The Earth Tiger paced back and forth in his room, as if searching for something.
But after a long while, he still hadn’t found it.
The Black Sheep watched him helplessly from the side.
“What are you looking for?” the Black Sheep said impatiently. “Looking for death?”
“None of your damn business!” the Earth Tiger snapped back. “What’s it got to do with you?”
The two fell silent after that, both turning their heads away in annoyance.
The Earth Tiger continued rummaging through boxes and cabinets, stirring up dust everywhere, while the Black Sheep frowned at the untouched food spread across the table.
“So this is what you meant by ‘treating me to a meal’?” The Black Sheep shook his head. “Boring. I’m leaving.”
“Found it!”
The Earth Tiger let out a delighted shout and turned around, revealing what he was holding in his hand—a relatively new-looking plastic bag.
“What the…?” The Black Sheep was baffled. “You were looking for a plastic bag this whole time?”
“So I ask again, what’s it got to do with you?”
Fuming, the Earth Tiger stomped over to the Black Sheep, snatched a chicken leg from his plate, and tossed it into the plastic bag. Then he grabbed the bread and fruit from the plate as well.
The Black Sheep stared blankly as the Earth Tiger looted his food like a bandit, his brain practically short-circuiting.
“Wait, hold on—” He reached out to stop the Earth Tiger. “What the hell are you doing?! Why does this feel so familiar?”
“Whose fault is that? You weren’t eating anyway,” the Earth Tiger retorted. “Just grab more from the table.”
“I just don’t get it… Who’s this for?”
“It’s for—” The Earth Tiger glanced at the Black Sheep, then scowled. “Why do you care?!”
“Fine, fine. I must be out of my mind for even bothering.” The Black Sheep gritted his teeth. “No wonder I’m the only one in this whole damn group who puts up with you. I’m out.”
The Earth Tiger paused briefly at his words but pretended not to hear, continuing to stuff the Black Sheep’s food into the plastic bag.
The Black Sheep stood up and had barely taken three steps toward the door when a knock sounded.
He froze for a second, then reached out and opened it.
Standing outside were the Earth Dog and the Earth Rat.
“Well, well, boss. A whole day without seeing you, and your forehead’s still as dark as ever,” the Earth Rat greeted with a smirk, pushing the door open wider.
The Earth Dog gave a lazy nod. “Evening.”
“You two…” The Black Sheep was utterly lost.
“Don’t recognize me, dark-faced boss? It’s me, the ‘fence-sitter’!” The Earth Rat proudly thumped his chest. “And over there’s the overworked dog.”
That single sentence nearly made the Black Sheep’s blood boil. “Right, right. Whatever you say.”
Ignoring the exchange, the Earth Dog trudged inside, gave the Earth Tiger a weary nod, then flopped onto the nearby couch. His eyelids drooped as if he were seconds from passing out.
The Earth Tiger locked eyes with him for a few seconds, caught the exhaustion in the air, and then the two yawned in unison.
The Black Sheep had assumed no one else would show up today and only came in to spare the Earth Tiger the embarrassment of a wasted meal. But here were the usual suspects again.
After a moment of thought, he turned to the Earth Tiger. “You invited these two today too?”
“Nope.” The Earth Tiger crammed the plastic bag full before stuffing it into his pocket. “But don’t worry. Everyone who came yesterday will be back today—probably even more.”
Something felt off. The Black Sheep slowly stepped closer, scrutinizing the Earth Tiger’s face.
“What’re you staring at?” the Earth Tiger asked.
In response, the Black Sheep smacked him square on his massive head.
“Ow!” The Earth Tiger flared up instantly. “The hell’s wrong with you, Black?!”
“You’re the one who’s lost it!” the Black Sheep hissed. “Since when do you talk like that, you idiot? Did you see him?”
“I—I dunno who you’re talking about.” The Earth Tiger’s eyes darted away from the Black Sheep’s face, landing awkwardly on the ceiling.
“You damn fool, why didn’t you tell me sooner?!” the Black Sheep whispered furiously. “Was it necessary to hide it from me too? Is this food for Brother Goat?”
“Ugh…” The Earth Tiger scratched his head. “You figured it out, huh? I was gonna show off how awesome I am.”
“Your sudden ‘awesomeness’ is hard to swallow,” the Black Sheep muttered. “Did Brother Goat say anything else?”
“What else was there to say?” The Earth Tiger thought for a moment. “Not really.”
“Damn it, you dumb cat! What about the ‘plan’?!” The Black Sheep kept his voice low, but his expression was livid. “Do you even realize we all have ‘blades’ hanging over our heads right now? You’re the only one who’s seen Brother Goat—why didn’t you ask him about the plan?!”
“You’re the dumb sheep here!” the Earth Tiger shot back in a hushed tone. “Brother Goat doesn’t have his memories! How the hell would he know?”
“That…” The Black Sheep’s brow furrowed. “Then what do we do? Make our own plan?”
“Well…” The Earth Tiger scratched his cheek. “Brother Goat did say someone else would show up tonight… Maybe that person knows something?”
“Someone else is coming?” The Black Sheep mulled it over. “Did you invite anyone else?”
“Nah, just you and that lazy-ass dog.”
Meanwhile, the Earth Rat, who had been listening in, sighed. “Bosses, I’m guessing you two weren’t planning on letting us in on this?”
“What’re you eavesdropping for?” the Earth Tiger snapped.
“Hard not to when you’re practically shouting,” the Earth Rat said dryly. “Might as well drop the whispering and just say it outright. Easier on you, easier on us.”
“Piss off.” The Earth Tiger glared. “Don’t forget you’re a ‘fence-sitter.’ I don’t even count you as one of us.”
The Earth Rat shook his head with a bitter smirk. “Ah, the wisdom of our leaders. Following someone as sharp as you really puts my mind at ease.”
Before the bickering could continue, the door creaked open again, and in walked the towering, bandaged Earth Rabbit, his expression grim.
“Hey, Bandage Boss, you’re still alive?” the Earth Rat greeted cheerfully.
The Earth Rabbit glanced at him, then surveyed the scattered Earthly Zodiacs in the room before sighing heavily.
“Brothers… did any of you see today’s ‘Pegasus Hour’?”
Of course they had. They’d stood just outside the game grounds, watching helplessly as countless participants were slaughtered before their eyes.
What they struggled to achieve through sheer effort, the Celestials could do with a mere thought.
“Everyone…” the Earth Rabbit murmured. “What exactly are we trying to become Celestials for?”
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