Chapter 118: The Midnight Call from Little Sister

Su Yuyao stared at the caller ID on her desk, momentarily dazed. Her first instinct wasn’t to pick up.

She had always told the family she was “working out of town.” Her actual job at the research society—and many details about it—had been kept hidden. Su Xiaoxiao had no idea.

It had been a long time since they last spoke on the phone. Seeing the contact name “[Little Zhe]” light up again made Su Yuyao feel almost disoriented.

It was 1:30 a.m. What could prompt a call at this hour after so long?

She answered, bringing the phone to her ear with a slight tremble in her voice.

“Hello?”

“Yo, Big Sis. How’ve you been?”

A familiar voice should have come through—but instead, it was the completely unfamiliar sound of a young girl.

Soft and sweet, yet with a bold, carefree tone—like a cute girl trying to act cool.

“…Who is this?”

The question slipped out reflexively.

On the other end, the little loli seemed to take a heavy blow. A faint pout was audible before she quickly replied,

“It’s me! Your sister! I’m pretty sure you have my number saved… with a note and everything…”

“You’re… Little Zhe? It’s really a full-on girl voice…”

Su Yuyao had already imagined what her brother might sound like as a girl while reading the report, but hearing the real thing still threw her.

“Kind of, but not really. Big Sis, you’re still holed up in that little dark room at research society HQ this late? The Tantan City incident must’ve piled on a ton of extra work, huh?”

“Ah… huh? W-What research society? Little Zhe, what are you talking about? Big Sis is a little sleepy and can’t quite follow.”

“Hmm? You didn’t seriously think you were hiding it that well, did you? I’m pretty sure Xiao Zi already submitted the combat report to you.”

Su Yuyao let out a soft sigh, a relieved smile crossing her face.

“Xiao Zi told you, huh.”

“No, even without her I’ve known for over a year. Back then you were constantly trying to dig up intel on me, remember? You even tailed me for a while, but I shook you every time. Those were all things you did—don’t tell me you forgot?”

Ah!

Su Yuyao’s eyes widened. Su Xiaoxiao had known about all of that? Meaning she’d been aware the whole time.

“Hahaha.”

A string of bell-like laughter rang out from the phone.

“You might’ve known nothing about me, but I’ve always known everything about you, Big Sis.”

Su Yuyao’s cheeks flushed. She scolded loudly,

“Q-Quit it! You brat—you recognized me the whole time and kept me in the dark!? You could’ve at least given me a hint! I spent so much effort chasing that damn Phantom, and in the end got nothing—I nearly depressed myself into a shutdown!”

“Hahaha, special circumstances. Couldn’t say anything. Don’t be mad, don’t be mad. At least I’m still alive, right? Phantom might’ve died in some war on the other side, but I’m here, talking to you. I actually called this late because there’s something I wanted to tell you.”

“Oh? W-What is it?”

“Big Siiis~ I’m about to marry my beloved girlfriend Evran~”

The instant those words hit, the coffee cup Su Yuyao had just picked up nearly toppled. Her expression froze solid; her breathing stopped.

At the same time, rustling and chatter came from the other end.

“Evran, get off me! Stop clinging—don’t mess around! Who’s marrying you!?”

“Nooo, your big sister is my big sister too~ Let me say hi, just a few words!”

“Scram, scram—wait till I finish the serious stuff!”

“Ooh—”

Evran’s disappointed whine faded into the background.

After shoving Evran aside, Su Xiaoxiao continued,

“Don’t get the wrong idea! That line was Evran pretending to be me. Evran’s the Bloodkin girl who saved my life. Personality-wise… she’s not too bad. Just a little perverted.”

“What do you mean ‘not too bad’!? And don’t call me perverted in front of your sister! I’m embarrassed! Give me some face in front of the elder!”

Evran’s indignant protest came through again.

“You know you’re embarrassed!? And hold on—since when is she your sister? She’s my big sis!”

Su Xiaoxiao fired back without missing a beat.

Listening to the two bicker nonstop on the other end, Su Yuyao’s frozen expression gradually softened. She couldn’t help but laugh.

She hadn’t expected them to get along this well.

“Ah, I’ve read Xiao Zi’s report. For various reasons, I’ve decided not to pass this intel up the chain. It’s for your safety—and Xiao Zi’s.”

“Oh, thank you so much. That’s exactly what I wanted to talk about. Hiding intel is against regulations, but this is the one thing I don’t want those guys knowing about. I have things I still need to do.”

“So what are you planning next? Are you going to keep fighting now that your body’s a girl? You’ve already achieved more as Phantom than anyone ever has. You’ve carried far too much alone. Honestly, Big Sis doesn’t want you to—”

“Sorry, Big Sis. I can’t promise that.”

Su Xiaoxiao had guessed what she was about to say and cut her off midway.

Of course Su Yuyao didn’t want Su Xiaoxiao to keep fighting. She had already accomplished unprecedented feats and fulfilled the greatest duty to humanity’s Exterminators.

If possible, she wanted her to live comfortably inside the protected cities, far from any more whirlpools of danger.

“Why? Is there still something you have to do? I heard Sheffield betrayed the squad—and he orchestrated the attack on Tantan City. You pulled off a miracle defeating someone that strong. I really hope your path as an Exterminator ends here…”

Being an Exterminator wasn’t some romantic title. It was soaked in blood and hatred, with endless danger waiting ahead.

“Yeah. My path as an Exterminator is over. But now I exist between human and Bloodkin. In the past, it was always Bloodkin invading the human world and using it as their battlefield. I promised Evran I’d help her get revenge.”

“You mean—”

“That’s right. I’m going to take the fight to the Bloodkin world!”