"Where is this little girl heading anyway?"

Blending into the crowd behind Coco, Lü Xiaodao grew impatient. Coco was leading Rollroll aimlessly—turning at one street corner, then another—making him dizzy.

"Bro Xiaodao, do you think she’s spotted us?" Zhang asked hesitantly. "This feels like someone trying to shake off a tail."

Lü Xiaodao’s face darkened. "Impossible. We’ve stayed so far back. She couldn’t have noticed."

"Not so sure," Zhang replied. "You’ve seen that dog’s weirdness. Its owner probably isn’t ordinary either."

"I get it. We can’t wait any longer," Lü Xiaodao said. "No more waiting for the little girl and that mutt to split up. We strike now." He pulled out a strange metal rod, its tip studded with odd bumps.

"Bro Xiaodao, what are you doing?!" Zhang’s face paled. "Even after your heartbreak, don’t take it out on a little girl!"

"What nonsense are you spouting?" Lü Xiaodao scowled. "This rod’s just a spatial lockdown device. It seals an area temporarily. What did you think it was?"

"Uh…" Zhang turned away awkwardly.

Lü Xiaodao dropped the topic. "We move at the next intersection. I’ll set things up first."

…

"Hmph. With my genius, I’ll find my way home," Coco muttered stubbornly at yet another unfamiliar street corner, her head spinning but her tone defiant.

Rollroll, tongue lolling out in a dopey daze, obediently followed. Coco had ordered him not to lead, just to tag along. He’d noticed they were heading completely opposite home, but he wouldn’t hint at it—she’d kick his butt if he did.

Coco tugged Rollroll’s leash, utterly lost but unafraid. Rollroll gave her courage. When chubby nerds leered at her, she glared back fiercely, unaware how adorably her slight anger made them feel electrified.

"So cute!"

"That little girl’s looking at me! She’s in love!" The nerds argued, then instantly fought over who she’d glanced at.

"Hmph." Coco watched them brawl, puzzled but smug. *One look from me makes these lowlifes turn on each other?*

As the nerds clashed, Lü Xiaodao and Zhang circled ahead to the next intersection. Lü Xiaodao pulled out the rod under shocked stares.

He pressed its central button and raised it like an Ultraman transformation device. An electronic barrier flared around him.

People nearby grew dazed, eyes glazed over. Like zombies, they shuffled out of the barrier.

Coco stepped inside just as the barrier sealed, flashing like an electric cage. Outside, the street looked normal—passersby instinctively avoided the space.

Coco froze, staring at the suddenly empty street and the two smirking men. Her small hand gripped Rollroll’s leash tightly.

Rollroll’s fur bristled. A low growl rumbled in his throat as he glared at the men.

"Mutts don’t expect to be caught, huh?" Lü Xiaodao hissed, his rage volcanic again. Rollroll’s humiliation haunted him like a shadow.

He summoned his War Spirit flying dagger. Infected by his fury, it glowed faintly red.

Zhang summoned his War Spirit too, smashing a metal orb to the ground. High-tech armor encased him instantly.

"Rollroll, when did you piss off these creeps?" Coco saw their evil grins and Lü Xiaodao’s weird rod. Fear flickered on her face, but she forced calm.

"Woof! Woof!" Rollroll barked.

"Speak human!" Coco snapped, pouting.

Rollroll blinked, hurt.

Coco flushed. "Fine! Handle your own mess. Beat them up and take me home!" she ordered.

*Two days indoors, and the streets are this dangerous? Brother’s side is safer.*

"Bro Xiaodao, this dog’s mocking us," Zhang rumbled from his armored shell.

"I see it," Lü Xiaodao growled, face greener. "It’s flirting with a little girl while cornered? Today, I’ll teach it how to be a proper dog."

Before Zhang processed that, Lü Xiaodao attacked. His red dagger swelled, splitting into a blade of light aimed at Rollroll’s head.

Coco yelped—but a Black Cauldron blocked the strike above Rollroll.

"Rollroll, crush them! How dare they attack me? Show them some color!" Coco grinned, stroking his head.

"Don’t get cocky, brat," Lü Xiaodao snarled, greener with rage. He channeled Spirit Energy. The giant dagger multiplied into a terrifying storm of blades.

Rollroll just patted his Black Cauldron dismissively. It swelled massively, then slammed down, swallowing the flying daggers whole.

Zhang sprang into action. His armor thrusters fired, circling the barrier to ambush Coco from behind. He lunged to tackle her.

A Green Cauldron floated behind her. Hearing the rush, Coco turned—and saw Zhang blast his arm thrusters forward to dodge it. The opposing forces spun him skyward like a top.

Dizzy, Zhang stabilized midair. He wouldn’t risk approaching Coco again; the Green Cauldron hovered protectively near her.

*No green lid on my head. No grassy field sprouting up there—even without a girlfriend, that pot feels unnaturally scary.*

Lü Xiaodao raged, hurling daggers at the giant Black Cauldron shielding Rollroll. *Clatter-clatter-clatter!* The nonstop clangs sounded like a cafeteria cook ruining dinner.

"How strong is this cauldron’s Spirit Energy?!" Lü Xiaodao fumed. His strikes could pierce alloy walls—yet not a single crack marred the Black Cauldron.