The new mission came with a much longer time limit, seven full days.
Perhaps because the previous two missions had yielded no results whatsoever, the system had automatically lowered the urgency level, allowing its host as much time as possible to gather clues and investigate.
However, Xue Zhao would not be able to leave the church until tomorrow afternoon, when he departed together with the other temporary assistants.
After returning, he would still need to find a suitable opportunity to act. Realistically, the investigation would probably not begin until the day after tomorrow.
The system carefully analyzed the entire plan for him, from how to gain access to the medical clinic to what excuse he could use to return to the church and see Xiu Jixin after the mission was completed.
But Xue Zhao was distracted.
After all, he would not be leaving until tomorrow. There was no need to prepare talismans or make any arrangements in advance.
Once the day’s work ended, he closed the courtyard gate and quietly slipped away toward Xiu Jixin’s residence.
Since he was leaving soon…
He might as well store up a little more Life Value.
As the thought crossed his mind, Xue Zhao lowered his head and rubbed the tips of his ears, which had already turned faintly red.
Unfortunately, Xiu Jixin was nowhere to be found.
Xue Zhao sat on the steps and waited for a long time yet the black cat never appeared.
The sky gradually darkened overhead.
If he continued waiting, there was no telling how much longer it would take.
Disappointment settled in his heart.
After some hesitation, Xue Zhao decided not to look for Xiu Jixin today after all. If he returned too late, someone might notice him.
He was only a temporary assistant. According to the rules, he was not supposed to remain at the church until very late.
Although the black cat had accompanied him every time he came before, it had still attracted plenty of attention.
As he walked away, the system could not help commenting.
“It feels like you’re sneaking around having an affair. If only you could move into the church. Though I guess we’ll have to wait until the mission is finished and see what happens…”
“Having an affair?” Xue Zhao repeated softly, confused.
Still unwilling to give up after failing to see Xiu Jixin, he made a detour toward the confessional hall, wanting to check whether Xiu Jixin was still busy.
Outside the confessional, he happened to encounter a town resident who also seemed to be looking for Xiu Jixin.
One of the assistants advised him kindly.
“The Father had something to attend to this afternoon. He’s probably still occupied. Why don’t you come back tomorrow?”
The resident peered into the hall.
Sure enough, there was no sign of Xiu Jixin inside.
“Alright then. I’ll come early tomorrow.”
After the resident left, the assistant hurried away as well.
Neither of them noticed Xue Zhao standing in the distance.
“So he’s busy…”
Xue Zhao murmured to himself as he stepped out from the corner.
The system reminded him.
“Head back now. It’s getting late.”
Xue Zhao lifted his head and glanced at the darkening sky.
“Mm.”
He responded quietly and started walking toward the church gates.
Far behind him, hidden within a corner he never noticed, a pitch black shadow flashed across a rooftop before disappearing into the darkness.
After returning to the residential building, Xue Zhao followed his usual routine.
He went to the dining hall, finished dinner and prepared to wash up before bed.
That night, he left the lamp on.
Curled beneath the blanket, he stared absentmindedly at the window.
The black cat had not come today either…
Perhaps it was busy as well.
Besides, the demon had not appeared again for many days now.
There was probably no need for it to keep watching over him.
Various thoughts drifted through his mind before he finally closed his eyes and forced himself to sleep.
With the succubus identity affecting him, his self control was truly pitiful.
Even though his Life Value had already exceeded twenty.
If another day of confession came around, he would definitely write that down too…
Thinking about such things, Xue Zhao gradually drifted into a hazy sleep.
The room’s light remained on.
He lay curled beneath the blankets, only a section of slightly messy black hair visible outside.
No one knew how much time had passed before a sudden disturbance startled him awake.
His eyes flew open.
The sky beyond the window remained completely dark.
At that exact moment, the system sent him a message.
“There seems to be something happening outside.”
Still half asleep and confused, Xue Zhao was about to sit up when the bed suddenly shook several times.
Outside in the corridor, someone was banging on doors one after another while shouting anxiously.
“Everyone get out! This building isn’t safe!”
The corridor quickly descended into chaos.
Amid the noise, Xue Zhao vaguely heard people mentioning things like “monster activity” and “attacks in the middle of the night.”
He froze for a moment before hurriedly throwing off the blanket and climbing out of bed.
The system spoke again.
“There really are quite a few demons keeping an eye on this place.”
According to the storyline, Xue Zhao was the strongest demon among them and the one with the greatest chance of obtaining the holy relic.
Naturally, the other demons would not sit quietly and do nothing.
Demons were demons, after all.
Humans were prey in their eyes by nature.
