1. Krakow
It was 8:10 in the evening local time in Krakow when Tao Xinyu finally landed at Poland's John Paul II International Airport after a twenty-two-hour flight that originated in Taiwan and included two layovers—one in Hong Kong and another in Germany.
Clad in an off-white waterproof down jacket, a black backpack slung over her shoulders, blue jeans hugging her legs, a knitted cap on her head, and a colorful plaid scarf wrapped around her neck, she tugged a massive twenty-nine-inch suitcase behind her, her gaze darting around as she exited the airport terminal.
This was her first time venturing solo into an Eastern European country—a land where winter bore no resemblance to Taiwan's climate, a city steeped in ancient civilization and relics. Every sight that greeted her eyes felt fresh and novel.
The air carried a biting chill. She adjusted her scarf and cap, then dragged her mostly empty suitcase toward the airport train station, heading for Krakow's city center.
After a twenty-minute ride, she finally set foot in the old town district of Krakow. It was now 8:50 PM. She pulled out her phone and dialed the owner of the Airbnb she'd booked, arranging to meet him at the entrance.
Her host was Taiwanese—a man who had met a Polish woman here, fallen in love, married, started a family, and eventually opened this haven for travelers in need of a place to rest.
After completing all the check-in formalities, Tao Xinyu collapsed onto the bed, utterly drained. This journey had sapped every ounce of her energy.
Having eaten only airplane food, her stomach now growled with the onset of relaxation-induced hunger. She opened her suitcase. Inside, aside from a few changes of clothes and toiletries, lay several packs of Taiwanese instant noodles—and nothing else.
This trip to Poland was limited to five days total. After accounting for flight time, she'd have only three days in the country.
Such a rushed schedule wasn't because she was here for leisure—she was here to source books.
She cooked a packet of noodles, carried the bowl to the table, and began wolfing them down.
She was starving. In this freezing weather, a steaming bowl of instant noodles felt like pure bliss.
As she ate, she scrolled through her phone, watching a live news stream—a daily routine.
The world had grown increasingly chaotic in recent years. Humanity was undergoing massive upheaval as the Demons—a race that had once kept a clear boundary with humans, existing in parallel without interference—began appearing in human civilization. It was a seismic shock to the course of human history.
They were enigmatic. Beyond their elusive nature, they wielded inexplicable magical abilities—levitating objects, teleporting, making things vanish. To this day, scientists couldn't identify the genetic sequence that granted them such powers. Most unsettlingly, their appearance was indistinguishable from humans, allowing them to lurk undetected within human society and cause mischief.
Just like the current news: worldwide, including Taiwan, numerous human women had been abducted by demons to their otherworldly realms, subjected to horrifying forced hybridization and insemination to bear offspring.
The women tearfully recounted their ordeals—up to a dozen demon royal nobles taking turns assaulting them daily until pregnancy occurred. Only then did the violation cease. Once they gave birth, they were immediately deported back to the human world and abandoned.
The scant information gleaned from them: The Demon race truly wielded magical power; they operated under a federal system with two royal houses—the He and Bai clans; and demons struggled with low reproduction rates. Beyond that, humanity remained largely ignorant.
But their testimonies revealed some structure. The He clan had no marriage system—they engaged in random mating, desperate to produce more offspring. The Bai clan also abducted human women to their realm, but they practiced polygamy. Many human women who entered their domain never returned, vanishing forever from the human world.
Tao Xinyu watched the special report, feeling profound sympathy and sorrow for those women. But she was powerless. Humanity was navigating an unprecedented era, and the lesson was clear: learn to protect oneself from demon encroachment and violation.
After eating, she reviewed the notes she'd prepared before her trip. For this Poland visit, the first day's priority was Kazimierz, Krakow's Jewish quarter—home to numerous independent bookstores brimming with rich collections. She needed to explore, hunting for unique volumes.
She'd compiled a list. These books would eventually grace the shelves of her own store.
Tao Xinyu owned a small independent bookstore in a rural town at the foot of a mountain in Taiwan. Besides books, she sold distinctive foreign trinkets. Online, it had gained modest fame as a must-visit spot for the literary crowd.
