Sigh……
Walking down the street, Xia Xia was feeling a bit overwhelmed.
After taking a shower yesterday, she saw a telegram had arrived. Once decoded, the message was clear: [Gather at the base at 4 PM].
Really……
She was such a jinx!
Just yesterday, she’d said there was nothing urgent and she could just slack off in the human world, yet today she had to gather at the base.
Saying there was no urgent matter was obviously impossible.
So here she was, heading to the base without knowing what emergency awaited.
She hopped on a shared bike and took several turns through streets and blocks before arriving at the base.
It was an underground room inside an apartment building. Usually, whenever there was a mission or a report, this was where they came to receive it.
Upon entering the room, it was already packed with people. The ones sitting around the edges were mostly familiar faces—intelligence personnel like herself.
But those seated inside the circle were all strangers.
Naturally, she took a seat on the outer chairs. In situations like this, it was obvious she was a bit on the fringes.
Once settled, she looked toward the man in the middle who was studying a map on the table.
Using her [Identification], she discovered he was a Master Level Psychic!
A Master Level here!?
This was bad news……
He had to be their superior.
Then she glanced at the others surrounding him.
Their magic aura was slightly weaker than the man in the center but still mostly S-Rank, or even SS-Class.
There were at least a dozen of these high-level psychics.
What on earth…… was happening?
What could possibly gather so many high-level psychics in one place?
Lost in thought, she looked back at the man. He checked the time on his watch, then scanned the people seated.
“Alright, looks like everyone’s here.” Seeing that no seats were empty, the man started addressing the group.
“You can call me Hamos. I’m your new superior here in Water City.”
“The reason I’ve gathered you all here is to assign a major mission.”
Just as she had guessed.
She continued listening as Hamos spoke.
“My mission is to capture the daughter of the Blood Clan rebel leader, Viviana Bessa Selina. Previously, she narrowly escaped capture in Liulicheng.”
“Now, reliable intelligence confirms that Princess Selina has fled here. As an Empire Secret Guard operative, I’ve been ordered to apprehend her!”
Empire Secret Guard……
She knew a little about them.
The Empire Secret Guard was the secret police directly commanded by the Imperial Security Department. They held enormous authority, able to act freely anywhere within the Demon Realm.
For intelligence personnel like herself, any order from the Secret Guard had to be obeyed unconditionally.
“From now on, I’m in full command! Your task is simple: assist us in capturing her!”
Selina……
She’d heard about her from colleagues back in Liulicheng.
During the operation to capture Selina there, several S-Rank and two SS-Class psychics were dispatched.
The result? Both SS-Class were severely injured, and all the S-Rank psychics died.
According to intelligence, Selina’s level was only S-Rank. But defeating two SS-Class fighters?
That made her wonder if the intel was inaccurate.
Maybe her rank was actually higher!
Incidentally, Selina’s escape caused Liulicheng’s intelligence system to collapse.
The firefight was so intense it drew the attention of the Hunter Association in Liulicheng, leading to a city-wide lockdown to hunt down hidden demons.
She wondered what had happened to the colleague who told her all this……
What if things here ended up like Liulicheng……
Please, no!
As she mulled over these thoughts, a photo was suddenly handed to her.
It was a picture of Selina from Liulicheng.
Short black hair, holding what looked like a gun……
She glanced briefly before taking the photo.
“We’ve now distributed Selina’s photo to everyone. If you spot her, report and track immediately. Remember, do not act alone!”
Who would be foolish enough to go solo?
But since they said it, it meant someone must have tried before.
She inwardly admired that person’s bravery.
“The success of this mission depends on all of you. It’s our honor to die for the empire! To end the internal strife! To unify the empire!”
Hearing that, she started to feel irritated.
All this talk of dying and honor—she hated zealots who were so eager to throw their lives away. It was obvious they were trying to drag her into it!
