Back in my room, I stared at my hands. Elder Hong’s touch still lingered on my skin.

I sighed heavily.

Looks like I’m truly tangled in the Sinan Family’s mess now…

And I still had my own unanswered questions—like that strange "Blood Crystal" I’d created during the beast tide.

I gently opened my palm. A single drop of blood floated above it. Focusing my power into the droplet… My mind sank deeper into the dark sea of consciousness, diving until it locked onto the Blood Core within me.

The dormant Blood Core suddenly vibrated with a low hum. Agony tore through me again—but I was growing used to it. A trace of strange energy flowed from the core, surging through my limbs. I wrestled the wild energy like a runaway stallion, forcing it toward the blood droplet in my palm…

*Crack.*

At the sound, I slowly opened my eyes. The liquid blood had crystallized. The crimson crystal shimmered brilliantly under the light, shifting between deep and pale hues. It held the elegance of crystal, the luxury of diamond, the spirit of jade. I was certain no crystal on Earth could rival its beauty.

And…

*(Fire!)*

With a thought, the Blood Crystal shot toward the wall. It sliced through the solid surface like soft clay. Whether hardness or sharpness, this crystal far surpassed my ordinary Blood Blade.

Though sudden, I was certain: this was my Anomaly Power’s "advancement."

I’d learned in Winteredge City’s library that Anomaly Powers weren’t static. With repeated use, they grew stronger. At a certain point, external stimuli could trigger evolution—this was advancement.

A person’s initial power was their "base anomaly." After advancement, new abilities emerged—extensions of the base power, called "advanced anomalies." If the base was the trunk, advanced anomalies were its branches, boosting the user’s strength in big or small ways. Some never advanced; others advanced over a dozen times. Some gained little; others became terrifyingly powerful. Luck decided everything.

My advancement was undoubtedly a massive leap. How many times could my power evolve? I recalled the terrifying strength of my power’s original owner in my dreams—the one who drained countless corpses in an instant. Would I become that strong someday?

Speaking of the original owner… It had to be that blood mist. And from my dreams, I knew "it" (or should I say "she"?) was once human—a woman. I often pieced together her identity from those dreams. What I knew for sure: she was called "Bloodshade," served a powerful man, and was sent to gather materials for a Crossworld Gate. Something happened—her body shattered, and she crossed to Earth.

That powerful man was gathering Crossworld Gate materials. So was I. Soon, I’d inevitably clash with him. And he commanded an Organization… definitely no saint.

I needed to get stronger. If my power came from Bloodshade, hard work should let me reach her strength.

No more wasting time with Sinan Ying. I found an empty room and trained my advanced anomaly relentlessly. I could crystallize blood at will now—but my speed and efficiency were pitiful. Far from battlefield-ready.

Once we reached the Imperial Capital, I’d face powerful opponents… For survival, for protecting others, I needed more power.

The rest of the journey passed in training.

---

Days later—

"Blood Blade!"

A crimson arc shot toward the wall.

"Solidify!"

*Clang!* The blade’s edge crystallized. Its sharpness spiked, shattering the wall instantly.

"Crystal Shield!"

Blood Crystals gathered before me, forming a massive shield etched with intricate patterns. Sparkling dots adorned its surface—utterly unbreakable.

"Good…"

Satisfied with days of training, I smirked. If I met that Wasteland Beast again, I could crush it barehanded.

*Bang!*

The storage room door flew open. Sinan Ying rushed in, eyes blazing with excitement.

"Stop hiding! Come see!" Before I could ask why, she grabbed my arm and dragged me out.

"What’s going on?" I was utterly confused.

"We’re here! The Imperial Capital!"

We raced down corridors and up stairs until we reached the deck. Bright sunlight blinded me. I rubbed my eyes—then looked up.

