Utah State University looked especially peaceful beneath the streetlights at night.
Lush green shrubs had been planted in orderly rows alongside the plane trees on campus. Students walked along the asphalt paths, some alone, some in pairs, but most in groups.
Laughter and playful shouts drifted over from time to time.
In an instant, the tranquility came alive with youthful energy.
"How lovely!"
Even the police chief could not help sighing in admiration.
Qin Ran offered no objection.
He knew very well that this was a rare kind of beauty.
Once these students left campus, that beauty would quickly fade.
The world outside would teach them just how terrifying its nearly brutal reality could be.
No one still alive could escape that terror.
As for choosing death?
Even he, who had encountered reality's horrors far too early, was still struggling with all his strength. How could these students, so full of hope for the future, make that choice?
"Over there!"
Joffini, standing beside Qin Ran, paid little attention to the police chief's sigh.
The moment he got out of the car, he began searching for his targets: members of the Graven society.
In fact, finding them proved far easier than expected.
A young man in black formal attire was walking toward them from the gate.
His black outfit resembled both a suit and a tailcoat. Gold buttons were its only adornment.
Qin Ran was certain they were gold, not some other metal.
Gold buttons?
Was he a student?
Or a member of Graven?
Qin Ran speculated.
Soon, the young man gave him his answer.
"Chief Teresa and Mr. 2567?"
"And this gentleman is...?"
"Joffini."
"Then Mr. Joffini, please come with me as well. The esteemed members of Graven have been waiting for quite some time!"
After Joffini gave his name,