Clack, clack, clack... The crisp sound of footsteps was particularly striking on the empty street.
Acheron and Mo Xi walked side by side in silence. Knowing that Acheron's parents wouldn't dare let her leave alone, Mo Xi had taken the initiative to accompany her, playing her part as the concerned sibling. Mo Xi, who had originally wanted to go out alone for fresh air, had impulsively suggested they go together; she was still unsettled by Acheron's cryptic words from earlier.
From the corner of her eye, Mo Xi kept sizing up the consistently expressionless Acheron. But how on earth should I bring this up?
Just then, Acheron spoke. "If you feel unwell, you can go home first. Don't force yourself."
Mo Xi paused, then casually picked a topic. "No... it's nothing. It's just... I didn't expect you to like wearing such... unique outfits, Sister Acheron."
Acheron saw through her immediately, sensing that her sister was still dwelling on their previous conversation. This only further proved that her younger sister was indeed hiding secrets.
"Mm. According to our parents, these were the clothes I was wearing when they found me."
The answer caught Mo Xi by surprise. She had assumed it was just a hobby, but Acheron turned out to be a mysteriously abandoned "2D girl"? The truth was clearly not that simple; an ordinary cosplayer couldn't simply materialize in a high-security villa undetected.
Acheron, for her part, didn't care about her sister's internal brainstorming. She was focused intently on leading the way to a fruit shop. Mo Xi followed obediently by her side.
This led to... "Is this... the third time we've passed this fork in the road, Sister Acheron?"
Mo Xi stared blankly at Acheron's deadpan profile. Acheron looked left and right before answering with a look of relative certainty.
"It seems we have indeed been here before."
"We have! We're literally just going around in circles!" At this point, even Mo Xi couldn't keep her composure. She stared at the ethereal Acheron in disbelief. "You don't actually know where you're going, do you? (ﾟДﾟ)"
"I remember there should be a decent-tasting fruit shop near here... O.O?"
Mo Xi: T_T
In that moment, Mo Xi had an epiphany; she finally understood her parents' constant worry. Who could have imagined such a celestial beauty would have such a massive "gap" in her character? Acheron's serious expression while being lost actually made her feel... a bit cute. The mysterious image of the woman in Mo Xi's heart shattered, replaced by a weary sigh.
"How about we—"
Before Mo Xi could finish, her Master's warning echoed in her mind.
"Disciple, watch your surroundings. Two people are stalking you from behind."
Mo Xi was startled! Her face instantly returned to its usual cold mask. "Sister Acheron, you keep looking. I'm going to head back first."
Without waiting for a reaction, she left immediately. Acheron didn't mind and turned back to continue her quest for the fruit shop. Once Mo Xi had walked a certain distance, she confirmed with her Master that the stalkers were still there. They were coming for her.
"Really... and I had already decided to live for myself and my sister in this life..."
Although Mo Xi had only been practicing for a short time, her senses were far beyond ordinary. The fact that these men had avoided her own detection meant they were likely Ability Users. She chose to lead them away, not wanting to involve her "family."
As she stepped into a dark alley, Mo Xi let out a sigh. I really didn't expect that in this new life, I'd be risking my life for a cheap sister I just met. After all, if she escaped alone, there was no guarantee they wouldn't target the defenseless, lost Acheron instead.
As she stepped deeper into the alley, the atmosphere turned eerie. "You two have followed me for so long. Aren't you going to come out?"
Mo Xi's tone was flat, her cold gaze piercing through the darkness.
Bang!!!
Heavy footsteps rang out. Two men—one burly, one lean—appeared at the alley's entrance, blocking her path.
"We don't know each other. What do you want with me?" Mo Xi scanned them; they weren't in her memories from her previous life.
The burly man in front stopped his companion, a smile appearing on his face. "You must have noticed the abilities appearing in your body. Our organization is composed of people like us. We are here to sincerely invite you to join us."
"Oh? And what's in it for me?" Mo Xi feigned curiosity.
"Naturally, we provide rich rewards and teach you how to further enhance your abilities."
Mo Xi feigned consideration while inwardly cursing the man for taking her for a fool. She had sensed their killing intent the moment they appeared.
"Sounds good, but you don't mind if I think about it, do you?" She decided to go with the flow, waiting for a chance to strike.
"Of course. By the way, I haven't asked how to address you, Miss?" The man took two steps forward, extending his hand in a gesture of goodwill. Mo Xi showed a professional smile and stepped forward to accept.
"Thank you for understanding. My name is—"
In the next second, their expressions shifted simultaneously. The man pulled a small iron rod from his pocket that extended to six feet long, swinging it fiercely at her. Mo Xi stopped talking; she wouldn't give them her name. Her right hand clenched into a fist, carrying the momentum of a thunderbolt toward the man's face.
Just as the blows were about to land, Mo Xi's expression flickered. She shifted her fist into a palm, grabbing the swinging iron rod mid-air.
Sss! Grit her teeth, Mo Xi gripped the rod tightly with one hand while throwing another punch with the other. Seeing his attack intercepted, horror appeared on the man's face.
Bang!!!
"Big Brother!"
The man let out a muffled groan, recoiling several steps. Mo Xi furrowed her brow and released her grip, retreating as well.
Cough, cough... "Being able to detect us, I guessed you weren't simple, but I truly underestimated you!" The burly man's nonchalance was gone, replaced by deep, burning anger.