Dinnertime. While Nozomi headed to a nearby restaurant to grab limited-time discounted meals, Kanata spotted a crudely printed flyer in the hospital hallway.
*"Calling all heroes and adventurers! Join us exploring the ruins beyond the city walls—earn cash together. Hunt an S-rank monster? We’ll cash out the crystal core at a fair price. Seize the moment—it won’t come again! Sign-ups close tomorrow at 6 PM…"*
Beneath the text were hastily scribbled sketches—amateurish doodles of animals twisted by the virus into monsters. Kanata almost tossed it as trash… until one line stopped her.
*"Each participant receives a no-strings 5,000-yuan reward. Sponsored by a generous patron. Seeking trustworthy comrades for the expedition."*
"Five thousand…"
The number was undeniably tempting.
Falling Cherry City law strictly barred civilians from leaving. Outside lurked virus-mutated monsters and zombie-like infected. Only the Cherryfall Dominion’s sturdy walls and vigilant Imperial Guard kept the chaos at bay. Outsiders couldn’t enter without quarantine clearance—but hidden paths snaked through the city for those who knew where to look.
With dominions isolated and external contact rare, the city’s wealthy heirs constantly chased thrills: sneaking into rival territories, hunting monsters in infected zones, extracting crystal cores to craft jewelry. The riskier, the more addictive. Alessia had publicly condemned such stunts in a Falling Cherry City special interview—and banned them outright.
*"But who refuses free money? Do nothing, earn big… even if it means skirting the law."*
Skirt it? Fine. She’d step right over it.
No hesitation. Kanata messaged the contact ID on the flyer to confirm meeting details. Perfect timing: Nozomi had treatment tomorrow afternoon, Alessia was busy. A full day free.
Her friend request got an instant reply. Fear of infection kept sign-ups low; dropouts were common. So the sponsor raised the stakes: *"7,000 yuan per person now—to keep everyone committed."*
*"P.S. Wear a mask if you want anonymity. Avoid informants. Don’t show your face during the op—trouble follows otherwise."*
S, the contact, added this specifically.
Exactly Kanata’s worry. Showing up as Kanata Himemiya? They’d either mock her, sabotage her, or report her to Alessia. She refused to live on that woman’s condescending charity. If she could scrape by her own way, she wouldn’t have to bow and scrape for anyone.
*"Confirmed—I’ll be there tomorrow. Quick question: How do we get gear?"*
Even the Imperial Guard needed strict authorization to take equipment off-duty. Weapon laws were ironclad; private use meant punishment. She couldn’t exactly hunt monsters with a market-bought cleaver.
S replied smoothly: *"Full gear provided—all top-tier. Our young master’s fair. He won’t let partners suffer."*
After finalizing details, Kanata exhaled in relief. To prove legitimacy, they’d even sent 1,000 yuan upfront—the "young master" clearly didn’t sweat small sums.
Before Nozomi returned with dinner, Kanata tucked the flyer away, acting like nothing happened. But her heart had already soared beyond Cherryfall Dominion’s steel walls.
The more Alessia forbade it, the more Kanata wanted it. That quiet rebellion? It sent a delicious thrill straight through her.
