The director glanced at Enko with a mix of skepticism and curiosity. "Are you sure you want to be part of this?"
Enko's resolve was unwavering. "Please, I need to be involved."
The director exhaled deeply, considering the gravity of the situation. "This document won't be easily processed here. If we submit it from Beiling City, it'll likely vanish without a trace."
Enko's eyes narrowed, "You mean the higher-ups?"
The director hushed him with a finger to his lips. "I'm planning to travel to the capital to submit it personally. I can't guarantee the journey will be smooth, but I'll risk everything to ensure this document reaches its destination."
Enko immediately offered his support. "I'll go with you."
The director shook his head. "This isn't a task for someone still in school. Focus on your studies."
He eyed Enko's golden pupils and the faint scales on his face. "But considering your... unique appearance, you'll need to be more discreet. It's too conspicuous."
Enko nodded, understanding the need for caution. "I'll find a way to conceal it."
...
Two days later, Enko awoke early and made his way to the security room. The guard, still nursing a hand wrapped in plaster, looked up as Enko entered.
"Uncle, have you seen any suspicious people around these past couple of days?"
The guard shook his head. "Suspicious people? No, nothing like that."
Enko frowned. It struck him as odd that, after that fateful day, no more monsters had sought him out. The city of Beiling had become eerily silent—not just devoid of monster activity but also conspicuously free of ordinary crimes.
Puzzled, Enko decided to leave the school and stopped by a nearby snack shop. He purchased a box of chewing gum and was about to leave when he caught a faint, unpleasant odor. His nose crinkled in distaste.
"Hey, do you have fish in your shop?" he asked, trying to place the smell.
The shop owner seemed stunned for a moment. "Fish? What are you talking about? We don't have any fish here."
Enko stepped forward abruptly, grabbing the shop owner by the collar. "I asked if you have fish. Why are you so nervous?"
The shop owner's forehead beaded with cold sweat. "No, no, there's nothing like that here..."
Enko shoved him aside and followed the fishy scent to the back of the shop. Just as he neared the door, the shop owner leaped in front of him, panic etched across his face.
"What do you think you're doing? Are you trying to rob us? I'll call the police..."
Ignoring the threat, Enko brushed past him with swift, determined strides. The shop owner barely had time to react.
As Enko approached the back, the stench grew stronger.
"No, you can't go in there!!" the shop owner shouted, but Enko was already pushing the door open.
The moment he stepped inside, the overpowering foul smell hit him like a wall. The room was a scene of grotesque carnage—a naked Fish-Man was on its knees, feasting on a bloody lamb.
Hearing the commotion, the Fish-Man's head snapped around, revealing a mouth smeared with blood and teeth glistening with rotten flesh. Its large yellow eyes blinked at Enko in surprise.
"En?"
"What are you doing here? Oh, it's just another one of us. You startled me for a moment."
The Fish-Man wiped its mouth clean and casually offered Enko a leg of lamb. "Want some?"
Enko's gaze remained fixed, unmoved. At that moment, the shop owner burst into the room.
"Son, run quickly!"
The Fish-Man looked puzzled. "Run? Why would I run? He's one of us. Hey, where are you from?"
The shop owner froze, clearly taken aback by this revelation.
Enko's contact lenses shifted slightly, revealing his own yellow pupils.
Seeing this, the shop owner's tension eased, and he let out a sigh of relief. "Nan, I see now…"
Enko turned his attention to the shop owner. "He's your son?"
The shop owner nodded vigorously. "Yes, that's right."
Enko's eyes narrowed. "And you're not a Fish-Man?"
The shop owner shook his head. "No, I'm not."
Enko saw that and moved his wrist a little, then suddenly stepped forward, he put on a look of wanting to hit someone, but hugged the Fish-Man's shoulder.
"It seems, you know a lot about Fish-Man, where do you guys usually operate?"
Fish-Man suspiciously glanced at Enko, "Where else, each person lives in their own house, if the boss doesn't order us, we'll wait."
"However, we in this area really have a stronghold, Black Fang Bar, do you know?"
"Our generation of Fish-Man, usually operate there."
Black Fang Bar.
Enko's pupils turned, maybe because of Breath of the Deep, this Fish-Man subconsciously regarded him as its kind.
Also good, maybe this is an opportunity.
...
At the same day.
Chino and Raven walked into the café, where a refined and distinguished middle-aged man was busy packing his bags.
"005, what are you up to?" Chino inquired.
The man, Lam, turned around with a broad smile. "Lord has given me a month off. I'm preparing for a romantic getaway."
