Aiton: ...

Aiton: Had the team advanced just a bit further, you wouldn’t even have had the chance to rest...

Aiton: Yet here you are, back early from break.

Back at the Pioneer Team camp, Mo Chuan and I reported to Aiton as protocol demanded.

Compared to two days ago, the laborers’ camp had pushed significantly forward. The pioneers’ progress was steady and unrelenting.

Aiton: Since you’re back, I’ll assign your work posts first.

Aiton: —But Commander Preman has special instructions. Both of you, follow me.

Seventh Ju: ...?

The three of us boarded a beast-drawn cart, slowly leaving the laborers’ encampment.

Soon, the cart rumbled onto a bumpy trail. The familiar surroundings jogged my memory—this was the exact route we’d taken during transport two days prior.

Security along this road had tightened considerably, likely due to the adventurers’ incident.

Patrol soldiers passed by frequently on both sides of the path, saluting Aiton as they went.

Before long, the cart reached the great ravine. The beasts pulling it slowed their pace, carefully crossing the narrow, windless bridge.

My gaze drifted involuntarily toward where we’d encountered the giant worm. But beyond the dense jungle canopy, nothing was visible.

Aiton: Tell me—did this place leave any psychological scars on you two?

Mo Chuan: ...It’s fine. Nothing serious.

Aiton: Good.

After crossing the bridge, the cart returned to the wilderness trail.

This was the path our group should have taken two days ago, leading to the first camp along this supply line.

The First Camp spanned roughly a hundred meters square, enclosed by wooden stakes taller than a man. Outward-facing spikes lined the perimeter to fend off beasts.

Metal wires and plates reinforced the stakes, lending the wooden fortress a steely edge.

Inside, silent urgency reigned. Workers transferred cargo at the transit hub. Hushed whispers replaced chatter. Not a single slacker was in sight.

The scene instantly tightened my chest like a raw recruit stepping onto a battlefield.

No—not "like." For pioneers, the untamed wilderness *was* their battlefield.

Aiton led Mo Chuan and me to the largest military tent in camp. He swept aside the curtain to reveal Commander Preman, golden-haired and seated at a table across the tent, staring blankly at a map.

Aiton: Sir, I’ve brought Seventh Ju and Ink River.

Preman: —Ah.

His eyes flicked toward us. The vacant expression vanished instantly, replaced by sharp alertness.

Preman: You may go.

Aiton: Yes, sir.

Preman: You two, no need for formality. Come closer.

Seventh Ju: ............

Easy for him to say. After witnessing the camp’s tense atmosphere, relaxing felt impossible.

Preman: You returned earlier than planned. Fully rested?

Mo Chuan: I’m fine. Just weakened. One day’s rest was enough.

Preman: And you, Seventh Ju?

Seventh Ju: ...I’m fine too.

Preman: —Very well.

Preman nodded casually, then pulled something from his uniform pocket.

Preman: The frontier changes by the hour—let alone over two full days.

Preman: Before reassigning your posts, certain precautions can’t be overlooked.

Preman: —Ink River, swallow these.

He opened his palm. Resting there were one red pill and one white pill.

Mo Chuan: ...?

Preman: Today is the 83rd day of spring. Summer arrives in less than twenty days.

Preman: Though we haven’t determined whether you’ll enter your Frenzy Phase or Breeding Phase, per your contract’s supplementary clause, we must prepare for contingencies.

Preman: These pills originated from your clan’s society. Legally sanctioned for Seasonal Wolves. Have you seen them before?

Mo Chuan: ...No.

Preman: The white one stabilizes temperament during the Frenzy Phase. It also mildly moderates physical changes.

Preman: The red one is for the Breeding Phase. Becoming female would cause... complications, wouldn’t it?

Mo Chuan: ............

Preman: Don’t worry—it won’t alter your physiology. It merely suppresses breeding urges.

Preman: I’ve recently studied Seasonal Wolves. In some ways, the Breeding Phase is more concerning than the Frenzy Phase.

Preman: Each pill lasts roughly a hundred days. Useful for someone trying to integrate into human society.

Preman: I heard you’ve lived among humans for a year. It must have been difficult.

Mo Chuan: ............

Preman: So—which one do you need? I have no interest in your personal cycle.

Preman: Let me be clear: refusal isn’t an option. It’s stipulated in your contract’s supplementary clause.

Preman: This ensures the Pioneer Team’s stability. No one wants a ticking time bomb beside them.

Seventh Ju: ............

I recalled Half Moon Outflow’s warning on my first night with the pioneers.

Seasonal Wolves, whose bodies and tempers shifted with the seasons, inevitably transitioned from Stability Phase to another stage.

Whichever phase Ink River entered, it would cause trouble here. Commander Preman’s concern was obvious.

So which pill would Mo Chuan choose?

