Early morning. Just to be safe, Gu Qinghan activated Hypnotic Depth Perception on Liana once more.

The result proved he was still too naive—

Hypnotic Depth (Loyalty): 62 points.

"She harbors complex feelings for you. Though she appears disinterested on the surface, she can’t suppress the anticipation and flutter in her heart."

Gu Qinghan double-checked again and again. For a moment, he even wondered if he was still drunk.

“What on earth happened last night?!”

He clenched his fists tightly, silently screaming inside.

Why did her loyalty jump so much overnight?!

Frustration clawed at him.

Regret pooled deep in his chest.

Next time Richard invites me—I must refuse, no hesitation!

Feeling mana flow within, Gu Qinghan pressed his temples gently. A dull headache throbbed.

Sixty-two points was now fact. Unchangeable.

Worse yet—Liana’s loyalty would likely keep rising.

In days, she’d fully become Gu Qinghan’s slave.

And then… everything would collapse.

After all, this was the Kingdom of Pure Love.

Meanwhile, Katarina—the outstanding graduate—watched him with blade-sharp eyes.

A cold shiver traced Gu Qinghan’s spine.

That constant sensation of being watched made sweat bead on his back.

Memories of the prison’s deepest cell flashed—dark, suffocating. His knees wobbled; goosebumps prickled his skin.

I absolutely cannot let Katarina find out!

He sucked in a sharp breath and scrambled for a solution.

Was there any good way out?

…Staying home really was the safest choice.

*Thump. Thump. Thump.*

A rhythmic knock cut through his thoughts—calm, confident.

Gu Qinghan’s brow furrowed.

“Who is it?”

He hesitated, hand hovering near the knob.

“It’s me. Katarina.”

His heart seized. Breath hitched.

Swallowing nerves, he turned the handle.

*Creak.*

A graceful figure stood in the morning light.

“Good morning, Mr. Hohenheim. It’s been a week.”

She offered a slight nod, voice carrying a trace of composure.

Tall, poised, clad in the standard-issue uniform—cinched waist belt, sharp lines—just as he remembered.

“So it’s you…”

Gu Qinghan’s smile stiffened.

“What’s wrong?” Katarina blinked, genuinely surprised.

“You seem… resistant to my visit?”

Sharp. She’d already caught his flicker of panic.

“N-not at all! Inspector Katarina’s sudden arrival caught me off guard—I hadn’t tidied the room…”

He forced a laugh.

“Oh? Really?”

Katarina’s eyes narrowed. A faint, knowing curve touched her lips.

“Mr. Hohenheim… you know my abilities. Best not lie to me.”

Her gaze locked onto his, pressure mounting.

Gu Qinghan cleared his throat awkwardly. “Of course not! Just… things needing tidying…”

He glanced back.

Katarina froze—then flushed crimson.

Inside, a massive book chest gleamed conspicuously in the dawn light.

“No need to rush. I’ll stay right here.”

Her cheeks still pink, she feigned calm.

Gu Qinghan nodded silently, relief washing over him.

“Alright.”

He closed the door slowly, steadying his breath. “By the way—today’s not Monday. Not here for inspection, Inspector Katarina?”

“You’re right. Almost forgot.”

She patted her chest lightly, sighing. “Not routine. Something far worse happened.”

Her delicate brows knotted tightly. Gravity weighed every word.

Gu Qinghan’s expression darkened. “What?”

“Last night—the border wall outside the City of Devoted Love was breached. A two-meter hole.”

She held his gaze, syllable by syllable.

Gu Qinghan’s eyes narrowed. “What?”

“The Empire of Indulgence has attacked the City of Devoted Love.”

Shock hit him. Eyes widened.

This never happened in the original game.

Utterly illogical.

“Has it been officially confirmed?”

“No.” Katarina shook her head. “They deny involvement—call it a lone actor. But that’s just an excuse.”

“At least one agent has infiltrated residential zones… to cast Indulgence Magic secretly. To defame Pure Love itself.”

Gu Qinghan fell silent. It *was* plausible.

“I came to warn you—and seek clues.”

Katarina’s gaze turned solemn. She leaned in slightly.

“Mr. Hohenheim… have you met anyone recently trying to lead you astray?”

Gu Qinghan met her eyes. “‘Lead astray’? Specifically?”

“Late-night invitations. Tempting you into private rooms with the opposite sex. Creating ambiguous atmospheres. Crossing boundaries.”

“Report *any* such act immediately. No concealment.”

Her voice dropped, deliberate.

“If hidden…”

“…refer to the harshest punishment.”

Gu Qinghan stayed silent, eyes flickering.

*Liana?* No. She couldn’t be a spy.

If the Empire of Indulgence sent *her* to corrupt citizens… one might pity their future.

After a long pause, he sighed. “I’m sorry, Inspector Katarina. I have no such information.”

Katarina stilled. “Certain, Mr. Hohenheim?”

“Certain, Inspector.”

Seconds stretched like hours. Her eyes searched his.

Finally, she gave a wry smile. “Alright. I’ll believe you… for now.”

“Should new clues surface, contact me anytime.”

“Of course, Inspector.”

Gu Qinghan bowed slightly, eager to end it.

Every encounter with her left him breathless.

“Oh—by the way.”

She turned back, sunlight catching her smile.

“What is it, my esteemed Inspector?” Gu Qinghan mirrored her brightness.

Katarina’s crimson eyes glinted playfully.

“Mr. Hohenheim… you’re *not* a criminal who sneaked in from the Empire of Indulgence… are you?”

Gu Qinghan’s smile held. Inside, his mind buzzed blank.

“Hah! Inspector Katarina, what a joke…”

His laugh cracked.

Mana drained rapidly.

*"Soul Whisper": Activates credibility boost. Mana consumed.*

“With your skill, finding proof of illegal entry would be effortless, right? The only reason I’m still clean… is because I *am* clean!”

He pressed on, voice dry but steady.

Katarina studied him—then smiled.

“True enough.”

With a wave and a meaningful glance, she turned.

“Visit again if anything comes to mind~”

Gu Qinghan stood frozen until her footsteps faded.

*Gone. Finally.*

Cold sweat soaked his back.

This unpredictable woman…

Are *all* Inspectors like this?

Head pounding, he knew:

Liana’s Hypnotic Depth had to be handled.

Fast.

Or everything would unravel.