Kirsty

In the afternoon, with nothing else to do, Wu Heng went to the boxing gym on Second Avenue in Hatton. He found a private room without a camera and began getting used to his body. He had tremendous strength now, but still hadn't adjusted to how he needed to exert it. At last, he had a chance to start training.

While he was working out, the detectives sent him information about the cabin.

One picture caught Wu Heng's attention.

It was a bloodstained black-and-white sketch with one corner torn off.

The picture showed an Asian young man with regular features, slightly gaunt cheeks, and naturally grown hair hanging over his eyebrows. He had a somewhat disheveled air about him.

He looked nine-tenths like the shut-in Wu Heng had been in his previous life.

Wu Heng hadn't expected the woman to sketch his appearance from a fleeting memory, even though he'd covered his face when they'd met. He couldn't underestimate anyone.

Still, luckily, the woman was dead now. That sketch ensured she'd never have the chance to live again.

Wu Heng took the picture and burned it, then went back to training.

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

"Boss, are you hiring again tomorrow? We're free tomorrow too."

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

"Mm. Come at nine tomorrow morning."

Kirsty was moving to Hatton tomorrow morning, but she probably wouldn't come looking for work right away.

After tidying everything up that evening, Wu Heng carefully reviewed the detectives' reports and went over his plans. Then he went to bed.

The next morning.

"Dad."

"Hasn't the moving van arrived yet? I'm going out to look for work."

Kirsty had striking features and brown curls that fell over her shoulders. A brown leather jacket over her white shirt gave her a pretty yet somewhat rugged look.

By this time, the residents of Hatton were already busy at work, and there were fewer and fewer people on the roads.

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

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

The restaurants and clothing shops nearby were all still closed at this hour.

She'd only just moved to Hatton, but had already found a place to rent. It was small, but at least it gave her some private space of her own.

Her father's cabin was plenty spacious, but she didn't like her stepmother. That was why she'd been so eager to move out.

Her father hadn't wanted her to live on her own, so she had to find a job quickly to cover the hefty 500-pound rent.

After wandering around for half an hour, she finally spotted what she was looking for.

A sign outside a pet shop called Fat Cat advertised a job: "Looking for a female animal caretaker. Must love animals. Weekly pay: 2,000 pounds."

Kirsty walked up to the shop.

A young man with an artistic air sat on a chair beside the entrance.

He wore a black trench coat, open to reveal a casual white shirt beneath. Its hem fluttered in the breeze. His black trousers were clean and straight, his build slender, and his tousled hair fell over his forehead.

He sat there casually, seeming lost in thought. Though his trench coat was rumpled where it draped across the chair, it didn't look messy. Instead, it gave him a carefree, rebellious air.

Kirsty recognized him at first glance.

He was the young artist the newspapers had been promoting for days, calling him the most accomplished of his generation: Dean Miranda.

She wanted to greet him, but Dean's presence made her feel a little timid. She decided that finding a job was more important.

Somewhat apprehensive, Kirsty approached the shop and peered inside.

The owner was offering such a high weekly wage and still hiring. She wondered what kind of strict, unreasonable demands the job might involve.

But she needed to pay rent, so she decided she could put up with any reasonable work requirements.

To her surprise,

there were only three little girls playing with the cats and dogs inside. No one else was in sight.

"Hi, girls. Do you know where the owner is?"

Kirsty waved and asked gently.

"Huh?"

The three girls turned around at the same time, still giggling. They hadn't heard her clearly.

Was she asking for the boss? Wasn't he sitting right beside her?

"Hello, I'm the owner. What can I do for you, beautiful?"

Wu Heng had recognized Kirsty the moment she arrived.

The girl he'd been waiting for had finally come!

It wasn't just because she was the heroine. More importantly, one day she'd become the Hell High Priest, second-in-command of all Hell.

And she'd be a High Priest who retained her human memories. For now, she was still an ordinary girl—the easiest time to make her acquaintance.

What was Wu Heng now? A Cursed Disciple who'd escaped Hell, a criminal. He couldn't possibly miss the chance to befriend a girl who would one day be the warden of Hell!

Just like friendships formed in school, building a bond now could only help him later!

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

[You have encountered a major character in the story. Story rating increased.]

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

"Ah!"

Kirsty mimicked the girls' reaction and stared at Wu Heng in surprise.

"Are you Dean Miranda, the most famous artist of the younger generation?"

"You..."

She couldn't wrap her head around it. How had the famous Dean Miranda ended up opening a pet shop in Hatton?

"Yes. I'm just here in Hatton on vacation. I invested in this shop, and the person in charge happened to leave, so I'm looking after it for a few days."

Wu Heng smiled as he explained.

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

At this point in her life, Kirsty was still an innocent girl.

For a moment, she didn't want to bring up the job at all. She just wanted to get to know Wu Heng.

But then she thought of the rent, and in that instant, she grew up a little.

"Um, I saw your hiring sign. Are you still looking for someone? I really need this job!"

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

Kirsty was like a valve that had been opened, eager to pour everything out at once.

"Come in tomorrow for your first day," Wu Heng interrupted.

"Huh?"

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

"What do you mean, 'huh'? The shop has one new rule: no saying 'huh.'"

"Oh, I mean, thank you, boss."

Kirsty quickly covered her mouth, speaking happily. She was also relieved that the job probably wouldn't be too difficult.

"We needed someone anyway. The pay will be 2,000 pounds a week, as advertised. Is that all right?"

"Th-that's way too much!"

"I think it's fair. You said you just moved to Hatton, so I'll advance you a week's pay."

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

Watching her happy expression, he thought about how one day she would spend her whole life fighting the Cenobites.

In the end, she'd become the new Hell High Priest and be controlled by Leviathan. Wu Heng couldn't help feeling sorry for her.

But there was nothing he could do to change that. Instead, he'd have to find a way to get on her good side.

Kirsty accepted the money shyly. She really did need it.

"Hatton is a beautiful little town, full of lovely sights and places. You don't have to work today. Would you like me to show you around and help you get familiar with the place?"

"Wouldn't that be too much trouble?"

Kirsty looked hopeful. As for the boy from her father's coworker's renovation company who'd invited her out that afternoon, she'd already forgotten about him.

"Not at all. I'm here on vacation too."

Wu Heng took Kirsty on a lovely tour of Hatton.

Would you trade your collection, monthly tickets, and recommendation tickets for two lunchboxes?