The Serpent of Eden (2)

She was supposed to be searching for the Nightmare Fiend, but as she flew, You Xi gradually slipped into her memories.

The events at the police station that morning were still fresh in her mind. She had boldly bet Mo Mrs. that she’d find undeniable proof of Mo Li’s bullying.

Words were easy to say. Actually doing it? That was another story.

Now that she’d calmed down, she realized that evidence—whether from witnesses or surveillance—would require the school’s cooperation.

But remembering how Teacher Li had tried to sweep everything under the rug that day… You Xi could only sigh in resignation.

That path was clearly blocked.

There was only one option left.

She had to get Bai Mian herself to step forward and accuse Mo Li of bullying.

Should she call Bai Mian and explain the situation? You Xi hesitated.

She desperately needed her friend’s help—but the memory of Bai Mian’s broken, hopeless voice on the phone made her fear causing her more emotional harm.

As she wrestled with this, her phone suddenly blared an alert.

The data collected by the Second Ring squad during their battle with the Nightmare Fiend had been uploaded into the Magic Kingdom app by developers.

Using that data, the app could analyze and match magic particles in a given area, allowing it to track the aberration’s movements.

Since the alert had gone off, it meant the Nightmare Fiend had either just been—or was still—somewhere below.

At that thought, Raging Flame’s heart pounded.

When she landed, she looked around—and froze.

…This was Bai Mian’s apartment complex, wasn’t it?

She’d come here before to deliver class notes when Bai Mian was sick, so the area was familiar.

The phone’s alarm had stopped as suddenly as it began. Raging Flame opened the Magic Kingdom app and checked the log.

Just minutes ago, it had detected magic particles matching the Nightmare Fiend. But now, the latest entries read: Target lost… What was going on? A malfunction?

She remembered Lao Lin warning before the mission that the feature was still in development—prone to false positives and inaccuracies.

But why did it malfunction now, of all times—just when she was thinking about Xiao Mian?

And why had she ended up exactly at her friend’s neighborhood?

Was this really just a coincidence?

The more she thought about it, the harder it became to ignore. Raging Flame touched down, placed a finger on the soul gem at her chest, and de-transformed.

First, I’ll call Xiao Mian.

****

“I can’t do it.”

After a long silence, Bai Mian shook her head weakly.

“Why not? What about your hatred? Were all the things you told me—your anger, your pain—all lies?”

Dreamfiend’s voice turned sharp, almost angry. It felt like its plan was slipping away.

“I wanted to help you because I admire your talent… Are you really going to betray my kindness?”

“It’s not like that.”

Bai Mian didn’t even look at Dreamfiend. Still crouched in the corner, she replied in a dull, flat voice.

“You just want to use me to achieve your own goals.”

She wasn’t as broken as she seemed. She hadn’t fallen for its manipulation.

Realizing this, Dreamfiend shifted tactics. Its tone turned pitiful, pleading.

“Maybe… maybe you’re right. Maybe I *do* have my own motives. But all I want is to survive. Is that really so wrong? Please, Bai Mian. Just getting here took all my strength. If you don’t help me… I’ll vanish.”

“And when I’m gone… who will understand you? Who will recognize your talent?”

“We’re the same, Bai Mian. Saving me is saving yourself. Do you really want to spend the rest of your life like this—hiding in a corner, rotting away? Come to me. Let me help you reclaim your talent. Let me help you erase the shame those fools made you feel.”

“…”

Bai Mian listened in silence, her mind racing.

She did hate what Mo Li had done. She was furious about how her work had been mocked and trampled.

But if she joined Dreamfiend—used violence to unleash all that hatred—what would happen? Would she have to do something terrible to Mo Li?

The thought sent a chill down her spine.

Her anger wasn’t that deep. Mo Li’s actions didn’t deserve *that* kind of retribution.

She wanted to tell Dreamfiend this. But before she could speak, her phone rang—suddenly, without warning.

Strange… she was sure she’d turned it off. Or had her memory already started to blur?

In that moment, Bai Mian didn’t realize that leaving her phone on was a subconscious desire—deep down, she still hoped someone would call.

And that someone was—

She picked up the phone. The moment she saw the name on the screen, her gloom vanished. Her fingers trembled as she pressed the answer button.

“Hey, Xiao Mian.”

You Xi’s voice came through the speaker.

“Yeah… Xiao Xi, it’s me.”

“Ah, funny coincidence. I was just out shopping, and I happened to wander near your place.”

“R-really?”

Xiao Xi was nearby? Bai Mian’s heart began to race.

“…But isn’t it school time?”

“Hehe… I got my suspension extended because of some stuff. Ah, never mind that. It’s not because of you.”

You Xi quickly brushed past the topic and continued:

“Are you free? I’m already here, so I thought I’d drop by… unless you’re busy?”

“No, not busy at all,” Bai Mian answered quickly.

“My parents are at work. I’m home alone.”

As she spoke, she glanced at Dreamfiend on the floor. The aberration, sensing the shift, quietly slithered up the bookshelf and squeezed itself into a narrow gap between the books.

“Really? Then I’ll come over right away?”

“Y-yes…”

Suddenly, she remembered—she was still in her pajamas, unshowered, a mess.

“W-wait! Give me twenty minutes!”

She scrambled to her feet and rushed to the bathroom, frantically starting to fix her appearance.