"The weather shifts these past few years are wilder than the previous two decades combined..." Ye Thirteen exhaled a warm puff of breath, murmuring.

Hearing him, the steamed bun shop owner handed over the bun with a grin. "True! We might not have seen a single snowfall here in ten years—but lately? Snow keeps falling!"

Ye Thirteen didn’t reply. He simply raised his phone. "Hehe, scanned it, boss."

"Got it! Take care, young man!"

Ye Thirteen nodded, strolling down the street while nibbling his steamed bun.

He knew why Southgate Garrison had started snowing—the Sky Rift’s energy was the cause.

That same energy had birthed Demonhunters among humans and was quietly reshaping the world.

Leaning against a tree, he ate with utter boredom.

So boring...

Boring enough to drag himself out of bed for breakfast.

But his grumbling vanished the moment a familiar sensation washed over him.

"Hm?"

In the next heartbeat, Ye Thirteen disappeared.

An elderly passerby rubbed her eyes, then hurried home, face pale with fright.

After a few Blink maneuvers, Ye Thirteen hovered above the newborn Micro Sky Rift, gaze icy.

He’d arrived just in time—witnessing its entire formation.

"Forged by colliding energy tides... Worth studying," he murmured, slipping into old researcher habits.

Then he spotted the creature emerging—and dropped his phone notes.

A Tier-3 demon—Shadow Wraith!

Just then, an energetic girl charged into the dim alley with bold, unapologetic strides.

"Face the hero’s justice, city-wrecking villains!"

Hearing Qu Yi’s vibrant battle cry, the corner of Ye Thirteen’s mouth twitched slightly.

Qu Yi, eager to identify the demon, hoped for a quick win—more time to hang with Uncle~

But spotting the nearly sealed Micro Sky Rift with zero monsters around, she tilted her cute little head.

Where’s the enemy?

Ye Thirteen sighed at her adorably clueless pose.

Shadow Wraiths weren’t the strongest Tier-3 demons, but deadly ambushers. Many young Demonhunters had fallen to them.

He teleported to the nearest rooftop—close enough to intervene instantly.

Though confused, Qu Yi instinctively blew her whistle.

The crowd froze, then scrambled to pack up, panic flashing across faces.

Magic energy detected—evacuate, no questions asked!

Qu Yi leaped onto a phone booth. "Signs of demon activity! Please leave temporarily. Return after we clear the area. Thank you!"

Traffic officers rushed to help, cordoning off the zone.

Only when the last civilian vanished did Qu Yi exhale in relief.

As long as the demon stayed hidden during evacuation, her job was easier. Protecting crowds mid-fight was far harder than slaying demons.

Meanwhile, the very monsters Qu Yi feared ambushing civilians floated midair in agony—throats seemingly gripped, lifted high.

With a flick of Ye Thirteen’s wrist, they dropped, gasping.

Terrified, they scanned the void—what force held them helpless?

When nothing happened, instinct took over. Shadow Wraiths darted through darkness, hunting.

Only one human remained: Qu Yi.

The moment three Tier-3 Shadow Wraiths locked onto her, she snapped into guard stance.

From the rooftop, Ye Thirteen gave a faint nod.

Sharp battlefield instincts!

Even Tier-4 Demonhunters fell to these natural assassins—nearly invisible in shadows.

But unseen didn’t mean undetectable.

Qu Yi had honed her intuition to "mind's eye" level.

No chivalry for Shadow Wraiths. From three shadows, they lunged!

Qu Yi had shifted to the street’s center—but three appearing at once still made her heart skip.

Their burst speed was terrifying!

Even from ten meters, the charge stole breath.

Yet Qu Yi was ready. Before seeing them clearly, she hurled a nearby bicycle.

The closest Wraith flew back as fast as it came!

Instinct passed—logic kicked in.

Recognizing Shadow Wraiths flanking her, she stomped hard.

Beneath her school uniform, the pendant warmed slightly. A ring of protective flames erupted around her.

The two Wraiths, unable to brake, shrieked in pain.

Qu Yi seized the opening—flurry of punches, kicks.

First clash: Qu Yi dominated.

Slammed into the wall, the three Wraiths were bruised but unbroken.

Bare-handed strikes couldn’t cripple Tier-3 demons. Wishful thinking.

A magic-energy longsword? Maybe.

They spread out now, circling slowly—wary of the fiery barrier.

Qu Yi sighed inwardly.

Her pendant, recharged by Grandpa, brimmed with power: strong defense, minor offense.

But it lasted barely a minute.

Since the Wraiths refused to recklessly break her shield...

Ugh. So cunning!