The remote district was still lit bright as day.

A large number of guards, under the shrill shouts and orders of their superiors, split into small squads and surged into alleyways soaked with sewage and filth—viciously hunting down the rats scattering in all directions.

Of course, the results were minimal.

Though barely anyone was actually captured, to the eyes of the onlookers, it was already an impressive spectacle.

At the very least, the Lower City hadn’t been this lively in a long while.

“Oh my, even the guard battalion’s been deployed. Looks like it was a good idea to restrain myself from making a move.”

In the shadow of a distant building, the shopkeeper wrapped in a black cloak—her alluring figure still impossible to conceal—patted her voluptuous chest in lingering fright. A breathtaking view swayed gently... sadly, with no one there to appreciate it.

“But I suppose it doesn’t matter. I don’t need the Ancient Dragon’s Lifeblood that badly anyway. Even if I had gotten it, I would’ve just sold it at a high price to someone else. Probably would’ve caused more trouble than it was worth.”

“What’s unfortunate is... I couldn’t find the one who bought the Tear of True Love.”

The shopkeeper lowered her gaze and once again scanned the perimeter of the district. Finding nothing yet again, she withdrew her sight in disappointment.

The Tear of True Love—that gem was what she truly desired.

Unfortunately, her purse was far too light. She hadn’t been able to bid a high price, and could only watch it become someone else’s possession.

She hadn’t even managed to find the mysterious buyer—Number Eighty-Eight. Unlike the gangs in the Lower City with eyes and ears everywhere, she was ultimately just one person.

“Forget it. Even if I did get it, it would’ve just been another sliver of hope.”

She consoled herself aloud.

“And I’ve held on to that kind of /N_o_v_e_l_i_g_h_t/ meaningless hope far too many times already. Without exception, they’ve always turned to disappointment... or even despair.”

Or rather, maybe it was better to sever that wish entirely.

The greater the hope, the deeper the despair.

That kind of pain—she’d experienced it far too many times.

There was still some time left. She should seriously enjoy the limited peace in her daily life—attending lectures, running experiments, teasing a certain interesting fellow. Maybe... for the person she was now...

“Beautiful and enchanting lady, might I ask if you dropped this golden Tear of True Love, or this silver one?”

From the previously deserted alley came the sultry voice of a woman.

The shopkeeper’s pupils shrank. She whipped around.

“Who’s there?!”

“Oh my, don’t be so harsh~ I’m just a kind-hearted passerby, you know.”

From deeper within, crisp footsteps rang out—sharp as blades biting into steel.

They were at least ten-centimeter heels, clacking on the stone pavement.

From the shadows emerged a woman with an impossibly seductive figure, swaying her slender snake-like waist as she strolled forward.

She wore a skin-tight leather outfit that perfectly outlined her devilish curves—curves that could make any sane man’s nose bleed. The front of her outfit plunged deep into a V-cut neckline, so low it nearly reached her navel, revealing two perfectly round, half-exposed swells.

Her face was just as bewitching—red eyeshadow accentuating her eyes, shimmering pink lips, each smile and movement brimming with soul-stealing charm.

She displayed two teardrop-shaped pink gemstones in her hands and smiled delicately.

“Look—your beloved Tear of True Love. Won’t you pick one?”

The shopkeeper gave them a cursory glance, her body already tensing on instinct.

“Both are fakes. Why would I pick either? And who the hell are you?”

“Heehee~ First time we’ve met—or maybe, first time we’ve met like this. You may call me... Miss Banshee.”

Miss Banshee smiled as she pinched the hem of an invisible skirt, curtsying like a noble lady.

Except the gesture wasn’t graceful—it only made her seem more dangerously alluring.

“As for these two gems... well, real or fake, the outcome’s the same, isn’t it? Might as well take one—as a little gift from me.”

“What do you mean?”

The shopkeeper narrowed her eyes, body slowly inching backward.

“Oh dear, are you upset? Seems that playing a little joke to get closer didn’t quite work.”

Miss Banshee casually crushed the two fake gems in her hand, then switched her posture—one hand behind her back, the other extended like a gentleman inviting a lady to dance at a ball.

Her cherry lips parted, and she spoke a name that made the shopkeeper’s breath catch.

“Then I’ll cut to the chase—join us, Anna Kaplin. You belong with us.”

“Wh—how do you know that name...?!”

The moment her real name was exposed, the shopkeeper’s stunning face beneath the hood broke into rare panic.

Countless thoughts surged into her mind, and those enchanting eyes—eyes that could trap a man’s soul—were now awash with complex emotion.

Shock.

Rage.

Confusion.

Fear.

Then, those emotions began to ebb like retreating tides.

What remained was only a wearied helplessness, as if she had expected this all along.

“I see now...”

She murmured softly, like she’d just figured something out.

“So you’ve come for me after all.”

“Looks like you already know who we are—and knew this day would come. Good, that makes things easier.”

Miss Banshee still held her hand out, smiling as she asked:

“So, what’s your answer?”

“...I’m sorry.”

There was no hesitation.

The shopkeeper—or rather, Anna—replied with firm refusal:

“I won’t join you.”

“And why not?”

Miss Banshee maintained her charming smile.

“We... are the same, aren’t we?”

“I’m nothing like you.”

“Oh?”

Miss Banshee tilted her head, as if genuinely puzzled by Anna’s words.

“Then tell me—who do you think you’re the same as? Don’t tell me you still believe... you’re human.”

At that, as if she’d just heard the world’s funniest joke, Miss Banshee clutched her stomach and burst into wild laughter—her body shaking with mirth.

“Human? Human! You still think you’re human? Can you really roll up your sleeves, look at those divine marks left on your arms by the Great Moon, and say that with a straight face?”

“Or are you so naïve that you actually believe... you can go back to being one of those filthy, pathetic humans? Ah, yes—judging by how desperately you wanted the Tear of True Love, it seems you really are that naïve.”

“...”

Anna said nothing.

“Looks like I can’t convince you. In that case... I suppose I have no choice.”

Miss Banshee’s smile faded. Slowly, she stood up straight.

At that moment, Anna felt as though a venomous cobra had risen before her—its hood flaring in warning.

“Your identity is far more noble than mine. I should never have used such disrespectful means.”

Miss Banshee slowly drew two crescent-moon-shaped curved blades from behind her. A biting cold began to rise from her body.

“But time is running short. To ensure you return to the embrace of the Great Moon and complete the final rite before that moment arrives, I’ll have to resort... to dangerous measures.”

“Please don’t blame me... dearest Scion of the Gods.”

Her soft, pink tongue traced the blade that gleamed with icy light as she stared at Anna—whose expression was gradually hardening—with a chilling giggle.

“From now on, I’ll take everything you have.”