Chapter 21: Green Light Chapter 21: Green Light Mistprowler Tiger. It’s a territorial beast, and at the time when Arnold claimed the territory, it was at Peak 2-star Rank. And to his bad luck, the Tiger immediately sensed the foreign energy that disturbed his control, and it went for the hunt. On a foggy day, when Arnold was trying to look for a proper place to build his stronghold, it ambushed him. He barely survived, only because he ruthlessly sacrificed all 3 Tamed Beasts, even his most powerful one. But it was at a cost; his soul was damaged, making it fall from rare to common. He lost his ability to use skills forever, and his right to claim land, as the claimed territory was lost, making him unable to put territories under his name until he ranked up or bought more. This was noticed by the Beast Hall, demoting him and reducing his monthly stipend to 50 Bronze coins. Because he was basically a cripple and no use to the Empire, as he couldn’t rank up. But 50 bronze was nowhere enough when he took a loan of 60 silvers for a super bloodline beast, and that beast ended up being a mortal rank beast. Now, in debt, weak, not to mention his habit of gambling and his irresistibility to have colourful nights, he sought the Baron, the Baron employed him to protect his son for 1 silver coins. But that was not at all enough to pay the debt, when his interest was 3 silver. Resorting to criminal activities, He started beating or even killing innocents to loot them, raping to quench his thirst, and helping Zolton in shady deals for extra money. He even killed his own son when he failed to awaken to reduce his living costs. "Say Arnold." Zolton said. "Can’t you just kidnap and bring her to me?" He said as he slid 2 silver coins towards him. "I have had enough. If she is not in front of me today, you will have to deal with another body in the morning." Zolton eyes turned cold. Arnold quickly grabbed the money and said. "It will be done, but I think I will arrive late at night. I need to track her with my beast, but I would need anything that has her scent." Arnold said. Zolton just grinned and reached into his pocket, bringing out a piece of cloth. Before giving it to Arnold, he sniffed it deeply. "Take this, it will be enough." Arnold swiftly departed, leaving a silence. --- She really is a Yandere!! That was what Leo thought when he saw the possessive look in her pink irises that were locked with him. Looks like Shyra being closer to me triggered her reaction. I need to be careful, or an innocent girl might get traumatized just because she was looking at me. Leo said he would sleep with her until he was healed, so that she would go back and complete her meal. By now, Lily was finishing her dinner with a pleased look on her face. Beside her, Shyra was still eating from her bowl as if starved for days. I need to know clearly if what Lily said was true or just a joke. I don’t want to do something that I can’t take back. He thought as he steeled his resolve to ask Lily out. "Lily," He began, his heart rate increasing. "Yes?" She looked at him, prompting him to continue. "Did you really mean what you said before?" His heart was beating irregularly, this was his first time he was talking to a girl like this. Lily’s face turned a shade of pink. "W-what are you... " She stuttered as she looked elsewhere. 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺 "About me looking differently to you... Are you sure?" He pressed; he needed to know. Lily puffed her cheeks at how blatant he was, but nontheless she answered. "Hmph, Idiot. I wouldn’t have said it if I didn’t mean it, and... and I don’t want to be separated from you, never. You are my everything that is left and I--" Shyra, who was patiently watching the scene unfold from the sideline, suddenly perked up her ears in alert mode, she activated her Stealth skill, disappearing into the dark corners of the house. Leo also noticed something and stopped Lily as he moved closer to her, drawing his dagger out defensively. "Leo, what--!" Lily stopped mid-track as the front door burst open. BOOM. "Finally, found that wench’s house, now... who are you?" Arnold’s eyes locked directly with Leo, who was shielding Lily. "Is that what you ask when you burst into someone else’s house?" Leo said, cautiously examining the intruder. "L-leo, he... he’s Zolton’s butler!" Lily told Leo as recognition fell on her. "Leo? You are still alive? What happened to the goons that were sent to kill you?" Arnold was talking about Norn, Lans and Juan. "So you are with that waste of man that is harassing Lily. And about them? Heh. Why don’t you go and ask them in hell?" Leo smirked. Arnold’s eyes turned serious and cold as he realised what Leo meant. Leo saw a wolf-type beast with dark blue fur appear behind Arnold. Windbreath Hound (Peak 1-star) - Mortal Bloodline. Shit!! Even though Leo had already hunted a peak 1-star beast, it was injured and even ambushed. But fighting a prepared and trained opponent is a different thing. But there was no other choice but to fight them, while also protecting Lily. Shyra has already disappeared. I need to distract them until she can perform her surprise attack. "How did you find this house?" "House?" Arnold sneered as he gave an exaggerated look around. "Well, everyone has their own standard... so about your question..." He took out the piece of cloth that Zolton gave and brought it near his face, giving it a sniff. "This should look familiar to you, right? Have to say... even the smell is irresistible, I wonder..." Leo’s eyes darkened. ’ "Leo. That’s...that Zolton tore..." Lily didn’t complete the sentence, but Leo understood it completely. Looks like I need to thank master James myself, I don’t even want to imagine what would have happened until now if not for him. But this mere butler, how dare he do something like that in front of Lily? He won’t be going back today.