Chapter 768: The Greedy, Demanding Oni and the Even More Greedy Demon Subduer!
"An Aegir?"
Hoshiguma, the towering Oni enforcer of the Lungmen Guard Department (L.G.D.), narrowed her eyes as she scrutinized the silver-haired woman standing next to Ren. Her instincts, honed by years of combat in Higashi and Lungmen, flared up. She found no typical racial characteristics on Gladiia—no scales, no gills visible—but the aura she emitted was undeniably oceanic and dangerous.
"Don't worry, I brought her."
Ren patted Hoshiguma's armored shoulder, his touch instantly diffusing the tension. He turned to Gladiia, whose crimson eyes were scanning the neon-lit skyline of Lungmen with disdain.
"You're not allowed to make a move here, Gladiia. No turning people into sashimi. Or I'll send you back to the ocean floor to find someone else to play with."
"..."
Gladiia looked at him deeply, her expression unreadable behind her high collar.
Indeed, it was a power she couldn't comprehend.
In an instant, she had been transported from the desolate coastline of Iberia to this bustling, noisy metropolis. This must be Lungmen. The spatial displacement wasn't Originium Arts; there was no active Originium signature. It was something else entirely.
Gladiia didn't know the specifics. But she understood one thing clearly: Ren's power was terrifyingly strong. Strong enough to make even an Abyssal Hunter hesitate.
So she nodded in response, adjusting her hat. "Fine. As long as the land-dwellers don't provoke me."
"Alright then."
Seeing this, Hoshiguma didn't pursue the matter further. Since Ren could guarantee safety, there was no problem. She trusted him implicitly.
Ren smiled and looked around the L.G.D. office. "Didn't Swire and Lin Yuhsia come?"
"Huh?"
Hoshiguma blinked, confused why the rich heiress and the Rat King's daughter were suddenly mentioned.
Ch'en (Ch'en Hui-chieh), standing aside with her arms crossed, cleared her throat loudly. A rare blush dusted her cheeks. "I'll... contact them right away for a get-together. Since you're here, it's only polite."
"..."
Hoshiguma understood instantly. A grin spread across her face.
This was probably Old Ch'en's excuse for inviting Ren over to her place. The strict Superintendent Ch'en wanted a house party? That was news.
She simply didn't expose her partner. "Good idea, Madam Ch'en. Let's head to your place. It's bigger."
Ch'en had just sent messages to the two explaining the situation.
The messages were almost instantly replied to.
[Troublesome Cat (Swire): Ren's here?! Wait for me! I'll be right there! Don't you dare start without me, you Dragon!]
[Lin Yuhsia: Mm, coming now. I'll bring some good ingredients. Don't let Swire cook.]
...
Inside Ch'en's rented luxury apartment in the upper district.
"Where's Ren?!"
The door burst open with a bang, nearly coming off its hinges. A tiger-eared girl in a stylish L.G.D. uniform stormed in.
"Where is he?!"
Ch'en's veins bulged on her forehead. "Troublesome Cat! Can't you open the door properly? This is a rental!"
"Shut up, Sausage Dragon! I'm too lazy to bother with you. Where's Ren?"
Beatrix Schwire (Swire) ignored her superior completely and ran into the living room. Her big eyes instantly locked onto Ren, who was sitting comfortably on the sofa.
"Ren!"
She rushed towards him like a big cat seeing a ball of yarn, abandoning all pretense of elegance. She grabbed his collar, angrily accusing: "You left Lungmen last time without even a single message? Do you know how many times I checked the surveillance logs?!"
Ren smiled helplessly, raising his hands in surrender. "I'm sorry, Miss Swire."
He could tell that Swire was indeed very concerned about his whereabouts. Unfortunately, he had been in another world entirely.
"Hmph, an apology won't do. You must drink three penalty cups! No, three bottles!"
Swire huffed, crossing her arms, her tail twitching behind her.
"It seems I'm the last to arrive."
A calm, elegant voice drifted from the doorway. Lin Yuhsia stepped in, looking every bit the lady she was raised to be, carrying a large bag of high-quality groceries.
Seeing Ren, a glint of warmth flashed in her usually sharp eyes. She walked over, her heels clicking softly on the floor.
"Ren, long time no see."
Ren returned her smile, "Long time no see, Yuhsia."
…
He, along with these four powerful women of Lungmen, were indeed his best friends (and perhaps more) in this city.
Lin Yuhsia brought a large bag of fresh ingredients—Wagyu beef, fresh seafood, and exotic vegetables.
Ch'en, Swire, and Lin Yuhsia all knew how to cook (surprisingly, even the rich heiresses had learned), so they went to the kitchen together. The sound of bickering between the Dragon and the Tiger immediately filled the air, with Yuhsia acting as the mediator (or instigator).
As for Hoshiguma, she declared she was going to bring a few boxes of alcohol from her stash, saying they wouldn't stop until they were drunk.
Only Gladiia stood alone, leaning against the wall in the corner, her arms crossed, appearing completely out of place in this domestic scene.
Ren proactively spoke to her, walking over with a glass of water. "Do you feel uncomfortable staying here? Or are you worried about something?"
"…"
Gladiia took the glass but didn't drink. She was indeed not good at dealing with land dwellers. Their customs, their noise, their... dryness.
The most crucial thing she was worried about was her identity.
If the blood of an Abyssal Hunter flowed on land, it would surely attract the attention of the Seaborn. The Kin could smell their own.
