Targeted

A sudden, unexpected silence swept through the restaurant.

So… he was broke?

“O-of course, sir. No problem at all…”

The old man’s expression collapsed like the sky was falling.

Was this really the same person?

What happened to the ruthless, overpowering beauty from moments ago?

Who was this humble, penniless wage s*ave groveling for a free meal?

“Alrighty then! Much appreciated. If this kind of good thing happens again, make sure to call me too.”

Sui Ming waved cheerfully as he strolled out of the restaurant.

A random crow stood perched on his shoulder for no apparent reason.

As his silhouette faded down the street, it wasn’t just Elisha and her grandfather who were stunned.

In the far corner of the restaurant, a girl cloaked in blue sat quietly.

Her slender fingers tapped a rhythm on the table—slow, deliberate, full of effortless grace—like an artist painting the human condition with a single motion, commanding the world beneath her touch.

“Interesting…”

Her smile curved faintly.

“Looks like this time won’t be so boring after all.”

Her deep-blue eyes glimmered, reflecting the departing back of the silver-haired youth.

“Hei, are you there?”

Bai Luoxia asked casually.

As her voice fell, a spark of lightning flickered beside her and coalesced into a person.

Short brown hair crackled with electricity.

“Y-yes, Your Highness…?” Hei replied, voice shaky.

“…Did you see that white-haired youth just now?”

“U-uh… y-yes… I-I saw him. Why do you ask…?”

His voice trembled, as if trying to hide something.

And who could blame him?

No one would want their former boss—who also happened to be their college ex—to discover that the promising young man they’d helped in secret was now of interest to her.

“Do me a favor. Look into him.”

“…Sure.”

Hei nodded and vanished into a spark of lightning.

The girl leaned back slightly, voice light but cold.

“Next is the opening ceremony, isn’t it?”

“I’m looking forward to seeing what you can do.”

In her palm, a vast chain of ocean-blue light condensed into being.

Its weight seemed to subdue all creation under her rule.

[Inscription Princess – Bai Luoxia]

The same girl whose uncle—the [Regent]—had been slain three years ago…

By Sui Ming, alone, with a single blade.

Ah… what a deliciously twisted fate.

Elsewhere, deep within a nameless alleyway, the air was thick with rot.

A putrid green mist clung to every corner like rotting clouds.

At the center of it hovered a translucent green figure, coiled in the air, fangs gleaming under what little light remained.

And held aloft by one hand was Moben—the very same [Man in the Mist].

He dangled helplessly, black hair limp, foaming at the mouth, white bubbles dripping onto the cold stone floor.

His limbs flailed in the air, weak and useless.

He couldn’t even mist-form anymore.

The green-haired man held his throat tight, unyielding.

A predator admiring its prey.

“A Tier 3 [Soul Invoker]… just right.”

With a raised hand, torrents of green magic surged inward from all directions, crashing into Moben’s body.

A kaleidoscopic sheen glimmered briefly in his eyes—then faded.

His gaze turned blank.

Emotionless.

Soulless.

“A Tier 3 body… should make for an excellent nutrient base.”

The green-haired man slowly let go.

Moben’s body slumped but didn’t fall.

He simply stood there, expression vacant—like a puppet.

The man reached into his coat and drew out a photo.

The calm expression on his face twisted—contorted—until it was nothing but a mask of hatred.

In the photo: a pale-faced white-haired youth with a lively, bouncing crow on his shoulder.

“Sui Ming!”

“You killed my father! Destroyed my family! Seized my inheritance! Stole everything that belonged to me!”

“I swear—I’ll never let you go!”

Neil Aorah clenched his hand, staring at the rainbow-colored magic swirling in his palm.

Then smiled with manic delight.

“Even if I fall into the abyss—I’ll drag you down with me!”

“Achoo!”

“…You good?”

The crow blinked in confusion.

Normally, once someone became a [Soul Invoker], they wouldn’t be bothered by things like colds.

“I dunno… I just feel like someone’s thinking about me.”

“Has that happened before?”

“Yeah. And the ones who thought about me… usually died.”

Sui Ming replied with perfect calm.

The sun had bled its last light across the horizon.

Night settled.

The moon rose high into the sky, casting silver across the rooftops.

Under the moonlight, Mingxi City transformed again.

Alchemical streetlamps lining the streets flickered on, starlike in the dark.

And amid this gentle glow—

“Oi! That’s enough! Don’t push it!”

“Who’s pushing anything?!”

“You’ve been in there fifty minutes! At this point you’re basically stew!”

“I took a fifty-minute bath, so what? I’m a girl, okay?!”

“You’re a crow!”

“Don’t assume birds in this world don’t enjoy long baths!”

“I will assume that!”

“I’ll assume your face!”

The crow smugly raised a black card and waved it at Sui Ming.

Then, without breaking eye contact, she pulled a POS machine from her ring and aligned it with the swipe slot.

Grinning.

“So… who exactly were you about to assume again?”

“My memory’s a little fuzzy. Maybe you should repeat it? I promise I’ll consider your request carefully.”

“After all… I’m a very kind and generous big sister.”

Thud!

“I was wrong! I’m filled with remorse and self-loathing!”

“I now clearly recognize the error of my ways!”

“It’s all my fault! I was blind! I failed to see your kindness! Please forgive me!”

Sui Ming dropped to one knee.

Slid forward silently—so smoothly even the crow didn’t notice.

And in a flash—

“Gotcha!

This!

Is ancient trickery!

Taste the wisdom of the ancients!”

A stealthy ambush!

Victory within reach!

“Ah-ley?”

The crow lightly hopped to the side and dodged the strike with ease.

Then gave him the classic ‘you absolute idiot’ stare.

Ding—

**Gude Bank Account [**10086] has been charged 10,000 Fal.

“W-wait! I—I can explain!”

“Too late!”

“Say goodbye to your bank account!”

“NOOOOO—!!”

In the silence of night, beyond the flickering streetlamps,

A different kind of brilliance gleamed in the shadows.