Chapter 66: Going Home
Elsa had an unclear connection to the Harbingers of Calamity, but judging from Ji Shinian’s expression and everyone’s reactions when he mentioned the organization, no one seemed to know about it.
Furthermore, they didn’t even seem to know that Elsa’s abilities came from Grotesqueries.
Perhaps Ji Shinian knew, but that old man was a cryptic Other Shore…
“About her… you’ll have to ask Brother Liu. He brought her here,” Shen Miaoyun seemed wary of Elsa. “Anyway, their matters are now your responsibility. Oh right, it’s been two days since the Baiyan Village incident. Don’t forget about it if you have other things to do.”
“Two days?”
Luo Ling’s eyes widened slightly in surprise, but she quickly masked her reaction.
Shen Miaoyun didn’t notice. After explaining everything to Luo Ling, she hurried back to Ward Zero.
“…Fortunately, it’s Saturday.”
Luo Ling checked the date and time. It was almost time for school to end.
If she went back now… it wouldn’t be too late, and her sister shouldn’t be too worried.
However…
Luo Ling looked at the unconscious Elsa in the ward, then at the withdrawn An Yu in the corner, and sighed.
What a problematic team…
She was supposed to be the newbie, yet after this mission, she was the only one without any problems.
As expected, whenever Grotesqueries were involved, anything could happen.
Luo Ling suddenly recalled Ji Ying saying that even High-Order Awakened Ones could be killed by Low-Sequence Grotesqueries if they were careless.
“I’ll leave my Spores here and go home first, so Sister doesn’t worry.”
Luo Ling pulled out a strand of white hair, and before she could control it, the Spore instinctively attached itself to Elsa.
“Hmm?”
Luo Ling was slightly surprised, then realized it was because of her ability’s evolution.
Previously, she had to consciously control the Spores with her mind and perception to move them, but now she didn’t need to. She only needed to give them instructions, and they would act on their own.
This meant Luo Ling could now release a large number of Spores at once without worrying about her mind being overwhelmed.
Of course, the number of perspectives she could maintain was still limited. Too many, and her mind wouldn’t be able to handle it.
However…
“I hope using too many Spores won’t make me bald,” Luo Ling thought, touching her hair worriedly, then another thought crossed her mind. “If I do go bald, will my hair still be there when I transform back?”
A thought that even Luo Ling found absurd. She quickly dismissed it.
After leaving a Spore on both Elsa and An Yu, Luo Ling left Qingshan Hospital.
Looking back, she saw the Seer, or rather, Wang Lili, leaning against the window on the seventh floor, smiling and waving goodbye.
“Strange girl…”
Luo Ling muttered, then quickened her pace, seeing the setting sun on the horizon.
…
“You’re back?”
Opening the door to her apartment, Luo Ling heard her sister’s familiar, gentle voice. She was busy cooking in the kitchen, and two dishes and a soup were already on the table.
“Mm.”
Luo Ling placed her backpack on a chair and walked into the kitchen.
She turned on the tap, and ordinary water flowed out.
Luo Ling washed her hands carefully, feeling the familiar texture against her skin.
Reflected in the clear water were eyes with a dark gold glint, faint blue scales on her delicate cheeks, and sharp teeth peeking out from her slightly parted lips.
She spread her hands, traces of flesh and blood still clinging to her sharp fingertips.
“This is…”
Luo Ling’s breath hitched, and a sense of panic washed over her.
Wait, why did she look like this…?
Was this her demonic form?
A lingering effect from consuming the white reishi?
No… it had been much more severe at the time.
It must be… receding…
Every time she used her demonic transformation, traces of it would linger for a while, just like last time. But she hadn’t expected it to be so noticeable after two days.
It seemed that with each use, the demon’s influence on her body deepened.
“What’s wrong, Xiao Ling? Why are you spacing out?”
Her sister’s voice came from behind, and Luo Ling quickly turned off the tap.
“Nothing, just… a little tired.”
She turned her face away, afraid her sister would see her current appearance.
“Ah, you should rest more. Work and rest should be balanced. Studying is important, but so is your health,” her sister said with a smile, ruffling Luo Ling’s hair. “Go to bed after dinner and don’t study tonight.”
“…Okay.”
Luo Ling lowered her head and went to the dining table, quickly starting to eat.
She had to finish quickly before her sister saw…
“Xiao Ling, eat slowly, don’t rush,” her sister said gently.
“Mm.”
Luo Ling slowed down but kept her head lowered.
After a moment of silence, her sister’s voice turned serious.
“Xiao Ling, look up.”
Luo Ling froze but didn’t raise her head.
Had she… been noticed?
It was… so obvious.
This was her sister, the sister who had been with her for over a decade…
“Look up.”
Her sister’s voice was sterner now.
If it was her sister, she shouldn’t be afraid…
Luo Ling slowly raised her head, her eyes burning.
Her sister looked at her calmly, her tired face making Luo Ling’s heart ache, but her gaze made Luo Ling want to run away.
“Xiao Ling, why have you become like this…?”
Her sister asked softly.
Become a monster…?
Yes.
“I…”
Luo Ling wanted to tell her everything.
“Why do you look so pale? Did something happen?” Her sister reached out and touched Luo Ling’s cheek with concern. “Tell Sister what’s bothering you. Even if someone is bullying you at school, Sister will fight for you, even if it costs me my life.”
…She hadn’t noticed?
Or… couldn’t she see?
Luo Ling realized her sister’s gaze wasn’t focused on her grotesque features, but simply looking at her, her gentle eyes as if trying to melt her.
“Nothing, just… tired,” Luo Ling mumbled, avoiding her sister’s gaze.
“Nonsense,” her sister glared at her. “I watched you grow up, I know you. Something is definitely bothering you.
“Fine, I was your age once. As long as you’re not being bullied, whatever it is… if you want to talk about it, Sister will listen. But if you don’t, that’s fine too. I won’t force you.”
Leave a Reply