Money?

What was she thinking?

Xia Xin wasn’t that kind of person—even a beggar rummaging through her backpack would pityingly leave behind two copper coins.

The gold coins she’d barely… acquired a few days ago had been confiscated the moment she was thrown in prison.

So Xia Xin turned to Xila.

“Why are you looking at me?” Xila spread her hands. “I came in with you. They took all my money too… Ugh, all that hard work down the drain.”

“Squeak! No money, no deal!” the rat shouted.

“Well then, I guess we’ll have to try another method.” Xia Xin cracked her knuckles.

Even with the Calamity Witch’s frail physique, crushing a rat wouldn’t be hard.

But the next second, words flashed before Xia Xin’s eyes.

【Task I: “First Steps” completed. Reward: 1,000 gold coins】

Huh? What was this?

Xia Xin paused, then recalled accepting a few tasks back in Nobles Town.

She’d been arrested before finishing any.

Why did it suddenly succeed? She hadn’t done a thing.

A system bug?

Whatever. Not important.

She checked her backpack—the thousand coins were already stuffed inside. Talk about perfect timing.

Another half-minute, and that rat would’ve been in big trouble.

“Will this be enough?” Xia Xin tossed a gold coin at its feet. “Steal the key for me, and there’ll be plenty more where this came from.”

“Squeak! Understood!” The rat snatched the coin, nodding eagerly. “Rat-rat will be right back!”

It squeezed through the hole and vanished.

“Now we wait.” Xia Xin flopped back onto the bed.

Xila had no idea where Xia Xin got the coins, but nothing surprised her anymore.

She was the Calamity Witch, after all.

Nothing the Calamity Witch did was ever strange.

*Thump thump thump!*

The door rattled again.

“That damn woman’s back!” Xila bristled. Just thinking of the interrogator’s attitude made warmth surge through her body.

Yep—pure rage!

The small window slid open. Belle stood outside, tossing in a wrapped package. “Your only food. Cherish it.”

Her hidden meaning: *Time’s running out. Push harder.*

The Holy Maiden was galloping toward them.

“Tch! You—” Xila’s retort died as Belle slammed the window shut.

“Argh! That hateful bitch!” Xila cursed her with every insult she knew.

Belle’s plan was working, though.

After three days together, Xia Xin and Xila had grown closer, their barriers fading.

They’d silently agreed: once free, they’d tie Belle up and either beat her or… well.

Xia Xin was too exhausted to join the ranting.

After venting, Xila finally examined the package.

*Sniff sniff*… It smelled amazing.

Real food!

Her anger vanished. She tore open the wrap and devoured everything without pause.

Her belly swelled within seconds.

Xia Xin stared, dumbfounded.

That huge pack—gone in seconds?

Even beasts weren’t that fast!

What about her own share?

“Ahhh~ So full and happy~” Xila patted her stomach, settling onto the bed. “Time for a nap now… ah.”

She caught Xia Xin’s gaze and paled.

Oh no. Disaster.

That expression from the Calamity Witch meant real anger.

Xila trembled uncontrollably.

How could she—over something as trivial as hunger—commit such a huge mistake?

She’d eaten the Calamity Witch’s portion too.

Xia Xin must be furious!

With no other food… she’d probably eat Xila instead.

Trapped in a locked room with a hungry, enraged Calamity Witch… Xila couldn’t bear to imagine it.

“…Forget it. I’ll just sleep.” Xia Xin sighed.

Of course she was angry.

She wanted to pin Xila down and spank her hard.

*Just a spanking.*

But in her poor, starving state, she’d lose a fight.

The cell wall was breached, yet she couldn’t use magic. Xila could.

How could she win?

Hopeless.

So… she’d endure.

Silent endurance!

Xila was stunned.

The Calamity Witch did nothing?

Impossible!

The legendary Calamity Witch should’ve pounced already, pinning her down for a fierce battle.

Doubt crept in.

Was the real Calamity Witch… different from the rumors?

Not cruel. Not a bringer of misfortune. Not someone who made every pretty girl lust after her.

She’d misunderstood everything!

No wonder Xia Xin treated her that way.

“It was all my fault!” Xila slapped her thigh, realizing her error.

Her fondness for Xia Xin grew.

Sharing all the food while starving… the Calamity Witch was actually kind!

Warmth flooded Xila’s chest.

It spread through her body, igniting the thoughts of the Calamity Witch into a blazing fire.

Ugh… so hot…

“Hah…” Xila breathed heavily. An unfamiliar heat burned inside her, urging her to strip off her clothes.

Well… the room was sealed. No one would see.

At most, Xia Xin would get an eyeful… but she was a good person.

Letting her see wouldn’t matter, right?

Xila’s mind clouded. She didn’t even realize what she was doing.

Xia Xin certainly didn’t.

She froze, watching Xila slowly undress.

What… what was this?!

The future Demon King—full belly, lustful thoughts?