Chen Yan sat at the far end of the long solid-wood conference table. On the opposite side, a projector displayed a series of images.

Several figures in black robes retreated from an overturned truck. Uniformed guards lay dead on the ground. One robed figure glanced back at the surveillance camera—his face masked in black, revealing only eyes.

No whites. Just void-like black. Deeply unsettling.

“All recent attacks on supply transports were committed by the same group,” stated a young uniformed agent beside the projector, briefing Chen Yan and the attendees.

“How confirmed?” a steady voice asked.

“Attire and modus operandi. But the conclusive evidence is their eyes—as shown. Surviving witnesses and footage confirm the absence of eye whites. Nearly impossible to fake.”

Silence fell. *Impossible to fake?* Yet all shared those strange eyes. Weren’t they artificially altered?

“Those aren’t human eyes. Are they… non-humans?” a young man asked, raising a hand.

“No. Alarms didn’t trigger. Confirmed human.”

“Colored contacts? Special drugs?”

“Xiao Chen!” an elderly voice cut in. “Their eyes don’t matter. We must know their objective.”

A stooped figure leaning on a cane rose. “Six simultaneous attacks on the Paranormal Administration Bureau’s transports—within twenty minutes. The latest: three hours ago. Every vehicle carried massive amounts of ‘Aether’.”

*Aether*—a peculiar mineral crystal brimming with energy. Commonly used to amplify spells. Some non-humans even advance rapidly by consuming it.

“Forty tons of Aether crystals stolen right under our noses. Detonated together? Enough to level the entire CBD district.” The elder’s gaze swept the room. “If this is terrorism… millions could die any second.”

“You know what to do.”

…

Chen Yan stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, steaming coffee in hand, gazing at the moonlit cityscape.

“Boss!” A young male voice called from behind. Chen Yan didn’t turn. He knew who it was.

“What is it?”

A blond-haired, sporty youth jogged up, grumbling, “Ugh, those Paranormal Bureau folks! Botched their own security, lost something that dangerous, and still act high and mighty asking *our* Hunter Guild for help?”

“Nothing we can do,” Chen Yan smiled. “They’re official. Our Guild’s global, but we’re obligated to cooperate.”

“I know, I know… But Boss, we just got back from the border! Now stuck cleaning *this* mess? Such a hassle.”

“Four months of rest was enough. As branch president, I’ve been idle too long. Time to move.” He tossed the cup into the trash.

“Seriously, Boss? Barely anyone knows you’re the new branch president. Most think you’re a freelance hunter,” the blond chuckled.

“Prep the car. We’re heading to the scene.”

…

4 a.m. The streets lay empty. A black sedan turned into a side alley, rolled a few hundred meters, and slowed.

“This spot. Pull over,” Chen Yan said from the passenger seat.

The blond driver parked and scanned the quiet pedestrian street—closed for the night.

Chen Yan stepped out, walked to a roadside bin, and placed a heavily insulated takeout box (two servings of beef offal from the Guild cafeteria) beside it.

“Hey, Boss! Wasn’t that our breakfast? Extra-insulated packaging and all—why toss it?” the blond asked, puzzled.

Chen Yan slid back into the car, smiling. “For a stray cat.”

“A stray cat eats beef offal?”

“She eats anything. Doesn’t seem picky,” Chen Yan mused.

“Can a stray even open a thermal container?”

“She can. She’s smart.”

“Since when do you care about strays, Boss?” Sensing danger in further questions, the blond muttered, eased the accelerator, and drove off.

“Just want to… lure this stray cat home,” Chen Yan murmured.

…

*Gurgle.* Su Yue’s stomach growled. She wasn’t truly asleep—just half-dozing, drooling between dreams.

A car engine jolted her awake.

“Ah! My fried chicken leg!” She shot upright. The crispy leg, *so close*, vanished.

“Ugh! Who drives through residential streets at this hour?!” she fumed, tiny fists pounding her thighs. “So hungry…”

Not blood-hunger. Just her human-like stomach complaining.

“Vampires are such a hassle,” she muttered. “Drink blood *and* eat food? Why?!”

Then—a faint but irresistible aroma drifted into the alley. Starving Su Yue’s nose twitched instantly.

“What smells so good?!” She scrambled from her sleeping bag, shoved on shoes, threw on her coat, and dashed out.

Left turn after the alley! The source was…

A trash bin?!

Su Yue froze. *Why does this bin smell amazing?!* Logically… the trash inside? But that’s inedible!

“This…” *Is my body craving trash?*

“Don’t tell me vampires can eat garbage?!” Baffled, she blamed her race.

“Ugh! I don’t want to—but my body won’t listen!” She crept toward the bin, face twisted in exaggerated resistance.

“If it’s a racial thing, it’s not *my* fault, Su Yue!” she reasoned. “Wheee! Trash bin, I’m coming!”

“Ah! Who left this container here? Have some decency!”