Chapter 292 ·Exposure

Exposure

"So ‍​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌​‍‍​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌‌​‌‍many people... I'm so nervous..."

Serea muttered, and when Little Black heard the words "so many people," na instinctively wanted to show na's bone claws, but was stopped in time.

On stage, the performance had already begun. As for the content...

Maybe those things could entertain these adventurers and mercenaries who spent all their time in the jungle, but to Serea, it really didn't hold her attention.

Such a "mundane" performance went on for an hour. Backstage, the actors were busy, and the bored Serea glanced secretly at Molly—apparently, this girl was popular with that Ackley, and by the look of things, she seemed to be a musician.

Sensing Serea's gaze, molly turned to meet her eyes.

I've been caught!

Serea nodded in embarrassment, and the girl nodded back in response.

At this moment, ackley rushed backstage. Noting that the curtain had fallen, Na quickly said,

"Molly, it's your turn."

"Mm."

In contrast to Ackley's urgency, molly took the stage at an unhurried pace, and then the curtain slowly rose again.

"Molly!"

"Molly, I love you!"

The instant the girl appeared on stage, the crowd exploded in excitement. Seeing that scene, Serea couldn't help but take a few more glances at Molly on stage.

"I remember people were calling her 'Master' just now."

While Serea was guessing inwardly, the girl's hands moved slightly, and the friction between her bow and strings produced a melodious sound.

Zheng~

At once, the place fell utterly silent, everyone enchanted by the somber rhythm, so much so that, unknowingly, even Serea was immersed in it.

The slow, low melody seemed to narrate a tragic love story. While drawing people to yearn for beauty, that sourness deep from the heart made them afraid to touch it, as if it was the forbidden fruit in Eden.

One song followed another, until when Molly left the stage, everyone snapped back to reality and realized the show was over.

"Miss Molly."

"Miss Molly, play another song!"

People cheered, but as the curtain fell, the girl had quietly left for backstage. Seeing her beaded in fragrant sweat, ackley hurriedly handed Molly a moist silk handkerchief.

"Thank you."

The girl expressed her thanks and sat on a chair. Having experienced the wonderful music, Serea found herself gazing at her again, but at that moment, ackley walked over.

"Miss Candice, it's your turn."

"Me?"

"Yes, you're the last one."

"All right."

Serea stood and headed to the stage, but outside, people were still chanting "Molly," which made Serea feel something was off.

Originally, molly was supposed to be the highlight finale, but Serea had abruptly ended up on after her. This would likely cause a significant decrease in the number of Faith Crystals Serea received.

After all, most people would still be caught up in their "love" for Molly. If Serea couldn't snatch that "love" away, faith Crystals wouldn't form.

"How troublesome... But if it's about ability, I definitely won't lose."

With confidence, Serea strode onto stage, and as the curtain rose, the audience burst forth with a round of—

"Whoo~"

Booing. It seemed they were disappointed not to see Molly again. But among those booing voices...

"Candice! Candice!"

"What the heck!"

Seeing rows of blood slaves, crimson Moon fox tribe, and Cangyue fox tribe tribespeople beneath the stage, Serea was at a loss.

Noticing Serea's stunned state, lilith below the stage covered her mouth and gave a sly giggle.

Did they discover me?

No, impossible! My disguise is flawless—it's impossible to be found out!

Hearing the chorus of "Candice" from behind, many in the audience grew curious about the girl on stage.

"Who is Candice?"

"No idea, but she looks like someone pretty famous."

"She's quite pretty too, and being placed after Miss Molly as the finale, her abilities must be impressive."

The crowd whispered back and forth, and the booing died away. Backstage, molly was puzzled.

"Could I have guessed wrong? Maybe she's not some rich young lady, but a renowned singer?"

While she wondered, ackley rushed over.

"Miss Molly, the music, the music!"

"Oh, oh, sorry."

