Invitation

The mental force drew closer and closer.

Xia Lin could feel the ghost inside the Space Bag trembling.

It was afraid, like a small animal that had spotted its natural predator.

Xia Lin took a step back.

"Sorry," his voice turned cold and hard, "but I can't let you touch it."

The woman's hand froze in midair.

"Why—" There was a trace of confusion in her voice.

"Because," Xia Lin said, staring into her whirlpool-like pupils, "it's very afraid of you."

The woman froze.

Her hand remained stiff in the air, and her entire body stood motionless, as though she had been hit by Hold Person.

After several seconds of silence.

"Ah—"

She slowly withdrew her hand.

"So—that's how it is—"

She lowered her head, her voice becoming even quieter.

"Of course—I'm—the kind of existence—people fear—"

"Even ghosts—are afraid of me—"

"I really am—far too gloomy—"

"I deserve it—I deserve this—"

"I'm just—a terrifying monster—"

She began to retreat, one step, two steps, three steps—

In the end, she curled up in the corner beside the cargo containers, hugging her knees and burying her face in her black robe.

"I shouldn't—appear before people—"

"I should—hide in the darkness forever—"

"No one would want to see me—"

"I'm just—trash—"

The muttering started again.

And this time, it was even more intense than before.

Xia Lin stood there, completely numb.

(What the hell is wrong with this woman?!)

He did not even know what words to use to describe her.

Thin-skinned? Inferior complex? Or—mentally unstable?

Just as the two of them fell into this bizarre standoff.

"Mr. Toremo?"

A familiar voice came from nearby.

Xia Lin turned his head.

Calvin, the deputy director who had inspected the Oath of the North Wind earlier, was walking over with two soldiers.

"Mr. Toremo, why