Just as the store owner was happily on the phone, a sudden scream erupted from inside the warehouse.
Sensing something was wrong, he rushed in, and Yu Zhou followed.
"Whoa!"
Though the owner wasn't shouting in Chinese, Yu Zhou immediately understood the meaning from his tone.
Inside, flames had erupted on the floor. The owner, still holding his phone, stared at the fire with wide eyes.
"Store owner, what's going on?" the voice on the other end of the phone asked.
"N-nothing!" he stammered. The fewer people who knew about Ellie's fire ability, the better. "Riku, I'm a bit busy here. I'll call you back later!"
He hung up and, together with Ellie's mother and grandfather, started putting out the fire.
Yu Zhou quietly retrieved a fire extinguisher from his spatial bracelet and sprayed it at the flames.
"Phew! Good thing you have a fire extinguisher, Yu Zhou!" the owner said gratefully. "Otherwise, this would have taken forever."
"No problem," Yu Zhou said with a smile.
"Wait a second," the owner realized. "There's no extinguisher in the warehouse. Where did you get that?"
"I picked it up along the way," Yu Zhou lied without missing a beat. "Left it outside the warehouse before coming in."
"Ah, I see," the owner replied, still puzzled but grateful for the help.
After the fire was out, Ellie yawned. "Mom, I'm sleepy."
"Rest for a while," her mother said, tucking her into bed. Soon, Ellie drifted off to sleep.
"Do you know why she reacted that way?" the store owner asked his sister, Ellie's mother.
"Seems like she remembered the monster," she replied gravely. "It was terrifying back then."
"She can ignite fire… why did it escalate like this?" he sighed. "At first, it was only her hands that got hot."
"Ellie's ability will definitely draw attention," Yu Zhou added. "Before it's managed, don't let anyone know."
"Understood," both nodded.
Suddenly, a thud came from behind the shelves. They exchanged glances, and the store owner cautiously approached the corner to check.
"You okay?" he called out.
Another thud. Then, a crash.
"Brother?" Ellie's mother sensed danger and hurried over.
Yu Zhou raised an eyebrow, drew a frying pan from his bracelet, and stealthily approached the shelves.
At the corner, a figure in a black hat and mask appeared. Without hesitation, Yu Zhou swung the frying pan, hitting him squarely.
Bang!
The figure fell but quickly recovered. Shaking off, he transformed into a striped alien with a wide mouth, holding a firearm.
"Nice," Yu Zhou clapped. "You're the first alien to survive my frying pan test."
"Die!" the alien, known as Dada, snapped and fired an energy bolt from his gun.
Yu Zhou dodged and delivered a spinning kick, sending Dada crashing into the wall.
The commotion woke Ellie, who gasped in terror at the alien.
"Don't worry, Ellie! I've got you!" Yu Zhou reassured her.
"O-okay, big brother…" she stammered, hiding behind him.
Dada focused on Ellie—his target, the Little Star within her.
"Back off," Yu Zhou warned, shielding her.
Dada rolled on the ground and aimed at Ellie again, firing.
Yu Zhou blocked with the frying pan, dashed forward, and kicked him hard. Dada flew again, dropping his gun.
Yu Zhou picked up the weapon and fired—it shrank Dada into blue particles, trapping him in a glass cylinder.
"Ellie, use your fire," Yu Zhou instructed.
"Ah?" she hesitated, then summoned her courage and blasted the cylinder with flames.
"Ahhh!" Dada's screams echoed. The cylinder exploded, scattering him into nothingness.
"Excellent, Ellie," Yu Zhou praised.
"I… I actually…" Ellie stared at her hands in disbelief. "I destroyed a monster!"
"Yes, your power can protect everyone," Yu Zhou said, not distinguishing monster or alien.
"I protected Mom, Uncle, and Grandpa!" Ellie beamed.
Yu Zhou helped return the unconscious adults to their beds.
Suddenly, the warehouse door opened. A young girl, sword on her back, stepped in.
Seeing Yu Zhou with the unconscious adults and Ellie beside him, she immediately became alert.
Swish! She drew her sword, pointing it at him.
"You scum! How dare you commit such a despicable act in broad daylight? Die!"
Before Yu Zhou could explain, she swung the sword.
"Whoa!" Yu Zhou dropped the adults, picked up the frying pan, and blocked the strike. Sparks flew.
"You've got a problem!" he shouted.
"You beast! Today I'll tear you apart!" she shouted back, launching another attack.
"Little sister, get behind me! I'll protect you!" he yelled to Ellie while blocking, ensuring she wasn't harmed.
Ellie stared, bewildered. She had thought this girl was an enemy, yet she was also protecting her?