"Incredible…"

Endless vermilion walls stretched before us, towering over the entire capital. Inside, buildings grew taller toward the center. At the heart stood a snow-white tower. Even from afar, its grandeur pressed down on me. Faint black "ribbons" spiraled down from the tower, weaving into the lower streets.

Beyond the walls lay a vast moat. The Long Bridge Canal hugged the western wall, merging with the moat. Two artificial tributaries branched from it—one winding through the capital, the other circling the entire city to complete the moat.

Four colossal overpasses spanned the moat at each cardinal gate. The western gate, connected to the Long Bridge Canal, was the main entrance. Its overpass stretched over a hundred meters wide—magnificent.

"Everyone entering the Imperial Capital must cross these overpasses," Sinan Ying explained eagerly. "Even the Sinan Family. After docking, we’ll switch to carriages waiting here."

"Tight security…"

"After arriving, we’ll rest at the Sinan main house first. Then I’ll give you a tour. Sound good?"

"Sure~"

---

Sinan Family, North Courtyard.

"I heard my little sister returned?"

A tall, slender man sat at a desk. Shoulder-length deep-purple hair framed his face. His matching violet eyes held unfathomable depth. His posture seemed relaxed, yet radiated invincibility.

"Correct. And reports say she’s finally mastered her Anomaly Power."

"Oh?" The man—Sinan Xing—raised an eyebrow. "So she’s no longer that obedient little lamb? What a shame…"

---

Sinan Family, East Courtyard.

"Lord Feng~!~!~!"

"Shut the hell up…"

Sinan Feng threw on a robe, its open front revealing sculpted muscles. Behind him, seven or eight beauties lay utterly spent. He hadn’t even broken a sweat.

"Tch. All useless. None lasted long enough."

---

Sinan Family, West Courtyard.

"Qianming-ge, is handling it this way really okay?"

"Of course, Ah Cheng. Trust me. With me here, you needn’t worry about anything."

In a bright hall, two figures sat facing each other. Both had purple hair and eyes, yet their auras clashed starkly.

Sinan Qianming was strikingly handsome, his eyes glinting with mischief. Sinan Cheng had a boyish face, his every move timid and indecisive.

*Ah Cheng… you’ve always been like this. No backbone. Always leaning on me.* Sinan Qianming thought. *So just stay my puppet.*

---

Tatalia Family, Dungeon.

*Crack!* A thick whip lashed a shirtless man’s back. Blood sprayed.

"You’ve got guts, kid…" The whip-wielding woman wiped sweat. "Still won’t talk? Where’s that shipment!"

"Don’t waste your breath. I’ll never betray the boss!" The man gritted his teeth, unyielding.

"Tch… If our mind-reader were here, I’d have—"

"What’s all this noise?" A silvery voice chimed at the cell door—sweet as bells.

"L-Lady Haoyue!? What brings you here?"

"Just a whim~" The breathtaking少女 glided toward the man. One glance, and he froze in awe.

"Staring at a lady’s face is rude, you know." She smiled faintly. "I overheard your interrogation. Quite principled of you."

Snapping back, he forced his eyes away from her beauty. "Trying seduction? I told you—I’ll never yield!"

The少女 merely chuckled. Her crimson lips parted: "400."

"F-Four hundred?"

"1,000."

"What are you talking about!?"

"Just quoting prices." Her smile never wavered. "On the black market, 400 credits buys one night with your lovely wife. Add 600 more, and your sweet daughter’s purity is included."

"You—!?"

Five minutes later…

"I’m sorry… I’ll talk. I’ll tell you everything. Just don’t touch them…" The man crumpled, his resolve shattered.

"There we go. Pleasure doing business, honorable sir."

Lunara Tartalia covered her mouth with a delicate laugh and glided from the gloom.

Sunlight dappled the courtyard as the pure-white少女 hummed a tune. The scene was beautiful, illusory—as if it might vanish like morning mist with a breath.

"Such lovely weather today~"

Lunara murmured to herself.

"I feel like I’ll meet my destined person soon~"