Seems Appealing

"Most Chrysalis fragments lose their activity and die if they can't recombine. Only a few remain, and even in Dreamland, no one believes in this kind of thing anymore. They've come to Planet Blue to find manpower," Leo Duncan explained.

Nie Hong, seeing an opportunity to one-up Leo, interjected, "According to the Sanctuary's records, only three arms, one leg, and a heart of the highly dangerous Chrysalis collective remain. The arms and legs are reportedly in the possession of the Chrysalis organization. The heart was recorded in the Sanctuary archives a long time ago, then disappeared. Its disappearance was roughly a month before the Sun City attack, suggesting a connection."

Leo Duncan glared at Nie Hong but didn't comment.

Nino listened and reviewed the documents, then slowly lowered them. "Impressive. You two are quite capable."

"Just a bit of initiative," Leo Duncan waved dismissively.

Nie Hong remained silent, appearing much calmer.

Nino said, "What compensation are you seeking? This information is invaluable."

"No compensation. We don't need money. Just stop your underhanded tactics. Mithra is working for you as if she's a deity, understand? Don't let me hear her complaining," Leo Duncan said arrogantly.

"She's going to complain to you?" Nie Hong said incredulously.

Nino smiled faintly. "Of course, we won't mistreat her. She provided significant assistance recently."

"Okay, then, let's go, monkey," Leo Duncan waved and turned to leave.

"I'm not your underling, you stupid crab," Nie Hong muttered.

Nino watched the young men leave, sighing.

"This has taken too long."

...

Walking down a Sun City street, Nie Hong said, "Our field trip was cut short. What are your plans?"

"Just relax after sightseeing," Leo Duncan replied casually.

"I'll check on Mithra, then head back to campus," Nie Hong said after some thought.

"You're like a fledgling, relying on stronger people. That's immature. You've changed since winter break, but this might lead you down the wrong path," Leo Duncan said, his usual sarcastic tone.

Nie Hong, unusually calm, replied, "I am a fledgling. My next step isn't to force myself to fly but to learn from stronger people—both in terms of skill and mindset."

Leo Duncan was slightly surprised but didn't comment. "Fine, suit yourself."

They walked in silence.

Without Mithra, they had little in common and weren't friends.

At a crossroads, as they were about to part ways, Leo Duncan's eyes fell upon a pregnant woman in simple clothing.

She seemed close to giving birth and walked with difficulty, supporting her belly. She looked tired.

But Leo Duncan didn't look away.

The pregnant woman's hand had momentarily warped, deviating from normal human anatomy, but it quickly returned to normal, hidden by her sleeve. But it hadn't escaped Leo Duncan's sharp Pure Water Eyes.

"What's up?" Nie Hong noticed Leo Duncan's gaze.

Leo Duncan didn't answer, stepping forward. "Excuse me, ma'am, could you wait a moment?"

The pregnant woman turned around, puzzled.

Leo Duncan examined her limbs, particularly her fingers and hair—the most difficult areas to alter with Flesh Transmutation.

But there were no issues for now.

But Leo Duncan wasn't questioning his observation. He got straight to the point. "Excuse me, please come with me to the guard station."

The pregnant woman and Nie Hong were both taken aback.

"What are you saying? Is there something wrong with her? Don't harass her! She's pregnant!" Nie Hong protested immediately.

"Do your good eyes think mine are good, too? Shut up and watch," Leo Duncan shouted, summoning a guard. After instructing the guard, regardless of the pregnant woman's questions and explanations, he forcibly took her away.

The onlookers began to gossip. Some seemed to recognize the pregnant woman. They were enjoying the drama.

Nie Hong watched them go, frowning.

...

Mithra woke up.

She immediately activated Stabilize, afraid it would wear off while she was asleep.

She had dreamt of being chased by a grotesque corpse and a black and white dog, and a large maw had saved her with its tongues. All she could remember was "hungry, hungry, hungry."

What was that about?

Were her dreams a little too vivid?

Shaking her head, she got up, put on her jacket, and went to get a snack, only to find her leftover food was gone.

A tongue silently offered her a piece of dried meat.

"Hungry..."

"...Eat it yourself. Don't leave so much for me next time," Mithra said to her maw.

The maw retreated, seemingly annoyed.

She quickly opened the door and went outside.

The dream was about her beast form saying something. Her Stranger form, perhaps annoyed by her beast form's incessant barking, had attacked, and somehow, that fight had turned into an internal conflict.

Strange.

But the message from her beast form had gotten through.

She smelled the scent of darkness.

Mithra set off, running towards the source of the scent.

She arrived at a two-story mansion, after traveling a long distance and turning several corners. As she approached, guards blocked the entrance. "This is…"

Mithra clapped her hand.

Clap!

With a sharp clap, the two guards lost sight of Mithra. Then, they heard the main gate shatter.

Turning, they saw Mithra in the courtyard, heading towards the second floor.

"Stop!"

"Intruder!"

Mithra clapped again. Her figure seemingly teleported across the courtyard and onto the building's wall before smashing through a window.

Figures inside the room stared in shock at her sudden arrival.

Mithra's gaze locked onto a middle-aged man holding a familiar staff.

A Night Hunter branch leader's staff, the Eternal Night Crystal at its top gleaming. The man also held another Eternal Night Crystal.

Two more artifacts collected. Excellent.

"Damn it! It's her again!"

"That vengeful spirit is back!"

Someone cursed. Mithra recognized four familiar faces: the four members of the Chrysalis team, excluding their leader.

"So, this is how the Chrysalis found the Realm of Eternal Night," Mithra said calmly.

The Night Hunters church. It had been a while. She missed them.

The branch leader frowned. "What happened? Are you being pursued?"

The four Chrysalis members were speechless.

"It's not their fault. 'Me' just transformed, and hasn't fully recovered. My sense of smell is heightened, and smelled the darkness emanating from you," Mithra said, offering an explanation.

The four Chrysalis members and the surrounding Night Hunter believers all looked at the middle-aged man.

The branch leader: ?

Had he attracted her?