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"???"
Hearing Adrian Vale's words, Raven Shaw froze for a beat.
When it finally clicked, a dark line practically appeared across her forehead.
For a moment, she genuinely didn't know what to say.
And only then did she understand what that earlier weird look from Adrian Vale meant…
It wasn't some mysterious vibe.
It was—
the look you give an idiot.
The livestream viewers also paused, as if digging through their memories…
Then absolutely lost it.
"Hahahaha—Boss Raven Shaw short-circuited!"
"Wait… the Will of Blue Star DID announce their names earlier, didn't it…"
"Holy—yeah! I forgot too!"
"Boss Raven Shaw! What happened to you?!"
"I'm dying—no, I'm not fully dead—HAHA!"
Raven Shaw realized she'd slipped.
But no matter what, she couldn't lose on presence.
So she cleared her throat twice and put on a cool tone.
"Ahem. Kid—
I literally just saved you. Is that really the attitude you're giving me?"
"..."
This time Adrian Vale dropped the are-you-serious stare.
He looked at her—deeply, quietly—then said in a low voice:
"About what just happened… you seriously don't get it?"
And with that, he turned away and continued toward the forest.
Raven Shaw blinked.
Then her eyes narrowed slightly.
So he noticed.
As expected.
She watched his back with a faint, thoughtful look.
This kid… really wasn't simple.
But the viewers weren't having it.
"????"
"Boss Raven Shaw saved you and THAT'S your attitude?!"
"170 IQ, negative 170 EQ."
"Bro—this is peak 'straight guy' dialogue. Learn to speak!"
"You think being handsome lets you act like this?"
"Actually… if you're handsome, it kinda DOES."
"Yeah, our Adrian Vale's like that!"
"If you're that hot, you could sit on my head and I'd thank you."
"Yo—ma'am?? You good??"
Even the studio panel looked confused.
Sienna Blake forced a dry smile. "Uh… Adrian Vale is… certainly unique."
Captain Cole laughed. "Do all handsome guys act like this? Man, I'm jealous."
Dr. Hart added, "I don't know about handsome guys, but Captain Cole isn't bad-looking himself."
Then Derek Vaughn had to ruin it.
"So what if he's handsome? Handsome scumbags aren't rare. Like that Wu Qian guy—handsome, and still a scumbag."
"…"
"…"
A true atmosphere assassin.
Back in the Divine Domain: Forbidden Zone—
Raven Shaw didn't seem bothered by Adrian Vale's gloomy personality at all.
She caught up in a few steps and continued, almost teasing:
"Kid, don't you know you're supposed to be gentle with pretty ladies?"
"..."
Adrian Vale glanced at her again.
Fine.
He had to admit—whether it was her face or her figure, Raven Shaw was absolutely top-tier.
But…
Pretty lady?
Her?
Most people wouldn't notice.
But Adrian Vale—half-ghoul as he was—understood RC cells far too well.
He could sense things about people other humans couldn't.
Raven Shaw, completely unconcerned with his stare, opened her mouth again.
"Kid—"
This time Adrian Vale cut her off.
"First of all—my name is Adrian Vale. Not 'kid.' Second—"
"Alright, alright," Raven Shaw cut him off right back, sing-song sweet. "Sister gets it."
And for some reason, seeing Adrian Vale get interrupted mid-sentence made Raven Shaw's mood brighten.
Like she'd finally gotten her little win back.
Adrian Vale didn't reply.
He only shot her one more flat look, then kept walking.
Raven Shaw—apparently deciding Adrian Vale was her new hobby—stayed right beside him and started firing questions nonstop.
"Kid, how old are you? What grade are you in?"
"Kid, do you have a girlfriend?"
"Don't tell me, kid… you're still a virgin?"
The livestream cracked up again.
"Don't hit me but… she's giving 'thirsty neighbor big-sis' vibes."
"My mental image of Boss Raven Shaw is being rewritten in real time. I can't stop laughing."
"'Kid, is your bed big? Sleeping alone scary?'"
"My bed's pretty big, wanna—"
"Hey! The people above are NOT okay!"
"..."
Adrian Vale finally snapped.
Under his breath, but clearly enough for everyone to hear, he muttered:
"Shut up, old lady."
The moment the words landed—
Total silence.
Old… lady?
Raven Shaw: "????"
Chat: "????????"
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