Transforming Succubus: Almost Doomsday

"It's highly likely that what we're dealing with is a new kind of pollution... one that even we ourselves may find difficult to notice,"

"Just like laughter and joy, it's something we would actively seek out,"

"Maybe, it has already started to affect us, only it hasn't been discovered yet... or perhaps, our over-identification with certain things has led us to a distorted environment, yet we believe everything is normal,"

Constantin's analysis was like an enlightenment to Zhou Baiyu.

He was growing fonder of this foreigner.

But at the same time, Zhou Baiyu was also very curious, what could it be? His intuition told him that Constantin was right.

Linxiang City might already be in the midst of some kind of pollution.

But what exactly was it?

...

...

The next day.

The morning sunlight shone on Zhang Haoyun's face, and Zhen Shi made a camera gesture with his hands, framing this moment within the square made by his fingers.

Then he said with a smile, in a soft voice,

"Sister, Baiyu brother has come back,"

Zhang Haoyun had already felt someone approaching the old city district.

She slowly got up. Soon, there was a knock on the door.

Zhou Baiyu began visiting Zhang Haoyun.

Zhen Shi very sensibly made tea.

Although his corruption level was quite high, his gentle nature utterly prevented any "dehumanization" of him.

As a corrupt being, Zhen Shi could even go to crowded places like the vegetable market.

No one would notice the deadly powers hidden within him.

People just felt that he was a gentle youth.

Even though the corrupted don't need traditional food, Zhen Shi still took care of Zhang Haoyun as if he were human, adhering to human habits.

It also caused the malevolence in Zhang Haoyun's heart to dissipate gradually, and she began to regain the feelings of being human.

Zhou Baiyu, seeing Zhang Haoyun again, was somewhat surprised, ignoring the eyes on Zhang Haoyun's body that closed like scars, Zhang Haoyun herself seemed increasingly tranquil.

Unfortunately, unless Zhou Baiyu entered the Advanced World and was observed by the Observer, he would not know exactly what abilities Zhen Shi possessed.

But this was a positive thing, because now, Zhang Haoyun seemed more and more human.

Zhou Baiyu always felt that Zhen Shi was awakening some kind of power, and it was growing stronger.

"You're back, did things go smoothly this time?"

"Fairly smooth, I've learned some deeper things, but I also feel more and more... that the enemies I've encountered so far are just the tip of the iceberg, not even equivalent to the newbie village,"

Zhou Baiyu couldn't describe the details to Zhang Haoyun, but fortunately, he could share his inner feelings.

Zhang Haoyun nodded,

"Linxiang City has been very peaceful lately, though there have been some minor troubles, none pose a threat. That's a good thing,"

Zhang Haoyun was still unaware of the defensive mode situation.

Zhou Baiyu came to see Zhang Haoyun, in part to let her know he was safe, and also to inquire whether she, as a corrupted being, had noticed anything unusual.

The result surprised Zhou Baiyu.

Could it be that even Zhang Haoyun didn't feel anything wrong with Linxiang City? Normally, he would find this reassuring, but now it made him even more uneasy.

Could this mean that what this new kind of pollution had tainted was something people took as an immutable truth?

Zhou Baiyu didn't linger long, after talking with Zhang Haoyun for a bit, he instructed Zhen Shi and then left.

After Zhou Baiyu left, Zhen Shi began tidying up the table.

He whispered softly,

"Brother Baiyu is a very just man, deep within his heart there's a restless soul, yet he always manages to suppress that restlessness. He is really an interesting person,"

"Anyone who can overcome their own wildness deserves our respect, sister, if you like him, you should express your feelings sooner,"

Zhen Shi was always like this, speaking gently.

Sometimes Zhang Haoyun felt that this child seemed to possess a maturity beyond his years.

Of course, Zhen Shi always behaved like a younger brother.

"Between him and me... there has always been a barrier," Zhang Haoyun was not evasive about matters of the heart.

Zhen Shi still smiled radiantly,

"It seems like Brother Baiyu has encountered some new trouble, but he will definitely be able to resolve it,"

"There will always come a time when everything in the human world is truly calm, but there are many things in this world that simply can't wait,"

"Brother Baiyu can never stay idle, he's always swept up into various incidents,"

"There are so many things in the world that you think will have a sequel, so many people you think will still be there tomorrow, just as the sun sets and rises again tomorrow,"

Zhen Shi turned his head to look at Zhang Haoyun, his eyes as clear as ever,

"But there will come a time when the next goodbye in life is a farewell. I've always been afraid that one day I will suddenly be unable to open my eyes."

"So every day, I try to be kind to the people around me, like it's the kindness before an eternal farewell. Sister, don't be afraid, when it comes to expressing your feelings, it's better to be too early than too late,"

Once Zhou Baiyu left the old city district, he was greeted by the brilliant sunlight.

Zhen Shi walked out of the house and basked in the sun, sitting quietly on the steps, as if he were part of the scenery.

Zhang Haoyun looked at Zhen Shi and smiled as well.

If Zhou Baiyu were the ideal type for a... partner,

then Zhen Shi was probably the ideal type for family.

She hoped that Zhen Shi would go out more, instead of keeping her company in the old city, basking alone in the loneliness.