A Mere Mortal by Day, Feeding on Essence by Night

Gu Qing, an ordinary nineteen-year-old homebody, is dragged into an abyss by a mysterious novel called The Essence Eater.

The book tells the story of a little girl named Lin'er. Her mother is corrupted by an “Essence Eater” because of her desires, and their family is ultimately destroyed. Lin'er herself becomes a monster that survives by draining people's vital energy. But these so-called “Essence Eaters” aren't demons from another world. They are beings formed from the resentment, desire, and malice in people's hearts. The more you hate, resent, and refuse to accept things, the more likely one is to target you.

Gu Qing was originally just an ordinary girl working nine to five, full of grievances. She was mocked and ignored from childhood, and life had ground her down again and again, leaving her radiating a deep malice she wasn't even aware of. And that malice was precisely the Essence Eater's favorite food.

The nightmare begins...