seen. A faint sound of sobbing came from Ironmask, who was crouched in the corner beside the elevator, quietly weeping.
I heard a shallow breath. Forcing my sore eyes open, I saw Chief Stone’s chest rising and falling—he was still breathing, and the bleeding had stopped.
But right now, I was helpless, my body drained of strength. Even moving a finger felt nearly impossible.
"Qingyuan..." a voice called. It was Rachel Lan—or rather, her spirit, faint and transparent.
I stirred slightly.
"What happened upstairs...?"
"Howard Lee is still with the students, fighting off the ghosts, but things look grim. They’ve all retreated to the fifth floor."
"Destroy... break the formation..." I said with effort. Rachel Lan nodded, then glanced at Chief Stone.
"Hang in there, Qingyuan, Chief Stone," Rachel Lan said, rising and floating away.