Qianchun and Qiu Sheng panted heavily. The Seeker before them finally halted. Mid-stride, her legs buckled—*thud*—and she collapsed.

A closer look revealed broken legs, utterly depleted mana, and a dimmed gaze.

Clutched in her palm lay a rough, rusted key—undeniably genuine. After retrieving it, an exhausted Qianchun dismissed her Magic Armor and slipped into a corner to change.

“This is giving me a headache…”

The Magic Stone’s side effects were far worse than expected. Prolonged use might leave her like Yuan Dai—failing to equip Magic Armor. Probably a safety mechanism.

Night Frost, fiery wings beating behind her, rested briefly before rushing to Qianchun’s side. Seeing everyone unharmed and the Key secured, she finally relaxed.

“Phew… welcome back.”

Qianchun exhaled deeply, calming her racing thoughts. Nothing felt more relieving than Night Frost’s return after over a month missing—not even victory.

“Mm. I’m back. Sorry to worry you.”

The words barely left Night Frost’s lips before Qianchun threw herself into her arms. For two months, she’d managed Aklatia and built the Twelfth District alone, with no one to hear her loneliness.

Nearby, Thunder Slash lifted Qiu Sheng, scrutinizing her. A nod, then a shake—satisfaction tinged with disapproval. Qiu Sheng’s heart sank. Her easy days were over.

“I’ll train you next. I’ll pass on everything I’ve learned. Master it, and you’re free.”

Thunder Slash always taught this way. And Qiu Sheng, a prodigy, absorbed lessons fast—leaving her time for herself.

But what *could* she do?

Among ordinary people, her strength and wealth loomed large. She grew complacent… arrogant.

Thankfully, Night Frost’s last “behind-the-scenes move” taught her arrogance’s price. Battles since had smoothed her edges.

“Understood…”

Why did victory feel hollow, thinking of Thunder Slash’s grueling drills?

“We’ll take our leave.”

Night Frost waved to Qiu Sheng. Qiu Sheng suggested she find Blade. Night Frost agreed—but first, she returned to the Abyssal Rift to retrieve the girls.

“Who are they?”

“Children I was asked to care for. Sorceresses… Magic Maidens, in our terms. Capable, but language is a barrier.”

Qianchun pondered. Adaptable as she was, these uneven-strength Magic Maidens could still aid Aklatia.

“Come out safely. (Dragon Language)”

The young Sorceresses hesitated at the Rift’s edge. But Keti leaped out without fear, tackling Night Frost into a hug.

“Big sister!! (Dragon Language)”

Seeing Keti unharmed, Fertini stepped forward—the others followed her lead.

Fertini’s eyes widened. Blood. Scattered limbs of Monsters and humans. Recalling earlier roars and a woman’s cruel laughter, she pieced it together: a rogue Sorceress had unleashed Monsters here.

Common in the Myth Abyss. Territory grabs often ended like this.

This place… not so different from the Myth. Just without the world-ending calamity.

“An incident happened earlier.”

Noticing the girls’ fear, Night Frost sighed, pinching her brow. *My fault.*

“I’ll take you away…”

She clenched her fists, unable to face the carnage behind her.

*Those mad bastards…*

“They’ll pay for this,” Qianchun murmured.

Night Frost snapped back. The girls were watching. With swift gestures, she shielded their senses and led them to solid ground.

First: temporary IDs from the Twelfth District branch. Night Frost levitated them—crossing the district took minutes, even with extra weight.

Blade’s work wasn’t done. Battlefield cleanup. Public reassurance—the harder task.

That damn Blood had used spatial mana to breach the shelter. Over a thousand dead. In a district of barely ten thousand? Devastating.

Worse: trust shattered. Residents now doubted the branch’s protection. Some would flee overnight.

“I need coffee.”

Blade tossed files aside, found the coffee canister empty, and grabbed a bottle from the vending machine.

“Blade is here.”

The voice was familiar. She turned. Crimson-gold and black silhouette—Night Frost. Beside her, Qianchun.

Blade froze. *I erected a memorial stone for her.*

She spun around, ordered silence, had the stone removed, then turned back with a tired smile.

A silent understanding passed between Qianchun and Blade.

“I was just looking for you, Night Frost. Welcome back. Long time.”

“What for?”

Night Frost eyed Blade warily. That mischievous glint again. She jogged to the desk, grabbed a file.

“Nothing bad.”

Blade’s weary face softened with a faint smile.

“My archived report. Read it, or ask Qianchun—but mine’s detailed. Oh, and Aklatia’s property deed. Meant for Qianchun… perfect timing.”

“Anything else? I’ve got work.”

Night Frost stopped her, explaining the entrusted Magic Maidens from the Myth Abyss. Blade decided swiftly.

“Qianchun, take Night Frost to Yan Xin. Document Night Frost’s two months. Register the girls under Aklatia.”

*Passing the buck,* Night Frost noted. *Yan Xin’s Aklatia staff.*

Blade vanished into her office. Always swamped.

Night Frost accepted the files dazedly. Skipped the report. Her eyes locked on the deed.

“Ones… tens… hundreds…”

Black ink on white paper—yet her vision blurred. *How many zeros?* She pinched her cheek. *Ow. Real.*

*Not a dream!*

*Since when is Aklatia this rich?!*

“Eye Orb! Eye Orb!”

The Eye Orb popped from her hat, followed her gaze to the paper.

“Holy crap?!”

Even its mechanical voice wavered. *Where did Aklatia get this money?!*

They stared at Qianchun like ghosts. Night Frost had nudged her into finance just to keep her busy…

*Who knew she’d become a business mogul?*

“No one expected *this* from you,” Night Frost breathed.

“Surprised? Wait till later. Let’s find Yan Xin. Bring the girls from the conference room.”

Yan Xin had just returned to her desk. Evacuation canceled, but damage was severe. Staff worked nonstop: tally losses, comfort residents, distribute aid.

She stood at Qianchun’s approach.

“Boss!!”

She recognized Night Frost instantly, despite changed features.

“Long time. Tough times, but I need help. Overtime logged… double pay.”

“No trouble, Boss.”

Yan Xin would’ve helped anyway. Night Frost vanished protecting the district—*what did she endure?*

“Register these little ones. Guests. Language barrier—keep it light.”

Outside, Yan Xin guided the waiting girls inside. Night Frost summoned Li Dogegg to translate; her Dragon Language was rusty.

“So… Magic Maidens from the Myth Abyss?”

Yan Xin noted it faithfully, though “Myth Abyss” meant little to her.

For two hours, Night Frost recounted all she’d seen and survived within the Myth Abyss.