The Life of Lust Demon

Chapter 77 Homecoming Warmth

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"Wait a minute!"

Anos's eyebrows furrowed sharply before he darted back with unparalleled urgency.

"Anos! Hey, what's going on?"

The suddenness of his movement startled the group, prompting shouts of concern as they turned to chase after him. Anos had already covered considerable ground, his focus intense as he rounded a bend in the path.

Stopping abruptly, he scanned the area, only to find… nothing. The space before him was barren, void of hiding places. The nearest cover was a kilometer away, or perhaps high above—yet no figure lingered in either location.

The others caught up moments later.

"What's wrong?" Bodhi questioned, his brow knit with concern.

Anos's eyes darted about before he exhaled slowly. "I felt like someone was following us. Could be an evil beast, or maybe I imagined it."

Bodhi relaxed slightly, as did the rest of the group, relieved it wasn't something worse. "You could've just said that instead of giving us a scare."

Zoey, however, watched Anos closely, her sharp mind already dissecting his words. She wasn't buying it. His earlier reaction was far too intense for mere uncertainty. But she stayed silent, her curiosity piqued.

"Let's move," Anos said at last, falling back into step. Yet his thoughts churned.

Did I really see something? Or was it my imagination? He was almost certain he'd spotted a petite, snow-white figure retreating just as he'd turned his head. It bore an uncanny resemblance to the creature he'd seen that fateful night—the Snow Qilin.

But doubts nagged at him. If it were an ordinary beast, there should've been some evidence of its retreat—tracks, motion, anything. Yet nothing suggested a creature capable of vanishing in an instant.

"Zoey," Anos asked abruptly, "can your computer replay the infrared scans from earlier?"

"Of course." She nodded, pulling out a sleek device. "What time are we looking at?"

"Just before I stopped," Anos clarified.

Zoey rewound the sensor's data, eyes fixed on the display. After a moment, she shook her head. "Nope. Infrared only picked up the six of us. No other life forms within 500 meters."

Anos frowned, thanking her before falling silent again. Could it have evaded detection? Or was I wrong after all?

Far above, perched on a cliffside, a small, snow-white figure observed them from a distance. The diminutive creature—undeniably the Snow Qilin—watched Anos's group intently.

With a flick of her paw, a shimmering mirror appeared before her, displaying the group in real-time.

"Wu~" she murmured softly, her voice a whisper of curiosity and delight. Playfully, she covered her face with her tiny paws, a gesture reminiscent of a bashful child. Then, in a single fluid leap, she disappeared into a wormhole, leaving no trace behind.

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Back on the vehicle, the group began their return journey. Anos sat beside Zoey, the Chillwater Shard secured in a specialized glass container on his lap to protect him from its icy aura.

"Anos, why don't you join The Iron Reavers?" Bodhi asked from the driver's seat, his tone casual.

Anos blinked, caught off guard. He glanced at Zoey, who quickly turned her face toward the window, feigning interest in the passing scenery. Her faintly reddened cheeks betrayed her embarrassment, resembling a child caught red-handed.

Ding!

Zoey's favorability toward you +5.

Anos scratched his head. What? The increase baffled him, but he let it go. "I don't think I'd have the time," he replied to Bodhi. "Between school and everything else…"

"Time?" Bodhi scoffed. "There's no conflict."

"Why's that?"

Before Bodhi could answer, Zoey pouted, interrupting. "Uncle Bodhi, if he doesn't want to join, don't force him!"

Anos smirked at her reaction. "Did I say I wasn't joining? I was just asking, little miss. Why so worked up?"

"I'm not worked up!" she shot back, glaring.

Anos chuckled and turned back to Bodhi, who was grinning at their exchange. "What I'm saying," Bodhi explained, "is that you wouldn't need to commit to every mission. If you're free, join us. If not, no big deal. It's about camaraderie, not obligation."

After a moment's thought, Anos nodded. "Alright, I'm in. But no promises about availability."

"Perfect!" Bodhi said, his grin widening. "Welcome to the crew. Even if it's just for the occasional drink or adventure, it's worth having you with us."

Anos laughed, finding himself liking The Iron Reavers even more. They were genuine, free of ulterior motives.

"Hmph! You're lucky," Zoey muttered, her cheeks still tinged pink.

Anos couldn't help but grin at Zoey's fiery response, her defiance practically radiating from her.

"What do you mean? Do I get a fixed salary after joining The Iron Reavers?" he asked, feigning innocence.

Zoey snorted, flipping her twin ponytails over her shoulders with exaggerated flair. "Ha! In your dreams! Getting to work with me is the real prize. Do you even know how lucky you are?"

Anos chuckled, shaking his head. Zoey's sharp wit and confidence often made her seem far older than her 14 years, but moments like this reminded him she was still a lively, mischievous teen.

