Author's Note: Expect lots of action from this point onwards. Also, lots of mistakes, hahah...

I will post a photo of Jehan and the other "seductive" soul fragment soon, in the discord server.

Also, I would like to give a big thank you, once again, to those two patrons of mine and to the people who donated to my Ko-fi. Thank you so, so much. No words is enough to show my gratitude ♥️.

The group was nearing the entrance of the town, and they could see the bustling crowd in the distance. Just like every part of the continent, the people here were dressed in clothing that resembled a kimono or yukata. 

However, they encountered a tiny setback. There were two guards standing by the entrance to the town, checking the appearances of everyone that entered or exited the town. Haru and Kiyae approached the guards to settle the matter, asking the others to stay back. 

Xue and K’xug were leaning against the tree, their arms crossed as they talked to one another. Of course, the talking was done majorly by Xue since K’xug still...couldn’t speak.

On the other hand, Hana was playing around with Cecil’s hair, practising her braiding skills. Whereas, Cecil seemed to be in deep thought. 

The raven-haired woman still felt uneasy. 

She started to call out to the system inside her mind. 

“AI500.” 

[ At your service, Cecil Lan. ]

“Your points shop...do you possibly sell something that blocks out someone’s pheromones or something? Something that makes you completely immune to being charmed by someone.” 

[ … ]

[ No such item exists. ] 

[ This is something that depends entirely on yourself~ ]

“You...you think I don’t know that?” 

“But you are asking me to be completely immune to the person I like! How can I be immune to something like that?!” 

[ If you are so desperate, you can always make yourself unconscious. ]

“...”

“...how does that even…”

[ An item exists in the Points Shop that will help you achieve that. ]

“...” 

She did not even say she agreed to using that method. 

[ Knock-out Pill
Description: Knocks the user out completely once consumed. They will be unconscious for at least two hours. 
Price: 20,000 points
Category: Potions ]

[ Please note that this is a limited item. 
If you would like to purchase it, it would be best to purchase it by the end of today~ ]

“...” 

“You are doing this on purpose, aren’t you?” 

[ I am simply answering your question~ ]

“...”

Cecil was even more speechless at this point. 

“Done, done!” Hana huffed proudly, touching her handiwork and she peeked her head out. “Your hair is so smooth, Cecil! Hehe, it’s so nice to touch it!” 

Hana had braided a portion of Cecil’s hair, pulling it back and letting it hang loosely. 

That was when Hana noticed the strange look on her friend’s face. 

“Mhmm? Cecil?” Hana tilted her head, hopping in front to meet Cecil’s clear black eyes. “Did you eat something bitter?” 

“Hmm, what?” Cecil questioned, blinking in confusion. 

She touched her braided hair, smiling. 

She was never good at braiding her hair, even back in her previous world. 

“Just now, you looked like you swallowed something bitter,” Hana seemed to recall a memory, spitting her tongue out in disgust. “It’s like that time when I drank the herbal medicine you gave me.” 

“Forget it,” Cecil sighed, waved it off. “It was something annoying and ridiculous, like a fly buzzing around your ears.” 

[ … ]

This time, it was AI500’s turn to be speechless.

Kiyae and Haru headed back towards the group, and at the same time, Xue and K’xug joined up with the ladies. 

Xue reached out, flicking her braided hair lightly.

“Looks pretty.”

 “I braided it! Of course it’s pretty!” Hana hugged Cecil as she nodded, a proud expression on her face. “And with Cecil, it looks even prettier!” 

Cecil laughed, hugging her back. “I bet it will look even prettier on you.” 

“No way, this is the hairstyle that fits your image the best, Cecil!” 

“Hana, you really…” 

Seeing such a harmonious atmosphere, a smile hooked on K’xug’s lips. 

Kiyae had already spotted the new hairstyle Cecil was wearing, rushing over to her side. The three ladies started chattering about the topic of hair. 

It was only until Haru started talking, the ladies stopped their chattering. 

“They are Rugi’s people, it seems like they are searching for a customer that offended him.” Haru stated.

“That doesn't seem to be the main reason though?” Kiyae added on.

“Yeah, it's weird,” Haru nodded. “I feel like there's a bigger reason why the guards are being posted all over the town.”

Kiyae hummed thoughtfully. 

