Sun Xiaoxiao’s eyes widened in disbelief, her heart filled with self-reproach and complex emotions.
“Silly Ningning, it was me who abandoned you to fend for yourself first, and yet you’re still willing to step forward and protect me…”
Images of Kong Ning, as class monitor, helping her selflessly flashed through her mind. Kong Ning, bathed in light, smiling at her, saying: Don't be afraid, let’s go home together, it’s on the way.
Sun Xiaoxiao sniffled hard, a self-deprecating laugh escaping her.
“You… how can I possibly face you now.”
The monster actually nudged its enormous, grotesque head against Sun Xiaoxiao’s forehead.
“Okay, friend… (From now on, and forevermore.)”
Its form gradually faded, and the smiling hairpin slowly landed in Sun Xiaoxiao’s palm.
“Okay, Ningning, it’s a deal then. We have to become stronger, so we won’t be bullied anymore.”
Sun Xiaoxiao clutched the hairpin tightly, her expression twisting.
The quiet room finally allowed Sun Xiaoxiao to relax. She hadn’t slept for three days and was utterly exhausted.
“Can’t sleep yet… I have to get Mom to the hospital…”
Sun Xiaoxiao struggled, her vision darkened, and she collapsed to the floor, falling unconscious.
In her dream.
She suddenly opened her eyes.
A man wearing a black mask sat cross-legged beside her. His eyes were hidden beneath the pure black mask, upon which the number [03] was etched in sinister dark energy.
“Who are you?!” Sun Xiaoxiao sat up warily.
But she quickly realized something was wrong.
This was clearly her home, the doors and windows were shut tight, and her parents were nowhere to be seen.
How did the man get in?
She gripped the hairpin in her hand, wanting to summon Ningning to protect her, but she suddenly realized the hairpin wasn’t in her hand?!
Sun Xiaoxiao was consumed by extreme fear, but she managed to control herself, not showing too much of it.
“What… what do you want? My family is very poor. If you’re here to rob, you might have the wrong house. But don’t worry, I won’t let you come for nothing. In the second drawer of the TV cabinet, there’s a hidden compartment with 500 yuan inside. That’s all my savings. Please take it. I won’t call the police and I won’t tell anyone.”
The man chuckled, “I don’t want your money. On the contrary, I want to give you a lot of money, would you like some?”
Sun Xiaoxiao hugged herself defensively.
“No, thank you.”
The man was amused by the girl’s instinctive reaction and burst into laughter.
“You don’t need to give me your body. I only need you to become my follower.”
“Follower?” Sun Xiaoxiao frowned.
“As long as you believe in me, I can give you everything you desire: strength, money, a big house…”
Sun Xiaoxiao sneered, “I just want a happy family, parents who don’t argue. Can you give me that?”
“Of course, that’s very easy.”
The man sensed Sun Xiaoxiao’s inner turmoil and hummed a tune as he leaned closer.
He whispered seductively in her ear, “These parents of yours are terrible. They never considered your feelings. They kept arguing, arguing, arguing!… You’re already sick of it, aren’t you?”
“As long as you…”
Sun Xiaoxiao’s eyes widened. “How is that possible? Wasn’t the passage to Mirror City destroyed by the agents?”
The man spread his arms invitingly. “Surely you don’t think there’s only one path, do you? Oh, naive girl, there’s nothing an evil god cannot do, as long as you offer your faith.”
“I…”
Sun Xiaoxiao felt like she was going crazy. How could she believe someone spewing such nonsense? But what he said was so tempting… if it were true…
The man curled his lips. He knew the fish was biting.
“Allow me to bestow upon you new power, Xiaoxiao.”
As he spoke, he lightly tapped Sun Xiaoxiao’s chest. An invisible seed was instantly planted in her heart, and immense energy surged into Sun Xiaoxiao’s body along with it.
Sun Xiaoxiao’s soul trembled violently. Boundless pain enveloped her. She writhed on the ground in agony, feeling as if her body was a vessel about to explode!
