"Juicer... Juicer, wake up."

"Mmm..." I groggily pulled the covers up, "Five more minutes..."

"...How many more five minutes have you had?" The girl seemed a bit exasperated. "If you don't get up soon, I'm going to tickle you~"

"Mmm... I'm getting up now..." I curled up in the warm blanket, intending to sleep a little longer. Suddenly, I felt two cold little hands slip into my clothes.

"Pfft...ahaha—wait, Meimei, no, haha—stop, please, haha—I'm not sleeping anymore! I'm getting up now!! Yiyar..."

I opened my eyes and looked at the girl beside my bed, with a mischievous smile on her face. Soft morning light shone through the window, illuminating her figure. Her pure white and slender hands were raised in front of her chest, making a tickling gesture. Her light blue hair danced in the morning light—I stared at her, a bit mesmerized.

"What's wrong? Did you go dumb in your sleep?" The girl waved her hand in front of my eyes, then smirked, "Or do you want me to 'caress' you some more?"

...An angel turned into a demon.

"No, no, no, I'm getting up right away. Ah..." I yawned as I got up. "Waking up early is a human's worst enemy..." I grumbled discontentedly.

"Alright, change your clothes quickly and come down for breakfast. We have a tactical meeting at the base later."

"Huiyu? What Huiyu? Can we eat it?" I was a bit confused while searching for my slippers with closed eyes.

The girl, about to leave the room, showed a face that said "You lost" and said, "Tactical meeting, you dumb Juicer. Didn't the captain receive a top-level commission at the adventurer's guild yesterday? According to the captain, we're having a tactical meeting this morning. You didn't forget, right?"

"No, no, I didn't forget. I just misheard earlier. Alright, come on, leave. I need to change clothes!" I couldn't admit that I forgot.

"Who wants to see such a flat chest?" The girl finished her sentence and quickly closed the door, heading downstairs.

...How can the world be at peace with a flat chest? This is jealousy. I won't stoop to your level, hmph. I grumbled to myself while opening the wardrobe to find clothes. Which one should I wear today... Well, since we're not going on an adventure today, something simple will do.

Thinking this, I grabbed a white dress and put it on. I tidied my hair, which had gotten messy from sleeping, and then put on a white bow—mmm, I'm still a mighty man today.

After finishing breakfast, I left the house with Meng Xueyu.

Niristahn still had its early morning liveliness. Street vendors selling their wares could be found everywhere, people opening their shops and displaying their goods, children playing on the streets, and the sound of birds chirping occasionally. It was a bustling scene.

This was Niristahn—the world-renowned adventurer's capital.

There was a reason why Niristahn was known as the adventurer's capital. To the east of Niristahn was a large forest, home not only to ordinary wild beasts but also to magical creatures and goblins that had taken residence deep within the forest. To the west were multiple mines that produced not only ordinary iron ore but also highly valuable silver and gold ore. Occasionally, lucky individuals who were mining would find gemstones and become instantly wealthy... In the underground tunnels of the mines, there were also formidable undead and goblins. Further away was the unexplored mysterious land. According to rumors, it seemed to be an ancient border battlefield, but whether it was true or not was unknown. Because the bodies of the magical creatures and undead were worth money, in addition to the treasures left behind by previous adventurers, it attracted many adventurers to gather here, and as time went on, Niristahn became known as the world-renowned adventurer's capital.

And Meng Xueyu and I were adventurers in the same party.

After walking for a while, we arrived at our base. It was called a base, but it was actually a very nice two-story building. As for how we could afford to buy a building in the prime location of Niristahn... it was all thanks to the wealthy Captain.

After entering, we didn't see anyone, but we heard their voices in the dining room. Meng Xueyu and I exchanged a glance and quietly entered the room.

"Royal flush!""rua!"

"Can you beat me with just eleven cards? If you can, I'll give you this goblin short sword on the spot!"

"Plane! Single run of six, I win!"

"rua!"

"... Xiao Shark, your luck is too good."

"Hehe, a bet's a bet, here's the goblin short sword~"

... The three of them were having so much fun playing that they didn't even notice us.

"Ahem," Dream Snow lightly coughed, "Good morning everyone, sorry we're late." I also stuck my head out from behind Dream Sauce. "Good morning, meow~"

"Good morning~"

"rua!"

"Stop messing around with eleven cards and put them away. Good morning, Dream Snow, Juice Princess. We've been waiting for you," White-haired Lolita waved her hand.

