Chapter Four: Midnight Station

“You're now the only passenger without a valid ticket.” The years the inspector had hoarded flooded back. A century crossed him in one instant, leaving only dust. The train finally sounded its horn. A woman in a silver veil emerged from the cab, her feet floating above an ancient, stooped shadow. 【The Latecomer. Sealed.】 “I only wanted to reach a tomorrow that did not exist yet,” she said. 【Trial 03 cleared.】 【Ability acquired—Seven-Second Reprieve: Delay one injury or judgment against yourself for seven seconds.】 【Uncontrollable entity “The Latecomer” released.】 Reality opened above the station. Zhou Ce stood behind a ballistic shield, pistol steady. “Every time you grow stronger,” he said, “you release another disaster.”