At 8 PM, only a slender crescent of the sun’s glow remained in the sky.

Along the newly built makeshift road outside Bao City, horse-drawn carts laden with goods stood neatly parked.

A crowd of people in mismatched attire moved with practiced silence, tending to their tasks like a well-rehearsed troupe.

They weren’t members of the Pioneer Team, answered to no Pioneer authority, yet knew precisely how to trail the team without being driven off.

Stalls stood ready, brimming with dazzling wares. All awaited their customers.

They were among the world’s most daring merchants: **Pioneer Merchants**.

Wherever large-scale pioneering operations or construction projects arose—wherever laborers gathered—they appeared.

If consumers had needs, they supplied goods and services.

Equally vital to their wealth was reclaiming mysterious treasures secretly unearthed during expeditions.

No one could predict what world-changing artifacts might surface in the wilds. They kept sharp eyes and wits to spot them.

Becoming obscenely rich could happen in an instant.

Even without such windfalls, selling goods at prices far above city rates filled their pockets.

The catch? They endured the same untamed dangers as the laborers.

But against profits that promised drunken luxury, those risks meant nothing.

…………

…………

Military regulations granted laborers free time from 9 to 10 PM.

Mo Chuan had invited me for a stroll, but did this wilderness even have safe paths for walking?

If I framed it as studying plants and ecosystems… would that sound too stiff?

Soon, I noticed everyone—including Mo Chuan and me—flowing toward the same direction.

Toward the road we’d arrived on.

Seventh Ju: Mo Chuan, is there a scheduled event tonight?

Mo Chuan: Yeah, something like that. Operations this big always have "scheduled events."

Seventh Ju: ……?

After trudging over rough terrain and onto the freshly paved road’s end, I finally understood.

Where darkness and quiet should have reigned, dazzling lights glittered on both sides.

Stalls crowded together, people weaving through aisles of bizarre goods, hawkers’ cries rising and falling like waves.

If not for Mo Chuan’s inhumanly broad frame nearby, I’d have thought myself back at a festival in my original world.

Yes—judging by the joyful faces, this was a celebration worth savoring.

Mo Chuan: Pioneer Merchants. Just as I thought.

Seventh Ju: Pioneer Merchants?

Mo Chuan: Out here, if you need it, they’ll provide it. To some, they’re almost like wish-granting gods.

Mo Chuan: Though their prices are steep.

Roughly a third of the stalls sold liquor. Some men had already unbuttoned their shirts, drinking heartily.

Others manned cooking fires, sending out mouthwatering scents of unfamiliar dishes.

At certain stalls, flamboyantly dressed women stood waiting. Behind them, small tents dotted the distance, echoing with muffled moans.

…So demand truly birthed supply.

Mo Chuan: That service starts at 1,000 Wish per session. Planning to lose your V-card here?

Seventh Ju: …Do I look that desperate to you?

Mo Chuan: Haha, just kidding.

"Wish" was this world’s currency. Truly, faith’s power was terrifying—even money bowed to the divine.

Poppy had given me 100 Wish when I left the village. Unsure of prices, I’d barely spent a coin. Now was the perfect chance to learn.

Hawker: Black beer! Only 10 Wish a cup!

Hawker: No sidearm for protection? This little dagger’s army-approved! Just 100 Wish!

Hawker: Wait till you’re sick to call the medic? This life-saving pill’s only 200—

Hawker: Die a virgin in the wilds? What a waste! Over here—

Seventh Ju: …………

After one lap, I realized my entire fortune could barely buy snacks, a few beers, or a fruit knife.

Seventh Ju: So… is 100 Wish just pocket change?

Mo Chuan: Not at all. Pioneer Merchants charge at least double city prices.

Suddenly, a half-familiar figure emerged from the crowd, lingering before a "special services" stall.

That unmistakable aura belonged to Day High.

His gaze darted between the flashy women, hands fumbling in his pockets—a picture of sleaze.

He was clearly picking a target to patronize.

The women ranged from naturally beautiful to heavily made-up illusions.

Day High finally approached one who wasn’t the prettiest to my eyes.

After some laughing chatter, they didn’t head to the tents—but to a neighboring tavern instead.

…So he wasn’t here for sex, but to flirt? Well, that counted as a "need" too.

If Day High was here, Li Weishe and Half Moon Outflow—those oddly named comrades—must be nearby.

At a weapons stall, I spotted Half Moon Outflow.

The vendor raved about his wares, but Half Moon Outflow examined them in icy silence.

He finally shot the man a mocking glare and walked away without a word.

I didn’t grasp the meaning, but the vibe screamed: *"Damn, that flex was immaculate. I yield."*

Li Weishe’s scene was far livelier.

Crowd: Holy shit—he hit it again! Legend!

Crowd: First time I’ve seen a heart stuffed with so many arrows!

Crowd: Seen it before! That old hag next village does the same!

Crowd: Bring this kid next time for a proper stuffing!

