Hearing this, both Robin and Silver Wolf raised their eyebrows slightly, a flash of realization crossing their eyes.
"If [nightfall] refers to the visible city right before us, then we, being inside it, could not possibly be unaware of it.
"But if [nightfall] does not refer to the Muyun City that exists in reality, and we combine that with the clues regarding those people's mysterious disappearances...
"The answer becomes all too obvious."
Acheron's gaze drifted unconsciously toward the bustling, brightly lit scene on the streets, then turned toward the cold and damp curtain of rain on the horizon.
The oppressive, dark clouds were in stark contrast to the glitz and glamour above the ground, much like gazing at a reflection on a lake; no one knew what was hidden beneath the water's surface.
That thick, black curtain of rain seemed to be an invisible barrier, separating reality from another world.
Acheron's purple eyes narrowed slightly; she could feel something quietly surging above the sky, as if waiting for the right moment.
Silver Wolf and Robin, both being sharp-minded individuals, understood Acheron's implication after a moment of thought.
Beneath the prosperous facade of this Muyun City, it was highly likely that an unknown "The Hidden World" was hidden.
It was this overlapping, different-dimensional space that explained why those people had disappeared for no reason—they had likely been swept into that hidden darkness at some inadvertent moment, due to some unknown catalyst.
A hint of amusement flashed in Silver Wolf's eyes. "Doesn't this sound exactly like the situation in Penacony? Bright on the surface, but already infiltrated by another space underneath."
"I see." Robin nodded gently, a flash of understanding passing through her emerald-green eyes, before she turned to look at Silver Wolf. "With your Hacker skills, can you hack into that deep [The Hidden World]?"
Upon hearing this, Silver Wolf first shook her head faintly, then nodded thoughtfully.
"So, are there any restrictions or difficulties?"
"It's not really a restriction, but if you want me to open a door to [The Hidden World] out of thin air, it might take some time."
Having come to this world, Silver Wolf could be considered to have had some experience.
This so-called [The Hidden World] was completely different in principle from a mystic realm.
It did not carve out a new space within the existing one, but rather, the real world and another world had undergone a dimensional overlap due to some unknown reason.
Pinpointing the coordinates of [The Hidden World] from scratch and then hacking in to open a passage was no easy task.
Silver Wolf shrugged helplessly, a flash of headache in her purple eyes. "If I were to violently break through the firewall, it would very likely cause the two worlds to further fuse, or even completely overlap.
"The consequences that would follow would be beyond my Control."
Hearing this, Robin understood the trouble involved—a brute-force hack had too high a risk, while a secure infiltration took too long; it was indeed a dilemma.
She was frowning and thinking of other solutions when Acheron, standing to the side, suddenly took the initiative to speak.
"It's fine. I will act as an anchor and buy you time."
As the words fell, Robin and Silver Wolf both cast their gazes over in unison, full of curiosity.
Acheron's expression was natural as she continued to speak slowly.
"Next, I will find a way to actively enter it and try to find traces of my family.
"At that time, I will leave matters on the outside to you."
Only now did Robin finally understand the true reason why Acheron had arranged to meet her.
Regarding this, she readily accepted the proposal. "Alright, leave the matters on the outside to us. You can go ahead and rest assured."
"Although I cannot come over immediately, do you need me to notify Sam to help?"
Acheron shook her head. "No need. Someone needs to be responsible for covering the rear on the outside. It is enough for me to enter alone."
Since it had come to this, Silver Wolf had no further objections.
"New Year's Eve is approaching; we don't have much time."
"Alright, alright, I know. You really know how to order people around."
Hearing Silver Wolf's displeased tone, Acheron did not say anything more, only nodding faintly.
After carefully instructing the two on several key details of the matter, even Silver Wolf's originally lazy expression became unconsciously more serious.
Seeing this, Acheron nodded slightly toward the two, then opened her red Oil-paper umbrella, turned, and walked away slowly.
Robin and Silver Wolf stood in place, quietly watching that purple figure gradually fade and disappear into the curtain of rain, until she was completely swallowed by the darkness at the end of the street.
"Alright, we have plenty to keep us busy now." Silver Wolf stretched, her eyes lacking some of their usual laziness.
"Mm, let's do our best." Robin nodded gently, her tone calm and soft yet filled with determination.
She did not refute this; the matters Acheron had entrusted to her before leaving were not simple, and she had to go and prepare immediately.
Silver Wolf shook her head in annoyance, and then her translucent figure, like shattered spots of light, gradually dissipated into the rain.
She sighed inwardly. "Sigh, if you're going to do a good deed, you have to see it through to the end; being a good person is not easy."
At the same time, she couldn't help but fiercely complain about the people from the Ability Bureau.
If they were even a little bit united and useful, there would be no need for them to come here and act as these "heroes" now.
...
On the other side.
Acheron arrived at a hidden alley.
"Hello."
A familiar voice came from the other end of the phone.
Acheron's expression shifted slightly, a subtle ripple passing through her purple eyes, and then she spoke in a calm and natural tone.
"Mother."
"Acheron, it's getting late. When are you coming home?"
"..."
"One more thing, do you know where Mo Xi and the others went?
"It stands to reason that Mo Xi went to pick up her younger sister a long time ago, but several hours have passed, and I have no idea where the two sisters went to play; I can't even get through on the phone.
"And also..."
Listening to her mother's familiar, endless chatter, Acheron spoke up in time to interrupt.
"Mother, I know where they are. I am just about to go pick them up."
But her mother on the other end of the phone seemed to have heard something terrifying; her voice instantly rose, carrying a hint of panic and urgency.
"Absolutely not! Why don't you just tell Mom where they are, and I'll go pick them up myself!"
After hearing this, Acheron's delicate eyebrows furrowed slightly for no reason, and a trace of doubt crossed her mind, but she did not take it to heart.
She shook her head and then continued.
"Can I have a word with Father alone?"
"Ah? Did Mom say something wrong! Acheron, please don't blame Mom! I was just worried about you..."
After a good while.
Acheron successfully made contact with her father.
Immediately afterward, a familiar voice came from the other end—serious, yet carrying an imperceptible softness.
"Hello, Acheron, you're looking for me?"
"Mm."
"What is it?"
Acheron did not answer immediately, her fingertips gripping the phone tightening slightly.
After a few seconds of silence, she slowly spoke, her voice lower than usual.
"Father, do you believe in me?"
"I believe in you!"
As soon as the words fell, almost instantly, the other party gave the reply, without the slightest hesitation, his tone full of trust and determination.
Acheron's expression remained calm and waveless, only a faint, imperceptible gleam flashing in the depths of her purple eyes.
The call fell into an eerie silence at that moment; only the faint sound of static coming from the receiver seemed exceptionally clear in the quiet atmosphere.
On the other end, Ye Guizhou seemed to have sensed something; with tacit understanding, he did not rush to speak, but quietly waited for the other party to continue.
After a while.
Acheron's cold, clear voice then came through, carrying a hint of imperceptible seriousness.
"I will bring my sisters home."
...
"When will you be home?"
"Before midnight."
"Remember to stay safe."
"Mm."
"...Come home early."
"...Mm."
The call ended.
Acheron stood dazed for a moment, as if she hadn't yet fully recovered from the conversation just now.
Until the "pitter-patter" of raindrops hitting the umbrella canopy gradually pulled her back to reality, she slowly let out a breath and tucked the phone back into her sleeve.