An Li stormed out with a dark expression and returned clutching several pairs of little-girl-style panties.

Pure white, lace-trimmed, bear-printed, strawberry-patterned—you name it, she had them all.

She was in a foul mood, even itching to hit someone. At checkout, the salesgirl glanced at the items and said with a strange look, “Miss… um, not that I’m meddling, but these sizes… really aren’t suited for you.”

An Li’s face instantly turned ashen.

The salesgirl hurriedly added, “Sorry! I’m not saying your butt’s big—it’s just… compared to these panties, yours is definitely a bit larger.”

“None of your business!”

An Li tossed the words and cash aside, snatched the bag, and hurried home. In seconds, she flung the panties package straight at the silver-haired, red-eyed little girl with tiny fangs.

“An Li, you’re back! Thank you—ow!”

The bag nearly knocked me over. I tore it open—styles galore, dazzling and varied.

Even pure white lace ones with generous fabric. Honestly, girls’ panties really do come in endless designs.

“This one’s fine.”

I picked the plain white pair, hesitated, and glanced at An Li. “Um… could I have a little privacy?”

She spun around instantly. “Hurry up!”

No time to dawdle. I slipped the panties up between my (nya) legs—the straps clicked snugly into place.

Panties aren’t that different from briefs. I know how to wear them.

“Next step,” An Li rummaged through her bag and pulled out a glass bottle filled with clear liquid. “Drink. One big gulp.”

I took it carefully. Cool to the touch, yet a faint heat seemed to pulse beneath my fingertips.

“What is this?”

“High-concentration holy water,” An Li answered plainly.

My hand jerked—nearly dropped it.

“Wait… you want me to chug high-concentration holy water?” I held it farther away. “Is that… safe?”

(Surely you’re not trying to kill me?)

“It’s just testing your bloodline purity. Higher purity means milder reaction. If it’s pure enough, I won’t need extra methods to mask your presence,” An Li wiped her hands. “Otherwise, others from the Holy See would easily detect you—a vampire like you.”

“…Guess I’ll try a sip.”

Life’s on the line—better obey. I uncapped the bottle. The “holy water” sat calm, like purified water from a dispenser.

Bottle to lips. My teeth chattered uncontrollably.

“Just… double-checking. This won’t kill me, right?”

“Relax. Even if your purity’s low, holy water won’t kill you instantly,” An Li said casually. “The process is slow. Plenty of time.”

“Plenty of time?”

“Plenty of time to get your stomach pumped.”

“…”

After *that*, how could I drink? Even if not fatal, stomach pumping would wreck me!

“Drink or not? Stop stalling.”

Her sharp tone startled me—my hand jerked. *Glug glug glug glug!* The liquid poured straight down.

“Gulp—ugh!”

That wasn’t a sip. I’d downed nearly half the bottle. Even An Li froze, snatching it back.

“How are you?! Why drink so much?! I said *one sip*!”

I patted my chest, speechless. *You startled me!*

Oh no… is the world’s last vampire about to die from accidental holy water overdose?

Minutes passed. Nothing. I replayed the sensation: cool on the tongue, a gentle warmth trailing down my throat and into my stomach.

Smooth on the palate, warm all the way down—like a fine, smooth spirit.

“Seems fine,” I blinked at An Li. “Actually… kinda tasty!”

An Li’s eyes widened. “Really?”

“Really!”

“…Alright. Your bloodline purity *is* high. Good. No need to mask your presence.” She spoke vaguely, but I got it—I was pure.

In short: I’m pure.

Our bloodline really came through!

I grabbed An Li’s sleeve, eyes sparkling. “If my bloodline’s this noble… does that mean my combat power’s strong too?!”

Her scoff crushed my hope. “Sorry. Bloodline purity has nothing to do with strength. It just means you won’t be detected or weakened by *any* holy-element attacks. That’s all.”

My heart sank.

“…Oh. Okay.”

I didn’t notice—meticulous An Li had just used an absolute word: *any*.