Deviant: No Longer Human

Mei Leiyan fell into a contemplative silence, her mind racing with a barrage of questions and concerns.

"Why?" Mei Leiyan's tone had softened, and her question heavy with a sense of bewilderment.

All of this seemed so unnecessary. Their lives within these walls had been relatively peaceful and devoid of major issues.

So, why was Bing Xueli going to such lengths, potentially threatening the lives of everyone involved?

Bing Xueli took a deep breath, her voice carrying a sense of purpose as she explained, "Amelia, we need to consider every possibility. He has a life beyond these walls, and even though he shows no desire to return to it now, what if that changes in the future? Isn't it better to leave that choice to him? What if, by the time he wants to return, everyone outside has perished?

Would that not turn him into a karmic demon? Are you prepared to face that version of him?"

Amelia's eyes widened in shock. "...Karmic demons...? Are they real?" Her voice trembled with disbelief, as she had only ever heard of them in whispers and legends.

The term "Karmic Demons" was a phrase used among the villagers, a term that struck fear into their hearts. In their peaceful village, the average resident was incapable of causing harm to another human being.

However, the legends spoke of those rare individuals born with the ability to wield PK without the burden of guilt. For them, controlling their unchecked power was nearly impossible, and their unchecked violence could result in merciless killings.

Even more horrifying were accounts of ordinary people, driven mad or consumed by their darkest impulses, turning into these Karmic Demons.

"But isn't all of this just fiction...?" Mei Leiyan couldn't help but voice her skepticism.

Bing Xueli's smile was bitter, her eyes clouded with a heavy reality. "It would be better if it were fiction, Amelia, but it's all too real. The last incident occurred three centuries ago and decimated our population by tenfold. We have yet to fully recover from that catastrophe, and it wasn't even as powerful as the one we fear now.

If he were to transform into one..." Her voice trailed off, her thoughts dwelling on the grim possibility, that might endager the world.

Mei Leiyan fell silent, the weight of their decision settling heavily upon her. She reluctantly followed Bing Xueli, and together they carefully placed Wang Xiao on the other side of the exit. As they prepared to leave, Mei Leiyan couldn't resist her curiosity any longer. "...How did you manage to drug him?"

Mei Leiyan knew Wang Xiao to be sharp and cautious, and she had her doubts that he would ingest any substance without careful consideration.

Bing Xueli's face suddenly flushed, her gaze averted as she went silent, her fingers lightly touching her lips. She floated back toward the village without answering, leaving Mei Leiyan with her unanswered question.

Once back in the cave, Bing Xueli sealed the entrance once more. To an ordinary person, it would be unfathomable that this small pit in the mountain concealed an entire hidden world. Hours passed as she meticulously secured the barrier, ensuring that their secret remained hidden from the outside world.

Back in her house, Bing Xueli issued a solemn instruction to Mei Leiyan, "Don't disturb me for the next week."

Mei Leiyan nodded in response, her expression somber, and as the door closed behind Bing Xueli, she was left to contemplate the weight of their actions.

Upstairs, Bing Xueli hurriedly ascended the steps, her footsteps echoing as she slid the door open to her room before collapsing onto her bed. Her complexion had turned pale, and her body trembled.

She had been harboring the poison inside her mouth for an extended period, and it had slowly seeped into her bloodstream. She had used her powers to temporarily suppress its effects, but now the consequences were catching up to her.

In her determination to execute her plan, she had prepared for this moment, never realizing the futility of her efforts.

She had underestimated the unpredictable nature of the situation, and possibly didn't account for Wang Xiao plotting against her simultaneously as well.

__________

Wang Xiao stood amidst the thick forest, his senses razor-sharp, and his eyes wide open, showing no signs of the drug's influence. With a determined stride, he retraced their journey, moving backward along the path they had taken.

It didn't take long for his keen instincts to guide him to the specific spot where the mountain's stones had formed a shallow pit, only a few meters deep.

He realized he would need to break through to return to the hidden world below.

Had he fallen victim to the drug?

Yes.

But had it affected him as intended?

No.

Yin Yue's mocking voice resonated within his mind, taunting him, [Hehe... You fell for a booby trap.]

Wang Xiao couldn't help but shake his head, a wry smile tugging at his lips. "Well, at least now I've discovered the hidden passage..."

Yin Yue probed further, [So, are you thinking of going back already?]

Wang Xiao's expression grew serious, his thoughts turning to caution. 'Regardless of her intentions, someone who can operate behind your back once can certainly do it again. We need to prepare properly.'

Yin Yue's voice persisted in Wang Xiao's mind, an inquisitive and probing presence. [Oh, so are we embarking on a killing spree?]

Wang Xiao's answer was firm, his resolve evident in his tone. "If it becomes necessary, yes."

He turned to take in the sight of the islands stretching out before him. "So, we're back, huh..."

Having returned to the outside world, likely after two years had passed, Wang Xiao began to walk aimlessly. The risk of detection by humans made flying too perilous, so he chose to move inconspicuously on foot.

Yin Yue continued to question him, [Wang Xiao, I still don't understand why you allowed her to drug you, or why you pretended to be drugged. We've already confirmed that even she is affected by the curse of guilt and can't kill you directly. You could have easily forced her into submission.]

A faint, wicked smile curled on Wang Xiao's lips as he responded, 'Did you truly believe I placed my trust in anyone within that accursed land?'

Yin Yue, [... You didn't?]

Wang Xiao's answer carried a chilling truth, 'No, I don't even trust myself let alone them.'

He had contemplated adding that his trust in Yin Yue was also far from absolute, but he chose to keep that information concealed for now.