Every single robot of the execution squad had fallen.

Scarlett screamed, scrambling backward in terror. "Stay away! My father is high up in the Bureau—if you touch me, he’ll never let you live!"

Azul chuckled softly, his tentacle poised to pierce directly through her heart.

I spoke up just in time: "Azul!"

The tentacle stopped less than three centimeters from her chest and withdrew.

He turned back, looking at me with a smile.

"I won't kill her. Azul will never go against Master’s wishes."

In the next second.

A tentacle behind him lashed out violently, slamming into Scarlett and knocking her unconscious.

He looked at me with an expression of feigned innocence.

"Master, you know... I have nine brains."

"They don't always listen to me. I couldn't help it."

Me: "..."

12

By the time Aster arrived with backup.

The lab was a total wreck.

Once he understood the full sequence of events, the tension in his shoulders finally eased.

He said:

"Dawn, as long as you're okay."

Scarlett was removed from the base; word has it she’s been locked away in the Sector Alpha prison.

The Deputy Director involved was also stripped of his position.

Seeing that I had successfully cultivated two fully transformed subjects, the upper management stayed up all night to rush a medal for me, along with a promotion and a significant raise.

I was officially promoted to an S-Class Keeper.

I wanted to find Aster to share the good news, but he was nowhere to be found on the base.

Left with no choice, I went to Director Vance to find out what happened.

The Director shook his head and sighed:

"Do you really think these few subjects alone were enough to bring down the Deputy Director?"

I froze. "What do you mean?"

Vance explained:

"Aster has status in high places. He went to his father, pleaded with him, and reported everything happening here. Only then did they send people to clean house."

"He... he knelt at his front door all night, using his own life to threaten his father until the man finally gave in and started the investigation."

"The whole circle is talking about it."

I couldn't help but remember.

Aster had actually told me about the situation with his father before.

His father had divorced his mother when he was a child, abandoning his wife and son for a mistress.

Later in life, the man felt regret and tried to bring them back, but it was too late—his mother was already gone.

Aster had said he would never forgive his father in this lifetime.

I never imagined he would go to someone like that for my sake.

And even kneel.

My heart felt heavy. "How is he now?"

Vance sighed again.

"He was taken back. Don't get involved in this for now."

"Blood is thicker than water; it won't get too ugly. If you go there, you'll only be adding fuel to the fire."

Though the Director was a penny-pincher, he saw the ways of the world very clearly.

I thought about it.

Fine. I’ll wait until the storm blows over.

13

Things finally settled down.

Having been promoted to an S-Class Keeper, I was finally relieved of my duty to care for that ancient sea turtle.

Aurelia had been the most severely injured.

Naturally, I devoted extra care to her, waiting for her tentacles and other gastric pouches to slowly grow back.

This, however, sparked immediate resentment from the other two subjects.

Caspian cornered me one afternoon.

"Sister, may I kiss you?"

I gave him a quick kiss.

A moment later, he asked again: "Sister, may I kiss you?"

I frowned. "Didn't I just kiss you?"

He let out a soft "oh" and walked away, looking thoroughly dejected.

But after a short while, he was back. "Sister, may I kiss you?"

Me: "..."

"How many times are you going to ask?!"

He looked at me with puppy-dog eyes as his tears fell, crystallizing into perfect, flawless white pearls.

"Sister, I’m hurt too. Please don't be mean to me."

"A fish’s memory only lasts seven seconds, you know."

Fine. I had no choice but to coax him back into a good mood.

I finally got him calmed down and quieted, only for the octopus to arrive.

Azul appeared with a cold, stony expression. He trapped me in his arms, pinning me into a corner.

"Why aren't you paying attention to me?"

"Are they being too loud? I could just eat them both."

I hurried to soothe him. "No, no, no! They’ve only just managed to transform. If you eat them, what am I supposed to do?"

He tilted my chin up, his gaze playful yet intense.

"Am I not enough to satisfy you?"

A soft, supple tentacle slid over my waist, impossibly slick and wet.

The suckers tightened, and the dense, tingling sensation forced a soft moan from my throat.

My face flushed a deep crimson. "You... we’re in the lab!"

A casual, lingering smirk played on Azul’s lips.

His slender fingers traced my mouth, rubbing gently before pressing down firmly against my lips.

He leaned down, his breath hot against my ear.

"Master, how about it’s my turn to ravish you today?"

The warmth of his breath hitting my ear sent a shiver through my entire body.

In the next second, I was pinned beneath him.

I opened my mouth to scold him, but he saw right through me and gave my waist a firm, knowing squeeze.

Caught off guard by the touch on such a sensitive spot, I gasped.

"Azul, you... mnh..."

My intended reprimand dissolved into a low moan.

He grew even more excited, his voice dropping into a raspy, deep growl.

Slowly, he whispered:

"Master... you really should focus on the task at hand."