Sitting cross-legged on the deck of the Legacy, Vic's eyes were wide as saucers, and his grin stretched practically to his ears, refusing to fade.
In front of him lay a small mountain of treasures, each piece shimmering with an otherworldly glow—
There were golden crowns inlaid with massive deep-sea pearls, jade tablets smooth to the touch and carved with mysterious runes, tortoiseshell boxes overflowing with dazzling gems of every color, and even several scepters set with unknown energy crystals...
These were all "byproducts" he had casually "sucked up" from the ruins of Atlantis in his rush earlier, using that unfamiliar "Water, Come to Me" spell.
At the time, he was too busy fighting and transforming to pay attention. But now that he was taking inventory, it turned out to be an astonishing fortune!
"Hehehe... hehe..."
Vic picked up a slightly bent golden crown and giggled like a fool as he placed it on his head. He then grabbed a handful of colorful gems, letting them slip through his fingers with a clatter, listening to the crisp, pleasing sound. He felt like he had reached the peak of life.
"With this much treasure... forget raising four hundred kids, I could raise four thousand! Forty thousand! I can afford it! Top-tier steak and truffles for every meal!"
He happily planned his "future," completely immersed in the joy of sudden wealth.
Nearby, little Dennis and Winnie were rolling around on a pile of gold coins and gems, playing without a care in the world.
"Sigh..."
Enid looked at Vic's money-obsessed face and his mumbling about "four hundred kids." She couldn't help but face-palm and sigh, though her eyes were filled with gentle, exasperated amusement.
She really couldn't understand why Vic was so single-mindedly convinced that she was going to give birth to an entire reinforced company of wolf pups.
Where did this weird obsession even come from?
"But..."
Enid walked over to Vic, sat down next to him, and leaned her head lightly on his shoulder. Watching him laugh mindlessly with Dennis and Winnie, the corners of her mouth turned up involuntarily. She muttered softly, in a voice only she could hear:
"What an idiot... but he's my idiot."
"This big sapphire will make a necklace for Enid! And this obsidian crown—Wednesday would look totally regal wearing this!"
"These gold coins are for pocket money... Oh! And these shiny ones can decorate the hotel back home!"
Vic planned seriously, his face full of smiles, clearly enjoying the process.
The deck turned into a lively "Loot Distribution Party."
Vic acted like a generous Santa Claus, handing out treasures to every monster elder and friend based on their preferences.
Even Griffin, the invisible man, received a magical silver mirror that was said to reflect one's "true form." Although he still couldn't see himself, everyone could hear his happy sobbing.
Watching Vic surrounded by the elders, radiating genuine happiness, Enid suddenly understood.
He loved "hoarding" wealth not just because he was greedy, but because he enjoyed the warmth of sharing it with his family and friends.
He was using this clumsy, sincere method to express his love.
"Ahem." Wednesday appeared beside Enid at some point, toying with the obsidian crown Vic had given her.
Her face was as expressionless as ever, but her eyes were slightly softer than usual.
"Although his taste remains questionable... the sentiment is acceptable."
Enid chuckled and linked her arm with Wednesday's.
The setting sun bathed the deck in golden light, plating everyone in a warm glow.
The sound of laughter, clinking gems, and crashing waves wove together, filling the air with the relief of survival and anticipation for the future.
---
While Vic was happily distributing loot, down in the Netherworld, the Water Demon Bai Tza was so angry she was about to spontaneously combust.
"That is my treasure! My crown! My gems! It's all mine!"
Bai Tza rolled around on the scorched earth of Hell.
"That shameless thief! Bandit! He used my power to steal my treasure!"
Tso Lan watched his sister on the verge of a breakdown. Although he claimed he didn't want to get involved, as the eldest brother, he floated over, attempting to soothe her with his usual cold logic.
"Bai Tza, calm down. Do not fret over material possessions."
Tso Lan's voice was distant and calm.
"You still have a chance. Is your Source Essence not still intact? As long as the Zodiac Dragon's energy source continues to power your Atlantean ruins, combined with the special rituals left in your kingdom, your realm will sooner or later revive..."
"Brother! Stop talking! I beg you!"
