After returning to the Monster Forest, Qin Jun saw even more people gathered around Lede and his group. He ignored them. His little girl still lay there—it was time to take her to a real city to rest.

He approached Nora, transformed into a bear, and gently placed her on his back. Leisurely, he headed toward the nearest city.

After a few hours, Nora slowly woke up. The first thing she saw was a bear, nearly scaring her off his back.

She studied him carefully and relaxed. Wasn’t this the bear who’d given her that Colossal Sword? Had he saved her?

She gently patted his belly and softly asked, "Thank you for saving me."

Qin Jun turned and roared at her. Whether he had bad breath was anyone’s guess.

Nora smiled. "You silly bear, don’t roar at me."

She adjusted her posture on his back. "Are you taking me somewhere safe? A human town?"

Another roar from Qin Jun.

Nora tapped his bear head. "Stop roaring. Just nod or shake your head if I’m right."

Qin Jun nodded obediently.

"Good," Nora said with a smile.

Then, as if drained of energy, she wrapped her arms around his back, feeling his heartbeat.

"Why are you so kind to me?" she murmured. "Giving me a sword, carrying me away... Though that sword did cause some trouble."

Qin Jun twisted to roar again.

"I’m not blaming you," Nora laughed. "No roaring. Just listen to me ramble for a bit."

Qin Jun chuckled inwardly. Truly tireless.

"If only everyone in this world could live in harmony," she continued. "No one would die from fighting or plot against others. We could all live happily, dancing together. My debt collectors wouldn’t hound me, letting me worry-free for just a few days."

"Are there many monsters like you in the monster realm?" she asked. "Or just bloodthirsty ones?"

The bear stayed silent.

"Hey! Why aren’t you roaring or nodding?" Nora feigned anger.

Qin Jun realized girls are always right—he’d just been told not to interrupt. He hurriedly nodded.

"There we go," Nora said happily. "I have new goals now. One: earn enough money to clear my debts. Two: grow strong enough to protect those who are kind to me."

Her voice faded. She’d fallen asleep again, still exhausted.

Qin Jun cast a healing spell on her, mending her body completely.

"Sleep," he murmured. "You’ll wake in town. Your wishes will come true soon, little one."

When they reached the town outskirts, Qin Jun gently shook her awake.

It was a small settlement, barely a village. Seeing the bear, the villagers fled until the streets were empty.

Nora stretched. "We’re here? Thanks, silly bear. You should head back now."

The bear nuzzled her stubbornly, rubbing against her like a pampered cat—clearly wanting to follow.

Nora hesitated. "That’s not a good idea. Look how you scared everyone."

The bear ignored her, nudging her toward the village. His push landed in an awkward spot. Nora blushed, swatting him. "You perverted bear! Silly bear!"

Qin Jun was innocent—he’d only meant to act clumsily cute. He despised sneaky tricks; direct flirting was his style. Though her scent was undeniably sweet.

Flustered, Nora gave in. "Fine! You can follow. But no mischief, and you must obey me. Understand?"

The bear nodded.

Her first order: follow her silently. She needed supplies and food—her rations were low and likely spoiled. Unlike Qin Jun’s storage space, hers couldn’t preserve anything indefinitely.

The bear trailed her obediently but mischievously. Villagers, seeing he didn’t attack, dared to approach—until he bared his fangs and sent them running. Yet with Nora, he was gentler than a kitten.

Nora wondered why no one believed her when she insisted the bear was harmless. Had she known his antics, she’d have climbed his back and beaten him senseless.

At the inn, the waiter nearly collapsed but caught himself on a table. Fearfully, he asked, "What can I get you, miss?"

Nora reassured him. "He won’t hurt anyone. Just bring me a dozen steamed buns."

The waiter blinked. Such a fierce entrance—for mere buns? "Miss, are you sure? No other dishes? We’re famous for—"

"Just the buns," Nora cut in sharply.

Sweating, he stammered, "R-right away!" He’d seen the bear snarl, and other diners were ready to bolt.

Nora frowned. "I only acted tough because I’m broke. Am I really that scary?"

The bear shook his head: *You’re not scary. I am.*

Soon, the waiter returned with buns and extra dishes.

Nora eyed them warily. "Trying to trap me into buying these? I only want buns."

The waiter wiped his brow. "A gift from the owner. You only pay for the buns."

Her eyes lit up. "Really?"

"Really."

"How much?"

"Ten copper crystal coins."

"Not bad," Nora grinned. She rummaged in her storage space, pulling out a pile of copper coins—worth less than one silver crystal coin. Carefully counting ten, she handed them over. "Check if it’s enough."

"Plenty!" the waiter gasped, eager to escape.

"Can we eat here?" Nora called after him.

"Of course!" he replied, smiling.

*Inside, he grumbled: Why does the young master fancy this country bumpkin? Pretty, but so stingy. Ruhua’s better—she always tips me. She must love me.*

Unaware of the waiter’s daydreams, the young master—son of the town’s ruler—had heard of Nora’s arrival. Intrigued by the bear-leading girl, he’d seen her face and ordered guards not to harass her. Hearing she was at his inn, broke and eating buns, he seized the chance. *A beauty shouldn’t eat scraps!* He sent free dishes, then planned a "rescue": have thugs attack her, so he could heroically save her and win her heart. He chuckled, growing giddier by the second.

Meanwhile, Nora devoured her meal, shedding her innocent act like a starving ghost. Even Qin Jun was mildly surprised.

Kindly, she tossed him some leftover bones. Qin Jun sweat-dropped—he was a bear, not a dog. And no matter how cute the girl, chewed bones were gross. He wasn’t into weird fetishes, like those who obsessed over "jade feet" in ancient times, craving to fondle delicate soles.