It was truly strange—this mark that didn’t exist in her memories had somehow appeared on Ouyang’s body.

A birthmark?

As a child, her parents never mentioned any special meaning behind such a mark. She couldn’t even recall if it had truly existed.

The bat-shaped imprint, stubbornly refusing to fade no matter how much she scrubbed it with water, filled Ouyang with frustration.

Chin resting on her palm, Ouyang fell into brief thought. Perhaps this mark had appeared alongside her sudden physical changes.

Her heart clenched with worry. If greedy eyes ever spotted this mark and sold her to the leader of Zero District—as Brother Long had warned during meetings—she might never return to the Northern District.

This could not be allowed to happen.

Brows furrowed, Ouyang resolved to erase the mark, even if it meant scarring her own body. A permanent, ugly tattoo was preferable to this fate.

Suddenly remembering the room’s cameras, Ouyang feigned an itch, casually covering the tiny bat mark with her hand. She strode to the window, yanked shut the blackout curtains, and flipped off the lights. In the darkness, her vision sharpened unnaturally. She whipped out her phone flashlight, sweeping the room until two suspicious crimson pinpricks glowed in the shadows.

Standing before the LCD screen, Ouyang wrapped the remaining bandages over the red lights. Calmly, she picked up a glass ashtray and walked to the bathroom. There, she draped a towel over the tiny red dot hidden beneath the mirror. Confirming all cameras were blinded, she flicked on the bathroom light and stared at her own reflection—eyes burning with fierce determination.

Aside from being five centimeters shorter and noticeably slimmer, her appearance matched her old self almost perfectly. In the mirror stood a leaner version of Ouyang Qingdan.

Then, Ouyang slammed the ashtray onto the beige bathroom tiles. She snatched a shard of broken glass, aimed at the mark on her right shoulder, bit her lip to stifle a cry, and plunged it deep.

Crimson blood traced paths down her pale back, fat drops pattering onto the silent floor.

Gently dabbing the wound with a white towel, Ouyang froze—the gash was already sealing itself.

Beyond night vision, this body healed on its own. The monstrous truth coiled in her chest like ice.

Her terrified reflection stared back from the mirror. She shook her head in despair.

*The blood… wasted. The pain… for nothing.*

Just then, her phone chimed brightly on the sink.

To avoid suspicion, Ouyang swiftly pulled on a loose white shirt. With visible disgust, she tugged on tight blue-and-white striped briefs, then black cropped pants and sneakers. She made quick work of cleaning the blood and glass shards.

The phone kept ringing. Taking a deep breath, Ouyang removed the bandages and towels from the cameras and answered.

Before the voice on the other end could speak, she snapped, "Do you even spy while I change clothes? You damn hentai!"

Now disguised as a boy, Ouyang cleared her throat by the mini suitcase. She lowered her voice deliberately, mimicking her old tone:

"I received your package."

Silence stretched. She clicked her tongue impatiently, shifting back to her natural voice: "Stop playing dead. Talk."

"Your casual wear and boyish voice are impressive. For a moment, I thought you’d turned human again…"

"Do you plan to turn me a second time? You wretched Blood Clan."

"Oh? So you’ve discovered your true nature. Self-awareness suits you. I like it."

"Rot in hell. I despise you. If I ever see you in person, I’ll drag you into the sun until you burn. Or maybe a cross—or garlic—will do the job!"

Her hatred for the one who’d twisted her body poured out in a furious torrent.

"Ha! Then I’ll hide until you no longer loathe me. Truthfully, I look forward to meeting you. Your heart still belongs to humanity… but when you finally accept what you are, I’ll come for you myself."

"Never. I’ll never let you have your way."

Hearing the anticipation in his voice, Ouyang’s reply was glacial.

"We shall see."

"One more thing. Besides the clothes and wig, I prepared three gifts—a farewell present. I worried you’d toss them straight into the trash, so let me explain." His tone turned gentle.

"First: a black card marked with bat wings. It holds four million Fire Vouchers—your living expenses."

"Second: a black stone carved like a dragon’s head. It’s a Dragon Seal, your pass to human territories."

"Third: a black vial containing twenty pills. Take one whenever the thirst for blood overwhelms you."

"Wishing you a pleasant journey. My door is always open. My home is yours forever—"

*Beep. Beep. Beep. Beep.*

Unable to stomach his saccharine farewell, Ouyang hung up. She stared in shock at the three precious items in her suitcase.

A Dragon Seal—the pass only Zero District’s leader possessed. And four million Fire Vouchers on a card the size of a credit card? Her throat tightened. *This changes everything.*

She tucked the items into a gray crossbody bag. Ready to move, Ouyang followed Dedi Map’s shortest route through thick fog. Ahead, mournful cawing echoed. Her phone chimed: *"You have reached your destination. Thank you for using our service."*

Before her loomed a massive black-gray stone gate. Tall, slender iron frames stood on either side, impaled with grotesque monster corpses. Their faces—frozen in fury and despair—all stared hollowly toward the exit.

Ouyang took a slow, steadying breath. No map reminder was needed. This chilling sight confirmed she’d reached the border.