“Anyway, we can just walk straight in now,” Haru tossed an object to the four of them.

Xue, K’xug and Cecil caught the object easily. 

It was a token. 

“With that, we can just pass through security checks--oops.” 

Hana was the only one who did not catch the token properly. It ended up smacking flat against her nose, and she cried out in pain. 

Xue caught the token, preventing it from falling to the ground. 

“Tsk tsk, captain.” 

Cecil shook her head disapprovingly in silence.

“Ho-how was I supposed to know Hana wouldn’t catch it?!” 

“Tsk tsk.” Xue followed along with Kiyae. 

It was always Haru annoying him, and now that he had the chance to annoy him back...why wouldn’t he?

“The three of you caught it just fine, didn’t you?! What’s with the “tsk tsk”?!” 

Hana pouted. 

K’xug chuckled, leaning down and soothing her reddened nose with his finger. 

Eventually, the group headed into the town without any problems. 

***

Their trip here was a simple touch and go, hence, Haru and Kiyae did not waste any time. They led the group to the infamous brothel located at the centre of this town, Himura. Since it was close to evening, the crowd around this district was more than usual, especially around the vicinity of the brothel. 

Drunk people were seen stumbling out of the brothel, being assisted by staff from the brothel. Some of them were hesitant to leave hostesses as if they were long-lost lovers. 

Xue was staring at the entrance of the brothel, frowning to himself. 

He could feel a strong force pulling him in, and he knew that feeling all too well. There was a soul fragment right inside the brothel. 

“It really is him,” Xue muttered out. “I can feel one of them in there.” 

K’xug heard those words from Xue, immediately understanding what he meant. 

Another part of Xue. 

I wonder how this part of him will turn out. 

K’xug smiled faintly, amused. 

“...there is something strange,” Xue suddenly spoke. “He seems to be going further away.”

Cecil frowned. "Going further away?"

"Yeah, and he is quick--"

“Handsome, don’t be shy,” a woman dressed in a provocative outfit lightly brushed her hand against Xue’s arm, her voice demure. “Come in, come in.” 

Xue blinked with a frown. 

“Come on in, handsome.” 

K’xug flinched back from the woman’s touch. 

“Young master Haru, is it you?” A woman slid up to Haru, giggling. “Always so good-looking.” 

All of a sudden, the men in the group were starting to get surrounded by women. The only exception was Kiyae, who was somehow surrounded by women as well. The other three did not make a move to reciprocate the fawning by the numerous women, and it was only Kiyae who winked at them, snaking her arm around their waist.

“Good to see you all again.” Kiyae smirked.

The woman who was pulled closer to Kiyae, giggled in a coyish manner, fluttering her eyelashes. 

“Enough, enough.” Haru waved them off him, nudging his head. “We are only here to see your owner. Bring us in.” 

“Owner has informed us of your arrival,” one of the women stepped forward, her outfit seemed more luxurious compared to the others as she bowed her head. “We will prepare the private room right away, please wait for a moment.”

Hana swatted the women off K’xug, huffing indignantly as she clung onto K’xug’s arm, baring her teeth at them. 

K’xug was trying to stop himself from laughing at Hana’s adorable actions. 

Meanwhile, someone lightly pushed off the hand on Xue’s arm and he turned to look, seeing Cecil standing beside him. She wrapped her arm around the spot where the woman touched, wearing a haughty expression on her face. 

“Please don’t touch him so casually,” Cecil smiled calmly. “He is mine.” 

Xue smirked, shrugging at the women who were saddened at such a handsome man being taken. 

“Ah, don’t worry, it isn’t all just beautiful women here,” Haru snickered, looking at Cecil and Hana. “There are pretty good-looking guys here too, Rugi welcomes all.” 

“Mhmm,” Kiyae nodded in approval. “They are pretty cute too.” 

Haru felt two pairs of murderous glares on him, and his smile faltered. “No-not that...you two needed to even know that anyway. Haha…” 

At that moment, K’xug and Xue sensed something and they turned their heads sharply. 

“A demon?” Xue furrowed his eyebrows, musing softly to himself. “No, it’s not just a demon…” 

Cecil snapped her head towards Xue, widening her eyes. 

Demon? 

...but they aren’t supposed to appear so early now. 

