Generally speaking, quests like exploring Beastmonster lairs should be posted at Adventurer Guilds. That’s exactly the kind of thrill-seeking work Adventurer Guild members crave—especially something like raiding a Bipedal Wyvern’s nest.

Unlike Magic Guilds, Adventurer Guilds were melting pots: mages, mercenaries, berserkers, alchemists, and swordmasters all rubbing shoulders. Many were nobles chasing adrenaline. They always worked in teams—unlike Magic Guilds, which assigned solo mages based on quest tiers.

So when Alan saw this Bipedal Wyvern exploration request, he figured the client had filed it in the wrong place. *This belongs at an Adventurer Guild*, he thought. But the contract already bore his magical seal—Cloud Peak Guild had accepted it. Guild rules were absolute: once accepted, a quest couldn’t be refused until casualties occurred. Every Magic Guild obeyed this law.

Alan set down the parchment, his expression weary. "Haina, this quest... it’s hardly suited for us. The wyvern’s nest is deep in the Degenas Mountains. Not only is it far from Newdali City, but the range swarms with Beastmonsters. One misstep here gets people killed."

The Degenas Mountains formed a natural border between three kingdoms—Leo, Catonin, and Randy—yet touched all their territories. Packed with Beastmonsters, the range was an impassable barrier. No kingdom feared invasion across its peaks.

(Though the Central Continent had the Six Great Empires guarding against foreign threats, petty wars between its countless kingdoms never ceased.)

Back to the mountains: teeming with monsters and fugitives from all three kingdoms, the Degenas was a lawless no-man’s-land. Its danger needed no explanation.

"Don’t worry," Haina said, eyes crinkling with a smile. "This quest is like the last DarkMage purge—all three Newdali Magic Guilds got the request. Plus, the client hired mercenaries, berserkers, and alchemists. Exploring the wyvern’s nest won’t tire you out."

Alan froze. *Won’t tire me out?* His stare drilled into Haina. *Does she mean... I have to go?*

Haina nodded sweetly. "Exactly what you’re thinking."

"Why me? I’m the Guild Monarch! Look at Dragonlord Guild or Forest Sprite Guild—their leaders never take field quests! A Monarch’s job is meetings and big-picture planning—"

"You can refuse," Haina purred, leaning close. Her breath warmed his ear. "But I wonder... can you afford the penalty fee?"

Alan snorted. *Penalty fee?* He’d be a bestselling author soon—coins were trivial. "Oh? Name the number."

"Fifty thousand gold coins." Her eyes sparkled with mischief.

*Thud!*

Alan collapsed onto his butt. "How much?!" His voice cracked shrilly. "Fifty thousand gold?! Haina, are you brainless? They say big breasts mean small brains—but yours are flat! Why’s your head empty too?! The reward’s only thirty-five hundred gold! They’re scamming you!"

Haina didn’t flinch. *Why get angry?* Her chest *was* flat—it was fact. Besides, *she’d* proposed that insane penalty clause. For Alan’s sake. Since taking over the guild, he’d avoided every quest. How could he become the man she’d marry if he turned into a shut-in? He needed grit. He needed to grow into someone who held up the sky.

*Let him hate me*, she thought. *His grandfather tricked him. His father tricked him. Why can’t his future wife trick him too?*

"Fifty thousand gold was Haina’s own suggestion," Mei Di chimed in, smug. "I witnessed it. So did the whole guild." *Ha! Blue-haired witch—your scheming’s exposed! Alan’s favor toward you must plummet now!* Her mind raced. *Master said: ‘Beware a woman’s poison heart.’ Men despise manipulators. With this honest wife guarding him, no cunning concubine will harm my future husband!*

The guild members exchanged glances. Six words flashed in every mind: *Pure. White. Lotus.*

After days together, they’d learned Mei Di’s quirks. Ruthless against rivals? Absolutely. Skilled in human relations? Hopelessly naive. If all DarkMages were like her, the world would be paradise.

Alan nearly choked on his own spit. *I thought Mei Di was reckless with money—but Haina’s ten times worse!*

"Giggles~ The vixen speaks truth," Haina admitted cheerfully. "I proposed it myself. Understand my heart, Alan. This is for your growth. So—you *will* take this S-rank quest." *He’ll understand my love*, she mused. *If not... I’ll beat it into him. And that ‘flat chest’ comment? Oh, he’ll pay for that later.*