While Stein's action of lifting his clothes was somewhat vulgar, easily evoking the image of a pervert with exhibitionist tendencies, the threat he brought was terrifying. Strange mist emerged from the corner, making the surrounding air warp, and even the silhouette of the Guide standing in front of him became blurry.
Wenwen instantly realized that the situation was not good; he had been targeted by a Tins Hound. According to Old Tins, when a Tins Hound acted, time within a certain range around the target was paused. Supernormals could still maintain a semblance of thought within this abnormal temporal zone. Ordinary people wouldn't even perceive it, and by the time they reacted, they would have already turned into a pile of dry bones.
Fortunately, due to the inherent properties of the Disaster Glove, Wenwen could still snap his fingers. However, even snapping his fingers was useless, as any ability from monsters couldn't function within this frozen time. Even the circulation of his Black Body power and sword qi slowed to a maddening degree. Now, Wenwen truly understood the horror described by Old Tins: once caught, even a Supernormal of the Upper Sequence realm could only wait for death!
A slender, dark monster, impossible to describe, crawled out from the corner. It could move freely within this stopped time, its seven or eight hungry eyes greedily fixed on Wenwen's body. It wanted to take Wenwen's remaining time! Wenwen tried his best to erupt with his aura, which could somewhat delay the hound's approach. But without a way to escape, any delay was useless. If Old Tins hadn't appeared back then, Boyer would have long been drained.
"What should I do?"
"Being able to snap my fingers means the facility's abilities can be used. But if I use the facility's abilities in front of the Guide..."
"He would immediately confirm my identity as a Containment Officer. This guy is far more dangerous than a Tins Hound."
This was perhaps the closest Wenwen had been to death recently. Before, no matter how recklessly he acted, he always left himself a way out. Now, it was a completely unexpected situation. Iliyat felt wronged; the person they were looking for was Wenwen, not him, an innocent little creature. However, fortunately, vampires had longer lifespans than humans. He hoped that after this Tins Hound drained Wenwen, it would stop and not involve him.
Seeing the terrifying suction tube drawing closer to Wenwen's body, if he continued to ponder, his time would soon enter the monster's belly.
"I can't wait any longer. The Guide's issue can be put aside for now; survival is the priority!"
*Snap!*
A crisp snap echoed, and Wenwen's figure vanished amidst a distortion of light and shadow. He was gone from the Tins Hound's sight and had returned to the facility. Back in the facility, Wenwen sat on the ground, still shaken. Those who hadn't personally witnessed a Tins Hound couldn't imagine the horror. Wenwen would rather fight Iliyat for three hundred rounds than face that terrifying monster again.
...
Outside the facility, the Tins Hound suddenly lost its target, its sinister eyes flashing with ferocity. To it, this world was filled with food. It wanted to pounce on the nearby humans and absorb their time. However, as an extraterrestrial being, it had to abide by strict rules to act in this world. Thus, it had no choice but to crawl back into the corner, leaving this "delicious" world.
The Guide watched the vanishing hound and mused, "So that's a Time Scavenger. Truly a marvelous life, existing on a different dimension from any life in this world or the inner world."
Stein's expression darkened. "Time Scavenger? We usually call such creatures Tins Hounds."
The Guide explained, "If time is seen as a giant organism, then beings like you who can traverse time are like its decaying parts. And Time Scavengers feed on this 'decay' to maintain the normal operation of the entire temporal system."
"To truly glimpse the mysteries of time, one must deal with these hounds... However, only a fool would attempt to disrupt the laws of time."
Stein said impatiently, "I don't want to know about that. You promised me that if I helped you kill someone, you would tell me how to avoid Tins Hounds."
"I've already risked helping you twice. You should tell me now. If you intend to break your promise, I can let you taste what you call a Time Scavenger." For Stein, each time he deceived a hound, the next time it found him would be faster. Luring the hound to him twice was already a great sacrifice.
The Guide glanced at Stein with slight disdain. A guy who showed no reverence for anything would inevitably meet his doom, even without acquiring this forbidden power. However, before he destroyed himself, he could still be of use.
"The only way to evade the pursuit of a Tins Hound is to spend the rest of your life in a space the Tins Hound cannot enter."
Stein frowned. "Are you saying a house with no small angles? Several of my ancestors tried similar methods, but they all ended up letting the hounds into the house due to various accidents..."
The Guide gently shook his head. "It's not what you think. In the face of time's great power, it's meaningless whether you hide in any corner of this world unless you hide in an independent space that the hound cannot enter." Su Dan Novel Network.
"Where can I find such an independent space? You're not trying to trick me, are you?" Stein was initially delighted, but his expression quickly turned grim.
The Guide's lips curled. "I know where such a space is, and I know how to get you in... but before that, you need to help me with some things..."
After a period of whispered conversation, Stein left, grumbling. Only the Guide remained, looking at the spot where Wenwen had disappeared and smiling, his smile growing increasingly unrestrained.
"That's right, he definitely entered the facility."
"The only ones who can enter the facility under temporal lockdown are high-authority personnel of the facility, like myself in the past, or those idiots like Jinkela, and then..."
"Is that you returning, or have you found a new heir?"
"This is getting more and more interesting."
The Guide fetched a small stool, bought some fruit and dried nuts, and sat down at the street corner to eat.
"I'll wait here for a couple of days. He just arrived in the Golden Eagle District, and there should be no nearby monsters for him to find elsewhere. If he doesn't want to return directly to the Capital City District, he'll have to come out from here next time."
"As long as he holds onto a sliver of hope, I can corner him here!"