The Villain’s Game and a Hero’s Arrival

She Min? Yu Min?

This was likely the most uninspired attempt at hiding one’s identity.

Moreover, in terms of appearance, there shouldn’t be much difference between the names. While the villainous images publicly broadcast to the world mostly depicted figures in black bodysuits and masks, there were also unmasked portrayals.

Indeed, those on the villain list had no privacy whatsoever; their lives, stretching back three generations, could be meticulously unearthed, every detail laid bare.

Of course, Su Mo was an exception. Beyond her confirmed name and gender, everything else remained a mystery, shrouded in a high degree of secrecy.

A sense of pride swelled within her, though she kept it in check.

If one were to write a book about villainous ability users, this could be considered excellent writing material and reference data provided by the authorities. If such a book could be published, many would undoubtedly want to read and subscribe.

Unfortunately, the subject matter was too sensitive to pass review. These villainous ability users, much like the ghosts in horror novels, were a theme that simply shouldn’t exist, lest it be deemed feudal superstition and returned for revision.

She Min settled into the swivel chair, crossing one leg over the other.

Long legs, encased in black stockings.

Truly alluring.

“Little darling, do sit down~”

She smiled and gestured, inviting Su Mo to take the seat opposite her.

Su Mo nodded, doing as she was told.

Then, without preamble, she spoke.

“Tell me, what is your purpose in being here?”

“I already told you before, don’t disturb my peaceful life.”

“That’s a misunderstanding~” She Min smiled, taking Su Mo’s hand and gently stroking it. “Your elder sister truly didn’t know that little Su Mo was here too?”

“Pervert.”

Su Mo quickly withdrew her hand.

“But elder sister was merely trying to alleviate little Su Mo’s longing; physical intimacy is the best remedy.”

Su Mo glared.

“Alright, alright, don’t be angry~” She Min waved her hand as if teasing a child, then pulled a few beautiful, jewel-like candies from her pocket and placed them in Su Mo’s palm. “Little darling, have some candy~”

Su Mo sighed inwardly, finding herself utterly disarmed by the other woman’s relentless display of goodwill. It seemed her only option was to speak civilly.

“Don’t think a few candies can buy me off!”

“Mm-hmm.”

“Are you trying to humor a child?”

“Mm-hmm.”

“…”

“Fine, just tell me what you intend to do. As long as you don’t cause trouble here, I won’t interfere.”

Su Mo, unwilling to prolong the entanglement, stated the primary reason for her visit.

“Mm…” She Min mused, watching Su Mo silently, then smiled. “‘Don’t cause trouble’? As expected of a newly awakened little darling, still so innocent and truly adorable~”

“What do you mean?” Su Mo frowned.

“Mm… it’s beginning,” She Min murmured softly, her gaze drifting towards the bedside. As if on cue, a cacophony of terrified screams erupted from the teaching building, rising and falling in waves.

Su Mo’s pupils constricted. She shot to her feet, hands snatching at She Min’s collar.

“What did you do?!”

“Cough, cough,” She Min merely looked at her, then gently patted her hand, stifling a cough with a hint of amusement. She smiled. “Little darling, what did I do? I didn’t do a thing.”

“You…”

“Are you assuming this simply because I’m a villainous ability user, little darling?”

“Of course…”

The words escaped Su Mo’s lips almost instinctively, then she froze. Was she judging She Min simply because she was a villainous ability user? But she was one too.

After a moment’s pause, she asked, “You really didn’t do anything?”

“No~” She Min watched the flicker of doubt in Su Mo’s eyes, a sly smile gracing her lips. “In fact, elder sister came here to stop this disaster. Will little darling help?”

Su Mo released her. “Then explain yourself.”

****

The monkey dolls swarmed their homeroom teacher, engulfing him completely. A crimson liquid, smelling of iron and rust, began to seep from the podium, assaulting the children’s senses.

Then, the monkey dolls dispersed. Their homeroom teacher stood up once more, though his head had transformed into something resembling theirs, adorned with a wide, grotesque grin and large, uncanny white teeth.

“Heheheh~”

The teacher lumbered to the podium, his movements stiff and comical, like a puppet. He picked up a white piece of chalk and, with a swift *shhhk*, wrote ‘Classroom Rules’ in the center of the blackboard.

