The Border of Kaiabylon Kingdom

The desolation at the border was even more extreme than Mu Yi had imagined. Yellow sand swirled relentlessly, not a single blade of grass in sight.

His feet sank deep into the sand. One careless step could drag him into the quicksand.

The climate was harsh, visibility poor—a truly desolate, uninhabited land.

Following the travelers wrapped head-to-toe in long robes, they headed inland. Through the blowing dust, a small city stood in the distance.

Seeing it, the travelers sighed in relief. They’d finally reached the border town. No more trekking was needed. After a brief rest, they could use the teleportation array.

"That city has a teleportation array," someone said. "It can send us straight to a town near Misty Hidden Forest."

"No wonder they call this the adventurers’ nation. Even border arrays teleport directly to Misty Hidden Forest’s outskirts."

Mu Yi, fully swathed in robes, tugged his scarf slightly. Only his sharp eyes were visible through the headwrap.

He shielded his face from the sand and pulled out a map, studying it carefully.

He and Aiva were deep within the Kaiabylon Kingdom’s border. The small city ahead served as a transit hub.

Its teleportation array could send them to several famous inland towns. Misty Hidden Forest—the kingdom’s most notorious adventurer graveyard—was top of the list.

Using it would save time, giving Aiva ample rest before the journey.

"Um... Master..." Aiva timidly tugged at Mu Yi’s sleeve from behind.

She seemed hesitant, her big watery eyes blinking nervously.

After a long pause, she took a deep breath, forcing down her shyness.

"Could you... accompany me to buy some underwear later? My inventory’s supply... is running low..."

If not for the headwrap covering her face, Mu Yi would’ve seen Aiva’s cheeks flushed crimson.

Her voice was shy yet tinged with eagerness. Her sapphire eyes gazed at him expectantly, hands fidgeting behind her back.

Asking her master to buy underwear was so embarrassing, but she longed to stroll with him. Ah, so conflicted.

"Of course," Mu Yi chuckled at her flustered state. "We’ve got time. My bad for not thinking of this earlier."

After all, Aiva had always been in her mechanical floater form before. He’d never needed women’s underwear.

But in this new world, everything flipped. Aiva now stayed in her beautiful human form, only reverting to mechanical when necessary.

Though her floater form was cute, Mu Yi preferred this lovely, eye-catching girl.

Aiva was meticulous about cleanliness—changing underwear daily was routine. Hence, the shortage.

"Once we enter the city, we’ll hit a clothing store. I’ll buy whatever you want."

Mu Yi poked Aiva’s cheek. Money wasn’t an issue.

Before burning Lafas’s mansion to the ground, he’d looted all the gold, silver, and jewels hidden in its treasury.

For now, funds were plentiful.

"Yes! Aiva loves Master the most!!" She threw herself into his arms, giggling like a spoiled child.

To her, Master was everything. Serving him was her life’s wish. Staying by his side made her happy.

She’d support him unconditionally. Of course, his praise would make her even happier.

"Excuse me, interrupting you two."

"Are you also heading to Misty Hidden Forest? I saw it marked on your map."

A deep, raspy voice came from behind. A man in iron-reinforced leather armor approached Mu Yi.

His face was hidden under a steel helmet, a short red ribbon tied at the back.

"Yes, our destination is Misty Hidden Forest."

Mu Yi sized up the man. His armor looked cheap—cheaper than the Imperial Capital guards’ gear.

His weapon setup was odd: a medium-sized round shield on his left arm, a mid-length iron sword at his waist.

Not quite a dagger, not a longsword—it was an uncommon weapon, ill-suited for combat against large monsters or even humans.

That small shield could barely block effectively.

"I’m an adventurer from a remote land. First time in this kingdom, still unfamiliar."

"Could you take me along to Misty Hidden Forest? I’ll pay the due reward."

The man’s voice was mature and magnetic, pleasant to hear.

He seemed awkward at socializing, his words stiff but earnest.

"That armor..." Aiva stared at the man, her blue eyes analyzing the worn leather armor.

Made from monster hide reinforced with iron, it offered good protection against small arrows and clubs, but little against normal or large monsters. Specialized gear for small beast hunting.

"What’s your name?"

Mu Yi scanned the self-proclaimed adventurer. He needed insider knowledge anyway. Having him along would be convenient for questions.

"Goblin Slayer."

The man looked up at Mu Yi. The deep, magnetic voice rose slowly from beneath the helmet.