The flames slowly faded.
To ensure the monster was truly dead, Roland and Thuke severed its head together. Only after confirming no signs of life remained did they relax their guard.
Verifying a large monster’s death was the first step when clearing a battlefield. History held countless tales of warriors—overconfident in their martial or magical prowess—assuming victory too soon. Letting their guard down, they’d be ambushed in an instant. Many had met their end in the Yellow Springs.
Thus, the Mercenary Guild required hunters to present the monster’s heart or head for payment. This barely reduced the risk of revival. Yet every year, arrogance still claimed lives. Bingbing’s headlines published bloody lessons again and again—but mistakes repeated. Everyone believed: *They were weak. I would never fail.*
“..."
The warrior clutched his bitten arm and approached the two fallen mercenaries. He pressed fingers to their necks.
He sighed softly and shook his head at the female mage.
Both were gone.
Blood loss and the Ironwater Lizard’s venom had been too much.
“..."
The female mage let out a quiet sigh.
After placing the bodies into the warrior’s Spatial Storage Ring, they lit a fire. The mage cast a barrier to hide the flames.
The five gathered around the blaze, roasting lizard meat, finally resting in peace.
“A Spatial Storage Ring can hold people?”
Thuke’s remark was foolish.
But…
Roland had thought the same.
He’d seen corpses before—but rarely considered that the dead, no longer living, could be stored too.
“After death… this is how it is.”
The mage stared into the fire.
“If you hadn’t come, we’d be like them. No one would seal our bodies away. We’d become its meal… or rot here.”
“You should thank the Mercenary Guild’s contract protocol.”
Roland wouldn’t have ignored them even without reward—but others might have turned a blind eye.
The mage gave a self-deprecating chuckle.
“One who died was my childhood classmate. She never expected to go so suddenly… in such pain. I just had slightly better luck.”
“..."
“Her parents divorced young. They remarried, cast her out with two younger brothers and an older sister. She raised them alone. Just as life seemed to brighten… this happened.”
Perhaps she was only unburdening grief. Roland watched the meat sizzle over flames, rich aroma rising.
“This world is harsh. Yet we live on. The eldest child will lead that family now. They’ll grow. People always live for someone.”
“..."
Thuke narrowed his eyes, unusually silent. Even he knew better than to speak carelessly now.
“Now, gods and demons lie shattered by the Elves. Souls ascend to no heaven, descend to no hell. They linger where they fell… forever.”
Autumnwater murmured.
“Let us pray. May the supreme god Moluo guide them.”
He poured wine in a thin stream onto the earth—a simple demonic rite for the departed.
...
...
...
Dawn broke.
Mission complete, the warrior and mage prepared to leave the Black Forest.
“Why do you always wear glasses? You don’t seem nearsighted.”
“..." Roland exchanged a glance with Thuke and shrugged.
“Consider it our organization’s mark. No need to dwell on it.” Unsatisfied but silent, she shifted topics.
“What’s your mission?”
Roland smoothed his clothes and offered a faint smile.
“The bounty target: Lionbite Shark.”
“Joking?”
Thuke: “Not at all. We have four other companions.”
Warrior: “You’ll die. Do you know how many Heaven Rank High Martial experts the Lionbite Shark has claimed these past months?”
“We know. But so did you.”
Roland’s smile turned grim.
“Your four-person team hunting a Grade B monster expected casualties. Yet only you two walk away unharmed. The other two rest peacefully. Was that the plan?”
“..."
The mage said nothing. The warrior didn’t evade.
“Half the reward will transfer automatically upon our return. Yesterday’s events need not concern us.”
“I seek no trouble. Go. Pray we end up in the Lionbite Shark’s jaws.”
Roland’s words hung sharp. The pair bowed slightly and turned away.
After a few steps, the mage halted, glancing back.
“Rumor says the Lionbite Shark’s territory is on high alert. Its Grade B subordinates patrol constantly. I don’t know if it helps.”
She left without looking back.
“Frequent patrols?” Roland murmured… Something felt oddly off.
Watching them vanish, Thuke asked quietly, “Roland… did they use their comrades’ deaths intentionally?”
“..." Autumnwater crossed his arms, eyes closed, offering a wry smile.
Roland kept gazing after them.
“The mage and warrior are siblings.”
Thuke: “Huh? Really? I saw nothing.”
Roland: “Their closeness ran deeper than lovers—like lifelong kin. And more…”
He turned toward where the bodies had lain. On their wrists: identical rope bracelets. Simple. Carefully woven.
“The two who died… were family too.”
“..."
Thuke’s mouth opened. He recalled her words. Then fell silent.
...
...
...
2
They slept deeply—of course they did. A two-story villa in the forest? Unthinkable luxury.
But…
Sasha opened her eyes. Agnes, still asleep, had pinned her with her legs.
Combat gear remained on for readiness—but Sasha still felt the soft warmth of Agnes’s inner thigh.
*She’s using me like a doll*, Sasha thought. *Tossed and turned… though I’m probably doing the same.*
“You awake?”
Agnes’s eyes snapped open, startling Sasha.
“Breakfast is ready whenever you are.”
“..."
Agnes had already left, cooked, and returned—all while Sasha slept. Such silent movement! Sasha prided herself on sensing every approach… yet noticed nothing.
