The Other Shore’s Allure and a Fateful Date

The black-haired, red-eyed girl, her ponytail tied high, turned from side to side, examining her reflection in the mirror. She wore a red half-zip hoodie over a white T-shirt, silver-grey flare pants, and a titanium steel triangular ring necklace.

Then, she curved her lips into a smile, and her previously aloof demeanor instantly brightened considerably.

She truly resembled an athletic girl bursting with youthful vigor.

“How is it, Host? Hehe~ It seems you’re quite pleased~” Su Xiaoqian flapped her tiny wings, smoothing out the newly affixed artist’s handlebar mustache, looking utterly delighted.

“Yes, yes,” Red Spider Lily responded, then added, “To be honest, I’m a vulgar person. When it comes to women, sports, and allure, my mind can only conjure images of yoga pants.”

That’s why she had been a little nervous about asking Su Xiaoqian for help. Consequently, she couldn’t have been more satisfied with this outfit, which not only met but even exceeded her expectations, ensuring she wouldn’t feel awkward wearing it.

“Host, you pervert.”

“I’m not old, thank you, and I don’t want to be lewd for others either,” Red Spider Lily said, waving her hand dismissively.

“Oh, in that case, Host, you’re just poor and stingy.” Su Xiaoqian tried to maintain a serious expression, but halfway through, she burst into giggles.

Red Spider Lily was a beat late in reacting, glancing down at the ‘flatlands’ of her own chest before twitching her lips.

‘I can’t let this kid browse the internet anymore. They know more memes than I do.’

Exhaling a breath, she wouldn’t refute it, after all, it was a definite advantage for her.

She naturally liked it, but she certainly didn’t want it to grow on her own body.

As she started walking, things bounced and jiggled with every step.

Horrifying!

“Host, it’s time to go~”

“Understood, yes, I’ll head out now.” Her thoughts interrupted, Red Spider Lily replied, noting the time and realizing it was indeed time to act.

While Red Spider Lily wasn’t as versatile as Su Mo, her everyday actions were quite effective. Though she didn’t fully understand the power-user system, she was likely capable of handling most situations, a confidence stemming from her favorite ability: ‘The Other Shore.’

She had no idea at what stage she acquired this ability, after all, she had awakened at max level.

‘Ah, what a bother~’

‘The Other Shore’ was Red Spider Lily’s core skill, offering both concealment and protection.

Red Spider Lily could exist on ‘This Shore,’ where the living resided, and also step into ‘The Other Shore,’ the realm of the dead.

‘This Shore’ and ‘The Other Shore’ were like two sides of a coin: very close, yet unable to touch.

When Red Spider Lily entered ‘The Other Shore,’ she couldn’t be perceived by the living on ‘This Shore.’ She could also effortlessly bypass all obstacles on ‘This Shore,’ phasing through walls like a ghost.

Red Spider Lily controlled the passage between ‘This Shore’ and ‘The Other Shore.’

This meant she could essentially exploit a double standard, possessing unique privileges.

She could attack others, whether through magical assaults or by unleashing dogs to bite them.

But others either couldn’t find her or couldn’t harm her.

How infuriating, right?

Naturally, this ability also offered great convenience in daily life.

For instance, if a conversation needed to be private, they could simply hold it on ‘The Other Shore.’

She could set boundaries.

Furthermore, ‘The Other Shore’ and ‘This Shore’ were almost identical, save for the presence of people. If she cordoned off an area to be ‘The Other Shore,’ it wouldn’t be noticed, and the effect was similar to Saint Lily’s ‘Begone, Intruders’ barrier.

Red Spider Lily phased through the door, finding it incredibly convenient as it eliminated the need to open or lock anything.

As for her other skills, such as devouring calamity beasts and transforming them into spectral calamity beasts to command, they were much like a mountain lord’s ‘Chang Gui’ skill.

This was merely an inherent effect of the Flower Domain.

Although she was max level, her ability development wasn’t as refined as that of proper Flower Seed Maidens like Saint Lily.

The most frequently used ability was ‘The Other Shore,’ making it her core skill.

As for her remaining abilities, there was no need to elaborate; they weren’t needed for now. When the time came, she’d just… cough, cough~ she meant, wouldn’t they just find out then?

