“A Witch… Hunter?” Luo Tianchen muttered the words softly.
“As you can see, the so-called Witch Hunters possess extraordinary abilities,” Xia Luohua emphasized. “We are tasked with expelling unknown demons. While often called demon hunters for our exorcism work, our true duty is to track traces of witches worldwide.
We prevent the potential disasters they might inflict upon human society, driving them back to their origins before they fully awaken.”
“So, your presence here means…”
“Precisely. We’ve detected signs that a Witch’s Game was held in this city.”
“A Witch’s Game… what exactly is that?”
“It’s exactly as it sounds: a game hosted by witches, with human participants. The earliest Witch’s Game cannot be traced, nor is it known which witch invented and spread it.
As I mentioned, humans envy and crave the beauty and power of witches. For some unknown reason, witches created these games, selecting certain humans and granting them the qualification to participate.
Those who successfully complete the game earn the right to make a wish to the witch.”
“That sounds quite appealing,” Luo Tianchen mused. “Just playing a game can fulfill any wish? Anyone would be tempted. I bet many people want to participate, right?”
“More than just many,” Xia Luohua corrected. “When a witch announces the opening of a Witch’s Game, almost everyone scrambles to participate, vying fiercely for a spot.
It has even escalated into wars between nations.”
“Wow.”
Luo Tianchen let out a gasp of astonishment.
“However, this so-called qualification for the Witch’s Game is not open to everyone. Firstly, and most importantly, participants must be underage, pure maidens who have not yet experienced intimacy.
Secondly, they must possess a token to participate in the game, which we call the ‘Witch’s Seed’. Thirdly, at the start of the game, one must swallow the ‘Witch’s Seed’ to join.”
“Eh? That sounds terribly troublesome… Wait a moment, could that ‘Witch’s Seed’ possibly be—” Luo Tianchen’s expression changed drastically.
“Yes, it’s that thing you swallowed.” Xia Luohua nodded, confirming his suspicion.
“You’re kidding, right? But didn’t you say it’s only for underage, pure maidens? I’m clearly a man!” Luo Tianchen’s shoulders slumped helplessly.
“I found it quite strange as well. In reality, if someone doesn’t meet the first condition and swallows a ‘Witch’s Seed’ on their own, their body cannot withstand the witch’s power and explodes.
Many have tried this and died. At the time, I had intended to use my own power to temporarily stabilize the ‘Witch’s Seed’ within you, preventing it from sprouting, and then send you back to headquarters for treatment.
However, I never anticipated the ‘Witch’s Seed’ would react so violently. Just as I thought you were doomed, it suddenly calmed down on its own.
Then, it began its transformation, changing you from the inside out into a maiden, precisely as you are now.”
“How could this be… Oh, right! How did you stabilize me back then?” Luo Tianchen suddenly remembered something and couldn’t help but ask.
“You ask how I stabilized it… well, by connecting our lips, of course,” Xia Luohua replied with an air of complete matter-of-factness. “I’m not some martial arts master who can transmit inner energy from a distance.
To stabilize the situation within you, relying on lip contact was the natural method. What? Do you have any questions? Your face is quite red, you know…”
“No, nothing…” ‘So, that really wasn’t a dream. A girl’s lips, that sweet, soft touch… No, this isn’t the time to think about such things!
‘How could it be nothing?! That was my first kiss! Just like that, it’s gone! While I have no complaints about the object being a beautiful girl, couldn’t you at least show a hint of shyness?
‘Your nonchalant demeanor truly wounds me! Why are you so practiced at this?!’
‘No, calm down, Luo Tianchen! You can’t let yourself be affected anymore! You’re a man! How can you act like a heartbroken little girl?!’
Xia Luohua shot Luo Tianchen a peculiar glance before continuing, “Actually, I was quite worried about you. After all, I bear some responsibility for what happened.
So, after taking you home, I requested headquarters to transfer me to your school. But seeing you so lively and bouncing around, I feel relieved…”
“Lively and bouncing around?! My situation is clearly terrible!” Luo Tianchen exclaimed, fuming. “I feel like I’ve completely changed into someone else, I’m practically being driven insane!”
“Is that so? I actually think you seem quite normal… But judging by what you’re saying, it seems the transformation wasn’t just physical; even your soul was modified…”
“What is that?” Luo Tianchen paused, taken aback.
“It’s merely a different worldview. For ordinary people, there is only one material world. However, in our understanding, beyond the material realm, the world is divided into several components, such as the Astral Realm and the Soul Realm.
The existence of these realms grants us powers beyond normal comprehension, and witches, too, possess the ability to overturn causality. Let’s set that aside for now.
