Two mornings later, Xue Zhao arrived at the church.
The temporary assistants lived in a two-story building situated behind the church grounds.
The residence came with its own small courtyard.
All rooms had already been assigned.
After helping him organize his belongings, Aunt Huai departed.
Xue Zhao changed into his assistant attire.
Aside from the sleeves being slightly loose, the outfit fit quite well.
The soft inner sweater was pleasantly warm.
After adjusting his collar and straightening his coat, he followed another assistant toward the church.
Along the way, the assistant explained his responsibilities.
“Your daily duty is to prepare medicinal herbs for Father Yuan Chu. If assistance is needed elsewhere, you’ll be notified separately.”
Yuan Chu was the severely ill elderly priest.
According to rumors, he had not appeared before others for a very long time.
Before entering the church itself, Xue Zhao was required to wash his hands in a basin located beneath the entrance corridor.
He then stepped across stone stairs shrouded in a fine mist.
The mist carried a peculiar scent.
It reminded him of the holy water used in the dungeon to soak captured demons.
Xue Zhao’s human disguise was exceptionally convincing.
The holy water had no effect on him.
Even so, he disliked the smell.
The moment he finally crossed the threshold and entered the church, a notification appeared on the system panel.
[Successfully infiltrated the church. Additional reward obtained: Villain Points +1.]
The system complained immediately.
“So little…”
Then it sighed.
“Well, I guess it’s an extra reward outside the mission objectives.”
As the scent of holy water gradually faded, Xue Zhao discreetly rubbed the tip of his nose.
The assistant guided him toward the pharmacy.
Preparing medicinal herbs was not as simple as it sounded.
He needed to gather the ingredients, clean and sort them and finally boil them into medicine.
The assistant carefully demonstrated the entire process once.
The actual brewing, however, had to be carried out inside the elderly priest’s room.
Only after arriving did Xue Zhao understand why.
The instant the door opened, an overwhelmingly strong medicinal odor flooded his senses.
The windows remained tightly shut.
Heavy curtains blocked most of the sunlight.
The room itself was extremely sparse.
Apart from a bed and a furnace positioned in the center, there was virtually no furniture.
A figure lay motionless upon the bed.
His hair was white.
His face appeared gaunt and withered.
His breathing was so weak that it was almost impossible to detect.
After a single glance, Xue Zhao quickly lowered his head.
The assistant explained:
“Father Yuan Chu hasn’t awakened in a very long time. He can no longer swallow medicine.”
As a result, the church could only keep medicinal herbs burning continuously within the furnace.
The smoke permeated the room while the magic array carved beneath the bed sustained his life.
Barely.
The system muttered:
“He’s in such terrible condition, yet they’re still refusing to give up. He must be an important character.”
There were frustratingly few story hints available within this world.
The system silently made a note to investigate the archives later.
Following the assistant’s instructions, Xue Zhao placed the herbs into the furnace, added water and lit the fire.
He carefully memorized every step.
Even when leaving the room, he kept his head lowered and refrained from looking around.
“Very good.”
The assistant seemed pleased with his behavior.
“Come back this afternoon and replace the herbs once more.”
Although the furnace needed occasional monitoring, Xue Zhao’s workload was relatively light compared to everyone else’s.
Before departing, the assistant offered several more reminders.
As a temporary assistant, his movement was restricted to the church’s outer areas.
The central district was strictly off-limits.
Without explicit permission from a priest, he was not allowed to enter.
Xue Zhao obediently nodded.
Then he couldn’t help asking:
“Where… would Father usually be?”
The assistant pointed toward a distant section of the church.
“When he’s not occupied, Father is usually in the library or the confessional.”
Once the assistant left, Xue Zhao sat alone on the stone steps outside the room for a while.
After confirming that the furnace fire would not go out, he decided to explore.
The church’s central area was forbidden.
However, he was free to move around most of the outer grounds.
He first visited the library and the confessional.
