Cao Cao ran.
The moment Ren raised his right hand like a certain man rejected by an art school, Cao Cao fled with his group without a second word.
If there had been a chance to steal Ophis, he would've taken it.
But judging from her behavior, she clearly wasn't planning on leaving.
He had considered forcing it, but he doubted he could overpower Ren.
Not to mention, the sheer presence Ren unleashed was enough to make his heart tremble.
That was something a human like him could never match.
Realizing this, he chose to retreat immediately.
Watching this scene, Kuroka clicked her tongue.
Cowards. At least stay and see who had more people.
"So boring. Why not keep them here?"
"I already told you—if you beat them now, there's no way to milk them later…"
Ren's words made Kuroka twitch.
Her master really did squeeze every person for all they were worth.
After capturing Raynare, he drained her fallen angel bloodline, took down her followers, and even made her go back to the fallen angels to lure more over—and pinned the blame on them, too.
And now with Cao Cao, he clearly planned to do the same.
Her master had a pretty twisted sense of fun.
"Master, are you sure they'll come back?"
Kuroka tilted her head. After being scared like that, would they really dare return?
But Ren shook his head, eyes occasionally drifting to Ophis.
"Whatever else they are, the Khaos Brigade needs Ophis's power. And you're underestimating Cao Cao. That whole group clings to their human identity. They want to push humanity to its limits—that's why they're doing all this."
"This time, they didn't just lose—they lost their Boss. They'll definitely be back for revenge."
As he spoke, Ren's expression grew more and more pleased.
"When the Khaos Brigade makes a big move, that'll be the perfect time for us to harvest."
Noticing the look of satisfaction on Ren's face, Kuroka couldn't help but click her tongue, silently pitying those unfortunate enough to provoke him.
Suddenly, as if something occurred to him, Ren turned to look at Raynare.
"Raynare, the next time you meet them, are you confident you can deal with that saint?"
"Don't worry. The seed of corruption has already been planted. It'll keep disturbing her state of mind and continue to grow. The next time we meet, that so-called saint is guaranteed to give the descendants of those 'heroes' a real surprise."
Raynare licked her lips, and a strange light flickered in her eyes. Seeing this, both Mittelt and Kalawarna trembled—what's wrong with their big sis all of a sudden?
Ren nodded slightly at her words.
It seemed Raynare had already realized the true nature of the power within her Fallen Angel's Heart.
The power of corruption was the essence of that heart—capable of tainting even the light.
It still had considerable potential for development.
At the very least, it perfectly suited the fallen angel race.
Just as Ren sat down in his spot, Fou suddenly walked up to him in tears.
"Fou~~ Fou~~ Fwou~~ (Look at this—how could humanity do this!?)"
Under Ren's curious gaze, Fou handed over a now-empty bag, once filled with jealousy crystals. Then, from inside it, something snake-like and shadowy slowly floated out.
If he wasn't mistaken, that was probably one of Ophis's snakes.
Ren instinctively glanced over at Ophis, who was cutely watching Fou while still holding several jealousy crystals in her hand.
He could basically imagine what had just happened.
Ophis handed over a snake… and in return took all the food.
"I give you a snake, you give me food…"
And now it ended like this.
"Fou~~ Fou~~ Fou~~"
Fou's tone clearly demanded compensation from Ren.
But what came next made Fou nearly faceplant in disbelief—
"Well, it's true that no human would do this… but isn't Ophis a dragon?"
Fou: "..."
Seriously, are you hearing yourself right now?
Ophis nodded quietly. Ren wasn't wrong—she wasn't human, she was a dragon…
Still, thinking back, the leftover food that Fou lost could've lasted her three more days.
But Ophis just ate it all in one go.
Did I bring home a glutton in disguise?
Ren fell deep into thought.
Kuroka was desperately holding back her laughter. She absolutely couldn't laugh out loud right now—if she did, Fou would surely snap.
At least she still had some cat food left at Koneko's place.
If Fou lost it, she'd barge into Koneko's house tonight and eat everything.
She had long since stopped denying that Fou was some kind of cat devil.
After all, only a cat devil could eat her cat food with such relish.
But what stunned Kuroka even more was when Ren suddenly pulled out a new bag and handed it to Fou.
"This is all I have left… I got it last time through one of the Sacred Gears on that guy Saji. Don't eat it all at once, okay?" Ren said while stroking Fou's fur. He might tease her, but she had helped him find Ophis, after all.
Fou chirped happily, grabbed her food, and marched away with the haughty stride of someone who owed the world nothing.
But as she passed Kuroka, she gave her a scornful glance.
Kuroka: "..."
This must be the injustice of household status.
Why did my food get eaten with no compensation?
But the moment Ophis's gaze shifted toward her, Fou bolted toward the corner like she had rocket boots.
Don't come any closer—please!!
Ren couldn't help but laugh at the sight.
He stopped Ophis and handed her a bag of dragon crystals.
"Don't bother Fou anymore. She's had a hard enough time—let her go… Next time I get something you like, I'll give you a share." Ren said gently.
Even though they hadn't formed a contract yet, it was only a matter of time. Ren didn't see any problem with this kind of early investment.
Ophis took the bag of dragon crystals, glanced at the wary Fou, and nodded.
She then walked over, and under Fou's guarded eyes, handed her a small portion.
"You gave me food, so I'll give you some too."
So simple-minded… Fou finally understood why she had ended up meeting her.
She liked the beautiful things in humans—Asia's kindness, Ophis's purity—they were what she wanted to see amidst all the filth in the world.
Maybe it was that very attraction that brought them together without even realizing it.
Watching the dragon and beast peacefully share the corner space, Ren smiled and walked to Kuroka's side.
He patted her on the shoulder and consoled her with a grin.
"Come on now, it's not like I've run out. Is it worth sulking this much?"
"I just had a very deep realization about the household hierarchy."
Kuroka muttered with a sigh.
—Click!
Suddenly, the store door opened. Kuroka leapt up like a startled cat and transformed into her black cat form, diving into Ren's arms. It all happened in the blink of an eye.
She probably thought her sister was back again.
But it wasn't the kitten—it was Lucemon, Serafall, Sona, and Tsubaki.
Ren raised an eyebrow in surprise.
It looked like Lucemon had stirred up trouble in the Underworld.
Lucemon grinned and hurried over.
"Ren, look what I brought you!"
As she said that, Lucemon dragged in Vali and the others.
Strangely enough, they were tied up with decorative ribbons—like gift-wrapped packages, which looked absurdly out of place.
"This is my present to you. Like it?"
Ren: "..."
What am I supposed to even say to this?