Just then, there was a commotion up ahead of the group. It seemed like someone was pushing past the crowd, causing many to be disgruntled and irked. 

“Hmm? What what?” Haru peeked his head out. “This town is always so noisy when we drop by…” 

At that second, Xue and K’xug sensed something again. 

K’xug gasped, widening his eyes as he rushed forward and Hana stumbled behind him. He stretched his hand out and at that second, a dark shadow flashed as it headed straight towards Xue. 

Xue was already prepared to dodge it, but K’xug suddenly appeared and caught the dark shadow in his hand. It was an inch away from Xue’s face. 

“What the--” Haru mumbled out. 

Kiyae pushed the woman behind her, narrowing her eyes. 

K’xug’s red eyes turned demonic, and he applied pressure on the object he held in his hand. He stood beside Xue and Cecil, holding the object towards them to let them observe it. 

It was cloudy and surrounded by a dark ominous aura, its shape resembling a small, sharp blade. It did not seem to have a physical form. 

“Dark magic.” 

Cecil shot her head up at Xue. 

K’xug proceeded to crush the magic form in his hand, causing it to dissipate. 

Just then, the source of the commotion in the crowd had reached them and someone bursting through. It was a fair-skinned man dressed in an average-looking kimono, and Xue met his eyes, causing the fair-skinned man to widen his eyes in recognition. 

Xue and K’xug paused as they observed the man. 

It was because they knew who he was. 

An angel. 

It wasn’t just a demon here, it was an angel too. 

Hana, Kiyae and Haru had rushed towards them as well, standing beside them. 

“Su-Supreme God, finally, I can’t believe--” The fair-skinned man rushed towards Xue, bowing reverently but swiftly. “They are planning to completely annihilate all of us, and you’ll be the very last--” 

A dark magic attack came out of nowhere, blasting the man away from Xue. The crowd grew disorderly in an instant, some shrieking in alarm as they saw the fair-skinned man being tossed away like a ragdoll by an unknown force. 

The group glanced up, seeing a figure gliding through the air and landing on the ground beside them. K’xug sensed the ranged attack on Xue again, summoning his swords and slashing through it in an instant. 

K’xug leaped past the crowd, narrowing his eyes as he tried to locate the demon that was sniping them from afar. 

At the same time, the figure revealed his demonic eyes and he smirked at Xue. His appearance seemed devious and menacing, as his hand slightly moved. 

“Get away from here!” Xue exclaimed out, summoning his spear. 

The other four scattered away. 

Xue clashed with the demon, his spear colliding with the mass of dark magic in their hand. The impact caused a large shockwave, throwing those nearby off their feet. The spear in Xue’s hand glowed a brilliant blue. 

The crowd started to disperse in several different directions swiftly, screaming and shouting at the top of their lungs. 

The four of them observed the fight between Xue and the demon a distance away. 

“Behind us!” Haru called out. “It’s another one of them!”

“Tch.” Kiyae clicked her tongue, immediately conjuring a stone pillar to act as a makeshift shield. 

“Hana!” Cecil called out, tackling her to the ground. 

“Ugh!” 

The two ladies collapsed to the ground. 

At the same time, the stone pillar that Kiyae conjured exploded into pieces. The impact caused Kiyae to stumble back, and she squinted her eyes. 

Meanwhile, Cecil and Hana had been the closest to the pillar. Hence, the brunt of the attack was shouldered by Cecil who covered for Hana. The impact threw them further away, and Cecil felt a throbbing pain on her shoulder. 

It was a woman, her demonic eyes glinting dangerously. For Kiyae and Haru, this new sight made shivers travel down their spine. 

There was no mortal that possessed eyes like that. 

“You are only mortals,” the woman chuckled lowly. “There’s no point in fighting back, just give up and I’ll make your death painless.” 

“Shut up, and let’s just fight!” Haru barked out, charging at the demon. 

“Haru, no…!” Cecil grunted out, lifting herself off Hana. “You can’t fight them alone…!” 

“Don’t worry, I’ll be right behind him,” Kiyae patted Cecil on the shoulder, surging forward. “Stay behind with Hana.” 

“No!” Cecil reached out, wincing when she felt a sharp pain on her shoulder. “Even with the two of you, it’s...not enough!” 

It was not too soon that Xue took down his opponent, pinning him down with his spear by the neck. 