Unfortunately, there was no sign of Xiu Jixin.
A trace of disappointment surfaced within him.
He wandered aimlessly through several other locations and encountered quite a few assistants dressed similarly to himself.
During the two days he had spent at home, his Life Value had once again dropped to only three points.
Watching his listless appearance, the system spoke up.
“There are quite a lot of people here.”
“Why not pick a few more?”
Although Xiu Jixin’s affection level had already reached seventy, the system still didn’t consider him the ideal target.
“Now that you’ve successfully infiltrated the church,” it continued, “you could seduce a few assistants as well. It might be useful for future missions.”
Xue Zhao lowered his head.
His mood remained gloomy.
“No…”
Since arriving in this world, Xiu Jixin was the only person from whom he had ever obtained “food.”
Perhaps because of that, he simply couldn’t develop interest in anyone else.
And for reasons he couldn’t understand…
Ever since the second time he had been poisoned by Demon Grass, he felt increasingly restless.
The most obvious sign was his tail.
It often twitched and swayed on its own, far less obedient than before.
No matter how hard he tried, he still couldn’t remember what had happened inside that illusion.
Could it be because he had spent too much time around Xiu Jixin?
Could “food” become addictive?
But every time, he had only taken a tiny amount…
For reasons he couldn’t explain, Xue Zhao felt even more dejected.
Squatting beside the path, he absentmindedly reached out and touched the grass growing nearby.
The system watched him and grew increasingly worried.
If it were any other demon, maintaining such critically low Life Value for an extended period would inevitably result in negative side effects.
And Xue Zhao was particularly fragile.
He was a succubus.
He had never been suited for a mission in this world to begin with.
There was little they could do except proceed one step at a time.
The system thought silently to itself.
It didn’t matter if the mission ultimately failed.
As long as Xiu Jixin didn’t discover his true identity and subject him to torture, that would be enough.
Over the remainder of the day, Xue Zhao gradually familiarized himself with the layout of the church’s outer grounds.
Later that afternoon, Xue Zhao returned to replace the medicinal herbs in the elderly priest’s room before preparing to head back to his residence.
Aunt Huai had come by once during the day.
Worried that Xue Zhao might not be accustomed to the church’s meals, she had brought food she made herself, along with several pieces of pastry.
After quickly finishing dinner, Xue Zhao made another trip to the church to check whether the furnace in the elderly priest’s room was still burning.
By then, dusk had only just settled over the horizon.
At the same moment, a new mission appeared.
[A New Main Quest Has Been Released!]
[Mission Details]: Survey the church’s layout and discover a way to infiltrate the central restricted area.
[Mission Reward]: Villain Points +10
The reward was quite generous.
Which likely meant the difficulty would be equally high.
Surveying the outer grounds was easy enough.
But the central district was explicitly forbidden territory.
How exactly was he supposed to sneak inside?
The system’s first instinct was once again to use a rune.
It immediately rushed off to search the database, looking for any runic tools or talismans that Xue Zhao might be able to use.
Unfortunately, the mission’s time limit was only three days.
He couldn’t afford to waste time.
As luck would have it, night had already fallen.
Most of the assistants had returned to their residences, leaving only a handful responsible for overnight patrols.
Xue Zhao glanced around.
After confirming that no one was nearby, he quietly slipped away from the courtyard where the elderly priest stayed and headed toward the center of the church grounds.
There were no street lamps.
Darkness stretched endlessly along both sides of the narrow pathway.
Xue Zhao was slightly afraid of the dark.
Still, reminding himself that this was church territory and that no other demons should appear here, he managed to steady his nerves.
Relying on the route he remembered from earlier that day, he accidentally took a longer path midway through.
Eventually, however, he arrived at his destination.
Beneath the moonlight, a crimson line had been painted across the ground.
The line extended all the way to the surrounding wall.
It clearly marked a boundary beyond which entry was forbidden.
Xue Zhao carefully surveyed his surroundings.
