Gu Ning returned to her residence and collapsed onto the floor.
The room was silent. She was all alone; Barto and the others hadn't returned yet.
She lay there for a while before sitting up. Looking out the window, she saw the sky had gone completely dark.
She checked the time again. It was already seven o'clock.
'Strange, why aren't they back yet?'
Just as Gu Ning was about to send a message to ask Barto, a faint "CLICK—" sounded from behind her.
Her back instantly tensed, and she whipped her head around to look.
The door had slowly opened a tiny crack.
Gu Ning was sitting by the entryway. She stared at the door for a few seconds, then snatched the hard hat she had tossed aside, put it on, stood up, grabbed the doorknob, took a deep breath, and yanked the door open.
The doorway was empty. There was no one there.
She leaned halfway out to look. The hallway was cluttered with junk, and the light was dim. Not a single soul was in sight.
