Once the affection level is maxed out, the rivalry begins!

"Is there anywhere you'd like to go?"

Xia Xingzhi repeated the question, staring blankly at Bai Ze's back.

She did have an answer in her heart, but she never dared to say it.

"If possible... my sister's band is performing in Fuyuna today... I'd like to go listen."

"Your sister lives here? Is she a detective too?"

Bai Ze was slightly surprised.

Now, thanks to tutoring from his junior schoolmates and several hands-on experiences, he is no longer a complete novice when it comes to anomalies.

The transmission of demonic energy and power through bloodlines is actually not a rare phenomenon.

However, Xia Xingzhi gave a negative answer: "She is... an ordinary person, unlike me who inherited the dirty power."

It seems she really dislikes her abilities, and since she used the term "inherited," it means that at least one of her parents was a detective, right?

"Actually... part of the reason I applied to take the employment commission from the Bureau of Spiritual Disasters was because I wanted to visit her... I'm sorry!"

The girl bowed her head again and apologized.

Bai Ze frowned: "Then just say it! If I don't ask, won't I miss my sister's performance?"

Xia Xingzhi timidly tucked her hands into her shirt sleeves: "Because I'm a prisoner currently redeeming myself, I can't just offer opinions arbitrarily..."

This was the first time he had heard of such a thing, and after Bai Ze pressed him for details, he finally understood what had happened.

In fact, both of Xia Xingzhi's parents were members of the Detective Association, but of their two daughters, only the older sister possessed the abilities of a detective.

Unlike some individuals who are born with extraordinary abilities and naturally know their own power, a detective's ability is a secret even to the possessor. They must personally deduce the truth behind their ability before being officially granted the title of detective by the association.

Therefore, Xia Xingzhi did not realize the malevolent nature of her power during her childhood. She only felt that she would often be unlucky enough to encounter criminal cases and be frequently involved in abnormal encounters. After solving them one by one, she even earned the reputation of a famous elementary school detective.

Even her parents thought her ability might be something "harmless" like an unfortunate constitution;

Until they themselves were also consumed by the growing power of their daughter.

"When I got home that day, I witnessed my mother stabbing my father in the body with a kitchen knife."

She said calmly, "And my sister was hiding in the closet, trembling incessantly."

The father, who was seriously injured, was fortunate to survive.

But at that moment, Xia Xingzhi also realized the true nature of her own abilities.

That day, she was given the detective title of "Chain of Sin".

The question that arises is whether she should be held responsible for cases that happened around her in the past?

The abnormality that incites human evil is undoubtedly the chief of all evils.

While common-sense laws have little binding force on abnormal societies, the Detective Association happens to be an organization that is relatively willing to be close to and protect humanity.

Ultimately, after much debate, the association decided to spare her life by placing a seal on her, considering that she had no malicious intent and was indeed unable to control her abilities.

In return, she must unconditionally work to deal with dangerous anomalies until she can redeem twice as many humans as she has harmed.

This is why, as a member of the Detective Association, she would accept requests for help from external organizations like the Bureau of Spirit Disasters.

—This was an unexpectedly heavy story.

No wonder she even had to use work as an excuse to visit her sister, and didn't even dare to express her true feelings clearly.

However, they didn't have any specific plans to go anywhere. They were just wandering around Fuyina City anyway, so it wouldn't hurt to go see a band perform, right?

"I see. But I'll accompany you now, so it won't be considered a private visit but an investigation."

So Bai Ze immediately took out his phone, ready to check the map, "Where will your sister be performing?"

"Ah, I remember it was in..."

A hint of joy crept onto the detective's face as she leaned closer to input the location she had memorized.

"It's still quite far from here, we need to hurry."

Bai Ze recognized it as a performance hall that was supposedly quite well-known locally, although he had never been to such a place before.

The official website shows that only one band is performing today, but luckily there are still tickets available.

"Here's the money for you."

Xia Xingzhi pulled out a thick wad of cash from somewhere and raised it high with both hands as if offering a sacrifice.

Putting aside the question of why people still carry so much cash in this information age, it's already far more than the price of two tickets.

"The extra amount is for today's friend's allowance..."

"I don't need it! Are you planning to give it to me every day?"

If I accept it, I will definitely lose a very important aspect of my humanity.

Therefore, Bai Ze earnestly corrected her: "Look, now that I'm playing the role of your detective assistant, don't you need to be so polite? It's best not to use honorifics anymore."

It's really strange that two people who are close in age address each other so formally!

"Should we try to get closer to them?!"

The girl trembled like an electrocuted robot.

Like a groundhog cautiously peeking out of its burrow, she hesitated before updating her way of addressing Bai Ze.

"...Aze?"

What's with this sense of distance between you? Why did you suddenly go from calling each other "stranger" to "close friend"? Did the upgrade process get eaten up?

Even Lin Tingwan, who grew up with him, calls him by his name directly!

In the end, Bai Ze couldn't bring himself to criticize.

Given her own poor abilities, it's quite normal for the detective to have trouble managing her interpersonal relationships.

He should be magnanimous and understanding towards the other party.

Without further ado, the two took a taxi to the performance hall called Starlight.

The performance venue was located underground. Bai Ze handed over the ticket and entered through the heavy soundproof door.

The entire underground floor is about the size of a basketball court. To the right of the entrance is a bar selling drinks, and the sound system is installed in the corner on the left. On the stage in front, microphone stands and jazz drums are vaguely visible in the halo of the floor lights.

Upon entering the space where the audience was already arriving, Xia Xingzhi wilted like an ice cube exposed to the scorching sun.

"Oh no... I feel like I'm about to die..."

"Please don't die just before you're about to see your own sister, okay?"

Bai Ze shoved the bottled water he bought from the bar into her hand, and the detective girl gulped down the cool water.

"Ugh... But with so many people crammed into an enclosed space, a locked-room murder is bound to happen!"

"Weren't your abilities sealed?"

In reality, Bai Ze was thinking that if the second effect of her ability came into play, she might just bump into the phantom thief himself who was watching the performance.

Xia Xingzhi timidly avoided the crowd, using him as a shield to hide behind—that way she wouldn't be able to see the performance.

At this moment, several figures appeared on the stage illuminated by colorful lights.

"Which one is your sister?"

Bai Ze grabbed her by the back of her collar and dragged her out. The shy detective finally dared to open her eyes in front of the applauding crowd.

"Um... I remember he was a guitarist."

If she's also socially awkward like you, then her character design would be just like an anime character.

Bai Ze looked at the girl holding the guitar.

She has shoulder-length short hair in the same color as her sister, and her clear eyes, still showing a hint of childishness, are framed by neat bangs. She covers the lower half of her face with a cartoon-style mask, wears a women's white tie-front shirt, and her gray pleated skirt sways gently. Dark pantyhose outlines her long, straight legs.

Aside from the different clothing, the appearance was extremely familiar.

—Isn't she the girl who played her singing and playing on the screen at the crossroads the day they discovered Lin Tingwan was a witch?

Moreover, they are the ones whose "favorability" he can see.

To date, the only two beings whose abilities have elicited a response from Bai Ze are witches.

But Xia Xingzhi clearly said that her sister was just an ordinary person, right?