It had been ages since he’d used this ability. After shifting into a girl, Yue Liuyi felt off, like wearing a borrowed skin.

Sleep was the worst. Habits and postures betrayed her. For reasons she couldn’t name, she couldn’t lie on her stomach. Even side-sleeping pressed painfully. And Zaocun, in unconscious tenderness, kept cuddling up. Yue slept like on thin ice, mind taut, skirting the edge of being pinned.

The detention center buzzed faintly. A drunk’s snores rolled in waves. The exhaust fan hummed, slow as an old clock nudging time grain by grain.

Then, suddenly, silence.

Her quick mind caught the shift. Panic rose first; she struggled to wake.

What’s happening… why’s my head so foggy…

She pried her eyes open. For a breath, she couldn’t tell dream from real. Zaocun still hugged her arm, dead asleep. The fan had stopped. Lights were out. The noise was gone. The usually rowdy place fell so quiet, a dropped pin would be a shout.

Tap, tap, tap.

Heavy steps thudded down the corridor floorboards.

She tried to rise, but pain braided through her muscles like pulled cords. She wanted to cry out; her throat was dry sand. No sound came.

Sleep paralysis… no. This is—

The figure stopped outside Cell 4.

Keys chimed against each other. A moment later, the lock clicked. The door swung.

Heh. Little thing sleeps nice and deep…

The newcomer drew a syringe from his robe. He stepped toward Zaocun. The needle gleamed in the dark, a venom fang catching breath.

You… what do you want!!

Yue fought and lifted her head. She saw him clearly at the bed. Gray robe. Even midnight couldn’t hide that ravaged face—eyes sunk to slits, wrinkles like cracked earth, the look of a dead thing dragged from a coffin.

Oh? Another detainee? Waking from my Rustbound Seal—pretty capable.

His bloodthirsty gaze slid from Zaocun to Yue. At the girls’ graceful forms, his lips peeled. His teeth were rusted metal, gone to rot.

But you’re unlucky too… everyone who sees me dies.

Don’t you dare look down on me!!!

Power burst through her. Yue sprang. A silver-white fist shot straight for his brow, cutting a clean arc through the dark.

On a normal day, she’d trust that punch to pierce him. But now—

He reached and clamped her fist. His grin twisted. He wrenched her arm and slung her hard into the wall.

Ahhh!!

Bad! I forgot I’m in a girl’s body—no strength…

Sweat beaded. She clutched her right shoulder. One counter and he erased her ability to fight. That gulf wasn’t something technique could bridge.

Spells… won’t work either!

The room’s anti-magic device smothered all mana. Without it, she still had ways to strike back.

Ahh… I love the way you struggle, ahhh! I can’t take it anymore! Do I violate first, then kill? Or kill, then violate?

His foul spit dripped onto her skin, searing as it ate through fabric, thin smoke rising.

Uu…

She’d made plenty of noise. Zaocun never woke. No officers came. His Rustbound Seal had to be dreadful. Even at full power he’d be hard; now, impossible.

No more. I can’t hold back!

His hands reached for her throat.

Is this… the end…

Yue shut her eyes in despair.

Begone, foul spirit!!!

In his fevered lunge, a lethal silver light flared behind him.

It tore. Yue stared, shocked. Right before her, the gray-robed body split cleanly from crown to navel.

The silver strike was so swift, blood that burst out steamed to nothing. The twisted face froze before it could even react.

Silver kept flashing, burning away what remained of him.

Sa…ved…?

Calm seeped back. Yue, still shaken, took in the mess. In the corridor’s dark, another figure approached, quiet as snowfall.

Sorry. Are you unharmed?

The voice rode closer. A silver-haired girl stepped into view—beauty that stole breath.

That beauty pierced all surfaces and tugged at the soul. If she had to force words… she was the far glow hanging above a snowbound waste; the angel’s cascade revealed when the mist lifts, a silver ribbon from the sky; the sudden rainbow that blooms after a bruised storm.

