Only then did Mao Feiyang curl his lip and turn away in some dissatisfaction, walking toward the Medium Portal wreathed in hazy Gray Fog.
"Oh, right..." Mao Feiyang seemed to suddenly remember something. "Could you give me a little 'blessing'? Something to give me a strong sense of purpose?"
"..." The Night Watchman seemed at a loss. After a stretch of silence, he said, "Good luck... you can definitely do it."
"Oh-ho, thanks~" Mao Feiyang gave a shamelessly cheeky grin and stepped into the Medium Portal.
"Pop..."
The Portal rippled. Mao Feiyang sent ripples spreading out as though he had entered a lake.
Soon, the ripples settled.
From the upper level of the Clock Tower came Night Watchman-02's faint muttering. "Why would 'he' send someone this obnoxious to make contact? Was he banking on me not killing him?"
"Heh... you'd better send someone more reliable to collect the Final Payment, or don't blame me for showing no mercy..."
May 9, Year X023, 20:12, unknown area of the Art Building, "corridor."
Mao Feiyang emerged from the Fog, missed his footing, and stumbled into the wall.
"Ow..." He steadied himself against the wall. "Where is this...?"
Lin Yi's voice sounded in his mind. "We should still be in that Stairwell beneath the Clock Tower..."
"All right..." Mao Feiyang shrugged helplessly. "Looks like we'll have to head back from here... no rush. Let me check the Map you gave me first..."
As he spoke, he plopped down on a Bluestone step and rested his chin in one hand, deep in thought.
Lin Yi did not disturb him, but soon, the mural on the stairway wall behind Mao Feiyang began writhing unnaturally, as though something were about to burst out of it.
"Maozi, watch out," Lin Yi warned.
Mao Feiyang snapped out of