Xue Zhao forced himself to remain calm and nodded lightly.
“Mm…”
Of course it was good that the demon could not escape.
But…
That demon might expose his identity.
When they had encountered each other that day, it had said that Xue Zhao’s scent was strange.
Succubi were considered a type of demon as well.
The creature had clearly sensed something unusual, though because Xue Zhao was currently in human form, it had not been completely certain.
Dungeon imprisonment.
Purification by holy water.
Scripture branding.
All of it sounded horrifyingly similar to torture.
Demons did not exactly possess a strong sense of loyalty toward their own kind.
There was no guarantee that, in order to lessen its suffering, the captured demon would not choose to “report” him to the church.
And if that happened…
He might be caught as well.
Locked away.
Imprisoned.
Lowering his head, Xue Zhao grew increasingly uneasy.
“If you don’t want to listen to the scripture recitation, then go back,” Xiu Jixin said.
“I’ll have the little cat escort you.”
He deliberately used the words “little cat,” following Xue Zhao’s earlier way of addressing it.
There was a faint hint of comfort in his tone.
As if on cue, the black cat emerged from the underground cellar beneath the small building and sat nearby, watching the two of them.
Xue Zhao nodded again.
“Mm.”
Today’s mission clearly wasn’t going to happen.
Slowly, he turned and left.
The black cat leapt onto the wall and followed alongside him.
[System]: This side mission has a long time limit. There’s no need to rush.
“What about the demon?” Xue Zhao asked. “Will it tell other people about me?”
[System]: Very likely.
[System]: But there’s nothing we can do.
[System]: The dungeon is definitely heavily guarded. Breaking into it would be much harder than burning down the warehouse.
The system had secretly attempted to scan the area earlier.
It couldn’t see anything inside the small building or the dungeon beneath it.
If anything went wrong, it might expose Xue Zhao even faster.
Besides…
Could a demon’s words really be trusted completely?
If accusations came later, they could simply deny everything.
After all, Xue Zhao had already entered the town and successfully completed two missions without arousing suspicion.
The spirit cat couldn’t detect anything unusual about him.
Even the church priest had the highest affection level toward him.
Under those circumstances, even if suspicion eventually arose, they should be able to hold out for a while.
And if things truly became hopeless…
They could always run.
Or perhaps they could use the remaining time to raise more affection levels and strengthen everyone’s trust in him.
[System]: By the way, why did the priest’s affection level increase again just now? I need to record that.
What could the reason be…?
Was it simply a protective instinct?
The system rapidly replayed everything that had happened since the black cat appeared.
Yet something felt slightly off.
Sure, Xue Zhao was somewhat timid.
But if someone suddenly threw a screaming lump of flesh at you, anyone would be frightened, alright?
The black cat itself was unusual.
A spirit creature that intelligent, that powerful and that human-like in its understanding…
Yet it seemed willing to obey only Xiu Jixin.
Xue Zhao’s mind was occupied entirely with thoughts of what to do next.
He paid little attention to this latest increase in affection.
After reading the system’s analysis, however, he felt somewhat reassured.
On the way back, he did not return to the assembly hall.
Instead, he stopped one of the church assistants passing near the entrance and asked him to relay a message to Aunt Huai.
The scripture recitation was still ongoing.
Many residents who had never been poisoned had come to listen as well.
People who left early, like Xue Zhao, were relatively rare.
However, seeing the black cat accompanying him, the assistant asked no questions.
“Alright,” he agreed with a nod.
Since Xiu Jixin had instructed the black cat to escort Xue Zhao home, it truly accompanied him the entire way.
Like a loyal bodyguard.
After they arrived, the cat settled down beside the street.
It seemed determined to wait until Xue Zhao entered the house safely before leaving.
After hesitating for a moment, Xue Zhao walked over and crouched in front of it.
“Thank you for last time,” he said quietly.
“You saved me.”
If the black cat hadn’t appeared when it did, who knew what might have happened after the demon attacked him?
The black cat clearly understood.
It let out a soft meow.
Its tail swayed gently behind it.
The sun had emerged from behind the clouds.
