March 21st, 9:18 AM — Sub-Basement Storage Hall
John Wang POV
——
The Ghoul crouched in the blood, still smiling.
It wasn't the twitchy grin of a beast cornered. It was quiet. Steady. Like it had reached the next stage of its design.
Its body shifted again, not to attack but for some other purpose. The ribcage flexed outward—once, twice—like something was expanding inside it and stretching for more space.
Tang Wei took a step forward, shotgun raised. Her voice was tight. "It's doing something."
"Kill it now," I said, already moving.
Mu Qinglan struck first, her blade flashing silver-blue under the flickering lights. She cut across its right side, splitting through skin and sinew. At the same time, I drove both blades of Crushing Moon into the opposite side, carving deep.
Blood poured—but something else moved under the surface.
A twitch. A bulge.
Too late.
The Ghoul's chest convulsed.
