Abandoned Child Tea Party (1)

A cool breeze swayed the treetops. Through the gaps in the leaves, dappled shadows danced across the ground, shifting shapes like a shadow puppet show.

The only spectator, Bai Mian stood frozen in place. At her feet, a drunk man lay sprawled on the ground, snoring loudly, oblivious to the world.

But his sleep was restless—his face twisted, almost monstrous.

As if trying to flee a terrifying nightmare, his body twitched repeatedly, letting out faint, pained whimpers.

With each spasm, a wisp of black mist was drawn from his mouth, drifting toward the palm of Bai Mian’s right hand.

“…Delicious. So delicious.”

Dreamfiend’s voice echoed through the empty park. At this hour, the city belonged to aberrations like him—free to roam and feed.

“Is it really that good? You look completely blissed out.”

Bai Mian lifted her right hand, staring at the eyeball embedded deep in her palm.

“Of course. I’m the Nightmare Fiend. In simple terms, I feed on human nightmares and negative emotions.”

Apparently from the pleasure of feeding, Dreamfiend’s eye had narrowed into a slit.

“So you just absorb nightmares and negativity? Sounds like you’re actually a good guy,” Bai Mian sneered.

She wore a black hoodie, her face hidden beneath a large, shadowed hood.

“Exactly. This world is so twisted.”

“People who are truly good die. People who are rotten to the core act innocent and harmless.”

“…Are you mocking me?”

At his words, Bai Mian let out a twisted grin—the first such expression in her fifteen years.

“Never mind,” she said, shaking her head after the smile faded. “I’m already on your boat. Too late to regret now.”

“Regret? I don’t see any regret in you. In fact… aren’t you enjoying this too, Bai Mian?”

“Every time you were humiliated, looked down on—you imagined a cruel, vicious version of yourself. That other self would brutally punish and torment everyone who hurt you. But the weak you could do nothing. Until you met me. With my power, you finally have the courage to be that person.”

Dreamfiend calmly dissected Bai Mian’s state of mind. She stared back, expressionless.

“Amazing… even as just an eyeball, you’re still so articulate.”

“Is your brain full of gray matter or something? Let me check…”

Bai Mian bared her teeth. At the same time, she extended her left index finger, slowly poking toward Dreamfiend’s pupil.

“—Ah! No! Stop! I’m sorry!”

“Just kidding. We’re important allies, aren’t we?” Bai Mian suddenly pulled back, smiling sweetly.

“Phew.” Dreamfiend let out a long breath.

“Don’t you think your mood swings are a bit extreme?” it complained.

“Isn’t this exactly what you wanted? Do you really think the old me could hurt anyone?”

Bai Mian glanced at the unconscious drunkard with a mocking smirk.

“…Alright. That’s enough feeding for tonight. Let’s go home.”

Dreamfiend didn’t answer. Instead, it urged Bai Mian to leave immediately.

“You’re full already?”

“I have to go even if I’m not. Hurry!”

Just moments ago, Dreamfiend had sensed a massive, abnormal surge of magic nearby.

It didn’t know if it was just passing through or had a purpose. But right now, it didn’t want to encounter any magical girls—or other aberrations.

“It’s the magical girls chasing you…”

“—Found you.”

Before Bai Mian could finish, a voice like a nightingale’s song rang out from behind.

“Good evening, Mr. Nightmare Fiend.”

Gothic Lolita. Silver waist-length hair that shimmered in the cold light.

Beneath the pale moonlight, the mysterious girl—Kurorou—stood before them, holding an ornate parasol.

That scale…

In that instant, Dreamfiend saw a vision:

On a storm-wracked wasteland, a black iron coffin, mountain-sized, rose from the earth, piercing the sky. Its peak vanished into thick storm clouds—endless, unending…

Suppressing its terror, Dreamfiend spoke with forced calm:

“W-what an unexpected guest. What does the host of the Discarded Tea Party want with me?”

“I heard you were defeated by the Third Ring’s magical girls.”

Kurorou studied Bai Mian—or rather, Dreamfiend—with a composed, almost polite smile.

There was no mockery in her expression—only genuine excitement at something new.

“Such a pitiful state… If the other Ten Thousand Demon Hall executives saw you like this, you’d be executed on the spot, wouldn’t you?”

“You’re not wrong. But that’s our internal matter,” Dreamfiend replied.

“We’ve always kept our distance, haven’t we? No interference.”

“Indeed,” Kurorou said.

“As you can see, the Discarded Tea Party is but a small group—unworthy of opposing the Ten Thousand Demon Hall.”

“So you’re here on personal business, then?”

“Precisely.”

Kurorou lifted the hem of her Lolita dress and gave a graceful bow.

“I come to you personally, Mr. Nightmare Fiend, to make a request.”

“A request? From me?”

Dreamfiend let out a dry, hollow laugh, as if hearing a bad joke.

“If it were before, maybe. But now, look at me…”

Before it could finish, Kurorou tossed something toward them.

Bai Mian caught it. In her palm lay a massive magic crystal.

“This size…”

Dreamfiend swallowed hard.

If it absorbed this crystal, its resurrection plan would accelerate dramatically.

“This is a gift—and a sign of respect for a Ten Thousand Demon Hall executive. Please accept it,” Kurorou said.

“And the price?”

Desire warred with caution. It knew this crystal wasn’t free.

“I regret to say I do need your power. But as you are now… you can’t help me.”

“When you’ve recovered to a suitable state, I will return. Until then, please remember my request.”

With that, Kurorou turned and left.

“…Senior, I truly wish to meet you soon.”

Her black parasol faded into the night mist, leaving only an eerie, lingering laugh behind.