"These were all caused by that monster. It must be hiding somewhere now," Bai Ya said. "Luckily, it's only a 'Danger Class.' If it were any higher level, I might not have been able to handle it."
"Where did it escape from?" Yue Ge asked, puzzled.
"An underground research facility," Bai Ya replied, glancing at the ruins around her before moving forward. "The Organization builds labs beneath some of its outposts. There happens to be one here."
"Isn't that risky?" Yue Ge said.
"Normally, guards are stationed there. But they happened to be away on business, so one monster got out. Most labs only house one or two truly dangerous monsters anyway." Bai Ya turned to Yue Ge, surprised by his calmness. "Aren't you scared?"
The mall was completely empty now. Even the staff had retreated underground, leaving only a few to guard the exits. Without its usual bustle, and with destruction everywhere, any normal person would feel chills down their spine.
Yet Bai Ya saw no emotion on Yue Ge's face—no fear, no dread. He looked exactly as he had while shopping with her moments ago.
"Scared?" Yue Ge hesitated, unsure how to explain.
"Yeah, it's unexpected," Bai Ya continued. "You don't act like someone seeing a 'scene' for the first time."
"I'm surprised too," Yue Ge admitted honestly. "I should be seeing this for the first time. But I really don't feel anything."
"Habit? Or something else?" Bai Ya pressed.
She walked down the center of the aisle, seemingly unconcerned about a monster attack. But the creature never appeared as she left the scene. Probably not here anymore.
Just a trapped beast's struggle. She didn't tell Yue Ge that the mall was surrounded by electrified fences—the "Danger Class" monster couldn't escape. The Essence suppression gave Bai Ya ample leeway against a beast two tiers below her. She was confident its attacks couldn't pierce her defenses.
"Not really," Yue Ge glanced back, still feeling nothing. Just as Bai Ya said... it felt like habit.
Little Ash, perched on his head, nearly fell off when he turned. It jumped down with an annoyed expression.
"Get back in your bag," Bai Ya said, eyeing it. "It's dangerous out here."
Little Ash shook its head, ignoring her, and headed in a specific direction.
Yue Ge looked at Bai Ya questioningly. She didn't speak, just followed Little Ash, bowing her head slightly. A white cloak materialized out of thin air.
They didn't linger on the first floor. Little Ash darted to the elevator. Bai Ya naturally bent down, picked it up, and opened the doors. Yue Ge watched curiously. Only after Little Ash hesitated for five or six seconds and tapped the fifth-floor button did he ask, "Are you sure this is a cat?"
"What else?" Bai Ya tilted her head.
"It's way too smart..." he sighed, noticing Little Ash glaring at him.
"Probably from roaming the city so long. It learned by watching. Most monsters aren't this sharp," Bai Ya said matter-of-factly.
"Won't it get dissected for research?" Yue Ge glanced outside. The mall was eerily silent, yet most facilities still ran. Empty escalators moved up and down, creating an unsettling vibe.
"Who'd waste time dissecting a stray cat?" Bai Ya ruffled Little Ash's head.
Yue Ge thought it over. It made sense—he hadn't noticed anything special about Little Ash at first. Only Bai Ya's warning made him realize it was a monster.
The elevator rose slowly, like some sacred ritual. It stopped silently at the fifth floor and opened. Bai Ya didn't let Little Ash lead. Instead, she shoved it into Yue Ge's arms and stepped out.
She didn't know the target's location. She just didn't need to anymore.
"Yue Ge, do you know the difference between humans and monsters?" Bai Ya asked as she walked.
"Difference?" Yue Ge paused slightly.
"Yeah. The core difference between being human and being a monster. Humans can use Essence too, yet we're fundamentally different." Bai Ya glanced back.
Yue Ge stayed silent. Not because he wouldn't answer—he simply couldn't react to what he saw.
Unable to think. Unable to comprehend. Unable to move.
"The difference," Bai Ya looked up, "is who's the hunter and who's the prey."
Something crouched in the ruins of a shop. Empty shelves hung on the spikes of its back, forming a small mountain. Even seated, it nearly brushed the ceiling. The massive monster crunched steel, making terrifying *crunch-crunch* sounds. An undeniable presence—that was a true monster.
But what froze Yue Ge wasn't the beast itself. It was the thick black mist oozing from its body, warping the space around it.
"Step back—Yue Ge, what's wrong?" Bai Ya asked, alarmed by his state.
If it were just fear, she'd understand. But Yue Ge didn't look afraid.
Instead, his face was blank, staring expressionlessly at the monster. His pupils were slightly dilated. That emptiness sent a chill through Bai Ya—it felt like the person before her wasn't the Yue Ge she knew, but something else entirely.
Only when Little Ash pushed his hand away and jumped down did Yue Ge snap back. He gripped a railing and vomited. He didn't know why, but after emptying his stomach, he felt better. Then he glanced at the monster and vomited again.
It felt like a torrent of blackness flooded his mind, swallowing him whole. He couldn't process anything.
"...Are you okay?" Bai Ya knew it was a stupid question. She couldn't grasp why he reacted this way. She felt nothing looking at the monster, but one glance shattered him. Clearly, it wasn't the monster's fault.
"Fine... ugh..." Yue Ge covered his eyes, turning away from the beast. "I should rest."
"Leave it to me. Take Little Ash too," Bai Ya nodded. She'd deal with Yue Ge later. First, the monster. One thing puzzled her—they'd talked for so long, yet the creature hadn't stirred. As if it hadn't noticed them.
Only when she reached its back did the monster finally sense something. It turned clumsily. It resembled a pangolin, covered in jagged spikes. Razor-sharp claws shielded most of its body. Its face was grotesque, jagged teeth jutting out. A creature impossible in nature.
A true monster.
People rarely named monsters. At best, they categorized them by appearance or traits. Only "High Danger Class" or "Divine Class" monsters earned names—and those were exceedingly rare.
This one wasn't.
"Get back in your cage," Bai Ya said, reaching toward the monster.
