A Shadow and Ink Make a Book

*** My new novel, "Where the Woods Grow Deep, No Deer in Sight: Seeing Ghosts," is now being serialized! The blurb is at the very bottom. If you're interested, head to the author's page! ***

--- Blurb divider 1 ---

Heaven's punishment descended. Dark clouds gathered, and a curse took hold. In the blink of an eye, five hundred years had passed.

As a demon hunter, Ye Ying never imagined he would form such an intricate, ineffable bond with a monster.

The monster took the form of a boy, covered in blood, and drew him in to help.

Neither did this person, still too innocent to know what love tasted like, expect that one look would forge a bond, and one touch would entwine their lives forever.

[Warm on the outside, cold at heart, afraid of the cold and hard to warm up, slow to realize his feelings, and too heedless of his own life: demon-hunter bottom x aloof, scheming, endlessly patient, strategic and conquering demon top]

1v1, HE, sweet, bottom's perspective.

P.S.

1. This is a work of pure fiction and complete nonsense, all made up. If it's not to your taste, please don't flame me. Just click the little red X in the upper-right corner. May the world be peaceful, harmonious, and kind. We're all hardworking foodies here.

2. The characters' opinions do not represent the author's opinions.

This story is complete! If you've been saving it to read later, go ahead and dig in

Also: I haven't written any extras yet, but there probably will be some. I'll add them gradually later.

--- Blurb divider 2 ---

"Where the Woods Grow Deep, No Deer in Sight: Seeing Ghosts"

There are always things in the world that humans can't understand or deal with. The extermination company's System calls them "anomalies" and assigns specialists to swiftly eliminate them.

* The Mortician Arc *

Question: What's it like for a mortician to see "things that don't exist in this world"?

Scared out of your wits? No.

Gritting your teeth and toughing it out? Definitely not.

Lin Shen faced the abyss. "Just tell me: what do you want me to make you look like?"

That's why Lin Shen's hands were steady and never shook. He wasn't scared at all, so there was no reason to be nervous.

* The Professional Extermination Arc *

Song Lingyun received an assignment. While surveying the old medical school building, he ran into Lin Shen on his way to the library and assumed he was a student.

Acting like an innocent little lamb, Lin Shen told Song Lingyun that ghost stories were common around here and the place was creepy, so he should head back if he had nothing else to do.

Song Lingyun just said, "Oh," then came back that night.

Just as a spirit was wreaking havoc and about to attack, the sealed laboratory door suddenly swung open. The little lamb stood in the doorway, face blank, looking down at them as he flung a set of medical science textbooks, "Blue Love and Life and Death" included. They were so thick that the spirit being attacked was knocked senseless.

Song Lingyun: "..." ???

* A Little Scene from Some Day or Another *

Lin Shen: Old Song, can you tell me about the pay and benefits for temp workers?

Song Lingyun, without looking up or changing expression: Great pay, great benefits. In less than a year, we'll even provide you with a place to live.

One year later:

Lin Shen: Old Song, where's my place?

Song Lingyun: You haven't managed to get one yet?

Lin Shen: ?

Song Lingyun: The nearby apartments were rented out ages ago. If you didn't book one in advance, how could we get you a place?

Lin Shen: ...???

Are you a demon?

[Feigns being a lamb, but is actually lazy and indifferent, with the ability to communicate with spirits: bottom x all-powerful boss who subtly lures the lamb into his trap: top]

This is an office romance (not really).

1v1, HE, sweet, bottom's perspective.

Theme: Cherish life, and you might find love.