A little earlier.
Black Cave, Shantytown.
A burst of holy light suddenly flickered in the living room of Irin's home. When the glow faded, the mother and daughter had been teleported back from The Church's sewers.
Seeing the familiar surroundings, the girl was finally able to breathe a sigh of relief. Holding her mother in her arms, she hurried into the inner room and carefully laid Nolan down on the bed.
Afterward, Irin went into the kitchen, intending to make something for her mother. But when she opened the refrigerator and found it completely empty, she realized that so much had happened over the past few days that she had completely neglected their home.
Left with no other choice, she called Brian for help, and also to let him know she was safe.
From receiving Irin's call to racing over at top speed, it might not even have taken ten minutes. Brian appeared before Irin, panting heavily, laden with bags of supplies and gifts.
After giving the girl a quick once-over and confirming she hadn't lost any limbs, he sprinted into the inner room. Only when he saw Nolan lying on the bed—her face pale and weak, but her breathing steady and her condition seemingly stable—did the anxiety on Brian's face ease somewhat.
When he came back out and saw Irin sitting blankly on the living room sofa, still lost in thought despite having rescued Nolan, Brian realized that someone seemed to be missing.
"Where's Liao Ji?"
"Huh!?"
"Oh, him... He said he still had something to do. So we split up." Irin's voice grew quieter and quieter, and by the end, she had lowered her gaze, her expression dim.
Seeing the girl like this, Brian understood a great deal in an instant. He sighed inwardly and did not press