Elegant, graceful, but yet laced with a chilling dominance and eerie charisma.
She always made her entrance like that.
“Mess with her, and you’ll die a horrible death.”
That thought echoed in the thugs’ minds over and over again.
It was an imprint of fear, forged from a presence too perfect to resist.
The kind that struck a primal chord in cowardly bullies—the instinctive realization they were in the presence of a natural predator.
“It hurts…”
In the crook of the “Queen of the Night” Bai Xiaozhi’s arm, Wu Xiaomi whispered weakly, “Can you be a bit gentler…?”
“Sorry. Just bear with me a little longer,” Bai Xiaozhi murmured, her lips brushing Xiaomi’s ear with a soft smile.
To the thugs watching, it looked like flirting—leisurely and intimate.
She clearly didn’t consider them a threat at all.
Still had the nerve to toy with the girl in her arms.
When a tyrant rests their shoulder against a tender, delicate consort, that contrast in power only makes the tyrant seem more fearsome.
“Big sis… we didn’t mean any offense!”
One of the thugs groaned, clutching his pierced hand.
They couldn’t help but remember the burly man who’d taken an arrow through the skull just hours ago.
They’d seen firsthand how decisive this woman could be.
“Didn’t mean any offense?”
Bai Xiaozhi’s smile was cold, her tone sardonic.
Great acting, Wu Xiaomi thought bitterly.
Back when they used to play pretend, Bai Xiaozhi always insisted on being the big bad villain.
While Xiaomi, the so-called hero, got thoroughly “disciplined.”
Maybe they played too much as kids—Xiaozhi could now slip into character like flipping a switch.
“You misunderstand,” one thug chuckled nervously.
“This little girl spent all her points, she couldn’t afford food or water… we were just trying to help.”
“Help? With what? Your embroidery needles?”
“Kh…”
The thug winced at the jab but didn’t dare talk back.
“You know how it is… in a world like this, nothing comes for free. We were offering food, water, protection… just asking for a little something in return…”
“Thwack—”
A bolt ripped through his skull, splattering blood against the wall.
The rest of the thugs froze in silence.
Some literally lost control of their bowels.
“Go tell your boss—Lulutina is a member of my ‘Beyond’ raiding party. Touch her, and you’ll be picking a fight with all of ‘Beyond’.”
“‘Beyond’…?”
The thugs had never heard of it.
But it sounded… important.
“S-Sorry for the intrusion!”
The thugs bowed repeatedly in panic.
“I’ll let the boss know—we’ll stay clear of this district from now on!”
“Scram.”
Sure, she could snipe a few punks easily, but push them too far and they might go rabid. That’d be a pain.
“I…”
Lulutina sat on the ground, dazed, staring at Wu Xiaomi and Bai Xiaozhi.
“Come on,” Wu Xiaomi smiled and reached out a hand.
It had been so long since she’d felt this kind of warmth.
Lulutina looked up at that gentle face, awestruck.
She used to dream about having an older brother.
Or maybe a sister.
With someone like that, maybe the lonely days wouldn’t have been so hard.
And if she really did have two perfect big sisters…
They’d probably be just like Wu Xiaomi and Bai Xiaozhi.
“Uwaaah—”
She flung herself into Xiaomi’s arms, sobbing uncontrollably.
Sigh. Kids. Always crying. So much trouble.
“Let’s go home.”
The thugs were gone, so they could drop the act for now.
With Lulutina between them, Wu Xiaomi and Bai Xiaozhi each took one of her hands and headed back.
The roof still leaked.
But lying on the bed, gazing at the stars?
That wasn’t so bad.
“By the way, that ‘Beyond’ you mentioned earlier…”
“It’s a real raiding group I formed with some students,” said Bai Xiaozhi.
Huh. So it wasn’t just a bluff?
She actually had a team?
“‘You always have to mix in some truth when you lie. That’s what makes it convincing.’”
Bai Xiaozhi paused.
“That’s what my brother used to say.”
“I bet he’d be proud to see how sharp his little sister turned out.”
