Lilith stood by the gate of the academy, arms crossed, waiting longer than she had expected for Damon to show up. The cool evening breeze rustled the edges of her uniform, but she barely noticed.


    ''Don''t tell me he''s not coming... Do I have to blackmail him further?''


    She already had several ideas on how to do so. She doubted it would come to that, though. He wasn''t foolish enough to refuse her offer, not when she was promising to feed his shadow and make him stronger.


    Besides, he wasn''t naive enough to think he could get away with everything on his own. Not with his meager power and resources.


    Lost in her thoughts, she finally noticed a young man with dark hair approaching. His expression was grim, and he looked slightly haggard. One of his eyes was swollen black, and faint bruises marred his face.


    Of course, it was Damon.


    She gave him a once-over, raising an eyebrow.


    "What happened to you?"


    He scowled.


    "I tripped and fell on the pavement."


    Lilith glanced at the flat, even ground beneath them before looking back at his bruised face.


    "And I assume the pavement gave you that black eye? It must have had quite the right hook."


    Damon shot her a glare.


    "Enough of that. Can we go now? Did you get me permission to leave, or do I have to sneak out?"


    She smiled.


    "I''m the student council president. I''m the one who gives permission. Come, let''s go."


    Damon followed her outside, where a carriage awaited them. This one was even more lavish than the one they had ridden in the first time. The sleek, polished frame gleamed under the soft glow of the academy''s lanterns, the symbol of her house etched onto its side in intricate gold detailing.


    "You really enjoy showing off your wealth, don''t you?"


    Lilith''s smile didn''t falter. "Thank you for being so tactful."


    He sneered.


    "You''re welcome. I try my best to be a piece of shit every chance I get."


    She sighed, stepping into the carriage.


    "How are you even still alive with that horrible personality of yours?"@@@@


    He chuckled, settling into the seat across from her.


    "What happens if we feed it past its hunger? Can it devour other things besides magic crystals? What happens if it eats the mana core of a monster?"


    Damon nodded. He understood where she was coming from. If anyone wanted to explore the limits of his wretched shadow, it was him.


    "There''s also your skill... That sacrifice ability of yours is interesting. I reckon it''s not your only one." She studied him intently.


    "Normally, only someone who has reached the first-class advancement can use a skill like at all. But the rules don''t seem to matter to you."


    She crossed her legs, her voice taking on a smoother tone.


    "Apart from eating people and monsters, let''s keep some magic crystals on hand. But I''ll make sure you have a feast every time we go out."


    Damon nodded. This was part of the reason he had agreed to work with her in the first place. This vixen would help him get more food for his shadow.


    "Where are we going exactly?"


    Lilith smiled. "Athor''s Sanctuary."


    Damon frowned. "Okay, then. Who do you intend for me to kill and eat? If it''s innocent townsfolk, I''ll pass. Unless it''s absolutely necessary."


    She raised a brow. "So you will if there''s necessity? Isn''t that the same thing?"


    He shook his head.


    "It''s not. The world has no end to scum. There''s no need to feed off those who are already trying their hardest when people like that exist."


    She scoffed. "All I hear are excuses from the man who killed an innocent hunter."


    Damon bit his lip.


    "More reason not to repeat my mistakes..."


    Lilith sighed. "Fine, then."


    "Today, we''re targeting a small part of a certain smuggling ring."


    Damon nodded, waiting for her to continue.


    "They''re mainly based in the capital city, Valerion, a few kilometers away. But they have a small branch in Athor''s Sanctuary. Nothing too big."


    Damon could think of a few smuggling rings in Valerion—some big, some small. Some even had ties to nobles, giving them a certain level of protection. He knew them well. After all, he used to work for one.


    Lilith pushed her hair to the side, studying his reaction.


    "Not sure if you''ve heard of them, but they call themselves Quick Hand."


    Damon''s eyes widened.


    Quick Hand.