Even if they were not acting for the sake of the holy relic, they still found it difficult to suppress their instincts.
Xue Zhao grabbed his coat and quickly put it on.
At the same time, he asked nervously,
“Could it be the one we saw before?”
The shadow demon.
Xiu Jixin had said it escaped.
Since then, there had been no news of it.
“It’s possible.”
The system paused before continuing.
“Stay where there are lots of people for now. Don’t wander off alone. Observe the situation first.”
“If things get really bad, run to the church. No matter what, the church is still the safest place in town.”
Xue Zhao pushed open the door and stepped outside.
The ground shook once more beneath his feet.
The courtyard below was brightly illuminated.
Many people stood gathered together, carrying lamps and lanterns that cast light across the surrounding area.
Around the outer perimeter of the courtyard, numerous cracks had split open across the earth.
The fissures continued spreading outward in every direction.
The night air was filled with wisps of black mist.
One of the cracks extended straight toward the residential building like a winding serpent slithering across the ground.
The crowd scrambled away in panic.
Xue Zhao and several others were still trapped in the corridor above, with no time to make it downstairs.
Just as the fractured ground was about to reach the courtyard,
A crisp sound rang out.
Snap.
A massive circular magic array suddenly lit up.
Radiant light burst forth, forming an invisible shield that suppressed the advancing black mist and blocked its path.
The system immediately recognized it.
“I think this is the one Xiu Jixin mentioned before, the protective formation used to guard the residential building.”
However, the magic array’s power was not unlimited.
The earth stopped cracking forward but the black mist continued creeping ahead little by little, slowly eroding its way toward the barrier.
Someone below shouted, “Get to the church, quickly!”
The protective barrier around the residential building would not hold for much longer.
Before the black miasma outside began gathering in large amounts, everyone needed to reach a safer place as soon as possible.
Several more experienced assistants remained downstairs. They lit bundles of dried herbs to disperse the dark energy and handed out pills to everyone passing by.
The pills were made from Demon Grass. They helped resist corrupt thoughts and prevented demons from taking advantage of weaknesses in the mind.
Xue Zhao descended the stairs and blended into the crowd, accepting a pill as well.
Before following the others toward the church, he glanced behind him and lightly inhaled the scent lingering in the air.
It seemed… this wasn’t the same demon as last time.
And Ji Xinxiu had said that the previous demon was most likely a Shadow Demon, the most cautious and suspicious kind. It probably wouldn’t reveal itself so openly in front of so many people.
Which meant that besides the Possession Demon that had already died and the Shadow Demon from before, there were other demons out there as well.
For a moment, Xue Zhao’s feelings became complicated.
In his current condition, not only did he have to find ways to complete his missions, he also had to stay on guard against other demons.
Just like that Shadow Demon that had escaped. If he accidentally became its vessel, the mission would fail completely.
Looking at the meager five combat points displayed on his panel, Xue Zhao pressed his lips together, swallowed the Demon Grass pill and headed toward the church with the others.
Fortunately, the barrier at the entrance of the residential building bought them enough time. It wasn’t until nearly everyone had entered the church that the black miasma finally swallowed the barrier’s remaining light.
Realizing the building was empty, the dark energy did not stop there. Another crack split open across the ground and it immediately shifted its attention toward the church.
Two or three people were still outside the doors, lagging behind.
At the critical moment, the black cat leapt down from the rooftop and struck the black miasma apart with a single swipe of its paw.
The moment he saw the black cat, Xue Zhao instinctively looked around.
Outside the church entrance, the dark energy was forced to retreat slightly yet it refused to give up. The fissure in the ground split into two separate cracks, curving around the black cat.
Bang! Bang!
Moments later, the walls on both sides of the church were struck in succession. The ground continued trembling beneath their feet, causing everyone to retreat in panic.
The black cat did not pursue it. Its golden eyes narrowed into vertical slits as it slammed its paw against the ground several more times.
No one knew exactly what method it used but before long, the tremors finally ceased.
The earth stopped splitting apart.
The black miasma dispersed.
The walls on either side bore clear impact marks, chunks of stone crumbling from their surfaces.
Silence gradually returned to the surroundings.
Someone near the front spoke up.
“Is it over?”
Aside from a few timid assistants and temporary assistants like Xue Zhao who lacked experience, most people remained fairly calm.
After all, this wasn’t the first time many of them had encountered something like this.
Moreover, the creature had targeted the church directly and had not caused much disturbance among the townspeople.
Some people voluntarily checked on their companions, making sure no one had been injured.
“Did it run away? How infuriating,” someone else muttered. “Let’s hope Father and the Spirit Cat can deal with these evil creatures soon.”