This white-haired lolita is our team captain, Tiger Striped Little Shark. Although she looks cute and adorable, she is known as the "Divine Side Seat". The reason for this powerful title is not because of Little Shark's strong abilities, but because of her extraordinary healing magic. I can't say she can bring the dead back to life, but as long as you still have a breath, Little Shark can heal you up and jumping.

There are five people in our team, besides Little Shark, there is the Magic Swordsman Qiming, the mascot Eleven, King Ha Dream Snow, and me. By the way, I am a mage, good at instant killing and being instant-killed.

With a smile on his face, Qiming teased, "Well, Juice Princess must have overslept again."

"I didn't oversleep!" I protested, "It's because there were too many people on the road, so we were late! Yeah, that's it!"

"Yes, yes, whatever you say," Qiming shrugged.

"rua~"

White-haired Lolita clapped her hands and said, "Alright, alright, let's all sit down. Now that everyone is here, the strategy meeting can begin." Hearing this, everyone stopped joking around and became serious.

"This mission is like this: the miners working in the underground mine near the western side of Neelsen have been frequently attacked by mysterious shadows recently. Many people have been injured, and the three adventurer teams that the adventurer guild sent before... have all disappeared," Little Shark paused and looked at us seriously, "no news at all."

"Ah, it sounds dangerous," Qiming said with a dreamy expression. But I can't sense any nervousness from his tone and expression at all!

Although he said so, I didn't feel much nervousness either. The reason is simple: although our team is small, almost all of us are Tier-4 powerhouses. We have even defeated an Earth Elemental before.

"So, this mission is very dangerous, and we must not take it lightly just because we have decent strength. Is that clear?" Little Shark asked seriously.

"Understood!" everyone responded in unison.

I raised a hand and asked, "Fish Sauce, I have a question~"

"Ask."

"Since this mission is so dangerous, what is the reward?"

"Hehehe," Qiming had a mischievous smile on his face.

Dream Snow patted my head and said with a smile, "Nothing, it just feels very Juice Princess-like."

Hehe~ I comfortably squinted my eyes. Wait, I'm not a cat! Patting my head won't make me taller! I angrily slapped away her hand.

"Cough cough, Juice Princess asked a good question. Although this mission is dangerous, the rewards are also quite generous. As long as we find out the true form of the shadow, we can get a reward of 1 gold. In addition, the adventurer guild has spared no expense..." Little Shark deliberately paused for a moment, "If we successfully kill the shadow, the adventurer guild will give us a Wind Speaker book."

"Oh oh oh oh oh oh!" Ah, such strong fighting spirit! Such intense killing intent emanating from Qiming! And Eleven too?! Wait, why are you also emitting such strong killing intent, Dream Snow?!

Little Shark tapped the table with a sneer and said, "Everyone calm down for a moment~ To get our hands on the Wind Speaker, we must give it our all. Now, let me tell you the information about the mysterious shadow given by the guild..."I quietly glanced at Dream Xueyu, who was listening attentively in class, occasionally lowering her head to take notes. Dream is really focused...and good-looking. But she seems a bit too thin, maybe I should cook something nutritious for her. I watched Dream Xueyu lost in thought.

"...Alright, that's all the information about the mysterious shadow. Now let's assign tasks." Huh? Is that it? I wanted to watch a little longer. I lowered my head in disappointment, not noticing the faint smile at the corner of Dream Xueyu's mouth.

"Shi Yi, take this money and buy some scrolls just in case. Make sure to get various types."

"rua!"

"Qiming, go to the blacksmith's and retrieve the equipment that was damaged during the last adventure. Also, the magic sword and elemental wand that Uncle helped you and Juice Jie make should be ready, so bring them back as well."

"Okay."

"Dream Xueyu, Juice Jie, prepare the necessary supplies and potions for the adventure, and make sure to bring some purification potions. I'll go visit the miners who were attacked by the shadow and see if I can gather more information."

"Understood," Dream Xueyu replied softly.

"Then," the white-haired loli stood up, waving her little hand, "the operation meeting is over. Gather at the West Gate of Nierstan at 7:30 tomorrow morning!"

After lunch.

"Procuring supplies~♬ Getting ready~♬ Conquering the shadow~♬ Smashing face~♬" I sang a self-composed tune off-key while skipping along the street.

"Juice Jie, walk slower and pay attention to the road," Dream Xueyu said from behind, worriedly watching the loli in front.

The winter sunlight wasn't too intense, but it felt warm on my skin. I stopped and twirled in place.

"Hey~ Dream Jiang~"

"Yeah?"

"You know, the two of us going out shopping like this, is it considered a date?"

"No, it's a guardian taking a child shopping," Dream Xueyu countered.

"Hmph~" I pouted unhappily. "I'm not a child."

