Inside the hotel.

Luciel opened the wooden window just a crack, peering out at the dark streets and silent houses.

"Luciel, what's wrong?" Mino asked curiously, poking her head forward.

Since they had returned to the hotel, she had noticed Luciel standing by the window, staring outside in silence.

Luciel quietly closed the window, walked back to the table, and sat down with a heavy look.

"We're being watched," he said in a low voice.

---

On the way back, he had already sensed something was off. To confirm it, he had sent the tricolor lizards to scout the area—and as expected, someone was indeed observing them.

"Watched? Who's watching us?" Mino frowned, her rabbit ears standing straight as she strained to catch sounds from outside.

"I don't know yet," Luciel admitted, brows furrowed.

That was the problem—he couldn't figure it out. The people he had interacted with were few. Bloodbeard was already dead. That left only Yuezhu, Yue Feiyan, and Lu Chuan.

But none of them had any reason to monitor him—unless something had happened behind the scenes that he didn't know about.

"It's too far… I can't hear anything." Mino's ears drooped slightly.

"You'll get there. Your hearing will sharpen even more in the future," Luciel said, rubbing the top of her head.

The earless girl's talent had not yet fully awakened, but even now, her hearing was already two to three times keener than ordinary people.

"What do we do then? Just ignore whoever's watching?" Mino asked worriedly.

She wasn't clueless—being watched meant someone had either set their eyes on them or was plotting something.

"Don't worry," Luciel reassured. "When Liyue returns, I'll head out and find out who it is."

He wasn't about to leave Mino alone in the hotel. He already had some suspicions, but he needed to verify them. Whoever was watching them, Luciel intended to uncover it—and if necessary, eliminate the danger before it grew.

"Alright," Mino nodded softly.

"For now, get something to eat." Luciel condensed a ball of water and filled the hotel's container.

"I'll roast some meat," Mino said, taking jerky from their pack.

---

Luciel watched her busy little figure, and his thoughts drifted. He remembered again the hundred intermediate beast spars Yue Feiyan had given him.

He took them out and commanded:

"System, convert to evolution points."

"Ding! Conversion successful. Gained 10,700 evolution points."

Luciel smiled faintly as he glanced at the number.

His eyes shifted to the bunny-eared girl, then to the absent white-haired girl. If those hidden watchers really attacked tonight, Mino and Liyue's safety couldn't be left to chance.

For their protection, Luciel decided—it was time to push his tricolor lizard to the next level. A Level 5 domesticated beast would be enough to handle a sudden crisis.

---

"Mino, I'm stepping out for a bit. Stay inside the room and don't leave," Luciel said, standing up.

"Eh? O-okay…" Mino hesitated, then asked softly, "How long will you be gone? The barbecue will be done soon."

"Don't worry. I'll be back before it gets cold." Luciel flicked her forehead lightly.

"That's good." She held her forehead, smiling faintly with relief.

"And don't open the window," Luciel added before leaving.

"Got it."

The obedient girl nodded.

---

Creaaak.

Closing the door, Luciel activated his Mimic Stealth and slipped outside.

He called out mentally:

"Xiao Cai, meet me behind the hotel."

The tricolor lizard, now four meters long, was far too large to evolve inside town without causing chaos. He needed a secluded spot.

Behind the inn, on a deserted street, Luciel met his companion.

Placing his hand on its scales, he ordered, "Evolve to Level 5."

"Ding! Evolving from Level 4 → Level 5. Deducting 10,000 evolution points."

"Ding! Evolution successful."

"Ding! Inheriting talent—Regeneration of Severed Limbs."

"Ding! Talent improved, adapted, and integrated."

---

Luciel felt his entire body engulfed by warmth, like molten water forging his muscles. Crack, crack—his bones shifted, strengthening.

Power surged through him. He flexed his fists, creating gusts of wind.

"If Bloodbeard had taken a direct hit from me now…" Luciel muttered with a faint smile, "he'd have died instantly."

---

He pulled up his system panel:

Trainer: Luciel

Stamina: 62.6

Speed: 61.5

Strength: 63.7

Spirit: 90

Lifespan: 24 / 1450 years

Taming Points: 60 (refresh daily)

Evolution Points: 26,448

Abilities:

Regeneration of Severed Limbs (Lv. 5)

Silk Control (Lv. 4)

Earth and Rock Control (Lv. 4)

Star Realm (Lv. 3)

Water Condensation (Lv. 3)

Angel's Tears (Lv. 1)

Domesticated Beasts:

Tricolor Lizard – Limb Regeneration (Lv. 5)

Red Ghost Spider – Silk Control (Lv. 4)

Rock Tortoise – Earth Manipulation (Lv. 4)

Crystal Fish – Water Condensation (Lv. 3)

Domesticated Plants:

Star Tea Tree – Star Realm (Lv. 3)

Angel Wing – Angel's Tears (Lv. 1)

Luciel skimmed past his lifespan—he had gotten used to it increasing every evolution.

"All four stats over sixty… no wonder this strengthening feels so obvious."

Then he looked up at Xiao Cai.

The tricolor lizard had doubled in size, now over eight meters long, its scales flashing in three colors like polished gemstones.

"Hissss."

The giant lizard flicked its whip-like tongue, trying to lick him affectionately.

"Oi, oi—look at yourself. You're not small anymore. Leave that to the Black Tortoise," Luciel scolded, smacking its head.

"Hiss?" The lizard tilted its massive head, aggrieved.

"Don't pout. Go invisible before someone notices you."

The lizard obeyed, shimmering out of sight—but each step still left deep footprints in the dirt.

"...Work on that," Luciel muttered, rubbing his temples.

---

Satisfied, he gave his new order:

"Guard the hotel. Protect Mino and Liyue."

The lizard hissed once, then lumbered forward, adapting quickly until its movements left no visible traces.

Watching it, Luciel smirked.

"Xiao Cai's going to make one hell of a mount."

---

When he returned to the hotel, less than half an hour had passed.

Creaaak.

"I'm back," he said, opening the door—only to find Mino pale and trembling in the corner.

"You're finally back!" she cried, rushing over to grab his hand tightly.

Luciel's expression hardened. "What happened? Did someone come in?"

"No, no one came in." Mino clung to him, her body still shaking. Her blue eyes glistened with fear. "But outside… something terrifying passed by. Its presence pressed down on me, and it even looked at our room."

Luciel froze. Terrifying presence?

"…Was that Xiao Cai?" he thought, his face twitching unnaturally.

"The lizard?" Mino blinked, then narrowed her eyes. "You mean… that thing that just passed by was yours?"

Luciel coughed. "Ahem. Yeah… I asked it to guard the door."

"Really…? I thought some monster had come to eat us."

Her tense little heart finally relaxed. She puffed her cheeks. "You scared me half to death. I almost ran out looking for you."

Luciel chuckled awkwardly. "Tomorrow, I'll have Xiao Cai apologize."

"Hehe, even if it apologizes, I wouldn't understand it," Mino laughed, eyes sparkling again.

"I'll translate for you," Luciel teased. "You could even make it dance."

"The big lizard… dance?" Mino's eyes widened with curiosity.

"Why not? If it can't, you can teach it," Luciel said, amused.

"N-no way, I don't know how to dance either."

"Then invent one. Just put together movements that look good, and call it a dance."

Mino giggled. "Maybe… I'll try."

She set down the roasted meat. "Come on, eat before it gets cold."

Luciel smiled faintly. "Alright. I wonder when Liyue will be back. I'll save her some too."

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