Most arresting were her eyes—emerald, forest-deep. In that green, layered mysteries pooled.

Some things, at first sight, spark awe and promise. The girl was one.

Sa—

Yue managed a single syllable, then slipped under.

Pitch black.

She didn’t know how long it was. Warmth touched her skin, soft and steady. Yue opened her eyes, slow.

Where am I… wait—!

She yelped. She was naked, lying in a bath.

Don’t move. Your injury isn’t healed yet.

The crisp voice brushed her ear.

Yue turned, panicked. The silver-haired girl lay beside her. Steam and rippling heat veiled things, but there was no mistaking—they were both bathing…

Yue’s face flushed scarlet.

The bathhouse was empty. No one else. Only boiling vapor drifting under the ceiling.

Strange. Is the water a bit too hot?

The silver-haired girl reached for Yue’s cheek. Clear drops ran along pale, soft skin. Her fingers were gentle, cool-and-warm.

N-no! Um… thank you, for saving me!!!

At those words, the girl’s fingers paused.

You don’t need to thank me. I could’ve acted sooner. I waited for the best timing… and waited too long.

She lowered her head. Her eyes seemed to fog, light draining away.

Huh!?

The one who hurt you was our target. Murder Fiend No. 37—Nightmare Rust. To catch him, we paid dearly. This mission couldn’t fail… if you need to blame someone, blame me.

Drops danced off silver strands and vanished into steam.

No, no. It was terrifying, but if a Murder Fiend gets caught, that’s what matters!

She’d heard their fearsome name. Murder Fiends were criminals with extraordinary abilities, at least elite-level. They shrugged off ordinary law. To the public, they were a waking nightmare.

But I watched you be violated, body disgraced… maybe you’ll never marry.

Ah, it’s not that bad! It was just my clothes torn… and I’m a—

She stopped. This wasn’t the moment to bare the truth, not when they were both so very “frank.” If she admitted she’d become a girl by ability… the fallout would be—

If you were a man, you’d take responsibility. You’d care for me your whole life…

She nodded. Through white haze, her gaze held Yue, steady and clear.

What are you even saying! Really, it’s fine!!

She hadn’t expected that. Yue flailed, flustered. Her long hair floated in the hot water, stirring ripples.

Ah!

Maybe she moved too much. Pain bit her right shoulder. She tilted, off balance.

Careful!

The silver-haired girl caught her, pulling her into an embrace.

…

Yue’s cheek neared the girl’s chest. Heat touched her skin, a faint fragrance rising.

In her original body, some part would’ve jumped to attention. Thankfully, in this form, that function didn’t exist. Her blush passed for bath-sweat warmth.

Looks like you’ve soaked too long. Let’s stop here.

She murmured a blessing spell over herself. Her arms steadied, strong. She scooped Yue in a princess carry and rose from the pool.

Splash. Beads fell in curtains from two lithe bodies, rings of ripples blooming across the water.

An ethereal exit from the bath—irresistible, if seen from aside. But being the carried one, Yue was anything but pleased. A princess carry, and she was the load. Even if the lifter was a stunning girl, if this got out, she’d die of shame.

This is a medicated bath blended from many flowers. Two or three days, and the dislocation should heal.

She set Yue on a chair, gentle, and handed her a towel.

Thanks. I can dry myself…

Yue patted down, careful not to glance her way.

The silver-haired girl dried quickly too, slipping into easy, comfortable clothes. Her eyes were complicated, weighed by heavy thoughts.

The air turned quiet.

Uh, I haven’t introduced myself! I’m Yue Liuyi, an adventurer. What’s your name, miss?

Yue Liuyi. What a lovely name.

She mouthed it, a rare smile lifting her lips. Hello. I forgot my introduction. I’m Yedie Snow, a Special Envoy Ranger of Dragon Heaven. I’m headed to the New Land to track Murder Fiends.

The Rangers Lodge in Dragon Heaven was a special-response office. Its Special Envoy Rangers were elite, cloaked in mystery.

Wow, Miss Yedie Snow is amazing!