No need to rush.

****

Arriving at the agreed-upon location, a girl was already waiting. Red Spider Lily, feeling mischievous, quietly approached. She then gently patted the girl’s right shoulder, and as the girl turned, Red Spider Lily playfully poked her right cheek with a smile.

“Mmm~ Red Spider Lily~”

“Sorry, you’re just too cute, I couldn’t resist~”

……

****

Saint Lily observed Red Spider Lily’s unusual attire, unable to help but take a few extra glances. It was novel, yet it suited Red Spider Lily perfectly.

“Cough, cough~ Staring at me like that, could it be you’ve fallen for me?” Red Spider Lily let out a light cough, her gaze shifting uncomfortably.

“That’s right!” Saint Lily exclaimed, watching the blushing Red Spider Lily. Typically, such a tease would make someone shyly look away, but Red Spider Lily’s reaction was a delightful discovery for Saint Lily, who stared intently, wanting to see more. “Did Red Spider Lily specially dress up for this date?”

“This is just… a very ordinary tracksuit. If anything, Saint Lily, you’re the one dressed so cutely~”

“Eh? Cute? This is just… a very ordinary casual outfit too…”

Alright!

‘You two, high offense, paper defense, huh?’

Both their cheeks were slightly flushed, and they each turned their faces away.

But their proximity was so close that when their hands accidentally brushed, it triggered even more peculiar reactions.

“The weather’s nice, isn’t it~”

“Mhm, it looks like it might rain.”

“……”

‘The weather card, never out of style.’

“So, Red Spider Lily, let’s walk faster! It wouldn’t be good if we got caught in the rain.” Saint Lily looked at the dazed Red Spider Lily, took a deep breath, and, grasping her hand, said with a smile.

“Eh? Ah! Yes, alright.”

Su Xiaoqian circled around them. She sighed helplessly, crossing her arms, then, wearing an expression that seemed to say, ‘Children, Mama is very disappointed in you,’ she shook her head.

Fortunately, the heavy rain was a step too slow. They had already entered the subway station when the ‘tap-tap’ sound of raindrops hitting the ground began.

Saint Lily turned back to look. The curtains of rain seemed like floodgates that had slammed shut, as if their entry had triggered a trap.

How such an image had occurred to her, Saint Lily shook her head with a wry smile. Yet, recalling her conversation with Ruoruo last night, a sentence slipped out before she could fully think it through:

“Oh, Red Spider Lily, do you know Su Mo?”

Red Spider Lily froze. Her mind raced through a ‘brainstorm,’ and she managed to pull out a smile. “Su Mo, you say? If I know her, she must be the one at the top of the villain list, right?”

“Yes, that’s her.”

“Don’t tell me you ran into her, Saint Lily? Are you alright?” Red Spider Lily’s expression was genuinely concerned, her anxiety not seeming like an act at all.

“I… I’m fine now~” Saint Lily’s face flushed, and a warmth spread through her heart. “Sorry, I didn’t explain clearly. Let me briefly tell you what happened.”

Saint Lily then recounted the events at Yucai Middle School and what had happened with Ruoruo yesterday.

“When Su Mo escaped, I happened to run into her. She smiled at me and didn’t make things difficult.”

“I think, perhaps, Su Mo was targeting me, wanting to convey something through my sister? Hmm, for example, maybe the cinema really hides a mysterious passage to another world, but it only activates under certain conditions.”

“Uh…” Red Spider Lily touched the two movie tickets in her pocket. ‘The trigger condition is right in my hands!’

She let out an awkward laugh. “Haha, how could it be such a coincidence? Saint Lily, your sister doesn’t even know your identity, so how would Su Mo?”

“Villain No. 1. Besides her name, everything else about her is unknown. I don’t think we should rely on such luck.” Saint Lily raised her index finger as she spoke, but seeing Red Spider Lily’s wary expression, she smiled reassuringly. “However, she’s not as bad as one might imagine. I don’t think she has malicious intent; rather, she wants to inform us of something, or wants us to do something.”

“……”

‘Terrifying, Detective Saint Lily!’

“Oh, Red Spider Lily, why did you suddenly think of inviting me to the movies?”

Here it comes, the death question!

……

to be continued.