It is almost eerie to sit next to the driver.

Lin Yie can't help but sneak a look at the driver every few minutes. It was dark when Lin Yie first saw the van, so he mistook the driver for a horse.

A horse that can drive. That thought made him complain nonstop internally, but when he got into the van, he realized the driver is not a horse, but a white lizard.

(Good. Good. Not a horse, but a lizard.)

He tries to comfort himself... but soon he is swearing internally again.

(Wait! Don't "Good" me here! Lizards don't seem to drive as well as horses, right?! At least horses are "travellers" of some sort! Why even is a lizard holding the steering wheel then?! Is he going to run the car into a tree or something?! Sh*t. I just left Chernobog! Can't I at least arrive at Rhodes Island in one piece?! What Am I even thinking right now!)

Lin Yie has mixed feelings. Perhaps, he is just imagining things.

Even though over 90% of the population in the world are demihumans, from what he saw in Chernobog, they should look quite similar to pure humans with a few extra body parts or something, such as Shining who is sitting behind him. Other than her horns and elvish ears, she is not that different from a female of the pure human race. On the other hand, the driver here has the head of a hor... lizard.

That's a first for Lin Yie. So please forgive him for being weird out.

But he tries not to act surprised. After all, he is about to join Rhodes Island. He can't act like someone who has never seen the world.

Despite his effort, his pretence doesn't fool the driver.

"Shining," He says slowly, "Your friend here seems is very interested in me."

Lin Yie's face freezes.

(I was caught!)

Shining glances at Lin Yie before turning back to sightseeing, "He is curious about everything."

"Who is him really?" Ranger asked bewilderedly.

"Someone who wants to join Rhodes Island."

"Really?" Rangers takes a good look at Lin Yie.

"A pure human. Interesting. Ace will probably want to talk with you. Let me introduce myself. I am Rangers, currently the sniper of this squad."

"Oh, h-hi." Lin Yie stutters, "I am Lin Yie. I... uh... I am a vet from Chernobog."

"A vet?" Rangers asked. He seems to be interested in him.

"Yes, I am..." Whenever he tries to introduce his profession, it always feels weird.

"Interesting. Rhodes Island doesn't have a vet yet. Are you formally hired?"

Shining answers him before Lin Yie could say anything, "Not yet. I only vouched to him. I am bringing him there for a test."

"Is that right?" He looks at the suitcase in the last row, "Even the suitcase is here. It seems that you are very confident."

Lin Yie laughs awkwardly as he scratches his cheek, "Not really. I am afraid you wouldn't want me."

"Originally, I planned to ask about your ability, but there is a question I have to ask first. In fact, I wanted to ask you the moment I saw you." Rangers says, "You give off a very familiar feeling to me."

"Familiar? In what manner if you don't mind me asking.."

"Hmm. Yes, like family. I don't understand. You and I obviously belong to different races." He looks at Lin Yie through the rear mirror.

"It is a very strange feeling. You remind me of my brother, although he passed away many years ago. When you talked, you reminded me of him. Even though the way you speak is completely different from him. It still feels strangely familiar. You are obviously not from Savra, but you make me feel at ease."

Even though he doesn't know what Savra is, Rangers's words still make Lin Yie feel uneasy. This scene is very common in manga and novels from his previous life, but it usually depicts how a beautiful girl tells the protagonist.

Something like "The first time I lay eyes on you, I know you are very gentle," "Have we met before?" or "You feel very familiar," or the other way around.

However, the person who is telling him these things is a man. No, a male lizard! That is a problem. Why would the driver tell him he feels like the brother who passed away? Isn't this opening statement too strange?

(What part of me looks like a lizard?!)

Despite his internal complaints, Lin Yie still says, "Oh, is that right? It is my honour."

Shining interrupts, "That's his ability."

"Ability?"

"Yes."

Shining describes what Lin Yie can do with his ability in addition to some jargons Lin Yie has never heard of, but she makes his "pet affinity" sound much more impressive, like something that can save the whole world.

"That is incredible."

"Do you believe me?" Shining asks.

"To be honest, I don't quite buy it," Rangers says.

"It's simply incredible and there is no explanation. You know, we have researched oripathy for a very long time. Other than sedatives and originium, we don't have better alternatives, but you are telling me his innate talent can do all this. I don't believe it."

"But you felt it."

Rangers looks at Lin Yie again, "I admit there is something about him that makes me feel at ease. Perhaps, it is the smell, the look, or something else. I don't know."

"But you are the third person to personally felt him ."

"Were you his first?"

(Why is this conversation making me uncomfortable! Please word it better!) Li Yie begs in his head.

"Yes. He saved me from the loss of reason."

"Interesting. No wonder you recommended him. If he can really do what you said, he is a rare talent we must have." Rangers says, "So, who was the second subject?"

"Nearl."

"Nearl?"

"Yes." She nods, "He pulled the hair out of her tails but he is still alive."

Rangers goes silent. He glances at Lin Yie. His eyes show amazement and respect.

"Alright, I believe you."

Lin Yie can no longer remain a bystander. If it weren't for the seatbelt, he would have jumped up in anger.

"Can you not say it like I sexually harassed her?" Lin Yie says, "I only pull a few strands out by accident. And I was unconscious."

"That doesn't matter."

"It does!" Lin Yie says, "You made me sound like a pervert."

"In Nearl's eyes, you are."

"..."

(God damn It! I'm not a pervert!)

After hearing all this, Rangers says, "If his ability can be verified, we can let him take care of that kid."

Lin Yie turns to Rangers, "Who's that kid?"

"Someone who really needs your help, but that is, assuming you really have what Shining described."

(Hope that they the good type of kid) He prays.

Back to them, Rangers suddenly stop the car.

"Here we are. Welcome to Rhodes Island."

Lin Yie looks out of the window. What he sees makes his mouth open wide.

He is watching a giant moving object.