"Bro Ye, quit the team! You're too old!"

Ye Thirteen lit a cigarette, his deep gaze fixed on the handsome blond youth before him. His fingers unconsciously brushed over his sparse stubble.

*Old...?*

He stilled his hand. A hoarse yet magnetic chuckle escaped him.

"The Alliance forbids squads from forcing members out. So you want me to *voluntarily* quit? Is that it?"

"..."

The blond young man stayed silent, eyes locked tightly on Ye Thirteen.

Ye Thirteen leaned back nonchalantly against the bench railing, twirling a small device in his left hand.

"Scared I'd record and blackmail you? A signal jammer would’ve worked fine. This thing costs peanuts."

The youth wordlessly checked his phone. Seeing "No Service," he exhaled slowly and gave a faint nod.

Ye Thirteen took a drag, smoke curling around his words.

"Your decision... or the squad’s?"

The blond met his gaze, voice firm.

"Everyone... wants the squad to go further!"

"Then if this old man refuses to step down, it’d be *my* fault." Ye Thirteen stood. "Wire one million to my account for retirement. The resignation letter posts to the Alliance HQ site immediately."

He flicked the cigarette butt down, crushed it underfoot, then placed the medal—emblem of countless glories—on the cold bench. Head bowed, he turned and vanished through the back door.

Moments later, a group of young men and women rushed in, faces tight with tension and hope.

"He agreed. Just transfer the million."

Relieved sighs rippled through them.

"One million’s fine!"

"He may lack merit, but he earned his keep."

"This clean break is best for everyone."

"Yeah... best for everyone!"

...

"*Best for everyone*, huh?" Ye Thirteen muttered. He stomped the earphones into the grimy alley gravel and walked away.

...

Beneath the streetlamp’s glow, the bench felt lonely.

"—Today, Starlight Feather Squad officially announced Ye Thirteen’s retirement. Veteran Ye Thirteen *voluntarily* applied to leave. Fans, please avoid speculation..."

The Alliance Radio voice droned in his ear. Ye Thirteen barely reacted.

Five days had passed since he left Starlight Feather Squad.

The timing was deliberate—previous days drowned in hype over flashier squads or celebrity Demonhunters. The PR team had exploited him perfectly, even weaponizing his "explosive" exit.

He’d tuned in for gossip... never imagining *he’d* be the headline.

*Sigh.* Retiring man or not, some habits refused to die.

Ye Thirteen exhaled a warm puff into the cold air, watching snowflakes drift down.

"Southgate Garrison’s snowing too... Only ten years since I left."

The Sky Rift tore open. Demons swarmed the land.

Heaven and earth convulsed. Humanity rose.

Even now, that apocalyptic rift felt seared behind his eyes.

That catastrophe reshaped his life.

He’d left Southgate Garrison for Jinling, earned legendary fame—only to end with a "*voluntary*" resignation.

Sitting on the bench, Ye Thirteen stared at the familiar-yet-alien streets of Southgate Garrison, voice barely a whisper:

"Maybe... I shouldn’t have left."

Beyond Southgate Garrison, blood stained the sky.

Within Jinling’s walls, dances masked hollow peace.

To loved ones, his departure must’ve felt like betrayal. Cowardice.

Three days back, and he hadn’t dared seek them out.

Afraid of their faces. Afraid they were already gone.

*Homecoming anxiety... only human.*

Solitude had its perks. No overthinking. No worries.

And the bank balance? Enough for a quiet retirement.

Just as he drifted into that lonely future—

"Hey, mister! What’re you doing all alone?"

A bubbly voice cut through the silence.

Ye Thirteen focused: a red-haired girl with twin tails, lollipop tucked between her teeth. He touched his stubble, wry smile tugging his lips.

"I’m twenty-six. Since when am I ‘mister’?"

Hands on hips, utterly matter-of-fact:

"I’m sixteen! Ten years younger—*obviously* you’re mister~!

I’m Qu Yi! *Qu* like ‘melody,’ *Yi* like ‘graceful person’! Memorize it~!"

She plopped beside him, head tilted.

"Seriously though, mister—something wrong? Life’s messy! Cheer up, yeah?"

Ye Thirteen’s faint smile returned.

"You little girl... not scared I’m a creepy uncle?"

Qu Yi scoffed, popping the lollipop out.

"Pfft~ I’m a *Demonhunter*! Know what that means? One tap from these little fists—hospital for half a month!

And *don’t* call me ‘little girl’! Alliance law says I’m an adult!" She grinned, lollipop back in place.

Something in Ye Thirteen lightened. A mischievous glint sparked in his eyes.

"What if... *I’m* a Demonhunter too?"

Qu Yi leaped up, eyes wide.

"No way! You look all soft and scholarly! I thought you were... y’know, *not okay*!"

*Soft?*

*Rude.*

*This is scholarly dignity!*

A tiny twitch at Ye Thirteen’s lips.

"I just... quit the team. Feeling down. Not *that*."

Qu Yi patted his shoulder brightly.

"Quitting happens! Team clash? Totally normal! Don’t sweat it~"

Ye Thirteen rolled his eyes.

"What would a little kid know?"

"*Don’t* call me little kid!" She stomped a foot. "My grandpa’s the Warden of Southgate Garrison! I know *way* more than you!"

"Warden?"

Ye Thirteen froze.

*This kid... is the Warden’s granddaughter?!*