“Oh? If we walk any further down this street, it becomes an undeniable Rich District…” Yi Shiyue remarked.
“Hong Yeqiu is an Eternal Night Level Hunter, at the very least. Her social status in Satellite City is quite high, and she’s been here for several years. It’s perfectly normal for her to live in the Rich District, isn’t it?” Ye Xingyao said, pinching a strand of hair that had strayed into her vision as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
After all, there were plenty of strange things about Hong Yeqiu.
As for the Rich District…
Although the wealth gap had been reduced to a negligible level under the coordination of the Human Alliance, the existence of superpowers, mana, and monsters—truly powerful, dangerous, and secretive forces—inevitably created a chasm between people.
Yi Shiyue wasn’t entirely clear on why prestigious families were prestigious, nor did she understand the conflicts of interest among the upper class or the inner workings of the city. Regardless, the area ahead was indeed where many so-called “wealthy” people lived.
The scale of these large houses and the meticulously maintained landscapes were enough to make anyone feel out of place. However, Ye Xingyao never imagined she would live here one day. The lack of street stalls downstairs felt rather stifling. She wondered if the lady who ran the breakfast shop had been injured after the monsters rampaged through their neighborhood.
“Hmm… I think it’s right here.”
Ye Xingyao led Yi Shiyue quickly past one villa after another, finally stopping in front of a house that wasn’t as flamboyant as the others. Instead, it exuded a sense of simplicity compared to its surroundings.
“Hey, Sister Hongye, we’re here. Open the door, will you?”
She took out her phone, pressed the voice message button, and sent the recording. Since she didn’t have to fake a feminine voice anymore, things were much more convenient.
A moment later, the door opened. Hong Yeqiu emerged, wearing a red and white floral kimono with one shoulder partially exposed, looking absolutely stunning. She glanced at the two girls standing close together and let out a soft chuckle.
“You two certainly are close. Come in and talk.”
With a wave of her long sleeve, she gestured for them to follow. Ye Xingyao closed the door behind them and hurried to catch up.
Yi Shiyue observed the interior with curiosity. It was different from the plain simplicity of common homes or the high-tech feel of standard modular furniture. The interior featured a rare Eastern, Zen-inspired style. The sense of tranquility and elegance it provided was a unique experience.
As they entered the main hall, they saw a prominent sword rack positioned where a television would usually be. It held a broken long sword. The jagged edge of the blade looked as though it had survived a violent battle, adding a touch of grimness to the hall.
“Sit anywhere. I’m the only one living in this house. Little Ye Xin, go pour some black tea for us.”
Hong Yeqiu sat on the sofa in the hall, leaning her waist against a soft cushion and reclining lazily. She directed Ye Xingyao, who had visited many times, to serve them.
Ye Xingyao stuck out her tongue. She was about to engage in her usual playful banter when she suddenly remembered her childhood friend was right there, so she suppressed the thought.
‘I’m a good girl now, so how could I say those flirtatious things?’
She signaled for Yi Shiyue to sit comfortably before walking toward the kitchen with light steps. She boiled water, steeped the tea, gathered the cups, and returned to the hall to pour. Her movements were fluid and practiced, as if she did this often.
“Ahem, here is the tea you requested. If you require any other services, please feel free to ask,” Ye Xingyao said with a mischievous grin. She tilted her head slightly at a perfect angle, looking like a playful yet elegant little servant.
A second later, she dropped the act and plopped down next to Yi Shiyue, enjoying the tea she had just brewed.
“Blegh… No matter how many times I drink this, it’s still a bit bitter.”
Her elegant image collapsed instantly. The rapid shift left Yi Shiyue a bit overwhelmed. Ultimately, it all boiled down to one reaction.
She laughed out of sheer exasperation. “You really are… You come up with something different every single time…”
Hong Yeqiu took a sip of her tea. She had been wondering why Ye Xin was being so well-behaved today without her usual antics. She had even worried that perhaps Ye Xin’s body had suffered some unavoidable damage despite the protection of that mysterious power. Now, looking at her…
‘Maybe you should have stayed a little injured.’
“The tea is good; keep it up. Now, let’s talk business. Tell me about that miraculous power from last night. Your little Moon Elf over here has her lips sealed tight and won’t say a word. I had to use what little information I had to bluff my way through the Council of Elders. Now that you’re awake, you should explain yourself, shouldn’t you?”
Everything about Hong Yeqiu was great, except for her habit of switching to serious business without any transition. It was a bit overwhelming, or perhaps she just felt too comfortable acting casually around “Ye Xin.”
“Ah… you probably noticed it too. That power definitely belongs to the Star Elf. It didn’t just negate the side effects of your full-power state; it completely healed my injuries…” Ye Xingyao said slowly.
“Tsk, stop beating around the bush. What is your relationship with the Star Elf now?”
“…You might not believe me, but I am probably the Star Elf herself now.”
As she spoke, Ye Xingyao signaled for Yi Shiyue to stay calm.
Then, Ye Xingyao recounted the events of that night to Hong Yeqiu: meeting the Forest Elf, being interrupted by monsters and fleeing in a panic, and finally, her struggle against the monsters while carrying the Star Elf Stone, only to be ambushed by the hidden Forest Elf.
A long silence followed her story. Finally, Hong Yeqiu looked up from her thoughts, her eyes shining brightly as she stared at her.
“I see. That explains why you felt different today.”
“The Council of Elders approached me yesterday, wanting to interfere with the Star Elf matter. I stalled them by hinting that the Star Elf still had trump cards and that the two of you were relatively important. Since things have turned out this way, we can just use the ‘Star Elf’ target I painted as a shield. The Human Alliance won’t move against you in the short term,” Hong Yeqiu said seriously, sipping her tea.
“Furthermore, the fact that a Forest Elf could enter Satellite City so easily means someone must have helped him. The Human Alliance will be purging the hidden elves within the city, though that doesn’t have much to do with you two. The Council of Elders already knows you have a deep connection with the Star Elf.”
Finally, she finished her tea and turned her gaze toward Yi Shiyue.
“As for the Hunter business… I’ll give you a chance. Take a commission together with this brat. It’s a request from the Magical Girl Society. It seems the magical girls have discovered some organizations in Satellite City that worship monsters. They need someone to oversee the investigation. It’s a good opportunity, as I intend to deepen our cooperation with the magical girls.”
“Me? Overseeing? Are you serious?” Ye Xingyao pointed at herself.
“You’re a Midnight Level Hunter, after all. Have some confidence in yourself. You’re a Hunter I trained personally. It’s settled.”