Murong Xiner

"She's here."

Ethan's words lingered in the air just as—

BANG BANG BANG!

The front door of the villa shook with heavy knocking.

Everyone froze, their eyes jumping between Ethan and the entrance.

No way. Did he just predict someone's arrival right on time?

Ethan kept his expression calm, but inside, he was just as shocked. It was pure luck. He guessed based on how hard it was raining, which matched the timeline from his death replay.

Wang Zi Chen hurried to the peephole, then jerked back as if shocked.

"I-It's… Director Murong Xiner?!"

Why is the Apocalypse Bureau's living legend at his door?

"Let her in," Ethan ordered, his voice steady. "Perfect timing—I have questions for her."

Wang, shaking, unlatched the door.

There she stood.

Murong Xiner.

Rain poured off her black umbrella as she walked in, her heels clicking sharply on the marble floor. Her beauty was almost unreal—porcelain skin, sharp cheekbones—but her expression could have frozen the ocean.

"Mr. Ethan. You're coming with me." No greeting. No small talk.

Ethan didn't flinch. "To die on Mount Everest?"

A brief look of surprise crossed her face, but she quickly returned to her icy demeanor. "The Bureau's strongest will be there. You'll be safe."

"That's nonsense." Ethan's laugh was sharp. "Tell me, Director—if you found out the source of the Apocalypse tomorrow, would you leave me to chase it?"

Murong's eyelashes lowered—a small sign.

"…What exactly did you see?"

"Land is a death trap." He dropped Elder Chang's future prophecy as if it were common knowledge. "Tell your Everest team to head to the ocean now. They might survive."

Murong took this in, then nodded firmly. "Very well. You'll join them at sea—"

"Not a chance." Ethan interrupted her. "You have two choices, Director. One: Come with us to the source of the Apocalypse. Two: Run to the ocean with the others and hope for the best."

He watched her, enjoying the power shift. Last time, she had pulled him along. Now? I'm in charge.

Murong's breath caught. "You know where it begins?"

"We're on our way. So? What's your answer?"

A silent struggle played out in her eyes. Finally: "Where is it?"

"Not your concern yet." Ethan's smile didn't reach his eyes. "But if you choose Option One? You follow my orders. No extra personnel—just you and the pilot."

Total control. No matter her authority outside, in this moment, she'd have to submit.

Murong's jaw tightened. This wasn't why she had come. But the SSS-Rank prophecy looming over Ethan forced her hand.

Seeing her hesitate, Ethan revealed his trump card. "If you refuse, take these." He shoved ten hand-drawn maps toward her. "Ten days of sea-beast movements. Red marks their locations. Enough to keep your team alive."

Murong examined the pages, her fingers tracing the red clusters. Then a decision.

She took photos of each map and dialed a number.

"Yu. New information. Ten-day forecast of beast movements. Send it to Zhu Zizhao—plot evacuation routes to the ocean immediately. Transfer interim command to Lai Wenzhi… Yes, I'm going after the source with a separate team."

Ethan watched, grudgingly impressed. Flawless execution.

But being impressed didn't mean he trusted her. One mistake, and she'd take command.

As Murong hung up, Ethan turned to John. "Got the trajectory?"

John turned his laptop toward them. "Found an anomaly—"

"Solomon Islands. Specific coordinates?" Ethan interrupted.

"Exactly." John's eyes narrowed. "The source?"

Ethan looked at Murong, then nodded.

"The Solomon Islands? East of Australia?" Murong asked sharply.

"We leave now." Ethan stood, cutting off any debate. "Director, since you brought a helicopter… care to give us a lift?"

Murong's eye twitched. For a brief moment, Ethan thought she might consider murder-by-umbrella.

"…Fine." The word was cold.

Minutes later, under pouring rain, they loaded John's equipment into the armored chopper. The lone pilot stared at the crowd boarding.

What happened to 'two passengers'?!

Murong ignored him, fastening her seatbelt with deadly grace. As the rotors roared to life, Ethan leaned close, his voice loud enough to cut through the noise:

"One rule, Director. No matter what we find—"

"You follow my lead."

The helicopter surged upward, taking them toward the heart of the storm.