Deviant: No Longer Human

17th October!

Wang Xiao lounged in his plush chair, enjoying the comfort of his villa in Romania. In front of him, a massive screen displayed live footage of Alaska.

Beside him stood Mary, awkwardly fidgeting, clearly unsure why she was called here.

Meanwhile, Elara, dressed in something barely there, was massaging his shoulders, her fingers working with expert precision.

She was more curious than anyone about what was coming next.

"We've received reports," Elara began, her voice sultry, though business-like, "that the skinwalkers are divided. One faction was planning to join forces with Renji Hayashi and take control, but they've already been wiped out in Hollow Earth."

Wang Xiao smirked, his gaze sliding lazily toward her. "So, what are you telling me? The ones left on the surface are a bunch of harmless puppies I should spare?"

Elara shook her head, her hair cascading down her bare back. "No, they're not involved in any power grabs, but let them breed, and they'll overrun everything. Eventually, they'll be a problem."

Wang Xiao snorted. "So, I should be kind and let them roam around? That's not how I do things." His voice dropped, a trace of menace slipping in. "People think they can drive me into a corner. So I'll destroy everything they could possibly use against me."

As if on cue, the screen flickered, and in the sky above Alaska, a bright arrow exploded, sending waves of light rippling across the landscape.

A barrier of light blue energy spread out, trapping everything beneath it.

"You can announce that tomorrow, 18th October, those creatures will be eradicated," Wang Xiao said, a cruel smile tugging at his lips. "Let them stew, panic, and unite like desperate insects before I crush them all at once."

"Mm," Ji Xuehong nodded, standing nearby in something completely out of character for her—a tight, light green t-shirt that hugged her chest and short denim shorts.

Her legs, smooth and glistening, seemed to stretch for days.

Even Wang Xiao had to admit, he hadn't seen her dressed down like this often.

Usually, she was all armor and blades, but now… she looked downright delicate.

Her face was soft, lips pouty, and for a moment, Wang Xiao found himself more distracted than usual.

Once she finished sending out the announcement, Ji Xuehong hesitated briefly before stepping forward and opening a massive scroll in front of him.

Whoosh!

"Hm? What's this?" Wang Xiao asked, his eyebrow raised, glancing between her and the scroll.

Even Mary and Elara, turned their attention to her, curious.

"It's the signatures of all the people I tried to kill before… as you requested," Ji Xuehong said, her voice calm, almost indifferent.

Wang Xiao blinked, confusion spreading across his face as he reached for the scroll and unrolled it further.

The list was massive—far longer than he expected. His lips twisted in disbelief. "Wait a second… This list is huge. Did you go around collecting the signatures of every person you've tried to kill, not just your sisters?"

Ji Xuehong blinked back at him, expression blank. "Was I not supposed to?"

Wang Xiao couldn't help but laugh, his eyes scanning the absurdly long list. "How in the world did you manage this? And what's with this '999 others'? Where the hell did you pull those from?"

He grinned, genuinely amused by the ridiculousness of it all, and looked at Ji Xuehong with a mix of surprise and admiration.

She'd actually gone and done it.

Thorough as ever.

"I didn't threaten Yue or Wenxi, as you instructed," Ji Xuehong explained, her tone as innocent as ever. "As for the others, you didn't specify, so I used 'special' methods. Some were already dead, so I got their descendants' or relatives' signatures. When I ran out of space, I took thumbprints for the rest and listed the number."

Wang Xiao stared at her, then back at the scroll.

A million thumbprints?

He was impressed… and a little alarmed.

What the hell has she been doing for the last two weeks?

"And how did you get Yue and Wenxi's signatures?" he asked, genuinely curious now.

"..."

Ji Xuehong's lips twitched slightly, the faintest trace of a smile threatening to appear. "I told them you asked for it."

Wang Xiao groaned, rubbing his forehead. "You tricked them?"

Ji Xuehong's smile grew, ever so slightly.

He sighed, half-annoyed, half-amused. "If you told them I wanted their signatures, they probably handed them over without even questioning it… You really didn't tell them why, did you?"

"En," Ji Xuehong hummed, her eyes gleamed with mischievous satisfaction, though she kept her expression calm.

Wang Xiao looked at her for a long moment, torn between wanting to laugh and roll his eyes. "You… you really outdid yourself," he said, shaking his head. "But damn, you sure know how to get things done."

Ji Xuehong stood there, her delicate frame somehow hiding the fact that she was one of the most dangerous women alive.

The soft appearance was deceiving, and Wang Xiao couldn't help but feel both amused and impressed.

"!"

Wang Xiao's gaze shifted as he suddenly caught Elara's pale hands running over his shoulders, her touch delicate.

The sensation sent a shiver through her, goosebumps rising along her skin.

She wasn't sure whether it was from her own excitement or fear of what might come next.

"Leave," he said, his voice calm but final.

Elara exhaled softly, as though she'd been holding her breath, her relief evident.

She bowed her head and left the room without a word, vanishing as quickly as she had appeared.

His eyes then landed on Mary, who had been standing off to the side, clearly uncomfortable. "You'll go and clear out everything alive in that barrier by midnight."

"Me?" Mary pointed to herself, her soft lips parting in surprise. She hadn't expected him to call on her for this, especially not such a brutal task.

Wang Xiao nodded, his tone leaving no room for argument. "Yes. Refine their souls and form your core."

Mary froze, her body stiffening. She knew what he meant. This wasn't some noble cultivation technique—it was a twisted, ancient method, one more akin to Zeus' soul-refining practices. Instead of nurturing her own soul, she would devour the souls of others, integrate them, and force them into forming her core.

It required large-scale slaughter. And right now, Wang Xiao had given her a feast.

Swallowing her hesitation, Mary nodded slowly, her voice almost a whisper. "Understood." She turned and left, her heels echoing faintly in the silence as she disappeared from sight.

Now, only Ji Xuehong remained in the room with Wang Xiao.

He could feel her gaze on him, a quiet voice between them.

There was a subtle hesitation in her eyes before she took a few sudden, quick steps toward him.

"!"

Wang Xiao's heart nearly leapt out of his chest as Ji Xuehong closed the distance between them in an instant. For a split second, his mind raced.

Was she brainwashed by Eveline again?

Was this some elaborate scheme?

He had barely considered the possibility when thoughts of Eveline's past manipulations flooded his mind.

Was this her ploy to use Ji Xuehong as a weapon, to make him harm his own daughter?

But then, Ji Xuehong stopped right in front of him, her actions completely unexpected.

The corners of her lips twitched slightly, as though she was holding back a smile.

"Hug."

Her voice was soft, yet firm, as she extended her arms toward him, her eyes locked on his.

"Eh?"

Wang Xiao blinked, caught completely off-guard. He looked at her, standing just inches away, her arms open, waiting with an expectant gaze.

This wasn't a command or some hidden agenda—she simply wanted a hug.

For a brief moment, he stared, unsure of how to react.

The dangerous warrior who usually kept her distance now stood before him, in a way he rarely saw.