Su Yue narrowed her eyes toward the light source.

Two tall, dark silhouettes glided toward her with an absurdly flamboyant gait. Their flowing movements reminded her of a certain narcissistic Japanese detective. If she could, she’d have queued up the white-suited detective’s theme song right then.

*Are these two here to confess?*

They struck a dramatically contorted pose about ten meters away.

“You—midnight-roaming, masterless vagrant vampire up to no good!” the left figure swung an arm, pointing sharply at her.

“We are Patrol Team Three of the Enforcement Squad, Paranormal Investigation Bureau! Champions of love and justice, guardians of this city’s peace!” the right shadow twisted his waist like a seductive snake spirit—voice and build unmistakably male.

“By the Non-Human Containment Act, you’re under arrest!” they declared in unison.

“Did I warp into an anime world?” Su Yue gasped, wondering if she’d been dimensionally downgraded in that spatial rift.

“Exactly. Come along, lovely vampire miss,” the left shadow cracked his knuckles.

“No way. Following two faceless shadows? Way too sketchy,” Su Yue shook her head firmly.

“How rude! I thought all Bloodkin were refined. This is the Moonlit Duo’s signature style!” the right shadow sighed disappointedly.

“Brother, no need to waste words on this unladylike brat. Chop off her limbs and haul her back.”

“Precisely, dear brother. You heard us, little Bloodkin girl? Resist, and we’ll sever your limbs.” The right shadow crossed his arms, voice dripping threat.

“If I go… what happens to me?” Su Yue asked, subtly tucking the leaf behind her back.

“Who knows? Exile? Nailed to a silver cross? Stuffed in an iron maiden and sunk deep? Plenty of ways to handle your undead kind,” the left figure shrugged carelessly.

“I see. Odds of a good ending? Less than one-third. Then…” Su Yue pricked her finger behind her back, swiftly drawing symbols in blood on the leaf.

“I refuse!” she shouted, hurling the bloodied leaf at the Moonlit Duo.

*BOOM!*

Dust billowed. Using the blast’s recoil, Su Yue vaulted upward, snatching a handful of leaves.

“Explosive tags? I can draw them blindfolded!” she yelled, scribbling frantic patterns onto leaves.

“Cough… Brother, this Bloodkin brat’s got skills.”

“Indeed, dear brother. Can’t let her escape. Time to get serious.”

Their voices drifted from the smoke. Su Yue’s pupils tightened. She hadn’t expected the tag to win—but their calm unnerved her.

*Do people here cultivate too?*

A gale tore the dust apart. A massive fist lunged out.

“Fire!” She tossed a leaf. A wall of flame erupted, blocking the strike.

“Wind!” A gale howled from her palm, shoving the firestorm toward them.

Flames roared into the smoke. *Crackle-pop.* Silence.

Su Yue exhaled—but kept her gaze locked ahead.

“This isn’t Bloodkin combat.” The elder brother’s voice came from behind. Ice flooded her veins. Before she could turn—*thud!* A brutal punch slammed her back.

Her petite frame flew like a severed kite, crashing through fire onto hard ground.

Her Bloodkin body endured what would shred a human—searing pain only. Gritting her teeth to rise, a boot stomped her head down.

“This style… like a human cultivator. Someone’s trained you,” the younger brother mused. “Getting interesting. Maybe we caught a spy… or traitor, Brother?”

“Hmm.” Each heavy footstep echoed like a hammer on her heart. “Before handing her in… a little interrogation? Could be a major breakthrough. What say you, dear brother?”

“Naturally. I agree, Brother.”

Pitch-black leather shoes halted before her. She squinted up—but under their blinding aura, only a shadow remained.

“Very well.” A large hand’s shadow loomed in her vision.

Clutching the last leaf, voice hoarse: “Lightning!”

Silvery bolts erupted from her palm. A thunderous pillar, thick as a person, roared skyward—briefly igniting the night.

“Damn it!” The Duo scattered. Su Yue staggered up.

*Body… screaming. Can’t run like this.* Dizziness swirled. *If only I could fly… had spiritual energy…*

Her desperate wish stirred the dark crimson orb in her dantian. It trembled. Blood-red energy surged through her veins.

“Spiritual energy? Blood-red? No time—GO!”

*Poof.* Featherless black wings sprouted from her back.

“Vampire wings?!” she gasped.

“Don’t let her escape!” the elder brother roared. They charged.

“Fly! Why won’t it work?!” She flapped wildly. Boots closing in. Eyes shut. *This is it.*

A whisper cut through despair: “Go. I’ll hold them.”

She opened her eyes. A sharply dressed man stood firm—oversized mask hiding his face, yet unmistakable.

“You!”

*The strange man who gave her the leaf.*

His eyes crinkled with faint amusement. “Master’s task is done. Run.”

“Ugh, you…” Her cheeks flushed.

The Duo halted, wary. “Who are you? Aiding non-humans—betraying humanity?”

“Just a passing hunter. Can’t stand bullies picking on cute little Bloodkin girls,” he said lightly, ruffling her hair. He murmured, “Channel energy into your wings. Fly.”

Knowing she’d only hinder him, she shyly brushed his hand away. “I’m not a little girl… Thank you.”

She poured blood-red spiritual energy into her wings. The Little Vampire shot skyward—vanishing into the starless dark.

He sighed toward the empty sky. “Won’t even accept a head pat… truly unadorable.”

His gaze shifted to the tense Moonlit Duo. A chilling aura rolled off him.

“Seems a small nuisance remains,” he murmured.