Chapter 27: The Banner of Shame
Grass.
Banner?!
And it was given by the military police?!
Raven was shocked.
He moved closer to take a closer look at the banner—ideally, he'd take a photo for posterity. However, just as he took a step forward, the bodyguard snatched the banner away, crumpling it into a ball, preventing him from seeing it.
Raven clicked his tongue, "Don't be so stingy, let me see it again."
The bodyguard gave him a weary glance, his eyes full of a mysterious, almost divine pity.
Raven: "?"
Why so much drama with just one look?
"Do you have any business here?" The bodyguard asked coldly from the steps.
Raven paid no heed to his coldness and even smiled, "To confirm the details of our cooperation."
The bodyguard took a deep drag from his cigarette, "Our boss says he's not interested."
Raven was surprised, "He doesn't want compensation?"
"Compensation?"
The bodyguard paused, his gaze becoming even more sympathetic.
He held back, but couldn't resist speaking louder, "You came to talk about compensation?"
Raven frowned slightly, "What else?"
"..."
I've never seen someone so eager to be humiliated.
The bodyguard was silent for a moment before standing up, "Come in."
When Raven arrived under the eaves, Fenix had already changed into a yellow outfit and was lounging on a beach chair facing the ocean, sunbathing and playing.
On the beach chair was a soft cushion where the little kitten sat, wearing a terminal around his neck, fiercely gnawing on a dried fish treat beneath his paws.
With such determination, one might think he had a deep grudge against the treat.
Indeed.
Blood feud, tooth-breaking hate!
Those who haven't experienced it won't understand!
Fenix held the treat down, bit the edge, and tore off a piece. With the piece in his mouth, he looked pleased, his tail tip curling upward.
Chewing the fragment, Fenix wagged his tail happily, satisfied and ready to lie down. But he turned to see the bodyguard enter and spotted Raven following behind him.
Fenix immediately became enraged, kicked the treat away, stood on the cushion, and bared his teeth at the guest.
But how could Raven be afraid of a tiny kitten?
He walked over and said to Lion, "Your little friend doesn't seem to like me."
Lion glanced at Fenix, "Just animal instincts, proving you aren't a good person."
Raven laughed, pulled over a stool, and sat down, "Let's continue discussing our cooperation."
"Meow!"
Cooperation my ass!
First, compensate us!
The reward for the report was still processing, but the rabbit's money could be extorted first.
Fenix jumped onto the table, clutching the treat, and patted the table, "Meowao!"
Lion took the treat from his mouth, slowly tearing it apart, then pulled out a napkin, wrapped the pieces, and handed it to Fenix, "Go play somewhere else."
Fenix instinctively grabbed the napkin, then slowly formed a question mark.
Fenix couldn't believe it.
With the enemy here!
Boss, how can you ask me to go play elsewhere!
Fenix held the napkin, "Mewao!"
Go play somewhere else, I will!
Fenix turned and entered the house, hiding in a room, angrily tearing into the napkin and quickly finishing the treats inside before starting to fiddle with the terminal.
Upon opening the terminal, Fenix saw a flurry of messages in the dorm group chat. Alfred had finally received a formal offer from Lion Corp., securing his internship.
It was good news!
Affectionate Room 302 (4)
Fenix: "Wow, Alfred has finally turned over a new leaf and become a working dog!"
Alfred: "Today, I'm feeling generous, so I won't beat you up."
Fenix: "As if you could beat me."
Alfred: "Prove it by giving me your address."
Fenix chuckled, ran to the window, snapped a photo of the endless blue ocean, and proudly showed off to his friends.
Fenix: "Vacationing at BluBay's private hotel with the boss, hehe."
Alfred: "Holy cow."
Derek: "Grass, something smells!"
Lancelot: "Heavens! It's the smell of jealousy!"
Fenix held the terminal, feeling the envy surrounding his three friends, instantly forgetting about Lion sending him away. He lay back on the window sill, his hind legs dangling.
