Chapter 98: Sacrifice and Corruption
“The wolf… is me.”
As these words left Little Red Riding Hood’s lips, Yu Sheng saw a strange, troubled glimmer cross her eyes. It was hard to understand what lay behind that look, but a heavy sense of unease seemed to settle around her, like a damp fog in the air. Her revelation—that the wolf was herself—certainly didn’t sound like a cheerful confession.
If the timing hadn’t been so odd, Yu Sheng might have asked more questions right then and there. But this moment felt wrong for prying, and so he kept quiet, making a silent promise to himself that he would return to the subject someday. Perhaps once they trusted each other more or found a safer place, he would ask who her wolves truly were, and why she said what she did.
For now, Yu Sheng’s attention drifted back down the corridor. At the far end, a stark white exhibition hall waited. The atmosphere felt colder and heavier the closer his thoughts moved toward it. He could almost catch the faintest scent of blood in the air, and it made his heart tighten.
Quietly, Yu Sheng thought aloud, “The ‘guards’ only react to intruders. They can see, but they can’t hear or smell. They follow their orders without thinking—like puppets with plenty of gaps to slip through…” His voice trailed off thoughtfully, his eyes narrowing as if he were envisioning the guards’ weaknesses and how to take advantage of them.
Beside him, Little Red leaned in close, speaking in a hushed tone. “What do you think? Should we pull back for today? We could always come back tomorrow—”
“No,” Irene cut in sharply, her voice unexpectedly firm. “Look at Yu Sheng’s face.”
Little Red blinked at Irene, puzzled. “What about his face?”
Irene let out a weary sigh. “He has that look again—he’s got another idea.”