Tian frowned. "That’s different."
Medeia rolled her eyes. "Oh, come on, don’t be so close-minded. Bear is also a mutated animal, but he’s super cute and gentle toward humans, unless they’re bad people. Then, yeah, he’ll bite them to death."
Harry looked unsure. "But ... are you sure they’re actually safe to be around?"
Medeia nodded without hesitation. "One hundred percent sure."
"So ..." Naomi leaned forward. "Are they cute and sweet?"
"Very," Medeia said quickly, like it was the most obvious thing in the world.
Naomi slammed her hands on the table. "Then we don’t have a problem!"
Tian, on the other side, looked at her with sharp eyes, clearly wanting to say that he wasn’t part of the ’we’ she was referring to. Medeia noticed that immediately and turned to Tian.
"Look, I promise they won’t hurt anyone here," she said seriously. "And if they do, even by accident, I will ..." She paused, eyes shifting to Lucian with a mischievous grin. "He’ll shave his head bald."
Lucian stared at her. "No, I won’t."
It was the first time he’d immediately refused one of her ridiculous ideas.
Medeia pouted, pretending to be offended. "Honey, you’re supposed to say yes!"
"No," Lucian said again, firm this time. "You can ask me anything—but not my hair."
While the two of them argued like a couple of kids, Tian let out a long sigh.
"Alright, enough," he said. "I know there’s no point fighting you once you’ve made up your mind. I’ll go along with it, for now. But if anything goes wrong because of those monkeys, you’re the one taking full responsibility."
Medeia waved her hand like it was no big deal. "Please. These guys are totally family-friendly. Once you meet them, I swear you’ll fall in love right away."
With the Snow Gorilla issue settled, Medeia moved on to another topic.
"Anyway," Medeia said, her tone turning more serious, "tomorrow, Lucian and I are heading out. We’re going to find the old researchers, the ones Ethan and the others mentioned before."
Everyone’s faces turned serious. They all knew this had something to do with the poor soldiers, the ones who had chips planted in their heads.
"Do you know where they are?" Naomi asked softly.
Medeia nodded. "For now, yes. But we have to move quickly before they change locations. That’s why we’re heading out tomorrow morning."
Since most of them were already familiar with the mystical compass, Medeia showed them a newer version and said it had somehow become even more useful.
As always, she added with a straight face, "Don’t ask how or why, because I won’t tell you. What matters is this: the compass can now bring up to ten people at once, plus a small or medium-sized vehicle."
Ren raised an eyebrow. "So ... you’re bringing ten people with you?"
Medeia laughed. "Of course not, silly. Bringing ten people would be a nightmare. I’m only taking four others. Two spots are already filled with Ethan and Finn. That leaves two more. So, who wants to come on an adventure with me?" She raised her hand playfully. "Come on, hands up!"
Truthfully, Medeia would’ve preferred to go alone with Lucian because it was faster and way less stressful. But she had to bring Ethan, since he’d met the researchers before, and Finn—well, Finn was the reason they were going in the first place.
Still, neither of them had ever traveled with her or Lucian, and that meant they’d probably ask tons of questions along the way.
Medeia didn’t feel like babysitting two clueless people, so she decided to bring a couple of hunters who had at least been on the road with them before.
Unfortunately, none of them raised their hands.
Harry scratched the back of his neck. "Yeah, um... I need to take care of my dad. He slipped in the bathroom last night and now he can’t really do much without me."
Ren quickly chimed in, "And I already promised the kids I’d teach them how to run properly today."
She turned to Simon, but he immediately shook his head. "The weather’s getting colder, and it feels like my ability isn’t working properly."
What a bunch of nonsense.
Medeia could tell they were just making up excuses. No one wanted to leave the base, not when it was finally starting to feel warm and cozy.
Before anyone could come up with another excuse, Medeia pointed without thinking. "Alright then. Tian and Naomi, you’re coming with me."
Tian didn’t seem to mind. Meanwhile, Naomi lit up with excitement. "Finally! I’ve been waiting for you to pick me for something !"
Once the team was decided, Medeia told them to get ready and meet at the gate before sunrise.
As she and Lucian walked back toward their quarters, she glanced at him and asked, "Do you think Sierra will be sad if we’re gone too long?"
Lucian nodded gently. "She’ll miss us, yeah. But she won’t be lonely. Sister Jeanne and my cousins will take turns watching her."
He paused, then added, "I know it’s tough leaving her behind, but one day, when she’s a little stronger and the world isn’t so dangerous, we’ll bring her with us."
Medeia smiled, her heart warming at the thought. "You’re right."
Medeia stopped walking the moment she heard the system notification.
[Congratulations! You have reached Level 34!]
[Stat increase: +3,400 MP (Total: 64,300), +1,550 HP (Total: 23,850), Agility: +50 (Total: 350)]
[Reward Item: Whispering Talisman (Grade-SSS) — Effect:
- The wearer can understand and communicate with all non-human beings regardless of their native language or vocal limitations.
- Allows non-human creatures to understand the wearer’s spoken words as if hearing them in their own tongue.]
What? She could understand the language of all non-human creatures now?
Medeia quickly reached into her inventory and pulled out the item. It looked like a normal necklace, a silver chain with a pendant shaped like a tiger’s fang.
Lucian raised an eyebrow as she held it up. "What’s that?" he asked, clearly curious.
Medeia looked up at him, locking eyes with his bright emerald gaze. "I think ... this lets me understand what animals are saying," she said slowly, still a little surprised herself. Then a small grin spread across her face. "Should I test it on our son first?"