After Class Rep Hanhan and Xiao Qing left, I finally felt safe enough to transform. First, I shifted into my white-haired little loli form, then back to my original male body.

"I feel like I was a hair’s breadth from dropping dead on the spot. Those women are seriously terrifying."

*"It’s us, not them…"*

The Fox Demon made me pat my tiny chest. Where did she get the nerve? At this height, this level—I wasn’t even a woman. Not even a girl. Just a little kid.

"…We need a plan. How do we handle those two next time? Today my tail nearly got yanked off. Tomorrow could be worse. I feel set up. They’re definitely scheming to break me. Especially Class Rep Hanhan… She’s terrifying. With her background, who knows what demon-hunting tricks she’s got?"

This self-persuasion tactic won’t last. Once they snap out of it… another storm of trouble awaits.

I hate myself! Why didn’t I run sooner? Why lie in her arms? Was it *that* comfortable…?

Uh… okay, kinda. But that’s no excuse. This mess? All my fault.

*"What’s there to fear? Conquer your fear, and that human’s no match. Freak strength aside—zero spiritual energy left. You drained her dry. She can’t even cast a single Taoist art."*

The Fox Demon’s voice dripped with irritation. If I hadn’t been such a coward earlier, she’d have pinned Class Rep Hanhan to the floor already.

"I’m genuinely scared. Class Rep Hanhan feels like my natural predator."

*"Ugh. How did I end up possessing such a useless host?"*

"…" Annoyed, but with no comeback.

*"Forget that. After watching all morning, I spotted a girl in Class Three with faint spiritual energy. Wanna go have a little fun with her?"*

As I finished dressing to leave, the Fox Demon dropped this. Had she not mentioned it, I’d have forgotten—did I even *need* to do that anymore…?

I pushed open the student council door. No sign of the two girls outside.

"We’ll talk tonight…" Doing *that* in broad daylight at school? I’d get labeled a pervert and arrested.

*"Mhm, mhm…"* the Fox Demon replied with mock solemnity.

"Ah! Su Su—perfect timing. Take this to the security office for me?"

A classmate called me from behind while I headed to class. He held an iron cage draped in black cloth.

"What’s inside?" I pointed, feigning curiosity.

"Rat problem lately, right? They set traps everywhere. This one’s got a big one. You’re not scared, are you?"

So Class Rep Hanhan *was* telling the truth. I thought she’d lied.

"Me? Scared? Nah. I’m a guy!"

I took the cage with a grin and tapped it firmly to prove my bravery.

"Good. You deliver it. I’ll grab the next."

He left. Alone, I stared at the cage.

I’d never seen a real rat—only heard about them on nature shows. Squeaking and gnawing echoed from within. Curiosity won.

"Let’s see what’s inside. Harmless, right?"

The second I lifted the cloth, my body froze. Eyes locked on the tiny rat darting inside.

*"Hey! Kid, you okay?"*

"Rat… looks… so… delicious…"

I mumbled it without thinking. A primal instinct surged from deep within—corrupting, twisting my mind. What should’ve been disgusting looked like a feast. Against my will, my hand reached for the latch.

*"Animal instinct kicking in? Makes sense—you just transformed. But eating rats?! We’re foxes, not cats! We hunt rabbits!"*

Her scolding jolted me awake. The cage slipped, clattered to the floor. The rat seized its chance and bolted.

"Escaping… ESCAPING… AAAAAHHHH!"

Seeing prey flee reignited the hunger. I howled, dropped to all fours, and scrambled after it.

*"Hunting instinct awakened? Honestly… it’s been ages since I chased prey. Let’s enjoy this!"*

Her spirit flared with mine—memories of sunset chases, lost youth reborn.

…We totally forgot where we were.

*"Squeak-squeak… Dumb human can’t catch me—YIPE! A GHOST?!"*

The rat glanced back. In its peanut-sized brain, humans were slow. Instead, it saw a wild-eyed creature crawling fast toward it.

"I… understood that rat? Doesn’t matter—catch it! Can’t let it cause chaos!"

Tongue lolling, heart pounding. This chase felt better than gaming. Too bad the rat’s tiny. I suddenly craved bigger prey. Something fierce.

"What’s that… a rat? YIKES! What *is* that thing behind it?!"

"Su Su, what are you DOING?!"

Students chatting before class froze as a blur whooshed past the doorway, kicking up dust.

"I’m… catching a rat!" I yelled back.

*"SQUEEE—WHY ARE YOU CHASING ME, HUMAN—"*

This rat was sly, weaving with nimble twists. Maybe I’m just rusty.

"I NEED JIZHI COUGH SYRUP!"