"Hello, I'd like to accept a second-tier quest: the horn of a unicorn wolf and the fangs of a spotted snake. Here's the deposit—four Small Yala Coins."

Leyang produced his Adventurers Guild pass and four Small Yala Coins.

The combined reward for both quests was twenty Small Yala Coins. Twenty percent of that was exactly four coins.

"Quest registration is complete. Finish the commission within the deadline, or your deposit won't be refunded."

"Is Lord Evil Slaughter heading to the Monster Woods? Please be careful."

Lily handed back Evil Slaughter's Adventurers Guild pass with a professional smile.

"Hmm."

Leyang nodded slightly and brushed past an adventurer.

"Huh? Why's there a kid in the Adventurers Guild?"

"That's a second-tier adventurer—Lord Evil Slaughter."

"What?! A second-tier adventurer? A kid who hasn't even grown up?!"

"Watch your words. Lord Evil Slaughter caught the Empire's underwear thief single-handedly yesterday. Upset him, and you're on your own."

"Uh... hehe... slip of the tongue!"

Hearing this, the first-tier adventurer jumped in fright. He spun around, panicked, only to see the other had already left the guild. He sighed in relief, scratching his head with an awkward grin.

"What commission today?"

"First-tier: sewer cleaning. Here's the deposit."

...

Before setting out, Leyang bought wilderness survival supplies, low-grade healing potions, and a simplified map of Camila Empire's outskirts.

Within Camila Empire, the Monster Woods sprawled widely. Monster types varied around each forest's edge. Leaving Camilla City, the nearest Monster Woods was a twenty-to-thirty-kilometer walk.

Leyang skipped the carriage. Clad in heavy iron armor, he marched toward the Monster Woods on foot.

This was training. This was cultivation.

Meanwhile, two pairs of eyes glared at him from the shadows, burning with hatred.

"Big bro, that damn kid left the city alone! Why'd he go out?"

"Who cares why? This is our golden chance. The brat's asking for death, sneaking out of Camilla City solo. If monsters eat him, he deserves it. But his treasures can't go to waste. Last time, that punk humiliated us. Today, we take revenge!"

"Mm. Right. Revenge."

"Move. Follow him. Once he's far from the city, we go all the way!"

"Big bro, you're shameless and ruthless—a true role model. Junior's impressed."

"Are you praising me or insulting me?"

One punched the other instantly.

Leyang seemed oblivious, walking at a steady pace. But the two tailing him sweated buckets. How could such a small kid move so fast?!

"Big bro, I can't... need rest. I'm dead tired."

"Damn this brat! No resting. He'll vanish if we pause."

"Big bro, he's heading to the Monster Woods. Why follow blindly? Cut ahead and ambush him. We're far enough—no one's around."

"Good point. Cut ahead! Stop sitting. Get up!"

"Just... five more minutes."

"Rest again, and he'll slip through our fingers!"

...

The presence of his two stalkers vanished. Leyang glanced back. Had they given up?

He didn't dwell on it. He pressed on, needing safe shelter before dark. Night in the wild was ten times deadlier than day.

Halfway there, Leyang halted. He stared at a haystack and leaf pile nearby, speechless. Such an obvious trap—did they think everyone was an idiot? They hadn't quit; they'd circled ahead to ambush him.

Perfect. Time to test his new magic. He wasn't sure about second-tier water spells yet.

"Second-tier magic: Wave Summoning."

Leyang raised a finger toward the haystack. Magic surged, gathering water elements into a roaring torrent that slammed into the pile. No incantation—instant cast!

Incantations helped mages resonate with elemental forces. Stronger spells needed more mana and time.

Only an Archmage like Soya Jemi could instantly cast second-tier magic. If others knew an eight-year-old could do it without chanting, their eyes would pop out.

"Ahhh!!!"

The two thugs flew out of the haystack, tripping over the leaf pile. Their own trap snapped shut. They dangled upside down from a tree, soaked and swaying.

"No! We're trapped!"

Pale-faced and inverted, they stared at Leyang in terror.

Leyang knew they were petty thugs, not even first-tier. He'd held back Wave Summoning's power. Full force would've killed them.

He ignored them, walking straight beneath their dangling bodies.

"Hey! Let us down! Help!"

"Don't go! Please... just free us first!"

...

These two had targeted him repeatedly. Him sparing their lives was mercy. If he'd acted, they'd be dead. Hanging there offered a slim hope—maybe a kind passerby would cut them down. Or maybe man-eating monsters would find them first. Bad luck was their problem.

This was just a minor detour. Around him, the sky dimmed. A trace of oppressive aura seeped from the shadows.

Leyang knew he couldn't travel further. He needed shelter—now.