"Hey! How did this lock open?"
Bai Zhu had not even closed the registry when Knov raised a hand and opened a door in the ground.
Milluki and Piyu jumped down the instant Knov opened it.
Bai Zhu, however, remained where he was.
Knov turned his head.
"What are you standing around for? Get in."
Bai Zhu stuffed the registry into his coat and did not enter the door.
Instead, he said at full volume, "Stay with me for a moment."
The moment his words fell, the warehouse's wooden door was kicked open.
A man dressed as a village overseer rushed in with a gun raised, its barrel aimed directly at the source of the voice. Before he could make out who was inside, a figure was already right in front of him.
Bai Zhu gripped the wrist holding the gun and forced it downward.
The dull crack of bone slipping out of place rang especially clearly through the cramped warehouse.
The gun fell to the floor. The man clutched his twisted, mangled wrist, cold sweat beading on his forehead. He opened his mouth to shout, but a black door silently opened behind him. A hand reached out, covered his mouth, and dragged his entire body inside.
The door closed behind him.
Milluki walked over, shut the wooden door again, and bolted it from the inside.
Inside the Fourth Dimensional Apartment, in a newly partitioned room, the village overseer was tied to a chair, his wrist hanging limply.
Bai Zhu pressed a hand over his wound, a gentle light glowing from his palm. The bleeding stopped, and the agony eased somewhat.
"Don't be in such a hurry to die." Bai Zhu withdrew his hand. "Answer whatever I ask. Then I'll give you a quick death."
He spread the registry he