Louis wasn't affected in the slightest by Alex's attitude. Compared to his father, Alex was, after all, just a kid.

"If you can't keep quiet, stay away from me," Louis said coldly.

Alex frowned. "So you like that girl just because she's quiet, huh?! Someone like her isn't on our level!"

Louis tilted his head toward Alex and suddenly said, "Alex, you and I are not the same."

Alex froze for a moment. Could it be that Louis was about to awaken and realize his identity—becoming arrogant already?

Was he really going to be crushed and defeated by Louis?! No way. Alex couldn't accept that.

But contrary to Alex's expectations, Louis merely said, "You have no manners—you live like someone who was never taught how to be human."

"Human?" Alex almost burst out laughing.

Then he remembered that Louis hadn't awakened yet, so he only snorted coldly, feeling superiority welling up inside him.

His gaze shifted toward Anna again. After all, that big, foolish girl didn't matter anyway.

Alex sneered. "I don't need your approval, but you should know—we're family. We're the closest ones!"

He was conflicted. He didn't like Louis, but Louis would become strong one day. And since Alex saw himself as one of the strong, he'd rather associate with others like that.

Louis said nothing. He sat down quietly, like an emotionless doll.

Alex clicked his tongue, itching to kick Louis.

Anna sat nervously beside Louis. Her tall figure blocked the light on him, and she said ingratiatingly, "Louis, do you want to color? This is my favorite coloring book."

Louis looked at her. He could see the glimmer in her eyes—bright crimson eyes filled with light. This foolish girl saw him as her only friend in this strange place.

He even noticed traces of blood on Anna's face, along with bruises that hadn't yet healed.

Her hands were covered in even more wounds—some bleeding and scabbing over, others already forming visible scars.

These children were tiny monsters—cruel, heartless monsters.

If he took the wrong step, his fate might have been even worse than Anna's.

Louis turned his head away, ignoring her.

Anna pressed her lips together and continued coloring quietly.

And so, the strange yet peaceful days in Rose Mansion continued to pass by.

During this time, Alex no longer played with his other friends and instead clung to Louis, pestering him to tutor him.

Alex felt that having a bit of knowledge made him seem stronger. Humming to himself, he recited a poem, saying proudly, "Just wait till we start school—I'll definitely rank first in every exam! You'll be eating my dust, ha ha ha!"

Louis's face remained expressionless, but his mind had already begun to turn.

Would they really get to go to school? Since arriving here, he hadn't even been allowed to leave the wealthy district. Life never changed—the children couldn't go anywhere without their parents' approval. That much Louis had managed to gather from their chatter.

He glanced at his mission.

[What is the Butcher's secret?

Hint: Supermarket S-54 welcomes you!

Time limit: 12 days]

A month had already passed, leaving only twelve days. Mr. Andersen would never allow them to go, but Louis needed to complete the mission—he had no choice but to take the risk.

He looked at Alex and said, "Alex, I want to go outside."

Alex frowned, his face turning grave. "No, we're not old enough yet."

"I'm just informing you," Louis replied flatly. "Tell your father he doesn't need to worry about me."

Alex was momentarily speechless, stunned by Louis's commanding tone. He frowned and raised his voice. "At least tell me why you're going out!"

Louis pretended to think momentarily before saying, "There's something out there calling to me."

Alex's eyes widened in shock. He had never heard of such a thing—something calling to someone? That had never happened to him!

Would that make him stronger? Would he steal Louis's chance and use it to strengthen himself?

Just the thought alone sent excitement through every hair on Alex's body.

He jumped to his feet, his slight figure suddenly capable of holding up the heavens. Lifting his chin high, he declared, "Fine! Since I'm your big brother, I'll take you outside!"

Clearly, Alex had his own way.

Louis pressed his lips together and said nothing. Since he was always like this, Alex couldn't tell whether Louis was pleased or annoyed.

Alex snorted coldly, but still thought Louis looked cool like that—maybe he could learn something from him.

Neither noticed that Anna, who had been quietly coloring to the side, twitched her ears slightly. Her lips pressed into a thin line, as though she had made some decision.

She had stuck close to Louis during this time and hadn't been bullied. Most of her wounds had already healed. The moment she saw Louis stand up, she quickly stood as well. She was even taller now, but still tried to shrink herself down, as if doing so could make her look smaller. In a soft, timid voice, she whispered, "Louis, goodbye."

Louis looked at Anna, nodded once, and said nothing.

Alex tugged Louis by the arm, hurrying him along. "Come on! Without me, you'd never make it out there."

Louis wanted to point out that they usually went home together anyway. Still, Alex seemed almost feverishly excited—like he'd been injected with chicken blood—so eager to leave that he looked even more impatient than Louis himself.

Louis lowered his gaze, remaining silent. Either way, this was the outcome he wanted.

Alex was dangerous, but for now, he was still just a foolish boy—with a cute face and an irritating personality.

As usual, the chauffeur had been waiting for them. When they appeared, he opened the car door respectfully to let them in. Usually, Alex and Louis would sit together in the back seat, but today Alex lifted his chin arrogantly and roared, "I want to sit in the front. Move!"

The chauffeur hesitated momentarily, clearly troubled, but he didn't dare disobey Alex's words. So, he respectfully opened the front door for him.

The car started moving. Louis suddenly lifted his eyes.

Maybe it was because of this world, but he could now sense certain things.

He could feel a strange energy gradually wrapping around the car—as if it was claiming its own domain.

A faint crimson light flickered in Louis's eyes.

Instinctively, he glanced into the rearview mirror, then lowered his gaze as if nothing had happened. In reality, he had already begun biting his own tongue.

At some point, Alex's body had started to change up front. He no longer looked human.

The wolf's head had reappeared—its twisted features grotesque and unnatural. The boy's eyes looked like they had been drawn with jagged strokes of black and red ink, spreading and writhing endlessly, like a corrupted animation glitch… staring straight at the driver.

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