In the pure white corridor, a corner of shadow slanted into view, and Grimm's blood-red eyes stood out starkly within it.
Standing in the light, Lin Jin watched warily. The information he possessed gave him neither a shred of complacency nor any cause for surprise.
Grimm, meanwhile, was still smiling.
"Oh, so... I imagine you must be the Leader of the Grimm Troupe, correct? I heard them mention you briefly."
Grimm stepped out of the shadows and bowed gently, his etiquette beyond reproach.
"Have we met somewhere, sir? You seem a little familiar."
Grimm tilted his head in the shadows as he asked, evidently recalling a previous journey that had taken an unexpected detour.
"No, I believe this should be our first meeting. After all, if I had met you, I certainly would have remembered."
Lin Jin fell silent for two seconds before finally offering an ambiguous answer.
"Ah, is that so?"
Grimm took a few more steps forward, his tone as easy as ever. "Then I'm honored that a stranger should know my name. Though it seems I've missed quite a show."
"You're not actually late. We're in the middle of an intermission."
"Heh heh heh heh..."
Grimm laughed, sinister and dangerous, just as Lin Jin had always pictured him.
Lin Jin felt the atmosphere grow somewhat oppressive, but that feeling abruptly vanished a moment later.
Grimm became refined and amiable once more, as though that dangerous look had never appeared. He turned to study the murals along the corridor, whether to admire them or change the subject, Lin Jin couldn't tell.
"Just look at this. I've never seen so many Higher Beings gathered in one place. Hallownest truly is a wonderful place."
"Yes, and now that you're here, there are even more beings to reckon with."
An unspoken