The sky had completely darkened.

Crystal lamps along Demon City’s main thoroughfare flickered to life automatically, while Demonkind sentries lit torches in wall niches as they patrolled.

Seizing the moment while Alquett stood dazed in the dungeon, Lilith fished a fire starter from a nearby desk drawer. She strained onto her tiptoes, stretching her arm to strike flint against the torch bracket on the wall.

True to her reputation as one of the youngest generation’s most renowned Heroes, Alquett quickly snapped out of her brief panic. Her beautiful eyes refocused, sharp and piercing, locking onto the petite dragon girl hopping desperately to light the torch.

“What did you mean,” Alquett demanded, voice tight, “when you said Viola had ‘become one of you’?”

“Well… literally?” Lilith glanced back, genuinely surprised. “Do Heroes not understand the Common Tongue? Or was my pronunciation unclear?”

That look of bewilderment, paired with her seemingly oblivious reply, felt like thick sarcasm to Alquett.

“But… so you know Xiao Wei too? Don’t worry—she’s doing great in our Darklord Citadel now.”

“You’re lying!”

The shrill cry echoed down the dungeon corridor, making Lilith jump. The flints slipped from her grasp, bonking her on the head.

“Ow! What was that for—suddenly shouting like that—”

“Xiao Wei… she’s the kindest girl alive! How could she possibly fall to Demonkind?!” Alquett’s eyes bled crimson from within, thick with murderous fury. That hysterical glare seemed ready to devour Lilith whole on the spot. “You must have brainwashed her! Despicable! Vile!”

Alquett panted heavily, glaring through the cell bars—only to find Lilith’s usual lazy demeanor had vanished under her tirade.

Lilith sighed softly. After a brief pause, a sly, unsettling smile spread across her face.

“Oh? So you and Xiao Wei were close?”

“Don’t you dare use her nickname!” Alquett bit her lip hard. “Only I get to call her Xiao Wei! Filthy demons like you have no right to be so familiar!”

“But I will: Xiao Wei~ Xiao Wei~ Xiao Wei~” Lilith stuck out her tongue, grinning mischievously. “She’s mine now. I’ll call her whatever I like—”

“You… say that name one more time, and I’ll kill you first!” Alquett’s eyes reddened visibly, translucent white steam actually rising from the top of her head.

“Ugh, why do you humans always jump straight to violence?” Lilith shook her head. “You really care about her that much?”

“…Of course! Xiao Wei is my… most important…” Alquett’s voice faltered, cutting off abruptly.

“Well~” Lilith wagged a finger, shifting to a coaxing tone. “There might still be a way out.”

“…Speak.”

“Just join us. Then you and Xiao Wei reunite, you escape this cell, and everyone wins~”

“Hah. Join Demonkind? Dream on. You’d have better luck planning my execution.”

“You’re overreacting.” Lilith rubbed her temples. “I’m sincerely inviting you to the Darklord Citadel! Full benefits package, weekends off, paid vacations, company trips, afternoon tea breaks—all yours with a simple nod~”

“Good and evil cannot coexist.” Alquett’s delicate brows furrowed. “I am a Hero blessed by the Light God. I’d rather die than side with you!”

“Pity. There goes my month-end bonus…” Lilith plopped onto a stool, legs crossed. Her tiny wings fluttered rapidly as she cleared her throat deliberately. “You know, when Xiao Wei first arrived, goblins carried her in bound head to toe~ Poor thing—her coat and skirt were torn, stained everywhere…”

“What did you monsters do to her?!”

“Me? I did nothing~ Though her figure really is impressive~” Lilith grinned, flashing sharp little fangs, thumb raised appreciatively.

“My Viola… damn you…!” Alquett’s eyes seemed ready to burst from their sockets, her breath catching.

“First day I brought her food, she sobbed nonstop, screaming—uh, what was your name again?”

“…Alquett.”

“Right—‘Save me, Alquett!’—truly pitiful.” Alquett glared, unblinking.

“By the second day, her eyes were hollow. Know what I mean?” Lilith hopped onto the stool, gesturing with pale arms. “Just her undergarments left. Shackled like this—spread-eagled against the wall. No reaction when I called her name, not even when I tickled her. Her eyes… dead.”

“…”

“Third day, she begged for a bath. I took her to the communal showers—and guess what? She—”

“Enough!” Alquett cut her off sharply. “Don’t… don’t say any more. I don’t want to hear…” She trembled, teeth clenched until blood seeped from her lip, eyes squeezed shut against some unbearable pain.

Lilith fell silent, then offered:

“How about a compromise?

“If you truly care for her, reveal the human army’s battle formations, their next targets, and the special abilities of all Heroes—including yours. I’ll release both you and Viola back to the kingdom.”

“…”

“Just a few words, and you’ll be together~ And if you stay quiet, no one will ever know you talked~” Lilith’s sweet voice now dripped with demonic temptation.

This time, Alquett didn’t shout back. Head bowed, she rasped hoarsely:

“Would that… really free Xiao Wei?”

“Absolutely! But first, you’ll sign a soul contract verifying your intel—”

“…”

“Well, my shift’s almost over.” Lilith stood, extinguishing the torch. “Miss Alquett, we have time. Think carefully about my offer.

“See you tomorrow—looking forward to becoming colleagues.”

With a thunderous clang, the iron door slammed shut behind her, leaving Alquett alone in suffocating darkness.

“…”

Soon after, the clatter of falling chains echoed from the cell, followed by a whisper:

“Xiao Wei… I’ll save you… no matter what you’ve become…”

…

In the dim corridor, Lilith didn’t exit the dungeon. She turned down a side passage toward another cell, summoning a translucent interface only she could see.

“System, what’s the progress on [Avert Demon City Crisis]?”

【Task Completion: 15/100】

“Only 5 points? My improvised interrogation was flawless—she was clearly shaken!”

【Alert: No tangible intelligence or resource gain. Low-yield outcome.】

“Huh? And capturing a Hero only gave 10 points?”

【Alert: No direct combat victory. Low-yield outcome.】

“…What counts as high-yield?”

【Basic acquisition method: Gain points through meaningful combat—either defeating or being defeated by an opponent.】

“Meaningful combat? Wait—why does *losing* count too?!”

The system went silent. Its glowing interface dimmed, vanishing before Lilith’s eyes.

“…Fine. Whatever. No more field missions for me.”

Sighing, Lilith entered the banquet hall. The celebration for capturing a Hero was winding down, tables littered with debris.

A girl in a simple white robe and wide-brimmed purple witch’s hat stood among the crowd. Gently pressing her wand to the heads of drunken revelers, she cast sobering spells one by one.

“Xiao Wei, the new Hero we caught today… seems to know you~”

“Mm.” The white-robed girl didn’t turn.

“I chatted with her awhile. Mentioned some things about you… Hope you don’t mind?”

“Mm.”

“I told her—”

“I heard everything.”

“Really? And what do you think?”

“I’m fine staying here.”

“But she seemed so worried about you… Don’t you want to return to your old friends?” Lilith leaned closer, curious.

At the question, Viola’s brow furrowed almost imperceptibly. Her movements slowed.

“No.

“I… never felt happy beside Alquett.”