Kirsty

With nothing to do in the afternoon, Wu Heng went to the boxing gym on Second Avenue in Hatton. He found a private room without surveillance cameras to familiarize himself with his body. He possessed raw brute strength, but he had yet to adapt to the mechanics of applying it; this was finally an opportunity to begin training.

During his workout, the detective sent over information regarding the cabin.

One image caught Wu Heng's attention.

It was a black-and-white sketch, torn at one corner and stained with blood.

The drawing depicted a young Asian man with regular features but slightly gaunt cheeks, his hair growing naturally over his eyebrows, exuding a decadent air.

It was ninety percent similar to the appearance of his predecessor's real-life shut-in persona.

Wu Heng hadn't expected that even though he had covered his face during their brief encounter, this woman had managed to sketch his likeness based on a split-second memory. Truly, one could never underestimate anyone.

Fortunately, that woman was now a corpse, and this photograph ensured she would never have another chance to live.

Wu Heng burned the photo and continued his training.

By evening, Wu Heng had returned to close up the shop.

"Boss, are you still hiring tomorrow? We still have the day off."

The three young girls asked excitedly, each clutching 400 pounds, marveling at how easy it was to make money.

"Yes, come in at 9:00 tomorrow morning."

Although Kirsty was moving to Hatton tomorrow morning, she likely wouldn't come looking for a job immediately.

After tidying everything up for the night, Wu Heng carefully reviewed the detectives' intelligence and organized his plans before falling asleep.

The next morning.

"Dad."

"Has the moving company's truck not arrived yet? I'm heading out to look for work."

Kirsty's sculpted features were framed by brown curls cascading over her shoulders. Wearing a white shirt under a brown leather jacket, she looked both beautiful and spirited.

The residents of Hatton were already busy with their work, and the number of pedestrians on the road quickly dwindled.

Only a few women, children, and elderly people remained, strolling slowly along the streets.

Kirsty walked along the side of First Avenue, looking around listlessly.

The surrounding diners and clothing stores were all still closed at this hour of the morning.

Having just moved to Hatton, she had quickly found a rental room; though small, it was at least her own private space.

Her father's cabin was large enough, but she didn't like her stepmother, which was why she was in such a hurry to move out.

Since her father was unwilling to let her move out alone, she had to find a job quickly to cover the high rent of 500 pounds.

After wandering for half an hour, she finally spotted her target.

At the entrance of a pet shop called "Fat Cat," a recruitment advertisement hung, reading: "Seeking animal caretaker. Female only. Must love animals. Weekly salary: 2,000 pounds."

Kirsty approached the entrance.

Sitting on a chair beside the shop door was a young man radiating an artistic aura.

He wore a black trench coat left open to reveal a white casual shirt beneath, the fabric fluttering in the breeze. His black trousers were clean and straight, his frame slender, and his tousled hair fell across his forehead.

He sat on the chair with such casual ease, seemingly lost in thought. The wrinkled trench coat draped over the chair didn't look messy; instead, it gave off an air of uninhibited charm.

Kirsty recognized him at first glance.

Dean Miranda, the man the newspapers had been promoting for days as the most accomplished artist of the younger generation.

She wanted to say hello, but Dean's presence made her feel a bit intimidated. She decided it was better to focus on the job application first.

Kirsty walked toward the shop entrance with some trepidation and peered inside.

With the owner offering such a high weekly salary while still hiring, she wondered just how strict or twisted the requirements might be.

But for the sake of her rent, she decided that as long as the job requirements were normal, she could endure them.

To her surprise, there were only three little girls inside, playing with cats and dogs; she saw no one else.

"Hi, little ones, hello. Do you know where the shop owner is?"

Kirsty waved her hand and asked in a soft voice.

"Huh?"

The three girls, who had been frolicking, turned around in unison. They hadn't heard her clearly.

Were they looking for the boss? Wasn't the boss sitting right next to her?

"Hello, that would be me. Is there something I can help you with, beautiful lady?"

The moment Kirsty arrived, Wu Heng recognized her.

The girl he had been waiting for so long had finally arrived!

This was not just because she was the female lead, but because she was the future Hell High Priest, the second-in-command of all Hell.

Moreover, she was the High Priest who preserved human memories. Right now, she was still just an ordinary girl—the easiest stage at which to befriend her.

Wu Heng was now a Cursed Disciple who had escaped Hell, a fugitive. He absolutely could not miss this opportunity to befriend a girl who was essentially the warden of Hell!

Just like friendships formed during school days, establishing a bond now would certainly do no harm in the future!

At the same time, a notification appeared in his mind:

[Main plot character contacted, plot rating increased]

Wu Heng finally understood how the Cap-Wearing Woman had identified Frank.

"Ah!"

Kirsty mimicked the girls' actions, looking at Wu Heng in surprise.

"Excuse me, are you Dean Miranda, the most famous artist of the younger generation?"

"You..."

Her mind simply couldn't fathom how the renowned Dean Miranda had ended up opening a pet shop in Hatton.

"Yes, I'm just here in Hatton for a vacation. This shop is an investment of mine, and since the manager happened to resign, I'm just looking after it for a few days," Wu Heng explained with a smile.

"It really is you! I've seen you in the newspapers, that..."

Kirsty was still just an innocent girl at this stage.

She suddenly felt reluctant to bring up the job application, wanting only to get to know Wu Heng.

But thinking of her rent, the girl matured a little in that instant.

"Um, I saw the recruitment sign. Are you still hiring? I really need this job!"

"I'm not afraid of hard work. I just moved here and rented a place, and my father..."

Kirsty was like an opened valve, wanting to pour everything out at once.

"Come in for work tomorrow," Wu Heng interrupted Kirsty.

"Huh?"

Kirsty hadn't expected to land the job so easily.

"Huh what? The shop has one new rule: 'Huh' is forbidden."

"Ah—I mean, thank you, Boss."

Kirsty quickly covered her mouth, speaking happily while her worries about the difficulty of the job vanished.

"I was planning to hire someone anyway. Let's go with what was written on the sign: 2,000 pounds a week, is that alright?"

"Th-that's too much!"

"I think it's worth it. You said you just moved to Hatton, so let me give you a week's salary in advance."

Wu Heng pulled out a stack of cash and handed it to Kirsty.

Watching Kirsty's joyful expression, Wu Heng couldn't help but feel a twinge of pity, knowing that this girl would spend her life fighting the Cenobites and those monsters, only to eventually become the new Hell High Priest, controlled by Leviathan.

However, he had no power to change that; instead, he had to find a way to cling to this powerful figure.

Kirsty took the money, feeling a bit shy, as she truly needed it right now.

"Hatton is a beautiful little town with many lovely sights and places. You don't need to work today; would you like me to be your guide and show you around?"

"Would that be too much trouble for you?"

There was anticipation in Kirsty's eyes, and as for the invitation from the boy at her father's renovation company colleague's house that afternoon, it had already been cast to the back of her mind.

"Not at all. I'm here on vacation to enjoy myself anyway."

Wu Heng took Kirsty on a tour, showing her all around the beautiful town of Hatton.

Would you be willing to trade your collections, monthly tickets, and recommendation votes for two lunch boxes with me?