After finishing the late-night meal, the Lava Demon God Crimson Beast quietly shed a tear.
"What's wrong? Don't tell me the food wasn't good?"
The Stove God Guoba looked at him in surprise.
"Crimson Beast, why are you crying?"
Qiqi put down her coconut milk and ran over, gently patting Crimson Beast's head to comfort him.
"Did you eat too much?"
Even little Yae came over to console him.
"No… it's because it's too delicious."
"I've never eaten food this good before."
"Waaah…"
"My old life was miserable. The meat from monsters and beasts was always tough and disgusting."
"But here there's not only good food—you all care about me."
"Waaah…"
At that moment, Crimson Beast was deeply moved by the warmth of the human world. Tears flowed uncontrollably.
Qiqi didn't fully understand. She only heard the part about good food.
She ran back to the table, grabbed a huge lamb leg, and brought it back.
"Here."
"…."
Crimson Beast accepted the lamb leg.
With his small paw, he effortlessly held the large piece of meat—and the heat instantly evaporated his tears.
"You're all my friends."
"I, Crimson Beast, will protect you from now on."
"If anyone dares bully you, I'll destroy their entire nation."
He looked at Qiqi, little Yae, Guoba, Guizhong, and finally toward Ren Kai in the distance.
When he signed the soul contract earlier, he had prepared himself for the worst.
He thought he would become a battle servant, endlessly fighting in wars.
Instead—
He was treated with food and hospitality.
No one treated him like a slave.
It was a feeling Crimson Beast had never experienced before.
"Hehe, Crimson Beast isn't crying anymore."
"The lamb leg is delicious, right?"
Qiqi thought the lamb leg had solved the problem.
"Liyue doesn't fight as much anymore."
"If you want to eat something, just tell me."
"It's been a long time since I've really shown off my cooking!"
Guoba laughed heartily and returned to the kitchen.
After all, the household now had a huge eater.
Crimson Beast had already eaten more than ten dishes.
As the chef, Guoba couldn't fall behind.
Of course, Guoba understood Crimson Beast's earlier words.
With Crimson Beast's power, destroying a nation would be easy.
Just walking through a country in his true form could wipe it out.
"With Mr. Madara here, who would dare bully us?"
"Better focus on eating."
Little Yae said seriously, then took two more bites of fried tofu.
"Thank you… everyone."
Crimson Beast had been lonely for far too long.
This human warmth filled him with happiness.
He silently swore to protect these friends with his life.
"This room is yours."
"Go tidy yourself up."
"You can't live the same way you did in the past forever."
Guizhong pointed toward an empty room in the courtyard.
"I…"
"Thank you."
Crimson Beast wanted to say more.
But seeing everyone smiling warmly, he swallowed his old story.
"Look at you two again."
"Your stomachs are huge."
"Crimson Beast, take them out for two laps to run it off."
Ren Kai spoke while lying in his reclining chair.
He had overheard Guizhong and came over, noticing Qiqi and Yae's round bellies.
Both girls lowered their heads to look at their stomachs.
"Alright."
"Let's digest a bit. Then we can come back and eat again."
Crimson Beast grinned.
Those sharp teeth were no longer meant for destruction—
But for protection.
"…Okay."
Qiqi and Yae said reluctantly.
Soon, Crimson Beast led the two girls out for a nighttime run.
After they left—
"Fuyun."
"Prepare several sets of clothes for Crimson Beast."
"One size smaller than mine."
Ren Kai said.
He had been observing Crimson Beast carefully.
Since the demon god had truly changed, he wanted him to enjoy life properly.
According to Rexasis's memories, Crimson Beast's human form was indeed slightly smaller than his own.
"Yes, sir."
Fuyun hurried off toward the Feiyun Commerce Guild to arrange the clothes.
"Wow, big brother, you're incredible."
"You even made the Lava Demon God completely obedient."
Guizhong said mischievously.
"He chose it himself."
"Otherwise it wouldn't have been easy."
"Some creatures are extremely difficult to kill."
"Finding their origin is even harder."
Ren Kai replied calmly.
What truly surprised him was Crimson Beast's attitude.
The change was enormous.
Six thousand years of sleep must have been unbearable.
"Come on, tell me."
"How exactly did you subdue Crimson Beast?"
Guizhong asked curiously.
"…Well."
"I clapped my hands twice and used two techniques."
"Then it was over."
Ren Kai thought back to the battle.
That was basically what had happened.
"Hmph."
"If you don't want to say it, fine."
"I'll go steal some food from the kitchen."
Guizhong pouted and ran off.
Ren Kai smelled the delicious aroma drifting from the kitchen.
"Sure enough…"
"When you're strong, you can do whatever you want."
He muttered.
You could eat whatever you wanted—whenever you wanted.
Meanwhile—
Crimson Beast followed Qiqi and little Yae through Liyue Harbor.
He walked slowly behind them, observing the bustling city.
This was the first time he had entered a human city like this.
Laughter filled the streets.
There was no war.
No fighting.
No one trying to ambush him.
Everything before his eyes filled him with emotion.
"Crimson Beast is running so slow!"
Qiqi laughed happily while running with her arms spread wide in the wind.
"…."
Little Yae rolled her eyes.
Then she looked at Crimson Beast.
You silly girl…
Didn't you notice he covers ten meters in a single step?
If he ran seriously, we'd be left far behind.
"Awroo!"
"I'm coming!"
Crimson Beast howled happily.
It was the smell of freedom.
He slightly increased his speed and ran alongside Qiqi and Yae.
Eventually they returned to the residence.
At Guizhong's suggestion, Crimson Beast entered his new room.
Inside—
He found dozens of sets of clothes.
Fuyun had prepared extras just in case the sizes didn't fit.
Seeing them, Crimson Beast once again felt warmth.
He decided to transform into human form.
A thin red-haired boy appeared naked before the mirror.
When he looked at his reflection—
His expression suddenly darkened.
His mouth opened, revealing sharp teeth.
Then he remembered Qiqi, little Yae, and everyone's kindness.
He calmed down.
Using his demon god power, he began erasing the scars on his body.
There were seventy-three scars in total.
Two large crossed scars ran across his entire face.
The largest wound stretched across his back—from his left shoulder down to his waist.
"The me of the past…"
"You can finally rest."
A tear fell from Crimson Beast's eye.
All the scars disappeared.
Finally—
He chose a red robe.
After dressing himself, he walked out of the room happily.
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