Fenix had done his research.

Golden Retrievers are known for their intelligence. An obese Golden Retriever must have a very indulgent owner and exceptional skills in playing the victim and begging for treats.

According to the aggrieved caretaker, their pup would scratch at the door and bark incessantly at breakfast time if its bowl was empty. The pup loved playing in the pond, but ever since it discovered it could play with water indoors, it refused to go outside.

The caretaker had attempted to ignore the barking and scratching, refusing to feed it and taking it for walks instead. But the moment they stepped out, the Golden Retriever started munching on grass, whimpering pitifully.

The caretaker, filled with regret, immediately brought the pup back home to feast on meat.

This wasn’t to say that Ferran would resort to eating grass. Fenix meant that given Ferran’s dedication to consuming cocoa products, even if it meant a trip to the hospital, the likelihood of him sneaking food from the hotel kitchen was very high.

Fenix wondered if Lion would catch him in the act. After all, Lion didn’t seem genuinely interested in helping Ferran lose weight.

Squatting by the bathroom door, Fenix watched the big lion leave with a heavy aura, raising a paw to make a cross.

May all the gods and deities protect Ferran.

Then Fenix opened his terminal, found Ferran’s contact number, and sent a message:

[Lion is coming for you, run fast.]

Fenix didn’t know how Lion planned to help Ferran lose weight, but he had warned Ferran. It was up to fate now.

If Ferran didn’t escape, it was his destiny.

Fenix sighed and ordered a meal, glancing at the large bathtub. The thought of getting his fur wet was repulsive.

Although he only had a thin layer of fur left on his body, except for his head, Fenix still didn’t want to get wet.

Fur was fur, short or thin, it was still fur.

Not wanting to get wet was not wanting to get wet.

Fenix pondered and leaped onto the edge of the tub, pressing the button to fill it with water, then transformed back into human form.

Peering into the water and touching the slightly filled tub, he realized he wasn’t as averse as he was in his Awakened form, and he let out a big sigh of relief.

Waiting for the tub to fill, he carefully stepped in.

Bathing required utmost caution. If something went wrong during the bath, Fenix’s handbook of embarrassing moments would need updating again.

Fenix slowly submerged himself in the water, relieved to have made it safely.

With the sound of rippling water, faint barking could be heard outside the window.

Fenix: "…"

Great, wonderful!

It seemed Ferran hadn’t managed to escape.

He looked up at the one-way glass window, which revealed a starry sky, suggesting another beautiful day tomorrow.

Fenix listened to the barking again.

Fenix: "…"

Fenix withdrew his gaze from the window, squeezed some shower gel, and began to lather up.

The distant barking now included some high-pitched whimpers.

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Fenix stopped lathering, threw the sponge aside, and dove under the water, feigning death.

Fenix didn’t know how Lion planned to help Ferran lose weight, but judging from the sounds, it seemed quite brutal.

Fenix didn’t know.

Fenix didn’t dare ask.

Underwater, it was quiet, and he couldn’t hear anything.

Ignorance was bliss.

Fenix felt incredibly guilty.

After all, Ferran was clearly the victim of a sudden misfortune.

Since Lion was upset and Ferran wasn’t there, it couldn’t be Ferran’s fault.

Fenix thought.

There were only two people present, so the truth was clear!

The culprit was you—Mr. Fenix!

Fenix lay underwater, making another cross on his chest.

Though I did not kill Bo Ren, Bo Ren died because of me.

If dog meat soup were served later, Fenix wouldn’t touch a single bite.

Brother, rest easy.

Amen!

Fenix resurfaced, took a deep breath, and listened intently but heard no more barking, which alarmed him.

Damn.

Could it be that bad?!

No, no, no.

Since going straight, Lion hadn’t committed any violent acts!

His character profile clearly stated that!

But no one could predict what Lion might do when pushed to the limit—after all, Athena had many death scenarios!

Fenix began to panic.

He opened his terminal and hastily typed:

[Boss, it will definitely be hot tomorrow. This weather isn’t suitable for dog meat soup.]

When Lion received the message, he had already chased Ferran from the residential area to the Rainy Season Training Zone and activated the Extreme Challenge mode.

Extreme Challenge was the highest difficulty setting. Usually, mastering the Hard mode was enough for Awakened individuals to control their Awakened forms.

The Extreme difficulty was designed for top predators like Lion and Raven.

The robots wouldn’t harm participants but would simulate pain through electrical pulses, causing discomfort.

Pain without visible injury was still pain. If one didn’t choose to give up but paused due to the pain, the outcome was inevitable—being relentlessly harassed by predators until they gave up.

In summary, Extreme Challenge was a battlefield for experienced players.

There were no desserts, no sugary drinks, no junk food—only the chance for Ferran to scavenge for fruits to satisfy his hunger.

The rainy season grassland was rich in resources.

And green, healthy.

Lion said he would help Ferran lose weight, and he meant it.

Ferran had to return to work in a week. A week wasn’t enough to lose weight in the gym.

