Fear was the common impression people held of Zhao Yuehan and the Arcane Library.

Though well-lit, the Arcane Library felt unnaturally empty and silent due to its lack of visitors. This made it chillingly cold inside. Add the occasional supernatural occurrences, and it became truly terrifying.

Not long ago, Ouyang Tao had felt the same way.

But now, he understood it was all a misunderstanding born of fear.

Probably, the so-called "endless, super scary stories" Monster Girl had mentioned were just exaggerated rumors from those reasons.

This spine-chilling girl had actually uttered the word "afraid"—it was almost unbelievable.

Yet, since she—a girl—had said it, how could Ouyang Tao, as a guy, leave at such a moment?

Ouyang Tao realized that although Zhao Yuehan held the special title of Death Envoy, and though she was always expressionless and taciturn—even he had seen her as a ghost-like presence—the real her was clearly different.

Her blank expression might just be her nature. Her silence likely came from having no one to talk to. No—this vast Arcane Library rarely saw visitors, and the luxurious Subterranean Palace was filled with lifeless automatons. Anyone would grow strange after staying there too long.

Zhao Yuehan was no cold ghost, but an ordinary young mage. In age, she wasn't much older than his own sister.

Moreover, she was so beautiful that if she ever smiled, she could captivate everyone.

But standing beside a naked girl was incredibly awkward for Ouyang Tao. He tried closing his eyes, avoiding improper sights—even though he'd already seen everything.

"Why close your eyes?" Zhao Yuehan in the Crystal Coffin seemed oblivious to his discomfort.

"Why... this..." (Is it even necessary to ask? Of course he was embarrassed!)

"Am I ugly?"

"No, of course not. Senior Zhao, you're very beautiful."

"Then please open your eyes."

"No... it's not that... Senior Zhao, it's because... well... you're... not wearing anything right now..."

"Is my body ugly?"

"No..."

"Then please open your eyes."

This was impossible to communicate...

Ouyang Tao forced his eyes open. Zhao Yuehan's flawless, porcelain-like body appeared before him. She was so slender and delicate, looking fragile and petite. Her slightly budding chest had two pink buds, making her seem not just a girl, but a fragile artwork that could shatter with a careless touch.

This same girl had recently fought a strange, powerful enemy to cover for him. She'd taken two arrows for him, nearly losing her life.

Ouyang Tao had to ask: "Senior Zhao... why..."

"What?"

"Why did you warn me to be careful? Why risk so much to save me?"

"Because..." Zhao Yuehan paused slightly. "I want you to come read with me every day."

"..."

Shock, surprise, sorrow—Ouyang Tao just gaped, speechless.

Was it really that simple? For such a reason, Zhao Yuehan had made such a sacrifice?

"You... will still come here every day?"

If he couldn't even fulfill this small request, Ouyang Tao felt he'd have no face to live on. "Yes. I will."

Though the Arcane Library was a sturdy magical fortress, Ouyang Tao hadn't forgotten the masked villain outside causing chaos. He might be safe now, but what about others? Especially his sister, still out there...

He needed to know what Zhao Yuehan knew: "Senior Zhao, can you tell me now? Why did you sense danger for me?"

"Sin Power of Pride is on you."

"What?! How could I have that?!" Anyone who'd taken basic magic theory knew Sin Power belonged to the Demon King. Ouyang Tao was startled.

"Not you." Zhao Yuehan in the Crystal Coffin slightly shook her head. "Someone or something you've touched."

"Something I've touched..." Ouyang Tao puzzled over it. Between the first and third warnings, he'd met few people or things—countable on one hand.

Could the culprit be among them? He couldn't believe it.

"Quiet. Listen..." Zhao Yuehan then briefly explained the traits of Sin Power "Pride" and recounted her battle with the attacker. Ouyang Tao guessed this was the most she'd ever spoken in her life.

Sin Power was a fair force: it granted immense "sin" power but imposed an equal "penalty."

Pride, the first of the seven sins, symbolized defiance against God. Its power was immense, but the cost was losing partial senses and major personality changes. The longer it was used, the worse the changes—eventually becoming irreversible, leading to madness and self-destruction.

The attacker moved freely by elementalizing his body with Sin Power, turning into high-speed crimson fire. That's how he bypassed tight surveillance. He used pure fire Mana.

Zhao Yuehan said she'd never seen Mana used like this before.

Pure elemental Mana as a weapon, physical elementalization... these terms felt familiar to Ouyang Tao. He'd seen them recently somewhere... Could it be...

No, he refused to believe it. But what if? He couldn't stay safely hidden in the library then.

"Sorry, Senior Zhao, I..." Ouyang Tao turned to leave. But a gentle force suddenly gripped his wrist.

Zhao Yuehan's hand reached through the Crystal Coffin, lightly holding him. She said nothing, just looked at him.

Ouyang Tao understood: she wanted him to stay.

True—even if urgent, he didn't need to leave now. Abandoning the still-healing Zhao Yuehan alone was unthinkable.

Besides, he had no weapons or materials. Rushing out blindly would be like a lamb to the slaughter.

"Alright... I'll stay." Ouyang Tao stepped back. Zhao Yuehan released his wrist.

Staying wasn't the problem. But the long night stretched ahead. He couldn't just stare at a naked beauty forever—he might lose control...

Then he noticed his usual writing desk had been moved here, with his unfinished book on it.

Zhao Yuehan turned her head toward Ouyang Tao and gave a faint, shallow smile...