Night in Hiangsheng City was never truly quiet.
It only pretended to be.
Lights flickered across tall buildings, cars moved like slow rivers of gold, and somewhere in between all of it—something unseen had started to move.
Zian lay flat on her bed, staring at the ceiling with one arm behind her head, completely still, as if she were about to sleep.
She wasn't.
If nothing happens tonight, I'm going to be disappointed.
From outside her door—
A servant paused.
Then quickly walked away.
Zian turned her head slightly.
Even the servants feel weird today.
She sat up.
Slowly.
The room was dark except for the faint light coming from the window, casting long shadows across the walls.
Her eyes shifted.
…That shadow wasn't there before.
She didn't move immediately.
Didn't react.
Because reacting too fast—
Was how you missed things.
The shadow near her curtain shifted.
Just slightly.
Not from wind.
Not from light.
From something else.
Zian's lips curved faintly.
Finally.
She stood up.
No sound.
No hesitation.
Her hand reached toward the curtain—
Then stopped.
Nope. Too obvious.
Instead, she turned—
Walked casually to the door—
Opened it—
And stepped out like nothing was wrong.
The hallway was empty.
But the air felt different.
Heavier.
Zian walked forward slowly, her footsteps quiet, her expression calm.
So it's not just my room.
The lights flickered once.
Then again.
Classic.
She turned the corner—
And saw it.
At the far end of the hallway—
Something moved.
Not clearly.
Not fully.
Just a shape.
Dark.
Unnatural.
Zian stopped.
That's definitely not human.
The shape twisted slightly—
Then disappeared.
Gone.
Zian blinked once.
"…Rude."
Outside—
On the rooftop of the mansion—
The wind moved sharply.
A figure stood there.
Watching.
Not human.
Not fully.
Its form flickered like a broken shadow, its edges unstable, its presence wrong in a way that made the air itself feel uneasy.
Inside the house—
Zian stepped into the open balcony.
Her eyes lifted.
Locked.
On it.
For a moment—
Neither moved.
Then—
It attacked.
Fast.
Silent.
Zian didn't panic.
She stepped back—
Just one step—
The shadow passed right where she stood.
Her hair moved slightly from the force.
Too slow.
She turned—
The shadow twisted again, trying to reform—
Zian moved forward.
Not flashy.
Not obvious.
Her hand struck once—
Not hard.
Precise.
The shadow flickered violently—
Then pulled back.
As if… afraid.
Zian frowned slightly.
Oh?
The thing retreated—
Disappearing into the darkness of the rooftop.
Gone.
Silence returned.
Zian stood there.
Looking at the empty space.
"…You come into my house," she muttered.
Then sighed.
"…and leave before I get to test anything properly."
Behind her—
A door opened.
She turned instantly—
Back to normal.
Lazy posture.
Calm face.
Huo Lou stood there.
"Did you see that?" she asked.
Zian blinked.
"See what?" she replied.
Inside—
You saw it too? Interesting.
Huo Lou frowned.
"The lights—something felt off."
Zian nodded slowly.
"Probably electricity," she said.
Inside—
Definitely not electricity.
Huo Lou stared at her.
Then sighed.
"You're useless in serious situations," she muttered.
Zian shrugged.
"Glad to help."
Inside—
You're welcome.
Later that night—
Zian stood alone again.
This time—
By the window.
Looking out at the city.
Her eyes sharper now.
Focused.
That thing wasn't normal.
Her fingers tapped lightly against the glass.
And it ran.
A slow smile appeared.
Good.
She turned away from the window.
Walked toward her closet.
Opened it.
Inside—
Nothing special.
Clothes.
Normal things.
But behind them—
Hidden—
Something else.
Dark fabric.
Tight.
Light.
Her fingers brushed over it.
Guess it's time.
Her expression changed.
Completely.
No more laziness.
No more casual attitude.
Only calm.
Only focus.
The room went silent.
And for the first time—
Her thoughts stopped.