Lucifer's question pressed against Lin Xi's throat like a cold dagger. The private study was thick with the scent of aged paper, leather, and an invisible, taut tension. The force with which his fingertips gripped the collar of her velvet robe declared this was no casual conversation, but an interrogation.
Spy? Lin Xi's heart pounded beneath her ribs, yet her face bore an almost absurd calm. She even tilted her head slightly, keeping his fingertips just out of reach of her skin.
"Your Majesty believes," she began, her voice low and hoarse from recent exertion, yet strangely piercing, "that a spy would propose a plan enabling your generals to earn military glory and fortify your borders?" Her gaze swept over the study's heavy tomes and maps. "Or do you suppose the one behind me is so generous as to trade such military merit for... the insignificant trust of a 'sacrificial offering'?"
Lucifer's crimson pupils narrowed slightly, his grip unrelenting. "Flattery. Your knowledge defies reason."
"My value, too, defies reason." Lin Xi met his gaze without flinching. "As for its source... Your Majesty, everyone has their secrets. Even someone as powerful as you must have... 'troubles' you cannot share with outsiders, right?" Her gaze swept subtly over his muscular arms beneath his uniform, as if she could see through the fabric to the taut muscles straining to suppress his sensitive phase.
This was a further provocation, directly touching upon the most core privacy and weakness of his Alpha identity.
A storm erupted in Lucifer's eyes. His grip on her collar tightened abruptly, nearly lifting her off her feet. "You're playing with fire."
"Your Majesty lit the fuse first." Lin Xi's cheeks flushed from the lack of oxygen, yet she ground the words out between clenched teeth. "You granted me the title of 'Advisor,' yet you refuse to grant me the matching... mystery? Do you want a completely transparent puppet under your control, or a true ally who can bring you real benefits?"
She used the word "ally." In the rigidly hierarchical wolf clan, this was almost an act of usurpation.
Yet Lucifer did not erupt immediately. He watched the moisture gathering at the corners of her eyes from labored breathing, the stubborn flush on her pale cheeks, and the unyielding fire burning in her eyes. This vitality, this near-mad audacity, was unlike any Omega or subordinate he had ever known.
He abruptly released his grip.
Lin Xi staggered back, grabbing the cold edge of the desk to steady herself before coughing violently.
"Allies?" Lucifer repeated the word, his tone dripping with undisguised scorn. Yet the murderous intent seemed to fade slightly, transforming into a deeper, appraising scrutiny, as if assessing merchandise. "Prove your loyalty. With actions, not empty words." "
"How?" Lin Xi gasped, alarm bells ringing in her mind. The system's countdown gnawed at her like a bone-eating maggot: [Time Remaining: 58 minutes].
Lucifer turned, retrieving a palm-sized, archaic-looking metal box from a desk drawer. He opened it—revealing not some hidden mechanism or weapon, but a... ordinary, even slightly worn silver wolf-head badge. Only the wolf's eyes were two minuscule, opaque obsidian stones.
"This is the insignia of 'Shadowfang'," Lucifer stated, placing the badge in his palm. "A unit directly loyal to me, handling intelligence and covert operations. The former commander was executed last month for treason."
He extended the badge toward Lin Xi.
"Wear it," he commanded, his crimson pupils locking onto her eyes. "Then I will give you your first mission. Prove through its completion that you deserve this badge, that you deserve... the temporary trust I grant you."
This was not a choice, but another, more perilous trial. Accepting this badge meant plunging deeper into the Wolves' power struggle, meant staining her hands with blood or filth. Refusal would confirm her guilt, rendering all her earlier defenses laughable.
And the mission? How could she possibly complete a task proving her loyalty within 58 minutes?
Lin Xi stared at the cold badge, then lifted her eyes to Lucifer. His face bore no expression, only those crimson eyes—like bottomless, icy pools—waiting for her response.
She slowly extended her hand, her fingertips brushing the cold metal. Just as her fingers were about to grasp the badge—
[Warning! High-priority side quest triggered!]
[Quest Content: Accept and complete the trial of the "Shadowfang".]
[Reward: Main quest timer paused.]
[Failure penalty: Soul annihilation.]
Lin Xi's fingertips hesitated imperceptibly.
The timer paused!
This was her chance to survive!
Without further hesitation, she seized the badge into her palm, its sharp edges digging into her skin.
"What is the mission?" She asked directly, her voice regaining its composure.
Lucifer watched her decisive action, a fleeting, elusive gleam flashing in his eyes.
"Tonight, the Wolf Clan will receive a 'guest'." He walked to the window, gazing out at the deep night, his voice flat yet tinged with bloodlust. "A spy from the Blood Clan, disguised as a caravan leader. He will make contact at the 'Shadow Tavern.'"
He turned back, his crimson eyes glowing like burning coals in the dim light.
"Your first task: Find him, confirm the contact person, and then..."
His voice was utterly cold.
"...dispose of them cleanly."