"You are disgusting."
"You are filthy."
"You are ugly."
"You carry viruses."
...
A group of tiny tadpoles, each one chiming in, tore into Iliyat, leaving him no dignity. Although each tadpole spoke only a few words, their sheer number was overwhelming.
The ceaseless stream of foul language finally drew Wenwen's attention. He glanced at his shoulder and saw a small, pink, hairless baby bat.
"Hmm, when did this thing follow me in?"
Wenwen carefully pinched Iliyat's wing between his fingers and lifted him up. Although Wenwen didn't recognize this little creature as Iliyat, the fact that the usually taciturn Iswet was cursing meant it was definitely no ordinary miniature bat.
Iliyat's mood plummeted. He hadn't expected to be discovered by something like this.
If he had been less greedy, if he had focused on restoring his strength instead of searching for Tao Qingqing's whereabouts, the outcome might have been entirely different.
But it wasn't the worst yet. Even though he had been caught by this human, this human might not know his identity. If he acted cute and simple, making the human think he was just a slightly intelligent ordinary bat, he might still have a chance to escape.
Thus, Iliyat extended his tongue and gently licked Wenwen's fingers twice, his big, bright eyes blinking, looking incredibly innocent.
Wenwen examined him carefully. Iliyat didn't have much super energy within him, and his combat ability was likely only slightly stronger than a praying mantis. Therefore, Wenwen didn't pay him much mind.
"Tsk, probably just a little bat that accidentally landed on me. Maybe an异种 (yìzhǒng -異種 - different species)? But it can provoke Iswet's anger, so it should be something special. Let's lock it up for now and see."
A black chain, as thin as cotton thread, was released from Wenwen's fingertips, binding Iliyat.
Looking at this black chain, Iliyat instinctively felt a sense of danger. However, he was utterly powerless to resist Wenwen now.
Iliyat vanished from Wenwen's hand and was locked away in a cell. Wenwen had initially just intended to lock it up and deal with it later.
But Wenwen suddenly noticed that this little bat had been confined to the disaster zone of the containment facility! Su Dan Novel Network.
This meant that, according to the facility's judgment, this bat, which was no more powerful than an insect, was a disaster-level monster!
Wenwen's interest was instantly piqued. He suddenly began to suspect the little bat's identity. He had witnessed Iliyat's body being torn to shreds by five True Sequence powerhouses, but was it possible that Iliyat's true form had escaped, and that true form was this little bat?
So, Wenwen went to Iliyat's cell, cupped him in his hand, and headed towards Tao Qingqing's cell.
Tao Qingqing's cell was now the most luxurious cell on the third floor of the entire facility. When Wenwen entered, Tao Qingqing was sitting in a corner, hugging her knees, looking pitifully vulnerable.
The lingering fear she had felt when facing Iliyat still hung heavy in her heart.
"How is it? Not too scared to think, are you? Come out and show me without needing to change your pants." Wenwen stood at the cell door, offering no comfort whatsoever.
"This heartless wretch... You're the one who needs to change your pants."
Upon hearing Wenwen's command, Tao Qingqing sighed, rubbed her face, and walked out of the cell.
Wenwen grabbed her face and examined her closely. Finding no major issues, he released her. As long as her mental state wasn't severely affected, that was enough. He wasn't a psychiatrist and couldn't detect the subtlest of problems.
"Um... tell me honestly, if I keep helping you catch monsters and save humans like this, will you eventually forgive me?"
Tao Qingqing looked at Wenwen with a complicated expression. Wenwen had unreservedly used her as bait and offered no comfort upon their return. She had a vague feeling that Wenwen merely saw her as a tool.
"Forgive you? Impossible," Wenwen replied casually.
Tao Qingqing's expression immediately dimmed. She hadn't expected Wenwen to answer so decisively.
Wenwen leaned against the wall and spoke very seriously:
"I am not qualified to forgive you on behalf of those people you killed. Although you might have been forced, might have had unspeakable reasons, might have indeed done many things to atone..."
"But forgiveness is the right of the victim. They are already dead and cannot forgive anyone. What I can do is deal with those who are unbearable and send them to meet their victims."
The implication was that those who were unbearable would be directly eliminated.
"Let alone you... even myself, what about it? I've done wicked things too, and innocent people have died because of me. But I don't think I need forgiveness. What I need to do is be true to myself and make amends for my mistakes as much as possible."
"So you don't need to dwell on the issue of forgiveness or not. What you're doing now is very good."
After hearing Wenwen's 'comfort', Tao Qingqing felt much better. Although she hadn't fully emerged from the shadow of her encounter with Iliyat, at least she wasn't feeling as conflicted as before.
Wenwen asked with feigned concern, "Are you feeling better now?"
Tao Qingqing nodded warmly. Wenwen could be quite considerate at times.
Then she saw a strange smile spread across Wenwen's face, filling her with unease.
Wenwen opened his hand in front of her, revealing the thoroughly battered Iliyat he was gripping.
Upon seeing Tao Qingqing, Iliyat showed no joy whatsoever. Instead, he became extremely angry and unleashed his furious aura towards her.
In his normal state, he would have been delighted to see Tao Qingqing, but now he was a prisoner. As a high-ranking bloodkin, how could he let a lesser vampire see him in such a pathetic state?
The impact of Iliyat's rage stunned Tao Qingqing, her expression changing rapidly, as if she had seen something utterly terrifying.
Seeing Tao Qingqing's reaction, Wenwen was finally able to confirm Iliyat's identity.
So, those five True Sequence powerhouses truly hadn't killed Iliyat, but Iliyat hadn't escaped either; he had inexplicably walked right into a trap.
"You are Iliyat, aren't you?" Wenwen lifted him up, his expression unfriendly.
The little bat Iliyat sighed. He no longer wished to struggle. He would just see how Wenwen would handle him. As long as he didn't die, he would have a chance to rise again.
Wenwen, with a strange grin, carried Iliyat away, leaving Tao Qingqing trembling in his wake.
Once she recovered, she spat fiercely in the direction Wenwen had gone. Moments ago, Wenwen's comfort had warmed her, and she had felt he was somewhat human. But now...
Wenwen was clearly a beast!
However, after being so startled at such close range, it seemed she really did need to change her pants...