When Klaus came around the corner, the Marching Lamp's light struck his shadow first.
The shadow stretched long across the Copper Wall. Three more people followed behind him: Glock and two Night Watchers, all armed and moving quickly.
Klaus did not hurry forward.
His gaze swept over the Copper Walls on both sides of the passage, pausing briefly on the Eerie Inscriptions slowly writhing across their surfaces before settling on Lu Yuan and Leike ahead.
Leike leaned against the Copper Wall on the right. The worm-made body had resumed its slow writhing, though all its feelers were tucked against its sides. Lu Yuan crouched beside him, one hand still resting on his knee, as though he had just risen from the ground.
Klaus watched them for several seconds without speaking.
He raised his left hand. The Bone Ring on his ring finger gave off a faint dark green glow, which spilled from its surface and extended along Klaus's fingers. It swept over Leike first, then turned toward Lu Yuan.
The dark green light fell over them without changing color or rippling. It silently scanned them once, then withdrew.
"Not contaminated."
Klaus lowered his hand. A clear trace of helplessness appeared on his usually stern face before his gaze fell on Leike.
"Talk."
Leike did not change his posture. The back of his head rested against the Copper Wall, his eyes half-closed, as if he were delivering a routine report.
"While interrogating that Grey Covenant Third Order, the Swarm Insects were reading his memories. There was an image in the Third Order's mind: a gigantic head, Gray Mist, believers kneeling to receive instructions. When the Swarm Insects touched that memory, my consciousness was dragged directly inside."
Klaus did not interrupt. Glock stood half a step behind him, clutching a Communication Crystal.