"Understood!" The girl nodded, her gaze hardening.
Su Feng ordered Haunter to lob another Shadow Ball toward Dusknoir as cover, then bolted from the cabin area with the girl in tow. He had no destination—anywhere was safer than staying put.
After minutes of sprinting, the girl gasped for breath, forcing Su Feng to halt near the ship's kitchens.
"Should be safe here."
He turned to question her but frowned at her appearance. She wore a pale yellow dress, her feet bare, toes pink and scraped. Her face, pale from exhaustion, evoked an almost fragile innocence.
[Livestream Chat:]
[OMG SHE'S ADORABLE!!]
[Mom, I'm in love!]
[Back off, she's mine!]
[Bro's playing hero simulator.]
Su Feng, however, was unmoved. "Did you panic so hard you lost your shoes?"
Girl: "?"
"Do you realize how reckless it was to stay behind?" he scolded. "If I hadn't been here—"
"I'm… sorry," she whispered, trembling.
Su Feng sighed. "What's your name? Who's your family?"
She winced, clutching her head. "I… can't remember."
Amnesia? Su Feng softened. "Never mind. I'm heading to the other ship to find an exit. Stay here or come with me?"
"Exit?" She hesitated.
To reassure her, Su Feng showed his livestream. "I'm Su Feng, a broadcaster. Not a creep—promise."
[Livestream Chat:]
["Not a creep" he says. SUS.]
[Girl, run! This guy's sketchy!]
[Feng's rizz is negative. How is he alive?]
Ignoring the chat, Su Feng stood. "Kitchen's stocked. Stay if you want."
"I'll go with you!" she insisted.
The Ghost Ship
Returning to the hull breach, the girl hesitated before leaping gracefully onto the neighboring ship. Su Feng marveled—Ballet training?
As he prepared to jump, a chill crept down his spine.
"Haunter!"
Dusknoir materialized behind him, swatting Haunter's Shadow Ball aside like a fly.
"Go!" Su Feng shoved the girl toward the other ship.
"Human, I only wished to—" Dusknoir's telepathic voice boomed.
"Haunter, Shadow Ball barrage!"
Dusknoir: "…"
The attacks forced it back, kicking up a smoke screen. Su Feng leapt to safety as Dusknoir's roar echoed.
"Vwooom! (Damn it!)"
Secrets Unveiled
On the derelict ship, the girl stared at the foggy deck. "This place… feels familiar."
"You've been here before?" Su Feng eyed her.
Before she could answer, a glint caught his eye—a nameplate on the ship's wall: S.S. Cradle.
The girl gasped, memories flooding back. "I… I was aboard this ship! It vanished three years ago!"
Su Feng froze. A ship lost to a realm… and now it's here.
Dusknoir's shadow loomed overhead. This time, its voice carried urgency.
"Human. She doesn't belong here. Neither do you."