Little Pink Starfish

Yuan Yuanyuan’s tavern had always managed to remain hidden in plain sight. That was largely because, at least in the eyes of outsiders, the tavern was known for being all-inclusive and strictly neutral.

Of course, to say that absolutely no information had ever leaked out would be impossible.

But those who did know were typically higher-ups. Every so often, small-time rogue elements or minor factions would stumble in—often completely by accident—and end up revealing far too much about themselves.

Like the group in the next room over—they were low-level demons who’d just wandered in. They weren’t anyone important, the type who shouted “Long live the Masked Organization!” every day but didn’t even know a real member if one walked past them.

Normally, if they didn’t cause trouble, things would be fine. If they got drunk and did start something, the bouncers would throw them out in no time. But today, oddly enough, even after drinking, they stayed unusually quiet and behaved themselves.

That, in itself, was suspicious—abnormal enough to suggest something was off. But since they were such minor characters, no one at headquarters really cared. So everyone ignored them.

Yuan Yuanyuan quietly served drinks. It was obvious these students were first-timers. They tried to act cool and composed, but their eyes kept darting around. She thought to herself, You little baby demons don’t even add up to the age of a real regular here, and you dare show your faces in this place?

Still, she did her job properly—no cutting corners. She brought out clean dishes, set them on the table, and sat nearby to pour drinks when needed.

Her hearing was sharp, and she could clearly make out their whispered chatter:

“Hey, look at that waitress over there—she’s so pretty.”
“The waitresses here are seriously impressive. How’d she even land a job in a place like this?”
“Are they all like that?”
“She’s gotta be a head waitress or something… Wait, you think she can hear us?”

Yes. Yes, she could.

Yuan Yuanyuan glared at Tang Shi, but clearly Tang Shi couldn’t read her signals. Yuan Yuanyuan wasn’t even the boss here, so Tang Shi didn’t care.

“We need to observe carefully this time,” Gao Ling murmured while tapping away on her phone. “This is where I lost my memory last time. I’m still wearing a hat—I’m too scared to take it off, in case the person who erased my memory last time recognizes me.”

Everyone had their own thoughts. But just then, a loud commotion erupted in the room next door.

Plates and bowls crashed to the floor. There was the sound of clothing rustling as people stood abruptly, then some low curses. The mix of sounds made things feel tense. But Yuan Yuanyuan had heard this sort of thing enough times that her mood didn’t even dip.

She just thought, Ugh, great. Looks like things are gonna get complicated again. Guess I’ll be working late tonight.

Just as she stood to go check it out, several people burst out of the neighboring room.

“Nobody move!” they shouted.

Several bulky demons with cheap-looking masks stormed out. Yuan Yuanyuan blinked. The masks were clearly knockoffs of the ones used by the Masked Organization. They were close, but she’d seen so many real ones that she could spot the fakes instantly.

“You all listen up!” one of the demons barked. “We’re new recruits to the Masked Organization! Pay attention!”

New recruits? Yuan Yuanyuan gave them a strange look. Not to be rude, but if these guys were the future of the Masked Organization, then the organization was already doomed. Honestly, no resistance effort would be needed—just give them a few years, and they’d destroy themselves.

As she suspected, these guys weren’t members of the Masked Organization. They wanted to be, but couldn’t find a way in. So they’d come up with this brilliant idea—go somewhere lively and put on a little show to prove themselves.

Autumn Sakura District was one of the liveliest places around, so they chose it. Since the tavern’s clientele tended to be older, semi-powerful, and wealthy, their plan was:

• Infiltrate the tavern
• Show off some “strength”
• Recruit a few people to join them
• And voilà—they’d be Masked Organization candidates!

So these buffoons began their little “evangelical tour” in the middle of a crowded tavern…

“Everyone please hear us out!” one of them shouted. “We’re friendly! We don’t want to fight—we just want to invite you all to…”

“If demons and humans can’t coexist, then what should we do?”

“That’s why you should all join the Masked Organization! Only the Masked can lead us to victory!”

