Chapter 49: Date Night Stalkers
The next morning, as the first ray of sunlight pierced through the blinds into the room, Edward dragged himself up from bed.
He threw off the covers, got up, and stretched, producing a series of satisfying cracks.
Last night's battle was still fresh in his mind; Art the Clown, forcibly "downsized" and stuffed into a glass bottle, now sat quietly in a corner of his system inventory, becoming a unique "collectible."
"One down, wonder what kind of freak show's next," Edward muttered while brushing his teeth.
He went downstairs. The Connors had already left for work.
On the dining table, a steaming breakfast sandwich and a glass of milk were waiting.
Lily, dressed in a cute pink dress, sat at the table like a perfect little angel, her small legs swinging back and forth.
Seeing Edward come down, she immediately flashed a sweet smile.
"Morning, big brother!"
"Morning," Edward sat down and took a bite of the sandwich.
"Lily, those two newcomers—haven't caused any problems, have they?" Edward asked quietly after taking a sip of milk.
He was referring to Emma and Esther.
Ever since his mom brought these two "troubled girls" home to stay temporarily, the house atmosphere had gotten... delicate.
An 8-year-old sociopath, a "loli" with the body of a 9-year-old and the mind of a 33-year-old psychopath, plus a genuine demon named Lily.
Edward sometimes wondered if his home was becoming "Arkham Asylum Junior."
Lily blinked her innocent big eyes and replied softly, "Don't worry, big brother. They're very 'well-behaved.'
Emma spends most of her time reading in her room, and Esther is diligently playing the role of a 'girl who needs care.'
They both know exactly who runs this household."
As she spoke the last sentence, the corner of Lily's mouth curved into a cold smile—the smile of demon Marquis—which only Edward could understand.
Edward nodded, confident in Lily's control.
Ever since he'd thoroughly disciplined her with "Purification" and she'd been bound by the system, this demon was absolutely obedient to him.
With her keeping them in line, those two troublemakers wouldn't be able to cause chaos.
After breakfast, Edward slung on his backpack, hopped on his Fenrir motorcycle, and roared off toward school.
Several peaceful months passed in a flash.
During this time, the world seemed to have returned to normal.
Edward lived a regular life, commuting between school and home every day.
He'd take time to remotely coach Carrie in her telekinetic abilities; the formerly timid girl could now easily lift a car with her mind, and her personality had become much more cheerful and confident.
Maria, with Alan's "help," had completely shed her past insecurities and even made new friends at school, practically glowing.
The three "little demons" at home were unusually well-behaved; under Lily's "guidance," Emma and Esther seemed to genuinely be developing into "normal girls," at least on the surface.
Everything appeared calm and peaceful, time flowing gently.
If it weren't for the "Clown Bottle" in his system inventory that occasionally vibrated, Edward would almost believe all those supernatural battles were just some bizarre dream.
This evening, Edward and Jennifer were on a date at a newly opened French restaurant.
"Master~ try this, the escargot is amazing."
In their private booth, Jennifer let her succubus nature show.
She speared an escargot, leaned forward slightly, her glossed lips almost touching Edward's ear, her breath warm.
She wore a black off-the-shoulder dress tonight, perfectly showcasing her stunning figure.
Under the soft lighting, her skin was porcelain-smooth, her eyes sparkled, and every movement carried fatal allure.
Edward opened his mouth to accept it, then lightly kissed her fingertips.
"Tastes good, but not as sweet as you."
Jennifer's cheeks flushed a captivating pink, and her eyes grew even more hazy.
Ever since she'd been bound by the system and became Edward's "pet," her dependence and adoration for Edward had grown exponentially.
This intimacy, belonging only to them, made her feel immensely satisfied and happy.
The romantic dinner concluded in a sweet atmosphere.
Edward walked Jennifer home.
They didn't drive, choosing instead to stroll slowly under the moonlight.
The evening breeze rustled the oak leaves along the roadside with a soft whisper.
Few pedestrians were out, and the dim streetlights cast long shadows.
As they reached a secluded park along the street, Jennifer suddenly stopped, turned around, stood on her tiptoes, and wrapped her arms around Edward's neck.
"Master, tonight... I don't want to go home," her voice carried a tremor of anticipation.
Edward looked down at her, at her eyes that seemed to hold starlight under the moonlight, and felt his pulse quicken.
He didn't speak, but slowly lowered his head and kissed those long-desired soft lips.
It was a tender, lingering kiss.
Time seemed to freeze. Everything around them blurred, leaving only the sound of their heartbeats and breaths.
However, just as the two were immersed in this moment, a faint, extremely disturbing presence watched from the darkness nearby.
It wasn't ordinary curiosity or voyeurism.
It was attention... filled with hunger, excitement, and pathological desire.
Like two predators secretly locking onto prey in the dark, savoring the victim's last moment of beauty before the kill.
Edward's movements paused slightly.
His mental power far surpassed normal humans, and his perception of surroundings was exceptionally sharp.
He immediately sensed this malicious watching.
He subtly ended the kiss and gently patted Jennifer's back.
"What's wrong, Master?" Jennifer asked, puzzled.
"Nothing." Edward's gaze, seemingly casual, swept toward the black sedan across the street.
The car was off, parked silently in shadow, like a lurking steel predator.
The windows were deeply tinted, impossible to see through from outside.
But Edward could clearly sense those two foul, nauseating stares coming from inside that vehicle.
"Let's go." Edward put his arm around Jennifer's waist and turned to walk in another direction, a relaxed smile still on his face, as if nothing had happened.
Meanwhile, in that black sedan.
In the driver's seat, a medium-build man held high-powered binoculars, a sick smile on his lips. His eyes were bloodshot, gleaming with extreme excitement.
"Oh... honey, did you see that? That moment just now... it was so beautiful, simply art," he said in a theatrical tone.
In the passenger seat, a woman with immaculate makeup and designer clothes lit a slim cigarette. She took a deep drag, slowly exhaled smoke rings, her eyes also filled with twisted excitement.
"I saw it, Bobby. That girl, like a black rose about to bloom.
And that boy, his eyes... so interesting. He definitely noticed us." The woman giggled, her laughter particularly eerie in the cramped car.
"Noticed us? That makes it even better, doesn't it?" The man lowered the binoculars, licked his chapped lips. "Prey that fights back tastes... richer.
I can feel their 'vitality,' so vibrant, so tempting."
"So... we make our move tonight?" The woman crushed her cigarette in the ashtray, a flash of impatient cruelty in her eyes.
"No, no, sweetheart, don't rush." The man called Bobby shook his head, started the car, and slowly followed Edward and Jennifer's distant figures.
"A beautiful work of art requires foreplay and buildup. We need to watch, we need to learn them, we need to let them, at their happiest, most relaxed moment... experience the most magnificent finale."
His voice was filled with fanaticism for killing and a self-proclaimed "artist's" obsession.
"I want them to become our masterpiece.
In the place where they love each other most, with their own fresh blood, we'll paint the most beautiful... flower of death."
Listening to her husband's words, the woman let out a satisfied, delighted laugh that, along with the man's sick whispers, dissipated into the cold night.