"I''ve been there, and I actually ran into him once."


    "Wasn''t it absolutely terrifying? After he casually mentioned taking care of it, he nced at me and asked the person next to him, ''How did an ant like this end up here?'' I nearly fell to my knees in fear."


    ra couldn''t help but burst outughing at the overly dramatic exchange.


    It seemed this guy was just lucky enough to have stumbled into the mysterious Nightfall once. She shifted a bit to getfy, nning to catch some rest, but she couldn''t resist adding, "You ran into him, and he didn''t kill you. Doesn''t that mean he''s not as ruthless as everyone says?"


    The man''s face turned serious. "That''s because I didn''t tell you the rest. I opened the restroom door I was heading to and found seven or eight bodies inside. They were all brutally killed, faces all messed up, beaten to death. I was so scared I took several steps back, almost wetting myself."


    In reality, he had wet himself, but with ra being so beautiful, he wanted to save face.


    Recalling the scene, his face went pale. "No wonder his hands were all red. He must have just finished killing them. The way he looked at me was like I was trash. I couldn''t move. He seemed like an emotionless monster, yes, a monster. When he called me an ''ant,'' I really felt tiny, like he could squash me with a single finger."


    ra raised an eyebrow and handed him a bottle of water.


    His lips were nearly white from fear. "Thanks. After that experience, I swore never


    to go back. The ce is indeedvish, but the world of the rich is beyond our imagination. Better to head back to the countryside and stick to farming."


    ra chuckled, "Exactly, have some water. Your lips are all pale."


    "Haha, sorry about that."


    ra leaned back to rest and drifted into a brief dream, again about the Nightfall pool.


    She dreamt of reaching for something cool and smooth.


    In her dream, she removed a mask, and her eyes shed with awe.


    She woke with a start, realizing her forehead was damp with sweat.


    It must have been the man''s vivid storytelling. Dreaming of a stranger, how odd.


    She grabbed a tissue to wipe her sweat, just as the train stopped and the conductor announced, "Azure Shores, we''ve arrived."


    She quickly gathered her luggage and got off the train.


    Once she reached the hotel, she checked into her room.


    Azure Shores was a promising coastal town, notrge but ideally located by the sea. The neighboring country had just announced visa-free travel for citizens from her home nation, making Azure Shores a potential hub between the two countries. Ferguson Corporation nned to build hotels and malls here, seizing the opportunity from the neighboring country''s policy change.


    After settling in, she called Aiden to ask when they''d arrive.


    Aiden nced at the silent man in the backseat and replied quietly, "Three more hours."


    Cars weren''t as fast as trains, and they took different routes.


    ray on the bed, "Alright, I''ll take a nap. Call me when you get here."


    Half-asleep, she heard loud noises from the hallway, thinking she was imagining


    it.


    She got up to listen closely—it was indeed Eden''s voice, directing people moving things.


    Why had Eden followed her to Azure Shores?


    ra felt a headacheing on.


    Eden''s voice continued outside.


    "Be careful with that. It''s for Dn. Can you afford to pay if it''s damaged?"


    "And this too, everything''s been sanitized. Dn''s only staying in this budget room because he has no choice."


    "This one''s mine. When he arrives, tell him there are no extra rooms so I can stay with him!"


    Eden''s voice was brimming with excitement, constantly instructing the staff.


    ray back down, already knowing this trip to Azure Shores wouldn''t be peaceful.