…

Yuan Yuanyuan noticed the bouncers twitching a bit—they clearly wanted to act. But after a quick huddle, they chose not to. One person she recognized shot her a glance but didn’t speak. Maybe for them, this was just a funny little side show.

Yuan Yuanyuan thought, Honestly, the more people like this show up, the better. At least enemies won’t take this place seriously enough to target it. Who’d expect a hidden base in the middle of this circus?

“What… what are they doing?” Tang Shi stared in disbelief at the clown show. Even though Yuan Yuanyuan could tell these were just bumbling idiots, the kids still found it intimidating.

Just as they were getting nervous, Yuan Yuanyuan said softly, “Don’t worry. Nothing’s going to happen.”

“Why?” someone whispered back.

“Our tavern does everything it can to ensure our guests’ safety,” Yuan Yuanyuan said with a smile. “Please stay where you are, and don’t go outside.”

While she calmly reassured the group, she left an illusion behind and slipped out through a hidden passage, intending to ask the boss lady whether they should keep watching the drama or start damage control.

Gao Ling, watching the whole thing, was stunned. But not in the same way as the others. She knew this tavern was the headquarters of the anti-war group.

And now, these idiotic thugs were staging this nonsense in this place? It was surreal.

She even took out her phone and quietly snapped a photo.
This… is too ridiculous.

“What’s going on over there? Why’s it so loud?” a friend messaged her.

“Oh, nothing. Just… a few nobodies trying to do some missionary work,” Gao Ling replied, deadpan.

The friend was the one she’d contacted during her infiltration last time—the call that had been cut off mid-transmission. Back then, it had been a real emergency.

But this time? Even though the thugs were yelling their heads off, Gao Ling noticed something: her phone signal hadn’t dropped at all. That told her everything she needed to know—these guys were nobody.

She even took a moment to scan the servers in the room. Everyone was calmly doing their jobs, putting on a show of nervousness… but she swore she could see sarcasm in every glance.

Of course, maybe she was overthinking it. The demons who had come with her looked pretty shaken.

But one particular waitress—who was tending to their table—looked completely unbothered. She calmly set plates, poured drinks…

Ladies… can you at least pretend to be nervous? Isn’t it obvious if you’re this calm? Gao Ling wiped the sweat from her brow and messaged her friend, who nearly died laughing.

Everyone seemed to be living in this weird paradox: afraid on the surface, but carrying on with their daily life like nothing was happening. It was bizarre—and unforgettable.

Just then, Gao Ling noticed a red-clothed waitress walk past. “She” moved slowly, trying not to draw attention. But she clearly underestimated how striking she looked. Among the women, she was unusually tall and strikingly beautiful—even though her face was hidden, her elegance made her impossible to ignore.

She walked quietly toward the door, clearly hoping to slip away unnoticed. But suddenly, one of the thugs called out:

“Hey, you—woman over there. Stop right there.”

Gao Ling, still chatting with her friend, perked up. Oho… here we go.

“Something’s about to go down,” she messaged. “I think this guy’s about to try and harass her.”

“Do you need something?” the woman in red asked, calm and even.

“You… Do you know what this is?” the thug snarled, jabbing at the mask on his face. “We’re going to be part of the Masked Organization. You better show some respect. Get down on your knees.”

The “woman” looked at him quietly. Then, slowly, she knelt.

“That’s more like it.” The guy smirked greasy and wide, reaching for her.

Just then, the “woman” softly said, “Sir, there’s something at your waist… I’d like to offer it in exchange for my life. May I?”

“You can’t buy your life with anything,” the demon said impatiently. But her words made him pause—he reached toward her waist, searching for the item she mentioned.

Gao Ling’s brain immediately jumped to:
“Hey lil bro, wanna compare what big bro’s got down here?”
But she quickly realized she was overthinking it. The demon had reached toward the side of her waist—not the front. Ahem.

But then… he stopped moving.

He was touching a mask at her side. It was cold, solid—far heavier and more refined than their knockoff versions.

After a pause, he tapped another demon nearby and pointed discreetly.
“Hey… bro. Does that thing… look familiar to you?”