Unconscious, Tang Coco drifted back into that mysterious space, darkness and silence pooling around her like deep water.

Hey, come out. I know you’re here. Her voice rippled through the void like a pebble tossed into a still lake.

Aaah— A lovely yawn brushed her ear, like a cat stretching at sunrise.

From the dark, a red‑haired Tang Coco strolled over, her stretch unfurling like a flame curling in smoke.

Hmph, you’re pretty carefree. She puffed her cheeks like a sulking pufferfish, envy pricking like thorns.

Of course. I’m in soul form, quiet as a temple with no footsteps, and no nosy relatives dropping by. The redhead’s tone twirled like a ribbon.

…

Coco’s fists itched, anger flaring like a struck match, but she cooled it, knowing this one might beat her like a storm beats reeds.

Still… a wave of injustice welled up, her eyes glistening like wet glass as she stared at the other girl.

All right, all right. Since your first visit from Aunt Flo turned into a bloodbath, I’ll stop teasing. The red‑haired girl sighed, her banter folding like a fan.

Huh? What’s that supposed to mean? Coco blinked, confusion drifting like mist.

That… you’ll know when you wake. The redhead’s shrug was light as drifting ash.

…

So, why’d you call me? She sat on a patch of nothing, like a chair carved from air, and tilted her head.

I want to ask… this side effect, it won’t stick around forever, right? It should be just this once, right? Coco’s worry fluttered like a moth against frost.

That, I don’t know. Ask Lulu. I’ve never done a forced fusion with I Energy. The redhead spread her hands like empty wings.

…

Then another thing. Muyan seems to have ridden out the Dark Energy infection. She didn’t lose her mind. Does that mean she’s fine now? Coco’s voice steadied like a string drawn taut.

If that’s true, then congrats to her. She’s gained a mighty power, not weaker than yours, because your powers are opposites, like two poles of a magnet. Good thing you’re friends. The redhead’s words fell like clear beads.

That’s a relief. Coco exhaled, breath easing like a tide.

But don’t celebrate too soon. The redhead’s face hardened, a bell struck in winter air.

Hm? Coco looked up, doubt flickering like a moth’s wing.

I’ve only seen six successful Dark Energy fusions, and in my era, tens of thousands were tested. Her voice was flat as iron.

… Coco finally felt how rare Li Muyan’s case was, the realization dropping like a stone into deep water.

So, her pull on Dark Energy bearers is no less than yours. Storms may find you both, like thunderheads rolling over the sea. The redhead’s warning hung like a dark cloud.

…

Then… is there any way I can grow stronger? Coco asked, resolve kindling like a lantern in wind. If she wanted to keep people safe, she had to be the mountain.

Many ways. First, I Energy has vast potential, and you’re far from its peak, like a sprout far from a towering tree. Second… She paused, drifting closer like a leaf on a current.

Know why my teammates were all women? Her smile curled like a crescent moon.

Uh, because you like girls? Coco shot back without blinking, the answer popping like a spark. She knew this one was a lily-lover.

Of course, that’s a big reason. As for the others… you’ll have to discover them yourself. The redhead tucked the secret away like a seed in soil.

…

Coco stared, speechless, her gaze flat as a calm pond.

Time to wake up. You ended the fusion early and dumped a heavy load on me. I need a long sleep, like winter under snow. The redhead’s tone softened like dusk.

Oh… sorry. Coco’s apology fell light as a feather.

Nothing to be sorry for. I’m you, and you’re me. Whatever you do, I’ll back you, like a shadow at your back. So push hard while I’m out. Her figure faded into the dark, dissolving like ink in water.

Goodbye. Coco waved, then let her eyes close like shutters against night.

Her awareness floated back, slow as a tide, and her body returned to her like a chilled coat. The first sensation was bad… very bad… terribly bad, like storm-sick seas.

Her lower belly ached like a dull blade, and her arms and legs were numb as winter branches, refusing even the smallest twitch.

Mm— She hummed and pried her eyes open. An iron ceiling with rivets stared back, cold as nailed stars, and a gentle sway told her she was on a warship, rocking like a cradle.

I feel awful. She frowned, voice thin as mist, and tried to move. Her hands were raised over her head, crossed and fixed, bindings biting like cold vines until her arms went dead.