Yet fame hadn't translated to wealth. Young people mostly came to snap photos and check in; few actually bought or read books. So she'd pivoted to developing an online bookstore. Thankfully, internet sales kept her afloat—enough to stave off hunger, barely scraping by.
She shook her head, dismissing the discouraging thoughts. Optimistically, she steered toward positive energy: running an independent bookstore might be tough and unprofitable, but at least she was doing what she loved. That, to her, fulfilled a long-cherished wish. Youth should be spent on a gamble—success or failure, both were valuable life experiences.
With her resolve strengthened, Tao Xinyu felt a flutter of excitement, eager to explore this unfamiliar land. But first, she needed proper rest. After washing up, she turned in early.
---
The next morning, leaving her lodging, Tao Xinyu emerged from an alley onto a main road. Before her was a row of aging red-brick buildings and vividly painted houses—a full shopping street lined with clothing boutiques and pastry shops, bustling with unending crowds.
Exiting the shopping district, she encountered a magnificent square teeming with pigeons. This, she surmised, must be Krakow's Main Market Square.
Located in the old town, the square was a UNESCO World Heritage site, flanked by the famed Cloth Hall and St. Mary's Basilica. But she didn't linger; instead, she crossed to a tram stop and boarded a blue-and-white light rail vehicle.
Fortunately, she'd done her homework in Taiwan, knowing tram tickets could be purchased onboard—a traveler's convenience.
Alone on the tram, she gazed out at the unfamiliar yet unique scenery. This ancient city bore rich historical layers; beyond its exotic architecture, it exuded a faint melancholy—the lingering scent of countless wars and upheavals.
After about thirty minutes, she disembarked and finally arrived at Kazimierz, the Jewish quarter—a place tinged with desolation and sorrow.
Unlike the old town's vibrancy, Kazimierz enveloped visitors in quiet, unhurried stillness. Its distinctive Jewish installation art and numerous ancient churches made every step resonate with beauty and pathos—a place steeped in character.
Aging tile-roofed buildings housed shops and outdoor cafes, including several unique independent bookstores. Tao Xinyu smiled—she'd found these sanctuaries.
Pushing open a bookstore door, she scanned the small space: one male customer, and an elderly owner behind the counter. He offered a faint smile and a Polish greeting.
Tao Xinyu didn't understand Polish; she inferred his meaning from his expression and smiled back naturally.
Browsing the store, she saw old bookshelves packed with volumes, new and old mingled together. The collection of books was abundant, but customers were scarce—quintessential independent bookstore ambiance.
Excitement bubbled within her. The Jewish music playing in the background eased her tension as she slowly searched for books.
Luckily, she found several desired titles. But she desperately wanted to know if the store carried others on her list. In halting but serviceable English, she inquired.
The elderly owner, however, spoke no English. Their communication devolved into mutual incomprehension.
Just as she was about to give up, the male customer approached and fluently posed her questions in Polish.
This gave Tao Xinyu her first real look at him.
He was Asian, tall and strikingly handsome—deep eyes, a high-bridged nose, soft black hair falling over his forehead, accentuating his refined complexion. His appearance was so outstanding that it left her momentarily stunned.
"The owner says he doesn't have the books you want," the man said, turning to her expressionlessly. "He suggests you try next door."
Tao Xinyu's cheeks flushed—both at his appearance and the unexpected help from a stranger.
"Oh... I see. Thank you! Without you, I'd have missed his suggestion." She nodded repeatedly in gratitude, paid for her purchases, and tucked them into her white linen tote bag.
As she reached the door, his low, pleasing voice sounded behind her again:
"You don't speak Polish, do you? Locals here aren't great with English. Want me to help ask next door about the books you're looking for?"
Her heart leaped. She hadn't expected such kindness—offering to accompany her to another store. It would solve a major problem.
But could she really impose?
"You mean it? You have time to help me ask at the next bookstore? Wouldn't that be too much trouble?" Despite her eagerness, hesitation crept in.
"Normally I wouldn't have time for you," he said, still rather cool. "But you're in luck—I've got nothing much today."
Understanding his willingness, Tao Xinyu's delicate face broke into a radiant, heartwarming smile. Elation flooded her.
This trip to Poland was turning out incredibly fortunate!
***
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