No Way Out

Bai Ci’s fingertips trembled slightly. Cold sweat slid down his spine.

Xiya’s pink-tinged eyes were inches from his, her breath carrying a bewitching scent that suffocated him instead of alluring.

He didn’t know how to face her—

as an enemy? Or as a friend?

If everything Xiya said was true, then as a Demon Lord, she was one of the creators of the demon race.

The very force that had invaded Earth.

All that humanity had suffered—the endless war, the ruined cities, Yue Ling’s death—was tied to her in some way.

Kill her…

Bai Ci didn’t even realize that Xiya could erase him from existence before he could so much as raise a hand.

“Hmm? What’s wrong, dear?”

Xiya tilted her head curiously, poking his chest with a delicate finger.

She had no idea what storm raged inside Bai Ci’s heart.

“So… you created those demons?” Bai Ci took a deep breath, needing confirmation.

“Nope.”

“I’m the only Demon Lord who can’t create demons.”

“Why?” Bai Ci looked up, puzzled.

“That’s classified~”

“But one day, you’ll find out.”
“So until then… keep longing for me, won’t you?” Xiya winked, her seductive aura making Bai Ci’s mind briefly fog over.

His clenched fists slowly relaxed. Rationality returned.

“I am human.”

“I know.”

“Then do you know what a Demon Lord means to me?” Bai Ci asked.

“Hmm… maybe. Do you want to kill me?”

Bai Ci didn’t deny it.

Xiya leaned closer, her nose nearly touching his:

“Your power is fascinating… yes. But you can’t control it, can you? Without me pulling you back today, you’d have become a monster far more dangerous and insane than any demon.”

Bai Ci listened silently.

“But if I wanted to…” She spread her arms slightly. “This empire… and you…”

“Would be gone in the next second.”

“You should be grateful I don’t care about such things.” She shrugged, her two pairs of butterfly wings fluttering gently behind her.

The fact that this empire still stood was proof enough of her restraint.

Yes…

Bai Ci realized—he couldn’t unleash his hatred on Xiya without knowing the full truth.

“I’m sorry.”

“It’s fine. Otherwise, why would I enjoy being the Saintess?” Xiya sighed, her gaze clouded with complex emotion.

“At least with a little light magic, those foolish elders will worship me as the ‘Light’s Saintess’ and place me on a throne…”

“Instead of now—stupidly declaring myself a Demon Lord, only to be seen as a monster by someone I find interesting.”

Silence fell. The atmosphere between them grew awkward.

But Xiya didn’t seem to mind. After giving Bai Ci a slightly resentful glance, she went off to pluck fruit from a nearby tree.

Bai Ci, however, had other thoughts.

His mission in this world was clear: close the door between Earth and this realm—to stop the endless flow of demons into his home.

And Xiya, a high-ranking demon and one of their creators, was likely the only one who knew how.

Should he ask for her help?

Could he trust her?

Bai Ci took a deep breath. If this was his only chance to save Earth, he would trust his own judgment.

Because he was the one the doctor called the one who grasps fate.

He believed Xiya held the answer.

“Miss Xiya…”

Bai Ci told her everything—

his world, his journey, the purpose of his arrival.

“If there’s a door between Earth and this world…”
“A door that keeps sending demons to Earth…”
“How do we close it?”
“Please… tell me, Miss Xiya!”

Xiya’s eyes narrowed slightly. Then, her butterfly wings shimmered open.

“Who made you carry that calming presence I’ve grown so fond of…”

“Fine. I’ll tell you.”

Then, in a voice like a whispered incantation, she asked:

“Do you know where the sealed Demon Lords go in this world?”

The question made Bai Ci freeze. A chilling thought surfaced.

“Could it be… they’re sealed into other worlds?”

“You’re quite sharp,” Xiya said, genuinely surprised.

“Yes. This world has scattered the seven Demon Lords across different parallel realms.”

“And one of them… is sealed within your Earth.”

“The demons appearing across parallel worlds are merely toys—manifestations of a Demon Lord’s subconscious struggles against their seal.”

Bai Ci was no fool.

Now it all made sense—why the Extinction Species on Earth could never be fully eradicated.

As long as a Demon Lord remained sealed there, new demons would endlessly spawn.

“And that door between your world and ours? That is the seal.”

