Chapter 97: Yet to Return
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Vivian's get-rich-quick scheme of selling lamb skewers with Lily, fell apart the next day. It was not due to the improbability of the plan but, due to Lily and her gluttonous appetite. The idiot literally gobbled up anything meaty in front of her, including those that were burnt. This habit was beyond correction and Vivian figured that she could no longer do business, at least in the F&B sector with the werehusky.
Speaking of Lily, the dumb werehusky was rather pleased with her newfound abilities. While no one could clearly explain how she came to obtain her pair of detachable elemental claws, Lily herself did not pay too much attention to that part. She only knew that the claws of unknown properties were very nifty to have and busily practiced everyday. With that said though, to onlookers, it looked more like she was just jumping around and slashing at air.
Hao Ren could understand why Lily was so excited. The idiot previously had nothing but brute strength, quite literally all brawn and no brains. According to Vivian, most werewolves would have developed a skill or two, such as Poisoncraft or Shadow stalking and the likes—some sort of minor magic. Lily had no inkling or skill in that discipline. As she did not encounter any other supernaturals previously, she did not feel like she lost out on anything. However, after being told about her race by Vivian, it was natural that she felt incomplete, compounded with the revelation that came with her evolution. At the very least, she managed to obtain some form of special ability now. Who could blame her for being giddy about it?
The next morning, Hao Ren was out to town, going about his routine. He bought some pork ribs and spicy sticks, which Lily loved. He also got some new kitchenware and fresh vegetables for Vivian. He felt more and more like a babysitter for the two supernatural ladies instead of a normal landlord. But he was not complaining; all the expenses incurred by the two could be claimed from Raven 12345. His main duty was to keep his tenants happy. A job that did not need him to crack his head all too often was very appealing.
When he got home, he noticed Y'zaks was missing.
"Where did he go?"
The great demon was usually glued to the television at this hour, studying about the norms of humanity. It seemed so routine that his absence was the first thing that caught Hao Ren's attention when he got home.
"The big one went out," Vivian said as she vacuumed the hall. "Said something about looking for things to do and that he was bored to death at home."
Hao Ren was just about to nod when something clicked, "Huh, wait, what? He went out? Why didn't you stop him?"
"Why would I?" Vivian raised an eyebrow at Hao Ren. "It's not like this place is a prison."
Hao Ren found himself tongue-tied and was hard pressed to describe the commotion one like Y'zaks could bring. Furthermore, Vivian was right. This was not a prison and its tenants were free to go out. He should not be restricting Y'zaks movements just because of his looks. Frankly speaking, Y'zaks had already done a good job changing from a five-meter tall, great demon into a two-meter tall man. While his facial features left much to be desired, you could not fault the man for not trying.
Hao Ren finally relented and shrugged. "I just hope he doesn't run into trouble with the police. If I'm around, at the very least I can try to talk him out of trouble... Oh right, did he say when he would be coming back?"
At that same instance, Lily came out of her room, lugging a small box. Having overheard the conversation, she quipped, "He said he wanted to see the city center. He was sleeping in an alternate dimension when he was in England so he didn't manage to see anything. He'll be back by noon at the earliest, evening the latest. He also said he wanted to try eating outside, to get used to human society.
Hao Ren felt something was off and asked, "Does he have any money?"
Lily nodded, "Yep, I lent him 200 bucks."
That gave Hao Ren some measure of relief but, he really hoped that Y'zaks did not get himself into trouble or else he would probably have to bail him out from the lock-up.
For someone who could cause a ruckus akin to a robbery at the supermarket, imagine the attention he would attract, walking down the streets. Plus, he opted to go to the city center for his first visit... Heh heh heh...
"You're going out as well?" Hao Ren only then realised that Lily was lugging a box and dressed to go out. So, he decided to ask.
Lily nodded. "Yep, made an appointment with Green Bean. Gonna meet him later at 9.30 for a check-up.
Hao Ren looked confused for a while before he realised that Green Bean was a stray dog that lived nearby. Most of the strays in the area did not have names but, after Lily, the kind veterinarian arrived, all of them had names now. Green Bean was a pastoral hound with an issue with its hind legs. The name came about as Lily saw it biting on a green bean popsicle. It was a regularly in Lily's care.
Every time Lily mentioned about the strays in the Southern Suburbs, Hao Ren needed some time to process the information. In the idiot's eyes, there was no differences between man and dogs. Hence, every time she talked about her patients, she sounded like she was talking about a person. The other time when Lily was having dinner with Hao Ren, she told him King Lionheart, that lived nearby, mentioned him frequently. Hao Ren was stunned for a good few moments until it dawned on him that King Lionheart was the Chow Chow from the Zhang family living behind. He almost thought that he was actually related to someone from the House of Plantagenet in Europe.
Vivian set the vacuum cleaner down and pointed towards the pork ribs on the table. "Coming back by noon?"
Lily swallowed her saliva and nodded excitedly. "Yes! Yes! Battie don't you go eating my ribs!"
"Why would I eat dog food in the first place?" Vivian said as she left for the kitchen. "If you're coming back by noon, then I'll be putting the meat to stew. It should be ready by noon."
Hao Ren was pleasantly surprised by the cordial conversation the two were having and quipped, "You two sure are getting along well!"
As expected, the two ladies screeched in unison. "Who's getting along with that Doggie/Battie?!"
Hao Ren laughed out loud and after some coaxing, managed to get Lily out of the house for her appointment with Green Bean. After that, he lay on the sofa and turned on the MDT, checking if Raven 12345 had replied to his report.
He had completed the report the day after Lily completed her transformation. The report was rather literal in its description of a werewolf transforming into a husky. While Raven 12345 was unpredictable at the best of times, he expected her to have some sort of reaction to the report. He was grossly mistaken on that account as the report was just marked as 'read' without any further comments.
He then tried to contact Raven 12345 but, was greeted by an automated message that sounded divine at first but was quite literally bullsh*t. "The Celestial that you are looking for is not at home. Please leave a message after the beep. For believers who require immediate assistance, please use the self-help prayer system. For military personnel requiring immediate assistance, please use the self-help reinforcement terminal. For inspectors requiring immediate assistance, please contact the closest combat group for assistance. If Hao Ren requires immediate assistance, please use your inner strength and faith to deal with it."
Hao Ren was dumbstruck.
"I have a suggestion," The MDT suddenly spoke. "You can take a knife to Madam 12345's office and challenge her magical servant to a duel. Then you destroy everything from the office to the information vault and then everything from the information vault to the generator room. After that, leave a message on the local channel calling her a lunatic."
"And that will let her see my ability and worth?"
"No, at least your death would be much more spectacular with your name appearing on the local channel's headlines."
Hao Ren demurred for a moment and passed the MDT to Vivian. "Put it in a pot and boil it for half an hour. Don't hold back on the parsley and coriander."
"I dare you to do it. Just you see, I'll drill a hole in your pot!"
The whole morning was a scene of Hao Ren and the MDT going back and forth. It was soon noon but there was no sight of Lily coming home.