Chapter 14
More and more demons poured into Lin Ran’s livestream, and soon, a disbelieving comment appeared:
[A human? How did you get into “Demon World”? Isn’t there identity verification?] A human not only infiltrated “Demon World” but was also brazenly livestreaming.
But the demons soon realized Lin Ran wasn’t reacting to their comments. A system notification popped up:
[System Notification: Interactive permissions not yet enabled. Unable to directly communicate with the streamer.]
The demons immediately grew suspicious. Was this another ploy to get them to spend money? Perhaps paying thousands of points to unlock two-way communication?
Impossible!
The discussion in the comments abruptly shifted as something unexpected happened in the livestream.
[Oh no, the wolf cub is waking up! The human might get bitten; he’s too careless!]
[He probably doesn’t even know where he is! He’s clueless about the dangers.]
[Many demon cubs are aggressive; they’re usually very wary and hostile.]
The demons watched nervously, expecting the human’s hand to be bitten any second.
Lin Ran, however, had sensed the cub stirring and quickly finished applying the antiseptic just as it stood up.
“Awoo—” Just as the demons braced for an attack, Lin Ran offered the cub a bottle of milk.
“Good boy, want some milk?” His gentle tone, laced with amusement, made them curious about his appearance.
The wolf cub: !
Startled, it instinctively drank the milk, seeming confused at first, then quickly becoming addicted to the taste. The system shop’s cub food was truly effective.
“Awoo~” Lin Ran held the bottle, watching the cub drink, his other hand gently stroking its back, calming the still-uneasy creature. The scene was strangely heartwarming.
[Isn’t that a bit too much pampering? It’s not good for developing the cub’s wild instincts!]
[Agree +1][+2][+3]… The agreement counter quickly climbed into four digits. The comments section was flooded with disapproval. Though unspoken, the underlying sentiment was:
We were never treated so gently as cubs! Why him?!
[Damn it, my mom used her claws to groom me as a cub! It hurt like hell!] One demon shared a childhood trauma, earning widespread sympathy.
Lin Ran’s next action, however, was even more infuriating. After the cub finished drinking, he scooped it up into his arms. The cub didn’t resist, curling up in his embrace, sniffing him and nuzzling against him.
“Let’s give you a bath and brush your fur,” Lin Ran said, carrying the cub to the stream, carefully avoiding its bandaged wound.
Perhaps soothed by Lin Ran’s touch, the cub didn’t struggle, its eyes fixed on him, only closing briefly when he washed its face. It seemed to want to memorize his appearance and scent.
[What’s going on? A bottle of milk and the wolf is tamed? Whose cub is this?]
[So spineless! It’s acting like a puppy.]
[You know, I’m kind of tempted to transform into a small animal and go find him… It looks so comfortable.] Some demons, watching the cub’s contented purring, imagined themselves being bathed by the human.
[Finger on lips, imagining.jpg]
[?][???][Am I the weird one, or are you?] This comment was met with a barrage of question marks as the other demons tried to suppress similar thoughts.
“There, all clean and fluffy. Your fur is even a different color… It’s grey,” Lin Ran said, noticing the cub’s true fur color after the bath, a beautiful silver-grey, not the dark grey he had initially assumed.
“Awoo~” The cub, enjoying its ear rubs, shook its head playfully.
“But now, it’s time to take you back. We need to find your family,” Lin Ran said, patting its head.
[Danger, streamer!][Danger! Danger! Danger!][Look behind you—!] Lin Ran, unaware, was looking down at the cub as the comments filled with warnings. A large, powerful wolf was approaching from the forest, its eyes fixed on him.
[Oh my god, is he about to be eaten?!][This human is way too reckless! How is he still alive?][Whoa, the screen is shaking! Black screen!]
Just then, with a “Cheep,” Sootball dropped the camera and flew towards the wolf. The viewers realized the moving camera wasn’t automated but held by another demon cub!
How was that even possible?! It was even stranger than before.
[And if I’m not mistaken… that cub’s form is extremely rare. It must be a descendant of that mysterious race!] Some knowledgeable demons recognized Sootball’s species. Its beast form was incredibly rare.
[The Luna Clan, right? The one with moon magic?][Yes! And its features are so refined; it must be of pure blood… Do its parents know it’s been tamed by a human and is now a cameraman?!] How embarrassing!
The comments exploded. Even the usually silent demons were roused by this scene. Who was this human? Could the camera, now lying in the grass, please right itself and give them a better look at this mysterious being?
“Sootball, don’t go out there! He can’t come in!” Lin Ran, startled by Sootball’s actions, scooped it up. The beginner’s barrier protected the house. Perhaps because the encounter with the golden lion had been far more terrifying, he wasn’t as scared this time, assuming the wolf was the cub’s parent.
He placed the wolf cub outside the barrier. The cub, confused, wobbled, then looked up at the large wolf hesitantly. The two wolves stared at each other.
Lin Ran, seeing the situation was under control, picked up the camera, dusting it off, and pointed it at the reunion scene.
“Sorry, the cameraman ran off to help. What a coincidence, just as I finished treating the little guy, its parent showed up.”
“Maybe it’ll carry it away?”
“Strange, it’s not moving.” For a moment, Lin Ran felt like a nature documentary narrator, explaining the scene to an invisible audience.
The comments were buzzing.
[Of course, it’s not moving! That wolf isn’t even an adult yet!][Lol, it’s like handing a baby to a teenager.][I’d rather see that Luna Clan cub again! Is it really a Luna Clan descendant?!]
The large wolf sniffed the cub, then looked at the empty milk bottle beside Lin Ran.
Lin Ran: ?
He realized the wolf might also be here for food.
“Cheep.” Sootball chirped, slightly annoyed, forgetting it had also been lured by milk initially.
“Should we share some with him? I have something special for you tonight, Sootball,” Lin Ran asked, petting Sootball, who perked up.
“Cheep?” It was Sootball’s birthday, according to the Demon Handbook. A cause for celebration. Compared to the special treat he had planned, a bit of milk was nothing, and it would be a waste to throw it away.
A few minutes later, Lin Ran generously offered the young wolf a bowl of milk. The wolf quickly drank it and then looked up at him, letting out a few grateful “Awoos.”
Lin Ran, curious, crouched down and beckoned the wolf. To his surprise, the wolf lowered its head, allowing him to pet it. But the opportunity was brief. After a single pet, the wolf proudly lifted its head, grabbed the cub, and ran off.
“Well, well, it ate and ran. But it looks healthy. I hope it can find food on its own next time,” Lin Ran said, not too disappointed, watching them go. This game was even better than a zoo. Zoos rarely offered such close interactions with wild animals. And they didn’t seem aggressive towards him. Was it his imagination?
He pondered, holding Sootball and the camera.
“Cheep!” Sootball, however, was annoyed. The two wolves hadn’t even cleaned up after themselves. A-Ran would have to wash the bowls! It struggled free and flew to the stream with the bowls, determined to help.
“What are you doing? Are you washing the dishes for me?” Lin Ran asked, amused, following with the camera as Sootball, holding a bowl larger than itself, flew to the stream.
How sweet and thoughtful! It even cared about his chores! He felt so touched. He hadn’t raised Sootball in vain.
The comments exploded again.
[Whoa, how did he do that? A demon cub washing dishes for a human!]
[This is some serious magic. Is this app being controlled by humans? What are they planning? We demons will not be enslaved!]
[Where are its parents? Do they see this? Your cub is being brainwashed by a human—!]
The Oni couple, having received the notification, opened the “Demon World” app, staring in disbelief at the scene on the screen. Was that their son?