Reminded by Ackley, molly channeled magic power into the audio recording Crystal, then...《Life Will Change》

Dun dun dun~ dong~ dun dun dun~ dong~ dun dun~ dong~

"This is—!?"

Hearing the jazz drums and an unfamiliar style of music, molly felt surprised. Faced with instruments and tunes she'd never heard before, she inexplicably wanted to move to the rhythm. Looking at the audience—

"Why are you swaying? You're blocking my view!"

"You're swaying too!"

"Dummy, if you sway in sync with him, he won't block you."

"Oh, right."

With this infectious, rhythmic music, more and more people couldn't contain themselves, swaying as though there was a unique magic in the song.

"Amazing song, and I've never heard it before!"

Now Molly caught on too, and stared at the girl's silhouette on stage.

The song was great, but as for singing...

She still had her doubts. Suddenly, Serea activated an enchanted gem on her costume.

Swish!

In an instant, her black tailored top matched with a tight black skirt, and a silver mask appeared on her face.

And that transformation in an instant caused a stir beneath the stage.

"So cool!"

After her transformation, Serea started dancing with the music. The audience joined in.

"Oh! Oh! Oh!"

The entire show fell into Serea's rhythm alone, and the scene reminded her of the legendary "idol live."

With the cheers of the audience echoing with the music, Serea opened her mouth—

It's not a game~

I'm not a robot AI challenging you~

"Whoa!!!"

It was a voice that pierced the soul. Instantly, ackley and Molly's eyes went wide.

"She's a diva!"

I'm not a phantom~

I'm in your face and~

I'm here to see it through~

As the first small climax of the song arrived, the audience realized Serea's true identity. They rose from their seats in unison.

"She's a diva! A diva!"

"Oh my, it's really a diva!"

But none of that really mattered—the only thing that mattered was how much they enjoyed the unique "diva magic."

The hall grew frenzied, and Serea began to harvest more and more Faith Crystals. But...

Halfway through the song, she'd only gathered about 200 Faith Crystals. That was enough to build the chapel, but compared to before, the material gain this time was too little.

System: Each person can only produce a limited number of Faith Crystals in the short term, and the degree of their faith in the Host determines how much faith power the Host can gain from them.

"So what you mean is, that faith power was snatched by 'Molly'—or rather, their faith in me isn't deep enough yet."

Once she figured out the issue, Serea continued performing with all her might. Underground, the audience's reaction was enthusiastic, but for most, it was group excitement; their actual faith in her wasn't very intense, so...

"Whatever, nobody knows I'm Serea anyway. Even if I embarrass myself, it's this identity that's embarrassed."

As if making up her mind, Serea seized a break in the chorus, raised her hand in a finger-gun gesture and, with a cute (and embarrassing) pose, aimed at the crowd.

"Love you all!"

Hearing her, the audience felt as though their souls had been pierced. After a moment of bewilderment, the place erupted.

"Whoa whoa!!"

"Miss Candice!!"

System: Collected Faith Crystals *152.

Nice!

With this, it was enough...

Still blushing with residual embarrassment, Serea continued her performance. However, compared to the first half, audience reactions in the second half grew even more intense.

Seeing the massive reaction a single girl could bring, ackley was practically smelling gold coins now—if this lady agreed to keep performing here...

Much time passed. The song ended at last, and Serea bowed in thanks before retreating backstage while the music was still fading.

"Miss Candice, don't leave, one more song!"

"Miss Candice!"

No matter how loudly the crowd howled, the curtain slowly descended, and Serea took the opportunity to slip backstage.

"Phew... finally finished."

Serea flopped bonelessly into a chair, feeling "saved from disaster."

Now everyone—including Ackley and even Molly—were looking at her with completely different expressions. Molly went so far as to rush over and grab Serea's hands with both of hers.

"Miss Candice, are you a diva?"

"Uh... I guess so."

"That's wonderful!"

For some reason, molly suddenly grew excited. At that moment, the host returned to the stage and announced the end of the day's performances. However...

