Stranded in an unfamiliar land, Bai Ruoshui forced herself to stay calm despite the alien surroundings. Unlike others, she’d long ago brushed against death—not just faced it, but truly *felt* its edge. Recalling those days when Death’s whispers haunted every breath? That was infinitely worse than this.
She lay still on the ground, scanning her surroundings. Iron bars confirmed she was imprisoned. Before her, a man slumped drowsily on a stool.
Then—violent tremors shook the cell. Bai Ruoshui slammed her body flat, curling tight to minimize injury. The shaking stopped after three seconds. Dust rained from the ceiling, proof it hadn’t been a hallucination.
*Why such a violent quake?*
“Mmph…”
Once silence returned, she sat up.
“Oh? Awake already, little girl?”
Just as she sought solitude to gather her thoughts, her guard lifted his hat and rose from the stool. His deep purple pupils locked onto hers—unnaturally captivating.
Bai Ruoshui gave a stiff nod. No choice but to acknowledge him.
“You’re remarkably composed.”
The hat-wearing man had noticed.
“*Composed*? In this situation?”
She shot him a withering glance and turned away.
“Hah! Sharp tongue for a little girl.”
Seeing no fear in her, he tossed his gun aside. He sighed softly and sank back onto the stool.
“A normal human girl would be wailing hysterically by now, begging us for mercy after a kidnapping.”
His mocking tone made it clear—he wasn’t human. Only a non-human would call her a “human girl” like that.
“Who are you people?”
“Ah, rude of me. I’m Xila.” He extended his right hand. “And this should answer whether I’m human.”
Grey-black fur covered his arm, scarred and thick. Razor-sharp claws gleamed with a silver-white sheen…
“A werewolf…”
“Quick learner. And yes—nearly everyone in this building is one.”
Xila clapped slowly, his violet eyes drifting back to her. “Any questions?”
His polite phrasing felt surreal. How could this kidnapper speak so calmly to his captive?
“You’d actually answer them?”
“Of course. In my view, women deserve protection. I wouldn’t have done this… *unpleasantness*… without orders.”
He kept smiling, then slowly closed his eyes.
“Is that so?”
“Mm. So ask away. Let’s make this boredom bearable with conversation.”