Li Weishe: Heh heh…

Amid crude cheers and vulgar jokes at a archery game stall, Li Weishe shifted awkwardly in the spotlight—uncomfortable but pleased.

Mo Chuan: An archery range? Is that target his handiwork?

Ten meters away, a target’s center bristled with arrows clustered like flowers in a vase.

During introductions, Li Weishe had mentioned his archery skill.

This level of mastery was beyond human.

Mo Chuan: Let’s say hello.

Seventh Ju: Oh… sure.

???: *Hic—!*

A blast of alcohol fumes hit me as a burly man with wild black hair slung one arm over my shoulder and another over Mo Chuan’s, forcing his way between us.

Though hunched, he was nearly as tall as Mo Chuan, his build equally massive.

With that reeking breath, half-lidded eyes, and sneering expression, he radiated trouble.

??: Pathetic trick… At this range, you’d be dead before you drew another arrow.

??: Against beasts? Even worse!

The crowd around Li Weishe fell silent, glaring coldly at the disruption.

Crowd: That’s Aibin.

Crowd: Yeah—the deputy commander’s little brother.

Crowd: Thinks family status makes him untouchable. Classic.

Crowd: Aiton’s brother? They kinda look alike. A little.

Crowd: That "little" is your imagination. The brother’s a nobody—not even a real soldier.

Crowd: Maybe different dads, haha—!

Laughter erupted.

Aibin: Huh?! What did you—?!

Flushed with drink and rage, Aibin’s grip tightened on my shoulder. His fingers dug deeper into Mo Chuan’s.

Mo Chuan: Listen…

Aibin: What?

Mo Chuan placed a hand over Aibin’s on his shoulder.

Mo Chuan: Get drunk and rage all you want. But take your hand off me first.

Mo Chuan: You’re staining my tank top.

Aibin: Oh yeah? Who do you think you are, pup? Think big muscles make you invincible?

Fueled by alcohol or pride, Aibin pivoted his fury to Mo Chuan.

Aibin: What’s your game, mixing with this rabble…?

Aibin: Ah—I get it.

Mo Chuan: …?

Aibin: This "runt" here? Your little thug forced into obedience. That’s why you’re here!

Seventh Ju: …………

Runt?

Aibin: This violates Sincere Kingdom law!

Aibin: I’ll have you dragged to the military police—

*THUD!*

I dropped suddenly. Aibin, unbalanced, crashed face-first into the dirt.

I crouched before his head, staring down.

Seventh Ju: Who’re you calling "runt"? I’m 170 centimeters tall!

Aibin: …………

Aibin: —Hah?! You and this wolf-pup dare mock me?!

Aibin sprang up, swaying slightly, then seized my throat with a massive hand.

His fingers nearly encircled my neck.

Mo Chuan: Ju!

Aibin: Try moving, pup! I’ll crush this runt’s windpipe!

Mo Chuan: …………!

*Heh… crush my windpipe?*

Could this muscle-headed fool really do it?

Remembering my Wish Power—and its backlash—I fixed him with a cold stare.

Seventh Ju: Go on. Try it.

I whispered so only he could hear.

Seventh Ju: Don’t blame me when your fingers snap.

Aibin: Still mouthy! I’ll—

His arm tensed to squeeze—then froze.

A *whoosh* cut the air. An arrow pressed against Aibin’s temple. A knife-edge kissed his neck artery. A foot hovered near his groin.

Li Weishe: Squeeze. I’d love to see your brains splatter.

Half Moon Outflow: Overexcited. Needs bleeding out.

Day High: Nah—he’s just horny. Cripple his dick, he’ll behave.

Aibin: ...

Aibin: ...

As if he’d calmed down, Aibin silently released his grip on my hand, slowly stepped aside, and vanished into the bustling crowd.

The jeering crowd: Haha! That guy ran off with his tail between his legs!

The jeering crowd: He’s not Seasonal Wolf—where’s his tail? He just bolted like he’d wet himself, scared stiff of leaking!

The jeering crowd: Let’s go! To celebrate the joke show Aibin put on for us, drinks on me!

The jeering crowd: Drink! Drink! Drink!!

This tiny ripple couldn’t stir a wave in tonight’s roaring chaos.

Ink River: Ju, you okay?

Seventh Ju: Ah, fine. He was drunk—barely used any strength.

Day High: Told ya! With Big Bro Day High watching over, “Shorty”’s perfectly safe.

Half Moon Outflow: But “Shorty” just got glared at by that guy and turned pale.

Li Weishe: Not “Shorty”’s fault—that bastard was just too fierce.

Day High: Yeah, yeah! Our brother Seasonal Wolf actually seems gentler. Who’d have thought!

Li Weishe: Now all five of us can finally get along!

Half Moon Outflow: You’re hopeless. Let’s just try to get along for now.

Ink River: ...

Seventh Ju: ...

Seventh Ju: ...

Seventh Ju: ...

Seventh Ju: I’ll wish to grow a dozen centimeters taller.