Chapter 238
by post_apiChapter 238: Heart City
“What is going on…”
The Scarlet Moon opened her eyes, only to find herself, at some unknown point, back in her home, lying on the familiar bed.
The events of yesterday felt like a vivid dream, but they were real. A day had already passed since then, yet her memories of that time had vanished without a trace.
She lay motionless, staring at the ceiling for what felt like an eternity.
The memories before the gap remained crystal clear, untainted by time. She remembered approaching the Babel Tower of her own volition, only to be inexplicably manipulated by some mysterious force. Everything beyond that was blank.
Her fingers brushed against a piece of paper in her hand. Without needing to read it, she could discern its contents by touch alone.
“Please consider the well-being of the vampiric clan.”
A sneer formed on her lips. It was a threat, plain and simple.
And yet, she couldn’t deny a chilling truth—this so-called “Savior” wielded power beyond comprehension. It was a force she couldn’t hope to contend with.
For centuries, the Scarlet Moon had rarely encountered anything capable of truly unsettling her.
Among nations, only a few beings of “Apocalypse-level” strength existed. As a Crown, she represented the pinnacle of such power.
And yet, this… this entity, the so-called Savior, made her feel utterly powerless.
“Why is it like this…” she whispered. “Who… or what exactly is He?”
Perhaps the Savior of the Babel Tower truly was some ancient god, or worse, the incarnation of an Outer God. A being whose power transcended her understanding.
After a prolonged silence, a peculiar sensation crept over her.
She couldn’t pinpoint its source, but her INT and the keen sensory perception of her vampiric body both reacted. Rising from the bed, she approached the mirror.
The reflection stunned her.
A large tiger was crudely drawn across her face in black marker.
“This must be the work of that Mu Ling…” she muttered, shaking her head. “A childish prank.”
With a wave of her hand, the tiger vanished, leaving her expression calm but thoughtful.
Seeking distractions felt futile, yet she couldn’t shake the irritation lingering in her chest. Eventually, she resolved to visit the school she had neglected for so long.
Yes, for years, the Scarlet Moon had been attending school in Tatsumi City, concealing her true identity.
It had been Crimson’s advice—to prevent her from becoming completely out of touch with the times. But the results had been less than stellar.
Her school, Tatsumi City’s Seventeenth High School, was a place she visited sparingly. Her rare appearances were spent doing one thing: sleeping.
Consequently, she remained an enigma to her peers, a phantom in the halls. Teachers and classmates alike failed to notice her irregular attendance, thanks to the mesmerizing abilities of her magical eyes.
But today, unsettled and seeking solace, the Scarlet Moon decided to return.
Li Yin, the girl who had traded her life for fleeting beauty, was seated beside the Scarlet Moon. She stared, her emotions swirling in a storm of awe and longing.
How wonderful, she thought, She’s here again… as beautiful as ever.
The Scarlet Moon had been absent for weeks, and Li Yin’s concern had grown with each passing day. Today, seeing her return filled her with uncontainable joy.
But her joy was short-lived.
The Scarlet Moon, who had been sleeping on her desk, suddenly opened her crimson eyes, meeting Li Yin’s gaze with cold indifference.
“Why have you been staring at me? Are you from the Babel Tower?”
Li Yin’s heart raced at the attention, her cheeks flushed with excitement.
“W-what? The Babel Tower? Oh! That’s the mysterious organization from the videos, right? I’ve heard about them too!”
Li Yin’s voice brimmed with eagerness, her hands clasped in front of her chest, desperate to prolong the conversation.
“It’s nothing.”
The Scarlet Moon turned away, her interest fading as quickly as it had sparked. She closed her eyes and returned to her sleep.
Li Yin froze, her excitement crumbling into quiet despair as tears welled up in her eyes.
Meanwhile, Bai Yan sat on his couch, reviewing a new mission on his phone.
“Emergency Mission: Sinister Medicine in Heart City.”
The instructions detailed a dangerous new drug spreading in Heart City. Capable of twisting minds and triggering violent outbreaks of negative emotions, the drug allowed users to harness the destructive power of the “Flow of the Heart · Outsider.”
The task was clear: locate and dismantle the workshop responsible for manufacturing the substance.
The mission required two Core Operators, and Bai Yan immediately decided on Scarlet Moon and Mu Ling.
As the mission loaded, the screen revealed a rain-soaked Heart City. A sprawling metropolis with a distinctly Eastern aesthetic, its streets glimmered with vibrant red lanterns and nostalgic charm.
Towering metal Bodhisattva sculptures loomed over narrow alleyways, blending ancient traditions with a hint of punk futurism.
Bai Yan controlled the Scarlet
Moon while Mu Ling followed
in “self-discipline mode.”
Together, they ventured into
the intricate maze of alleys,
seeking their target.
The Scarlet Moon’s voice
emerged through subtitles on
the screen.
“I have no interest in saving the
world. Your so-called Savior
claims to free people but robs
them of their autonomy. Is
that not the height of
hypocrisy?”
Mu Ling, her black windbreaker
drenched, replied calmly, “This
is a necessary sacrifice. You’ll
understand once you see the
rewards to come.”
Scarlet Moon scoffed, saying
nothing further as she led the
way into a dimly lit pharmacy.
Inside, an aging half-orc with
raccoon ears and a goatee
glanced up from behind the
counter.
“The shop is closed—”
His words faltered, eyes
widening at the sight of the
two women. He froze, utterly
captivated by their ethereal
beauty.
In the rain-drenched city, two
forces of destiny had arrived.