Chapter Three: The Hidden Eighth Rule

The mascot truly held a fragment of his brother—but that fragment feared being misidentified. Leon pinned Zhou Ran's shoulder with one paw. Its claws pierced his uniform. “You didn't come for me three years ago,” it said. “Blow out the candle, and we can go home.” “Zhou Jin would never blame me for not searching,” Zhou Ran said through the pain. “He'd blame me for taking too long to find him.” Red light spasmed behind Leon's eyes. Zhou Ran seized the metal bow tie on its chest and tore it free. Behind it was a coin slot stuffed with rolled paper. Leon struck. Zhou Ran twisted aside, lost half a sleeve to its claws, and pulled out the note. It was the missing inner strip of the red manual. In red ink, it carried Rule Eight: