The snow stopped, and the sun came out, shining warmly on their frozen bodies. The Illuminati Elders led their disciples out of the Church first. The remaining people exchanged uncertain looks, then hesitantly followed.
Everyone wore smiles of relief at having survived. They looked up as the sun emerged from the heavy clouds, its light breaking through.
Wei Yanchi's head was spinning. For a long while, he couldn't collect himself.
Beiwei and the others emerged from the Concert Hall, still seeming a little unclear about what had happened. All they could see was the wreckage left behind by the Instance.
Before Juelu could speak, Xie De tossed her a Medical Card, took Little House Centipede from Lin Darong, and turned to lean against a nearby wall, watching the cheering crowd emerge from the Church.
He walked toward them, his body stained with blood and bearing the traces of battle, a gun still in his hand. He looked like a villainous boss from a movie, with a strangely aloof air.
The cheering crowd stiffened at the sight of him and began backing away.
He advanced, and they retreated.
They kept retreating until they had nowhere left to go, exposing the Illuminati Elders who had been standing behind them.
The Elder at the front smiled at him. "Congratulations. I knew you would prevail."
"I wouldn't call this a victory yet. The Mirror Instance is still in progress, and we've completely lost contact with the Vampire Instance." Xie De reached up and twisted his neck. His fingers itched to light a cigarette, but in the end, he merely smiled, his breath misting in the cold.
He gave a laugh that never reached his eyes. It wasn't directed at the Elder; even he couldn't explain the irritation he felt about the situation.
"I don't