"What's so funny? Isn't it true?" Zoey turned to Oscar with a dramatic wave of her arm. "Oscar, back me up—don't you think it's a privilege to work with someone as amazing as me?"

Oscar, seated in the front, couldn't suppress a grin. "Oh, absolutely, Zoey. A once-in-a-lifetime honor. Truly, we're all blessed."

"See?" Zoey spun back to Anos, triumph lighting up her face.

"Yes, yes, you're incredible, Little Zoey," Anos teased, his voice dripping with mock reverence.

"Don't call me that!" Zoey snapped, her cheeks tinting a faint pink. "Call me Big Sister Zoey! Show some respect!"

"Little Zoey."

"You—!"

Before she could launch another retort, a familiar notification chimed in Anos's mind:

Ding … Zoey's frustration detected. Scoundrel Points +20,000.

Zoey exhaled sharply, crossing her arms as she turned toward the window in mock exasperation. The soft glow of the passing streetlights highlighted her sulking expression, and her ponytails swayed like agitated pendulums.

Bodhi, gripping the steering wheel, let out a hearty laugh. "Anos, I've gotta hand it to you—you're the first person I've seen who Zoey can't intimidate. Usually, anyone who dares to cross her ends up running for the hills."

Anos leaned back, a lazy smirk playing on his lips. "That's what happens when you spoil kids. They grow up thinking they're untouchable."

Zoey whipped around to glare at him. "Who are you calling a spoiled kid?!"

"It's a general observation," Anos replied smoothly, though his eyes sparkled with mischief. "Not about you, of course."

"You're totally talking about me!"

"Alright, fine. I'm talking about you."

Zoey opened her mouth, clearly searching for a comeback, but no words came. Huffing, she turned back to the window, muttering under her breath.

Ding … Zoey's annoyance detected. Scoundrel Points +10,000.

Ding … Zoey's favorability toward you -0.5.

Anos blinked. Minus 0.5? That's oddly precise.

"You just wait," Zoey declared suddenly, shaking her fist with mock determination. "One day, I'm going to beat you in a duel!"

Anos arched an eyebrow, leaning slightly forward. "Oh? You think you can take me on?"

"Absolutely!" Zoey proclaimed, her confidence unshakable. "You've got lightning powers; I've got wind. Wind counters lightning! Plus, I'm faster, smarter, and way more cunning than you. You don't stand a chance."

Anos laughed, his voice rich with amusement. "Alright, I'll admit you've got guts. But don't forget—I'm also dashing, unstoppable, and absolutely unbeatable in battle."

Zoey rolled her eyes. "And I'm so dazzling, even the stars feel jealous. Your move."

From the front seats, Bodhi and Oscar exchanged knowing glances.

"This is going to be fun," Bodhi muttered under his breath. "Looks like Zoey's finally met her match."

When they finally reached the outskirts of Flower City, the towering spires of the city glinted under the pale moonlight. Bodhi parked the vehicle and turned to Anos. "Sure you don't want to swing by the base? We could grab a drink, toast to a successful trip."

Anos shook his head, glancing at the time. "Nah, it's late. You all should get some rest. I'll swing by in a couple of days." He shot a teasing look at Zoey. "Gives you just enough time to practice for your inevitable defeat."

Zoey huffed, her cheeks flushing with a mix of irritation and determination. "Bring it on, Scoundrel!"

After a round of goodbyes, Anos strolled into his apartment. The familiar warmth of home greeted him, along with the enticing aroma of freshly cooked food. Luna emerged from the kitchen, her soft smile lighting up the room.

"You're back," she said, quickly moving to help him out of his coat. Her eyes immediately fell on a faint bloodstain on his sleeve. "You're hurt!"

"It's nothing," Anos reassured her, gently taking her hand. "Just a scratch. You know how these missions go. Don't worry."

Luna's brows knit with concern, but she knew better than to argue. Instead, she gestured toward the dining table, where a steaming pot and several neatly arranged dishes waited. "I made you something to eat. Sit down before it gets cold."

Anos smiled, his weariness melting away. "You didn't have to. It's so late."

Luna crossed her arms, her expression playful. "If I don't take care of you, who will? Now sit."

"Only if you eat with me," Anos teased, pulling out a chair for her.

Luna hesitated, her cheeks turning faintly pink. "I really shouldn't. Eating this late is dangerous—I'll get fat."

Anos chuckled, his voice warm. "If I'm eating, you're eating. If I get fat, we're going down together."

She rolled her eyes but eventually sat beside him, sharing the quiet intimacy of the moment. The soft hum of the city outside their window made the warm glow of their home feel even more peaceful. For all the chaos and danger Anos faced, it was moments like these—with Luna's gentle presence and the comfort of home—that made it all worthwhile.

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[A/N:->I have slightly edited the chapter [Sofia's Three Conditions R-18 PT-2 ]