Nora spun around at Fatty’s words, her sword pointing straight at him—sharp, lethal.

She thought another fool had come to rob her. Didn’t they know death when they saw it?

But when she recognized him, her grip on the sword nearly slipped. This was too ridiculous. The man looked exactly like a pig. She’d heard rich young masters were all fat-faced and bloated, but seeing it firsthand? He really was no different from swine.

She laughed. “Fatty, why’d you call me over? Planning to end up like your men?” She jerked her chin toward his unconscious lackeys.

Fatty froze, speechless. He’d only blurted out to stop the girl he fancied from leaving—and now he’d forgotten what to say. He glanced around, chuckling awkwardly, staying silent.

Nora’s patience snapped. “If you’ve got nothing to say, I’m leaving. Try anything, and I won’t hold back.” She turned to go.

“Wait!” Fatty yelped.

Nora whirled back, eyes icy. “What *exactly* do you want? Say it now, or I’ll knock you out cold.”

At “knock you out,” Fatty stammered, “I—I’ll talk! It’s like this…” He swallowed hard. “Can I… follow you?”

Nora blinked. “Follow me? Why? Give me one reason.”

Seeing her hesitation, Fatty’s hope flared. “I want adventure! But no one’s ever taken me. You’re so strong—I’d be safe with you!”

Nora crushed his dream instantly. “No. I’ve got my own mission. I won’t drag a dead weight. Stay here. Survive on your own.”

As she walked away, Fatty lunged at her. *No way.* Nora kicked him hard. He flew several meters, crashing to the ground.

“What was *that* for?” Nora’s voice turned glacial. She finally understood. This “harmless” pig wasn’t innocent. How *convenient* he’d “happened” to see her fight. He’d orchestrated this. He wanted *her*.

“Call me again,” she warned, “and I’ll knock you out and feed you to the beasts.” She patted Qin Jun’s head. “Just like you—a pervert. Seriously, no man’s any good.”

Qin Jun sweat-dropped. *Since when did all men become trash? Women’s logic is broken.* He grumbled low in his throat.

Nora heard it. She smacked his head—*hard*. “You’ve got no right to complain. You’re a horny bear too. In human society, you’d be just like that dead pig—bullying the weak with your power.”

*You’re wrong,* Qin Jun thought. *I’ve got world-ending power. And what am I doing? Protecting you. I’m nothing like those thugs.*

After walking a while, Nora climbed onto Qin Jun’s back. “Much comfier up here. So soft.”

Dark lines seemed to appear on Qin Jun’s forehead. He said nothing.

Qin Jun carried Nora slowly toward her destination: Snowstorm City, a vital hub of the Unfallen Empire. True to its name, eternal snow and wind swept its streets. Merchants from distant lands traded here. Exotic goods filled its markets—a paradise for the rich, a gamble for the poor. Wealth flowed easier here than anywhere. Nora had only heard tales of it. Now, with debts due in months, she needed money. Endless money. The thought of failing sent a chill down her spine—a fear deeper than death. Something more precious than life itself hung in the balance.

Lost in thought, Nora stayed silent for nearly an hour. Qin Jun didn’t pry. He was just a beast of burden. Everyone carried silent burdens.

He glanced at the darkening sky. Days had passed since he left Fulun’s group. How were they faring?

***

On a mountain path, Fulun guided a carriage leisurely, checking if the ride was too bumpy for its passengers. Inside, voices overlapped—Amov, the Kexi twins, Fili, and Hena.

Fili played with Renault, giggling at Hena. “Sister Hena, thank you all for escorting me to the Academy!”

Hena forced a smile. She hadn’t wanted to come. Only Fulun’s words had swayed her: *“Don’t you want to grow strong?”* She refused to be weak again. To be trapped. To be hurt. She wanted power—like Qin Jun’s.

“I should thank *you*,” Hena replied. “I gained admission too.”

Fili beamed. “No need! Big Brother Dante’s friend is my friend. Besides, getting in was easy—I just asked my teacher.”

Hena studied Fili’s earnest face. *No sarcasm. How could a child this young mock anyone?* She didn’t know Imperial Academy was a noble’s preserve. Commoners like her only entered with extraordinary talent.

Hena stroked BiFang on her shoulder. “You’ll understand someday.” She glared at the Kexi brothers snoring beside her. *I’m guarding your precious charge while you sleep?*

Fili sighed dreamily. “I wish I were grown up already. Then I’d be strong… and Big Brother Dante would stay with me forever.”

Hena noticed Fili’s flushed cheeks. *She’s just a child. How can she be infatuated?* She recalled Dante seeing her naked after the rescue—and her own face burned. *Love is such a headache.*

To distract herself, Hena asked, “Fili, why did your father let you travel alone?”

“I insisted!” Fili puffed her chest. “I’ll get strong fast. No servants coddling me!” She hugged Renault. “Besides, Little Snake protects me. I fear no one.”

Hena eyed Renault. “How strong is he?”

Fili tilted her head. “Hmm… Level 89?”

Hena gasped. “*What?*” A tiny snake—a Level 89 powerhouse? She took a shaky breath. “Ah… that explains it.”

BiFang suddenly hopped onto her palm, scratching words into her skin: *“Don’t fear. This divine bird is Level 100. You’re no worse than her.”*

Hena squinted at him. “Really?” *If you’re Level 100, why scribble instead of speaking?* “I don’t believe you. Just be a proper divine bird.” She turned back to Fili, chatting about trivialities.

BiFang bristled. He shot Renault a glare: *I challenge you. Outside. Now.*

Renault accepted instantly. That bird felt familiar. Time to beat the memory back into him.

They vanished. Minutes later, deep in the wilderness, Renault’s massive serpent form clashed with BiFang’s giant avian body. Trees shattered. Mountains crumbled. When they returned, mud-caked and battered, Hena and Fili shrieked. “Wash up! Neither of you comes back dirty!”

The rivals glared, neither yielding. Renault finally remembered: *That bird! He survived? Next time, I’ll break every feather.* BiFang seethed: *Once my power returns, I’ll skin you alive and stew you.*

At camp, Fulun set out a basin of water, smiling. “Come on, both of you. Time to bathe.”

BiFang and Renault locked eyes—then raced for the basin, shoving, wrestling, all brute force. No magic. Just pride.

Fulun chuckled. “Fight all you like. But you *will* wash up after.”