"We want Miss Candice!"

"And Miss Molly too!"

Outside, the cacophony was dominated by shouts like these, making the host awkward.

"Um... everyone, today's performances are over. Please come back tomorrow."

"Will Miss Candice and Miss Molly be here tomorrow?"

"Um..."

The host was left speechless and retreated to the edge of the stage, looking backstage at Ackley.

"Well, will they?"

"Uhh..."

Ackley looked over at Molly and Serea. It really wasn't na's decision to make.

"You both heard them... outside..."

As awkward silence dragged on, the audience grew restless—even a few overzealous fans burst backstage in search of an answer.

"Boss, what do we do?"

Hearing the thud thud thud of knocking and shouts of "We want Miss Candice and Miss Molly!", ackley wiped the sweat from na's brow.

They'd seen scenes like this before, but never so intense as tonight.

"Um... Miss Candice, look, I can refund you and even pay you extra for today, you..."

"Little Black, we're leaving."

Little Black rushed up, grabbed Serea, and, with na's bone tail hooking the backstage window, leapt right onto the windowsill.

"Sorry, I don't have time for this."

"Miss Candice!!"

Ackley panicked. If she left like this...

"Wait! Miss Candice, your thing!"

Molly noticed—the audio recording Crystal was still in her hand.

"It's yours."

Upon hearing Serea's reply, molly clutched the audio recording Crystal tightly, but then recalled her own reason for coming here.

"Wait, I still have something important to discuss!"

"See you if fate allows."

Bang!

The backstage door was knocked down as fans rushed in with papers, apparently seeking autographs. But when they saw Candice at the window—

"Wait, miss Candice!"

Without acknowledging them, Little Black jumped down, with Little White following.

With a series of bone tail grapples, Little Black quickly traversed the Trading Post and vanished into darkness, leaving only throngs of fans and Molly staring after her silhouette.

But Serea didn't notice—a figure was quietly following behind...

......

Three minutes later, Little Black landed in a dark alley carrying Serea. As soon as she touched down, Serea patted her chest.

"Phew, finally done."

Looking at a harvest of more than 600 Faith Crystals, Serea's cheeks were a little flushed—selling out her dignity, well, maybe it was worth it.

But just as she thought this, a sound of footsteps echoed from outside the alley.

"Hide!"

Following her order, Little Black and Little White scaled the walls to hide while Serea turned back...

It was Lilith!

"M-Miss Lilith? What a coincidence, I can't believe we ran into each other here."

Speaking as Candice, Serea was already breaking out in a cold sweat, and ordered Little Black and the others absolutely not to come out—or everything would be exposed.

But Serea didn't know, due to Pelam's fear of alcohol, she had already exposed herself last time. However, lilith didn't reveal her, but played along:

"Yes, it is quite a coincidence—but why is Miss Candice here?"

"I-I travel around to perform everywhere..."

"I see. But Serea the Queen asked me to thank you properly this time, since last time you left so quickly there was no chance."

"Nonsense, I never said that!"

Although she wanted to protest, Serea's current identity was Candice.

"Uh... some other time maybe, it's late, so..."

"It's an invitation from Queen Serea. If you refuse, we'll be in a difficult spot."

"Ah...all right."

Helpless, Serea could only compromise for now and figure out how to slip away later—as long as her identity wasn't revealed, it would be fine.

......

Ten minutes later.

Back at the residence, Serea was brought to a room by Lilith—unaware that this was actually Lilith's room. Once inside, lilith turned and locked the door behind them.

Crack!

Hearing the sound of the door locking, Serea sensed trouble. Suddenly, lilith called out.

"Serea!"

Startled by her own name, Serea almost turned around, but managed to restrain herself at the last moment.

"Where's Serea?"

Feigning a search, Serea kept up her weak acting, but unfortunately...

"Haaa, isn't she right here?"

Lilith leaned in, meeting Serea's pale blue eyes. Serea was shocked.

(To be continued...)