Chapter 23: The Fish is Hooked

On this tranquil night, the vast sky above shimmered with countless stars, drifting slowly across the heavens in their eternal rhythm.

They spilled their gentle light generously, like countless strands of silver silk descending softly to the earth.

The silvery glow carried an air of mystique and cool serenity, gradually spreading out and enveloping every inch of the Blood Domain in its tender embrace.

Under this silvery caress, the world seemed utterly still—so still that even the faint rustle of wind brushing against the grass could be heard.

It felt as though time itself had frozen, leaving behind only this dreamlike world bathed in moonlight.

Except for one little silver-haired vampire girl.

Lorin lifted her weary head and looked at the clock on the wall.

The hour hand was creeping toward 3 a.m.

She had spent the past several hours in deep concentration, and only now had she finally devised what she considered the perfect plan.

Her taut nerves gradually relaxed.

Her thoughts drifted to her daily interactions with Phyllis, and a clear image of the girl sleeping flashed in her mind.

That girl could sleep through hurricanes and thunderous storms without so much as a twitch.

“This is the perfect opportunity!”

A spark of excitement flashed in Lorin’s eyes as she clenched her fists in anticipation.

With her thoughts still racing, Lorin rose from the soft bed, dressed in a white silk nightgown.

The gown clung gently to her figure, fluttering like clouds with every small movement she made.

She swung her legs over the edge of the bed, letting her bare feet touch the cold, smooth floor.

A chill like countless tiny ice needles pierced her soles, and she couldn’t help but shudder violently.

The shock of cold nearly made her cry out.

She instinctively slapped a hand over her mouth to keep from breaking the stillness of the night.

Fortunately, Phyllis’s room wasn’t far from hers, and with no guards patrolling in between, Lorin had the perfect chance for a sneak attack.

Creak~

The door opened with a grating sound that echoed down the empty hallway, growing louder with each bounce.

Standing at the threshold in her white nightgown, Lorin took a deep breath to steady herself.

Then she tiptoed forward, placing each step carefully as if afraid even the dust in the air might stir.

Step by step, she approached the grand bed at the end of the hall.

The canopy swayed lightly in the breeze, and on the bed lay a small, delicate figure.

The silver-haired girl was in the midst of a fierce battle with her dreams, lying in a bizarre sleeping posture that looked like a stalemate with the god of sleep.

Her mouth hung open slightly, with a string of drool trailing down, soaking nearly half the pillow.

Because she was wearing a nightgown—and thanks to that ridiculous sleeping position—Phyllis’s smooth, glistening thighs were completely exposed to Lorin’s view.

She could even faintly glimpse a patch of white…

A blush crept up Lorin’s ears, but for the sake of retrieving her spatial cube, she began combing through the spacious room.

The overflowing wardrobe was dizzying.

The spotless bathroom carried a unique floral scent.

A fridge filled with alchemical containers of blood…

Nothing!

Lorin’s expression darkened as her eyes inevitably drifted toward the bed.

“Fine! You win!” she hissed through clenched teeth, and crept toward Phyllis.

“Mmph~”

“Hoo~”

Lorin vanished in an instant, only to realize Phyllis had merely rolled over in her sleep.

She let out a quiet sigh of relief.

But then her eyes narrowed.

In that brief moment when Phyllis turned, Lorin caught a glimpse of something square clutched in her hand…

The spatial cube!

Lorin’s eyes lit up.

After waiting a bit longer to ensure Phyllis remained still, she climbed onto the bed, creeping slowly toward her target.

One step, two steps, three…

Finally, Lorin was beside her.

Looking at Phyllis’s sleeping face, a sudden wave of regret struck her.

She hadn’t brought her phone.

Otherwise, she could’ve taken a few blackmail-worthy photos of Phyllis’s sleeping disaster for future use.

“Hehehe…”

A strange giggle escaped her lips, but she caught herself in time.

Then, with a mischievous grin, she reached out toward Phyllis.

Cold and metallic—that was it.

The spatial cube.

Joy surged in her chest.

She was just about to pry it from Phyllis’s grip when—

Phyllis, as though sensing something, suddenly rolled over just as Lorin began to pull.

The movement was sharp and sudden.

Her arm sliced through the air with a whoosh, stirring a faint breeze.

The unexpected shift startled Lorin so badly that her wide eyes filled with terror.

Her nerves, already strung taut with tension, snapped instantly.

She lost her balance and toppled sideways, crashing heavily beside Phyllis with a loud thump that echoed through the room.

She could feel Phyllis’s soft breath brushing against her cheek…

Now she was lying to the right of Phyllis—but the spatial cube was in her left hand.

“Ugh…”

Lorin let out a quiet sigh and started to rise—

But trouble never comes alone.

As if fate was playing another cruel joke, Phyllis rolled over again.

A small hand landed on Lorin’s body, followed by a smooth, cool thigh.

Then, as if sensing something comforting, Phyllis clung to Lorin like an octopus, wrapping herself around her entirely.

Lorin: “!!!”

This is bad.

Very bad.

She’d failed the mission and gotten caught in the worst way possible.

She had forgotten one crucial fact:

Phyllis wasn’t just a deep sleeper—she was also an unruly sleeper!

Lorin tried to wiggle free, but Phyllis had latched on tight.

There was no room to move at all.

Cold sweat poured down her back.

Lorin forced herself to stay calm, heart thumping wildly—then did absolutely nothing.

She had no choice but to wait… wait for the next opportunity when Phyllis might roll over again.

But fate had no mercy tonight.

After that last turn, Phyllis slept peacefully—without a single twitch.

Meanwhile, Lorin’s eyelids grew heavier and heavier, threatening to fall shut at any moment.

No! I can’t fall asleep!

Lorin fought to stay alert.

If she slept now, the great archmage’s reputation would be completely ruined!

…Though to be fair, it was already almost ruined.

Moments passed… exhaustion won.

Let it all burn.

With that final thought, her breathing gradually evened out.

And so—what happens when two little octopuses sleep together?

Naturally, they tangle into one writhing, inseparable knot.

Lorin curled up in Phyllis’s arms, her own arm slipping around Phyllis’s waist.

Phyllis wasn’t shy either—clinging tightly to Lorin in return.

“Hehehe… mmph!”

A tiny giggle echoed in the room when no one was watching, quickly stifled.

The corners of Phyllis’s mouth curved upward into a sly smile…

The fish had taken the bait.