Hm? Clarity snapped in like flint. Ningxin was supposed to pick me up. Why am I tied? Panic licked like fire at straw.

Little beauty’s awake. A voice drifted from nearby like perfume. Coco turned her head, but her lifted arms blocked the view like a fence, until the owner stepped close and came into focus.

Who are you? Coco eyed the girl with wavy brown hair, a pretty face framed by fine brows and bright eyes, thoughts scattering like startled birds. Not the time for that.

Wow, the little beauty’s voice is lovely. The stranger’s laugh rang like chimes.

… Coco went mute, knowing she’d met another untamed wave.

Didn’t expect the sudden SS‑class Abnormal to be this pretty. The woman’s words dropped like coins on a table.

You— Coco tensed, intuition rising like a drawn bow.

Self‑intro. Huaguo Anomaly Bureau, Flower Unit leader. Codename: Rose. Confidence bloomed in her voice like a thorned rose.

Flower Unit? Coco repeated, the unfamiliar name fluttering like an unknown banner.

What are you doing? If you’re Huaguo, I don’t think I’ve broken any rules. Her frown tightened like a knot.

True, you haven’t. But we don’t leave dangerous Abnormals unattended. We’ve tracked you for a long time, and it wasn’t easy to net you. Rose’s tone was calm as held steel.

You— Hiss— Coco tried to snap back, but movement tugged her lower belly. Pain stabbed up like an ice pick.

Oh, don’t squirm. Honestly, there was a lot of blood. Rose said it with clinician’s focus, her gaze cool as glass.

… But Coco felt mocked, heat rising like steam as she glared.

Wow, every expression you pull is magnetic. No wonder Ningxin risked everything to shield you, even under investigation from above. Envy warmed Rose’s words like sunlight.

What! What happened to her? Ah— Pain bit again, sharp as a wolf’s tooth.

Relax. Ningxin’s at headquarters with some heavy hitters. She’ll be fine. Rose waved it off, casual as a breeze.

Consider joining us. The Flower Unit can protect you. Her offer unfurled like a silk ribbon.

… Sorry. Not interested. Coco’s refusal fell clean as a blade.

Ay, don’t be so quick to say no. Rose smiled, rain-soft but persistent as drizzle.

When will you let me go? Coco’s eyes narrowed, flint-bright.

Hmm… suddenly, I don’t feel like it. You look so tempting like this that I can barely hold myself back. Her grin flicked like a fox’s tail.

… Coco turned her head away, shutting down like a closed fan. Seconds later, a touch brushed her chest, light as a stealing cat.

Hm? She looked back. Rose’s hand rested on her chest, and there was a spark in her eyes like candlefire catching.

Y‑you need to calm down… you’re a girl. Coco’s words stumbled like beads on a string.

So what? Isn’t Ningxin a girl? Isn’t Ye Yiyi a girl? Rose’s eyebrows arched like bows.

You—you investigated me! Coco’s cheeks flushed, red as pomegranate skin.

I just wanted to know you better. Rose’s voice purred, smooth as velvet.

Coco burned with anger—and a spike of belly pain—her breath choppy as wind over reeds.

All right, since you’re awake, I’ll ask some questions. Rose stepped back two paces like a dancer, then picked up a folder from a side table.

First, your files are fake. Where are you really from? Her question landed like a hammer on a nail.

Found by the sea. Coco tossed it out, flat as a stone skipped on surf.

… Rose went quiet, silence settling like dust.

Forgot to mention, the Flower Unit specializes in female Abnormals. So tell the truth, or I’ll use special methods. Her smile thinned like a razor.

It really was the sea. Coco blinked, innocent as clear water.

… Rose paused, then flicked the folder back to the table, the slap sharp as a clap, and strode toward Coco step by step, like a tide closing in.

Hey, hey, don’t come over! I’m telling the truth! The sea, the sea! Coco panicked, words tumbling like pebbles in a chute.

Actually, I prefer it when you don’t cooperate. Then we get to play with interesting things. Rose’s cold smile gleamed like a knife’s edge.

Wow, why won’t you believe the truth? Coco’s voice wavered, eyes brimming like overfull cups.

Knock, knock! The sudden knocking cut the air like drumbeats.

Tch… all done already? Rose clicked her tongue, the sound sharp as a snapped twig, smoothed her clothes like water over silk, and walked toward the door.