“Little Bug, you’re back~”
At that moment, Sang actually hoped to see a flicker of longing on her face. If the True Ancestor missed him, at least it wouldn’t make his vague, indescribable thoughts along the journey feel like a complete waste. But it was all wishful thinking. That slender black silhouette remained as capricious and arrogant as ever.
All emotions, yet none of them satisfactory.
Sang snapped back to reality and nodded. “Yeah, I’m back, True Ancestor.”
“Did you come straight up to see me the moment you returned?”
Sang was a bit stunned by the question. Muscle memory kicked in, and he nearly spouted his old bootlicking lines, like “I’ve missed you so much.”
But after a pause, his lips parted slightly. He hesitated, then simply replied, “Yeah, long time no see, True Ancestor.”
It came out a touch flat.
“Long time no see?”
With those words, the True Ancestor first lowered her gaze with a mocking chuckle, as if ridiculing the phrase itself. Then she tucked the harmonica back into her cleavage once more and waved casually at Sang. A faint, elusive smile lingered on her face.
Seeing her reaction, Sang realized— what humans called “long time no see” was but a fleeting instant to her.
Come to think of it, whether she was pulling the harmonica from her cleavage or slipping it back in, no matter how many times Sang saw it, his heart still raced and his blood surged. It was just too stimulating.
“Alright, I permit you to come sit over here. Tell me about things in the Northern Region…”
Her words hung in the air for a long moment.
The True Ancestor noticed the boy behind her wasn’t moving. She glanced back at a 45-degree angle, her deep, shadowy black eyes fixing on him. His gaze still held some bewilderment, but it was clearer now.
No one knew what she was thinking, but she smiled enchantingly.
“Heh~ It seems… your trip to the Northern Region has changed you a bit.”
Hearing the True Ancestor’s words, the boy fell silent for a long while. He wasn’t sure if he’d truly grown after the events in the North— at least he’d gotten tougher.
Eventually, he obediently walked over to her and sat on the edge of the balcony. It had been ages since he’d been on this thousand-meter-high perch…
Ever since his battle with Wolf King Gallo in the North, the boy’s mental resilience had improved dramatically. He no longer feared the height.
His actual strength might still be at silver level, but his mindset was far beyond that.
However…
Before the boy’s rear could even warm the seat, the True Ancestor’s slender, pale hands came at him without warning. She slapped one flatly across his face— not cold, not warm, devoid of any heat. Through her bony, ghostly white fingers, Sang caught a glimpse of her profound eyes, like dark whirlpools.
Those black pupils contrasted starkly and contradictorily with her sickly pale skin, the most striking picture in the world.
This was killing intent!
The real deal!
She smiled, her lips curving in wild abandon, revealing her sharp white fangs.
In that instant, Sang felt an oppressive force no less than Wolf King Gallo’s. He even envisioned his head rolling on the ground the next second.
Just a moment ago, he’d been smug about his growth. Now, he thought he was dead— his pupils contracted, his heart pounded.
But…
The True Ancestor swiftly withdrew her killing intent and gave a chilling smile. “A little bug should look the part. You seem much cuter like this…”
Sang: “…”
She was just toying with him. Damn it, that overwhelming killing intent just now…
It had been too long since he’d left. He’d forgotten how terrifying she was…
The True Ancestor laughed wildly and continued, “Little Bug, it sounds like all sorts of fun things happened in the North… I’m bored out of my mind, so tell me the juicy details from up there… Huh? Why are you standing there gawking? Cat got your tongue?”
As she spoke, her palm was still pressed against the boy’s cheek. Suddenly, she pressed harder, her nails digging shallowly into his skin. It didn’t hurt, didn’t draw blood, but it made him shrink in fear once more.
“Do I really have to crack open that skull of yours to see what my little bug is thinking?”
Was she serious!?
Sang felt like he was staring death in the face. He didn’t dare slack off any longer. Gritting his teeth, he began recounting everything in detail.
Only then did the True Ancestor release her grip. She leaned in with keen interest, listening intently…
This person… she truly embodied evil, treating lives like weeds. Every time he mentioned a death, she snickered, murmuring now and then, “How intriguing.”
What the hell was “intriguing” about it!?
Whether humans, Blood Race, or werewolves, the upheaval in the North had claimed so many lives, yet she seemed utterly unconcerned. Every comment dripped with mockery and disdain.
Even hearing of Orcus Hill’s death left her unmoved.
But when the True Ancestor learned that Sang had become Snow Hill’s knight, her entire aura shifted. It was as if her possession had been tainted by another— she grew terrifyingly menacing, the very air around them thickening like it had frozen solid.
Fearing she might charge off to annihilate the North, Sang hurriedly explained. He described how dire the situation had been and even lied, claiming he couldn’t use the 【Layer of Power】 without becoming her knight.
Only then did the True Ancestor ease her killing intent, reluctantly accepting that Sang was now Snow Hill’s exclusive knight.
With a bit of intent to change the subject and distract her, Sang asked, “True Ancestor, had you heard about the Northern Region incidents beforehand?”
“Though I’m not interested in such matters, Richter Cape from the Cape Organization occasionally sends people with updates for me. So yes, I’m vaguely aware…”
“Have you ever thought about ruling properly, making the world a better place?” Sang pressed.
“Hahaha, Little Bug, that’s quite the amusing thing to say… My answer’s simple: no interest. Now, what else fun happened in the North? I’ve been bored for so long— tell me more. I rather enjoy hearing about this world from your mouth…”
As the True Ancestor said this, a strange melancholy crept into her tone.
Her mood swings and occasional sorrow puzzled the boy at times— True Ancestor, why couldn’t you just be a proper big bad evil? It would make my stance so much clearer.
Maybe she wasn’t the problem. Maybe I was— I’m human, with a heart. Snow Hill was right: my emotions always overpower my reason, blinding me to the reality.
And yet…
Even though this woman was a bewitching demon who captivated all with her beauty, Sang couldn’t muster any fondness for her.
Even though she’d saved his life before, he still couldn’t let go of his hatred… And why should he? She’d tried to kill him so many times, alternating slaps with sweet dates. She was a master manipulator.
In that moment, Sang pondered a dangerously bold question— if he could fully master the 【Layer of Power】, could he defeat her? Even kill her?