Xue Zhao remained silent.
Standing near the back of the crowd, he gazed into the distance.
At last, he spotted Ji Xinxiu.
Dressed entirely in black, he stood alone on the steps before the prayer hall.
Beneath the dim night sky, his figure seemed almost fused with the darkness itself.
Yet Xue Zhao had the distinct feeling that Ji Xinxiu was looking at him as well.
There were too many people around, however.
He couldn’t go over to him.
Suppressing the urge, Xue Zhao stayed where he was and listened as the assistants at the front reassured everyone.
No one else seemed to notice Ji Xinxiu.
The black cat padded forward and flicked its tail, signaling for everyone to follow.
There was nowhere suitable to rest inside the church. Now that the demon had retreated, the barrier at the residential building would gradually recharge.
Everyone still needed to return to their lodgings.
Xue Zhao cast one final glance behind him before following the group away from the church.
The cracks left in the ground were still visible, though the strange aura in the air had disappeared.
The black cat sat atop a stone pillar by the courtyard gate.
As Xue Zhao passed by, it casually brushed its tail against his cheek, as though offering comfort.
No one else noticed the small gesture.
Once everyone had returned to the compound, the black cat remained perched atop the pillar, standing guard.
Xue Zhao returned to his room and sat on the edge of the bed in a daze.
The system worried that he might have been frightened.
“Everything’s fine now,” it comforted him. “The black cat is here. Tonight is safe.”
Xue Zhao responded sluggishly.
“Mhm.”
He removed his coat, turned off the light and climbed beneath the blankets.
Sleep did not come immediately.
His thoughts drifted back to everything that had happened that night.
This was already the third time he had encountered another demon.
This time, there had been other people around and the black cat had arrived quickly.
Truthfully, he hadn’t been very afraid.
What unsettled him more was the fact that more and more demons were appearing.
Ever since arriving here, he had completed quite a few missions already.
His identity remained perfectly hidden as well…
Rolling over beneath the covers, Xue Zhao spoke to the system.
“After we go back tomorrow afternoon… if there’s enough time, let’s visit the clinic early.”
Compared to the other demons, he was simply too weak.
If he wanted to find the holy relic as soon as possible and complete his mission, he could only rely on the system’s assistance and the guidance provided by his quests.
The sooner he completed the next mission, the sooner he would obtain new clues.
“System” : Go to sleep. You have to get up early tomorrow.
Xue Zhao closed his eyes.
After turning over a few more times, he finally drifted into a deep sleep.
Because of the incident the previous night, all assistants were required to gather in the largest prayer hall early the next morning.
Inside the hall, Ji Xinxiu stood at the front and personally recited scriptures for everyone, hoping to eliminate the lingering negative effects of the attack.
Xue Zhao disliked listening to scripture recitations.
Unfortunately, he couldn’t leave.
And the person standing at the front happened to be Ji Xinxiu.
So he endured it as best he could, resting his chin on his hand while staring absentmindedly at Ji Xinxiu and letting his thoughts wander.
Once the recitation ended, Xue Zhao left the prayer hall first and returned to the pharmacy to continue his usual work.
After tending to the furnace, he came back and searched the nearby area.
Eventually, he found Ji Xinxiu in a small side hall.
No one else was there.
After glancing around to make sure the coast was clear, Xue Zhao quietly slipped inside.
Ji Xinxiu was organizing items on a wooden shelf against the wall.
Quickening his pace, Xue Zhao rushed forward and wrapped his arms around him from behind.
Ji Xinxiu immediately knew it was him.
Taking hold of Xue Zhao’s hands, he turned around quietly.
“What are you doing?” Xue Zhao asked as he tightened his embrace around Ji Xinxiu’s waist, resting his chin against his chest. “I looked for you yesterday but you weren’t there…”
Ji Xinxiu lowered his gaze.
“Mhm.”
He gently stroked Xue Zhao’s cheek.
“I had something to take care of.”
He did not elaborate and Xue Zhao didn’t ask.
Tilting his head, he rubbed affectionately against Ji Xinxiu’s palm.
“Last night…”
Before he could continue, Ji Xinxiu asked,
“Were you scared?”
As he spoke, he bent slightly and pressed a gentle kiss to the tip of Xue Zhao’s nose.
[Life Value increased by 3 points]
Xue Zhao froze briefly.
“Just a little…” he admitted hesitantly. “I don’t think it was the Shadow Demon.”
“It wasn’t,” Ji Xinxiu replied. “We still don’t know what it is.”
Unable to stop himself, Xue Zhao hugged him even tighter.
“Will it come back again?”
