Inside the restaurant, although time seemed to have stopped because of the standoff, the torrential rain outside continued to rage.
Every flash of lightning cast a brilliant blue-white glow into the restaurant, making everyone's faces undergo alternating baptisms of violent light and the profound darkness that followed.
Then thunder roared like an enraged beast. Accompanied by the violent rattling of the restaurant's windows and doors, it reverberated through the empty interior.
The storm swept across the entire street. Raindrops pounded against the windows as though thousands upon thousands of soldiers were eager to charge into the restaurant. Water streamed down the glass, occasionally blurring the view outside. The world had been cut off, leaving only the people inside the restaurant.
Hughberlian had not reacted at all. She merely felt an intense sense of danger on instinct.
Phoenix, who was sitting at the table beside the aisle Hughberlian had just passed, moved with incredible speed.
The edge of his blade sought out the weakest point of Hughberlian's neck. That short sword had nearly taken her life twice already.
But just as he was about to lunge at Hughberlian, a heavy pressure locked him firmly in place, preventing him from advancing even half a step.
It was not a physical restraint, but a chill that penetrated to the marrow—a warning from the depths of hell.
He instinctively followed the source of the danger, and his gaze met Talia's deep, frigid golden eyes.
In that instant, he seemed to see the face of the Grim Reaper.
Her eyes held more than indifference. They contained an anger that could not be predicted.
Talia's movements appeared calm and slow, but in reality, she was far faster than Phoenix.
She gently wrapped an arm around Hughberlian and pulled her to her side protectively. Then Talia's fingers