Fenix typed: "Here's another shocker—only Awakeners can enter unless they are staff or brought here by the boss."
The chat fell silent for a moment before erupting with envy.
Fenix gleefully read their jibes and curses, typing, "Deal with it or die, Fenix's luck is just that good."
Derek: "Based on my years of experience, this kind of provocation usually ends with you getting beaten up."
Fenix looked at his paws, remembering his Awakener status, and puffed up, pointing out, "Hah, you puny dogs, you can't beat me!"
Damn!
The other three exclaimed together.
Derek: "Is he on something today?"
Alfred: "Maybe he's blowing up like a balloon."
Lancelot agreed: "This little brother needs a good beating."
Lancelot typed passionately: "Alfred, send a red envelope!"
Alfred: "Didn't you want to teach the little brother?"
Derek: "Teaching is important, but red envelopes are essential too."
Lancelot: "Perfect! Derek understands me. Kids make choices, adults want it all!"
Damn.
Alfred cursed again.
Checking his social account balance: "My social account has no balance."
Lancelot: "Stop it, you demon! Don't try to escape!"
Derek: "Such an old excuse."
Fenix saw his social account with a grand total of fifty dollars, perked up, and typed: "I have money in my social account. Here's a deal: you transfer money to my wealth account, I'll transfer it to you via social account, and I'll charge you only 50% commission. Is this deal reasonable?"
Alfred: "What kind of business genius are you?"
Derek: "I'll charge 49%, good for both brothers!"
Lancelot: "Jumping price, only 30%, supports over two hundred currencies worldwide."
Alfred couldn't take it: "Get lost!! What are you thinking?!"
Fenix sighed.
A real man shouldn't hesitate when sending a red envelope, what's the point of being so indecisive!
Before he finished his sigh, a red envelope appeared in the chat.
Fenix clicked it at lightning speed.
The red envelope read: "Red envelope fully claimed, try again next time~"
?
???
Lost a billion!
Fenix checked the details and saw that Alfred's 88.88 red envelope had only three slots!
Three!!
Damn.
Alfred is ruthless!!
Fenix took a deep breath: "You don't need to gang up on your brother who isn't on the same network as you!"
Lancelot calmly replied: "This is the harsh reality of adulthood, Fenix, learn from it."
...Fine.
From today on, don't expect to see whole energy orbs or whole chickens!
Fenix stormed into their virtual farms, slaughtering chickens and dogs, and after watching the carnage, smugly fenced off his own farm.
The trio reacted with fury!
The trio: "Fenix!!!!"
"In the cruel world of adults, you weaklings should learn from this."
Fenix closed the chat window, feeling relieved.
Ah, so refreshing.
Fenix felt rejuvenated, even feeling less annoyed by Raven.
The kitten skipped out of the room, heading for the kitchen, hoping to sneak a snack.
But as soon as he entered, he was startled by the bloody scene on the countertop.
Two rows of rabbit heads were neatly arranged, coated in oil and spices, marinating.
Fenix stared at the rabbit heads, feeling a chill.
...
Lion and Raven sat across from each other.
Lion sipped his tea calmly, "And yet, you still come to me. What did Asmodeus do to you?"
Raven's smile faded, turning cold, "He wants to invade my home planet."
No wonder.
Lion nodded.
Raven was known for his nostalgia and love for his home.
Although his current home was mostly the base of the pirate group, he had a deep affection for his birth planet.
Lion recalled that when Raven rose to power, his first action was to protect that planet.
Asmodeus choosing Raven's favorite planet was a recipe for conflict.
No wonder Raven sought an alliance with him.
If Fenix heard their conversation, he would realize that the main plot was unfolding once again.
While Athena in their world was absorbed in her idol career and uninterested in romance, the main plot points still occurred.
For instance, the conflict between Asmodeus and Raven.