“I don’t know,” Ji Xinxiu answered once more. “Don’t wander around lately.”
Xue Zhao nodded obediently.
“Mhm.”
Leaning against him, he continued,
“I’m leaving this afternoon. I want to go back and spend some time with Aunt Huai…”
This excuse had been prepared beforehand.
Aunt Huai’s son had left town and she lived alone.
She treated Xue Zhao like a younger family member.
After spending so long working as a temporary assistant at the church, it wasn’t unreasonable for him to take a short break and visit her.
“After a few days… I’ll come back and see you.”
As he spoke, Xue Zhao failed to notice Ji Xinxiu’s brows lowering slightly, his expression darkening.
The system didn’t notice either.
Whenever Xue Zhao was with Ji Xinxiu, it relaxed considerably, barely keeping its scans active because Ji Xinxiu’s side was the safest place possible.
After speaking, Xue Zhao lifted his head and nuzzled against Ji Xinxiu’s hand again.
Unfortunately, he hadn’t seen him yesterday.
And today’s quota of kisses had already been used up…
Ji Xinxiu lowered his eyes.
His face remained as cold and indifferent as ever.
But Xue Zhao only paid attention to the favorability meter now.
As long as the favorability didn’t decrease, he wasn’t afraid of Ji Xinxiu’s cold expression at all.
In fact, he secretly brushed his lips against Ji Xinxiu’s palm.
Perhaps the contact was too brief.
No favorability points increased.
Disappointed, Xue Zhao was about to try again when footsteps sounded outside the hall.
Startled, he quickly released Ji Xinxiu and stepped back, hiding the reluctance in his eyes.
“I should go…”
An assistant entered, leading several townspeople inside.
Quietly, Xue Zhao turned and left.
Behind him, Ji Xinxiu watched his retreating figure for a long moment.
Only when the assistant approached did he finally look away.
Time passed little by little.
That afternoon, after replacing the herbs in the medicine furnace, Xue Zhao sat on the steps enjoying the sunlight.
“Meow.”
A cat’s cry sounded nearby.
Looking up, Xue Zhao saw the black cat jump down from a tree beside the road.
“Meow.”
The black cat called again and lingered nearby, signaling for him to follow.
Whenever the black cat appeared like this, it represented Ji Xinxiu’s intentions.
Immediately, Xue Zhao stepped out of the courtyard.
He bent down to stroke the cat’s ears before following after it.
The black cat led him onward.
Surprisingly, it did not take him toward the confession room or the main hall where Ji Xinxiu usually stayed.
Instead, it continued forward until they arrived at a familiar courtyard.
Ji Xinxiu’s residence.
After bringing him there, the black cat turned around and left.
With a graceful leap onto the rooftop, its figure quickly vanished from sight.
Xue Zhao hesitated briefly before pushing open the courtyard gate and stepping inside.
He had visited several times already and was familiar with the layout.
He first headed toward the bedroom.
Ji Xinxiu wasn’t there.
Maybe he’s in the study?
Leaving the bedroom, Xue Zhao made his way toward the study.
The study door wasn’t locked either.
The room was empty as well.
However, in the far corner beside the inner wall, a small door stood open.
“Huh?” Xue Zhao asked the system. “I don’t remember seeing a door here the last time I came.”
He clearly remembered that the study connected to the corridor leading toward the restricted area and that entrance had been on the opposite side.
“System” : There wasn’t one.
“System” : But the previous mission has already ended.
In other words, whatever lay beyond that doorway most likely had nothing to do with the mission’s clues anymore.
But this time, it was Ji Xinxiu who had summoned Xue Zhao here yet he himself was nowhere to be seen.
“Could he be inside?”
After hesitating for a long moment, Xue Zhao finally decided to take a look.
Slowly, he approached and pushed open the half closed door.
Beyond it lay a spacious, empty room.
Two dim wall lamps cast a faint glow along the walls. In one corner stood a low wooden cabinet, upon which several books had been neatly arranged.
Beside the books sat a small wooden chest.
The craftsmanship was exquisite, delicate enough to immediately catch the eye.
Xue Zhao examined it curiously.
“What is that?”
“System” : Unable to scan it.
“System”: There’s another door over there.
At the far end of the room, tucked into the corner, stood another small door identical to the one he had entered through.
Unlike this one, however, it was closed.
Ji Xinxiu was still nowhere in sight.
Unable to suppress his curiosity, Xue Zhao stepped further into the room.
After all, Ji Xinxiu had been the one to call him here.
And none of the doors had been locked.
Slowly, he walked forward, intending to inspect the wooden chest first.
