Life in the detached little house had suddenly become "routine" and "comfortable."
There were no more life-or-death battles in the ruins, no more desperate suffering in an iron cage, and even his training was temporarily focused on recovery and acclimation.
Sunlight streamed through the bright glass windows, casting warm patches of light across the floor. Lin Mo lay sprawled in his designated spot, which was covered with some kind of soft animal hide. His eyes were half-closed, making him look as if he were napping, but inside, he was ranting up a storm.
Being kept like livestock—not a pig, but a rare tiger—was terribly uncomfortable for someone like him, who was determined to become a future overlord that devoured the stars.
Just as he was wondering whether he should "accidentally" smash a vase or two to express his displeasure, someone knocked on the door.
Wang Keke went to answer it. Two stern-faced officers in crisp military uniforms entered, along with a middle-aged man dressed in the Wang Family's steward's uniform.
The middle-aged officer at the head of the group had the insignia of a senior officer on his shoulder straps, marking him as someone of considerable rank. He held a dark blue metal box bearing Huaxia Country's national emblem.
"Miss Wang Keke, Mr. Mimi..." The officer's gaze paused when it fell on Lin Mo's massive body, and he clearly took a moment to choose his words. "In accordance with the Interim Regulations on the Management and Protection of the Rights and Interests of Special Talents (Non-Human), and a joint resolution by the Northeast Base City Command and the Special Affairs Management Office, we are formally registering your battle pet, the Mutated Winged Tiger 'Mimi,' as a citizen of Huaxia."
Citizenship registration?
Lin Mo's ears shot up, and his amber eyes opened wide. He was a little dumbfounded. They were getting an ID for a tiger? This was pretty wild.
Wang Keke also covered her little mouth in surprise.
The officer solemnly opened the metal box. Inside, on soft red velvet, lay a shield-shaped metal nameplate about the size of a baby's palm.
The nameplate looked neither quite like gold nor silver, and shimmered with a faint, dark-golden sheen. Elaborate cloud patterns were engraved along its edges. The Huaxia national emblem was clearly embossed at the top center, and two lines of small laser-engraved text appeared beneath it:
[Name: Mimi]
[Citizen ID: HX-DB-JL-001]
HX (Huaxia) – DB (Northeast) – JL (Giant Beast? Or spirit?) – 001 (the first one)?
Seeing the glaring words "Name: Mimi," Lin Mo felt his whiskers twitch with rage!
Humiliation! Utter humiliation!
He, Lin Mo, the future devourer of the stars, was going to go down in history under the name "Mimi"?! Damn it, Wang Keke must have blurted it out once, and some lousy clerk had put it in the records!
"Grrr—! (My name isn't Mimi!)" He couldn't help letting out a low, defiant growl.
The officer was clearly prepared for the monster's temper. Without changing his expression, he continued in a matter-of-fact tone, "This nameplate is made from a composite of memory alloy and specialized biological ceramics. It is sturdy and wear-resistant, and comes equipped with basic life-sign monitoring, tracking, and emergency distress functions.
"Wearing this nameplate means that 'Mimi' has officially become a legal citizen recognized and protected by Huaxia law. He will enjoy certain corresponding rights and must fulfill the relevant obligations."
He looked at Wang Keke. "Please put it on Mr. Wang... er, Mr. 'Mimi.' It is a symbol of his identity, and also a necessary pass for travel within the Base City."
Wang Keke looked at the beautifully crafted, highly significant nameplate with its humiliating inscription, then at Lin Mo, who looked ready to die rather than accept it. She wanted to laugh, but also felt helpless. She picked up the nameplate. A special clasp on the back could fasten it securely to a collar—or even clip it straight onto a tuft of fur.
"Mimi, be good. This is a good thing!" Wang Keke tried to soothe him. "You'll be a tiger with an identity from now on!"
Identity, my ass! With this name, if I become a Starry Sky Behemoth someday, my enemies will burst out laughing! Lin Mo was overcome with grief and tried to back away.
But Wang Keke pleaded with him so gently, and the officer and steward were watching him like hawks. In the end, he could only struggle a few times in token protest and let Wang Keke fasten the nameplate—an emblem of "officially certified humiliation"—to the thickest tuft of fur on the side of his neck.
The cold, hard touch made Lin Mo feel as if his dignity as a mighty tiger had taken a million-ton blow.
"There, it fits perfectly!" Wang Keke clapped her hands, pleased as she admired the dark-golden nameplate peeking through his white fur.