The buildings on either side appeared completely ordinary.
He couldn’t see anything particularly different about them.
Just as he was about to step across the line and test it directly, a warning from the system arrived.
[System] : I’m detecting subtle energy fluctuations here.
Xue Zhao immediately crouched down to investigate.
He reached out and touched the red paint on the ground.
The instant his fingertips made contact,
A sharp, agonizing pain shot through him.
Xue Zhao nearly burst into tears.
He jerked his hand back at once and staggered two steps away.
[System] : What happened?!
[System] : There really is something here! No wonder they didn’t bother assigning any guards.
Lowering his head, Xue Zhao examined his fingers.
The tiny wounds he had previously inflicted on himself while drawing runes had nearly healed.
Now, however, the skin touched by the red paint had been burned bright red.
At the same time, a warning notification appeared on his status panel.
[Life Value decreased by 1.]
Only two points remained.
Suppressing the wave of weakness rising through his body, Xue Zhao felt lingering fear and no longer dared approach the line.
But the mission still needed to be completed.
He couldn’t come all this way for nothing.
Clutching his injured hand, he followed the outside edge of the red boundary, moving toward the side.
He hoped to find a gap somewhere.
Eventually, he reached the end of the painted line.
Ahead stood a building.
The red line stopped precisely at the corner of one side wall, as though the entire structure had been built directly on top of it.
Xue Zhao wanted to inspect the opposite side.
Stepping onto a gravel path, he proceeded carefully.
He had only made it halfway when another alert arrived from the system.
[System] : I’ve detected something else.
[System] : It looks like the black cat. Hide quickly!
Xue Zhao had barely read the message when a cat’s meow sounded beside him.
He looked up.
The black cat stood atop a nearby rooftop.
Its dark silhouette blended into the night, illuminated only by moonlight.
A pair of golden eyes stared directly at him.
He had been discovered.
The system hurriedly tried to reassure him.
The black cat had seemed rather fond of him during their previous encounters.
Besides, he hadn’t actually entered the restricted area.
Yet before Xue Zhao could react, the cat leapt down from the roof.
Its back arched tightly as it advanced toward him step by step.
The displeasure burning within those golden eyes was impossible to miss.
Nervously, Xue Zhao said,
“I-I’ll leave right away.”
He immediately retreated, intending to get as far away from the red boundary as possible.
To his surprise, the black cat followed.
Low growls rumbled from its throat.
It looked ready to pounce and attack at any moment.
Growing increasingly anxious, Xue Zhao hurried around the corner of the path.
In his panic, he ran straight into someone.
Xiu Jixin stood there in a black robe.
His gaze lowered toward him.
The moment Xue Zhao recognized him, he froze briefly.
Oddly enough, he felt relieved.
The black cat arrived a second later, springing onto the corridor railing.
It raised a paw toward Xue Zhao.
“Meow!”
Startled, Xue Zhao instinctively moved closer to Xiu Jixin.
Xiu Jixin glanced at the cat.
“Ying Jie.”
The black cat immediately paused.
Its raised paw lowered once more.
Though it remained nearby, it continued staring at Xue Zhao with obvious vigilance.
Feeling those golden eyes fixed on him, Xue Zhao shrank back slightly.
Then he heard Xiu Jixin ask,
“What are you doing here?”
Quietly, Xue Zhao hid the hand that had touched the red paint inside his sleeve.
“I… got lost.”
Today was only his first day at the church.
It was dark.
There were very few lamps.
Getting lost seemed like a perfectly reasonable excuse… right?
Xiu Jixin remained silent for a moment.
He didn’t appear suspicious.
“Do not wander around. This area is not open for casual entry.”
Xue Zhao finally relaxed a little.
“I didn’t mean to…”
Then Xiu Jixin added,
“Let the kitten escort you back.”
Xue Zhao glanced sideways.
The black cat had abandoned its hostile posture and was now licking its paw while watching him.
