Mission Complete! Ghoul's Heart!

A few minutes later.

"You!"

"How could you—!"

Xu Yan stumbled backward. The two Scorpion-Tail Kagune on her back were in tatters, riddled with notches. One had even been severed outright!

Yet after fighting her for so long, Xilin's only injury was a shallow cut on her cheek!

She's... so strong!

Run! I have to run!

Sensing mortal danger, Xu Yan turned and fled.

But Xilin merely raised the Lightless Sword, drew a deep breath, and spoke as golden light glimmered between her lips:

"Where my blade points, the Holy Light follows!"

With those words, she swung her sword.

An invisible slash swept through the air. Xu Yan froze midflight as golden cracks spread across her pale skin.

"No... please... I haven't had my revenge..." she screamed in panic. Before she could finish, her body exploded with a deafening bang, scattering fragments everywhere!

Only a heart and a Scorpion-Tail Kagune fell heavily to the ground.

"What..."

With the Ghoul dealt with, Xilin followed Bai Xuan's instructions, picked up the heart and Scorpion-Tail Kagune, then left the scene.

The Police Officers only came back to their senses after she had disappeared completely.

"Who was that woman?"

"No idea! She had to be one of the Anomalies, right? No normal person could do that!"

"Could she be from the Investigation Bureau?"

"Probably! Who else has that kind of strength?"

"Are people from the Investigation Bureau... really that strong?"

"..."

As the others talked, Liu Qian slowly rose to her feet. Still shaken, she felt nothing but admiration and gratitude for the Female Knight.

"Liu Qian, are you all right?"

Another team arrived. A black-haired woman hurried over to Liu Qian and asked her with concern.

"I'm fine, Bai Yu. A Female Knight saved us."

"A Female Knight?"

"Yeah. Let me tell you..."

[World Quest: Ghoul Eater (Completed)]

[Quest reward: Character Setting—White Dove (Green). Your strength has increased slightly!]

[White Dove (Green): You have an exceptionally keen sense for undead beings, including Ghouls, spirits, Zombies, and jiangshi.]

[Refresh Scroll +1]

By then, Bai Xuan had returned home through the Teleportation Array.

After turning in the quest, his strength rose slightly to E+, and the World Book's Legend charge gained about 20% rare energy.

"Not bad rewards." A smile touched Bai Xuan's lips. He could clearly feel the increase in strength; he could now kill his former, weaker self with a single punch.

If I keep growing like this, sooner or later I'll become the strongest of the Anomalies!

Bai Xuan then turned to Xilin. "Thanks for the effort, Xilin."

He had watched the fight from a distance the whole time.

With his current strength, rushing in would only have gotten him killed. He could join the fight himself once he grew stronger.

"It is my duty," Xilin replied calmly, without a trace of emotion in her voice.

Bai Xuan found himself wondering again: Is Xilin... really a Succubus? Why doesn't she show the slightest emotion?

After a moment, he turned his attention to the items the Ghoul had dropped: a heart and a section of Scorpion-Tail Kagune.

Xilin's Lightless Sword had shattered the other section, leaving only this one relatively intact.

As for the heart, it was still faintly beating for some reason, as though some eerie vitality lingered within it.

[Scorpion-Tail Kagune (Green): Can be crafted into a Ghoul Weapon in the World Book at the cost of a little blood.]

[Xu Yan's Heart (Blue): The Ghoul Xu Yan craved the flesh of beautiful women. Now her body has been destroyed and her life extinguished, but her heart remains. Eating it will grant you a portion of her power.]

"..."

Bai Xuan frowned slightly.

Eat a Ghoul's heart? I'll pass for now. Maybe another day.

The Scorpion-Tail Kagune, though, was worth using.

He immediately placed it in the World Book to craft a Ghoul Weapon.

[Crafting Ghoul Weapon. Time required—12 hours!]

The moment the crafting began, Bai Xuan's vision blurred and his face turned white as a sheet.

"Hiss—"

He drew a sharp breath and slumped weakly onto the sofa.

What happened to "a little" blood?

At least it wasn't going to kill him.

"What's wrong?"

Xilin noticed his depleted vitality and asked softly.

"It's nothing. I just feel a little weak." Bai Xuan waved a hand, pulled a can of Cola from the nearby fridge, and took a long gulp.

It didn't help, but ice-cold Cola tasted better than the sugar-free kind.

Xilin silently walked over. She removed her bracers and gloves, revealing hands as pale and lustrous as jade.

She gently placed both hands on Bai Xuan's chest, and a faint golden light rose from her palms.

Warmth enveloped him at once, bringing an indescribable comfort.

His blood and vitality had not immediately recovered, but much of the discomfort gradually faded.

"Feeling better?"

"Yeah, thanks." Bai Xuan smiled. Holy Knights really are dependable!

Just then, his phone vibrated.

He took it out and read the message, his gaze sharpening. Bai Yu had finished her assignment and was on her way home!

Bai Xuan looked up at Xilin, who was still healing him, and fell deep in thought.

Hmm...

How am I going to explain Xilin to Sister Yu?

"A blonde Female Knight in armor?"

Bai Yu was driving Liu Qian home.

"Yeah, exactly!" Liu Qian nodded vigorously, excitement filling her voice. "She took that monster down with just two sword strikes—swish, swish! She was incredible! Like someone out of an Epic!"

"Was she from the Investigation Bureau?" Bai Yu asked.

"I checked. The Investigation Bureau hadn't even arrived yet. Those people are always a step behind!" Liu Qian gritted her teeth in frustration.

"They can't help it. The Investigation Bureau has always been understaffed. Until they arrive, we Police Officers have to hold the line," Bai Yu said calmly.

"Ugh. I'd barely transferred to Ninghang City when this happened. I should've listened to my aunt!"

Liu Qian sighed, regret in her voice. "Five years of desk work would've been so much better! I could've gotten into Ideal City that way... Instead, I might lose my life during these three years on the job!"

She and Bai Yu had been classmates. Liu Qian had become a Police Officer in Ninghang City to earn the right to go to Ideal City.

Bai Yu said nothing.

Part of her reason for becoming a Police Officer was also to qualify for residence in Ideal City.

Of course, Liu Qian's aunt held a senior position in the Investigation Bureau, so Liu Qian only needed to serve three years. Ordinary Police Officers had to serve ten before they could bring their families to Ideal City.

"We're here."

"Thanks. See you tomorrow."

"Mm."

After saying goodbye, Bai Yu drove straight home.

It was midnight by the time she arrived.

"Hm?"

Seeing the light still on in Bai Xuan's room, she asked, "Bai Xuan, are you still awake?"

"Huh? Oh, I'm taking a shower."