Tian Lu’s work shift had ended.
He walked back in, silent as always.
Hao pointed at Tian Lu with his thumb, then waved casually at the others.
“This is Tian Lu.”
“A new store guardian.”
Mo Xixi looked up from her seat, her noodle cup still steaming.
Her face stayed neutral, but she instinctively clenched the chopsticks a little harder.
Kurome raised a paw without standing up, gaze sharp. ’Another store guardian like me?’
The two of them took a quick measure of Tian Lu. They both felt it. There was no hiding it – his strength was obvious.
Power.
Heavy and solid like a mountain.
Whether he couldn’t or was intentionally making it known, it was hard to tell.
Mo Xixi’s guard shot up.
For a moment, she was ready to vanish into the storage room.
But she relaxed just as quickly.
Another employee.
Boss hired a strong one again.
Even stronger than her. By far.
She already knew she was the youngest in the store.
Barely thirteen. Already at the Heavenly King Realm.
Stronger than most peak geniuses in her age.
Even so… compared to Tian Lu, she felt like a toddler holding a wooden stick.
It frustrated her.
Not the feeling of weakness – but the reminder that she was still far from the top.
’Hmph.’
She turned away like she didn’t care.
The kittens froze mid-pounce.
Their fur stood on end.
One of them meowed. Short and sharp.
Tian Lu stared back.
Then nodded.
No hostility. Just acknowledgment.
Hao smiled and clapped his hands once.
“Let me introduce you too.”
He pointed at the small girl.
“That’s Mo Xixi. Our youngest store crew member.”
Mo Xixi put down her chopsticks and crossed her arms.
“Hmpf. Even if I’m the youngest, you’re still the newest.”
“So that makes you my junior, got it?”
Tian Lu blinked.
Then gave a small nod.
“…Understood.”
He knew who this was. Not by face, but by reputation.
If it was really her…
Mo Xixi.
Heir of the Ashen Curse Cult.
Many years ago, someone offered him a mission – to kill her.
He refused immediately.
The Ashen Curse Cult wasn’t just demonic. It was terrifying.
They could make your body rot from the inside, curse your bloodline, and worse.
Even if he succeeded, he’d be hunted for life.
But the sect crumbled on its own.
He thought she died with it.
And yet, here she was.
Alive. Safe. Working in a store.
Tian Lu could feel Mo Xixi’s strength. She had to be far beyond a mere prodigy to have reached the Heavenly King Realm at such a young age.
He was intrigued by this kid.
He couldn’t help but wonder how his employer had managed to recruit someone like her.
Hao gestured toward the black cat beside Mo Xixi.
“This is Kurome.”
“The first store guardian.”
“You two will be switching shifts. Morning or night, talk it out between yourselves.”
Tian Lu glanced.
A normal-looking housecat.
But only in appearance.
He could feel it.
This was no ordinary beast.
This was a spirit beast.
A powerful one.
Not weaker than him.
Perhaps even stronger.
Spirit beasts were different from humans.
Their cultivation path followed instinct and bloodline.
Some were born strong. Others awakened terrifying gifts through age and enlightenment.
Their stage might show one realm, but their true combat power could reach far beyond.
This cat gave off that kind of pressure.
A long-lived creature, cloaked in shadows.
A voice entered his mind.
Elegant. Calm. Ancient.
’Greetings, Tian. May I take the night shift?’
’I am stronger when the sun goes down.’
Tian Lu’s gaze flickered.
Stronger at night?
A nocturnal spirit beast?
A shadow-born existence?
Then slowly nodded.
“I.”
“Agree.”
“Greetings, too.”
He had no problem with the arrangement.
Guarding during the day was enough.
If he could gain favor with a spirit beast like this, all the better.
He valued strength.
And those who knew when to speak.
And when to stay silent.
’Thank you, Lu.’
’I’ll repay this favor when the time comes.’
Tian Lu gave a quiet nod.
“No.”
“Need.”
“All.”
“Fair.”
He turned and walked toward the counter.
Tian Lu bowed.
“Appreciate.”
“Employer.”
Hao blinked.
Face full of confusion.
“…Huh?”
“What is it, Lu?”
Tian Lu didn’t answer immediately.
Instead, he reached into his storage ring.
He took out two items.
An empty can of Peach Oolong Tea.
And an empty bag of Original Salted Potato Chips.
“This.”
He placed them gently on the counter, as if they were treasures.
Hao stared.
Then stared some more.
Few hour ago. When Tian Lu had stepped outside the store for patrol.
The wind brushed against his neck.
And just like always, the pressure in his chest began to swell.
Something deep within him stirred again.
Dark. Chaotic. Violent.
He clenched his jaw and sat by the alley wall.
A bead of sweat dripped down.
This feeling –
It had haunted him for years.
Like a curse that never faded.
He had endured it.
Day after day.
Pain. Madness. An itch in the soul.
But today, when it began… he had already opened a drink.
A bag of chips in hand.
He took a sip, something changed.
A warmth spread through his chest, like quiet sunlight rising in his veins.
He paused.
Then kept drinking.
Each swallow calmed something deeper.
Then the chips.
Crunch after crunch. Nothing at first.
But the moment he finished the last one –
Everything hit at once.
The storm in his chest quieted. The tightness in his thoughts loosened.
No pain. No rage. No torment.
For the first time in a long time… he felt human.
It was temporary.
But it was enough.
Enough for him to feel like he wasn’t falling apart for once.
Enough for him to feel like he wasn’t fighting every breath.
That brief moment of peace was like stepping into paradise.
A small taste of what life could be without pain.
It was precious.
He looked at Hao.
“More.” Tian Lu said.
Hao wasn’t offended.
At this point, he was already used to Tian Lu’s “single-word dictionary.”
This man probably thought emotions were optional DLC.
“The chips and tea?”
Tian Lu nodded once.
Hao raised a brow.
He had no problem with the tea.
But the chips…
He turned to the system. ’System, does the Original Salted Potato Chips count as a meal for employees?’