“Still don’t know where he is.”
She sighed.
“Hope he’s okay.”
“He’ll be fine. Anyone who raised someone like you must be capable as hell,” Wu Xiaomi chuckled—
Until the chuckle died in her throat.
Because in a way… her own “brother” really was gone.
“I’m gonna get some sleep. You take the first watch, I’ll take over at midnight,” Bai Xiaozhi said, gracefully lying down.
“Okay.”
Even with walls and a roof, they couldn’t afford to relax.
Walls can be climbed.
Locks can be broken.
If they both fell asleep too hard, they might never wake up again.
“…By the way, next time you play the pervert, can you not squeeze my neck so hard?”
Wu Xiaomi grumbled.
“I’m getting bruises…”
“That’s what makes it realistic.”
“Then how about we switch roles next time?”
Wu Xiaomi perked up.
“I’ll be the sadistic yuri boss lady!”
“…You think you can scare anyone?”
“Why not!”
Wu Xiaomi checked herself in the mirror, unconvinced.
Big, watery eyes like they were always on the verge of tears.
And thanks to her fall earlier, her nose was still a bit red.
Her frame was delicate, her ritual robe only making her look more fragile like a gust of wind could knock her over.
“…Who’d believe that as a boss lady?”
Bai Xiaozhi yawned.
“Why not! I… I…”
Wu Xiaomi puffed out her chest defiantly.
“It’s the outfit! Gimme your clothes. I’ll go full blackened villain!”
“You? Go dark?”
“Pfft—”
Lulutina giggled from the side of the bed.
“Keep laughing and I’ll strip you and toss you outside!”
Wu Xiaomi threatened, fists clenched.
“Pfft—!”
Lulutina giggled even harder.
If Bai Xiaozhi had said that, Lulutina would’ve believed her in a heartbeat.
But Wu Xiaomi…?
Yeah, not likely.
“Hmph!”
Wu Xiaomi stomped off in frustration.
She used to be a real man’s man!
The neighborhood punks all called her “Brother Mi” with respect!
In a fight, she never backed down!
But this damned body…
Damn that demon!
Even with the bonus from her spirit-hunting instincts, her combat ability was decent but her presence?
Completely lacking.
She just couldn’t scare anyone. QAQ
Forget it. No use getting upset with herself.
Time to watch some videos!
Slumped on the sofa in a wave of self-pity, she tapped the ankle ring and took out the “Umbrella of Abundance.”
It was her reward for solo-killing that beast-faced monster.
She’d never even unsealed it before.
A simple paper umbrella, pale pink and white, with a single painted peach blossom branch.
Wu Xiaomi opened it and propped it above the sofa, making a cozy little tent for herself. She curled up inside and started scrolling through videos.
Originally, she just wanted to relax by watching pretty girls dancing.
But no matter how she scrolled—be it girls or dances—nothing held her interest.
After all, she’d grown used to the elegance of Teacher Nanalia’s performances.
That unity of movement and spirit, that transcendent artistry…
These heavily made-up girls, wiggling their hips with borderline suggestive moves, felt shallow by comparison.
“So boring. Let’s watch some raid analysis instead…”
Funny timing—just as Wu Xiaomi opened the strategy section, she saw her own face.
[Solo Kill of the Giant Beast-Faced Monster! Currently the Highest Known Sequence—Shaman 78: Siren’s Dance! A Peerless Girl’s Miraculous Comeback!]
Good grief, that title… even Wu Xiaomi blushed.
“Hello everyone, I’m Huang Xiao, a former radio host now trying my hand at raid commentary—serious analysis, no bait or jinxes!”
“Today we’re breaking down the main storyline raid for Zone C32. Let’s take a look at the full sequence.”
The video started at the tavern and followed every step: the ambush on the Ark, the battle, the final victory. All cleanly and clearly documented.
Wu Xiaomi remembered it all, of course.
But watching herself from a third-person camera angle… It felt weird.
So embarrassing.
But also… I’m super cute~!
“Pffthaha—”
She giggled, red-faced, squirming on the couch like a happy worm.