In the main plotChapter fifteen, the events that truly influenced the universe included three significant points:
First, the military god of a neighboring nation was seriously injured and had to retire temporarily.
Second, the conflict between Asmodeus and Raven.
Third, the hidden darkness within a famous actor.
These main plot points essentially created opportunities for Athena to develop romantic relationships with various characters.
In this highly free-form holographic otome game, the only fixed elements were the main plots. Side plots were unpredictable and varied widely.
For example, Athena, with her unique character, showed no interest in any of the colorful men.
Even two-thirds through the main plot, Athena continued to sing praises to the muse goddess, completely absorbed in her career, showing a "get lost, stinky men" attitude.
But none of this concerned Fenix.
He cared neither about the universe's fate nor Athena's romantic interests.
Instead, he wondered if there would be anything besides rabbit heads for dinner tonight.
Fenix, you've underestimated your boss.
Never thought you'd be so petty despite your noble demeanor.
Fenix turned and left the kitchen, heading toward Lion, overhearing him finalizing the cooperation with Raven.
Raven put on a weak, helpless, herbivore-like smile, looking at the approaching kitten, and asked, "Little one, interested in changing sides?"
Fenix was stunned.
Lion showed no emotion.
"What did Lion promise you? I'll give you double—no, triple!"
Fenix's body shook.
Triple!
Triple the amount!
Ten thousand times three is thirty thousand!
Heaven, how did he suddenly become part of the high society, capable of buying an apartment in Marina City?
No, no, no, no.
Fenix, stay calm.
Raven is a space pirate!
How can you join the pirates?
But... if he really offers... triple...
Fenix's heart raced.
Lion noticed Fenix's wavering, picked him up, and shook him slightly, saying unhappily, "What are you thinking?"
"Mew."
Fenix licked his nose.
Nothing much.
Just... a little tempted.
Raven sensed an opportunity and accused Lion, "Don't interfere with his decision. As an Awakener, he should choose his own path."
Lion looked at Raven's inciting behavior and snorted disdainfully.
Fenix dangled in mid-air, all four paws suspended.
He took a deep breath, felt his conscience fluttering wildly, and extended his front paws toward Raven, spreading them wide.
"?" Raven raised his eyebrows high, "Ten times?"
?
Can you count?
Fenix only had four toes on one paw!
But if you want to add two more times, Fenix wouldn't mind.
Seriously.
Never seen such an eager employer offering a salary increase.
Fenix looked at Raven, nodded seriously, and slowly extended his hind paws.
Fenix's conscience is worth it!
Raven: ?
How drunk are you?
Lion chuckled.
Raven was incredulous, "Kids these days are so arrogant..."
Before he finished, the bodyguard, looking exhausted, led a uniformed officer into the room.
Raven was stunned, stood up abruptly, and turned to look at Lion, who was calmly sipping tea and petting Fenix.
"You... damn..." you son of a—
Before Raven could finish, the uniformed officer approached with a beaming smile, saluting Lion.
"Thank you, Mr. Lion. We've confirmed the location you reported—it's a temporary base of the Raven pirate group. Though we didn't catch the criminals, we gained valuable clues. Thank you for your report!"
The officer indicated everyone to look at the door.
Two robots carrying a plaque walked in.
Fenix turned and saw the plaque inscribed with eight characters:
Guardian of Justice
Police and Public United
Below were smaller characters:
Mr. Lion's report leads to a reward of 1.3 million credits.
Fenix's eyes widened.
He immediately withdrew the paws he had extended to Raven, staring at the words in awe, and bit his tail hard.
Grass!
Ouch!
Not dreaming!
Fenix rubbed his poor tail, gazing longingly at the sum.
My goodness!
Fenix had never seen so much money in his life!
Raven turned to look at Lion in disbelief.
Lion gave him a serene smile.
Raven: "..."
...Damn it!
You're so sly!!!
Translation and title added.