"It's over. Totally ruined now."

Watching Class Rep Hanhan, who seemed to radiate dark aura from head to toe, I froze like a lamb spotting a wolf. A nameless dread rose instinctively within me. *This place isn't safe.* I spun around to flee.

"How detestable… This feeling again. My whole body burns as if engulfed in flames. This uncontrollable urge is about to burst out of me. Dear Su Su… do you have a solution? Can you… soothe these emotions raging inside me…?"

Razor blades glinted between every finger of her hands. Tilting her head unnaturally, Class Rep Hanhan fixed me with a stiff, zombie-like stare and hobbled closer, step by uneven step.

"What do I do?! I can't lead Class Rep Hanhan into the crowd—her reputation would be destroyed. I won't ruin her life!"

My fingers brushed the rooftop door’s handle… then stopped. Escape was just a turn away. But what about her? In this frenzied state, people would mistake her for having a breakdown. Her future would shatter.

*This is my fault. I won’t save myself by destroying her.*

"Oh dear~ Why aren’t you running anymore, Su Su?"

A whisper slithered from behind me. A cold shiver shot down my spine. I felt plunged into an ice cellar.

"Class Rep Hanhan… This is all my fault. I won’t run. I’ll take responsibility for you."

Drawing a shaky breath against the crushing fear, I slowly turned. Her smiling face hovered inches away.

Up close, I noticed it—a faint blue, mist-like glow seeping from her skin. With each breath, it pulsed out through her pores, then drew back in.

I knew this. Spiritual energy. Yesterday, after my encounter with Yushan, I’d seen it on him too—paler, and only drawn out by the Fox Demon’s magic from his mouth and nose.

But Class Rep Hanhan’s was deeper in hue, so dense it leaked freely without aid.

It clicked: the Fox Demon’s words. *The Blood Curse works by constantly igniting the victim’s spiritual energy, fueling an unbearable burning desire. This refines the energy… like a delicacy perfected by fire.*

So… if I drained her spiritual energy now, would she be freed from that torment?

"Dear Su Su… I’ll give you one last moment. Will you accept my love…?"

She leaned in, pressing her upper body against my chest. An indescribable softness met me, along with her strange, alluring scent.

Yes—the scent of spiritual energy. Richer than Yushan’s by far. So potent… I almost wanted to… take a bite.

"Class Rep Hanhan… I… I…"

Staring at her flushed cheeks and delicate pink lips, shame choked the words in my throat.

I knew no demonic arts. No way to extract the energy. Only the most primal method remained… a kiss.

But wasn’t this taking advantage? No different from drugging someone. Legally, it could mean three to ten years.

"Oh? What do you intend to do?"

She leaned closer. Her hot breath, laced with that intoxicating energy, washed over me. My head spun. Dizzy. Light.

"Forget it! Screw it—I’m doing this!"

Gritting my teeth, I tore off my hat and mask. My delicate, girl-like face and fox ears were exposed.

"Su Su… you…"

Her pupils shrank in shock. She hadn’t expected this.

"Don’t ask why I look like this! I’m sorry—I’m a scumbag, I’ve wronged you! But… please… just… kiss me… if you’d…"

Before I finished, she surged forward without hesitation.

My lips met searing heat.

"Mmm—"

A muffled sound escaped me. My mind blanked as if struck. Her presence ignited me like a match to dry tinder.

***

At the central train station of Su Su’s city, a young woman in traditional cyan robes stepped off the train. She frowned slightly at the bustling crowd.

"It’s only been a few years… yet this place has flourished so much."

Ignoring curious stares, she opened her pale blue paper umbrella, stepped into the sun, and lifted the jade pendant at her neck.

*"Can I truly complete the task Ancestor entrusted to me? And… I’ve heard Lady Nine Tails commands the purest demonic energy. One day of dual cultivation with her could refine my power and advance my cultivation. But… with my half-demon constitution, would she even consider refining me? If not, all my effort to secure this mission was wasted."*

Eyes locked on the pendant’s faint glow, she turned slowly. The light brightened when it faced northeast. Without pause, she set off in that direction.