Chapter 14: Just a Few Low-Tier Mutant Rats
"You shouldn't go outside, Mistress. It's pointless… you'd only become a burden."
The small, even-toned voice came from the little house spirit, who was busy rearranging items that were already perfectly organized. Its movements were brisk, like it was too absorbed in work to be interrupted.
"I'm worried about Pao Pei."
Hahhh... The house spirit let out a long sigh. "The Guardian is not as fragile as you think, Mistress."
She was scared that her Guardian might die from a handful of low-tier mutant rats. If he was that dumb, it would be a disgrace to all Guardians!
Xiao Mei didn't pay much attention to what the house spirit said. She was worried about Pao Pei's safety—that was all that mattered!
"I'm going out!!"
The moment the words left her mouth, the house spirit—who had just been tidying up—launched itself at her, arms wide, clinging tightly to her leg.
It looked up and locked eyes with her, its gaze unusually firm. Then, for the first time, it spoke in a serious tone.
"You can't go out! I won't let you!!"
The house spirit knew all too well—if it let her out now, the Guardian would come after it later. No way. It would rather die clinging to her leg than let her step outside!
"Little spirit… Pao Pei's really going to be okay, right?"
The desperate grip on her leg helped Xiao Mei calm down. Deep down, she knew she wouldn't be of much help out there.
"Just wait. Let Pao Pei call for you first before you go."
Still latched onto her leg, the house spirit had no intention of letting go… even if it died, it would hang on.
Xiao Mei tried to pry the fat little penguin-like spirit off her leg. No luck. It wouldn't budge an inch.
Then—
"Mistress, you can come out now," Pao Pei's cheerful voice rang out.
Instantly, the house spirit released her leg and went back to tidying up like nothing had happened, dusting things that didn't need dusting.
Xiao Mei blinked, confused by the sudden change, but before she could say anything, Pao Pei called again.
"Mistress, come out now. They're all dead."
She immediately exited the dimension. The first thing she saw was her little Guardian, soaked in thick brown blood, using his foot to push the mutant rat corpses into a pile.
"What are you doing… why are you collecting those bodies?"
Pao Pei rolled his eyes at her, clearly annoyed. His mistress never learned anything. How could she forget something so basic?
"Stop asking questions. Just get your knife and crack their skulls open for the crystals."
Realization hit as she watched him roll his eyes. Zombies, mutant animals, even mutated humans—all had crystal cores. For the sake of a better life, they had to gather as many as possible.
"I just got a little spooked, okay? Honestly, I was just worried about you."
"Just a few low-tier mutant rats. I slapped them once and they were done."
He puffed his chest proudly, bloodstained tail swishing like a banner of victory.
Xiao Mei knelt to open up the nearest rat's skull. Out of 20 rats, she harvested six crystals.
"Why so few? Pao Pei, when are we going to get rich?"
Ever since he told her they could trade crystals in the wormhole market, she'd seen them as solid gold. Money, money, money!
"From twenty low-tier rats, six crystals is lucky, Mistress."
While explaining, Pao Pei was also scrubbing his fur against a patch of grass. He was a mess. No way could he go home like this. Grandma would scold him for sure. He was a pristine, snow-white Guardian—not some scruffy stray mutt!
"I don't think the stars are aligned today. Let's head back."
Xiao Mei didn't want to risk it. They'd barely left the house and already ran into a swarm of mutant rats. If they kept going, they might run into mutated snakes next. Nope. Not safe. Today is not the day!
Mistress and Guardian turned back toward the farm immediately. Xiao Mei kept mumbling about bad omens the whole way. Pao Pei, on the other hand, was busy stressing about whether Grandma would catch him looking like this. Both had different worries, but the same mission: bathe and sleep, ASAP!
They walked so fast they were practically running.
"Mistress, hurry up! I see the fence!"
Pao Pei's voice floated back to her as he darted through the grass along the fence line. Hopefully Grandma's still asleep...
"I can barely walk anymore," Xiao Mei groaned, dragging her feet.
"And Pao Pei's fur is all sticky!" he whined, avoiding muddy patches wherever possible.
"Grandma must not see me like this! She likes her Guardian white and chubby!"
"White and chubby? Right now you look more like a drowned puppy," Xiao Mei puffed, swiping sweat from her forehead and laughing softly.
The back gate creaked softly as they slipped inside.
"I should've had Uncle Ma replace this door when we fixed the house…"
Pao Pei froze as soon as the door creaked. Both Guardian and Mistress went still, ears perked.
...No sound from inside.
"We're safe..." Xiao Mei whispered, kicking off her shoes and tiptoeing up the stairs.
Pao Pei followed close behind.
They dove into the bathroom, each into their own wooden tub. White soap bubbles floated in the air, and the faint scent of soap finally helped Xiao Mei relax.
"I thought Grandma would be waiting by the door for sure..."
"From now on, Mistress will undergo intensive training," Pao Pei said sternly, climbing onto the edge of the tub, using his tail to lather himself with soap.
"Yessir… oh mighty one, the one and only Guardian in all the land. Your humble servant obeys!"
Xiao Mei bowed theatrically like a martial arts movie hero, giggling at how bossy he always got about training. Still, she was glad he was there. Tonight, she was lucky—without him, there was no way a frail human could've survived twenty mutant rats.
Clean and refreshed, the two crawled onto the bed, completely drained.
Pao Pei turned to look at the photo on the bedside table—the one of Grandma standing next to Xiao Mei. It averted its eyes from the picture, guilt creeping in as if the image could actually speak. A soft mumble escaped its small mouth, barely audible.
"I'm sorry, Grandma... I almost got my master killed."
Damn it!! Only its sewer rat ancestors would truly understand how terrifying pack-hunting creatures could be. It had just led its master straight into a pack of level-one mutant rats!! And her condition was as weak as that of a newborn animal.
It couldn't afford to be careless like that again!! It had to find help—fast...
"Pao Pei… what are you spacing out for? Hurry up and go to sleep. If you don't wake up in time for Grandma tomorrow, I'm not waking you," Xiao Mei said, already burrowed under the blanket, with just her head peeking out to glance at Pao Pei sitting beside the bed.
Pao Pei stepped onto the blanket and made its way to its usual spot, curling up on the pillow next to Xiao Mei. Moonlight streamed through the window into the room. The steady rhythm of the master's and the guardian's breathing synced in peaceful harmony. On a night filled with crystals and mutant rats, the two of them fell asleep in exhaustion.