If he took the red one... in ten days, he’d become... female?

A hulking woman? Hard to picture.

If he chose white, did that mean he’d wolf out?

Would he turn into a furry werewolf?

Mo Chuan reached out and took both pills.

Mo Chuan: Understood. I’ll take them.

Preman: ............

Preman: Fine. Don’t lose them. I have no backups.

He took both—to guard his privacy.

Preman: Now, Seventh Ju.

Seventh Ju: Ah—yes, sir.

Preman: Your contract also has a supplementary clause. You have no right to refuse.

Seventh Ju: ............

I’m getting scammed.

A sinking feeling hit me!

I should’ve admitted I couldn’t read back then. Better branded illiterate than blindly signing that clause!

Preman: So, Seventh Ju...

Seventh Ju: ...

Preman: Effective immediately, you’re assigned to the Pioneer Team’s scout unit.

Preman: Welcome to the military roster as an enlisted soldier.

Seventh Ju: ...

Seventh Ju: ............

Seventh Ju: Huh???

Preman: Based on the incident report from two days ago and corroborating evidence, we believe you possess abilities critical to our frontline operations.

Preman: Exceptional physical strength. And the capacity to heal from any injury. Correct?

Seventh Ju: ...Uh.

Should I confirm or deny? Outsiders might see it that way, but in reality...

I glanced back at Mo Chuan. He showed no sign of concern.

So you’re accepting this "ability" too, huh...

Preman: We have dangerous missions. But I also refuse to lose soldiers unnecessarily.

Preman: With you handling high-risk tasks, we can save lives that would otherwise be lost.

Seventh Ju: Well, this...

Preman: Remember our private talk that day?

Preman: I expect "equivalent" results from you—not a treacherous trap.

Seventh Ju: ............

Seventh Ju: ...I remember.

Preman: Good. That’s all I need...

Preman: By the way, Ink River.

Mo Chuan: ?

Preman: If I conscript you into the scout unit as well, would you refuse?

Mo Chuan: ...If the pay is higher, I won’t refuse.

Preman: —Consider it done. Excellent.

Preman smiled easily, his expression saying, *"Money? A trivial matter."*

Right. His status meant he’d never lack funds. No point envying him, Seventh Ju!

Preman: Report to the next camp ahead.

Preman: There, you’ll no longer be laborers. You’ll be full soldiers.

Preman: And—a small surprise awaits you there.

Seventh Ju: ...?

............

............

After leaving Preman’s camp, the supply route forked. Mo Chuan and I took the path closer to the great ravine.

The trail didn’t stretch far before another camp appeared.

It mirrored the previous camp’s design but was noticeably smaller.

??: Oh? Fresh recruits?

Before we reached the gate, a familiar voice called from beyond it.

Mo Chuan: Hm?

The heavy gate creaked open slowly. I immediately spotted Li Weishe’s buzz-cut hair.

Li Weishe: Ah!!

Li Weishe: It’s Xiao Ju and Ink River!!

From farther inside, two more familiar voices answered Li Weishe’s shout.

Half Moon Outflow: Well, well... what a coincidence.

Day High: Praise Xiv! Our reunion is divine providence!

Seventh Ju: How did you—

Li Weishe: Ha! Didn’t see that coming! We’re official soldiers now too!

Mo Chuan: Eh————

Day High: That look of disbelief won’t change the facts.

Half Moon Outflow: We were enlisted just yesterday.

Seventh Ju: Did you... bribe someone?

Li Weishe: Tsk, Xiao Ju. Don’t lump us with you.

Seventh Ju: ...You open your mouth after two days and it’s already punch-worthy. And I never used connections!

Day High: Actually, Officer Aiton recruited laborers with specific skills yesterday. We were selected.

Day High: You were chosen too, right?

Seventh Ju: Uh... I guess so.

Half Moon Outflow: For now, we’re just guarding gates and patrolling. No special missions yet.

Mo Chuan: ...Ju. A lot really happened these past two days.

Seventh Ju: Yeah...

Day High: Anyway—our Action Team 748 is reunited!!

Seventh Ju: ...What kind of cursed number is that?

Li Weishe: It’s just our old meal queue number.

Seventh Ju: Forget that number immediately!

Half Moon Outflow: Though it’s a "promotion," this place has its drawbacks.

Day High: True...

Li Weishe: Absolutely.

Seventh Ju: Obviously. No point moping about it.

This was deep wilderness, beyond the great ravine. Inconveniences were inevitable.

Day High: —No more visiting frontier merchants for *pleasure*!!

Li Weishe: —No more visiting frontier merchants for *shooting*!!

Seventh Ju: ...

Seventh Ju: ............

Mo Chuan: Ignore them.

Seventh Ju: Yeah!

If Commander Preman’s "small surprise" was *them*, I wasn’t looking forward to it at all!