"Krr~"
After the thin young man left, a low sound rang out inside the foster shop.
Under Xu Ran and Purple Cloud's surprised gazes, a Contract Beast lizard covered in black scales, with even its eyes completely black, stepped out of the shadows in front of the counter.
Looking at the two-meter-long creature, which fell into the medium-sized category, Xu Ran belatedly realized that this was the Contract Beast the young man had left in his care.
By now, Xu Ran could recognize some of the more common Contract Beast species without using the system's appraisal function. The pitch-black creature before him was one of them.
A Dark Element Contract Beast, the Shadow-Hunting Lizard.
This black-scaled lizard Contract Beast had the ability to slip into shadows, making it a powerful assassin in the night.
"Since your owner has left you here, make yourself at home." Xu Ran walked up to the Shadow-Hunting Lizard and spoke gently. "Come with me. I'll show you where you'll be staying."
"Purple Cloud, watch the shop!"
"Meow~" (Leave it to me~)
Purple Cloud slowly lowered herself from her standing position, tucked both front paws beneath her chest, and calmly watched over the shop.
"Krr~"
The Shadow-Hunting Lizard seemed dispirited and deeply dejected. It trailed closely behind Xu Ran toward the back door.
As Xu Ran watched the Shadow-Hunting Lizard’s behavior, a thoughtful look surfaced in his eyes.
There seemed to be a problem between this Beast Tamer and his Contract Beast.
When Du Heng had visited the foster shop, he had first checked how much space it had, then confirmed that it offered a suitable environment for the Steel-Armored Rhino, and finally watched a feeding session.
Only after determining through these checks that the Starfire Foster Shop was trustworthy had he left with peace of mind.
That should have been the standard process for a responsible Beast Tamer assessing an unfamiliar foster shop. Yet that thin young man had merely glanced at the prices before readily paying for a month's care.
The way he had left without another word after paying made it seem as though he wanted to get away from his Contract Beast as quickly as possible.
Combined with the Shadow-Hunting Lizard's current dejection, it was clear that something had happened between them.
Normally, Xu Ran would have had no reason to meddle.
But after his experience with the Rainbow Cloud Parrot, he knew very well that a Contract Beast's low spirits could affect the happiness points he received.
I wonder if the Shadow-Hunting Lizard will perk up. I'll make it something delicious in a moment and see if that cheers it up.
As these thoughts flashed through his mind, Xu Ran led the Shadow-Hunting Lizard into the foster area on the first basement level.
"Wait a moment." Xu Ran took out the Control Hub and made a few adjustments. Soon, a stone forest appeared amid the rolling wilderness.
The oddly shaped stone pillars reached ten meters at their tallest, and even the shortest stood over three meters high. Beneath the artificial lighting, their shadows intertwined into broad patches of darkness, where dense Dark Element energy gathered.
"This should be an environment you'll like."
"Krr~"
The Shadow-Hunting Lizard glanced at Xu Ran, then stepped into the shadows, sinking into them as though into water until it disappeared from sight.
Although he hadn't received any happiness points, its movements and reaction suggested that it was satisfied with the environment.
Xu Ran nodded slightly.
Next, I'll make it something delicious!
There's nothing a good meal can't fix. And if there is, make it two!
To earn more happiness points, I must use my nimble hands to bring this Shadow-Hunting Lizard pleas... Oh no. I've spent too long with the system. It's rubbing off on me.
Shaking his head, Xu Ran entered the Preparation Room and got to work.
Low sounds occasionally echoed through the spacious foster area-the Steel-Armored Rhino's footsteps as it paced across the wilderness.
It immediately noticed that a stone forest had somehow appeared in the now-familiar wilderness. Tilting its head, it looked puzzled.
When did that get here?
But soon, something occurred to the Steel-Armored Rhino, and realization dawned on its face.
Apparently, a new resident had moved into the foster area.
"Roar~" (Want to play in the mud with me?)
It approached the stone forest while extending an enthusiastic invitation.
In the shadows beneath the stone forest, a pair of pitch-black eyes faintly emerged.
Looking at the Steel-Armored Rhino, which was stronger than itself, the Shadow-Hunting Lizard's eyes flashed with surprise and sympathy.
Even someone this powerful has been abandoned, just like me?
"Huh? Steel-Armored Rhino, when did you get here?" Xu Ran emerged from the Preparation Room carrying the Shadow-Hunting Lizard's prepared meal and asked in surprise when he spotted the rhino.
"Roar?"
Turning its head and spotting the food bowl in Xu Ran's hands, the Steel-Armored Rhino's eyes lit up.
"Roar!" (I want some too!)
"No. Your next meal isn't for another few hours." Even though Xu Ran couldn't directly understand the Steel-Armored Rhino's language, he could guess what it wanted. He refused without hesitation. "Go play!"
"Roar~"
The rejected Steel-Armored Rhino wasn't discouraged. It turned and ran off, leaping into the mud pit with a splash that sent mud flying high, then rolled around gleefully.
Seeing how relaxed and carefree the Steel-Armored Rhino was, Xu Ran couldn't help chuckling.
This big fellow had adapted well.
He carried the food bowl to the stone forest. "This Steel-Armored Rhino only arrived yesterday, but it's already settled into life here. I hope you can settle in soon too."
After speaking, Xu Ran watched the food bowl he had placed in the shadows slowly sink until it disappeared. Every so often, chewing sounds drifted out of the darkness.
It was a strange way to eat. Without knowing there was a Shadow-Hunting Lizard hiding in the shadows, someone might even have found it eerie.
[Happiness points from the Shadow-Hunting Lizard +3] [Happiness points from the Shadow-Hunting Lizard +3] [From...]
So few happiness points. Looks like cheering this fellow up won't be easy.
Within the shadows, the Shadow-Hunting Lizard ate the delicious food in its bowl, mouthful after mouthful, as Xu Ran's words resurfaced in its mind.
"It's already settled into life here. I hope you can settle in soon too."
Settle into what? Life after being abandoned by my Beast Tamer?
Watching the Steel-Armored Rhino happily rolling in the mud pit in the distance, the Shadow-Hunting Lizard grew thoughtful.
Maybe I should pull myself together too?
Maybe one day, my Beast Tamer will remember me?
Encouraged by the Steel-Armored Rhino's optimism, the Shadow-Hunting Lizard's eyes gained a little determination, and it began eating faster.
[Happiness points from the Shadow-Hunting Lizard +4] [Happiness points from the Shadow-Hunting Lizard +5] [From...]
As the happiness points the Shadow-Hunting Lizard provided each time gradually increased, a smile grew in Xu Ran's eyes.
See? I said there was nothing a good meal couldn't fix!
When the empty food bowl floated back out of the shadows, Xu Ran picked it up and strode away.
After another meal in a little while, the Shadow-Hunting Lizard will definitely feel even better!
Within the shadows, the Shadow-Hunting Lizard watched the Steel-Armored Rhino rolling around happily and nodded solemnly.
I need to learn from this optimistic senior!
Before you continue