“To think that the Supreme God would take so long just to overpower me,” the demon laughed in disbelief. “Back in your prime, a single swipe from your hand would be enough.”  

Xue stood over the demon, narrowing his eyes. “Why are you attacking us?” 

“We aren’t, we are hunting down the runaway angels,” the demon grinned maliciously. “He specifically told us to hunt down those around you as well, and you…” 

The demon grinned maliciously. 

“Leaving you for the last, the fallen Supreme God.” 

“...!”

“...Cecil.” 

Xue gasped, turning his head and scouring around for Cecil frantically. 

“This is a message from Lord Zeau.” 

The demon snickered, disappearing into a black mass and drifting away. Xue could not be bothered to chase after the demon, since he hadn’t recovered enough strength to use light magic. In his current state, he would not be able to seriously injure any angels or demons. 

The demon woman fended off the attacks from Kiyae and Haru effortlessly. She laughed lightly, waving her hand in the air once. In her hand, she held a fan that had an ominous dark aura drifting out from it. 

Boom! 

Kiyae and Haru were sent flying by an explosive force. 

The two of them barely managed to land properly, and Haru coughed out blood. Kiyae spit out the blood from her mouth as well. Haru wiped his lips, glancing over to Kiyae and Kiyae pointed towards the woman, Haru merely nodded in understanding. 

Cecil hurried over to them, still wincing at her sore shoulder. She probably didn’t land right when she tackled Hana to the ground, the impact from earlier throwing her off balance. 

“Stop, don’t bother fighting!” Cecil warned them. “Let’s run and hide!” 

Demons and angels were of a different caliber. 

However, since they were from different realms, using their powers carelessly in the mortal realm was unwise. Their energy would be consumed even faster, and they would end up as feeble as a mortal if they were to spend all their energy. 

Hence, Cecil did not understand why this demon in front of them was flinging all dark magic out like it was nothing. 

“You should hide first with Hana,” Kiyae lightly shoved Cecil away. “We’ll hold her back momentarily!” 

Cecil looked at Hana on the ground, she had just pushed herself up. She seemed disorientated from being tackled and flung around like a ragdoll earlier. 

Without hesitation, Kiyae and Haru charged at the demon woman. One of them was planning to flank while the other drew her attention. 

Cecil gasped, calling out to them once again. “No, wait!” 

Just then, something made her pause and she looked towards the demon woman. She smirked dangerously, and Cecil felt apprehensive. She ran towards Kiyae and Haru, turning back to Hana, hollering towards her. 

“Hana, stay back!” 

On the other hand, Hana did not want to stay still. 

She made a face, sucking in her lips as she shook her head. She summoned out her bow and conjured ice arrows for her to shoot at the enemy. 

The flanking strategy by Kiyae and Haru was easily seen through, and once again, they found themselves at a stalemate. Even with their combined earth and fire elements, the demon woman did not flinch. 

The fight with the other demon had pushed Xue further away from the group, and when he hurried back, he witnessed this same scene. 

He inspected the scene quickly, his eyes lingering on the demon woman. At that moment, he caught a strange hand movement from the demon woman and he gasped, exclaiming the next few words. 

“Watch out, it’s a trap!” 

The leader among the group wasn’t the man that Xue fought, but this woman right here. Since, in the demon realm, only those with a strong knowledge in dark magic could conjure something like that within a short span of time. 

Kiyae and Haru lunged for the demon woman, one with a nunchuck and the other with a sword. The demon woman scoffed mockingly, her body dissipating into a black mist and ended up at a distance further away from them. 

The original spot where she stood was now occupied by a black mass, looking like a portal. 

There was no doubt that the portal led to somewhere dangerous. 

“Dropping to your deaths, that’s pretty painless, no?” The demon woman smirked. 

Cecil drew out her daggers, turning them into vines and she gritted her teeth, wrapping them around Kiyae and Haru, pulling them aside. They were just an inch away from launching themselves through the portal made of dark magic. 

Just then, a gust of wind blew by and Xue noticed the faint traces of dark magic in the air. It was specifically aimed towards Cecil, clearly intending on throwing her towards the portal. 

It didn’t seem like a gust of wind anymore. 

Xue cursed to himself, flinging his spear at the wind made of dark magic. Alas, just before he released his spear, a black mist hastened its way