11. Little Rice Ball, You’ve Grown So Big

Elias seemed like he still wanted to say something, but just then, a man walked toward them.

Serena turned around—it was the man who had been with Adrian earlier.

If he was here, then where was Adrian?

Serena subtly glanced around but didn't feel any eyes on her.

Ryan walked up and stopped in front of her. "Madam, the master sent me to bring you home."

He deliberately stressed the word Madam, his gaze drifting to the man standing behind her.

Even Ryan himself was surprised.

So this was the woman the old master had arranged for Third Master to marry?

She was real—and alive!

Serena didn't know what Adrian intended. Hadn't he just left?

Elias's gaze dimmed slightly, and he lowered his eyes.

"I'll be heading back, Elias," Serena said politely, maintaining basic decorum before following Ryan away.

⸻

The car sped along the elevated highway, heading west across the lake region.

Glassridge Hill lay to the east.

Adrian wasn't in the car, which gave Serena an inexplicable sense of relief.

Now without her mask, Ryan glanced at the so-called Third Madam through the rearview mirror.

Her features were delicate, her presence serene—altogether very quiet.

Based on appearance alone, Ryan thought she and Adrian were quite a match.

Sensing his gaze, Serena looked up and met his eyes in the mirror.

Ryan awkwardly averted his gaze and finally remembered to introduce himself.

"Dr. Wil… I mean, Miss Serena, I'm Ryan. I work for Third Master."

Serena shifted her gaze back to the window. "Serena Sangster."

Ryan paused.

Sangster? That Sangster?

While Ryan was lost in thought, Serena casually asked, "Where are we going?"

"To Isleford —Third Master's private residence."

He thought she would ask more, but once Serena had her answer, she said nothing else.

Isleford is the most expensive residential zone in all of the Thirteen Provinces.

The car crossed a bridge and passed through a heavily guarded gate.

Every guard on the way carried openly displayed firearms.

The biggest difference between inside and outside the Thirteen Provinces was this:

inside, there was still law and order.

While chaos and bloodshed ruled the outer lands, people inside still lived with some semblance of safety.

Only someone like Adrian Pryce could act so brazenly.

The car stopped on a hill at the center of the island. Ryan opened the door for her.

A massive, semi-floating structure appeared before her—one side embedded into the mountain, the other jutting out over the lake like a shadow cast on the water.

Ryan led her into the elevator and pressed the button.

Then he handed her a card. "This is your access pass. You're free to come and go. But the Master wants to see you whenever he returns."

…

When would he return?

Seeing her confusion, Ryan kindly added, "He sometimes comes back in the evenings."

Sometimes?

Did that mean she had to wait here every night?

Serena sighed inwardly. But she had no say in the matter anymore.

Once the elevator began to ascend, Ryan turned to leave in another car.

Just as he was exiting the estate gates, he suddenly remembered—

Rice Ball… is still inside!

⸻

As the elevator doors opened, Serena stepped out—only to be nearly tackled by a massive shadow charging straight at her.

Her reflexes kicked in. She braced for impact.

But the beast slammed on the brakes right at her feet.

A soft whimper broke the tension. Serena realized what it was and relaxed, allowing herself to fall back slightly.

The creature pounced onto her—not in attack, but to sniff her like an oversized puppy.

More soft whimpers followed—half aggrieved, half ecstatic.

Serena chuckled and patted its head.

"Little Rice Ball, you've grown so big!"

The wolf let out a delighted howl.

Ryan had just returned in the other elevator and nearly panicked.

Did Rice Ball get excited after finally getting meat?

But as he arrived, he saw through the elevator's glass panel—Serena was sitting on the ground, perfectly fine.

The huge wolf was rolling around by her side, whimpering, begging for affection.

⸻

Ryan thought he was hallucinating.

Rice Ball was a purebred Alaskan tundra wolf with an intense territorial instinct.

Aside from Adrian, anyone who came close would get torn apart.

The number of people who had fallen victim to that wolf couldn't be counted on both hands.

Even Ryan—who had worked with Adrian for years—had to feed it from at least a meter away.

It had always been cold and fierce, just like its master.

Even around Adrian, it remained aloof and temperamental.

But now… this creature begging for belly rubs beside Serena—was that really Rice Ball?

Rice Ball, satisfied with the affection, trailed behind Serena as she began to survey her surroundings more carefully.

