At precisely eight o'clock, the children filed into the orphanage's dining hall.
Each one took their seat without a word, their expressions blank and mechanical.
Aunt Fang stood before them with her usual unsettling smile.
"You'll collect food from the little window on the wall," she said, her finger pointing toward the far corner. "Distribute it based on the numbers marked on their seats."
Lucas had already noticed the peculiar serving window when they arrived.
It wasn't a typical pass-through. The frame was embedded in the wall like a bank teller's slot—barely big enough for a single tray of food.
Without another word, Aunt Fang pulled up a chair and sat down right beside the window.
The Captain gave her a courteous nod and waved Lucas over.
The two of them approached the food window together.
Inside the small square opening, an iron shutter slammed upward with a loud clang.
A massive, jet-black hand thrust a breakfast tray outward, slamming it down with a thud.
> [Threat Level Identified: Butcher of Angel Orphanage – Extraordinarily Dangerous]
Lucas instinctively took a step back.
Something primal in his brain screamed danger.
The Captain, on the other hand, was completely unaware. He picked up the breakfast tray with both hands and turned to Lucas with a grin.
"Each of us handles one side of the hall. That should make things easier."
Lucas simply nodded.
---
Each child sat silently in place, stiff as dolls.
Only when every tray had been distributed did the Captain put his hands on his hips and declare with satisfaction,
"I think this task is pretty easy!"
Then, realizing no one was eating, he raised his voice.
"Alright kids, go ahead and start eating!"
As if on cue, the children stirred. Forks scraped plates. Lips opened and chewed robotically.
But something wasn't right.
Lucas scanned the room again, and quickly noticed it.
Three children weren't eating at all.
"Captain," he whispered, nudging his partner.
The Captain followed Lucas's gaze and instantly frowned.
He spat out his betel nut and muttered, "Come on, let's go check on them."
---
Lucas followed as they approached the nearest child—a chubby little boy seated alone.
> [Analyzing...]
[Subject Identified: Charlie – Intermediate Threat]
The Captain crouched low and gave his best attempt at a warm, fatherly smile.
"Hey there, buddy. Why aren't you eating breakfast?"
Charlie turned to him with a beaming face.
"Uncle, I had a dream last night!"
His excitement was infectious, his hands waving animatedly.
"In the dream… my head exploded!"
He giggled. "So I don't want this junk food. I want to eat something for my brain instead!"
The Captain blinked. "But your head didn't really explode…"
Charlie scratched his scalp, then proudly held something up to the Captain.
"Uncle, look!"
In his palm lay a small red-and-white chunk of something—fleshy, yet indistinct.
It was unclear what it was… but it made Lucas shiver.
The Captain stiffened. "W-Wait a second…"
---
They moved to the second child, a little girl sitting in her seat with an empty expression.
> [Analyzing...]
[Subject Identified: Lily – Low Threat]
"Why aren't you eating, sweetheart?" the Captain asked gently.
Lily offered a sugary smile.
"My doll disappeared," she said softly. "If the doll doesn't come back, I won't eat."
The Captain tried to reason with her. "Maybe your doll is back in your room. If you eat first, we can go look for it afterward."
But Lily pouted, her voice turning childishly insistent.
"You're lying. My doll has legs. She ran away."
The Captain was speechless.
---
Lastly, they approached the third child—a quiet girl with neatly braided hair.
Lucas recognized her instantly.
> [Analyzing...]
[Subject Identified: Ellie – Low Threat]
(Passed the Smile Test on Day One)
The Captain, visibly frustrated by now, opened his mouth—only for Ellie to speak first.
"Uncle, I heard Young Lucas calling for help last night."
Her voice was calm. "I didn't help him. So I'm punishing myself by not eating today."
Lucas stared at her closely. She wasn't faking it.
But Young Lucas had died by his own hand… and hadn't made a sound.
The Captain looked helpless.
He turned back to Aunt Fang, who was still sitting by the window, quietly watching.
"Aunt Fang," he called, "how do you usually handle situations like this?"
Aunt Fang gave a light chuckle.
"The kitchen staff usually handles everything. Things like this rarely happen."
So… they were being tested?
Lucas glanced back at the dark window.
The Captain frowned. "I'll go talk to the kitchen."
Aunt Fang's smile disappeared.
Her tone dropped coldly.
"You'd better be careful if you do."
The Captain hesitated.
---
: These kids are creepy! Their excuses for not eating are more disturbing than the last!
: Are they trying to mess with the new employees on purpose?
: Probably. It's a horror orphanage, after all.
: If we mess this up, I bet Director Xiao Li will make us regret it.
---
"Captain," Lucas said quietly.
"I'll give it a try."
The Captain let out a long sigh.
"Go ahead. But don't stress if it doesn't work. These little ones are... unusual."
Lucas nodded.
The Captain's support felt warm. Sincere. It made Lucas pause—just briefly.
Then he glanced toward the serving window again.
The Butcher behind it… was not an option.
For now, he'd have to deal with the children first.
---
: Wait, what's Lucas trying to do?
: Does he think he can actually reason with these little psychos?
: Is he just showing off for the Captain? He won't last five minutes.
: I thought this new Supernova was supposed to be impressive. So far? Mid.
: Why do all the weirdos show up f his stream?
More and more viewers flooded into Lucas's stream.
Everyone was waiting to see him fail.
But Lucas—calm as ever—walked directly toward Charlie.
---
To Be Continued...
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