["Is there something wrong with the host?"]
"It’s not me who has a problem," Xia Xinyan said with an indescribable look. "I feel *you’re* the one acting strange. Why do I get the sense you’re more anxious about Ling Mo than I am?"
["The system acts solely in the host’s interest. This is a reasonable suggestion."]
"Then skip these suggestions from now on. Even if you make them, I won’t listen." Xia Xinyan closed the game panel.
[Beastification] was a common supernatural ability. True to its name, players could alter their bodies to manifest animal traits—shifting appearance and gaining specific enhancements.
Notably, even players specializing in the same animal often had vastly different abilities. In short: every ability was unique. Similarities existed, but no two were identical.
Xia Xinyan’s [Black Cat] ability differed completely from any feline-type powers she’d seen in her past life.
In [Black Cat] form: agility and reaction speed surged; bodily control sharpened; presence dimmed slightly. But maximum strength and resistance were capped.
Clearly, it locked her into an assassin role.
Naturally, she wasn’t thrilled.
Her former self—now Ling Mo—had a frontline-combat ability. Unless facing overwhelming power, she’d never lose. That was its broken advantage.
Her accumulated experience leaned heavily on direct confrontation. This new ability slashed her specialty clean through, forcing her to relearn combat from scratch. Unappealing, to say the least.
Still, activated abilities were irreversible. Dissatisfied or not, she had to accept it.
So she logged out to reset her mood.
Stepping out of the game pod, she found Ling Mo already waiting in the living room. He rose immediately. "I thought you were stuck…"
"I handled something in my personal space," Xia Xinyan smiled, glancing at her phone.
Dinnertime was near.
This game was a serious time-sink—hence her "one session per day" rule.
Besides, it was still early game. The world remained intact. These final peaceful moments were worth savoring.
She sighed softly. "Watch some TV and relax. I’ll make dinner."
Ling Mo froze. "You… *make* dinner?"
"Mm. Problem?" Xia Xinyan tilted her head.
He opened his mouth, hesitated, then shook his head. "...No."
*He’d assumed her in-game grilling was just for fun. Never expected she cooked IRL too?*
*Not very "young lady" of her…*
"Oh, right—" Xia Xinyan turned at the kitchen door. "What do you want to eat?"
"Ah… anything! I’m not picky," Ling Mo stammered.
*Bullshit.*
—Xia Xinyan mentally scoffed.
*As if she didn’t know his pickiness by heart?*
No shells. No bones. Too plain? Skip. Too greasy? Skip. Too bland? Skip. Adding it up, she wondered how *she’d* survived college.
Back then, circling all three campus canteens yielded only one stall she liked. She’d planned to eat there daily—until it closed after semester two.
So she started cooking.
Even now, her pickiness barely improved. Only her skills did: any new dish, perfected to her taste within a week.
*Maybe chef’s a post-apocalypse career path,* she mused.
Tonight’s spread? Unknown for average diners—but *perfect* for Ling Mo.
*Perfect* didn’t cover it.
The guy who never asked for seconds *anywhere* devoured two full bowls. Nearly burst.
Seriously—*that* good.
Every dish, every flavor, matched his preferences exactly. Without self-awareness, he’d suspect she’d researched his habits.
Or… was this fate?
The still-innocent Ling Mo felt deeply moved.
Xia Xinyan? Not so much.
…She hadn’t even gotten full.
*He kept stealing her food.*
Just one of countless times she’d realized how utterly [*beep*] her past self was.
["That’s a swear word. A lady shouldn’t say that."]
*'Shut up, Tianji.'*
["It’s Tianji—not 'field chicken'!"]
Xia Xinyan ignored it.
Thankfully, Ling Mo had *some* emotional intelligence. Unable to help cook, he washed dishes after.
She didn’t stop him. Free labor? Never refuse.
While he cleaned, she showered and prepared for bed.
But first: Tianji’s newbie gift package.
Unlockable after the first dungeon clear—she’d only now found time. First contact with system items warranted privacy. Good thing her apartment was soundproof.
She summoned the menu. The package glowed in her inventory—ready.
She activated it.
Power surged through her body in an instant. Then—a strange new sensation above her hips.
She glanced back.
A slender black tail sprouted from her lower back, swaying gently.
A menu-style prompt flashed in her mind:
[Ability Added: Succubus]
[Active Skills: Basic Healing, Basic Mental Charm]
[Passive Skills: Basic Charm (boosts allure; reduced effect outside transformation), Enhanced Perception (active only during transformation)]
"…"
["Recommendation: Cosplay as a nekomimi (catgirl) in Succubus form. Simulation predicts up to 900% favorability increase from your original body—Ling Mo."]
"…Shut up."