“If you wish to close it… do you know what that means?”

“It means breaking the seal—and freeing the Demon Lord from the parallel world where he’s imprisoned, allowing him to return here.”

Back to this world… from Earth?

Bai Ci felt as if lightning had struck his heart.

“So… do you want my help closing that door? Or perhaps… to break the chains binding the Demon Lord and let him return?”

“What?!”

“You can break a Demon Lord’s seal?” Bai Ci couldn’t believe it.

“Of course. Breaking those seals is one of the reasons I exist in this world.”

“But I hate that role. And I certainly don’t want those ugly freaks coming back.”

“Strange?” Xiya asked.

Bai Ci didn’t think it strange. He’d just naively assumed members of the same race would always stand together—help each other.

But when he reflected, humanity was a race too. Wars on Earth. His recent fight with fellow humans in the Holy Heaven Army. All of it made that ideal laughably absurd.

“But if you’re the one asking… I might just make an exception and help.”

“Well then… are you ready?” Xiya’s voice coiled around him like a serpent’s whisper.

“To become a criminal of this world… for the sake of yours?”

Bai Ci hesitated.

“Well? Have you decided?”

“Close the door—your world is saved.”

“In exchange… this continent has twelve nations. In about… one month, the Demon Lord sealed on Earth will reduce them all to ashes.”

Bai Ci’s stomach twisted.

Saving lives came at a cost—but no one said the price would be paid by the innocent.

“Is there… no other way?” The moment the words left his mouth, Bai Ci regretted them.

So weak. So indecisive.

He cursed himself inwardly.

Xiya’s laughter chimed like falling wind bells:

“Dear… you’re the first human I’ve ever wanted to help.”

“Don’t disappoint me.”

Bai Ci looked up—into Xiya’s gaze.

Innocent?

Are they really?

This world caused Earth’s suffering…

Where did I go wrong?
Where did Earth go wrong?

We did nothing wrong.

Everything I’ve endured…

If not for these races sealing a Demon Lord onto Earth…

What would Yue Ling be like now?
What would Earth be like?
And where… would I be?

Memories flashed—back to that day. The day the demons invaded Earth.

After the hellish chaos ended, Bai Ci walked like a puppet to Yue Ling’s house next door.

No one was there. That was expected.

Trembling, he picked up the open diary on the table.

****

March 21st.
New semester! Will I be in the same class as Xiao Ci again??
Please please please! It’s our last year of middle school—I want to stay by his side!

March 22nd.
So unfair! We’re not in the same class!
Well, I’ll just visit him during breaks.
What if other girls get the wrong idea?
Whatever! Let them think what they want. This guy is my property!

September 1st.
High school starts tomorrow! But this idiot Xiao Ci didn’t tell me which club he wants to join. So annoying! Is he trying to avoid me in the new school? Hmph, I won’t let him get away with it~

October 26th.
Why didn’t Xiao Ci celebrate my birthday today…?
We promised!
So mad!
Punishment—he has to buy me that rabbit backpack! Should have enough allowance, right? Hehe.
If not, I guess I’ll gracefully pay for it myself.
Either way, he’s paying the price!

November 21st.
Tomorrow is Xiao Ci’s birthday. Hmph, I bet this big dummy forgot again.
But I’ll make sure he celebrates properly! Hmm… I already prepared his gift. And it’s the weekend! If Xiao Ci doesn’t sleep in tomorrow, maybe I’ll sneakily kiss him as a reward?
Ah! No no no! What am I thinking?! I’m a lady!
Being too forward makes you less precious!
Ugh, going to bed. See you tomorrow, Xiao Ci.”

Am I crying?

All hesitation vanished.

Bai Ci stared straight into Xiya’s eyes—his gaze unwavering, resolute.

“Please help me… close that door.”
“Break the seal of that Demon Lord.”

Hearing this, Xiya’s expression flickered with something complex.

“Alright, alright… since it’s you asking~ Looks like my peaceful days are over.”

“Ready to become the continent’s most wanted criminal?”

“No.” Bai Ci shook his head. Then he said:

“Tell me—who is the Demon Lord sealed in the parallel world called Earth?”

“The Heaven-Born Demon Lord… Garuda.”

“Good. Then, if possible…”

“I will utterly destroy—Heaven-Born Demon Lord Garuda.”

There is no escape for him.