Chapter 777: White Hair, Red Eyes, a Chinese Person's Specialty!
"Oripathy... it's truly gone."
The words hung heavy in the sterile air of the medical bay. After running the diagnostics for what felt like the hundredth time, Kal'tsit finally stepped back from the monitors. Her usually impassive feline features betrayed a flicker of absolute disbelief. The impossible had just been confirmed.
Beside her, Amiya's rabbit ears twitched, her eyes wide with shock. "Dr. Kal'tsit... are you saying Specter's Oripathy is completely cured?"
Gravel crossed her arms, a deep frown marring her features as she eyed the humming equipment. "Could there be a malfunction with the detection machine?"
Blaze aggressively scratched the back of her head, her tail swishing in agitation. "Hold on a second. There's literally no known method to cure Oripathy anywhere in Terra, right?"
The Doctor, hidden beneath their heavy coat and visor, leaned against the wall. "Indeed," they murmured, their voice carrying a deep weight. "Not in Terra."
Kal'tsit's expression twisted into a complicated knot of professional awe and deep-seated caution. She had spent her impossibly long life searching for a cure, only to have the answer casually dropped into her lap. But this miracle didn't come from medical science. It came entirely from Ren's unfathomable power.
A soft rustle of bedsheets drew their attention.
"Excuse me," a gentle, lucid voice chimed in. Specter sat up on the examination bed. The manic, fractured light that usually haunted her eyes was completely gone, replaced by a serene clarity. "May I go find my companions now?"
Kal'tsit offered a slow, silent nod.
The moment the heavy medical bay doors hissed shut behind the Abyssal Hunter, Kal'tsit's demeanor hardened into cold, absolute authority. "Notify all elite operators and core personnel," she commanded sternly. "Rhodes Island, emergency meeting. Now."
Up on the sprawling observation deck of Rhodes Island, the biting winds of the barren wastelands whipped through the air. Ren leaned casually against the cold metal railing, letting the harsh breeze ruffle his hair. He gazed out at the desolate, sweeping expanse of Terra stretching out to the horizon.
"So this is the infamous land of Terra..." he muttered, clicking his tongue in mild amusement. "Tsk, tsk. What a bleak little rock."
Flanking him were two stunning figures: Skadi and Gladiia. The two Abyssal Hunters exchanged a brief, silent glance, completely failing to understand the reason behind his dramatic sigh.
The howling wind filled the long silence between them until Gladiia finally stepped forward, her elegant posture impeccable. "Mr. Ren," she began, her usually haughty tone softened by genuine respect. "Thank you for saving Laurentina."
She hadn't yet seen the official medical reports from Kal'tsit's rigorous examinations, but her instincts—honed by years of brutal survival—told her the truth. She firmly believed that this mysterious man had achieved the impossible and truly healed her comrade.
Ren didn't even turn around. He just lazily waved a hand in the air. "No need for the formalities. After all, you two already agreed to pay the price."
Skadi tilted her head, her long silver hair catching the dull sunlight. "What exactly do we need to do?" she asked, her voice flat but resolute. If he demanded they slaughter a small army or dive into a nest of Seaborn to complete a suicidal mission, she wouldn't even blink.
Unfortunately for her combat-oriented mind, Ren didn't have any grand, bloody quests lined up. He didn't need their monstrous physical strength or their combat prowess. Honestly, compared to what they could do on a battlefield, Ren was far more interested in them.
"May I ask what kind of price we are discussing?"
The sudden, melodic voice drifted over from behind the trio.
"Laurentina!" Skadi and Gladiia spun around in unison.
There, walking across the metal deck with a graceful, serene elegance that had been missing for years, was Laurentina.
Ren finally pushed himself off the railing and turned to face her. His eyes swept over her poised figure, taking in the calm clarity radiating from her. "It seems you've recovered beautifully," he remarked with a satisfied smirk.
Laurentina stopped a few paces away. Her deep, wine-red eyes locked onto Ren, shimmering with deep gratitude. "Mr. Ren," she spoke softly, placing a hand over her heart. "I have already been informed. You didn't just mend my fractured mind... you completely eradicated my Oripathy."
A faint, teasing smile graced her lips. "I couldn't help but overhear your conversation just now. Since I am the one who benefited from your miracle, may I pay this mysterious price myself?"
Ren raised a single, amused eyebrow. He looked at Skadi, then Gladiia, and finally back to Laurentina. "You're all rushing to throw yourselves onto the altar to pay off this debt. Since you're so eager... why not just pay it together?"
"Together?" The three Abyssal Hunters blinked, momentarily stunned by the sheer audacity of the suggestion.
Before they could process his words, Ren stepped forward. With smooth, practiced movements, he grabbed them by their shoulders and pulled all three stunning women into a tight cluster right next to him. He casually lifted his hand, summoned the Chat Group interface, and snapped a crystal-clear photo.
[Ren uploaded an image.]
Skadi tilted her head again, thoroughly confused by the floating holographic screen that only Ren seemed to be interacting with. She had no idea what he was doing.
Meanwhile, across the multiverse, the members of the Doomsday Chat Group were equally bewildered.
[March 7th: "Eh? Why did you suddenly drop a picture of three gorgeous girls into the chat?"]
[Kiana: "Did your finger slip? Were you trying to send that to someone else?"]
