If it hurts enough, grip with both hands,
Cut it open, let yesterday's curse expand.
Through endless night and day it flows,
Leaving behind only scars that show.4

Having stayed up all night, Iger let out a long breath. He leapt from the bed, but just as he reached the doorway, he froze. "Why the rush? Wouldn't it be better if he were already dead?"0

Shaking his head, he returned to his usual routine and headed to the bathroom for a bath. This time, however, the water offered none of its usual comfort. After a brief soak, he hurriedly dried himself and moved to brush his teeth, hoping to activate the Revelation spirit.0

Normally, resonating with the Revelation spirit required a calm, natural state of mind. Iger's thoughts were far from calm, so he expected failure. Yet, inexplicably, the Revelation spirit responded. A line of words, written in toothpaste foam, appeared on the mirror. It read, "Don't be too surprised."0

Iger felt a chill run down his spine. Surprised at what? Is Ashe really dead?0

Recalling how attentive Gerard had been toward Ashe yesterday, Iger realized the Hunter Captain had come specifically for the unpredictable cult leader. Escorting prisoners and assisting with the Blood Moon Tribunal were routine duties, but they did not usually merit a captain's personal presence. Gerard could easily have refused any task that didn't interest him, so his...0