Chameleon: My True Face

"It won't be a problem. We will talk with Ash and take over Scarlet's teachings," Katherine replied after listening to everything that happened. "We will help her take full control over her ability and turn her into a killing machine. No one will be able to compete with us if we combine our strengths."

All three pairs of eyes fell on Scarlet who had been sitting this whole time quietly. She was scared and anxious about using her power for violence but she knew it was necessary. It was the only way she could help and protect Wuxing which was her main goal.

"Is killing necessary?" Scarlet asked with a sigh even though deep down she already knew the answer.

"I know you didn't ask for this but it is already too late to back away. You are now part of our team and you joined an evil world where death is a common occurrence," Katherine explained while withdrawing her katana. "I didn't choose such a life either but as more and more people tried to kill me, the only way to survive was to fight back.

Unless you want to die and never see Wuxing again, you only have one choice."

Scarlet looked at the shiny blade and shuddered. "I will try my best... I already decided to work hard so I can protect Wuxing from harm."

"Do you really think that is enough?" Katherine replied sternly while lifting Scarlet's chin with a sharp tip. "You are not only training to protect Wuxing but to also help us win the upcoming Spirit Event. Do you realize how dangerous it is? Unless all of us are at the top of our strength, we will be slaughtered before we can even realize what happened."

Both Dongmei and Anna glanced at each other before shaking their heads at the same time to stop the other from interfering. It was necessary for Scarlet to understand what situation they were in and Katherine was the perfect person for this task.

"It's hard to deny the fact that Miss Elizabeth is one of the strongest Spirits," Katherine continued coldly. "We are bound to expect a lot from you and I'm not talking about protecting Wuxing. He is strong enough to take care of himself. Your job is by my side at the front where we will kill anyone who stands in our way.

I won't risk my life by working with someone incompetent so if I see you are not good enough, I won't hesitate to replace you myself."

"Replace…?" Scarlet questioned while her eyes widened.

"You didn't think you were irreplaceable, right?" Katherine asked back. "I don't care what feelings you share with Wuxing. If you cannot learn to use your ability to its full potential, I will be forced to kill you and transfer Miss Elizabeth to someone more capable."

Scarlet frowned immediately and pushed the katana away from her. "I already said I will try my best. What else do you want from me?"

"Trying your best is not enough. I want your word that you will do everything in your power to grasp this opportunity and squeeze it dry. Not just for Wuxing but also for yourself and us," Katherine replied simply while aiming at the door.

"Go out to look at your potential replacement and then ask yourself one question: would you prefer she takes over and makes Wuxing proud or maybe you want to be the hero yourself?"

Scarlet squeezed the sheets as she hesitated. Her mind was overwhelmed with emotions when Anna and Dongmei rubbed her shoulders to give her more courage.

"I believe you have hidden potential but you won't unleash it unless you see it for yourself. She would do anything to be in your place and definitely wouldn't waste it," Anna pointed out with an encouraging smile which finally broke Scarlet's fears. She stepped towards the door and took a deep breath before opening it soundlessly.

Scarlet's heart was already skipping a beat but when she saw Wuxing and Ash hugging in the lobby, she felt like her heart wanted to break through her chest.

"Please… Tell me everything… I'm worried about you…" Ash pleaded softly as she tightened her embrace. "I will do anything to help you. I don't care how dangerous your situation is. Use me as your sword and shield. Let me be the star that illuminates your path."

Ash didn't realize they were being watched and kissed Wuxing's neck before leaning up to his lips that she desired so dearly. Only when Wuxing pulled back did she notice multiple gazes from the side and pulled away reluctantly. "Dongmei, I have some news abou—"

"You have my word," Scarlet cut Ash off in the middle of talking and gazed at Katherine with a determined expression. "I will do whatever it takes."

The girls nodded in approval as they joined them before acting as if nothing happened.

"What is it, Ash? Did you get the news about the incoming visitor?" Dongmei questioned as she changed the topic. "How about we talk about it by dinner? We are all starving."

"Yeah… I was just talking with Wuxing about it," Ash replied as she looked at Scarlet suspiciously. "Did something happen? What was that just now?"

"Hmm? It was nothing. I was just promising to work hard. I can only become stronger if I want to pass the selection," Scarlet explained casually and returned to her cheerful attitude, "Let's go cook! I feel like eating a large steak!"

Ash wasn't the only one confused as Wuxing also had a lot of questions. He could tell Scarlet's smile was fake but he held himself back as she pulled him towards the kitchen. He grabbed all the meat that was meant to be cooked and left outside to start up the grill.

Wuxing didn't even need to say anything as Dongmei appeared a moment later to dispel his worries. "I can assure you that Scarlet is fine. Katherine just made her understand the importance of her position. You know how powerful she can be. We need her strength so it was necessary."

"You know, I was thinking about everything earlier and I actually regret taking her with us. I should have predicted something like this would happen," Wuxing muttered as he looked back inside. "We didn't really have a choice when we stepped into this cruel world but she did. I was her choice. If I didn't take her to participate in the Selection, she wouldn't be forced to kill and fight for her life.

She could live a normal life."

Dongmei paused as she stared into Wuxing's eyes. "It's not your fault. She wanted to follow and knew how dangerous it will be. She knew she could die and still decided to go. All we can do now is support her training and watch her transformation. Let's hope she does have it in herself or else…"

Dongmei didn't finish her sentence and only left a kiss on Wuxing's cheek before returning back inside. He was left with a clouded mind as he tried to think of a way to prevent the worst-case scenario but Devil Face appeared at the right time to distract him.

'Talking about transformations… When was the last time you trained?'