But judging by this, your self-identity is quite robust, isn’t it? I’m rather impressed with you.”
“Of course.” ‘Though I wasn’t sure why I was being praised, I allowed myself a small moment of smugness.’
“However, this might not be a good thing for you,” Xia Luohua abruptly poured a bucket of cold water over Luo Tianchen. “Originally, if your soul had been completely transformed, you would have naturally accepted your identity as a woman.
But now, it seems that for some unknown reason, only a portion of your soul was modified. The consequence of this is that you will unconsciously adopt female thoughts and behaviors.
Yet, your original male self will subconsciously resist it. Over time, the best outcome would be schizophrenia. The worst… you might completely lose yourself and become a madman.”
“What is this?! My strong self-awareness has become an obstacle instead? Is there any solution?” Luo Tianchen asked her nervously.
She shook her head regretfully. “Because there’s no precedent for this, even we are somewhat at a loss. If it were merely a physical transformation, we could manage it.
But when it comes to the soul, we are powerless, especially since the existence of a witch is involved.”
“Then what should I do? Just keep going like this?” Luo Tianchen felt a surge of despair. ‘If even she had no solution, would I really have to live the rest of my life as a woman?
‘The thought of dating men, marrying, and having children in the future… it was terrifying!’
“It’s not entirely hopeless,” Xia Luohua offered. “Since it was a witch’s power that turned you into a woman, why not use a witch’s power to change back?”
“You mean, complete the Witch’s Game and then wish to a witch to change back?” Luo Tianchen immediately understood her meaning, yet new questions arose. “But aren’t you a Witch Hunter?
Is it truly acceptable to use a witch’s power? You won’t drag me to the gallows or something, will you?”
‘After all, there was the precedent of the Inquisition, where anyone who used demonic power was burned alive. Witches, I figured, were no different from demons.’
Xia Luohua looked somewhat speechless. “What do you take us for? Fanatical zealots? I already told you, didn’t I? The purpose of Witch Hunters is to prevent witches from destroying the world.
Personal actions like this, as long as they don’t cause a massive impact on the world, we won’t interfere. In fact, more than the Witch’s Game itself, we’re concerned with the witch behind it.
My original mission was to retrieve that Witch’s Seed and bring it back to headquarters. By analyzing it, we could identify which witch organized the game and take appropriate preventative measures. I didn’t expect you to eat it…”
‘My apologies, then.’
“However, what’s done is done, and there’s nothing for it. My mission has now changed to ‘protecting you through the Witch’s Game’.”
“Protect me? Why would you protect me?” Luo Tianchen was startled.
“You don’t naively believe the Witch’s Game is just an ordinary game, do you? The reward for completion is said to grant any wish. How could it not demand a corresponding price?”
“…And what is that price?”
“Your… life.” She said softly. “If your wish isn’t worth risking your life for, then how could it be worthy of being granted?”
Luo Tianchen swallowed hard. “…So, is this game difficult?”
“I don’t know.”
“…You don’t know?” ‘You’ve got to be kidding me.’
“The Witch’s Game varies in rules and completion conditions depending on the organizer. And while it’s said one can make a wish to a witch, that’s merely a legend.
In our records, no one has ever truly completed a Witch’s Game. In fact, before you, we encountered several participants in the Witch’s Game. Regrettably, they all eventually died.”
“…Doesn’t that sound rather grim? Still, do people actually want to participate even knowing this?” ‘Though I considered myself somewhat special, that was only in comparison to ordinary humans. Against a supernatural entity like a witch, I lacked confidence.’
“There’s no helping it. As humans, don’t we all have one or two wishes we’d pursue, even at the cost of our lives?” ‘For some reason, I sensed a fleeting shadow cross Xia Luohua’s expression as she spoke. Yet, she instantly reverted to her previous tone. Was it just my imagination?’
“Well, personally, I have high hopes for you,” Xia Luohua said, a hint of mischief in her voice. “If it’s you, you might genuinely complete this game. And if you do, you can return to your ordinary life.”
“…You’ve investigated my past?” Luo Tianchen’s expression darkened.
“Who knows?” She smiled, expertly changing the subject. “So, are you willing to cooperate with us?
You’ve already swallowed the Witch’s Seed, so you’re destined to participate in the game anyway. If you choose to cooperate, you’ll gain some information, even if it’s not much. It’s certainly better than being completely in the dark, wouldn’t you agree?”
“…It seems I have no choice,” Luo Tianchen shrugged, extending a hand. “Then, I wish us pleasant cooperation.”
Xia Luohua paused, then smiled brightly. “Pleasant cooperation.”