"It can still fly? What a miracle."

At the airship’s front, Yuri sat on the edge, swinging her legs leisurely.

The fierce wind rushed at her, yet only stirred her hair and clothes slightly.

This airship was already in shambles. Its pilot had long turned into a puppet.

After the masterminds were dead or injured, they’d become useless like broken dolls.

But here was one fairly versatile butler.

Well, luckily Useless knew how to pilot airships. Otherwise, this wreck would’ve crashed ages ago—and Yuri could never have slept so soundly.

Of course, even so, whether it’d hold till the destination was still doubtful.

Plenty more problems needed solving too. Like explaining this airship’s state at the midway supply city.

But those weren’t things Yuri would bother with.

Right now, she’d rather bite Zuo Yuan a few times.

Earlier bloodsucking had been instinctive—a mindless act under raw hunger.

Yet because it was what Yuri truly craved, she’d bitten without hesitation.

Picky eater that she was, she’d never been full on this journey.

Hunger wasn’t pleasant.

And just when she’d finally tasted something delicious, she’d been interrupted!

Of course, without that interruption, Zuo Yuan would’ve been a dried corpse by now.

Since Yuri woke, the young man’s gaze at her had been strange.

Not fear, not disgust—Yuri couldn’t decipher it.

She stopped overthinking. Dwelling on it might make her bite him again.

Subconsciously, she licked her lips. The lingering sweetness made her eyes narrow a little.

But she suppressed the rising urge.

"Whatever. I’ll feast properly at the real destination."

Right. If Zuo Yuan’s blood—descendant of that man—was this sweet, others tied to him must taste good too.

Just as Yuri pondered how many to bite later, the rear hatch opened. Maria’s upper body appeared.

"Lord Akat, that man woke up."

"Oh?" Yuri pushed off the edge and jumped up. "Good recovery? Let’s go see."

The man was Mo.

After Yuri beat him half to death and knocked him out, Useless had locked him up.

With those injuries, he shouldn’t have woken till the destination.

Maria and Yuri soon reached the makeshift cell.

Useless was piloting; Bai Ling still unconscious. Only Zuo Yuan guarded it.

Seeing Yuri, the young man’s expression shifted oddly. His gaze turned eerie.

Yuri glanced at him blankly, then ignored it. She focused on Mo—tightly chained with thick, scavenged links.

Without his monstrous form, human Mo looked bizarre trussed up like that.

As she watched, Mo’s lightly closed eyes snapped open.

"Here at last? Heh… Didn’t expect you to kill Shadow. Impressive."

Though a prisoner, a cruel grin curled on his face.

Black curse marks covered half his face, adding an eerie chill.

Yuri sat on a nearby chair. "Not just her. I’ll kill you next too."

"Heh…"

No fear. Mo sneered, eyes mocking. "I’m already dead. Think you can scare me?"

Yuri stayed silent, watching calmly.

"Hey… you know a ‘seed’ is planted in me? They can kill me anytime." Mo kept smiling, casual. "Got nothing from Shadow? You’ll get nothing from me either."

Yuri’s gaze darkened. Right—Shadow’s blood had yielded nothing!

That girl’s true blood tasted like plain water… empty.

Impossible. Blood was soul-currency. With it, Yuri could do incredible things.

But that blood… utterly bizarre.

Seeing Yuri’s flicker of emotion, Mo’s grin widened. "Know why they didn’t kill me sooner? They waited for y—"

*Gurgle!*

Before he finished, Mo roared in agony.

Zuo Yuan frowned, stepping forward—but Yuri raised a hand to stop him.

Pitch-black mist erupted from Mo’s body.

It didn’t spread. Instead, it soaked into him like water.

He froze rigid.

Then—

"Oh my. How wonderful."

Mo’s head lifted. Black mist shrouded his face.

His voice was his own, yet tone and pitch twisted unnaturally.

"Greetings, honored Lord Akat."

Yuri paused. "Who are you?"

"Names don’t matter."

"Mo" shook his head. Though his eyes were hidden, Yuri felt an intense, unseen stare.

"But if you insist… call me Nameless."

Yuri: "..."

"Nameless? Might as well be surname-less!"

This guy was mocking her. It meant nothing.

She itched to shoot him—but curiosity held her back.

"So, Lord Akat. You ruined my plans. Cost me precious tools. How shall we settle this… debt…?!"

*Bang!*

Yuri lowered her silver pistol, eyebrow raised. "Like this?"

Staring at the hole in his chest, "Mo" seemed stunned—then burst into laughter.

"Hahaha! As expected of you, beautiful, noble one!"

*Whoosh!*

Gray flames erupted across his body.

He crumbled like paper, scattering to dust in the fire.

"Our tricks go deeper. Watch closely. I look forward to—"

"—the day I slice your body bit by bit with a knife! That bliss… must be heaven… Hahahaha!"

The flames died. Only empty chains remained. Not even ash lingered.

Yuri tilted her head, pressing the gun barrel to her chin. "I look forward to grinding you to crumbs, inch by inch. That feeling… must be exquisite too."