It has been a long time since I arrived in this silvery world.

But what really shocked me was that just two days ago at noon, we were still in the ancient Sand City, a famous city in the northern frontier, which is said to be the hometown of the earth goddess.

(A couple of days ago)

After a month-long expedition to the north, the thirty-plus teams have grown significantly through nearly a hundred battles.

Although many people died in this northern campaign...

Among them, only five out of over a hundred people were unharmed, while the rest suffered injuries of varying degrees.

What's more, two squads were annihilated in their entirety!

However, despite such tremendous sacrifices, the squad's mission was completed perfectly.

The team assembled in Shazhi, the main city of Sharte in the northern frontier, has already passed the assembly time by a whole three hours, but there are still members who haven't returned or have been scattered, gradually entering Shazhi.

Compared to the cold of Imperial City in winter, this place feels like summer's heat.

Many team members couldn't bear the environment here and ended up suffering from heatstroke or-

"Ahem, everyone please silence. It's time to announce the results of this extermination battle."

"Target of the first team: Plains leader, mission accomplished!"

Captain Qiu Caolan proudly stood before Tsubaki, the temporary commander of the northern expedition army appointed by Imperial City, and accepted the generous reward given by the Imperial City government.

"The second team..."

"We've received our pay, everyone gather around and divide it!"

I, together with my classmate Yukari, have endured a long journey through the desert for five consecutive days.

At this moment, we all lack the energy to even speak, so news of a reward doesn't pique our interest...

"Hehe, want to guess how much the reward is this time?"

"Tch, I think I'd be more tempted if you brought me a bottle of mineral water right now!"

Yukari sat on the hot, scorching stone pillar, enduring the raging thirst.

Moreover, gold coins in the wilderness are not of much use, right?

Seeing everyone's troubled expressions, Lan-nee, seemed to realize that continuing to keep us in suspense was pointless.

"Hehe, everyone, open your eyes and take a good look..."

Lan-nee slowly took out the purple small card she had stored inside, causing some people to exclaim in astonishment.

"Five million gold coins...?"

Hodos was the first to cry out, as he joined our team halfway and played a crucial role in ambushing the second leader, at least more effective than someone's attacks!

I glanced at Arima Shinobu, who also belongs to the long-range sorcerer class like Hodos.

In our battle in the dense forest against the plain leader, she revealed the shortcomings of her ninja skills.

Based on the observations from that battle, her magic equipment, the Zhuge Crossbow, had an extremely high rate of fire but surprisingly low long-range attack power.

If it weren't for the plain leader being a formidable offensive-type beast tribe, we might not have had a chance of winning!

"Five million? My lovely little buddy, Doth, do you think we're giving alms to beggars here?"

"Well, could it be even greater, several hundred times more..."

I suddenly remembered and quickly replied.

After all, it was only by chance that I learned from someone at the commission center that the reward for an SS-level commission is at least in the billions!

"You got it right, and it's a lot more than that!"

"Well, stop teasing and tell us exactly how much!"

"Alright, it's exactly this number!"

Facing Chiyori's questioning, Lan-je still shamelessly kept us guessing.

Chiyori immediately pounced on her when she saw her making fun of them during their toughest times.

"Hahaha... Can't I say it?"

"Fine, then hurry up and tell us!"

"Alright, alright! Ten billion!"

"Ten billion?!"

All of us present were shocked by the exclamation, even though the bounty for an SSS-level was terrifyingly high.

However, ten billion far exceeded the standard amount for an SSS-level bounty, and the reward for completing our mission would be at most two billion. If we can get three billion, that would be considered lucky!

After completing the hunting mission for the Plain Chief, we had ample time for rest, allowing us to complete additional hunting tasks.

Compared to the first time, we had the professional assistance of Teacher Fuyu and the sniper skills of Hordos.

Dealing with the third of the three S-level bosses, the Land Overlord Puchi, we easily led it into a trap set by the lake and dragged most of its subordinates into the water.

In the face of this provocation from humans, the Land Overlord and the Plain Chief were simply pathetic.

They easily rushed into the encirclement and were eventually killed by our persistent attacks!

"Ah, Paroni, right?"

"Ah... no, the person you're looking for is actually..."

A pair of large hands reached from behind and grabbed my shoulders, making me shudder uncontrollably.

After all, this was someone acquainted with Yukari, so they must have just come to see me as an excuse, right?

"No, the person I'm looking for is you, Paroni... Do you remember the disturbance that happened at the headquarters in Imperial City a month ago?"

"What are you talking about? I don't know what you mean, Teacher."

