"Does this Enlightenment state last all the time?" Ashe asked, glancing around at the others. "And none of your 'next steps' seem to involve actual work… so is our Funeral Agency just shutting down on the spot?"

"This isn't work hours. It's a daily interaction phase meant for team bonding," Annan replied. "But no, Enlightenment definitely isn't active all day. Down here in the lower city, you only get five minutes of Enlightenment per hour."

The moment the words left Annan's mouth, Harvey's lighter finally sparked, igniting his Catnip cigarette with a soft puff. It felt like a cue for release. Instantly, Iger relaxed, returning to his usual self. Pankey snapped his notebook shut, instantly exiting his frantic writing trance. Annan let go of Ashe's arm, though she remained seated right beside him.

Only Lys stayed buried against his chest like an ostrich, far too embarrassed to show her face.

"How did it feel?" Ashe asked.

"Honestly? Pretty damn good," the necromancer blew a smoke ring out toward the sprawling underground city. "An irresistible craving, completely...