She frantically tore at her clothes, scratching her skin until the seed fully took root in her heart. The pain soon transformed into an inexhaustible surge of power and pleasure.
“You endured it, good girl,” the man said, clapping his hands with a crisp sound.
“Nightmare, the 03 Apostle, welcome to [The Evil God’s Paradise].”
Sun Xiaoxiao panted and got up. She looked at her hands, a layer of dark spiritual energy covering her skin. She had never experienced such exhilaration.
“See? See? You believe me now, don’t you? I’ve come to save you, silly girl,” Nightmare chuckled triumphantly. “No one will ever bully you again, Xiaoxiao, you will have a brand new life.”
Nightmare plucked a dark star from the night sky and held it to Sun Xiaoxiao’s lips.
“Eat it, and embrace your new world.”
Sun Xiaoxiao’s eyes glazed over, and she slowly opened her cherry-red lips.
The star fruit entered her mouth. A tingling sensation spread across her tongue as she licked it. The delightful sensation flowed down her throat and into her stomach. The fruit instantly transformed into a soft, fiery energy that coursed through her entire body.
The seed in her heart sprouted, rapidly growing branches and leaves, forming a small tree.
Sun Xiaoxiao felt lighter, her body agile. With a casual clench of her hand, the air let out a muffled explosive sound.
This power seemed capable of crushing the Red-Clad Bride, and even Duan Chen would be no match for it!
“The evil god is truly magnificent. It’s so blissful to be a believer~~”
Sun Xiaoxiao giggled, the light in her eyes dimming, reflecting the shadow of the evil tree.
This was the true mark of her becoming a believer.
The number flashed and disappeared, and a blush spread across her entranced cheeks.
“Go, Xiaoxiao.”
Nightmare waved his black cloak, and the world seemed to peel away like a transparent film—
This was the real world, and what she had just experienced was a dream realm woven by Nightmare.
The hairpin returned to Sun Xiaoxiao’s hand. She clutched it tightly and walked to the wall where her father lay.
At this moment, Sun Goushi also woke up. He struggled, clutching his aching head, and roared, “Xiaoxiao! Get me the medicine, damn it, my old problem is acting up again.”
Sun Xiaoxiao stood still, unmoving.
“Damn it! Are you deaf? Ungrateful wretch, all you know is taking my money. I told you to get the medicine, didn’t I!”
Sun Goushi’s curses grew fouler. He tried to struggle to his feet, but dizziness prevented him from mustering the strength.
Sun Xiaoxiao retrieved the medicine from the table and held it in her hand.
“What are you gawking at? Damn it, feed it to me! Have you gone stupid? Hurry up or I’ll beat you to death!”
Sun Xiaoxiao’s heart remained calm. She unscrewed the cap and tipped the bottle upside down.
Clatter!
The small pills scattered across the floor.
Sun Goushi’s eyes widened in fury.
“Damn you, you mongrel! I’ll beat you if you’re asking for it. If I wasn’t thinking about how much I could sell you for, do you think I’d have put up with you these past few days?! Damn it!”
Sun Xiaoxiao’s face was devoid of any expression. She walked over, squatted beside her father, and with her small hand, thrust it forcefully into his chest…
Squelch.
Hot blood sprayed onto Sun Xiaoxiao’s face, dyeing her eyes red, but she didn’t even blink.
The body was as fragile as tofu, she thought. Grasping Sun Goushi’s still-beating heart, she smiled slightly.
“It is you who is damned, Father.”
Swish—
She yanked out his heart. Sun Goushi’s eyes widened in disbelief as he looked at Sun Xiaoxiao. With a final twitch, he breathed his last.
Nightmare watched the scene unfold and couldn’t help but clap for her.
“Quick, accurate, and ruthless. You’re a truly excellent killer, Xiaoxiao.”
“Thank you for the compliment.”
Sun Xiaoxiao placed the heart on a piece of clothing and wrapped it twice.
She turned to look at her mother, who lay collapsed by the doorway. Her mother was bruised and battered, with multiple injuries. She knelt and checked her, her breathing very faint.
“Mother, the pain will be over soon.”