The sixteen-year-old Saint and the twenty-two-year-old Saint didn’t differ much in appearance. The younger had simply shed her naivety, maturing into the older version. But the eyes gazing at Wakako were markedly different. At sixteen, those eyes held expectations, occasional whims, sometimes shy, and a touch of girlish awkwardness. There was always something left unsaid, a secret she hoped Wakako…
With Wakako volunteering as a “test subject,” the team quickly unraveled the mystery of the plant. Upon chewing the dried leaves, one would experience an unusual sensation in their throat, leading to addiction. In larger doses, it could even induce brief hallucinations, similar to consuming wild mushrooms. Remarkably, it appeared to have no toxic effects on the human body. This…
“Wakako, what are you staring at?” “Huh… what?” “I’m talking to you. Why are you so slow to respond? How many times do I have to repeat myself?” The girl in front of her chided playfully but wasn’t truly angry; she teased with a smile. “You…” she sighed softly. “You’re always so absentminded. How can I not worry about you?”…
During their confinement, Wakako took the opportunity to catch a quick nap, while Lin Lin pressed her ear against the door, listening intently to gauge the number of people in the gambling den. To avoid seeming suspiciously quiet, Lin Lin pretended to panic inside the room. She alternated between shouting, wailing, whimpering, and lamenting, perfectly embodying the image of a…
The real Jinxin Port was indistinguishable from its dream counterpart—bustling and teeming with life. Compared to the strictly patrolled capital, the streets here were lined with more small vendors hawking their wares, lending the city a warmer, more human touch. Excluding mission-related visits, this was only Wakako’s second official trip to Jinxin Port. The last time was five years ago,…