Chapter 5

I sighed softly, pulling Lia closer to me, feeling her slightly cool body temperature.

"Listen, sweetheart," I said gently, my fingers lightly combing through her tangled silver-white hair.

"People who say bad things about you are just wrong. If I ever meet them, I'll make them pay and show them how special my little Lia really is."

Lia buried her face in my neck, her voice muffled. "But... they all called me a monster. My fur color is impure, brought shame to the pack."

Hearing such a cruel truth from Lia's young voice, I couldn't help but tear up. "Listen, that's not your fault. Those who hurt you don't deserve to be your real family. From now on, I'm your mom."

"It's just that they don't know how to appreciate your uniqueness," I cupped her small face, looking seriously into her glowing eyes in the darkness. "Every single strand of your fur is a gift from the Moon Goddess, just as special as the stars in the night sky. Promise me you won't say things like that about yourself anymore, okay? It makes Mommy very sad to hear you talk like that."

She hesitated, then nodded. I started humming that off-key lullaby again, my fingers gently stroking her back.

I don't know how much time passed, but we both fell into a deep sleep, her breathing gradually evening out.

After I was sound asleep, Lia quietly crept closer to my face. Her glowing eyes in the darkness fixed on mine for a long while.

It was as if she were struggling with something inside herself. Finally, she gently pressed a cool kiss to my cheek, whispering softly, "Mommy would be sad... can't make Mommy sad."

The energy around her stabilized, and even her ghostly form gradually solidified into that of a real little girl, curling up in my arms to sleep peacefully.

Those watching the trial were shocked:

【She even manifested a solid form! How is that possible? A ghost cub's energy form is supposed to be unchangeable!】

【What did this trial candidate do? She changed the very nature of the ghost cub!】

【I checked the records. This has never happened before. This Serina... she's a variable.】

The next morning, I was woken by a cold mechanical voice.

【Initial trial candidates: 100; current survivors: 40.】

I rubbed my eyes, fumbling to find the communication crystal and holding it close to strain and read the flickering information. Another thirty candidates had been lost overnight. The number made my heart sink.

"What's wrong, Mommy?" Lia asked sleepily. She now looked completely like a solid little girl, her white nightgown making her look especially adorable.

I put down the crystal, smiling as I ruffled her hair. "Nothing, sweetheart. Here, Mommy will braid your hair nicely today."

Just then, the crystal suddenly flickered to life with a private message from Safiya:

【Serina, thank goodness you're still alive! I've been dealing with the Delta warriors in my cave and couldn't warn you in time. The first three days are crucial. You must build a good relationship with your "family." Here's some information I compiled from the Alpha Council records. Hope it helps. I'm sorry I didn't explain the cave selection rules beforehand, forcing you into the King's Nest.】

I noticed Safiya was also active on public channels, offering advice to other candidates:

【Remember, don't make direct eye contact. That's seen as a challenge.】

【If you hear a low growl, stop whatever you're doing immediately.】

【Always let them eat first...】

Taine occasionally chimed in:

【What's the point of helping these newbies? It doesn't benefit you.】

Safiya always replied gently: 【Crossing paths is fate. Don't be so calculating.】

The surviving candidates were all grateful to Safiya, calling her "The Guide."

These two Alphas were certainly interesting.

I leaned close to the crystal, replying cautiously: 【Thanks for checking in. I'm doing fine. Your info is helpful.】

After putting down the crystal, I saw Lia sitting obediently to the side, while Eros was doing strength training with a massive boulder. His muscles looked particularly distinct in the morning light.

"What would you like to eat today?" I asked him, still braiding Lia's hair. "I found some wild berries in the back of the cave yesterday. I could add them to breakfast."

Eros set the boulder down and walked over to sit beside us. His gaze was gentle, nothing like the ferocious vampire-werewolf of legend. "You decide," his deep voice had a hint of warmth. "Everything you make is delicious."

Blood-colored moonlight streamed through cracks in the cave ceiling, casting dappled spots of light on us.

Lia leaned against my knee as I carefully braided her hair, occasionally weaving in some small wildflowers I'd picked yesterday.

Eros sat quietly and watched us. The scene was so warm it hardly seemed like a life-or-death trial.

Just as I was finishing Lia's hairstyle, a pungent mixed smell of herbs and decay suddenly filled the cave.

Two slender figures appeared silently at the cave entrance, blocking most of the light.

"Looks like we have unexpected guests while we're away," one of the hexenbiest said, her sharp nails scraping against the rock wall in a teeth-grinding sound. Her skin had an unnatural grayish pallor, like a long-dead corpse.

The other witch showed her pointed teeth, with unnatural sutures at the corners of her mouth. "And trying to take over our job."

Lia immediately hid behind me, her small hand clutching my clothes tightly.

Eros instantly went into battle mode, stepping in front of me with a low warning growl in his throat.

I stood up and walked toward the two hexenbiest with a smile. "You must be Morgana and Morgan, right? I've heard Eros talk about you." I pretended not to notice the dangerous aura they emitted. "I was just braiding Lia's hair. Would you like me to do yours too? I can also make a hair conditioner with bay leaves and bioluminescent moss. It's especially good for restoring hair quality."

Morgana narrowed her eyes, and something seemed to be writhing beneath her grayish skin. "Little lamb, do you know we once turned an entire werewolf patrol into a pot of stew?"

"They must not have appreciated your craft," I said without changing my expression, pulling out my herb pouch. "Here, try this conditioner. I added essence of rain-flower. It's especially moisturizing. Your hair looks like it needs some serious TLC."

Morgan sneered, suddenly grabbing my wrist with her sharp nails digging into my skin. "You think these cheap tricks can fool us?"

I winced in pain but still held up the conditioner jar. "Sister, your nails need trimming. You're scratching yourself. Once I'm done with your hair treatment, I can file them for you. I have a really nice set of tools I traded for from a wandering merchant."

To my surprise, Morgan suddenly laughed and let go of my hand. "Sister, this girl is amusing."

"Indeed," Morgana took the conditioner jar from me and sniffed it at the tip of her nose. "Your formula... is unique. Much fresher than the corpse oil products we usually use."

Those watching the trial went wild again:

【She's offering hair treatments to the Cursed Twins?!】

【And Morgana accepted it?! The last candidate who just glanced at them was turned into an ingredient!】

【Does this Serina really not see the maggots writhing under their skin?!】

【Wait, they're discussing skincare?! Are these still the Hexenbiest known for their cruelty?】

I cheerfully started preparing the hair treatment for the two hexenbiest. Eros and Lia watched with their mouths agape. In the cave, the once-feared Cursed Twins, the vampire-werewolf, and the ghost cub were all gathered around me, waiting for my special herbal treatment.

"You know," I said as I crushed bay leaves, speaking to Morgana, "Proper care not only improves your hair but can lift your spirits. I noticed the muscles around your mouth look very tense. This formula is perfect for helping you relax."

Morgana looked at me thoughtfully. "You... you're not afraid of us?"

I looked up and smiled at her. "Why would I be afraid of my own family?"