It was an enormous open-plan residence, spacious beyond belief. The ceilings soared high above her head, the walls left largely blank—even without a single decorative painting.

Dark hardwood flooring gleamed under the lights, spotless and cold.

A semi-circular floor-to-ceiling glass wall wrapped around the living space, offering an uninterrupted view of the lake outside.

The lake was as still as ink under the night sky, where water met the horizon. Across the lake, the distant lights on the northern shore of Glassridge Hill twinkled faintly—too far to reach, like another world.

No lights were on inside. Shadows cloaked the interior.

In the middle of the living room sat a lone black leather sofa. No coffee table, no rug—just an empty expanse, like a staged showroom awaiting its first occupant.

Along the window was an open-concept kitchen with white marble counters, clean and untouched. A few bottles of wine and glasses sat neatly on the surface, the cabinets tightly shut.

The entire space was exquisitely restrained, elegant—yet utterly devoid of any sign of actual life.

Serena slipped off her shoes and stepped into the center of the living room. The cold from the floor seeped up through her soles.

Rice Ball followed her faithfully, step for step.

She looked around. The vast house was dead silent, like a hollow shell. Even the air seemed untouched, carrying an eerie stillness that had never been disturbed.

She lowered her gaze to the lake outside. The water flowed noiselessly under the stars.

She walked deeper into the residence. The main hall, bedroom, and study all faced the lake, enclosed by full-length glass walls that left nothing hidden.

The rippling water was reflected into every corner of the house.

Wherever she stood, the lake was there—present and unyielding.

It felt as though the entire house existed solely for that view.

The master bedroom was stark in its simplicity: one bed, one wardrobe, and nothing else.

She turned toward the kitchen and took out a glass, filling it with water.

The sound of the water hitting the glass echoed clearly in the silence.

For a moment, it felt like the house finally took a breath.

She casually opened the fridge—empty.

A burst of cold air met her face. She stood in front of the open door, holding her water glass. Her fingertips were already chilled.

Was this really where Adrian lived?

Looking down at Rice Ball circling her feet, she asked softly,

"Does he starve you every day?"

"Awuu~"

That pitiful little howl—just like its master.

⸻

Starseam Cliff Arena.

The air reeked of blood and dampness, thick and claustrophobic.

A woman in a black bodysuit walked to a blood-stained table to register, her long ponytail swinging behind her, a mask covering her face.

"Codename," the gaunt man seated at the table asked.

"Nine," she answered coldly.

"What level?"

"Advanced."

He raised his head, giving her a once-over.

She didn't look like a trained fighter—thin, even a little frail.

Advanced level? Was she walking to her death?

But he kept his thoughts to himself, too lazy to argue.

He handed her a wristband with a hastily scrawled "9" on it and waved her through.

⸻

"Third Master, today's the first match of the Challenge Series. I saved you a seat. Coming?" Ethan Langley asked over the phone as he brushed past a masked woman.

He turned back. Nice figure. Too bad the mask covered her face.

Another competitor?

"I'm on my way. Be there soon," came the languid voice over the phone, wind roaring in the background—it sounded like the caller was driving.

Ethan grinned. "Perfect. Tiger's up today. Can't wait to see who's unlucky enough to be matched with him!"

A whistle blew. A burly, muscular man stepped onto the ring.

"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Starseam Challenge Arena!

On the stage now is our reigning champion—Tiger! Anyone who defeats him earns one thousand points!"

"Let's begin the draw!"

On the large screen opposite the stands, names flashed rapidly before finally landing on: "Nine."

"Who's that? Never seen them before."

A group of young elites sat beside Ethan, the central VIP seat still empty.

Adrian hadn't arrived yet.

Onto the arena stepped a small figure—a woman.

Gasps spread across the crowd.

Even the announcer paused, glancing back at the records.

But the wristband confirmed it—Nine.

Tiger sneered. "You sure you want to challenge me?"

It wasn't rare to see women on the arena, but one this delicate-looking? Practically unheard of.

She nodded. Loosened her limbs slightly.

It had been a long time—she wasn't even sure how many hits she could take.

"Tiger's vicious. That woman's not walking out alive."

"She looks like she'll fly off with one punch."

At the referee's signal, Tiger didn't hesitate.

He hurled a powerful punch straight at the woman in front of him.