Sitting beneath the sunlight, the cat’s golden eyes appeared strangely dim, while its jet-black fur remained completely free of any other color.
The system studied the cat as well.
Then it suddenly remembered something.
The last time Xue Zhao had been sunbathing in the vegetable garden and encountered the black cat, there had been a notification indicating an affection change.
Yet the cat itself did not appear on the affection ranking list.
It wasn’t considered a story character.
Or perhaps it simply wasn’t a target that could be conquered.
Unfortunately, the historical notifications had long since vanished.
There was no way to determine exactly where that affection increase had come from.
The clinic remained closed today.
The street was quiet and empty.
The black cat flicked the tip of its tail and meowed again.
It looked eager.
Rising to its feet, it circled around Xue Zhao once before trying to rub against his hand.
Startled, Xue Zhao quickly retreated.
Then he noticed the faintly wounded expression in the cat’s eyes.
Stammering awkwardly, he explained,
“You… you bit… something earlier…”
The black cat immediately understood.
It stretched out its neck and looked around.
Then it suddenly dashed across the street.
Near the clinic entrance stood an outdoor water basin.
The cat used a paw to turn on the faucet and promptly began washing itself.
After thoroughly rinsing its fur, it shook away the water droplets and ran back.
Then it returned to stand in front of Xue Zhao once more.
[System]: It really does like you.
This time, even Xue Zhao could tell.
He no longer resisted.
Instead, he allowed the black cat to rub against his scarf and the hem of his clothes.
Seeing how obedient it was, Xue Zhao gathered his courage.
Slowly, he reached out.
His fingers lightly touched one of the cat’s ears.
There was a faint scent around Xue Zhao.
Something reminiscent of grass and trees.
Fresh.
Subtle.
Unique.
The black cat sniffed his fingertips.
Unable to resist, it gave them a quick lick.
Xue Zhao immediately withdrew his hand.
“Alright, I should go back now.”
The cat meowed softly.
Then it watched as Xue Zhao stood and entered the house.
The moment his figure disappeared from sight, the brightness in the black cat’s golden eyes intensified slightly.
It shook its head.
Then, as usual, it leapt onto a rooftop and disappeared.
…
Meanwhile, elsewhere, inside the dungeon beneath the small building, Xiu Jixin opened his eyes.
Seated quietly in a chair, he lifted his gaze and remained silent for a moment.
Then he spoke.
“The altar and the demonic fire were not your doing.”
Ahead of him, the demon captured by the black cat had already been released from its restraints.
Its true form was fully exposed.
It was confined within a specially crafted silver cage.
The cage was extremely small.
The demon twisted and struggled with its shriveled limbs but failed to escape.
Its charred black body was wrapped in swirling dark smoke.
Panting heavily, it glared with blood-red eyes.
“So what if they were?”
“So what if they weren’t?”
Without possessing a host, the demon’s speech was distorted.
Its voice sounded low, rough and unsettling.
“Though…”
As if suddenly remembering something, its mouth stretched into a grotesque grin.
“You seem awfully curious.”
“Why don’t you ask the one standing beside you?”
Xiu Jixin showed no reaction whatsoever.
The demon continued speaking.
“Haven’t you noticed?”
“The smell on him is strange…”
“He’s already mixed himself among you.”
Faced with members of the church, there was naturally no reason for a demon to tell the truth directly.
Xiu Jixin clearly understood that.
Not a single ripple appeared in his eyes.
Only the fingertips resting upon the armrest lifted slightly.
Immediately, the silver cage began shrinking once more.
The silver bars, engraved with sacred scripture, glowed with scorching heat.
Like living vines, they tightened around the demon’s neck.
The demon screamed.
In the next instant, both cage and prisoner plunged downward.
They crashed into freezing spring water below.
After being submerged for dozens of seconds, the demon was dragged back up.
Then submerged again.
And again.
After several repetitions, it was already barely alive.
Around noon, Aunt Huai finally returned from the church.
She looked to be in a good mood as she busied herself preparing lunch.
“I heard from the others,” she said, “that the demon from last time has already been captured by the spirit cat.”
Xue Zhao was washing vegetables nearby.
