Ten Day Ultimatum

Despite their differing thoughts, everyone ultimately decided to join {Passage to Heaven}. Most of them knew nothing about this realm, and it was hard not to be curious about someone confidently claiming escape was possible.

As Kim Wonhun prepared to lead the group away, Qi Xia’s gaze fell on a narrow path beside the plaza. He had walked it once before—it led to the safest game at {End Point}.
One {Dào} for another {Dào}, with no danger from start to finish—more like a leisurely sightseeing trip. If circumstances allowed, Qi Xia hoped to meet Mortal Mouse again and offer the apology he owed her.
"You all go ahead; I’ll catch up shortly." Falling back to the rear, Qi Xia passed the thought to the others.

Kim Wonhun frowned. "Catch up? Ge, do you even know where our organization is?"
Realizing his slip, Qi Xia quickly covered. "I forgot to ask. Could you draw me a map?"
Nodding, Kim Wonhun pulled out a pre-prepared sketch and handed it over. "Our base is at a school nayang. Here’s a map I drew earlier."

Qiao Jiajin gave Qi Xia a thoughtful look. "Swindler Lad, what are you planning?"
"Just taking a stroll," Qi Xia replied. "I won’t be long."
"I’ll go with you," Qiao Jiajin said, eyes sweeping the area. "Something about this place makes me uneasy."

"Go with me?" Qi Xia gave him a puzzled glance.
"Yeah. Aren’t we a team now?" Qiao Jiajin grinned. "You’re my {brain}; if you get lost, I won’t be able to find my way back."
Qi Xia nodded, reassured. Even without memories of the last instance, Qiao Jiajin was still himself.

"In that case…" Kim Wonhun stepped in. "I’ll lead the others to the organization. You two ge, stay safe."
…
"Where exactly are we wandering, Swindler Lad?" Qiao Jiajin asked, stretching lazily.

"Follow me." With a calm expression, Qi Xia led him down the narrow pathway.
They wove through the alley as Qi Xia searched for Mortal Mouse’s small warehouse, recalling its location from memory. Though tiny, it had held the hopes of many—Mortal Mouse had gathered odds and ends from all over, carefully crafting her game.
All of which had been ruined by him.

If he could meet her again, perhaps he could offer advice to improve her game, helping her earn more {Dào}—a small way to make amends.
‘Strange…’ Qi Xia muttered, scanning the street. The fronts of the buildings were empty. "Did I take a wrong turn?"
"Looking for something?" Qiao Jiajin asked, puzzled.
"I—" Qi Xia hesitated. Even though he trusted Qiao Jiajin, he chose not to share his memories. "No. Just exploring."

As they turned a corner, a dark shape lay across the road ahead.
Qi Xia froze, a sense of foreboding creeping over him. He stepped forward—only for Qiao Jiajin to grab his arm.
"Fuck… Swindler Lad, wait!" Qiao Jiajin moved ahead cautiously.

On the ground lay the emaciated body of a young girl, now darkened and grotesque. Her features were twisted, her skin rotting away. Puddles of foul yellow pus pooled around her.
At her abdomen bloomed a decaying, fleshy flower.
"How could this happen…" Qi Xia stared, horror gripping him.

It was unmistakably Mortal Mouse—dead.
Qiao Jiajin crouched, covering his nose as he examined the body. "She’s past the swelling stage and into active decomposition. She’s been dead at least ten days."
"Ten days…?" Qi Xia’s heart sank. "You’re saying she’s been # Nоvеlight # dead that long?"
"Maybe longer," Qiao Jiajin said, stepping back. "Ever since I got here, the air’s had a strong stink. There might be a lot of dead in this city."

Qi Xia moved closer, a dull pain throbbing in his head. Why had everyone else been revived… but not Mortal Mouse? Did she lack the {right} to be reborn?
Mortal Goat had come back—why not her, when they’d both belonged to the {Earthly Branches}?
"Swindler Lad, you know her?"

Know her? Qi Xia struggled for an answer. He didn’t even know her name—they’d only met in chaos. But if he hadn’t shown up back then, she wouldn’t be lying here now.
He stepped aside, plucked a dark red flower from the roadside, and placed it gently on her chest. If she’d had the choice, perhaps she’d have preferred never to meet him.
"I don’t know her. But it’s a shame to see a child so young dead here." He turned to Qiao Jiajin. "Let’s go."

Qiao Jiajin didn’t fully understand, but followed his {brain} without question.
After three steps, Qi Xia halted, struck by a thought.
"What’s wrong?" Qiao Jiajin asked.

Qi Xia turned back to Mortal Mouse’s corpse, uneasy. Something didn’t fit. He scanned around her—aside from the pooling pus, nothing.
Where was her mask?
He frowned. If this place hadn’t changed in ten days, why was the mask gone? Had someone stolen it… or had {Vermilion Bird} taken it?

Even with his retained memories, Qi Xia still knew little about {End Point}. For answers, he’d need Chu Tianqiu.
"It’s nothing. Let’s catch up to the others."
They left the alley and returned to the plaza—now completely empty. Qi Xia glanced up at the screen, which still read: I hear the reverberation of {Beckoned Calamity}.

None of the {Reverberatees} he’d met had sustained their {Reverberation} this long. Han Yimo’s ability truly was special.
As he stared at the display, something else caught his eye—two numbers carved into the column beneath it: {87}.
He traced the digits with his fingertips. These numbers were scattered throughout the city… what did they mean?

"I have so many questions for Chu Tianqiu right now."
Qi Xia turned—only to find an old, withered face smiling at him. The man stood on tiptoe, his whole body like a dried tree. Leaning in, he pressed his wrinkled face close to Qi Xia’s.