"Hmph, that disturbance was caused by your magic equipment, right?"

Indeed, he truly lived up to being an SSS-level expert!

I couldn't fool him with such a small trick, so I had no choice but to demonstrate the ability of my magic equipment, the Demon Cloud Sword.

"...Well, it's just the replication ability of the Demon Cloud Sword."

My magic equipment wasn't really a secret, so there was no harm in telling him.

It's just about replicating the teacher's competence...

Teacher Juxi's expression didn't seem to imply blame, but rather he was interested and listened as I explained the details of the Demon Cloud Sword. Then, he glanced at the slightly worn sword sheath on my back and said with a strange look.

"So, the Demon Cloud Sword is kept in there, right?"

"Well... uh, yes!"

"But is the Demon Cloud Sword really like that?"

"Huh? Teacher, what are you talking about?"

I didn't understand his final words, is the Demon Cloud Sword really like that...what does he mean?

"There's nothing wrong."

He sighed twice at me, then went alone to comfort the other wounded.

But his words stayed with me, saying, is there something wrong with the Magic Cloud Sword...

As I watched Yukari and Lan discussing the division of the prize money, I was already distracted.

I couldn't help but reach behind and touch the Magic Sword. It felt different to feel it at this moment.

This feeling seemed to have an extraordinary spell within it, unlike any other magic equipment. Perhaps it really is made of some abnormal substance?

The team rested in Sand City and arrived early the next day.

The reconnaissance team that had been sent out earlier quickly returned with news, it seemed they had discovered abnormal magical fluctuations in the enemy's base ahead.

"Oh, does that mean the beast race has hidden some unknown secrets?"

Teacher Juxi stood on top of the fortress in Sand City with his deputy Sakai Yuanhui, holding up a delicate milky telescope and looking in the direction indicated by the intelligence officer.

After observing for a short time, he took off the telescope and said.

"Yes, a peculiar magic spell. What exactly is the power that can tear through space?"

"Is it really that powerful? Stronger than Satan whom we fought against...?"

"Well, it's still uncertain for now. Why don't we go take a look?"

"Yes... huh? Juxi, something you're not sure about... Anyway, this is too impulsive!"

Juxi shook his head and threw the telescope to his deputy Yuanhui.

"You take care of the opponents who don't belong here and watch out for the beast race's sneak attacks!"

"Yes, sir... sigh, you're always right!"

The news had been sent to Imperial City three days ago, but there was no team sent to join them from Imperial City. Compared to the people from Imperial City, Juxi seemed to be unable to wait any longer.

He also understood why the high bounty was given by the Empire's military and political officials, clearly all of it was given to them to use!

Especially after arriving in Sand City, even the most basic supplies were completely cut off.

Now all we had to drink was the water from the only well in Sand City.

We ate animals and wild vegetables that we hunted, and those semi-cooked things were making us almost vomit.

But there was no other way, or should we just give up... and go back!!

I was in a state of indecision, but is it alright to stay and fight to the end without a purpose?

(The northernmost region of the north country)

"Uh... uh...!"

A gigantic python slowly looked towards the south, standing alone in the desert of Sand City, with a serious expression on its face.

"Humans are harder to deal with than we imagined. They have recaptured all the territories in the north within just a month."

"Yes, and that magical fluctuation, it seems it has been undetectable for a long time."

Another white tiger with a smaller figure, but no less powerful than the previous python, came over to speak with it.

"Well, don't you think the dragon is doing something extreme."

"Oh, that sounds interesting. Tell me more."

The emotion of the giant python puzzled the white tiger people, after all, the idea of the dragon clan chief had a unanimous response from the entire beast clan.

But for some reason, it felt a bit apprehensive about it!

"White Tiger, do you remember the magic ripples a month ago?"

"Of course, the news came from the south at that time, it was truly shocking, as if it would crush our entire Saint Veronica continent!"

"That's right, the three leaders of the plain were all experts in the late SS stage, and they were easily wiped out. Don't you find it suspicious?"

"..."

"White Tiger, if my guess is correct, there may be someone in the human camp of SSS level or above helping them!"

White Tiger had no doubts about the python's speculation.

Just a month ago, it killed a warrior from the Imperial City, and it still vividly remembered the process of that battle.

"So, does that mean the human showed a triumphant smile before dying? Wasn't he enjoying the pleasure of fighting me?"

The white tiger transformed, its white tiger skin immediately turned into iron armor.

And under that unbreakable helmet, a grotesque human face instantly replaced the white tiger's giant cat face!

"Alright, since you put it that way, I'll go and see that kid!"