Aren gazed at Rory’s face, now only inches away. He could clearly sense the faint yet utterly intoxicating fragrance that clung to her—subtle, but irresistibly alluring.
The little pink rabbit gently shifted its head and rubbed its cheek against her face.
Her skin was so soft.
He almost couldn’t stop himself from wanting to kiss her back.
Just then, after finishing his crash course on grilling for Lola Brandon’s three companions, Nix ran back over—and imdiately spotted the pink bundle in Rory’s arms.
"Rory, where did this rabbit co from?"
His eyes filled with pink hearts as he stared at the fluffy creature.
Slowly, he crouched in front of her and carefully reached out to stroke the tiny animal.
So soft.
He wanted to hold it too.
"Rory, it’s so cute. Let’s bring it ho and raise it, okay?"
How could sothing this adorable even exist?
Another beastman enchanted.
Aren felt a flicker of guilt. He hadn’t ant to charm them—but after advancing to Rank Eleven, his ability had grown harder to control. Even though he had suppressed his charm power as much as possible, a trace of it still leaked out.
He had already affected the Female Master the mont he appeared. And now he had an even bigger problem.
How was he supposed to explain his identity to her later?
Rory gently stroked the pink fluff in her arms and smiled at Nix.
"I already talked it over with Jasper and Xarion. We’re taking it ho."
Nix patted the rabbit again. "Rory, have you nad it yet?"
She shook her head. "Not yet."
Nix thought for a mont, then said earnestly, "It’s so cute—we should call him Killer Jaw."
Rory blinked at him. Killer Jaw was the na of a very ugly interstellar monster used to scare children from going to beast forests alone.
"It’s cute. Why would we na it after a monster?"
Shouldn’t it have a cute na instead?
Aren, privately, thought the na wasn’t bad. This Nix looked a bit simple-minded, but perhaps he had decent taste.
Nix explained seriously, "Because it’s too cute! That’s exactly why it needs a powerful na. Then other beasts won’t dare bully it."
Rory blinked in confusion.
That... almost made sense.
Jasper walked over and gave Nix a speechless look.
"Killer Jaw isn’t even as good as Bloody Claw. We should na him Bloody Claw."
Rory couldn’t help but sigh.
Nix protested imdiately. "Bloody Claw sounds like a stray beast!"
Aren ntally nodded in agreent.
Exactly.
That snake-beast’s naming sense was terrible.
Rory felt neither na was particularly good. She turned toward Xarion, who was lying in his ice crystal coffin.
"Xarion, which one do you think sounds better?"
His languid voice drifted out. "Neither."
At least soone still had taste.
"Then what would you call it?" she asked.
"Cotton Butt."
That actually sounded good. His pink color reminded him of cotton candy.
Even though he had no sense of taste, sothing that cute had to be delicious just by looking at it.
Nix stared at him in disbelief. "Xarion! How can you give sothing this adorable such a suggestive na?"
Aren silently agreed.
He hadn’t offended this wolf, had he? Why did the man keep talking about eating him?
Was he starving?
Rory sighed. "I can’t rely on you three."
She looked down at the soft little fluffball in her arms, her fondness growing by the second.
"You look like cotton candy for sure... I will just call you Cotton Candy then."
Cotton Candy?
It still sounded vaguely edible. But it was much better than Cotton Butt.
Nix nodded enthusiastically. "Cotton Candy is perfect. Rory really knows how to na things."
Jasper followed suit. "Anything Rory nas sounds good."
Xarion didn’t speak, but he raised a hand in silent agreent.
Aren lifted his head, gazing happily at Rory.
The Female Master’s choice was clearly the best.
Unlike those three—what kind of terrible nas had they co up with?
No taste at all.
***
After dinner, Lola Brandon called out, "Sister, I’m heading back to hunt more beasts!"
"Be careful at night," Rory reminded her.
She watched Lola and her companions disappear into the forest, then carried Cotton Candy into the rest cabin.
The cabin was one Nix had specially selected from his laboratory—a compact unit that resembled a small one-bedroom ho.
Jasper and Nix finished cleaning up and walked over.
"Rory," Jasper said gently, "let Nix stay with you tonight. I want to walk through the forest for a bit."
She nodded. "Be careful."
He leaned down and kissed her lightly on the forehead before disappearing swiftly into the night.
Rory stood at the cabin entrance, watching his retreating figure, worry clear in her eyes.
"You’re worried about Jasper, aren’t you?" Nix asked softly, handing her a cup of warm water.
"Don’t worry. His breakthrough is only a matter of ti. We’re not rushing him. We’re all waiting."
Not rushing?
They were frantic.
But none of them would show it and make her anxious.
Rory smiled faintly. "I knew you were the most considerate, Nix."
Curled quietly in her arms, Cotton Candy twitched his fluffy head. The Female Master was worried about that snake-beast’s breakthrough.
From what he’d seen earlier, if Jasper waited to find his own opportunity, it might take quite a while.
Aren glanced down at his tiny paws.
eting him was that snake-beast’s good fortune.
He happened to have a Rank Ten beast captured from the Insectoids.
To spare the Female Master further worry, he would gift it to the snake-beast.
***
Later, when Rory went to bathe, she placed Cotton Candy gently on the sofa.
"Be good and wait for here."
He obediently lay still.
The mont she disappeared into the bathroom and Nix beca distracted outside, Cotton Candy hopped off the sofa and slipped quietly out of the cabin.
Outside, Aren followed Jasper’s trail with ease and quickly found him.
Not far ahead, Jasper was effortlessly dispatching several Rank Seven beasts.
A3 was too close to the Central District—high-rank beasts were rare here. To find stronger prey, one usually had to travel to remote frontier planets.
In Jasper’s current state, no matter how many Rank Seven beasts he killed, it wouldn’t be enough. He needed to push past his limits.
And that required risking everything.
Aren took out a special spatial capsule and swiftly released the Rank Ten beast contained within.
Then he concealed himself and observed from the shadows.
After all, it was a Rank Ten creature. He didn’t yet know Jasper’s full strength. He couldn’t simply leave.
If sothing truly happened to Jasper, the Female Master would be heartbroken.
"ROAR—!"
A thunderous roar split the forest. The terrifying aura of a Rank Ten beast erupted outward as it charged straight at Jasper.
Jasper spun around in shock, instantly leaping into the air. How could a Rank Ten beast exist on A3?
"BOOM!"
Trees collapsed in waves.
There was no ti to think—the massive beast lunged again, launching black-green globes of venomous energy.
Jasper dodged swiftly.
Facing the grotesque Rank Ten monster, fear did not fill his eyes.
Instead, excitent flashed within them. He surged forward to et it head-on.
From atop a thick tree branch, Aren leaned back casually, watching with quiet approval.
"Not bad," he murmured. "At least he has so brains."
User Comments
0 comments from readers