Location: Inner Disciple Sector, Arin's Room
Time: Midnight
Weather: Suspiciously calm
Current Mood: Too peaceful to be real
---
I should've known peace was a trap.
I was enjoying a nice midnight nap—face down, snoring into my spirit-infused pillow—when the window opened with a whisper.
At first, I thought it was Lin Xue, here to nag me about glowing hair or name more socks after her.
Nope.
It was a demon maid holding dual daggers, dressed in a black combat uniform with... lace trim?
---
"Are you the trash disciple named Arin?" she asked, dead serious.
"Uh. Define trash."
She threw a knife.
I rolled off the bed.
---
> [System Alert:]
Warning: Cult Infiltration Attempt Detected
Threat Level: Moderate-High
System temporarily rebooting…
Rebooting in: 5… 4…
---
"You're joking," I gasped, hiding behind my cabinet.
"I am not," she said. "I was sent by the Twilight Claw to remove the unstable variable."
"Listen, I'm not unstable. I'm just… unpredictably balanced!"
She sliced my pillow in half.
"5 minutes ago, I was dreaming about steamed buns," I muttered. "Now I'm about to die in pajamas."
---
> [System Rebooting…]
Still 3 seconds left.
She dashed forward.
I grabbed the nearest object—a chamber pot.
Battle cries were made. Dignity was lost.
She spun gracefully, I screamed, and a ghost spooned my elbow.
---
BOOM!
Out of nowhere, Lin Yumei crashed through the wall—literally.
She radiated sword aura like a dragon with anger issues.
---
"You dare touch him?" she growled, aura igniting behind her like violet fire.
The maid backed off immediately.
"You're the Heaven-Severing Blade Maiden," the maid whispered.
"Correct," Lin Yumei said. "And this trash is under my supervision."
"He doesn't seem worth protecting."
"He owes me five steamed buns and a silk ribbon. I decide his value."
---
> [System Online:]
Welcome Back!
You survived. Again. Somehow.
Reward: "Trash Luck Rune" – Grants 10% chance to deflect killing blows… accidentally.
I stood up, still holding the chamber pot.
"Is it too late to scream?" I asked.
"Yes," Lin Yumei said.
---
The maid escaped, leaving behind only a cursed dagger inscribed with dark runes.
Yue Lan arrived moments later, dragging a sleepy Yura behind her.
"What happened?" Yue Lan demanded.
"Assassin maid," I said. "Lin Yumei broke my wall. Again."
"I wasn't even surprised," Yura yawned. "Can I go back to bed?"
---
Later, the elders gathered in secret.
Elder Lianhua held the cursed dagger, examining its origin.
"This confirms it. The Twilight Claw wants him dead."
Elder Ruo Fei tapped the table. "Then we make it harder. Assign him a guard."
Elder Bai Hanyue shook her head. "He'll hate it."
Lianhua smiled. "Which makes it perfect."
---
Meanwhile… in the Cult's Shadow Hall
"She failed?"
"She was stopped by the Blade Maiden."
"…Then we send something worse."
---
> [System Update:]
Shadow Trade System is now directly aware of Arin
They have marked him as:
'Unwilling Catalyst Host'
> Warning:
Chapter 25 will begin System Conflict
Expect:
Glitches
Reward theft
Possible personality fragmentation (minor)
---
I returned to my broken room, lay down on a half-bed, and stared at the cracked ceiling.
Yura leaned through my broken doorframe.
"You okay?"
"I'm thinking of installing a trapdoor and hiding forever."
"You're not allowed. You're the funny one."
"…Damn it."