Kiana lowered her voice, glaring fiercely at him.
But with her harmlessly beautiful face, the expression had absolutely no killing power.
Instead, it was adorably fierce, like a little kitten trying to act tough.
Ye Feng chuckled. "Still thinking of Mei at a time like this. Your spirit of self-sacrifice for others truly moves me."
Kiana glanced nervously at the door and called out, "It's fine! Mei, you go ahead and swim first, I'll be right there."
Her voice betrayed no hint of abnormality.
Mei, not suspecting a thing, walked away to wait for Kiana by the pool steps.
Hearing the faint footsteps recede, the heart that was lodged in Kiana's throat finally settled.
She turned her head back, her thin, slightly translucent, and sexy red lips pursing around a strand of hair.
"You bastard, be gentle, don't make any noise…"
"Is Kiana that afraid of being discovered by Mei?"
"Aren't you?"
"What do I have to be afraid of?"
"I heard it all from Mei! You took her to the dojo, cared for her so thoughtfully… you're trying to conquer Mei, aren't you!?"
"Whoa, using a word like 'conquer'… when it's clearly a sweet, innocent romance. What's the difference between that and calling a 'woman' a 'female,' or a 'teacher' a 'female instructor'?"
Kiana said resentfully, "Just admit it!"
"That's right. From now on, we're love rivals, Wormy."
Wow, this guy—
For some reason, that flippant tone really infuriated Wormy.
"Hm? Wait, if that's the case…"
Kiana suddenly grew curious. "If you caught Mei, would you… do that to her right away?"
"Guess."
"I'm not guessing! I demand you let me go right now!"
"My, my, Wormy's suddenly gotten assertive…"
"—You said this week is [Compensated Dating Week], and that my requests have the highest priority."
Kiana stared straight at Ye Feng, a confident smile spreading across her face. "You wouldn't want to be someone who goes back on their word, would you?"
"?"
Kiana's words actually made Ye Feng pause for a moment.
She had really found a bug in the system.
Using it to threaten him in return?
Hmm, Ye Feng liked this tone.
Ye Feng pulled his body out. A soft "pop" echoed within the cramped locker, and Kiana could finally lower her tiptoed heels.
However, her body was weak, and she staggered, nearly collapsing to the floor.
She steadied herself by placing a palm on the locker.
Ye Feng looked at Kiana with an approving smile.
"Excellent, excellent, I had almost forgotten. Wormy is truly my helpful little wife. If used at a critical moment, this bug could have been a finishing blow.
Alright, bug fixed. From now on, I have the final say on all rules within this game."
"..."
Kiana, who had been feeling rather smug, suddenly wanted to beat her chest in frustration.
She realized she had personally thrown away a golden opportunity.
Still, since it was just a "game," a bug fix was a bug fix.
Kiana agonized over it for a moment before letting it go.
Besides, her "clutch reversal" just now must have looked really cool.
Kiana was genuinely happy, but… with Ye Feng gone just like that, her body felt a little uncomfortable.
The number on her lower abdomen was in an "excited state," wanting to "+1" but unable to, stuck in an awkward limbo.
Kiana didn't dare look at Ye Feng again and quickly bolted out of the changing room.
"Mei, run! That guy is after us!"
"Eh, eh? What?"
Mei, completely confused, was dragged away by Kiana, and the two quickly vanished from the indoor swimming pool.
"Heh heh."
Ye Feng chuckled, in no hurry to chase after them.
A moment ago, he had discreetly smeared a tiny bit of the "Love Potion" on his forearm—the same kind Mobius had used on him.
Now Kiana was in hiding with Mei while under the subtle effects of the drug. He wondered what might happen.
---o---
After Ji Lin entered the "game," she was ninety percent certain that Cangxuan and Danzhu had "awakened."
After all, her Master wouldn't go to such great lengths unless new people had joined.
According to her Master's habits, if he didn't "eat" them immediately, there was still room for maneuvering.
Cangxuan and Danzhu…
Ji Lin clenched her fists. "I have to find them as soon as possible."
If she could help them successfully clear the game, her Master probably wouldn't mess around with them.
At least, not in the short term.
Both Ji Lin and Kiana believed that Ye Feng was someone who played fair.
"It is precisely because of that faith that your earnest efforts, my dear Lin'er, are all the more moving."
Thanks to their contract, even without activating his "map vision," Ye Feng could roughly sense his magical girl's location.
Ji Lin was moving continuously and quickly.
She seemed to be searching for something.
Finally, she stopped at the library.
"The library, huh…" He seemed to recall setting up some very strange rules there.
The corners of Ye Feng's mouth curled up slightly, and he started walking over.
At the same time, Ji Lin stood before the library entrance.
The building's exterior was eroded by time, yet it still exuded a mysterious and solemn aura. The main doors were shut tight, as if sealing off two separate worlds.
"Those two people just now… that was Cangxuan and Danzhu, wasn't it…"
While on the third floor of the school building, Ji Lin had seen two figures in feathered robes enter the library from a hallway window.
But by the time she arrived, the library's heavy wooden doors were closed, and a parchment labeled "Rules" was posted beside them.
Ji Lin moved closer to read the text scrolling across it:
All Girls of the Shell in this library wear one-piece black bodysuits. There are no white ones! NO WHITE ONES!
Under no circumstances should you look at the fourth book on the third shelf of bookshelf number one. If you open it by mistake, find a Girl of the Shell in a one-piece black bodysuit.
Remember, you can never see the person on the other side of a bookshelf.
This library contains no children's books. If you see any, leave immediately.
This library does not have an attic at any time.
Do not trust any companion who has been away from you for more than ten minutes! Especially if she wants to take you to see the attic.
This library has no librarian. If you meet someone claiming to be the librarian, agree to any of her conditions, but do not follow her instructions! And absolutely do not go to the "attic" she speaks of.
[IMPORTANT] Do not drink any water that has left your sight (even for a second), but food can be eaten freely.
This library only has two floors. Any other rooms are not part of the library. If you accidentally find yourself in one, leave immediately! Do not turn back, no matter what sounds you hear!
You must remain absolutely silent within the library. Any loud noises or footsteps may awaken something ominous.
If you see an illogical scene, pretend you did not see it. Otherwise, you will take the place of that scene's protagonist.
…
"…What strange rules."
Before Ji Lin could even fully process what she had read, the heavy wooden doors swung open silently and slowly, inviting the brave explorer to step into an unknown world.
"Cangxuan, Danzhu."
Ji Lin murmured their names and stepped inside without a moment's hesitation.