"Phew... finally done. I didn't expect my senior to give me this kind of task..."
As dusk approached, Seth finally returned to the entrance of the Public Security Bureau. With one hand on his hip, he rubbed his neck and sighed.
Tracking down that stray cat boss that looked like a gas cylinder had taken him quite a bit of effort. If it weren't for an insider providing premium dried fish as bait and setting up an ambush, he probably would've come back empty-handed.
"Though it was a bit different from what my senior described, I really did help protect the people of 14th Street!"
Just thinking about how the cat boss and its little underlings were now settled, and remembering the smiles on the residents' faces, filled him with a deep sense of accomplishment.
Another good deed done today!
He was one step closer to becoming the kind of Public Security Officer he aspired to be!
Humming a cheerful tune, Seth entered the bureau to submit the mission report. As he turned his head, he spotted Zhu Yuan carrying a box.
"Chief Zhu, you're back from your break. I've finished organizing the materials on Vision Industry and recorded all the residents' statements. Oh, what's in there?"
Seth peeked into the box and saw a messy assortment of various medicines.
"Huh? Are we going on a mission soon? Why are we prepping so many meds?"
Zhu Yuan widened her eyes, glanced at the meds she'd just gathered, sighed as she recalled someone's sorry state, and explained,
"It's not for a mission. It's for someone."
"Oh, then I won't disturb you, Chief Zhu."
Seth smiled and didn't pry further.
His mind was full of rabbit.
Braised, chilled, charcoal-grilled, hand-shredded...
The end of the workday was near. After a long day, he had to reward himself!
She nodded and headed to the room prepared for injured personnel.
Usually, his senior had a gentle and friendly demeanor, always kind to everyone. But today, they'd shown no mercy...
...
Inside the infirmary.
"So? Feeling like you've leveled up? Satisfied with how much you've improved?"
Qingyi sat at the edge of the bed, smiling slightly as she looked at Zane, who was lying sprawled out in defeat.
"Master, you're way too strong. Let's not do that again next time..."
Zane responded with a helpless look. Facing Qingyi at full force, he had no choice but to grow.
In the end, he could clearly handle her attacks better now. Sure, he was still getting beaten up, but it was a big improvement from when they started.
There was no helping it. Without Ether energy, he was just a brawler with raw strength and good physique.
As an Ethereal who couldn't use Ether energy, it was like being handed a gun without any bullets.
Agents normally relied on Ether Devices and Ether Energy for combat.
"Okay, Master promises. Honestly, it hurts me too doing this, but for your growth, I had no choice..."
"Senior, you're not just using this as an excuse to beat me up, right...?"
Zane protested.
"You brat, how can you say that about your master?"
Qingyi pouted, clearly displeased.
Protest denied.
She wasn't the least bit surprised by the result. Back in the Dead End Hollows, she had already noticed Zane's potential.
His adaptability and potential were things anyone would admire.
This time, she leveraged those strengths to give him a major leap in progress right from their first session.
Even if the process was a little rough.
The door creaked open. Qingyi looked up—it was Zhu Yuan, returning.
"Zhu Yuan, hand me the meds. I'll apply them."
Qingyi took the medicines. She had been mindful of how hard she went, and Zane's injuries were mostly minor.
"Lie still. Don't move. If it hurts, don't blame me..."
A glint flashed in her eyes.
What she'd said earlier was all true.
Sure, there was a bit of a desire to teach him a lesson, but mostly, she really wanted him to grow.
The intensity and frequency of the events Zane had experienced were almost overwhelming. Naturally, that worried her.
The title "Fire Picker" had already been swept up in the turbulent tides of New Eridu.
Every bit stronger he became was another layer of protection.
As his master, of course she cared. But no matter how reluctant, she had to push him.
To be a proper master, this was necessary.
The idea started as a bit of a joke. But when he called her "Master," and they formally acknowledged their relationship, she took on the responsibility.
Heaven, Earth, one's parents, and one's master—these were sacred bonds.
Now that they were master and disciple, Zane was no longer just a friend in her eyes.
That's also why their relationship deepened so quickly.
...
Sensing a shift in Qingyi's mood, Zane looked at her and, with a soft smile, said gently,
"Senior, you don't need to carry that weight. I'm not some disobedient disciple. Just do what you think is best."
"You know, I am the great Fire Picker. This is nothing compared to what I've gained."
He raised his arm, striking a proud pose. Zhu Yuan, standing to the side, couldn't help but laugh.
Compared to the somewhat unfamiliar "Fire Picker," this version of Zane felt much more like himself.
"I told you not to move."
Qingyi pressed his shoulder slightly. The pain hit instantly, and Zane's face twisted into a grimace.
He was just trying to lighten the mood.
With how fast his body recovered, he really didn't need any meds. A good night's sleep would do. But in here, Qingyi's word was law.
Outside the window, the setting sun sank into a sea of gold, casting radiant beams that lit up the city's skyline.
Light filtered through the glass, washing over the room in warm hues, softening the cold, sterile atmosphere of the infirmary.
Zane lifted his hand, letting the light fall into his palm. As he moved his fingers, the light danced with them.
He smiled gently, recalling everything that had happened since leaving the Cretan Hollow.
He thought of Qingyi's guidance in the Dead End Hollow, her leniency during the command center explosion, her concern when he was on the wanted list—
And now, the serious care she gave him.
"You're a really good master."
"I'm incredibly lucky."
His soft murmur echoed clearly through the room. Zhu Yuan, texting her parents, looked up and gave Zane an approving nod.
Being able to work with Qingyi, to have such a senior, was something she felt incredibly fortunate for as well.
The room fell silent. Qingyi didn't speak.
A few seconds later, she leaned forward, her hair brushing the bed, and poked Zane's other arm.
"Quit messing around. The sun sets every day. Give me your other arm—I've got meds to finish applying, and my shift's almost over."
Zane obediently complied.
Qingyi kept her head down and quietly went about her work.
The sun dipped lower, only half visible now, as if reluctant to leave the world behind.
The golden light spilled over Qingyi's face, tinting her cheeks a soft red—breathtakingly beautiful.
Who could say if that red came from the sunset or her heart?