FEYBOUND.

The disciples hesitated, contemplating the risk. If Yang Yi found out, they would face punishment. Erin watched their glances, the smile on his lips widening. Such a beautiful smile, the disciples stared transfixed, at this point, they would be willing to lay their life down for him.

"It'll be our honor." They bowed and dropped Rion on the ground, the sudden jolt sent a sharp wave of pain through Rion

Erin jutted his bottom lip. "I thought I would have to use this". Black specks of powder fell from his palm, instantly eroding the grass beneath his feet on contact.

The disciples paled,they almost forgot this seemingly beautiful boy could kill them all easily.

Turning around after a final bow, they run away. "Good, I won't have to make a trip down to the slave market. I was so close, another trial surely".

Rion's hands grip into the soft soil, at least in the Pit, there's hope unlike in the clutches of this mad scientist. Erin grabs his foot and drags him, whistling a cherry, uplifting tone Rion felt was inappropriate.

He was being dragged to his inevitable torment, he didn't need a theme song, an unnecessarily happy one, at this angle, he could only glare at the back of his tormentor's head.

The uneven path dug into his back, in his condition the journey would kill him before the experiment, since he reincarnated into this body, nothing had gone right. In this world, humans weren't the top of the food chain, instead they were subjected to slavery and hunted for sport.

His identity is illiterate, conceived in the mines as a part of sanctioned inbreeding, in other circumstances, he would be happy to be leaving the boundaries of the mines but the ominous reality wore him down.

"I wonder how Yang Yi will react after he discovers I have his pet". Erin soliloquy. The thought of Yang Yi's red face and indignation made him chuckle, in due time, he would no longer be afraid of him.

He had found a technique outside the pack, [Blood spores]. He hadn't fully comprehended it, and needed to carry out experiments. It had the potential of granting him patterned- fey level combat prowess. Without heaven-defying cultivation talent, Erin could only rely on unorthodox means.

"Huh". The vitality of his specimen depleting fast, he might not make it back to his chambers. "Don't die on me, you wretched thing".

Hesitation flashes in his eye before he grits his teeth. A cork-shaped vial materialized in Erin's hand, the murky-green liquid inside glowing with the vitality of freshly sprouted leaves, Erin forced Rion's mouth open and poured the liquid down his throat.

The vitality surged through his body, making his cells tingle. His bleeding injuries closed, leaving no scars behind, if Rion could see inwardly, he would see his broken ribs enclosed in a verdant, green glow, realigning. Whatever he just drank is good stuff.

Erin narrowed his eyes, he had wasted a First Grade vitality potion. His consecutive experiments has cleaned him out, if this didn't work out, he might have to return to the pack and carry out some tasks for money.

"You're awake". Pretending to be unconscious, the audacity of this trash. "Stand up, or I'll kill you. One, Two, Thr-". Erin gritted his teeth.

"I'm awake". His voice sounded husky and scratchy to his ears.

Rion looked closely at the face staring at him, His sexual orientation is normal, yet he felt his heartstrings tug, spacing out momentarily.

Thawk!!!

The heavy knock on his head made Rion's eyes water. "Did I get the dumb one?" Erin murmured under his breath, the technique didn't specify any need for intelligence

Would a low IQ affect the success of his experiment? That would be unfortunate, he didn't have the time or patience to educate him.

He made a motion at Rion, mimicking their walking together. Rion narrows his eye, making a constipated expression, did this villain think he's retarded? Maybe he should play dumb—He might be underestimated, he'll think I'm harmless. It's not much, but it's all I have.

He stands up glumly, walking half a step behind Erin along a secluded path.

They had passed the borders and were walking deeper into the Endless Forest, Erin seemed more carefree, taking his sweet time. The sounds of the beasts grew more distant, the occasional bird wasn't flying around.

He considered the feasibility of escape. A sense of dread enveloping him when he thought of running, Erin was likely more observant than he seemed

A quiet house sits in the woods, with brightly colored wooden walls and a curved roof. Animal-shaped paper lanterns glow softly, and cherry blossoms surround it. It feels strange, like it doesn't belong, a faint dark mass of miasma forming a mist obscuring a greater part of the house.

The miasma seemed alive, pulsating in sync with the house, a faint hum vibrating through the air as if it were exhaling. Rion blanched, the sense of dread growing stronger. The miasma served as a natural barrier, but what was it meant to keep out? The beautiful boy beside him is most likely the most lethal thing in the forest.

He had noticed the deserted feeling, even wild animals knew to stay clear of this place. Could there be something more scary?

Erin pouted, this lowly human hasn't yet complimented his decor skills, what did he expect from an unsophisticated mine rat? And what was the meaning of the disdain on his face? Was it that bad?

Usually, his slaves were less expressive, mumbling incoherently and crying. He entertained the thought of tasting out his concoctions on him, but he was still needed.

He could have some fun now though, Erin stopped mid-step, an impish grin spreading across his face.

"You look tired. Let me help you rest." He teased, flicking a palmful of green powder at Rion. Rion backed away not before inhaling, nausea and drowsiness blanketed his senses, falling to his knees.

"Night, night".

Rion curled in a foetus position, wincing in pain and just before everything went black, he swore he could hear some mumblings.

"Hmm, maybe I'll redecorate… needs more pink."