Kitten…
Pressing his lips together, Xue Zhao tightened his grip on Xiu Jixin’s sleeve.
“Then… where are you going?”
A trace of dependence unconsciously surfaced in his expression.
Partly because he had just been frightened by the black cat.
Xiu Jixin looked at him for a moment.
“This is where I live.”
The system immediately reacted.
[System]: Here? Then this is the building at the end of the red boundary?
While the system hurriedly recorded the information, Xue Zhao simply responded,
“Oh.”
Yet he still refused to release Xiu Jixin’s sleeve.
He looked a little aggrieved.
Dressed in the church assistant’s uniform, paired with his black hair and dark eyes, he appeared even more obedient and harmless than usual.
Looking down at him, Xiu Jixin asked quietly,
“What’s wrong?”
Xue Zhao’s thick eyelashes trembled.
Looking up at him, he said softly,
“I haven’t seen you these past few days.”
Between waiting for the poisoning mission to conclude and preparing to officially join the church, four or five days had passed.
Especially after experiencing the illusion caused by Demon Grass, Xue Zhao found himself missing his “food” terribly.
And now…
He had finally entered the church.
He was closer to Xiu Jixin than ever before.
This was exactly the time when he needed to seize every opportunity.
The affection level had already reached seventy.
Higher than before.
He had clearly decided.
He was supposed to seduce him.
[System] : Do you want him to escort you back?
[System]: Judging from his expression, he doesn’t seem very willing. Maybe forget it, Host. The black cat listens to him. It won’t attack you anymore…
Xue Zhao never saw the messages.
Surrounded by the sweet scent drifting from so close by, he gathered all his courage and threw his arms around Xiu Jixin.
“I missed you very much…”
As he spoke, the tips of his ears flushed red.
Xiu Jixin remained where he stood.
He did not push Xue Zhao away.
Beneath the night sky, his expression was hidden in shadow, revealing none of his thoughts.
In truth, Xue Zhao was nervous too.
He opened the status panel.
No notification appeared.
The affection level hadn’t changed.
It hadn’t increased.
But it hadn’t decreased either.
Then…
That probably didn’t count as failure, right?
At that moment, Xiu Jixin bent down slightly.
The distance between them shortened even further.
His gaze lingered upon Xue Zhao’s beautiful face.
There was an unreadable undertone in his voice.
“Are you trying to seduce me?”
Their current posture was already intimate.
The scent of “food” grew stronger than ever.
For a moment, Xue Zhao became dazed.
[System] : Why is he using the word seduce?
[System] : Host, be careful. Your answer has to be very cautious. Otherwise, he might become suspicious…
[Character Affection Has Changed]
[Character: Xiu Jixin Affection +1]
The moment he saw the increase, everything the system had just said vanished from Xue Zhao’s mind.
His expression remained innocent.
Slightly confused.
A little helpless.
“Don’t you like me?”
The affection level had already reached seventy.
Now it had increased again.
To Xue Zhao, that clearly meant liking him.
Xiu Jixin said nothing.
After observing him for a moment, Xue Zhao leaned closer.
Such a large piece of sweet cake was right in front of him.
He was so hungry.
The only problem was deciding whether he should kiss him first…
Or cautiously take a little bite.
Sensing his intentions, Xiu Jixin turned his head at the last second.
The kiss landed only against the side of his face.
[Life Value increased by 2.]
[Character Affection Has Changed]
[Character: Xiu Jixin Affection +1]
The result gave Xue Zhao tremendous encouragement.
He immediately wanted to kiss him again.
Before he could, however, Xiu Jixin pinched his chin.
He could no longer move.
Xiu Jixin’s face remained expressionless.
He even looked slightly displeased.
But Xue Zhao wasn’t afraid.
Wrapping his arms tighter around Xiu Jixin’s waist, he looked perfectly obedient.
Yet entirely pleased with himself.
✦ ✧ ✦
Cresvynia
[Translator]
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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?