Miss Yedie Snow…?

At that, Yedie Snow’s brows pinched, a touch displeased. That’s too formal. If you’re Xiao Yue, call me LittleSnow or Dixue.

Eh, is that okay…? LittleSnow?

Mm. Of course.

Dixue’s eyes were clear, unclouded, fixed on Yue as she nodded.

Thank you, LittleSnow… ah-choo!!!

She’d been drying too long, and a chill slid in.

You okay? Shoot, the room’s a bit cold. Let’s get you dressed.

Okay… huh?

Yue froze as Yedie Snow pulled a plain white dress from the wardrobe. The underwear wasn’t hers either—brand-new panties and a bra.

"Um... where are my clothes from before?"

"Little Yue's clothes got tainted by the Murder Fiend, so use mine for now. It's so strange—you're this cute, why wear such ugly underwear before?"

"..."

What in the world is happening?!

Panic fluttered in Yue Liuyi's chest like startled sparrows. Even for investigations she chose mostly neutral gear, plain underwear, no frills. Now, real little dresses lay before her like snow-petals—white lace blooming on fabric. There were panties and a bra too. If Yedie Snow had used them before, wouldn’t wearing them make her a total creep?

"Don't worry. I saved these as spares... none of them have ever been worn."

Reading her hesitation, the silver-haired girl pulled more dresses from the cabinet—each soft, dreamy, the kind of style that floated like mist and moonlight.

"Uh... plain will do..."

After peeking left and right, Yue Liuyi chose the first set. It had some lace at the edge, but the skirt was pure white, patterns and trim kept low-key.

In moments, the room held another delicate girl, like dew on a lily.

"Ugh..."

Inside the skirt, a cool breeze kissed her skin. Her body felt light, unfamiliar, like walking on clouds she hadn’t asked for.

"Little Yue is so cute. I’ll hunt those Murder Fiends to the last."

A quiet hand settled on her shoulder. Emerald eyes flickered, like sunlight on river water.

Cute. The word left her a bit adrift. Praise was sweet from a girl, yet reliable or cool would have fit her better.

"Mm... thanks, LittleSnow~"

"Eh? I’ve decided—I’ll protect Little Yue!"

"What?!"

"Because you’re so silly you can’t even wear a frilly dress. Look—this ribbon came undone!"

"Ah!"

She dropped her gaze and froze. The neckline had been pushed open, a pale bust almost peeking through. She’d never worn clothes like this, didn’t even know the chest ribbon needed tying.

"Th-that, here—"

Just as Yue Liuyi faltered, a yellow, odd little creature with an overlong tail skittered in from behind the door. It chittered and handed a letter to Yedie Snow.

"Infuriating. Why does a commission show up at this exact moment..."

Dixue rubbed her hair, those flowing strands smooth and glossy like silk under moonlight.

"Um... Sister Dixue, do you have business? Don’t mind me. I’ll take care of myself..."

"A commission came in. I need to confirm..."

Dixue set the letter aside, looking a touch forlorn. "Little Yue, can you wait here for me? I should be back soon."

"Okay, but the detention center..."

"It’s fine. I already contacted the precinct. It’s just..."

Her gaze stayed on Liuyi, words hovering like rain not yet fallen.

"What is it?"

"Mm..."

In the end, Dixue shook her head, calm returning like a lake smoothing over. "I want to tell you something. I’ll say it later."

"Mm!"

"There are snacks on the table outside. If you get bored, go nibble a few."

"Outside? But isn’t this a public bath..."

"No. This is my private bath. Outside is my bedroom. Little Yue, you can move freely here."

"What! It’s huge!"

She tipped her head back, awe rising like dawn. A private bath near a hundred square meters—unimaginable. Even on the opulent Sky Voyager, this felt lavish to the point of unreal.

"Mm. When I’m back, I’ll give you a tour... See you in a bit!"

"Mm..."

She waved, reluctant as mist clinging to willows. Yedie Snow drifted out like a free butterfly, each step light as falling petals.