‘One: Maintain silence during class!’

The instant the words were complete, a loud *thump* echoed.

A terrified student, who had dared to scream, was struck by a piece of chalk thrown by the teacher in a sudden turn. Their head exploded, marking them as the next victim.

A group of monkey dolls eagerly pounced, scrambling over each other in a frenzy.

As the victor was determined, a monkey doll burrowed into the student. The victim then sprouted a monkey’s head, becoming an identical creature to the teacher, and stood upright once more.

The grotesque scene was made even more disturbing by the wide, grinning monkey faces.

The silence was terrifying. Bai Ruoruo clasped a hand over her mouth, tears welling in her eyes.

‘So, so scary!’ she thought. ‘Who will save me? Sister Lily…’

“Thump!”

****

Su Mo sprinted through the corridor, as several monkey-headed monsters cackled grotesquely, calling out,

“Heheheh~ School rules, no running in the corridors! Heheheh~”

“Heheheh~ School rules, no running in the corridors! Heheheh~”

She swept her hand, unleashing several fireballs that obliterated them into charred remains. A gust of wind then scattered their ashes, leaving no trace behind.

“Meow~”

“Little darling is truly impressive,” the small cat beside her remarked, scratching its face. Its features then shifted, revealing a single eye from which She Min’s voice emanated.

Su Mo looked at it, rubbing her cheek, and parted her lips slightly. “Just average.”

Observing her further, Su Mo ultimately believed that She Min wasn’t the mastermind behind the incident. Perhaps it was due to her frequent interactions with Saint Lily, but a sense of guilt over her earlier misunderstanding prompted Su Mo to apologize. “I’m sorry about before…”

“Ah, little darling, really, there’s no need to apologize to your elder sister,” the one-eyed cat said, its beautiful large eye showing a gentle warmth as it looked at Su Mo. “Because I did intentionally lead you to think that way.

“I merely wanted you to understand how the outside world views us. Living here, little darling, will be very difficult for you.

“It’s not enough to simply refrain from doing evil. If you are present when something bad happens, you’ll have no way to defend yourself. People’s prejudices will have already passed judgment before any evidence is even presented.

“You will experience this, and you will eventually grow accustomed to it. Though, if I had my way, I would hope that day comes much later.”

Su Mo remained silent, shaking her head without offering a reply.

“Of course, my desire to resolve this isn’t purely out of goodwill. After all, I’ve had my eye on this calamity beast for quite some time.”

“Mm… I’ll help you,” Su Mo nodded, simply stating. “But I need to ensure my friends are safe first.”

‘Ruoruo, which classroom is that child in?’

“Host, over here, over here,” Su Xiaoqian chirped, flapping her small wings and pointing.

Su Mo, hands tucked into her pockets, levitated off the ground. She looked at the one-eyed cat. “You find it. Once you do, contact me, and I’ll deal with it.”

She tapped her foot lightly, followed by a sonic boom.

“Meow~” ‘How dramatic,’ it seemed to purr.

****

“Cough, cough,” Su Mo coughed, rising from the ground as the dust settled. She brushed off her clothes, feeling a touch embarrassed under the gazes of others. It was her first time, after all, and her haste had made her look quite foolish. “Ruoruo, are you here?”

“Su Su?” Bai Ruoruo blinked, only realizing the truth when her name was called. This wasn’t a dream; it was her new friend standing before her. But why?

“Wonderful! Ruoruo, I’m here to save you!” Su Mo declared, giving a triumphant thumbs-up.

“Ah… that…” Ruoruo watched, dazed. This scene of a hero arriving to save a princess—it was for her, even though they had only just met.

“No, don’t! Su Su, get out of the way!” A piece of chalk, wreathed in frost, shot directly towards Su Mo. Driven by an unknown surge of courage, the timid princess overcame her earlier fear and shrieked, lunging towards her friend.

A crisp *crack* echoed.

The frost shattered, dissolving into tiny ice crystals that glittered in the sunlight.

Bai Ruoruo blinked, clinging to Su Mo, held securely in her embrace.

“It’s alright, don’t be scared. You’re safe now.”