The horrified duo staggered back from the bloodied spot, hearts pounding so hard it felt like each beat shook their ribs. Their minds raced, unable to process what they had just witnessed.
Yu doubled over and vomited, and a heartbeat later Chi followed, both of their faces twisted in the same expression—like they had done something unforgivable.
For Chi, who still carried fragments of memories from his previous life, the sight struck somewhere deep and unsettling…
The two systems popped open, and Liora and Buddy rushed toward them. For the little spirits, scenes like this were nothing unusual—it was something instinctive, embedded into their very existence. They had already accepted such things long before.
Liora and Buddy hovered beside the shaken boys, their voices soft.
"You two didn't do anything wrong, so don't torture yourselves over it," one of the systems said.
"Exactly. If you hadn't killed them, then you would be lying there instead," the other added gently.
Yu swallowed hard, his face pale. "We know that. It's not… the killing part. It's just too— too disgusting. Did you see all that gore? The blood— the intestines literally blew out, and that one rabbit's head was—"
He gagged mid-sentence, slapping a hand over his mouth.
Chi nodded weakly. "Yeah… ugh—"
Then he bent over and threw up again.
Liora and Buddy watched them, wings drooping slightly, as if seeing baby birds fall out of the nest for the first time.
All the others stared at Chi and Yu as if—
they weren't entirely sure the two were right in the head.
Time passed, and after a few shaky breaths and one last dry heave, the boys finally calmed down. Their faces were still pale, but they'd gotten over the shock enough to move again.
They made a quick decision:
Target the remaining two beasts first.
The sooner they finished, the sooner they could get out of this nightmare.
It didn't take long for them to spot their next opponents — two six-handed monkeys screeching from a nearby tree.
Chi and Yu didn't waste a second.
With a coordinated leap and a clean, sharp slash each, they executed the monkeys in one swift motion, avoiding any unwanted bloodshed.
After that, time passed quickly as they hunted more monsters. By the time they finished, the sky was already glowing with shades of sunset.
When they finally returned home, they were greeted with an unexpectedly grand feast.
Even Yuanhai, Haoran, and Lian were standing at the entrance—in a strangely refined manner.
Yuanhai opened the door, dressed in a black suit with a handkerchief draped over his arm like some high-class butler.
"Come in, honoured ones. We have been awaiting your arrival," he announced dramatically.
The whole group froze for a moment.
As they walked toward the dining table, Loch leaned closer and whispered, "What's gotten into you today? You're creeping all of us out. Stop it."
Haoran was standing by the entrance to the dining room, bowing slightly.
"Please, take your seats, respected ones," he said in an overly formal tone.
Everyone felt shivers crawl up their spines.
Chi silently screamed inside, "What is he doing? Oh my god, stop… this is so embarrassing…"
As they finally sat down, an eerie silence filled the room.
Then the door opened slowly—
and an adorable angel stepped inside.
Lian.
She walked in holding the tray of food with both hands, her tiny steps steady, her little suit slightly oversized but somehow making her look even more adorable.
Her hair was styled neatly — probably by Lianhua — and her bright smile radiated the kind of pride only a child feels after helping prepare a feast.
The entire room froze.
Chi and Yu stared as if witnessing a celestial beast descend.
Yuanhai and Haoran, both still acting like butlers, nearly tripped over their own feet trying to bow.
Loch blinked twice, unsure if he was supposed to applaud or panic.
Lian carefully placed the dishes on the table.
Then, with the most serious expression her tiny face could manage, she cleared her throat and declared:
"Please enjoy the food I helped make!"
Yu's heart melted instantly.
Chi almost died from cuteness.
Meanwhile, Loch leaned toward Haoran and whispered,
"Why are we doing this again? What's happening today?"
Haoran, expression stiff, whispered back,
"Lian wanted to surprise them… and she threatened to cry if we didn't act fancy."
Loch inhaled sharply.
"…Ah. That explains everything."
Chi swallowed hard, mentally collapsing.
Oh god… she's too cute… I can't handle this…
Despite the chaos, the awkward bowing, the forced elegance, and the weird "royal banquet" atmosphere…
The warmth was real.
The laughter was real.
The joy was real.
And for Chi and Yu, after their terrifying first day in the beast domain—
This dinner felt like a blessing.
---
A Few Weeks Later
The days passed, and summer break came and went.
During this time, Chi and Yu had gradually overcome their disgust toward gore — or, more accurately, they had refined their sword techniques to make beast kills as clean and painless as possible.
It wasn't that they became fearless overnight.
It was just that their personalities couldn't stand messy deaths.
By now, they were even confidently hunting in Rank D beast domains, with Liora and Buddy cheering (and occasionally eating their kills before the boys could react).
---
Back at School
Students gathered in a mixed E–F Grade Beast Zone for their first practical test.
Loch stood before them, hands behind his back, his calm voice echoing with authority.
"Today, all of you will hunt Rank F beasts. In about a year and a half, you'll be taking your university entrance examinations. Apart from literature, alchemy, theory, formations, and battle tactics—" he paused, letting the silence grow heavy,
"—the most dangerous requirement is real beast combat."
The students gulped collectively.
Loch continued, "For many of you, this will be your first time facing a beast outside of training simulations. You will be supervised, but do not assume we'll rescue you the moment you panic."
Several students looked like they wanted to faint on the spot.
At Loch's signal, the instructors spread out, each team taking a small group of students deeper into the beast zone.
Soon enough, the forest filled with the sound of hesitant footsteps… nervous whispers… and the distant cries of low-rank beasts.
The hunt had begun.