Lin Shu dragged her exhausted body, step by step, out of the Magic Forbidden Forest.
At this moment, her clothes were tattered beyond recognition, the fabric ripped open by the marks of huge claws. A deep wound carved across her left shoulder, with dark red blood soaking through what little fabric remained. Countless wounds, large and small, scorched her arms, legs, and waist, each burning with pain.
Lin Shu looked up. Ahead was the temporary camp of the Blood Clan’s heiress—Liya.
She was back, battered and wounded, but having completed the task the heiress had assigned: to investigate the monsters in the Magic Forbidden Forest.
Outside the tent, Lin Shu stopped and addressed the Blood Clan maid standing guard at the entrance:
“I need to report back to the heiress. Please allow me to enter.”
The maid went in and soon returned, replying, “The heiress is receiving guests right now. She wants you to wait.”
So, I risked my life to finish the mission, and I’m still left waiting out here…
The night wind lashed Lin Shu’s exposed wounds, sending a chill to her bones. She stood where she was, body shrinking from the cold, her mind growing dazed.
Three years…
It had already been three years since she came to this world of Demonic Race and Sacred Race.
In a trance, memories surged uncontrollably into Lin Shu’s mind.
Three years ago, she was just an ordinary university student on Earth. One night, while staying up late in her dorm, space and time suddenly twisted—and when she came to, she found herself standing on a summoning array.
And then, Lin Shu met her.
Teppus Liya, genius of the Blood Clan’s Teppus Family, and the one who led the summoning ritual.
Back then, she wore a magnificent black dress, golden hair cascading behind her, her fair face as delicate as a porcelain doll, and crimson eyes fixed on Lin Shu.
“This is my Familiar. She belongs to me.” Liya declared loudly.
The other Blood Clan, eyeing Lin Shu’s flesh and blood, were all silenced by Liya.
Looking at that proud and beautiful figure, Lin Shu could hear the violent thumping of her own heart.
To repay Liya’s kindness, and for the flutter in her heart, Lin Shu stayed to become her Familiar.
A Familiar is an assistant in battle for their master. For three years, she braved countless dangers for Liya, returning from missions time after time, covered in wounds.
Back then, whenever she was hurt, Liya would frown and say, “Humans really are fragile,” while treating her injuries.
When Liya slept in her bedroom, Lin Shu could stay by her side, watching her curled up on the bed—a quiet side utterly different from her usual pride.
In those moments, Lin Shu thought maybe there was something more between them than just master and servant.
When did it all start to change?
It seemed to begin when Liya started managing family affairs—slowly, she grew indifferent to Lin Shu’s efforts, leaving her only with coldness.
“You may go in now.” The maid’s voice pulled Lin Shu back to reality.
Lin Shu lifted a corner of the tent flap and stepped inside.
The tent was warm, with a soft carpet on the ground and flickering candlelight illuminating the enclosed space.
Liya sat in the seat of honor straight ahead, one leg crossed over the other, her black high-heeled boots elegantly raised.
Her golden hair flowed smoothly down her back. Her blood-red eyes remained fixed on a few sheets of parchment in her hands, and she didn’t even look up at the sound of Lin Shu entering.
Standing before her was a woman with long, wavy purple hair and a black-and-white lace gown that accentuated her elegant, mysterious aura.
Lin Shu recognized her—Sefina of the Drago Family. Her family’s power was beneath Liya’s, and they had always relied on the resources of Liya’s household.
Whenever Sefina met with Liya, Lin Shu always felt that Sefina’s gaze would fleetingly fall on her—strange and unexplainable.
Sefina turned her head and, upon seeing Lin Shu, her eyes lit up. “You’re back.”
Lin Shu stepped forward, but the tearing pain from her wounds made her stagger.
“Careful.” Sefina reacted swiftly, steadying her.
The blood and grime on Lin Shu’s body stained Sefina’s white lace gloves with a streak of dark red.
“Sorry.” Lin Shu quickly withdrew her hand, bowing her head in apology.
“How did the investigation of the Magic Forbidden Forest’s monsters go?” Liya sternly interrupted their exchange, though her gaze stayed fixed on the documents in her hands.
Lin Shu replied, “Heiress, the number of monster nests has been identified. On my way back, I was attacked by a group of Corpse Beasts.”
Her voice was hoarse, as if even speaking sapped the last of her strength.
“Corpse Beasts?” Liya frowned. “Did you kill them all?”
“There were too many. Two managed to escape…”
She had done her best. For three years, she’d trained desperately, trying to fight on Liya’s behalf.
Although Lin Shu possessed the powers of a Familiar, this attack was overwhelming in numbers—being able to escape was already fortunate.
“So, you failed to eliminate a potential threat.” Liya finally lifted her gaze, sweeping it over Lin Shu, her red eyes filled with displeasure. “Can’t you even handle something this simple now?”
Again.
Reprimands, dissatisfaction, never a glance at her weakness or wounds.
Blood loss blurred Lin Shu’s vision, her body growing colder by the second.
“Miss Liya, she doesn’t look well at all,” Sefina turned and reminded her.
Liya finally seemed to notice Lin Shu’s condition. She frowned impatiently and extended her hand:
“Tsk. Always such a mess.”
A wave of green energy slowly infused into Lin Shu from afar, and the terrible wound on her left shoulder began to close.
Liya’s healing arts—this was a new ability Lin Shu gained after becoming a Familiar.
As for Lin Shu’s own power, it was the Blood Manipulation Art—turning her blood into weapons for battle.
Master and Familiar were meant to support each other: Familiar to fight, Master to provide support. But this time, Liya had claimed to be busy and sent Lin Shu alone into danger.
Liya withdrew her hand. “Enough. Both of you leave now. Don’t waste my time.”
She buried herself back in the documents, but suddenly thought of something and added to Lin Shu, “Right, go prepare my new clothes and that storage pouch I bought recently.”
“And be quick about it. Don’t dawdle.”
“Yes.” Lin Shu bowed her head, her fingers curling and loosening weakly in her palm.
Back when they were close, Liya would pretend to care for her, even if just for a moment. Now, only orders remained—she needed others to even remind her to heal Lin Shu.
It seemed Liya more and more saw her as nothing but a servant for battle.
Lin Shu said nothing more, turning silently and leaving the tent.
Behind her, Sefina’s gaze flitted between the two, a hint of unknown light flashing in her eyes.
The night wind blew once more, rustling Lin Shu’s ruined clothes and tangled hair. She lifted her head and looked up at the enormous full moon in the sky.
“What…am I still waiting for?” Lin Shu murmured to herself.
Is there still any meaning in staying by her side, waiting for feelings that have long since faded to return?
Liya’s healing arts—this was a new ability Lin Shu gained after becoming a Familiar.
As for Lin Shu’s own power, it was the Blood Manipulation Art—turning her blood into weapons for battle.
Miss click thought there was typo before I reread it but accidentally posted