The Creatures That We Are

Chapter 932: Away with the Misfortune

Chapter 932: Away with the Misfortune

Ting Ting froze. Despite the steaming bath, ice seemed to crystallize in her veins.

"No, please..."

"Turn around and crouch lower." One Stone's voice left no room for argument.

A few seconds passed before Ting Ting complied, tears mixing with bathwater. She sank until only her head remained above water, her hair spreading like dark seaweed across the surface.

One Stone got closer to her. The ripples lapped at Ting Ting’s nape.

“Don’t, don’t kill me... I don’t want to die...”

Horrific images flashed through her mind: One Stone forcing her head under until the bubbles stopped, a silenced gunshot turning the water crimson, One Stone emerging afterward as calmly as stepping out of a shower...

None of these horrors materialized.

Instead, One Stone's hands settled on her head, methodically working through her hair as if searching for something. Through tear-blurred vision, understanding dawned on Ting Ting: She's checking my hair. The strip search, the bath—she was making sure I’m clear!

“It’s okay now.” One Stone’s voice softened. “You don’t have a Puppeteer brand on you. There’s no bug or other suspicious energy brand, either. You’re clean.”

Ting Ting's sobs continued, but her violent trembling subsided. Slowly, she turned to face One Stone.

A shrewd smile played across One Stone's features, tinged with resignation. "You didn't actually believe I could make resurrection pills, did you?"

"You... can't?" Ting Ting hiccupped between sobs.

"Dr. Jia gave me the method, that much is true, but my personal best was reaching page three before falling asleep."

"So the bath was..."

"To ensure we were both clean." One Stone's bitter smile deepened. "Ting Ting, if even you could sense something was wrong, how could I not see it?"

She stared into the rising steam. "I stayed, thinking I could save people. What a joke. I can't save anyone."

"Qilin and Surnamed Li have lost themselves completely. The Ocean River Union is a runaway train heading for disaster. Stay aboard, and we die with it."

Surnamed Li shook her head.

Qilin held her gaze. “What’s going on?”

“I don’t know.” Surnamed Li frowned. “I got a new skill from Prophet, yet I still cannot merge with the Rune Circuit.”

The skill had come after the Qingyang Bridge battle, appearing in her sleep. It was unprecedented—new skills typically accompanied level increases, and she'd already received Prophet's level 7 ability. She'd assumed it heralded her imminent merging with the Knowledge Rune Circuit.

Prophet dealt in futures, after all. An early skill grant seemed plausible. Or perhaps the Heavenly Way's weakening grip had compromised its own rules.

Yet a week had passed without any sign of her merging or resonance with the Circuit.

Qilin couldn't explain it either. Each Circuit had its quirks; the Miracle Circuit granted far more privileges than others. Perhaps Knowledge had its own requirements.

“Let’s not dwell on it,” Qilin said. “We proceed as planned.”

Surnamed Li nodded.

Qilin reached for his desk phone. His secretary, Wandering Tune, answered promptly.

“Have Rain River come to my office. Tell her to bring it to me. She’ll know what I’m talking about.” After a pause, Qilin added, “And tell Sunny to come after twenty minutes.”

“Yes, sir.” Wandering Tune hung up.

Two minutes later, there was a knock.

“Come on in.”

Rain River, blond-haired and wearing a nurse outfit, walked in. She was short and petite with a youthful face, but her temperament was mature and steadfast.

“Guildmaster, Deputy Guildmaster,” Rain River greeted respectfully.

“Did you bring it?” Qilin asked.

“Yeah.” Rain River took two steps forward and laid down the leather medical kit in her hand. She opened it and took four things out.