Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Moment Queenâs heart pounded in her chest as she watched Baoâer hit the floor with the ring in gleeful childplay. She wished to snatch it back.
But if she showed any interest in the ring, she knew Han Sen would take it away from her for good.
Baoâer continued to play with it, and Moment Queen hoped sheâd soon lose her interest in it.
As Baoâer swung her arms around, with her fist clenching the ring, it looked as if itâd slip out from her grasp, any second.
âBaoâer, that belongs to the dead. You shouldnât do that.â Han Sen was afraid sheâd end up eating the ring.
Baoâer was stronger than anyone he knew, but on a certain level, she was still a baby. He still felt compelled to be as protective as any reasonable parent should.
When Moment Queen heard him speak, she hoped Han Sen would tell her to discard the ring.
She knew she still had to act cool and not show any interest, so she held back for a while and just watched Baoâer.
But then, Baoâer stopped messing about and just sat there. She fiddled the ring between her fat, wrinkly baby-fingers. It seemed as if she was actually considering whether she should keep it or throw it away.
Suddenly, she raised her hand as if to prepare a throw.
Moment Queenâs glee and excitement immediately returned, and in her heart, she started shouting, âThrow it! Yes, throw it!â
Baoâerâs hand raised the ring... and stopped. She didnât throw it, and the babyâs crooked face suggested she was still deep in thought over whether or not to keep the ring.
Moment Queenâs face turned dim again. Soon, Han Sen would find the scale. And when he did, her opportunity of nabbing this ring for herself would go, too.
But then, Baoâer pulled back her raised arm, as if to finally throw the ring away.
This delighted Moment Queen. But the rollercoaster of emotions showed no sign of slowing down, as Baoâerâs arm dropped with the ring still in her possession. Moment Queenâs mind was furious, screaming, âJust do it!â
Finally, Baoâer came to a decision. Her face looked serious, and she seemed ready to throw it in Moment Queenâs direction.
âYeah, thatâs it. Come on, baby. Come on.â Moment Queen opened her arms, as if to gesture that she should really throw it her way, and prepare to catch it.
Baoâerâs face dropped its babylike glee, though. She was serious, like a baseball player, preparing to throw the game-saver.
Seeing Baoâer ready to throw, Moment Queenâs hands opened wide. The babyâs arm launched forward but... no ring left the clutch.
Baoâer smiled to Moment Queen like a little demon. She stood up, with the ring firmly in her hands, and ran over to Han Sen.
Baoâer climbed on top of Han Senâs back and forced the ring on him.
Han Sen accepted the ring and smiled at Moment Queen.
Moment Queen, after seeing their impish smiles, knew she had been tricked.
Han Sen must have known there to be something special with the ring a long time ago. To test her faithfulness, and whether or not the ring was a worthy item for the taking, he pranked her.
â*sshole! *sshole father! *sshole daughter!â Moment Queenâs mind was an inferno of raging hatred, particularly so when she realized she had been tricked by a baby.
Han Sen took the ring. He didnât know what good it would do him, if any, but if Moment Queen wanted it that badly, then he knew heâd be better off with it.
Han Sen did not say anything, though. He ignored Moment Queen and continued searching. He lifted up the armor and saw a scale that looked like that of a fish. It almost looked like a shell.
âBrother Dragon, youâre very dead, arenât you? That means you wonât be needing this, right? Donât worry, skeletor, Iâll make good use of it. You have my word. And who knows? I might make you famous again,â Han Sen said to the withered husk, as he plucked the scale from its bony torso.
Perhaps it was because the body was dry, but he had no problems taking the scale.
When his fingers felt the scale, it was cool to the touch. The scale was white and semi-transparent.
âMoment, is this the reversed scale you mentioned?â Han Sen asked.
âYes,â Moment Queen coldly answered.
âIs there anything else around this place worth taking?â Han Sen asked, with a tone of slight mocking.
Moment Queen wanted to kill Han Sen. If it wasnât for the ring, he wouldnât even have learnt about the scale, either.
âNo,â Moment Queen coldly said.
Dragon King died because of his attempt to level up. It was not his tomb or shelter, so it was likely she was telling the truth and there really was nothing else worth taking.
Finding the ring was lucky enough. And it was only through the emperorâs stubbornness it was there for Han Sen to claim.
âWell, if thereâs nothing else for us here, we should take our leave.â Han Sen then returned the way he had come, and placed the angry Moment Queen back in the Sea of Soul.
With Baoâer up front, leading the way, the return trip to the shelter did not take long. Resting in his hall, Han Sen fiddled with the ring and scale he had retrieved.
âMoment Queen wanted this thing pretty badly. I wonder what it does, exactly?â Han Sen couldnât discern what made either item special.
âWell, treasure is treasure. And besides, Iâve been needing a ring to pull my bow.â Han Sen then placed the ring on his finger.
When he wore it, though, the red of the ring seemed to come alive. It glowed menacingly, and the sound of a roaring dragon boomed through the hall.