In an instant, dead silence.
When Ji Jue turned the handgun over and handed it out, the originally crowded crowd seemed to stir for a moment, retreating, as if the barrel aimed at them rather than the grip.
No, even more than the barrel...
For a fleeting moment, those vastly different faces stiffened, as if unable to react, or perhaps not yet able to comprehend the significance behind this piece of good news.
Opportunity, turning point, dawn, redemption.
Call it whatever you like.
Sometimes, when such a crucial moment arrives at one's door, the first thing felt in the heart is not relief and joy, but... fear.
Panic, unease, wavering.
Something surged within those hollow eyes.
What if this is fake?
After such a great escape, to receive such a surprise, everything felt too good to be true, yet so close.
But, what if it is true?
When such a thought emerged in one's chest, the burgeoning impulse suddenly froze, vanished.
Leaving only chilling silence.