“From now on, keep monitoring local activity. Report any developments immediately. If there’s nothing else, you’re dismissed.”
This was the line she was waiting for!
After the briefing, she immediately stood and headed out.
Her attitude toward this operation could be summed up in two words: [Not Interested].
There was no way they’d let her fight, nor did she have the strength for battle.
She was intelligence, and the fighting was up to the Empire Secret Guard.
She didn’t want to put in effort to find Selina; best not to find her at all!
Surely, she wasn’t going to stumble across her by wandering around randomly, right?
After leaving the base, she stretched lazily.
“Hmm—!”
What now?
Today, she didn’t want to set up her stall outside.
Might as well go out for a walk.
Have some milk tea, some dessert, then go back and watch a drama.
Having made up her mind for the day, she happily headed home to prepare.
***
Afternoon dismissal time……
After packing her gear, Luna arrived downstairs at the Training Field to wait for the others.
Her sisters were so slow……
Why weren’t they out yet?
Luna sat alone on a bench waiting for them.
Watching the crowds pass by, still no sign of her sisters.
“Hmm… Can’t we just head back first, little one?”
Eliza sat beside her. Since drinking blood, she had started coming out more often.
“No, we promised to go back together. Let’s wait here.”
Eliza had nothing to do but watch the people coming and going on the bench. Luna had her phone to keep busy.
Let Eliza suffer a bit first; she’d let her play the game console once they got back.
“Um……”
Suddenly, a voice came from behind.
Luna turned to see a black-haired girl standing there.
She remembered… the girl’s name was Dai Lina.
Wasn’t she the one who brushed past during the combat test wait?
But why was she looking for Luna?
“Hello, may I ask what you need?”
Luna politely addressed Dai Lina, but the girl didn’t speak after being asked.
That was odd……
Eventually, Dai Lina said nothing and, after a brief look at Luna, simply said, “Farewell,” then left.
Really……
What was she trying to do?
Watching the girl’s strange behavior, Luna was baffled.
“Giggling—”
Eliza was secretly laughing nearby. No matter how hard she tried to hold it in, Luna still heard.
“What are you laughing at, Eliza?”
“Huh? You noticed?”
“You’re right next to me; how could I not hear?”
Eliza thought she wouldn’t be caught, but her ability to hold laughter was poor.
“Alright, tell me, what’s so funny?”
“I’m laughing at that girl just now.”
“Laughing at her? What’s funny about that?”
“You don’t know? That girl wants to be friends with you but just can’t say it. If possible, you should be friends with her.”
***
Huh?
Luna looked at Eliza, puzzled by what she said.
Before she could ask what she meant, her sisters appeared, cutting her off.
“The elevator was so crowded, I should’ve taken the stairs. Let’s go, little sister.”
“…Okay.”
Though slightly annoyed by the interruption, Luna followed her sisters.
She’d ask Eliza later.
They returned straight to the dormitory, letting Qingyan and Su Luoluo help get their meals.
Why?
“Well, I don’t think you’d refuse to come back with me, right, little sister?”
“N-No…”
Looking at her sister’s kind eyes, who would dare refuse?
So Luna was ‘taken’ back to the dormitory by her sister.
Oh no……
Once the dormitory door closed, her sister turned to her, and a chill ran down Luna’s spine!
“My dear little sister~”
Her sister called her so intimately, but Luna only felt fear!
“Si… sister…”
“Don’t forget what I told you this morning about discipline.”
“I-I didn’t…”
Cold sweat was dripping as she wondered what awaited her!
“Good. Then, little Luna, come to my room. Let’s have a good ‘deep exchange.’”
With that, her sister grabbed her arm and dragged her toward the bedroom.
“Wa—wait, sister! Let me explain, please, ahhh!”
“La la la~ Not listening, not listening, like a broken record.” Xiao Xi selectively ignored her.
“No—!!! (/TДT)/ Ahhhhhh!!!”
The whole room echoed with Luna’s screams……