With a flourish, Lam continued, "On this trip, I'm planning a heartwarming surprise encounter. I'll be charming young ladies with my new, sophisticated persona. You know, 18-year-olds are brimming with curiosity, seeking the kind of mystery and excitement you see in movies. I'll deliver!"
He sighed dreamily. "Just thinking about it fills me with excitement. Romantic encounters await!"
Chino and Raven exchanged glances, bemused.
"So, what brings you here?" Lam asked, his attention returning to his packing.
"We're looking for Lord Aurora," Raven replied, her tone more serious than her youthful appearance might suggest.
Lam shook his head sympathetically. "Sorry, but you're too late. Lord Aurora has already departed, and her destination is unknown."
With a wistful smile, he added, "A mysterious journey that just appears and vanishes—how fitting for Lord Aurora. Timing is everything, isn't it?"
"Is Lord entrusting us with anything?" Raven asked.
Lam pondered for a moment. Mei had indeed mentioned a few things to him, including tasks for Chino and Raven.
"Entrust?" Lam mused, trying to recall. "Ah, yes, there was something. But it's a bit hazy."
He shrugged. "Well, here's a gem of wisdom instead: 'You two are like freshly fired ceramics. You may look impressive now, but you haven't reached your full potential yet.'"
"Lord Aurora said it takes time and craftsmanship to achieve greatness," he continued, though clearly not remembering the specifics. "So, seek your purpose, hone your skills, and evolve from mere physical forms into something truly remarkable."
Chino's brows knitted together. "Is this really what Lord Aurora said?"
Lam's gaze was unperturbed. "Of course. It's a bit redundant to question it. Just take it as guidance and move forward."
With a final flourish, Lam began to pack his luggage. "And as for me, I'm off to discover my own worth. A life lived among beautiful women, after all!"
He finished packing, gave Chino and Raven a dismissive wave, and exited the café, leaving them to ponder his cryptic words.
As Lam departed with a cheerful wave, Chino and Raven exchanged a glance.
"Ah, see you again," Chino said, giving a casual wave of farewell.
Raven, in her young girl form, watched Lam's retreating figure thoughtfully. "What Lam said was clearly nonsense. The part about Master leaving is probably true, but the rest... Master would never say something like that."
With a swift transformation back into her raven form, she fluttered out of the café and into Mei's room through the window.
"Hey, hey, let me see what treasures Master might have hidden away," she chirped, her curiosity piqued.
Inside Mei's room, everything was meticulously tidy. The only prominent feature was a large, conspicuous plant sitting in the corner.
The plant resembled a sunflower, but its stem was adorned with countless curling vines.
"What is this?" Raven wondered, flying closer.
Without warning, the sunflower twisted its head around. Countless eyes sprang open in its pistil, staring directly at her.
"Whoa!!" Raven shrieked, her wings flapping wildly as she tried to escape. But the curling leaves shot out, wrapping tightly around her.
The vines began to constrict, pulling in and squeezing Raven. Realizing she was in imminent danger, Raven quickly transformed into Mei's appearance.
"Look closely, who am I?" Raven called out in Mei's voice.
The little flower's vines loosened, and it trembled with a mischievous shudder.
Raven let out a relieved sigh. "Phew, I thought I was done for…"
She eyed the plant with renewed curiosity. "But seriously, what is this?"
As Raven, still in Mei's form, continued to explore the room, she discovered a drawer. Inside were numerous potion bottles, each gleaming with a mysterious glow.
"This is?"
Raven peered into the drawer, revealing three rows of bottles, each neatly labeled. Her eyes settled on a jet-black potion.
"Secret Stealer?" she read the label aloud.
"Well... Master isn't here. It wouldn't be so bad to take just a small sip, right?"
With a mischievous grin, Raven unscrewed the lid and, transforming into a bird, dipped her beak into the bottle. The liquid was sweet, reminiscent of mint candy.
Another sip...
She continued to drink, the bottle emptying rapidly.
"Oops, I lost track…" Raven muttered, chastising herself. But as she tried to move, her body suddenly convulsed.
"Ah!" she cried out, a sharp pain shooting through her.
Moments later, her eyes darkened completely, leaving only an endless void of black. The pain began to subside, and Raven, now fully human, was left crouching naked on the floor.
She stood up, disoriented, her surroundings appearing foreign and alien.
A distant whisper caught her attention.
"I hear... a voice. Who is it? Is someone whispering?"
The whisper, faint but persistent, seemed to beckon for help.
Driven by the eerie sound, Raven approached the bed, then transformed into a powerful eagle, soaring into the sky.
She followed the growing intensity of the whisper, her wings cutting through the air as she pursued the ethereal plea.
"Whoever you are..."
"Hurry and save me, I've had enough."