If anyone in the world had a form of existence closest to Nie Yun's, it was undoubtedly Little Octopus.
"Eight Stripes, come here a moment!" Nie Yun called softly, in what he considered his gentlest tone.
Eight Stripes, who was studying an alien species, heard that familiar tone and felt an inexplicable chill, as though sensing malice from Nie Yun. Little Octopus turned to flee into the Silverwing Guard's faceplate.
"Ahem!" Nie Yun gave a soft cough, and Eight Stripes froze on the spot.
Then, like a windup mechanical octopus, Eight Stripes obediently creaked over to Nie Yun, despair written all over Little Octopus's face.
"Pfft, pfft!" (You're restricting my freedom of movement!) Little Octopus protested angrily.
"Sorry, your protest is overruled. Apart from one kind of fish that qualifies for humanitarian treatment, the others apparently don't have any laws protecting them yet." Nie Yun spread his hands with a sly smile.
"Pfft?" (What fish?) Little Octopus was utterly furious. Having no human rights was bad enough, but they were all fish, so why the racial discrimination?
"Slackers. The salted fish of society!" Nie Yun said with a perfectly straight face.
Little Octopus: "..."
Codename: "..."
Mechanical Insect: "..." (′?_?`)
While Little Octopus reeled from the realization of being "worth less than even a salted fish," Nie Yun gently opened the vial in the necklace pendant. A delicate fragrance immediately spread through the air.
Caught off guard, Nie Yun breathed some in. Before he could even feel surprised, he felt refreshed and invigorated, as though he had gulped down an ice-cold drink on a sweltering summer day. Every organ in his body seemed to be cheering.
Nie Yun's eyes lit up. He stared fixedly at the Water of Life in his hand, seized by a powerful urge to throw caution