The next morning, Luo Ling woke before his roommates and sat in his chair, deep in thought.

A hollow unease settled in his chest—not the emptiness of boredom or loneliness, but the restless uncertainty of having no footing.

Was it money?

No. His mom’s allowance was still mostly untouched, and he wasn’t exactly a big spender.

Worried about staying single?

Hardly. For a coward like him, that wasn’t even on the priority list.

Then what *was* it?

Sure, most men chase money and women. But Luo Ling was a Succubus. Beyond those? He craved essence.

“I thought I’d wake up to some essence payment… not a single drop. Damn. Hunger’s hitting early.”

His magic power still hovered just above ten percent—last time, hunger only struck at ten. Maybe dread of “the Black Room” had triggered his body’s alarm ahead of schedule.

Whatever the cause, the situation had turned serious.

Six essence payments from last month’s two contracts remained outstanding. He’d counted on that emergency stash to last the week. Yet silence. Luo Ling even wondered if those two had joined some abstinence forum. A full week since the last payment—meaning zero essence generated for seven straight days!

He closed his eyes, probing the contract bond. All he sensed: they were alive. What they were *doing*—bedridden? inactive?—remained unknown. But both silent this long? Unnatural. Before, they averaged three releases a week combined.

Yesterday’s missed payment had already raised a red flag. Now it was critical. He’d need to squeeze in time today to trick someone into a quick-completion contract. Failure meant disaster. It wasn’t just “the Black Room” he feared. Dormancy made him indistinguishable from death. If discovered like that? Chaos. If he didn’t wake in time… cremation. The thought sent a chill through him.

After morning campus activities ended, Luo Ling parted from his roommates, claiming errands. He skipped the cafeteria—human food wouldn’t fill *his* hunger.

—

West of Southwind University lay a faculty residential complex. Just beyond the west gate stood an elementary school. At dismissal, the area swarmed with children and parents—many heading home to that very complex.

A girl walked the path skirting the neighborhood, aiming for the northwest gate.

Passing the west gate, she spotted the flowing tide of students and guardians.

A short distance on, she noticed a little girl crouching roadside. An oversized black backpack dwarfed her small frame like a travel sack. A baseball cap shadowed her face.

The girl slowed, watching. The child glanced left and right, searching.

Kindness? Curiosity? She approached. “Little sister, what are you looking for?”

“Ah! Big sister—I lost my book. Trying to find it.” The little girl lifted her head.

The girl froze. *Unfairly* cute. Her mind went blank. Words failed. She could only stare.

“Big sister? Why so quiet?” The little girl tilted her head. That puzzled expression radiated pure charm—her heart melted instantly.

“N-nothing! You’re just… incredibly cute!” the girl stammered, flustered.

“Really? Thank you.” The little girl shyly rubbed her nose. “I should keep looking.”

She bent down again, scanning the ground.

“Let big sister help.”

“Really? Thank you, big sister!”

A sweet smile bloomed—utterly disarming.

“Ahem.” The girl cleared her throat, steadying herself. *Act responsible. You’re the adult.* “Do you remember where you might’ve dropped it?”

“I noticed it missing after getting home. Checked school first—nothing. Then retraced my steps slowly. Still no luck.”

“Smart thinking, little sister!”

“Thank you, big sister.”

“Lead the way. We’ll search together.”

Following the child, they scanned the path toward the northwest gate.

But two hundred meters out, the little girl turned right into a narrow alley.

*I thought she lived west… Eastern complex? Longer route now. More ground to cover…* the girl mused. *No matter. See it through.*

A little farther, the child asked softly, “Big sister… do you have a wish? A dream?”

“Huh? Why ask that?”

“I just like hearing them. You don’t have to answer,” she said bashfully, scratching her head. That radiant smile lowered all defenses.

“Well… since it’s you…” The girl hesitated. “I want to become more beautiful.”

“Oh! Me too.”

“But you’re already so cute—even *I’m* envious. You don’t need to be prettier.”

“Eh? Really? Well… your wish is actually pretty easy to grant.”

“If only…” the girl sighed wistfully.

She hadn’t noticed—they’d reached a deserted spot. No one in sight.

“I’m serious. Sign this demon contract, and I’ll make it happen.”

The little girl turned. A contract materialized in her hand. Her T-shirt and shorts flashed into a tube top and micro skirt. A slender tail sprouted from her back. Innocence vanished. Before her stood a little demon, aura thick with menace.

“So, big sister…” Ling Luo flashed a sly, bewitching smile. “Care to sign?”