Chapter 39: Traces of the Dragon
Not everything in this world goes as planned.
Su Qi had intended to use his “best bro Mo Yu” as a shield to explain his absence last night. But Wen Yin-jie didn’t even ask, instead confessing her feelings and sharing a kiss, only for Lin Xue’s intrusion to reveal Wen Yin’s succubus ability. One unexpected event after another culminated in Su Qi crying like a “little girl” in front of Wen Yin, mortifying him.
Back in his bedroom, he kicked off his slippers, buried his face in a pillow, and thrashed his legs in frustration. Overwhelmed, his body’s self-regulation kicked in, and with eyes closed, he drifted into sleep.
In the living room, Lin Xue and Gu Wen Yin faced each other in tense silence, their gazes sparking with unspoken hostility. Lin Xue’s eyes held wariness, while Wen Yin’s cool stare matched her intensity. Neither spoke, perhaps to avoid waking Su Qi or unsure how to break the deadlock. The only sound was the breeze whistling through the shattered window.
After five minutes, Wen Yin spoke first. “Xiao Qi’s asleep, Blood Princess. Let’s talk elsewhere.”
Among girls, speaking first in a standoff often signaled weakness. But Wen Yin’s decision wasn’t due to buckling under Lin Xue’s crimson gaze. Reflecting calmly, she pieced things together. Su Qi, her dear “little brother,” always showed happiness and flushed cheeks around her, clearly fond of her. If he’d awakened a “normal” ability, he’d have rushed to share it with her. Instead, he went to the mall to test it, hiding something. The white stockings in her hand and his pained expression as he fled suggested his ability was the root of it all.
Noticing a new girl—Lin Xue, a Blood Princess—who likely knew Su Qi’s secret, Wen Yin decided to probe her for answers, even if it meant appearing to yield.
Lin Xue, meanwhile, was also deep in thought. Though inexperienced in love, she’d seen enough to recognize signs. Su Qi’s glances at Wen Yin, his softer tone with her, and lingering looks betrayed his affection. Holding the fallen stockings, their silky texture and faint scent, she realized Su Qi’s escape stemmed from his Crisp Wife ability clashing with Wen Yin’s succubus nature. A girl couldn’t satisfy a succubus’s needs.
Relief washed over Lin Xue. Normally, competing with Wen Yin’s beauty and aura would be daunting, but Su Qi’s ability repelled Wen Yin’s while meshing perfectly with her own Blood Princess power. Recalling last night’s intoxicating hug and his sweet blood scent, she felt it was fate. This is my chance.
Murmuring “destiny” with a satisfied smile, she saw Su Qi’s likely distress over his ability as an opportunity to comfort him. As she prepared to follow Wen Yin to talk and size up her rival, both their phones rang simultaneously.
Lin Xue frowned at the caller: Lu Ran, the Adventurer’s Guild receptionist. Guild staff rarely contacted adventurers unless something major happened, and her Wildcat team had no pending missions, having safely returned last night. The coincidence of Wen Yin’s phone ringing too—a powerful succubus—sparked unease. A new Ruins discovery?
Exchanging a glance, they turned away to answer. Lu Ran’s urgent voice came through. “Captain Blood Princess, the Braves team just returned from the Fourth Plane. The Guild’s holding a meeting for B-rank and above captains to discuss details. Come quickly—they encountered a dragon.”