The Scent

Xingyue looked at the pair of slightly damp white stockings piled on the desk beside her.

It was the trophy she had plucked from Elera.
With the passage of time, the moisture on them was almost dry, but they remained in their original, unadulterated, pure white state.

If she were to sell them, she could probably get a million for them.

If she threw them in front of that group of resentful magical girls, it would likely incite a fierce scramble.

Of course, she would never do that.
This was her trophy.

Knock, knock—

“Xingyue, it’s me.”

“Xingyu, come in.”

Xingyue adjusted her posture and tucked the trophy into a drawer.

After Xingyu entered, she sat down opposite her.

“What did you call me for?”

“Mm, it’s about your sister. I’ve already made arrangements. Someone will go and resolve it.”

“Who is it?!” Xingyu stood up.

“It’s someone who can persuade Elera. They just contacted me and said Elera has agreed.”

To put it bluntly, she had gone directly to Elera and used her body to corner her, forcing her to agree.
However, there was no way Xingyue could be so direct.

Regardless, as long as Xingyu accepted it, that was enough.

“I see…” Xingyu lowered her eyes, the burden in her heart easing slightly, though a trace of worry remained. “Elera… will she really do something?”

“Although she’s a piece of work, it seems she never goes back on something she’s agreed to.”

Xingyue leaned forward slightly, her tone authoritative. “So, don’t go looking for Elera privately again.”

Xingyu’s hands trembled.

‘How did she know I…’

Given Xingyue’s character, it was impossible that she would resort to something like tailing her, which meant she must have found out through other channels.

“That’s all for this matter. You can go back now.” Xingyue rubbed her aching waist.

“Then I’ll be leaving.”

Xingyu stood up, but then suddenly remembered something and turned back.

“By the way, some time ago, a magical girl from the Huahai branch brought back a lot of Divinity Particles. Aren’t you going to get tested for your compatibility?”

“I’ve heard about it.” Xingyue nodded calmly.

“I got tested before. My compatibility wasn’t high, only 21%. But for you, Xingyue, I think there’s a good chance it’s between 40% and 60%.”

“What makes you think mine would be that high?”

“Everyone thinks so,” Xingyu replied instantly.

As the First Seat, everyone acknowledged Xingyue’s strength and held high hopes for her.

When it came to something like testing Divinity Particle compatibility, with Xingyue’s talent, it would naturally be a piece of cake.

“You’re already powerful enough. If you get a boost from Divinity Particles, then even if a Radiance-class Dimensional Beast invades in the future, we won’t have to suffer such heavy casualties like last time.”

Xingyu said seriously.

In response, Xingyue smiled mysteriously, “My situation is special… I don’t need them.”

“You don’t need them?”

“Mm, don’t ask too many questions. Dimensional Beast invasions have been frequent lately. You should hurry back to your post.”

“…”

Ten days later.

Luo You was holding a bag of groceries she’d just bought from the supermarket, about to put them in her car, when she saw a large crowd of people by the roadside taking pictures.

“What’s this about?”
Luo You stepped onto the roof of her own car without a shred of concern.

On the road, a long line of military vehicles was passing by.
The procession was grand and imposing, at least a battalion’s worth.

Perhaps even more.

Just then, the large screen in the supermarket plaza cut to a news flash.
The content was nothing new, just another report of a Dimensional Beast appearing inland, which had now been vanquished by magical girls.

“Again…”

“How many has that been recently? Over twenty, right?”

“There hasn’t been a single Dimensional Beast in my hometown for four years, but it’s been invaded three times recently!”

“Is there something wrong at the Sea of Realms border? What is the government hiding?”

“Speaking of which, local military forces have been mobilized quite frequently lately.”

The crowd began to murmur, their voices filled with complaints about the current situation.

The frequency of Dimensional Beast appearances inland was slowly rising.
There had been thirty-seven incidents in total, including sixteen Ghost-level, five King-level, and the rest Common-level.

Even so, it had already resulted in over a hundred civilian casualties.

Luo You glanced at it, then paid it no more mind.

“I should stop by Xue’s place while I’m at it… A few more hypnosis sessions should do the trick.”

Luo You drove her car to the base of the building where Xue was staying.

The family of three that had previously occupied the place was nowhere to be found.
According to the neighbors, the family had apparently fallen for some pyramid scheme a few days ago.
The entire family, along with a dozen or so relatives, had been tricked into going abroad, their fate unknown.

“The underworld’s efficiency is so reassuring.”

At the time, Luo You had been satisfied and moved in with Xue right away.

Taking out the key, she opened the door.
In the empty living room, Xue stood by the window, her eyes closed and her head tilted slightly up, as if she were sensing something.

“Xue? What are you looking at?”

“…I don’t know.”

Xue trotted over to her and said, “I just feel like the air outside is filled with an indescribable scent.”

“What kind of scent?”

“Mmm… it’s hard to describe…”

“Just tell me if it’s good or bad.”

“…On the bad side, I think? Like rotten sludge, with a familiar yet unfamiliar smell!”

“What kind of strange analogy is that?”

Luo You sat on the sofa and beckoned for Xue to come over.

Brainwashing hypnosis!
Brainwashing hypnosis!
Brainwashing hypnosis!

After going through the routine, Luo You went to the window and, like Xue, closed her eyes and tried to sense it for a minute.

She felt nothing at all.

‘Is it Xue’s instinct from the Sea of Realms that’s sensing something?’ Luo You thought.

There was no need to doubt the truth of Xue’s words.
It was likely Xue’s reaction to the recent increase in Dimensional Beast invasions.

Well, it wasn’t a big deal.

As long as Xue was in Huahai City, the Dimensional Beasts wouldn’t cause trouble here.
What happened elsewhere was none of her damn business.

Lately, Luo You felt that life had been very peaceful.

She lazed around at the gym, An Jiu’er booked fewer appointments, Luo Zining didn’t bother her much on a daily basis, and Ji Yue hadn’t come by again.
Everything was going smoothly.

If there was one troublesome matter left, it was Liyun.

“That psycho Xingyue wants me to solve Liyun’s problem, but could you at least give me Liyun’s address? I can’t even find her, so how am I supposed to solve her transformation problem?”

In Luo You’s view, solving this matter was simple.

The reason Liyun couldn’t transform was most likely because she became obsessed with her after being slept with seven years ago.
So, wouldn’t it be fine if she just slept with her for another night?

That way, she would benefit, and the problem would be solved.
A win-win!

Perfect!
Could I be a genius?

…In truth, Luo You was also quite troubled.

She wanted to help in order to completely sever the karmic ties with Luo Zining’s family, but doing it this way would only make things messier.

“So annoying.”

Luo You sprawled on the sofa as time slowly ticked by.

Suddenly, her hands jolted, and she shot upright.

“I can smell it!”

A familiar yet unfamiliar, incomparably evil scent that should not exist in this world