Prologue: A Storm Was Brewing in Another World - The Pursuer

I had learned about the supernatural abilities. All that remained was to figure out the world's level of commerce and technology.

This world had originally been like Earth, with different currencies used by different countries. That changed two hundred years ago, when a business genius emerged from the Central Sea Islands. His enterprises spread across the world, and over the next several decades, he lobbied the major powers until they finally reached a consensus and adopted the Tong Coin, a paper currency accepted worldwide. Thanks to that, trade on Spirit Star had surged ever since, and the nations had grown ever more closely connected.

As for technology, its overall level was roughly comparable to Earth during World War I. However, the world's main energy source wasn't oil or electricity, but Spirit Stone Ore. This mineral contained vast quantities of spiritual power. It could be used to power all kinds of equipment, or absorbed by people to replenish their spiritual power—far faster than absorbing it directly from the air.

I rubbed my tired eyes and looked at the small mountain of books beside me. Had I really been here that long? I should head back.

I stood up and glanced at the pile of books behind me, feeling a little satisfied. One of my few hobbies in college had been hanging out in the library. Whether I was studying or mooching off the Wi-Fi, I loved the library's atmosphere. It made me feel warm and peaceful.

But would I ever be able to return to that corner of the library I loved...? Would I ever get to finish that book I'd left unfinished...?

I patted my cheeks and tried to perk myself up. Come on! Wasn't this exactly what I was working toward?

I walked out of the library. Night had fallen, and artificial lights illuminated the city center. The streets teemed with traffic. People who had worked all day gathered there to shake off their exhaustion. As I walked along the roadside, I closed my eyes and focused on my other senses...

During my fight with Rui Feng, I'd realized that my five senses had become incredibly sharp. Now I wanted to put them to the test. As my vision went black, I focused on the ground beneath my feet. The feel of my soles scraping the ground told me it was covered in concrete. The faint tremors caused by the footsteps around me told me how many people were nearby, and even how tall or heavy they were...

What incredible touch! I could learn so much just by walking normally! Excitement bubbled up inside me. If my sense of touch was this good, what about my hearing?

This time, I focused on my ears and listened to everything around me... "Did you hear? The shops over there are having a huge sale!" "Sister Zhou, I heard you got a new boyfriend?" "That damn contractor only paid me this much?!" "Come and get it! Finest Spirit Stone!" "I heard your son got accepted? I'm so jealous!" "Yeah, that woman's heading to the Donglin Hotel."...

...Huh? What was that last one about?

I quickly focused on the direction the voice had come from. "...Yes, she may have been hired by the Si Nan Family. She's no pushover, so don't let your guard down... Right, right. If we get any closer, the Shielding Device won't work... I'll contact you next time."

So someone really was watching me! But I did my best to stay calm, not letting the tail notice anything strange. He'd said the device wouldn't work if they got any closer. Did that mean he'd give up once I reached the Donglin Hotel? At that thought, I felt a lot more at ease.

"Captain, here's the information you requested on Liu Ye."

"Thanks for your effort."

As for the uninvited guest, Liu Ye, Si Nan Yuan wasn't about to let her guard down. She had to find out what the woman was all about. She immediately opened the file... and froze.

It was blank. Vast stretches of blank space. Apart from an assessment of Liu Ye's combat abilities and her movements since arriving in Winter Arrival City, there was nothing!

Even Si Nan Yuan was a little angry. "I gave you all this time, and this is what you brought me? You couldn't even find out where she came from, her exact age, or what faction she belongs to? Are you trying to bring shame on the Si Nan Family?"

Her subordinate wore a pained expression. "I'm sorry, Captain. We've done everything we can, but... even we can hardly believe it. This Liu Ye is practically as if she appeared out of thin air!"

Si Nan Yuan calmed down, too. Nobody in the world could have a completely blank past. If even the Si Nan Family couldn't uncover Liu Ye's background, just who was she?

