The Entire Demon World is Fighting for My Favor: A Shura Field 20

Chapter 20

To everyone’s astonishment, the purple aura emanating from Sootball solidified into a protective barrier around the box. Not only Lin Ran but also Oni, Yorke, and the butler were stunned. Controlling demonic energy so soon after awakening was a rare feat, even in Luna Clan history.

But the absurd part was… it was directed at them. Did Sootball think they would steal the crystal from the human? Oni felt a wave of defeat. The rift between them and their child was deeper than she had realized. This wasn’t as simple as meeting the human, offering a reward, and retrieving the crystal and their cub.

“Cheep…” Sootball, noticing the aura, experimented with this newfound power, pushing the box closer to Lin Ran, not wanting anyone to touch it.

Lin Ran held the box, his gaze fixed on Sootball. He noticed faint wisps of black amidst the purple aura, growing stronger whenever Sootball’s hostility flared. Though this made Sootball seem more mysterious and dangerous, Lin Ran felt a sense of unease. And knowing the cause was Sootball’s parents, he found it difficult to ask them to back off.

Fortunately, Yorke, sensing the situation escalating, pulled Oni back and spoke to Sootball: “Nemo, calm down. We won’t take the stone. We’ll apologize. Please stop; you’ll hurt yourself…!”

He recognized the danger of uncontrolled demonic energy manifestation, like giving a child a burning ember from the abyss.

But Sootball, seemingly unaffected by his words, bared its fangs, its hostility intensifying.

“Sootball, don’t!” Just as the dark purple aura was about to explode, Lin Ran, acting on instinct, grabbed Sootball by the scruff of its neck. Whenever he did this, Sootball would always become docile.

This action successfully disrupted the demonic energy buildup.

“Cheep!?” However, the dark aura instinctively turned towards Lin Ran. But at the last moment, Sootball regained control, and the aura dissipated, scattering sparks of light, both beautiful and menacing.

Lin Ran had closed his eyes, bracing for pain. But nothing happened.

He opened his eyes cautiously, seeing Sootball back to normal, its large eyes filled with their usual gentle curiosity, as it tried to see if he was hurt.

“Cheep…” It seemed apologetic and slightly ashamed.

“It’s okay, it’s okay. Were you scared? I’m not hurt. Don’t worry,” Lin Ran reassured it, pulling it into his arms, stroking its fur until it relaxed.

“Cheep.” It seemed to be saying sorry.

After confirming the box was safe beside A-Ran, Sootball chirped at him.

“It’s here. It’s my fault. It’s your gift, and I almost let them take it, didn’t I?” Lin Ran said, his heart melting at Sootball’s remorseful look.

“Cheep…” Sootball shook its head, then nodded, as if saying it wasn’t his fault. But his anxiety subsided, and he snuggled against Lin Ran, comforted.

Lin Ran, relieved Sootball was okay, turned to Oni and Yorke, now standing several meters away, their expressions filled with a mixture of disappointment and sadness. They looked dejected, unlike their initial confident demeanor.

He knew there were serious issues in their parenting, but he didn’t know what to say. It wasn’t something he could easily fix. He had been too idealistic, making things more complicated.

“It’s okay, you don’t have to comfort us. Perhaps we should leave now, before he has another episode,” Oni said, her voice strained, her gaze fixed on Sootball, who didn’t look back.

“I know you’re worried as parents, but I think you should consider what he really needs.”

“Nemo is just a sensitive little cub.” He wanted to say more but decided against it.

Oni looked at the young human holding her child, but Nemo didn’t look back. They disappeared silently, perhaps still upset, unsure when they would have another chance to explain.

The butler, however, lingered, offering Lin Ran another suitcase.

“This is what Madam intended to exchange for the stone.”

“I’m sorry, but I won’t give the stone to anyone without Sootball’s consent,” Lin Ran said firmly.

“No, no, since Master Nemo gave it to you, it must be the moon’s will. But Madam insists you keep this as a token of our appreciation and an apology for intruding. We hope you can forgive us.”

“And if possible, please put in a good word for us with Master Nemo…” the butler mumbled before disappearing after Oni and Yorke.

“Eh?” Lin Ran, left alone, felt strange. It was as if he was holding Sootball hostage, and the parents, afraid of him influencing their child, were paying him off. Weren’t they overestimating his influence?

“Cheep.” Only after they left did Sootball turn back, urging him to open the suitcase. Its sudden change in demeanor made Lin Ran realize his cub was a bit manipulative. Had it intentionally ignored its parents, driving them away?

“Cheep.” Sootball blinked innocently, denying his suspicion.

Lin Ran cautiously opened the suitcase, revealing a rose.

“A flower?” He enjoyed planting flowers around his house.

Sootball, however, recognized it as a Luna Clan treasure. Surprised, it urged Lin Ran to plant it.

“Don’t worry, I’m coming,” Lin Ran planted the rose in the flowerbed, and the surrounding plants glowed with a faint purple light. The rose bloomed, a golden dewdrop forming in its center.

“Cheep cheep cheep! Aaaah—~” Sootball opened its mouth, demonstrating a drinking motion.

“You want me to drink this dewdrop?” Lin Ran asked, unsure.

“Cheep!” Sootball nodded enthusiastically.

Lin Ran drank the dewdrop, finding it sweet but otherwise unremarkable. Sootball, however, seemed delighted.

“Are you that happy?” He picked up the cub, still thinking about its previous outburst. Did Sootball realize something was wrong with it?

[Beep—You have two unread messages.] As he absently stroked Sootball, wondering how to address the issue, he noticed the flashing notification. Had Sootball’s affection reached 100?

He opened the messages, and it wasn’t that.

[Friendship of the Luna Clan, quest progress 60%.] The first message was about the hidden quest! Despite the incident, the progress had increased! He hadn’t given Sootball back, he still had the stone, and he had even gained a rose sapling. He wondered how the three fluffballs were doing. They must be heartbroken by their cub’s distrust.

The second message surprised him even more.

[Detected destiny point for key character “Nemo.” Can use reward item “Complete Time Mirror.”]

[Note: Using the Complete Time Mirror may transport the user to a future timeline. Risks are unknown and potentially dangerous. Ensure sufficient time and safety before activation.]

The basic Time Mirror had shown him Jiang Jie’s future. Could this complete version allow him to travel to the future and meet a grown-up Sootball?

“And since it’s a ‘destiny point,’ does that mean you, like Jiang Jie, will do something bad in the future?” he asked, poking Sootball’s head.

“Cheep?” Sootball blinked, thinking he was playing, and playfully chased his finger, licking it gently when it caught it, making Lin Ran chuckle and pull his hand back.

“Are you teething?” Maybe he should buy Sootball a teething toy.

Looking at the innocent cub, he dismissed his suspicion. Sootball was too well-behaved to do anything bad.