Besides, Ferran had just snuck sweets and chips.

Given this, where else was better suited for Ferran to lose weight than the Extreme Training Zone?

Nowhere.

Squatting at the entrance of the Rainy Season Zone, Lion heard the training ground’s simulated thunder and the speaker announcing Ferran’s death count.

Surprisingly, Ferran had excellent grades upon graduation from Awakened School. In ten minutes, the speaker only announced two deaths.

Lion glanced at his terminal, read Fenix’s message, and opened the input panel.

Lion: [Yes.]

Seeing Lion’s reply, Fenix breathed a sigh of relief.

At the entrance to the training zone, Lion set a mandatory safety lock for Ferran, ensuring he wouldn’t encounter accidents but also preventing him from pausing or escaping.

If you want to lose weight, lose it; if you can’t, don’t come out.

With all settings adjusted, Lion rose as rain began to fall in the training zone and walked back.

When Lion returned, the kitten was lying on the carpet, curled up with its tail, covering its belly, sleeping on its back.

Fenix, fearing he might collapse the bed in his sleep, had transformed back into his Awakened form.

The kitten’s kicks would merely scratch the sofa.

Big Fenix’s kicks, however, would cause a catastrophe!

Even Fenix was afraid of himself!

The kitten sighed, realizing Ferran was likely fine, abandoned its worry, rolled on the soft carpet after a satisfying meal, and fell asleep on its back, snoring softly.

Lion approached, sniffed the puddle of soft fur, and found Fenix reeking of the tea-scented shower gel he used.

Good.

No trace of that foolish dog remained.

Lion was pleased.

He lay down quietly beside Fenix, wrapping his tail around the kitten, yawning.

Fenix felt the warmth beside him and, half-asleep, sniffed the comforting scent of tea.

The kitten twitched its ears, rolled closer to the warm source, flipped its belly, and fell back asleep.

Lion’s dark brown eyes glanced at the kitten nestled against his chest, instinctively reaching out to push the fur ball away but stopped mid-air.

Forget it.

Lion thought.

The kitten had no ill intentions.

Even if it did, what could Fenix do?

His teeth couldn’t even pierce Lion’s skin, and his claws were shorter than Lion’s fur.

In summary: weak.

Lion slowly retracted his paw and laid his head down.

…

The bodyguard arrived early the next morning.

He came to deliver a disc to Lion. But as he approached Lion’s residence, he saw through the uncurtained window a pair of feline creatures sleeping on the living room carpet—one big, one small.

The bodyguard was stunned, rooted to the spot.

Fenix had been in his Awakened form for a month, though shaved, the bodyguard recognized him.

Lion’s Awakened form was unmistakable, their leader.

In the bodyguard’s memory, Lion’s Awakened form appeared only in two situations.

First, when a fight was imminent.

Second, also when a fight was imminent—but this time with his own people.

Around Lion’s Awakened form, birds flew away, and people scattered. Never had he been so close to another being.

And the kitten was practically nestled under Lion’s belly!

When had their leader exposed such a vulnerable spot so casually?

Having served Lion for over a decade, the bodyguard felt like he was drowning in a vat of lemon juice.

The sourness was indescribable.

Fenix always slept in when possible, especially considering cats sleep sixteen hours or more daily.

Lion, however, maintained a regular schedule, despite lions generally being lazier than cats. But Lion’s routine wasn’t affected by his Awakened form.

Now, with Fenix snoring softly, Lion was lazily enjoying the sunrise.

The bodyguard’s presence was palpable, prompting Lion to glance at his subordinate standing in the courtyard, swish his tail dismissively.

Bodyguard: "??"

No, Boss!

Petting a cat should have limits!!

The bodyguard’s heart sank momentarily, but he held strong.

Putting on a serious face, he sat in the garden, waiting for his leader’s call.

This won’t do!

The bodyguard thought.

How long has it been?

Only a month, and the boss is spoiling the kid so much!

Petting a cat really needs limits!

Limits, Boss!

The bodyguard worried, envisioning a future where a pampered Fenix wreaks havoc, causing Lion to become oblivious and ruin the entire pirate group.

Heavens!

Unimaginable!

Lionheart is doomed!!!

Fenix slept until noon.

Opening his eyes, he instinctively nuzzled the warm source beside him, then stood up and shook his head.

Looking up, he met the lion’s amber eyes.

Sunlight bathed the lion in a golden glow.

"Mew."

Good morning, Boss!

Fenix greeted instinctively and received a gentle nudge from Lion’s head.

Fenix was nudged to the ground, dazed.

Only when Lion returned to the room, transformed back, and came out dressed did Fenix snap back to reality.

He had spent the whole night sleeping next to Lion.

Snuggled up against Lion’s belly.

Using Lion’s belly as a blanket.

Fenix: "…"

Fenix: "!!"

Fenix widened his eyes, excitedly pawing at the soft carpet.

Heavens!

Unbelievable!

I slept with my boss!!