“Lilith.”

“Hmm?”

“Today I met another witch—when I went to save An Ning. She called herself the Silent Witch. Her name is… Pandora.”

“Oh.”

“Do you know her?”

“…I do.”

“So she’s truly the Silent Witch who leads the Silent Bureau?”

“Mm.”

“Which means, from the very start of this Witch’s Night, she already knew exactly what was happening at the An Corporation?”

“…Yes.”

“But she did nothing. Whether she *wouldn’t* or *couldn’t* is debatable. Still, from what you’ve told me… it seems she holds no authority over Witch’s Night. She’s more like the Heavenly Dao in myths—bound by rules, unable to act on personal whim… Right?”

“…”

Lady Witch said nothing.

She reached up, gently pinched a stray strand of Jiang Jiu’s hair resting on her chest, wound it twice around her finger, then softly released it, watching it smooth back into silky flow.

After a long silence, she finally met Jiang Jiu’s downward gaze and asked calmly,

“What did she say to you?”

“Not much,” Jiang Jiu smiled. “Just that you’re dangerous… and I should stay away from you.”

“…”

Lady Witch’s expression shifted—quirked, as if silently asking *Is that not strange?*

But she was long used to Jiang Jiu’s mischief. Unbothered, she simply said,

“Then why didn’t you listen and stay away?”

“We’re not close,” Jiang Jiu blinked innocently. “I’ve no reason to trust a woman I’ve only met once—especially when she tells me to leave *you*.”

The mischievous woman slid her hand to Lady Witch’s face, playfully hooked her nose, and grinned.

“The Silent Witch? Who’s she? The only one I’d ever swear allegiance to is you, my Master.”

Lady Witch merely snorted.

Sweet words. Honeyed tongue. But were they sincere? Likely not.

“‘Lilith’s the golden thigh—why ditch one I’ve maxed favor with for a total stranger?’ Am I wrong, Jiang Jiu?” she asked coldly.

“Oh, Master, you know me so well~ Of course I thought that! But more importantly… we’re *old lovers*—”

“Who’s your old lover? Shut up. Say that again, and I’ll ensure you never speak again.”

“Yes, yes.”

Jiang Jiu nodded half-heartedly, fingers drifting gently through Lady Witch’s long hair.

The witch existed near myth—always pristine, always fragrant. Jiang Jiu had never seen her disheveled. Always mysterious. Always beautiful. Always wrapped in the faint, floating scent of lavender.

Truth was, Jiang Jiu wasn’t really combing her hair. She was savoring the glide of silk-black strands between her fingers.

The Glenfarclas 105 they’d brought to the rooftop stood empty now—just bottle and two glasses nestled together. The long night faded. The full moon dipped toward the brightening horizon. Dawn burst forth, staining cloud-puffs orange. The sun strained upward, a sliver of blazing arc, radiating heat like fire.

Morning had come.

A cool breeze lifted Jiang Jiu’s hair. She reached up, gently tucking the strands back.

Then Lady Witch spoke her name.

“Jiang Jiu.”

Her voice was flat again—the same tone from the day she made Jiang Jiu drink the magic potion.

“As Pandora said… I am dangerous. I could explode anytime—*boom*—and shatter the world.”

“So stay away. Once you become a full witch, I’ll release my hold. After that? Wreak havoc on whoever you like… but *stay far from me*.”

“Promise me, Jiang Jiu. When the time comes… don’t come save me. Okay?”

Jiang Jiu’s hand stilled. She lowered her gaze, meeting Lady Witch’s eyes with a smile.

“What do you take me for, Lilith? Why would you think I’d still be there?”

“After all this time—dating you, becoming a witch—haven’t you learned my nature?”

“Someone as cowardly as me? Risking everything? Walking a path of heroic sacrifice?”

“Relax. If trouble finds you, I’ll be the *first* to run. The *farthest* to flee…”

She pinched Lady Witch’s cheek, grinning wickedly.

“Though… for old times’ sake, I’ll visit your grave. Burn paper. Light incense. Leave flowers.”

Normally, Lady Witch would’ve silenced her by now. Or punished her.

Not today.

A faint, certain smile touched her lips.

*No.*

*You will come for me, Jiang Jiu.*

*Why? Because you’re a hopelessly mischievous woman.*

Aloud, she murmured,

“I’m sleeping. Don’t move. You said you’d never save me—I’m angry. Punishment: lap pillow until I wake.”

Before Jiang Jiu could reply, the Enchanted Wand flashed. Silence fell upon her.

A barely-there smile curved Lady Witch’s lips. Eyes closed. She drifted into dreams.

That night, Lilith had a rare good dream.

…

Dreams exist alone.

Each floats like a solitary world-bubble above its owner’s head. The Silent Witch’s duty: on the full moon, string them together, rebuild their logic, restore reality’s shape.

First—filter.

Skip humans. Seize supernaturals. Link dreams thick with ambition and discontent. Immerse their dreamers into the fused realm.

No matter how they rage or rebel within the dream, dawn resets all to dusk’s state.

Thus, Mr. Zhang’s intel was wrong from the start. Contained Artifact No. 5, *Witch’s Dream*, does pull beings into dreams—but not the whole world. Only supernaturals.

Supernaturals scheming to overthrow humanity? A darkly humorous joke from the beginning.

Witch’s Night affects only mystically gifted beings. Those who die within it vanish in reality too. The dream-world *is* real.

That’s why Jiang Jiu found An Ning—hunted in the dream.

Supernaturals were prisoners from the start.

All wrong turns began here.

Thus ended the vast, tumultuous night.

The Silent Witch opened her eyes in the dream. Rose. Drew her Enchanted Wand. Stared into the darkness.

“Come out. I know you’re here.”

Ripples spread. From the shadows, the Silent Witch emerged—white gown flowing.

She watched Lilith. Lilith watched back.

After long silence, she spoke:

“You shouldn’t have dragged an innocent in. The pact nears its end. When it breaks, no one hides you. They’ll hunt you like sharks scenting blood—flay you, drain every drop of use.”

“You’ll die. I’ll die. That apprentice witch by your side… None of us spared. We’re specimens. Samples.”

Lilith understood—but disagreed.

“No. Humanity still needs you to control supernaturals via Witch’s Night. You’re still useful.”

“And what changes after the pact? Am I not studied either way?” Pandora’s voice stayed ice-calm.

“So you never should’ve involved her. It’s unfair.”

She tilted her head.

“…Unless you hoped she’d ascend to Archwitch before the pact ends. To save you?”

“Thousands of years among humans… you’ve caught their flaws, *Silent*. You actually *believe* she’d come for you.”

“And even if she does? They’ve prepared generations. They can sway other witches now. How many Archwitches could you and a newborn Archwitch possibly face?”

Her voice—stripped of warmth, like flavorless iced tea.

Peeling back layers, she laid every brutal fact bare before Lilith.

Lilith laughed softly.

“So what?”

“What matters isn’t *if* I die, Pandora. It’s *who comes for me*.”

“Knowing someone would walk the path of sacrifice for me… that’s enough. I’d be content.”

Then—on a whim—she flashed that mischievous, *Jiang Jiu*-style grin.

“And you, Pandora? Is there anyone who’d walk that path… for *you*?”

Like warriors clashing blades: one’s torn shirt reveals a red undershirt. The foe mocks, “Still wearing that?” He smirks, “My wife embroidered it. You got one?” The enemy reddens: “You’re insane!”

Someone’s defenses shattered. Lilith wouldn’t say who.

Clash long enough with a mischievous woman… and you become one.

The dragon slayer becomes the dragon.

[To be continued]

—