Naturally, Yao Wan was not the only one undergoing an illusion, nor was she the only one to cross beyond it.
Before she knew it, the lights and room had grown somewhat stuffy. A groundless wind surged through the house, only settling down after quite a while.
No one could find her, and no one could sense her. It was as though she were merely a shadow that had appeared from nowhere. The moment she realized this, the slightly hot and restless wind subsided as well.
"Creak—"
The bedroom door slowly opened, leaving her momentarily dazed.
The furnishings and decor were completely unlike anything she knew from her own life, yet they felt both familiar and strange, making her freeze for a moment.
It wasn't over yet?
The illusion born of evil thoughts wasn't over yet?
Yao Wan could not help turning to look at the brightly lit night beyond the window, falling into a brief daze.
Everything before her had come far too suddenly, even for someone who had long been prepared.
Having already experienced how profoundly an illusion could overturn one's understanding, Yao Wan naturally knew that nothing appearing before her now should come as a surprise...
Yet even so, seeing everything she had not seen in so long still caught her somewhat off guard.
"...Tsk. It really knows how to poke where it hurts."
This was probably what a traditional illusion was like—laying bare the most vulnerable part of oneself.
She murmured inwardly, yet could not help considering what she should do next.
"—You finally made it back. What are you standing around on the balcony for?"
A voice, slightly hoarse from cigarettes and alcohol, came from behind her, pulling her thoughts back and making her body tremble faintly. She turned around instinctively, and in eyes that