Chapter 1: Is the Prey Him?

On the dim and narrow corridor, a young girl in tight-fitting black attire moved forward silently. Her footsteps were light, making almost no sound upon hitting the ground. In her hand, she carried a tightly wrapped black cloth bag, but from within that bag, a crimson liquid occasionally seeped out, dripping onto the black marble floor as if it had never existed at all.

Only a faint scent of blood drifted in the air, lingering for a long time.

The heavy stone door at the end of the corridor suddenly opened. As the door pulled back, a magnificent and grand hall gradually revealed itself before her eyes, paved with black stone and lit by flickering lamps. It was enough to make one feel an involuntary chill.

Yet, the girl showed no sign of fear; instead, she appeared somewhat excited and agitated.

Thinking of the gentle eyes of her beloved when he looked down at her, she lowered her head and smiled faintly. One more time, just one more time! As long as she completed this final mission, she could leave this sunless cage and be with Lin!

However, the curve of her lips was merely a fleeting moment. By the time she looked up again, she had swiftly suppressed all expression.

The figure in black robes on the main seat turned around. His face was covered by an iron mask, making his features impossible to discern. Watching Yun Jin approach with a calm aura and steady steps, a strange glint flashed in the eyes behind the mask.

*The most talented among this batch of little ones... what a pity...*

"The thing you wanted." Tossing the bundle in her hand to the person on the seat, Yun Jin took out a handkerchief to carefully wipe her bloodstained hands. "Do you remember what you promised?"

Her slender, onion-tip fingers were as white as fine mutton-fat jade, long and beautiful. Unfortunately, these hands had long since been soiled, having been stained by the blood of countless people!

The person on the seat let out a sinister, cackling laugh, his voice as raspy and dark as a broken tape recorder. "Of course I remember. Rest assured, I keep my word. As long as you complete one more mission, I will give you your freedom."

While wiping her fingertips, Yun Jin asked nonchalantly, "Who is next?"

"Shh..." The man said mysteriously, "He is coming. You must seize the opportunity I am giving you."

Before his voice had even faded, the doors to the great hall opened once more. A tall and upright figure slowly appeared between the stone doors, walking toward her step by step.

Sword-like eyebrows, bright eyes, a handsome countenance, and that gentle gaze directed at her...

The bloodstained handkerchief fell to the ground. Yun Jin felt as if struck by lightning; her calm face turned as pale as paper in an instant. "Lin..."

How... how could it be him!

Qin Lin’s face was filled with anxiety, his eyes overflowing with tenderness and worry as he looked at her. He strode toward her and pulled her into his arms, his grip so forceful it was as if he wanted to press her into his very body. "Xiao Jin, are you alright?"

Leaning into Qin Lin's embrace, smelling his familiar scent and listening to the thumping of his heart against his chest, Yun Jin's pale complexion softened slightly. Her heart, which had nearly stopped beating just moments ago, began to pulse once more.

This was her Lin.

They had fought side by side, broken through encirclements together, and struggled through this dark, man-eating world by supporting one another. She had no parents; in the entire world, he was the person she relied on most, trusted most, and the only one who mattered.

"Aren't you going to do it yet? This is an opportunity I prepared specifically for you," the raspy voice of the man on the seat drifted over, carrying a hint of mocking laughter.

"A-Jin, do it. To trade my life for your freedom is well worth it." Qin Lin's voice was steeped in tenderness, carrying a trace of satisfaction and a hint of a sigh, echoing softly in her ear.