Xiao Wu had always trusted her instincts.
They were the reason she survived.
That morning, as she hopped down the forest path toward Holy Soul Village, her chest felt tight. Not fear—pressure.
Like standing near something ancient.
Something watching.
Her eyes snapped to a boy standing alone near the tree line.
Black hair. Calm posture. Too calm.
When their gazes met, Xiao Wu froze.
Her heart slammed hard.
That feeling…
Not murderous. Not hostile.
But overwhelming.
Like standing before a slumbering beast that could wake at any moment.
The boy tilted his head slightly, studying her—not like prey.
Like something precious.
Xiao Wu swallowed.
"…Hi?"
He smiled gently.
That smile made it worse.
At Nuoding Academy, rumors spread fast.
Tang San was brilliant.
But that other boy?
No one could quite understand him.
He never showed off. Never competed seriously. Yet every teacher felt uneasy around him.
Tang San watched him often.
That calm gaze. That unreadable expression.
I can't see through him, Tang San realized.
For the first time since arriving in this world…
He felt like a side character.
That night, Xiao Wu sat beside the MC under the stars.
She hugged her knees, ears metaphorically twitching.
"You're scary," she said bluntly.
He chuckled. "Am I?"
"Yes."
A pause.
"But… you'd never hurt me."
The MC looked at her then—really looked.
And something in his gaze softened completely.
"Never," he said quietly. "Anyone who tries… disappears."
Xiao Wu shivered.
Not in fear.
In trust.
Far above them, unseen—
A dragon's phantom silhouette stirred.
System:"Host, harem route compatibility detected."System:"Excellent. Canon heroine secured."
The MC sighed internally.
"Of course you'd say that."