[Shinobu Kocho: "If I recall correctly, Ren-kun was supposed to be in Ch'en's world, wasn't he?"]
[Bronya: "Logically speaking, he should have returned by now."]
[Artoria: "No, it has already been two full days since he departed."]
[Saeko Busujima: "Then he must still be in Lungmen, keeping Ch'en company."]
[Exusiai: "Wait, hold up! Look at the background! That's a barren wasteland. That is definitely NOT Lungmen!"]
[Ch'en: "Ren, did you leave Lungmen?!"]
[Ren: "Sure did."]
[Ch'en: "Why didn't you say anything to me?!"]
[Ren: "Skadi asked me for a little favor, so I took a quick trip over to Rhodes Island."]
[Ch'en: "Rhodes Island... that pharmaceutical company? Ugh, fine. Just remember to come back early. We have an engagement banquet to attend today."]
[Ren: "Don't worry, my dear. I'll be there right on time."]
[March 7th: "???"]
[Vivi: "Eh?!"]
[Silvia: "Wait, wait, wait! I think I just read something absolutely incredible!"]
[Exusiai: "Engagement?! With who?!"]
[Ren: "Should I break the news, or do you want the honors, Ch'en?"]
[Ch'en: "Ugh... I-I'll say it. I am getting engaged. To Ren."]
[Emma: "Oh my goodness, how amazing! This means you two are officially becoming husband and wife!"]
[Silver Wolf: "Tsk, tsk. As expected of our resident degenerate."]
[Kushina: "Congratulations, new sister! Welcome to the family!"]
[Tingyun: "This little fox also offers her warmest congratulations to the happy couple~"]
[Exusiai: "AH??? Madam Ch'en is marrying Ren?! This kind of thing..."]
[Ch'en: "What? Do you have a problem with it?"]
[Exusiai: "No, no, no! This is fantastic!!!"]
[Ch'en: "???"]
[Exusiai: "Think about it! If Madam Ch'en and Ren are together, that means she's basically family with me now!"]
[Exusiai: "And since we're family, if Penguin Logistics accidentally violates a few minor city regulations in the future, we can just use our connections to get off the hook! Nepotism for the win!"]
[Seitenshi: "Um... isn't that the textbook definition of abusing power for personal gain?"]
[Tsunade: "Not necessarily. I do it all the time in the village."]
[Kushina: "...Is it possible that you are just a terrible Hokage who abuses her power for personal gain?"]
[Ch'en: "..."]
Back in Lungmen, thick, angry veins throbbed visibly on Ch'en's forehead. She gripped her terminal so hard the casing groaned under the pressure. The thought process of the lunatics at Penguin Logistics was truly on a completely different wavelength. She genuinely couldn't fathom how a man as dangerously capable as Ren could fancy such an unapologetic idiot.
[Ch'en: "Hmph! Don't even think about it, Exusiai! I will absolutely NOT abuse my authority for your personal gain! On the contrary, now that we're 'family,' I am going to supervise and reform Penguin Logistics even more strictly!"]
[Exusiai: "???"]
[Tokisaki Kurumi: "Oh my~ Am I the only one who noticed that the three lovely ladies in the picture Ren sent do not include our dear Ch'en?"]
[Misaka Mikoto: "It's just a picture of beautiful women! He's just being a massive pervert again!"]
[Stella: "Does this specific picture have some sort of hidden meaning?"]
[Ren: "Take a closer look. Don't you guys notice anything special about them?"]
[Furina: "Ugh... Besides the fact that they're all ridiculously pretty? I have no idea."]
[Erza: "Perhaps they possess immense physical strength?"]
[Skadi: "Sorry to disappoint, but my strength is considered very weak in this chat."]
[Kiana: "Then it has to be their outfits! They all look super distinctive and cool!"]
[Ren: "Completely wrong."]
[Ren: "Look closely at their features! All three of them have white hair and red eyes!"]
[Rory Mercury: "Oh, it's true. White hair and beautiful, striking red eyes. A lovely combination."]
[Aqua: "So what if they have white hair and red eyes? They're still nowhere near as good-looking as my divine blue hair and blue eyes! Hmph!"]
[Aqua: "You mortals simply don't understand the supreme charm of the Goddess of Water~"]
[Ren: "Heh. There's an old saying where I come from: 'White hair and red eyes are a special attack against Chinese people.' It's a cultural weakness."]
[Durandal: "Are you implying that their specific appearance makes them highly attractive to you?"]
[Tatsumaki: "He's just a peeping tom pervert. Gross."]
[Ren: "Is there a possibility that all three of them are already mine?"]
[Kiana: "???"]
[Tushan Honghong: "Hmm. It seems there is going to be far more competition than just Ch'en."]
[Ch'en: "..."]
Back in her office, Ch'en rubbed her jaw, suddenly feeling a phantom toothache flaring up. She had only just accepted her own engagement, and her plate was already overflowing. Originally, having to deal with Hoshiguma, that 'Char Siu Cat'Swire, the'Stinky Rat' Lin Yushia, and Shirayuki was already frustrating enough. Now, this shameless man was casually bringing three more white-haired, red-eyed women into the fold.
She let out a long, exhausted sigh, wondering exactly what kind of chaotic future she had just signed up for.
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