Huang Xiao’s commentary was far from neutral—totally biased.
After all, Wu Xiaomi had saved her life.
She lavished praise upon her in every sentence, until Wu Xiaomi was glowing from head to toe.
Still wriggling with glee, Wu Xiaomi eventually saw the scene where she was shoved into the barrier.
“…Huh?”
There it was! The black-gloved hand that pushed her!
She scrubbed the timeline back, searching for the culprit.
“Who the heck is that…?”
Her brows knit as her expression darkened.
The shove came from a man in black, face covered.
But from start to finish, he never appeared among the members of either the “Flamekindle” or “Ark” groups.
That guy had slipped in during the chaos, shoved her into the barrier, and ran.
Weird.
She didn’t recall ever offending anyone like that…
She memorized his build and those striking emerald green eyes.
Then she shut off the video.
Next time, she’d ask Kang Jie to help investigate.
“Riiing riiing riiing—”
The alarm went off.
Without needing a word, Bai Xiaozhi got up from bed right away.
“I’ll take over the watch. You go to sleep.”
“Mm.”
Wu Xiaomi didn’t argue.
……
When she woke up, sunlight was streaming through the hole in the ceiling, forcing her to squint.
She got up groggily and began washing up.
“You’re up at six too?”
Bai Xiaozhi blinked in surprise at the vanity.
“You know, you could have slept in a little longer.”
“…Wasn’t I always…”
Wu Xiaomi froze.
She was used to waking at six.
So was Bai Xiaozhi.
The two of them used to share this very mirror.
Brush their teeth and wash up together every morning.
Just now, still half-asleep, she’d fallen into old habits…
For a moment, she forgot she wasn’t really Wu Xiaomi anymore.
“…Right, I just realized—I never asked your name,” Bai Xiaozhi said suddenly.
Her name?
Oh no. Crap! I forgot to make one up!
Because her current name — Wu Xiaomi, was gender-neutral enough, she hadn’t really thought about it.
She’d just kept using it up till now.
But how could she explain that now?
Say: “I’m Wu Xiaomi. I’m actually your big brother. I turned into this because of a demon, trying to cure your illness.”
No way. That would just make Xiaozhi feel horrible and guilty.
“I… I… I’m…”
Wu Xiaomi’s brain scrambled for a fake name.
“Knock knock knock—”
Sudden knocking interrupted them.
Instantly, Bai Xiaozhi’s attention shifted to the door.
Wu Xiaomi exhaled in relief—Thank god.
Thank you, O mysterious Door-Knocker.
Bai Xiaozhi walked over and opened it.
Standing outside was a man with a sword strapped to his back.
“Hello. My name is Kang Jie. Is Wu Xiaomi here?”
Wu Xiaomi? As in my Wu Xiaomi?
Bai Xiaozhi peered at him, puzzled.
“How did you find this place? He’s not supposed to be…”
“Really? But Flamekindle members saw him get dragged into this house,” Kang Jie narrowed his eyes, fingers sliding toward his sword hilt.
He was here to rescue someone.
His scouts had reported seeing Wu Xiaomi being abducted by a woman described as “like an evil dragon.”
He’d rushed over with reinforcements.
And the woman answering the door?
She matched the description—intimidating and dangerous.
But where was Wu Xiaomi now?
Had something happened already…?
Kang Jie’s expression darkened.
He slowly began drawing his sword.
Around the neighborhood, hidden Flamekindle members tightened their grip on their weapons.
“Who is it?”
Fresh from brushing her teeth, Wu Xiaomi stepped out, head tilted.
“Huh? Kang Jie!”
So he was the Door-Knocker?
Thanks, I guess.
…Wait. Kang Jie?
Kang Jie???
She’d met Kang Jie under the name Wu Xiaomi!
Oh no.
She turned to run, hoping desperately he hadn’t recognized her.
“Wu Xiaomi! There you are!”
Kang Jie’s face lit up as he waved at her cheerfully.
Thump. Thump. Crack.
Her heart stopped.
Tftc!