But when he reached the center of the room, his footsteps suddenly came to an inexplicable halt.
“System” : I think I’ve detected some strange energy…
“System” : It’s right beneath your feet.
The moment he read the system’s message, Xue Zhao had already sensed that something was wrong.
Lowering his head, he watched as a white magic array slowly rose from the floor.
Along the edge of the formation was a circle of fine silver white sand.
It carried a strange, distinctive scent.
The instant it came into contact with the air, the sand stirred without wind, transforming into dense clouds of smoke that enveloped Xue Zhao from every direction.
Everything happened far too quickly.
He didn’t even have time to react.
His expression froze in stunned confusion.
The next second, all strength seemed to drain from his body.
His knees buckled and he collapsed onto the floor.
[Reminder: Current Life Value is critically low.]
[Warning: Current Life Value is 0.]
[Current Form Conversion Initiated.]
[Converting to: Succubus.]
The transformation was not voluntary.
As his Life Value plummeted, Xue Zhao let out a muffled groan.
The color drained from his black hair, turning pale against his will.
The tail that had been wrapped around his arm loosened and slithered away on its own, returning to the base of his spine.
[Conversion Successful.]
[Current Form: Succubus.]
At last, the smoke dispersed.
The magic array on the floor vanished along with it.
Then came a loud clang.
A silver cage dropped directly from above, enclosing Xue Zhao inside.
His breathing trembled.
Instinctively, he wanted to transform back into his human form.
But his Life Value was currently at zero.
He couldn’t do it.
The system sent message after message in rapid succession but Xue Zhao had no attention left to spare.
The sudden loss of Life Value left him dizzy and weak.
Darkness flickered at the edges of his vision.
Only after the vertigo eased slightly did he realize someone else had appeared in the room.
The cage, secured firmly to the floor, was extremely tall.
A soft metallic sound echoed from the front.
The silver bars twisted and shifted automatically, opening into a doorway.
Ji Xinxiu stepped forward.
Then entered the silver cage.
✦ ✧ ✦
Cresvynia
[Translator]
☕ A LITTLE SOMETHING FOR THE TRANSLATOR
One tiny coffee. One very happy translator. ✦
☕ BUY THEM A COFFEE →
✧ (づ｡•ㅅ•｡)づ ☕ ✧
✦ thank you for reading ✦
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ChaptersChapter 1 · [Mission Identity]: SuccubusChapter 2 · Let him copy the scriptures fifty more timesChapter 3 · Can I seduce him?Chapter 4 · Can I have a bite?Chapter 5 · I wasn’t full at allChapter 6 · This is its original formChapter 7 · Xue Zhao slowly licked it againChapter 8 · If something is discoveredChapter 9 · Because he is… a succubusChapter 10 · Are you trying to seduce me?Chapter 11 · That’s right, a cage to lock up the devilChapter 12 · Can I keep you company for a while?Chapter 13 · Only one kiss a dayChapter 14 · Uncomfortable?Chapter 15 · Day of RepentanceChapter 16 · It’s the last bit left, silver halideChapter 17 · Current Form: SuccubusChapter 18 · This is your… original form?Chapter 19 · What would you like to eat?Chapter 20 · I’ll show you my tail… okay?Chapter 21 · The premise is that he didn’t lieChapter 22 · It has a light, pleasant fragranceChapter 23 · Demons typically have a limited dietChapter 24 · Don’t touch me…Chapter 25 · MaturityChapter 26 · Touch What?Chapter 27 · I never imaginedChapter 28 · “I’ll feed you until you’re fullChapter 29 · You’d better keep having this kind of luckChapter 30 · Anyway, I’ve already touched it onceChapter 31 · Like a kitten begging for extra food.Chapter 32 · [Skill “Charm” in effect]Chapter 33 · [You have entered the “Mature Stage”]Chapter 34 · He wanted Xiu Jixin to feed him….Chapter 35 · You’re trying to seduce me againChapter 36 · He seems… even more off now.Chapter 37 · Xue Zhao blushedChapter 38 · The fallen Holy SpiritChapter 39 · [Health points have reached maximum]Chapter 40 · [Corruption Value]: 63%Chapter 41 · Besides seducing me, what else can you do?Chapter 42 · Can we take the NPC with us?Chapter 43 · Horror Comics: The Murder DollChapter 44 · [Task Details]: Find a new owner for your itemsChapter 45 · The skill “Entering Dreams”Chapter 46 · The thought of making him cryChapter 47 · With a rather wicked interest.Chapter 48 · I’ll buy you new clothes, little bunnyChapter 49 · I should say, thank you, MasterChapter 50 · Do toy bunnies go into heat?