Vincent was initially taken aback, about to question Nancy when she abruptly climbed off the bed and knelt on the floor, breaking into a fit of tears. "John, please forgive my grievous sins. I am undeserving of life. I beg you for release."

In a moment of clarity, Vincent realized the magnitude of her despair must stem from a severe mistake. "Who did this to you?"

Nancy lowered her head in deep shame, her tears forming small pools on the floor as she choked back her sobs. "I've been blessed with so much, yet I failed to adhere to my role. I am beyond redemption and do not deserve forgiveness. I only ask, for the sake of our past, that you spare those who are blameless. It's all my fault, let no one else bear this burden." With that, she rose with determination and lunged toward the bedpost.

"Wait!" Emily, recognizing something was amiss, instinctively moved to intercept.

Nancy, intent on ending her life, felt her path blocked by a gentle force, pushing her further into despair; she collapsed on the floor, sobbing uncontrollably. "Please, grant me mercy. Let me go."

Emily's voice was soft but firm. "That jade pendant—someone gave it to you, right? There's a mark on it that binds the wearer unwillingly. If you're being forced, none of this is truly your doing, correct?"

"I am guilty," Nancy replied, unmoved. "I've shamed you, deserving death beyond measure. Please, release me."

Emily paused, turning to look at Vincent. His eyes showed a variety of emotions: compassion, sadness, and anger, which eventually distilled into a quiet sigh. "Well then..." he hesitated for a long moment before saying, "if that's your wish."

"But..." Emily began, but Nancy had already bowed deeply, her gratitude overflowing. "Thank you. In my next life, I vow to repay your kindness."

Vincent said nothing, leaving the room silently.

Emily took a few steps towards the door before stopping and turning back. "You don't have to end it this way."

"What face do I have left to show the world?" Nancy replied miserably. "Thank you for allowing me peace. I owe you a debt I can only repay in another life."

Emily hesitated, then simply said, "As you wish."

Nancy offered her a respectful bow.

Back in the living room, neither spoke. The night deepened outside; the chirping of crickets was interspersed with the sound of small insects fluttering against the bright windows, drawn to the light.

Vincent sat on the couch, lost in thought, before suddenly asking, "Do you think I'm heartless?"

"You think you're heartless," Emily replied, combing her hair thoughtfully. "Actually, I'm a little surprised."

"Surprised by what?"

"I thought you'd be furious over her fall from grace. Weren't you quite fond of her before?" Emily said. "I even prepared to console you, but it wasn't necessary."

Vincent countered, "Faced with irresistible forces, we’re often powerless. What could I be angry about? Angry she didn't choose to die with integrity? I doubt she could've done that, even if she wanted to."

"So why agree to this?" Emily questioned, "You didn’t go after someone involved, let alone give Nancy a chance to live quietly."

Vincent nodded but replied, "If she had asked me, I might have been able to spare her, but she understands not being here is the best outcome."

To Nancy, the incident was an unbearable burden, making death a relief while life only a struggle, especially with concerns for her reputation; there was no other way. For the rest of them, swiftly and quietly resolving the issue was ideal, lest it become a public humiliation.

Despite some lingering pity, he had neither the cause nor the standing to intervene in her decision.

However, Emily's question caused him to pause. "So, even if she was pressured, the best outcome involves her disappearance... Isn’t this absurd?"

Absurd? At Emily’s observation, Vincent’s instinctual response was hesitation. Her words suggested it was, yet throughout history, victims have had no other path.

In reality, things rarely need to go this way; only events of extreme severity necessitate such actions.

After a while, Vincent murmured, "This is the way of the world; I'm not sure." Before Emily mentioned it, no one had ever questioned it, including himself, so he had no answer.

"The way of the world," Emily echoed, falling into long silence.

Vincent’s concern grew, "Emily?"

"I'm okay," Emily whispered, resting her head in her hand. "Just feeling a bit saddened for kindred souls."

Vincent gently held her hand. "You're not her, and I’d never let you endure such things."

Three days later, Nancy had "passed."

It’s said that in her last moments, her expression was serene, a faint smile of release on her lips. Her two closest friends, after arranging her affairs, followed her into the beyond.

Vincent sighed softly and honored his promise not to implicate her friends, attributing their deaths to accidents, going so far as to arrange compensation.

When Emily heard the news, she said nothing and immersed herself in her own pursuits.

...

Meanwhile, a report emerged from a distant province, detailing a shocking crime: a caravan of merchants had been attacked, leaving a dozen men dead on the roadside.

The incident sent ripples through the community, prompting Vincent to launch an immediate investigation. However, a few days later, another attack occurred, this time on a village. Several families suffered dearly, including infants.

But this time, there were witnesses claiming a monster, feeding off human vitality, was responsible.

Emily was certain: "It’s definitely that thing. It’s only getting stronger. I can't wait any longer."

Vincent worried for her safety, yet no one else could be trusted with the task. Reluctantly, he insisted she take a team for protection, forbidding her from going alone.

Emily regretted the necessity—against such a foe, even the skilled would be vulnerable, potentially leading to further casualties—yet she understood his fears. "Fine, but they follow my lead."

Vincent relaxed a little. "Naturally." He assembled a hundred members from the security division, instructed the head himself to accompany her, and gave his most heartfelt plea: "Come back safely."

"I will."

The disturbance had surfaced near that very province, the same place someone had initially encountered something significant.

It was obvious that, compared to other locations, happenings there drew more attention, providing better opportunities for any entity seeking power. Emily inferred that it intended to return, where opportunities were ripe.

She suspected a passage existed, somewhere within that province.