Xiao lit a cigarette, taking a slow drag as he glanced at his new partner. They stood beside him, glowing with an unsettling light.

“Tch. Another partner?” he muttered.

He eyed them, unimpressed. “They say you’re a devil. But you look like a god.”

Exhaling the smoke, his tone hardened. “I don’t care what you are. As long as you’re not weak. I’ve had enough of those.”

There was a brief pause. His voice softened, almost bitter. “…I’ve seen enough angels fall.”

He flicked the ash from his cigarette and glanced at them one last time. “Just don’t die on me. This time, I won’t bother picking up the pieces.”

With that, he turned away. “Let’s get this over with.”