Immediately, the old man's breath grew faint until it dissipated.
Beneath the tree behind the wooden chair, a tiny white snake the size of a finger wriggled away into the distance, only to be gently caught by a palm.
The little white snake curled up reflexively and raised its head, looking at the stranger with its emerald-green eyes, but in that instant, time seemed to stop.
Only a gentle voice could be heard:
"Interesting little fellow, we seem to have quite the connection... I'll take this snake to the Cemetery, the endless hours of ennui could use some company."
*
*
*
The third level of the Spirit World.
In the dim surroundings.
Chen Lun's pupils suddenly constricted.
He sensed that his connection with the white snake he had left in Saint Aye's Town was abruptly severed, along with the last images and sounds the snake had recorded.
'Mr. Angel...'
Chen Lun took a deep breath.