Knock, knock. A sudden rap sounded at the door. Her subordinate's gaze sharpened as an invisible field spread beyond it. "It's Liu Ye. She's back, and it seems she wants to see you." "Open the door."

I walked into Si Nan Yuan's room and looked around. The furnishings were extremely simple. It wasn't so much that the place was sparsely decorated as that it hadn't been decorated at all. A prisonlike chill hung over every corner.

"Miss Liu, what brings you here so late?" Si Nan Yuan asked, sitting up straight. "If it's something private, I can have everyone else leave."

"No, no need." Her presence caught me off guard. "Actually... I was followed on my way back. Those people might be a threat to the Si Nan Family."

"As the largest family in the Tianyuan Kingdom, the Si Nan Family has countless enemies. But before we moved in, we'd already spread a detection net across the entire city and cleared out every rat with ill intentions."

"So you mean... there's no one in the city who'd dare try anything now? I was just being paranoid?"

"You can think of it that way."

"But... I heard the man mention some kind of Shielding Device. What if it's a way to get around your detection net?"

A way to get around the detection net? There were indeed powerful telekinetics, psychic-type ability users, and barrier-type ability users who could block other people's detection, but how often did you run into someone like that? Still, this time the Second Miss wasn't the only one here. Several senior members of the family were here as well, so it was certainly possible that an enemy faction would spare no expense.

After a moment's thought, Si Nan Yuan decided that even though Liu Ye was an outsider, it was better to believe her than not. Taking extra precautions couldn't hurt.

"Thank you for the information. I'll be careful. Please go get some sleep."

Back in my room, I finally took off my windbreaker and let my face breathe. Uncle Ding, A-ge, and E-ge looked cool dressed like that in the game, but being wrapped up in a windbreaker and hood like I was stuffed into a bag was unbearable. What should I do now? Wash up and go to bed?

Knock, knock. Someone rapped at the door.

"Are you asleep, Xiao Ye?"

Si Nan Ying? What was she doing here?

I opened the door, and what appeared before me was... a catgirl? A loose white outfit, like a plush costume, hung baggily over her. Her hat was decorated with huge cat ears, and her beautiful purple hair spilled out from beneath it, making her look especially playful and adorable. Long sleeves covered her hands, leaving only her slender, delicate fingers exposed. A tail was attached at her backside, swaying whenever she moved.

"..."

For a moment, I just stood there staring at her like an idiot.

"Xiao Ye? What's wrong?"

—Hug! Nuzzle, nuzzle, nuzzle, nuzzle, nuzzle, nuzzle, nuzzle, nuzzle, nuzzle, nuzzle, nuzzle, nuzzle!

So cute, so cute, so cute, so unbelievably cute—! This was cheating! How could a creature this adorable exist?!

"X-Xiao Ye, what are you doing?! You're squeezing me!" Si Nan Ying could only feel her intoxicating scent rushing into her nose, two enormous, soft mounds rubbing against her, and a beautiful face just inches away... She wanted to ask me to let go, but she didn't want me to let go, either—what was she supposed to do?!

Hearing Si Nan Ying's protest, I finally released her with a million regrets. I looked at her blushing as she covered her chest... Oh no, my otaku instincts were stirring again!

"You're so impulsive... I only came to bring you pajamas," Si Nan Ying said with a little huff, holding out a paper bag.

"Pajamas?"

"I picked them out myself! Hurry up and put them on~~"

I opened the bag and saw red-and-white lace and frills. Yep, they were definitely women's pajamas... Even after being a woman for so many days, I still wasn't quite comfortable with women's clothes. And I'd already... taken care of myself...

But I couldn't reject her kindness. I might as well try them on! I took out the pajamas and unfolded them.

"...Hey, Little Ying, how did you pick these out?"

"I described what you looked like to the saleslady, and she recommended these right away."

"How did you describe me?"

"Pretty, tall, big boobs."

"You should've at least checked them first! These are straight-up lingerie!"