The officer and the others completed their task, saluted, and left.
Lin Mo flopped back onto the animal-hide cushion, feeling as if his whole world had fallen apart. He could already imagine what might happen in the future:
Scene One: He roared through the stars, devouring planets, while an enemy powerhouse cried out in terror, "Who goes there?!" He raised his head proudly, his nameplate reflecting the light of a star. Clearly engraved on it were the words—[Mimi]. The enemy froze, then laughed so hard their energy went out of control...
Scene Two: He took human form (if that became possible in the future), dashing and charming. A young woman blushed and asked, "What's your name, handsome?" He flashed a roguish smile and pulled out his ID—Name: Mimi. The young woman's face crumpled...
"Grrr... (Just destroy the world already...)" Lin Mo buried his big head in his paws and let out a gloomy rumble.
Fortunately, his humiliation didn't last long before it was somewhat washed away by "delicious food."
The Wang Family worked with impressive efficiency—or perhaps they spared no expense when it came to investing in an "S-Rank Core Seed." That afternoon, the three "feasts" Lin Mo had personally selected were delivered one after another to the dedicated training room attached to the little house.
First: [Moonlight Fox] (mid-stage Beast Soldier)
They brought over a well-preserved carcass. Its silvery-white fur really did look as if it had been woven from moonlight. Even after death, it still gave off a faint glow, making it look sacred and beautiful. Its meat looked exceptionally tender.
Lin Mo activated his Devour Talent and tore into it. The meat was cool and sweet in his mouth, as though he were chewing on moonlight. Its energy was gentle and pure, quickly nourishing his mental power and body. Unfortunately, his [Combat Devour Talent] didn't trigger any prompts for inheriting [Agility Enhancement] or [Moonlight Healing]. But its flavor and energy alone made it feel... worth it! This stuff had to be expensive!
Second: [Lightning Marten] (mid-stage Beast Soldier)
This one was even more incredible—it was alive! Trapped in a specially made energy cage, it darted around like a streak of golden lightning, moving so fast it left afterimages. It took some effort to deal with, but its meat was firm and springy, containing a faint numbing sensation and a vigorous vitality. Its heart was especially potent. The instant he bit into it, a wave of searing energy swept through his body, making all his limbs feel much lighter. He still hadn't inherited a talent, but his speed really did seem to have improved, if only by an imperceptible amount.
Third: [Crystal Scorpion] (mid-stage Beast Soldier)
This monster looked the best of all, like a genuine work of art carved from purple crystal. They had deliberately kept its stinger and venom sac intact. The scorpion meat tasted strangely sweet, with a mineral-like texture, and the venom sac was packed with energy. After devouring it, he could feel that his armor—his skin beneath his fur—had grown slightly denser.
After the lavish feast, Lin Mo ate his fill. Although he hadn't gotten a single talent—the odds were simply too low—his energy was fully replenished, his body had recovered to its peak, and he even seemed to have made a little more progress.
He licked his paws, savoring the sweetness of the Moonlight Fox and the firm bite of the Lightning Marten. Then he lay on his luxurious animal-hide cushion, enjoying the lazy afternoon sunshine.
The nameplate engraved with "Mimi" hung around his neck, occasionally catching the sunlight and reminding him of his humiliation.
His mouth had tasted the most exquisite delicacies, his body luxuriated in comfort, but in his heart, a bitter anger over his name remained stuck in his throat.
This was his life for now—enjoying top-tier resources beneath the official stamp of "humiliation," steadily (and extravagantly) growing stronger with the goal of "eating them out of house and home."
He glanced at the deep blue sky outside the window and thought to himself:
Hmph, fine. Mimi it is! Once I'm strong enough to ignore every rule, the first thing I'll do is change the name in my household registration!
As for now... What should I order tomorrow? I hear the wings of the [Green-Eyed Thunder Eagle] and the tenderloin of the [Earth Vein Lingzhi Pig] are both good. Hmm, I'd better study the Bestiary carefully...
With "anticipation" for the future and plans for his next meal, Lin Mo yawned, the fragrant scent of Moonlight Fox still on his breath. He shifted into a more comfortable position on the soft animal-hide cushion and sank into a deep sleep.
Beneath the sunlight, the dark-golden nameplate rested quietly against his neck. The two characters "Mimi" seemed to silently proclaim the beginning of a new era—one in which humans and beasts, rights and humiliation, coexisted.
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