Even testing these "Faithhunter Goggles" alone carried unknown risks—no one knew if they had side effects.

Still, Roland remained cautious. Yet, as mentioned before, his first impression of Tina was genuinely positive. He simply couldn’t believe she’d deceive them like this.

“By the way,” Tina added lightly, “anyone who joins me to trial the Faithhunter Goggles gets five thousand gold coins.”

No sooner had she finished speaking than Roland and Sasha stepped right up to the young heiress.

Roland: “I’ll take the silver-white pair.”

Sasha: “I want the red one.”

Tina smiled faintly and handed the prepared goggles to them.

Thuke froze, utterly dumbfounded.

“Hey! Roland, Sasha! What’s gotten into you…?”

“…”

Roland held the goggles, eyes widening.

Before he even processed it, he and Sasha had already sided with Tina.

Why?

Five thousand gold coins! Ten thousand together!

Nothing compared to ten thousand gold coins!

Life *is* a gamble—so why not go all in?

“Sorry, Thuke,” Roland said calmly. “People die for wealth, birds for food. Five thousand gold coins are worth the risk.”

“You scoundrel! I misjudged you!” Thuke cried, voice thick with disappointment. “I never thought you’d fall for money so easily!”

Roland narrowed his eyes. “Then pay back the hundred gold coins you owe me.”

Thuke: “No money.”

Roland: “Since when does the debtor act like the boss?”

“And after this mission,” Tina continued smoothly, “I’ll invite the popular star, Miss Iris, to headline our victory banquet.”

Thuke instantly appeared before her.

“Tina, I’ll take the blue pair. Thank you.”

“Of course. Here you go.” Tina handed them over. “Also—future pre-release game test versions will always be available here.”

Xue Die didn’t move. Instead, Autumnwater raised both hands in surrender.

“I get it. If there’s a special incentive targeting *my* weakness… please slip it to me privately after the mission. *Please* don’t say it out loud.”

“So… Autumnwater?”

“I’ll temporarily join the ‘Faithhunter Goggles Trial Program.’ Whether I join the ‘Clear Sky’ organization depends on my mood then. I’ll take the black pair. Thank you.”

Autumnwater had basically confessed herself—perhaps that was just adult cleverness.

“What about Agnes?”

Agnes blinked, momentarily stunned.

“My lady… I don’t believe I need to answer.”

“No,” Tina insisted gently. “Even as formality—you must share your true thoughts.”

“Naturally I’m willing,” Agnes replied without hesitation. “Even without reward, I’d never refuse your request, my lady.” She glanced at the goggles. “Do you have a light pink pair? These don’t suit me.”

*Who just said she wouldn’t be picky…?* Roland thought inwardly. All eyes shifted to Xue Die.

Pressure landed squarely on the gamer.

She kept her head down, fingers flying across her handheld console, silent.

“Hmm… What to do?” Tina murmured, right hand resting lightly against her cheek. “I thought Xue Die would care about early game access…”

“…"

Sasha watched Xue Die, then suddenly remembered—*Ah!* That sharp reaction earlier… when “main quest” was mentioned.

“Miss Tina?” Sasha whispered.

“Yes, little Sasha?” Tina’s voice softened instinctively. Sasha’s adorable charm disarmed even her.

Sasha beckoned. Tina crouched, ear tilted close.

After a hushed exchange, understanding lit Tina’s face.

“I see…”

“I’m not sure it’ll work… but worth trying,” Sasha added.

Tina stood, chin cupped thoughtfully. Seconds later:

“Consider this a ‘side quest.’ Complete it, and I’ll award a medal… and um… matching outfits.”

“Side quest done = achievements and new skins? Seriously?!”

Xue Die shot her head up, eyes sparkling, gaze locked on Tina.

“Um… yes,” Tina stammered, genuinely surprised.

Her gaming passion clearly spilled far beyond the screen.

“So… just wear these?” Xue Die tucked her console away, walked over, and casually grabbed a pair of Faithhunter Goggles.

Not quite how Tina imagined—but the result stood.

“In short,” Tina said, “everyone’s joining the ‘Faithhunter Goggles Trial Program,’ correct?”

“For now,” Autumnwater added dryly. “As for ‘becoming a Deity within ten years’? Needs consideration. Though… I doubt there’s any real choice.”

Autumnwater outright rejected it. Roland hadn’t spoken, but his silence echoed her stance.

*Once we collect this mission’s reward and the Black River Train bonus,* Roland thought, *we leave. Too much entanglement with someone like Tina brings more risk than gain—at least, that’s what he and Sasha believed.*

“Let’s move out. Destination: Black Sun Mercenary Guild, North District of the Fifth Ring.”

Tina turned, hands clasped behind her back, and strode out of the library first.

The group exchanged glances… and followed.

…

True to its name, the Black Sun Mercenary Guild sat in Black Sun City, North District of the Fifth Ring. Specializing in monster-hunt contracts, Roland and Sasha often came here for suitable bounties to cover monthly expenses.

Yet each month, they donated ninety percent to the slums—not for sainthood. After leaving the mountains, they’d lived long in the Lis Empire’s slums. Sasha felt that with her skills, she owed them something.

She’d always dreamed of earning big to fix that. This was the chance.

The Guild spanned massive scale: four towering buildings stood at the crossroads, all Guild-owned—four reception counters for mercenaries.

Black Sun City *was* a mercenary hub; such scale made sense.

Still, Sunny Mansion lay quite distant. Even by train, the trip would take over a day.