"This storm is practically trying to devour people..." I stared blankly out the window at the raging tempest. My earlier curiosity about experiencing it firsthand had been thoroughly blown back to Earth. Still, the fact that Aegros could withstand such an unreasonable storm was no small feat...

Just watching from the inn window was terrifying enough. I had zero doubt that stepping outside would send me soaring into the sky in an instant, shredded into ten thousand little Luo Sa bits by the savage winds.

Glancing again at Aefina sprawled like a puddle on the bed, I sighed. The storm trapped us indoors, leaving her in full "I’m a useless dragon now" mode.

Truth was, only *I* couldn’t go out. Aefina stayed because *I* couldn’t leave. This monstrous storm? She didn’t even blink at it. Streets? Skies? Child’s play for her...

The tempest hit Aegros before dawn, jolting me awake. The racket made me think someone was breaking down the door—I nearly jumped out of my skin. That rude awakening also revealed Aefina hadn’t slept a wink these past few nights... Meaning she’d seen every embarrassing detail of my sleeping habits. Mortifying!

"Ugh... so bored..." After staring out the window long enough to grow tired of it, I flopped onto the bed too.

Seeing me lie down, Aefina rolled twice across the mattress before pouncing on me. I’d always felt she clung to me a little extra, but since I wasn’t entirely sure—and honestly didn’t mind—I’d never asked why.

As I absentmindedly smoothed Aefina’s messy hair after her rolling spree, a knock suddenly shattered the quiet.

"Is this Mr. Luo Sa’s room...?" A woman’s voice. *I’ve got Aefina. Not interested.*

"Norma?" The voice sounded familiar. I hesitated before calling out.

"It’s me, Mr. Luo Sa. I’d like to discuss something with you. May I come in?" Norma’s voice came through the door.

"..." I sat bolt upright, scanning the room. Our two packs lay tossed on the other bed—we shared one—and the lone armchair looked dusty, so we’d dumped them there. Besides the packs, the room seemed... reasonably tidy?

"Come in." At my permission, Norma pushed the door open.

...Wait. Wasn’t this door *locked*? How did you just waltz in?

"Woah... Am I interrupting something?" Norma’s first move was to cover her face with both hands, peering through her fingers at us.

...From her angle: I sat upright on the bed while Aefina, who’d been draped halfway over my torso, had slid down to rest across my lap when I moved. She stayed there, eyes fixed on Norma at the door, not bothering to shift an inch.

Yeah. Our positions looked... compromising. Like something straight out of a post-coital scene. Had she barged in seconds earlier, she’d have seen two lazybones sprawled like salted fish.

"You two are so close..." Norma’s expression clearly misread the situation. Best not to explain.

"...Should we talk outside?" Mortification burned my cheeks. Me on the bed, Aefina draped over my lap, Norma frozen in the doorway—this screamed *walked in on something*!

"No... let’s talk here." Norma’s eyes flickered, refusing to leave.

I scanned the room for a decent seat. Couldn’t exactly offer her the bed.

"Take this chair," I said, pointing to the room’s only armchair—the one I used for journaling. My diary still sat there.

Norma settled into it, glancing curiously at my diary but not touching it. *Respecting privacy? Big like.*

Too busy cringing earlier, I only now noticed she was soaked head to toe.

"Mmh, our guild’s staying at another inn. I came specially." Her cat ears twitched.

"..." I looked at Norma, then at the storm-lashed window. You walked here *through that*? Mad respect.

"Alright, straight to the point. Mr. Luo Sa, we have a commission. Would you and Aefina be interested?" Norma finally revealed her purpose. *So that’s why they’ve been so friendly.*

"A commission? What kind?" I narrowed my eyes.

"Someone hired an escort to cross the Rajeno Forest to Domu City." Norma explained.

The Rajeno Forest—one of the continent’s Four Deadly Zones. Home to vicious Monstrous Beasts. Even a Sword Saint treads carefully in its depths. Rumor says a mysterious beast lurks at its heart, wielding terrifying power. Top-ranked adventurers admit they might not survive a clash with it.