Keeping his head lowered, he answered quietly.
“Mm…”
“You heard already?”
Aunt Huai lifted her apron and wiped the water from her hands.
“Honestly, there’s nothing to fear from those evil creatures.”
“With Father Xiu and the spirit cat here, we’re protected.”
Xue Zhao’s movements paused briefly.
Then he responded again.
“Mm.”
“Father Xiu is very concerned about you,” Aunt Huai continued while slicing vegetables.
“When he learned that you weren’t comfortable listening to scripture recitations, he specifically told me to bring back a few extra bottles of calming medicine for you.”
The calming medicine had been brewed from Demon Grass.
Once its toxicity was completely removed, the herb became useful for easing insomnia.
The residents of the town trusted the church deeply.
They supported every decision the church made.
Quietly, Xue Zhao continued washing vegetables.
The system made a suggestion.
“Let’s find another opportunity to go over there. The mission still isn’t complete.”
Perhaps because of the fright he received that morning, Xue Zhao’s life value had already dropped by another point.
He was definitely hungry again.
Compared to worrying about the imprisoned demon, obtaining food and completing missions were more important.
Xue Zhao perked up slightly.
After putting away the cleaned vegetables, he nodded.
“Mm!”
There was no scripture recitation that afternoon.
It wasn’t convenient to visit the church again.
The mission deadline remained generous, so the system suggested waiting until the next day or the day after.
However, before that could happen, a new rumor spread throughout the town the following morning.
There was more than one demon hiding within the town.
The information had supposedly come from the church.
According to the story, the imprisoned demon had revealed it.
Immediately, discussions erupted among the residents.
Many wondered whether the claim was true.
If it was, then a demon could possess anyone.
It could hide in any shadow.
Any secluded corner.
Yet this was not the first time the town had faced demonic disturbances.
Everyone knew that demons were not trustworthy.
Most residents preferred to wait for an official statement from the priest.
Compared to everyone else, however, Xue Zhao was by far the most nervous.
The system tried to comfort him.
“Don’t panic. Stay calm.”
“The situation isn’t that bad.”
But Xue Zhao was thinking about something else entirely.
What if he really was discovered?
What if the mission failed completely?
He had completed three missions so far.
Yet he had accumulated only fifteen Villain Points.
He didn’t even know what kind of rewards that amount could buy.
And besides…
He was still hungry.
Before leaving this world…
Would he be able to…
Xue Zhao gently stroked the tail wrapped around his wrist.
Then his gaze landed upon the glowing little paper lantern sitting on the table.
Looking around furtively, he picked it up and secretly stored it inside his inventory panel.
Planning to take it back with him later.
The system pretended not to notice.
“Don’t go outside today,” it reminded him.
“Forget about the side mission for now.”
But when night fell, Xue Zhao’s worries seemed to become reality.
Two church assistants arrived at the house and informed him that Xiu Jixin wanted to see him and had asked for him to be brought over.
“Has something happened?” Aunt Huai asked hesitantly. “I’ll come along as well.”
One of the assistants shook his head.
“Father wishes to see Xue Zhao alone.”
[System] : The black cat isn’t here.
The assistants appeared friendly enough and didn’t look as though they intended to harm him.
Xue Zhao swallowed nervously.
“Should I go?”
[System] : If you refuse, it’ll only make you look guilty.
So, under Aunt Huai’s worried gaze, Xue Zhao followed the two assistants out of the house.
Night had fully descended.
Moonlight blanketed the town, while sparse streetlamps cast pools of dim golden light along both sides of the road.
Throughout the journey, the system continued analyzing possible responses for him.
Deny everything.
Pretend not to know anything.
Answer every question with ignorance.
Or, if all else failed, simply collapse and pretend to faint.
Xue Zhao memorized every suggestion seriously.
“Mm.”
After arriving at the church, the assistants didn’t stop.
Instead, they guided him along a narrow path running beside the church and eventually brought him to the small building behind it.
“Father is inside.”
The two assistants remained outside the door.
Neither showed any intention of accompanying him.
The door wasn’t locked.
Taking a deep breath, Xue Zhao pushed it open and stepped inside.
