Before even arriving on Heaven Island, Arthur had braced himself for the worst. He’d carefully mapped out an escape plan, and Mr. Hugo had even arranged people to wait at the shore in case things went south. But none of that had been necessary. Heaven’s Cult was nothing like what he had imagined. From Drake to the members Arthur had interacted with these past few days, one thing became clear: while they did value their own interests, there was a firm, unwavering sense of justice guiding them. They prioritized safety instinctively, yes—but never at the expense of others. They never crossed that invisible line to inflict harm just to get ahead. Their conversations touched on business, politics, and the futures of nations, but also on how to create opportunities for ordinary people—how to build systems where everyone could win. They weren’t like the ruthless profiteers of the world who sacrificed the common folk without a second thought. Heaven’s Cult had a moral boundary. And that alone made them better than most. Even at the banquet a few nights ago, although only a handful of members had attended, their words and conduct had left a deep impression on Arthur. These were people worth knowing. Drake, pleased by Arthur and Ashley’s humility, nodded. “Make sure you're ready for the membership trial in two days. You're the only one left from this group, but the test still stands. No one joins Heaven’s Cult without passing it.” Gone was the ruthless authority figure from earlier. The Drake standing before them now was composed, almost calm. Arthur and Ashley thanked him again and returned to their villa. At last, the chaos had settled. With so many people gone, the island felt quieter. In the courtyard, Ashley finally voiced her curiosity. “Arthur, did you know Mr. Drake before this? I can’t shake the feeling that he treats you differently.” Arthur shook his head. “No. We’ve never met.”Ashley frowned deeper. “I still think there’s something unusual about the way he looks at you. It’s not like how he looks at others.” Even during the banquet, she had noticed it. Drake’s eyes would linger on Arthur—not with scrutiny, but with something else. Reflection? Remorse? Recognition? And today, again, she saw it. It was as if Drake wasn’t looking at Arthur, but through him—searching for the ghost of someone else. But whatever it was, Ashley knew this: they owed Drake their safety. Arthur nodded. “I’ve noticed it too. But no matter the reason, he’s shown nothing but kindness.” Ashley agreed quietly. Seeing her still troubled, Arthur slid an arm around her waist. “Enough thinking. What matters is that coming to Heaven Island—joining Heaven’s Cult—it was the right choice.” Ashley nodded, her expression finally softening into a smile. “I never thought Heaven’s Cult would be so… different from what we imagined.” Arthur glanced out at the dazzling view beyond the villa and grinned. “Let’s go for a walk. We’ve been here for days, and we haven’t explored anything.” Ashley’s eyes lit up. She had been wanting to do just that. Heaven Island was surrounded by sea, full of beautiful coastlines, expansive beaches, and tidal zones where fresh seafood could be found during low tide. She’d heard how fun tide-combing could be. And now, with Arthur suggesting it, her excitement bubbled over. The simple joy of collecting ocean treasures—it was something to look forward to. Eyes sparkling, she checked the time. “Let’s go tide-combing! The tide should be going out soon—it’s perfect!” “Tide-combing?” Arthur blinked. He didn’t know the term. His fear of the ocean ran deep. As a child, he had nearly drowned. In his past life, he had died at sea. That suffocating feeling—the crushing, salty darkness—never left him. He had even hesitated to board the yacht to Heaven Island. Only with Ashley by his side had he managed to overcome it. Ashley nodded eagerly. “Yep! We bring a bucket, a little shovel, and go search for crabs and octopus on the beach while the tide’s out. It’s fun! Like a little treasure hunt!” Seeing her so excited, Arthur couldn’t bring himself to say no. He smiled. “Alright. Let’s get ready and head to the beach.” The joy on Ashley’s face was instant—and radiant. But she had a reason beyond the fun. She remembered Arthur’s stories—how he nearly drowned, how the sea haunted him. She had sensed it, too, when they boarded the yacht to Heaven Island. She wanted to help him get used to the sea again. To help him gently, quietly make peace with it. So that even if she wasn’t there one day, he wouldn’t be afraid anymore.