March 20th, 1:05 PM — Longwan Mall, Rear Loading Corridor
Mu Qinglan POV
——
It didn't wait.
The moment I shifted my footing, the Ghoul exploded forward — no wind-up, no snarl, just speed. It leapt across the blood-slick tiles like its body lacked weight, like a cloud, long arms arcing down like blades.
I raised Endless Night.
Steel rang as its claws met my sword.
The impact shot down my bones. I twisted, deflected — but it's second strike coiled in from the side, joint twisting in a way that wasn't human. Not even close.
I stepped back, breathing shallow. One gash opened across my thigh, cloth tearing, blood spreading through the fabric like ink in water.
Its claws dragged across the tiles as it followed, crouching, shoulders hunched like a stalking hound. No sound. Just breathless intent. Its face was still blank, still silent — and yet I felt it watching.
Calculating.
Trying to understand how much I had left.