The room was empty.
Its furnishings were simple and sparse, decorated with several crosses and a handful of religious items.
In the center of the room stood an open entrance leading underground.
[System] : The scan is weak, but I can detect something below. Let’s go down and take a look.
Lights glowed beneath the entrance.
Xue Zhao descended the narrow staircase.
After turning two corners, another corridor appeared.
He followed it forward.
At the end stood a much larger chamber illuminated by numerous lamps, bright enough to rival daylight.
“You’re here.”
Xiu Jixin stood beside a chair, carefully wiping his hands with a clean cloth.
“Mm.”
Xue Zhao’s nerves tightened immediately.
“You were looking for me?”
“Yes.”
Xiu Jixin set down the cloth and walked toward him.
“Do you remember the demon from yesterday?”
Xue Zhao nodded lightly.
Just as he was about to answer, an unexpected sound echoed from behind.
Click.
Stone tiles slid apart.
A silver cage slowly rose from the water below.
Along with it came furious, weakened roars.
The moment he heard them, Xue Zhao caught several scents that made him deeply uncomfortable.
The scent of underground water.
The scent of silver.
And the scent of the demon trapped within.
Upon seeing Xiu Jixin, the demon forced itself upright.
It roared and hurled itself forward.
Bang!
Its body slammed violently against the cage bars.
Xue Zhao happened to be standing directly in front of the cage.
Startled, he stumbled backward.
“Don’t be afraid.”
Xiu Jixin shifted slightly and shielded him.
“The cage is very secure.”
Unease filled Xue Zhao’s voice.
“It… it got bigger?”
The grotesque lump of flesh the black cat had carried yesterday had been smaller than a hand.
Now it stood nearly half the height of a person.
Twisted limbs protruded from its body.
Its misshapen head swayed atop a crooked neck.
Black smoke constantly poured from its form.
Its enormous crimson eyes glowed with hatred.
“This is its original form,” Xiu Jixin explained.
Xue Zhao couldn’t bear to look at it any longer.
He grabbed Xiu Jixin’s sleeve tightly and nearly buried himself against his chest.
The demon continued shrieking.
Its eyes radiated pure malice.
Lowering his gaze, Xiu Jixin looked at Xue Zhao.
“Have you ever seen it before?”
“You were found in the forest outside town. Its altar was there.”
Xue Zhao immediately shook his head.
“No…”
“Do you remember its voice?”
Again, Xue Zhao shook his head.
“Good.”
The instant Xiu Jixin finished speaking, flames erupted across the demon’s body.
A horrific scream tore through the room.
The creature writhed in agony.
Yet within only a few breaths, its body disintegrated into ashes.
The remains drifted silently into the pool below.
Xue Zhao stared blankly.
Only after a long moment did he recover his senses.
The demon was dead.
And it seemed he wasn’t suspected at all.
The overwhelming relief of surviving a disaster mixed together with the hunger gnawing inside him.
Both sensations surged through him at once.
Xiu Jixin watched him quietly.
Then he raised a hand.
His fingertips lightly brushed the damp corner of Xue Zhao’s eye, collecting a trace of moisture.
The system witnessed everything.
A message immediately appeared.
[System] : Do you still want to seduce him now?
The pool remained open.
The smell of burning lingered throughout the chamber.
Xue Zhao was frightened.
He was hungry.
Unable to help himself, he wrapped his arms tightly around Xiu Jixin’s waist.
Tilting his face upward, he looked at him timidly.
The lingering fear in his eyes couldn’t hide the faint trace of grievance there.
[Character Affection Level Changed.]
“It’s over now.”
Xiu Jixin lowered his gaze.
“It won’t appear again.”
Opening the notification, Xue Zhao discovered that Xiu Jixin’s affection had increased by another three points.
Including the previous sixty-two points, he was now approaching the next stage.
Tears still lingered in his eyes as he answered the system.
“But…”
“He seems to like me.”
✦ ✧ ✦
Cresvynia
[Translator]
☕ A LITTLE SOMETHING FOR THE TRANSLATOR
No pressure. Just a tiny coffee-shaped bribe. ☕
☕ 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?