Yet no one knows its species, let alone its attacks or habits. Survivors’ accounts clash wildly: some claim it’s leopard-like, others wolf-like, even snake or monkey. The only consistent detail? It’s golden. With such conflicting reports, experts believe it can shapeshift at will.

"The Rajeno Forest..." Just hearing the name made me reluctant. Even pirate dens whispered its legend. And would Aefina stand a chance against that beast? I refused to risk her safety.

"Don’t worry! We’ll only cross the outskirts—nowhere near its territory. It never leaves its domain. Perfectly safe!" Norma rushed to reassure me. *Famous last words much?*

"Our guild’s strong, but five people aren’t enough to safely escort someone through Rajeno. We can handle ourselves, but guarding a client? We’re short-handed. The captain wants reliable partners. Large mercenary bands attract too much attention in forests. With you and Miss Aefina? Ideal. The client offers 500 gold coins. We’d give you 150 as your share."

The usual route from Aegros to Domu went west to Budra City, then southwest around the Poisonous Marsh, finally north through the Thousand Peaks Range. That detour added five or six days—plus dwarves controlled the Peaks, banning dragon-carriages and wagons due to terrain. Paying 500 gold to save a week? This had to be urgent.

"Why us? Do we look special?" I asked. I seemed utterly ordinary, and Aefina’s disguise should hold. Why pick us?

"Truth is, I’m a variant. My danger sense is dozens of times sharper than average beastkin." Norma’s gaze locked onto Aefina. "I feel a faint but terrifying aura from Miss Aefina. She must be incredibly powerful."

*She sensed Aefina’s danger?* I was stunned. Aefina swore her disguise was flawless—and she wasn’t one to exaggerate. Yet Norma caught a trace. But if only hyper-acute senses could detect it... regular folks were safe. Relief washed over me.

"As for you, Mr. Luo Sa..." Norma turned to me. "Neither I, the captain, nor even Miss Ilan can sense *any* power radiating from you. That means you’re either far stronger than Aefina—or your control is absolute."

I nearly choked. *Classic trope alert:* the "hidden master" mistaken for an average guy. Norma, honey, you sense no power because *I have none*. But I knew why: in this world, the strong stick together. Walking beside Aefina made me look formidable by association.

With Aefina around, my safety wasn’t the issue. I’d have accepted any other job. But that golden beast... Even a sliver of risk to her was unacceptable.

"Rajeno Forest?" Aefina finally spoke up from my lap.

I summarized the forest’s dangers, stressing the unknown beast’s power.

"Then let’s go see it." Aefina rarely voiced her own wishes. *Did she take offense at me doubting her strength?! Not the time for stubbornness!*

"Mr. Luo Sa?" Norma prompted. I usually made the calls.

"...Fine. We accept. When do we leave?" Aefina had never pushed before. I couldn’t say no now.

"The storm should clear by tomorrow night. Meet us at the West Gate at nine the next morning." Norma beamed.

"I’ll head back now~" She bounced out of sight.

"Hey! Rajeno Forest is dangerous!" The moment she left, I frowned at Aefina. This felt like trouble.

"Don’t fear, Luo Sa. I’m strong. I’ll protect you." Her voice brimmed with confidence.

"It’s not *me* I’m worried about! What if you can’t beat that beast? You don’t even know magic! How could I save you if you’re in danger?!" Yes—I’d just learned Aefina couldn’t cast spells. Dragons were born mages, masters of elemental and draconic magic.

Yet Aefina hadn’t unlocked a single spell. Her bloodline memories held no answers. Without magic, even her physical strength might not be enough against that beast.

"Are you worried about me?" Aefina stared intently into my eyes.

"Of course I am."

"Don’t be afraid. I’m stronger than you think. Trust me, okay?" She closed her eyes softly, her tone gentle.

"...I trust you. But promise me this," I relented, but held my ground. "If danger comes, don’t wait for me. Run." *Wow. Didn’t expect to say something that cool—even if I’m the deadweight.*

In a way, Aefina had given me this life. I’d never let her risk hers for mine.

"Idiot."

Aefina turned her head away, refusing to look at me. "Dragons never abandon anything that is theirs," she said.