Chapter 457: Tea Master Isis
Chapter 457: Tea Master Isis
Isis walked along the dusty street with Eve trailing behind.
Construction sites surrounded them, filled with countless busy workers. Dump trucks and machinery rumbled through the streets, kicking up swirling dust clouds and creating a lively commotion.
“Mechanical City’s changed a lot.”
Isis remembered passing through before – back then it had been a stagnant slave society not worth her time.
Now Mechanical City pulsed with new life, vibrant energy radiating through every corner. This raw vitality pleased Isis, whether seen in cities or people, representing thriving Life and healthy blood.
Workers and pedestrians streamed past the pair, yet none seemed to notice the women. Even the airborne dust avoided settling on them.
In moments, the mistress and servant crossed the distance to Mechanical City’s center, stopping before an ordinary apartment building.
“I don’t sense any vampires here.”
Isis studied the plain structure, addressing Eve. “Only two ordinary humans inside. You’re certain he lives here?”
Eve bowed slightly. “Information states Fang Cheng’s been hiding here with female friends since leaving Tokyo, though he frequently travels now.”
“Bad timing then.”
The journey from Maldives to Area 11 should’ve taken weeks, but unexpected delays meant Isis had only just arrived.
“Since we’re here, we’ll wait.” Isis’s gaze drifted to the distant tallest building. “Find us tea and somewhere to rest.”
…
Government Building
In the top-floor office, Kanzaki Rin buried herself in official business. Though Nozawa Ritsu held nominal leadership, true control rested with her – mountains of paperwork left barely any days off.
Across the sofa sprawled an exquisite figure – the nine-tailed fox.
“HEAL ME, you idiot support!” She glared at her phone, legs kicking air. “SHIELD NOW!”
“Don’t abandon me!”
“AAAAH!”
Her final scream shook the room. She nearly hurled the phone before restraining herself, teeth grinding. “When I find that useless support, I’ll skin them alive!”
Kanzaki Rin looked up from her documents. “Keep it down.”
The nine-tailed fox ignored her and continued playing the game, muttering curses under her breath.
Kanzaki Rin shook her head helplessly at the sight. This legendary monster Tamamo-no-Mae had become a game-addicted girl pulling all-nighters every day.
Over a month had passed since their cooperation began. The nine-tailed fox stayed in the apartment, waiting to suppress the poison when the Killing Stone revived inside Kanzaki Rin.
Having hidden in a cave for sixteen years, she knew nothing about the world’s rapid changes.
Modern smartphones and mobile games captivated her completely after she emerged.
Though Tamamo-no-Mae had once hidden in Tokyo to enjoy modern life, this nine-tailed fox obsessed over phone games instead. She’d snap at anyone touching her device.
Apart from gaming, she constantly stuck to Kanzaki Rin like glue.
The Killing Stone’s breath emanating from the girl drew her irresistibly.
Were it not for Fang Cheng’s stern warning, the fox would’ve crawled into Kanzaki Rin’s bed nightly.
During daytime work hours at the Government Building, the nine-tailed fox followed Kanzaki Rin like a puppy.
The office fell quiet again except for the fox’s muttered swearing.
After winning several matches over an hour, the satisfied fox finally paused her game.
Leaning against Kanzaki Rin’s desk, she asked: “Kanzaki, isn’t today that boy’s return date?”
She meant Fang Cheng, who’d left Mechanical City with two cats for monster hunting after confirming the fox’s harmlessness.
A month had passed since his departure.
Kanzaki Rin kept working without looking up. “What if it is?”
The fox rested her chin on hands, mischief flashing across her beautiful face. “Then you two can resume your nightly ‘exercise’ sessions.”
Only the fox knew about their secret outings, having once waited all night outside Kanzaki Rin’s empty room until dawn’s return.
When questioned later, Kanzaki Rin claimed they’d been “enjoying night scenery.”
Though physically 16, the fox retained her true form’s memories and understood the euphemism, constantly teasing about it.
Kanzaki Rin calmly snorted. “Say that to his face if you dare.”
The fox silently retreated to her games.
Her universal charm won over everyone in the apartment, including Kamikawa Takumi – none could harshly criticize such beauty.
Only Fang Cheng proved immune. While others grew more enchanted over time, he developed complete immunity within days.
He’d wield the Thunder Hammer without hesitation if she misbehaved, leaving her bruised. Naturally, she avoided provoking him.
As the fox quieted down, Kanzaki Rin resumed work.
Once the Killing Stone revived and the fox suppressed its poison, they’d search for Tamamo-no-Mae with Kamikawa Takumi.
Minamoto Karei would join them, ensuring Kamikawa Takumi kept his XP System under control during the journey.
However, with the nine-tailed fox’s universal charm that worked on everyone, Minamoto Karei might develop some strange preferences too.
The only suppression against the nine-tailed fox would be Fang Cheng, but Kanzaki Rin would never allow him to go out with that creature.
She feared he might return with a whole litter of fox cubs someday.
As Kanzaki Rin was thinking, the office door suddenly burst open.
Both Kanzaki Rin and the nine-tailed fox looked up, but instead of assistant Asaka Akihime, a stranger entered – a blonde woman radiating mature charm.
Alertness surged in Kanzaki Rin’s heart. This restricted office had guards outside, yet this stranger slipped through unnoticed.
“Who…”
Before she could finish, the blonde woman stepped aside like a maid.
Another woman entered.
Ruby eyes gleamed above cherry lips, her flawless face set on a perfectly proportioned figure.
Golden hair flowed down her back like liquid sunlight. Though wearing simple white, she carried the presence of both goddess and queen.
The stunning sight froze Kanzaki Rin momentarily.
Clack!
A phone hit the floor.
Kanzaki Rin turned to see the nine-tailed fox’s precious game-abandoned phone. The fox had leaped from the sofa, staring at the newcomer with undisguised terror.
This shocked Kanzaki Rin. The fox always boasted about being Tamamo-no-Mae’s doppelganger, acting fearless even when captured by Fang Cheng. Yet now pure dread showed on her face.
The golden-haired woman casually sat on the sofa, crossing her legs. A servant materialized holding blood-red tea, presenting it gracefully.
The nine-tailed fox kept backing away until she hit the wall.
Suppressing her shock, Kanzaki Rin’s racing thoughts landed on one name matching both the description and the fox’s terror – Blood Queen Isis!
“Hmm?” Isis glanced at Kanzaki Rin while raising her teacup. “Do you know who I am, girl?”
Those ruby eyes froze Kanzaki Rin’s hands and feet, her heartbeat stuttering.
Disaster-level monster. Why here?!
Kanzaki Rin vividly remembered Tokyo’s near-apocalypse when Isis last visited – the night she’d met Fang Cheng.
Isis’ voice snapped the nine-tailed fox from her stupor. She scrambled to the farthest corner, though the distance brought no safety.
“Isis.” The fox forced calm into her voice. “Why come here?”
Sipping her tea, Isis studied her. “You seem…familiar.”
“Tamamo-no-Mae,” answered Eve behind the sofa. “Declared Satan’s incarnation by War Horseman Orphe sixteen years ago. Went missing after their battle.”
“Ah.” Isis smiled. “Fellow sufferers, then. Still so weak – wounds not healed?”
“No!” The fox waved frantically. “I’m just a doppelganger! Not the real Tamamo-no-Mae!” She desperately wanted to avoid any connection to this terrifying being.
“Relax. I merely want tea and conversation.” Isis turned to Kanzaki Rin. “Actually, I’m seeking someone. Know his whereabouts?”
Under that gaze, Kanzaki Rin suddenly understood – and went deathly pale.