"If you really can't get used to it, you can wander around Lungmen. The night view is nice," Ren told her softly. "As for the Seaborn issue, you don't need to worry. I've placed a barrier. They won't come here. And if they do... I eat calamari."
"Seaborn are very dangerous. I hope you don't underestimate them. They evolve."
After giving him a deep look, realizing he wasn't joking, she nodded. "I'll take a walk. The air in this room is too stifling with... hormones."
She strode out of the rented house, her coat billowing behind her. She intended to see how these technologically backward land dwellers survived. Especially this city called Lungmen.
After Gladiia walked out of the apartment building, her gaze shifted towards a certain dark rooftop nearby.
However, after a slight frown, realizing the presence wasn't hostile to her, she withdrew her gaze and calmly departed into the neon night.
Not long after she left.
A figure appeared in the darkness of that rooftop, staring intently at Gladiia's retreating back.
It was Shirayuki, the personal bodyguard of Madam Fumizuki.
She was sent by Wei Yenwu and Fumizuki to stabilize this area and prevent any negative factors from appearing.
Undoubtedly, the movements of Swire, Lin Yuhsia, and the return of Ren were already known to the Gray Hall.
Knowing of Ren's arrival, how could Wei Yenwu dare to be negligent? That man was a walking catastrophe—or a blessing, depending on his mood.
He was afraid someone might disrupt their gathering and anger Ren.
He sent out his Shadow Guards (Black Cloaks) to clear out troublemakers in the district.
"Clear the perimeter. No interruptions," Shirayuki whispered into her comms.
Whoever dared to cause trouble today would be in for a terrible time.
…
"Old Ch'en, can you handle this? You're already turning red!"
Not long after their dinner began, the atmosphere had shifted from culinary appreciation to a drinking contest.
Ch'en was already feeling dizzy.
Because Hoshiguma really meant it when she said they wouldn't stop until they were drunk. She directly carried in three crates of high-proof Higashi sake and Victorian whiskey.
Ch'en was a very proper person. Under normal circumstances, she maintained strict discipline. But tonight, she let loose.
She hadn't even drunk much, and her cheeks were already flushed red.
It's just that if Hoshiguma urged her to drink, she might not really drink desperately, but there was a certain 'roast pork cat' (Swire) who was at odds with her and went head-to-head.
"Hmph, Vermicelli Dragon, is this all your alcohol tolerance is? Ren looks down on you~ Look, he's barely touched his glass!" Swire taunted, waving a bottle of whiskey.
As soon as these words came from Swire's mouth, the original dinner instantly changed its flavor.
"What? You dare say my alcohol tolerance is bad? I'll show you what a heavy drinker is! Pass the bottle!"
From a dinner, it turned into an alcohol tolerance war.
As the alcohol took effect, even the usually composed Lin Yuhsia and Ren were pulled in.
As bottle after bottle of alcohol went down, the living room became a mess of empty glass and laughter.
"Drink… huff… I can still drink… Justice… never sleeps…"
Ch'en mumbled incoherently, finally defeated, sprawled face-down on the dining table.
And Swire was completely sprawled out on the rug, tail twitching occasionally, fast asleep and snoring softly.
Lin Yuhsia, feeling dizzy and realizing she couldn't maintain her image anymore, chose to lie down on the sofa elegantly and also fell asleep.
Only Ren and Hoshiguma remained standing.
Hoshiguma, her face slightly flushed but eyes clear, looked at him with disbelief and exclaimed, "Ren, your alcohol tolerance is exaggerated, isn't it? That was pure ethanol basically. You don't feel anything at all?"
Ren said calmly, swirling the amber liquid in his glass, "If you want to make me drunk, Hoshiguma, I'm afraid thousands upon thousands of you wouldn't be enough. My body processes toxins instantly."
"Huh?"
Hoshiguma pouted slightly, a rare expression for the tough Oni. "You haven't seen my limit yet; making such a judgment is unfair. I have a secret stash."
"Heh heh."
Ren smiled faintly.
He got up from Ch'en's side, covering the dragon girl with a jacket, and walked in front of the tall Oni. He stared into her sharp, golden eyes and curiously asked, "So, Hoshiguma... what do you really want to do by getting Ch'en and the other two drunk? You targeted them specifically."
"!!!"
Hoshiguma's pupils constricted sharply. Her breath hitched.
She had done it so secretly, playing the role of the boisterous drinker, yet she was still discovered?
"…"
They stared at each other for a long time. The silence in the room was heavy with unsaid desires.
Hoshiguma also stood up. She towered over most, but Ren matched her presence easily.
She tossed her heavy L.G.D. jacket aside, revealing her tank top and the impressive muscles of her arms.
Gazing at Ren, she stepped closer, invading his personal space.
"Ren... do you know about Oni?" she whispered, her voice dropping to a husky growl. "The nature of an Oni is very greedy. If they don't get what they want for a day, they'll feel uncomfortable all over. It burns."
"I am also an Oni, so my nature is also very greedy. And very possessive."
Her strong arms suddenly rested on his shoulders, locking him in place. Her gaze dropped to his lips.
"I got Old Ch'en and the others drunk because they are too noisy. And because..."
She leaned in, her hot breath fanning his face.
"...suddenly, I want to get the thing I desire most. Without sharing."
She suddenly stepped forward and kissed Ren's lips, hard and demanding. It wasn't a gentle kiss; it was a conquest.
This was what she wanted. The strong man she had only ever set her sights on in this lifetime. The only one who could handle an Oni's greed.
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