The Gluttonous Hound

In the fallen TV cabinet, he discovered a small bag of nails, a rare find that would be perfect for reinforcing the raft. He quickly pocketed it. Next, he found a paring knife, which he also kept, planning to give it to Lily Grace for self-defense.

When he opened the refrigerator, he was delighted to find cartons of milk and a few cans of beer. Ecstatic, Simon grabbed a large plastic bag and stuffed everything inside.

"Excellent, this trip has been quite fruitful," he thought, pleased with the haul.

Additionally, he gathered all the cooking essentials—oil, salt, vinegar, and soy sauce. While they might not be immediately useful, Simon believed they would come in handy later.

As he rummaged through the cabinets, he noticed Lily Grace emerging from the bedroom. Though her steps were still a bit unsteady, she had recovered significantly. She was carrying a large bag, which she handed over to him.

"What's this?" Simon asked, taking the bag. Opening it, he found it filled with various snacks—sunflower seeds, pistachios, raisins, candies, and more. The entire bag was packed with treats.

"Are these your usual snacks?" Simon looked at Lily Grace.

Lily Grace nodded.

Simon smiled and said, "That's great. These are all useful. Here, take this fruit knife." He handed her the knife.

Lily Grace accepted the knife, looking a bit bewildered.

"Your clothes are quite tattered. Change into something else; we need to leave this place." Deciding there was nothing more of value to be found, Simon didn't want to waste any more time here.

Lily Grace obediently returned to the bedroom. A short while later, she emerged in a fresh denim jumpsuit and black leather shoes, looking both adorable and tidy.

"Very nice," Simon said approvingly. He picked up the two large plastic bags. "Let's go."

Without a word, Lily Grace followed him quietly.

As Simon stepped outside, he noticed how the sunlight bathed Lily Grace's face, giving her an almost porcelain-like appearance, flawless and doll-like. This sight stirred something in him.

Contrary to his expectations, she did not seem overly attached to her father's corpse. This eased his mind; he had worried she might be reluctant to leave. To his relief, Lily Grace was cooperative, clearly eager to depart. It seemed that whatever horrors she had witnessed or endured while hiding in the wardrobe had instilled in her a strong desire to escape.

In her eyes, this place was a nightmare she longed to flee from, with no lingering attachments.

Perhaps she had not seen sunlight for a long time, for as soon as she stepped outside, Lily Grace raised her hand to shield her eyes. Suddenly, she looked at Simon with an expression of sheer terror, as if she had seen something horrifying.

Simon, standing with his back to the long corridor, noticed her frightened gaze. He realized she wasn't afraid of him, but of something behind him. Her eyes were slightly raised, indicating that whatever she saw was above his head.

In an instant, Simon acted on instinct, jerking his head to the side. Almost simultaneously, something grazed his shoulder, sending a spray of blood into the air. The searing pain revealed deep, bone-exposing gashes.

"Watch out!" Lily Grace finally screamed, her face a mask of fear. She stumbled backward and fell to the ground.

Before her, a dark shadow passed over Simon, landing on the ground in front of her. It was a large, blood-red dog, so grotesquely mutated that its original breed was unrecognizable. Its fur was entirely gone, replaced by exposed, swollen muscles, making it look like a monstrous creature skinned alive.

It possessed claws resembling barbed hooks, each extending nearly ten centimeters. With these terrifying talons, it had hooked onto the corridor's ceiling and lunged down from above Simon's head.

Simon had been utterly unaware; if not for the sudden terror on Lily Grace's face, alerting him to the impending danger, he might not have instinctively dodged. Had he not moved, those claws would have pierced not his shoulder but his forehead.

Though he had avoided a fatal blow, Simon broke into a cold sweat, his muscles twitching and swelling in response. His special ability, "Muscle Augmentation Type I," activated, contracting the wound on his shoulder to slow the bleeding and prevent excessive blood loss.

With a roar, Simon threw down the plastic bags he was carrying. Ignoring the searing, tearing pain in his left shoulder, he tightened his grip on the iron rod in his right hand, veins bulging on the back of his hand. He charged forward with ferocity.

The grotesque creature, with its blood-red muscles, had landed in front of Lily Grace. A single leap forward would allow it to tear out her throat.

Having finally found a companion, Simon couldn't bear the thought of losing her so soon.

In an instant, all his strength surged forth. The iron rod whistled through the air, descending with a mighty force. Between his brows, a faint, vertical eye-shaped symbol appeared, activating his "Perception Sigil."

"Name: Ravenous Hound, an elite type among Level Two Spirit Beasts. It is gluttonous and fond of ambushes, with a one percent chance of evolving into a Ravenous Sovereign. Defeating a Ravenous Hound may grant the special ability 'Fangs of Gluttony.'"

Simon's heart sank slightly.

This Ravenous Hound was not just any spirit beast but an elite among Level Two Spirit Beasts. The One-Eyed Frog he had previously encountered, although also an elite type, was merely a Level One Spirit Beast. Undoubtedly, the Ravenous Hound before him was far more formidable.

There was no time for further contemplation. Simon put forth all his strength, swinging the iron rod with a faint whistle, indicating the considerable force behind the strike.

Contrary to Simon's expectation, the Ravenous Hound did not lunge at Lily Grace. Instead, it abruptly turned, dodging the iron rod, and circled around before leaping again, like a hawk diving for prey, aiming at Simon.

The Ravenous Hound's leaping ability was astonishing. With this jump, it soared at least two to three meters high, almost touching the ceiling. Simon remained composed, retreating calmly while his peripheral vision caught sight of a beast carcass at his feet. Swiftly, he slid his foot beneath the corpse.

The long corridor was littered with beast carcasses, likely slain by Lily Grace's father, as Simon surmised.

Just as the Ravenous Hound was about to descend, Simon kicked the carcass up, sending it crashing toward the beast.