Chapter 2: Lingering Time

The morning weather was pleasant, with warm sunshine.

Walking along the path to school with his sister, breathing in the fresh air of six in the morning, watching the willow branches sway in the gentle breeze, and listening to music with his headphones on, was Su Mu Zhe’s most enjoyable time.

Su Xiao Zi’s footsteps were not quite regular; she liked to skip and hop, appearing especially cute, her light, bouncing figure and skirt swaying in the wind always outlining the most youthful image of a girl.

And her figure was very good; her budding yet full breasts stood proudly, her slender waist looked perfect in any bright attire, and when she was in a good mood, she would occasionally apply a touch of light pink lipstick, her tender lips shimmering with crystal-clear points of light.

However, when going to school, her usual attire consisted only of a standard school uniform top and a slightly long skirt, with knee-high socks adorned with delicate embellishments on her legs.

But no matter how pretty she was, in Su Mu Zhe’s eyes, she was just a rather lively and cute little girl.

As her older brother, he always followed leisurely behind her, keeping his own pace, as if silently guarding his family within his sight.

After walking a short distance with light, independent steps, Su Xiao Zi turned back and ran to her brother’s side.

“What’s wrong, brother? You’re definitely not yourself today, are you? It’s early morning, why do you look like a tired corporate s*ave coming home after a long day’s work?”

“Is that so?”

“Yes! You seem lifeless,” Su Xiao Zi tilted her head slightly, her eyes revealing concern.

“It’s nothing, thanks for your concern. Boys just have a few ‘egg-changing’ days every month where they get a bit melancholic.”

“You!” Su Xiao Zi slapped his back in annoyance; she was clearly worried about him, yet he was still talking nonsense irreverently. The innocent her once even believed him, thinking boys really had such a thing.

Her brother was always like this, as if he was hiding something from her, unwilling to tell.

This was only natural.

His sister was not an esper, did not possess the powerful abilities of an Exterminator, so Su Mu Zhe could not let her step into this realm of the world’s dark side; it was an absolute truth that ordinary people should lead ordinary daily lives.

Just like him, now retired and an ordinary person, enjoying this illusory period of life, if the balance of the world tilted, someone would set it right.

Just like the gaping in the sky above, like a conspicuously torn gash.

That deep purple rift was filled with the aura of disaster from another world, but even living beneath this torn rift, ordinary people within the barrier still couldn’t see any part of it.

However, Su Mu Zhe also didn’t know how long this time of his could last.

In fact, he didn’t feel like he was truly alive.

He had long discovered that his body had stopped growing, and his metabolism had ceased long ago; his body, completely devoid of life, was just an empty shell.

He didn’t know what was sustaining his survival, but it was just an illusion of life.

Moreover, this weak state was constantly worsening recently; perhaps soon he would completely disappear from the world, silently leaving reality.

The real him, indeed, had died a year ago.

He might only be lingering, spending his last moments with his loved ones.

Upon entering the school, Su Mu Zhe and Su Xiao Zi had to temporarily part ways, each heading to their respective grade’s classroom.

On the way to his classroom, Su Mu Zhe saw many younger students playfully passing by him, including a few junior girls he had seen before, who playfully greeted him.

“Good morning, Senior!”

“Hmm,” Su Mu Zhe merely responded softly, then watched their playful figures gradually disappear.

They were so full of youthful vigor… it couldn’t help but remind him of the rowdy bunch from the Wraith Squad.

As Su Mu Zhe was pondering something, a sweet voice with a hint of charm suddenly rang in his ear, coming from a certain Bloodkin girl right beside him.

“Hehe, your sister is so cute.”

“When those junior girls came up to talk to you just now, she scornfully clicked her tongue, and a look of obvious disdain appeared on her face, hahaha, isn’t that child too cute?”

Although Evran was hiding in the shadows, she had observed Su Mu Zhe and everyone around him, following him like a shadow.

“Shut your mouth, Bloodkin,” Su Mu Zhe’s eyes instantly grew several degrees colder.

“Honestly, why are you so cold to me, why so fierce? You must have noticed already, you’re clearly a dying person, yet you still refuse to borrow my power, hmm?”

“Then before I die, I’ll find every possible way to exterminate you, to prevent you from getting close to Xiao Zi.”

“Oh dear, I never said I wanted to get close to her. You are the chosen one, and it has to be you. The former Chief Exterminator, are you willing to just die like this?”

“I don’t care about your choice, but I won’t allow you to involve ordinary people.”

“Oh? Ordinary people, would it truly be like that…?”

Evran looked up at the sky, deep in thought, as if muttering to herself hesitantly.

He really cares about his sister, is it because she’s family?

Evran had no choice but to return to the shadows, inadvertently letting out a silent sigh, curling up with her knees hugged in the dark space. “Family, huh…”

Counting on her fingers, carefully tallying, Su Mu Zhe’s life had been sustained by her for the past year.

Evran lowered her gaze, burying her head in her knees, her figure appearing somewhat lonely.

Can what Audrey Evra said really come true? If he’s unwilling to accept the power of the Bloodkin, will everything truly end…? Could it be that she chose the wrong person?