Seeing the golden-haired loli in front of her furrowing her small face, Dream Xueyu couldn't help but reach out and poke it. It felt quite nice to the touch.

"Alright, alright. You're not a child. *pat pat*"

"Hmph...hmm...hehe~" Darn it, ruined the moment. But this head pat feels so comfortable...

"So what should we buy first?" I lowered my head, avoiding this dangerous head pat. It seems that Dream really likes patting my head...will I end up bald if it continues like this? I shook my head, dispelling that terrifying thought.

"Well...we need to buy food, purification potions, and insect repellants among other things. Let's go to the alchemy shop first."

"Okay."

The alchemy shop wasn't far. We turned a corner and arrived.

Although it's called an alchemy shop, it feels more like a boutique. The shelves were filled with colorful crystals and bottles of variously colored potions....every time I come to the alchemy shop, I have the urge to snatch everything and run.

"Welcome! What can I do for you ladies?" a very pretty lady came over with a smile from behind the counter.

"For me, give me twenty bottles of this." Dream Xueyu pointed at the purification potions.

"Um...these are quite expensive and only useful in specific situations. Are you sure you want that many, Miss Dream?" Huh? Dream knows this person?

"I know that, so please give me a discount."

"Considering that you're buying so many, one bottle for 2.9 silver."

"2.5 silver."

"Nope, the best I can do is 2.8 sivler."

"2.6 silver."

"2.7! The cost of this is quite high! I'll be at a loss if I go any lower!"

"Deal." Dream Xueyu revealed a triumphant smile, while the alchemy shop lady seemed a bit gritted teeth.

"Hehe, shrewd merchant."

"Hehe, shrewd merchant."

...

After leaving the alchemy shop, Dream Xueyu looked very satisfied.

"Dream Jiang~ Where should we go next?""Hmm... let me think. Let's go to the grocery store."

"Okay~ Huh?"

"What's wrong?"

"Dream, look. Isn't that Vivian?" I pointed to a loli girl looking around in the crowd. Vivian spotted us too and happily ran towards us. Dream swiftly extended her hand.

"Vivian, touch attack!"

"I want to touch you too~ Pick me up."

"Okay~ Vivian, lift high!"

"Wow! I can see so high!"

...I wasn't jealous. Really.

"Well, Vivian, what brings you to the commercial street?" Dream Yuexue asked after Vivian was placed down.

"Night fruit~ night fruit~ delicious night fruit. Big sister, can you give me one?"

"Night fruit... I happen to have one. I'll give it to you if you want."

"Thank you, big sister~ Here you go!" Vivian handed over a shiny gold coin. "Then I'll go now~ Goodbye, big sister!"

"Goodbye~" Dream Yuexue waved her hand, looking at the sparkling gold coin in her hand with a smile. "Vivian is such a good child, right, Juice Princess?"

Sour, sour, sour, sour, sour, sour, sour, sour, sour, sour, sour, sour, sour...

"Pfft." Dream Yuexue poked my pouted corner of mouth. "Juice Princess, are you jealous?"

"I'm not." I turned my head away, refusing to be poked.

Looking at the sulking blonde loli in front of me, Dream Yuexue smiled. "You're definitely jealous~"

"I said I'm not!" I protested.

...

As the sun set, the number of pedestrians on the street decreased. Dream Yuexue and I finished our shopping and prepared to go home.

"Hey, Dream, what should we eat tonight?" I looked up at the sky where the clouds turned fiery red, it was beautiful.

"I want to eat Juice Princess."

"You can't eat that!"

"Then, how about dumplings? There are still many leftovers in the fridge from yesterday."

"Sounds good~"

Just like usual, we went home, had dinner, took a shower, played games together with Dream Yuexue, then I acted silly as usual, and received Dream Yuexue's merciless strikes... it was ordinary, but I liked it.

Before turning off the lights, Dream Yuexue asked me in an unusual tone, "Juice Princess, are you afraid of the Shadow we're going to fight tomorrow?"

"?" I was confused, why would I be afraid.

"Because... huff, well," Dream Yuexue seemed to have remembered something funny, "because Juice Princess is super afraid of those monsters, I still remember the first time I took you to the mine, you fainted when a skeleton warrior jumped out from the corner, hahaha."

"...Ah, Dream Yuexue, you brought that up again! I'm ignoring you, I'm going to sleep!" I sat up and turned off the light with a click.

Yes, skeletons are scary, zombies are scary, ghouls are scary too, but...

I turned to the girl sleeping beside me, silently counting her slightly curled eyelashes and listening to her breath.

As long as I have you, I'm not afraid of anything.

(The End)