Hate Me, Witch!-Chapter 2: Sorry, I’m With the Police

"Your rooms have been arranged. It’s getting late, so you should all get some rest."

"Tomorrow, I’ll take you to the academy for the assessment. Even if you fail, don’t be discouraged. You’ve all formed your first Soul Pact before turning twenty—outstanding talents. I believe the military will gladly welcome you as well."

The noblewoman, Anlina, spoke in a gentle tone, easing the nervousness of the young men and women present.

Suddenly, one of them stood up, his face flushed with excitement.

"Forgive my rudeness, Miss Anlina! May I ask if your estate is in need of more servants?"

Anlina paused briefly before covering her mouth with a delicate hand, chuckling.

"I’m not in need of more servants at the moment, but… if you’re interested, I do happen to need a personal guard."

"It would be an honor to serve as your guard!"

The young man’s voice rang with enthusiasm, drawing envious gazes from those around him.

These youths hailed from impoverished borderlands. Because of their exceptional soul aptitude, which indicated potential as Beastmasters, their families had pooled resources to send them to the grand city of Resa in hopes of a brighter future.

Passing the entrance exams for the Beastmaster Academy or securing a position in the military—both were promising paths.

Of course, being recruited into a noble’s household was also an excellent opportunity.

Moreover—

Many of them couldn’t help but steal glances at Anlina’s graceful figure, swallowing their envy and admiration.

A personal guard… That meant spending every day and night by her side. If luck was on his side, perhaps even romance wouldn’t be out of reach.

However, since someone had already seized the one available position, the others had no choice but to suppress their eagerness.

Anlina, seemingly unfazed by the fiery gazes directed at her, simply smiled and raised her glass.

"Then, allow me to offer everyone one final toast."

Her voice was sweet and melodious, carrying an inexplicable charm that soothed the crowd’s excitement. Without hesitation, they all lifted their glasses in response.

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"I feel like I’m watching a field of ripe wheat, all lining up to be harvested..."

Watching the eager expressions around the hall, Xia Ya couldn’t help but look at them with a hint of pity.

Despite the presence of magical beasts and magitech, the common folk of this world still had a medieval level of awareness. They had clearly never been scammed before—never suffered the heartbreak of fraud or been burned by get-rich-quick schemes.

This was a textbook case of a butcher’s bait, and none of them had the slightest clue.

Thinking about it, launching an anti-fraud app in this world might actually be a profitable idea.

As his mind wandered aimlessly, Xia Ya's spirit stirred slightly.

In the next instant, a petite silver-white figure appeared silently on his shoulder.

The small, shimmering presence blended seamlessly into the night, vanishing into the shadows without a trace. No one noticed.

With everything in place, Xia Ya finally raised his own crystal glass, letting the deep red liquid flow down his throat.

Over the years, thanks to his transmigrator’s knowledge, he had amassed a fortune through plagiarized literature and success-marketing schemes—scamming and swindling his way into wealth.

Yet, to complete that ridiculous mission, most of his earnings had been funneled into research.

Just locating the ruins of Cangting Principality had required multiple archaeological expeditions with teams numbering in the hundreds.

As a result, despite his lucrative ventures, he was perpetually broke.

Thus, while bounties weren’t his main goal, he never turned down the opportunity for extra cash.

Archaeology was a financial abyss, and even the wealthiest lords would struggle to keep up with its demands.

"It’s getting late. Let me escort you all to your rooms."

Anlina surveyed the hall. Seeing that everyone had finished their drinks, she spoke once more, her tone as soft as ever.

Yet, despite her words, she didn’t move an inch. There was an underlying tension in her voice, as though she was suppressing something—an unfamiliar heat rising within her.

A few moments later—

Thud.

Thud.

The dull sound of bodies hitting the ground echoed through the hall.

Not just one, but many.

The clatter of chairs and the shuffling of collapsing figures created a chaotic symphony.

"The wine was drugged! Miss Anlina, someone is trying to harm you!"

A dry, panicked voice called out—the same young man who had just been appointed as her personal guard.

Though paralyzed on the ground, he still mustered the strength to warn her, already assuming the responsibilities of his new role.

But the only response he received was a cold, indifferent gaze.

And a steel dagger slashing across his throat, freezing his final expression in place.

Blood sprayed forth, staining Anlina’s once-delicate face with a grotesque flush of red.

She withdrew the dagger from his lifeless body, gazing down at the collapsed figures littering the hall.

Madness flickered in her eyes.

"Forming a Soul Pact at such a young age… You must have been hailed as prodigies in your villages, weren’t you?"

"How envious… For a bunch of lowly commoners to be blessed with such talent—utterly undeserved."

Behind her, a cloud of dark mist coalesced, taking the shape of a butterfly.

The eerie creature bore skeletal markings on its obsidian wings, a stark contrast to the graceful butterflies fluttering in flower fields.

"But the greater the talent, the more delicious the despair when they struggle against death."

Silence filled the hall. The paralytic toxin had taken full effect, robbing them of even the ability to scream.

All they could do was stare in horror as the noblewoman they had trusted—whom they had called an angel—walked toward them, dagger in hand.

The Nightmare Butterfly behind her beat its skeletal wings, tendrils of dark mist flowing from the fallen figures into its body.

The stolen essence of their souls, their fear, their despair—all absorbed.

A faint look of intoxication crossed Anlina’s face.

The Nightmare Butterfly thrived on negative emotions, feeding on the very souls of its victims.

Such an abhorrent creature was, naturally, condemned by the world.

But in the face of absolute power, societal laws and noble honor were trivial concerns.

That was why she had gone to such great lengths to mask her nature, to play the role of a kind and charitable noble.

One after another, she had lured in talented, backgroundless apprentices with pure and delicious souls.

For so long, she had restrained herself, suppressing her desires, maintaining the act.

But now—now it was time to harvest.

Just a bunch of lowly villagers.

Even if they disappeared, no one in Resa would care.

With this thought, a grin stretched across her blood-streaked face.

Her elegant strides turned cold and ruthless.

She stepped toward another fallen figure, raising her dagger once more.

But then—

In the corner of her eye, something made her freeze.

Her hand stopped mid-air.

—

Anlina silently turned her head, her gaze shifting toward the black-haired boy lounging at the corner table, absentmindedly munching on sunflower seeds.

"Who are you?"

Among this batch of prey, the black-haired boy hadn’t particularly stood out. Her only impression of him was that he was quiet and unremarkable.

Yet she had personally confirmed that he drank the wine earlier—she saw it with her own eyes.

Even a high-ranking Beastmaster, without summoning their beast for physical reinforcement, shouldn’t have been able to resist the drug’s effects.

And yet, here he was, casually eating sunflower seeds, his movements relaxed and elegant, completely unfazed by the chaos unfolding around him.

"Looks like you’ve had plenty to drink, but in reality, you didn’t touch a single drop. That’s a basic skill for nobles. Clearly, you’ve never endured the torment of drinking culture."

"Back in my time, if you didn’t master that skill, you’d end up a sugar figurine before hitting thirty."

As if reading Anlina’s thoughts, Xia Ya leisurely stopped his movements.

He straightened his clothes, then pinned a badge onto his chest.

"Sorry to interrupt—I'm with the police."