Bai Tza reacted as if someone had stepped on her tail. She sprang up from the ground in terror, using one tentacle to firmly clamp Tso Lan's mouth shut and pointing a trembling tentacle at the floating scrying mirror.
She had finally realized it: her big brother's mouth was basically cursed! Whatever he said, things would inevitably develop in the absolute worst direction possible!
Sure enough, the image in the water mirror changed instantly!
On the deck, Vic, who was admiring a gem in the sunlight, suddenly felt the ancient gourd at his waist begin to buzz and vibrate violently.
"Hmm? What's going on?"
Vic looked down, puzzled, and weighed the gourd in his hand.
"I didn't set this thing to vibrate mode?"
Curious, he shook the gourd. After a thought, he casually pulled the stopper.
POP.
The moment the stopper was removed, a thick stream of purple demonic energy shot into the sky like a wild horse!
But it didn't attack anyone. Instead, as if it had a clear target, it made a sharp U-turn in the air and rocketed toward the depths of the Atlantean ruins with incredible speed!
merely a few seconds later, before Vic or anyone on the deck could react, the demonic energy flew back with a whoosh, even faster than before!
It seemed to have completed some kind of "transaction" deep in the ruins. When it returned, it brought back a small object, dropping it precisely into Vic's open palm with a clack.
Vic looked down, and his eyes bulged out of his head!
It was a small, smooth stone, clearly carved with a dragon pattern, radiating a familiar pulse of talisman energy.
"The Dragon... The Dragon Talisman?!"
Vic's voice cracked with disbelief.
"Just like that... it's mine?!"
"This isn't just God feeding me; this is God cooking a full banquet, prying my jaws open, and shoveling it down my throat!"
While he was still in shock, the wisp of Bai Tza's energy, having completed its "mission," seemed satisfied with Vic's reception of the "gift." Like a helpful little sprite, it spun happily above Vic's head, and then...
Zip!
It dove straight into Vic's body!
Vic felt a cold sensation flow through him, finally settling down in the area of his left kidney, where it peacefully... took up residence.
"Hey! I didn't agree to let you move in!"
Vic subconsciously clutched his kidney, protesting to the air.
Immediately after, a look of realization dawned on his face, as if receiving a telepathic message. He muttered to himself:
"Oh? You say the Dragon Talisman is... 'rent'? That still doesn't make it okay; that's my kidney! What? Enhancement? Cough, cough. Fine, you can stay for now."
"Vic, what's wrong? Are you okay?"
Enid was confused by his bizarre behavior and muttering. She grabbed his arm worriedly.
"It's fine, it's fine. Don't worry, I won't lose control again." Vic waved his hand, explaining casually. "I just closed a small business deal. I rented out one of my kidneys on a short-term lease."
"Huh? Kidney... rented out?!"
Enid was completely dumbfounded. Her mouth formed a perfect 'O' shape, unable to comprehend this bizarre logic.
Next to her, Wednesday shook her head helplessly and rubbed her temples.
Even with her composure, she found she could never quite keep up with Vic's thought process, which jumped around like a black hole.
Vic ignored the kidney rental interlude and began playing with the newly acquired Dragon Talisman with great interest.
In a moment of inspiration, he aimed the talisman at the only tall, lighthouse-like structure in the Atlantean ruins that had miraculously survived the battle unscathed.
"Dragon Blast!"
With a light shout, the pattern on the Dragon Talisman lit up!
A massive pillar of scorching fire, containing terrifying destructive energy, roared out of the talisman like a fire dragon. It crossed the long distance instantly and slammed precisely into the structure!
BOOM—!!!
With a thunderous noise, the poor, last-standing building collapsed in the violent flames, reduced to rubble.
"Cool~!" Vic looked at the destructive effect of the Dragon Talisman, his eyes shining like stars. He couldn't put the new toy down.
---
Deep in Hell.
Bai Tza's tentacle, which was covering Tso Lan's mouth, slid down weakly. She and the other demons stared blankly at the water mirror, which had now gone completely black.
She slumped on the ground, her eyes empty, looking like a broken doll.
Her treasure... her demonic energy... her Dragon Talisman power source... all gone.
She just wanted to be alone.
Don't ask who Alone is.