"What exactly do you want from me?"
Serena looked at Arthur Liang, unable to sense a hint of threat from him.
He seemed harmless, but every word he spoke carried a calmness that concealed emotions Serena couldn't ignore.
It was as if somewhere, an invisible blade was hidden, ready to strike.
"My purpose is simple: I'm here to take you."
Arthur Liang said calmly, then snapped his fingers.
As he snapped his fingers.
Serena suddenly noticed a black cat appear nearby.
The pitch-black cat jumped over the railing, silently approached Arthur Liang, and landed on his shoulder.
"Do you remember this cat?"
"Spirit-seeking guardians?"
Serena looked puzzled. All this sounded way too far-fetched for her.
And honestly, this stuff just sounded downright mystical.
"Yeah, every black cat is searching for scattered fragments of the Witch Goddess’s spirit around the world."
Arthur Liang nodded. "Our Witch Clan goes back to ancient times, and the Witch Goddess was a true immortal, living alongside the legendary cultivators."
"She’s indestructible, never dies, and exists forever."
"You’ve met her before, haven’t you?"
Arthur stopped, watching Serena, waiting quietly for her answer.
"So you say the Witch Goddess is eternal and all-powerful, but what’s that got to do with me?"
Serena shook her head. "I just want a simple life. I don’t want to get mixed up in things that aren’t my business."
"This isn’t unnecessary."
Arthur didn’t get annoyed. "Divine Era’s existence is just a method for us to find the Witch Goddess."
"When I say she’s eternal, it’s just a saying. For some unspeakable reason, the Witch Goddess fell asleep, her spirit entered reincarnation, and now exists in different people."
"Most female stars under Divine Era carry fragments of her spirit. The black cats are her guardians, waiting for the fragments to awaken and merge."
"In other words, you’re a part of the Witch Goddess."
Arthur glanced at the wall of fire in the sky. "See that kid up there?"
"Master Lin from Seacrest, barely twenty, a Pointing-to-Mystery expert, undefeated, a true prodigy."
"That kind of talent is extremely rare—he’s honestly pretty impressive."
Serena followed his gaze and looked up at Evan, high in the sky.
Behind the wall of fire, the boy’s silhouette flickered in and out. The blaze was so bright it even outshone the sun.
"But someone like him—before the Witch Goddess, he’s nothing."
Arthur smirked. "Remember what I just told you?"
"Snipers, high-energy laser beams, and missile launch platforms."
"Those things could wipe Master Lin from Seacrest off the map in one second. I promise you, not even a speck would remain."
Arthur still held his briefcase as he spoke.
Serena fell silent, all at once.
"So what do you actually want from me?"
Serena looked at him, took a deep breath. "Is it my life you want?"
"If that’s it, then go ahead."
Her tone was steady, barely a hint of hesitation.
"Life’s precious, and you’re just giving it away?"
Arthur looked at her in surprise. "All for Master Lin from Seacrest?"
"I owe him. Besides, sometimes I feel like being alive doesn’t really mean much."
Serena’s voice was calm, facing life and death without flinching: "I’m not much use to anyone. I can’t help others, except for the occasional charity gala to raise funds. To this world, I’m basically meaningless."
"So if you want my life, take it—and let him go."
"And don’t let him know."
Serena spoke without a trace of hesitation, her eyes unwavering.
"You’re afraid he’ll find out, come after our Witch Clan for revenge, and get himself wiped out?" Arthur chuckled.
He clapped his hands. "Your choice really surprises me. Honestly, I respect it."
"But you might’ve missed something."
Arthur looked right at Serena. "First, I don’t want your life."
"Second, all I need is for you to sign this contract and then come with me to a certain place."
"Trust me, soon this world will change. Ancient immortal spirits will return, and you’ll witness the truth of reality."
"But that’s only if you survive until then."
"And like you said, you don’t have much ability right now. Just like how you want to protect that boy in the sky."
"Even if I tell you he’s in danger, you can’t protect him."
"But this contract will give you a new life."
Arthur handed her a pen, his gaze fixed on Serena.
This time, Serena didn’t hesitate. She took the pen and signed her name.
"Alright, now I need you to accept it again."
Arthur smiled.
The black cat on his shoulder glanced at Serena, then silently leaped onto her shoulder.
The cat’s pupils locked onto her, and in those vertical eyes, she saw an eight-armed woman standing in a pitch-black world.