"By the way, did you all understand the info Tina and the others shared earlier about the Faithhunter Goggles?"

Autumnwater shifted topics. Though hardly the time for chit-chat, Thuke replied naturally anyway.

"You mean uploading the video publicly to earn the audience’s Faith Power that way?"

"Exactly. And about that—"

Autumnwater pulled out his phone from the Spatial Storage Ring, quickly opened the Imperial Vision Network app, and brought up a saved video.

"Our fight yesterday was already recorded and uploaded. It’s hit six thousand views."

"Six thousand?! Are we about to become celebrities?! Oh no—I haven’t even practiced my signature!"

Thuke lit up instantly, but Roland felt no joy.

After all, Sasha’s clip had already surpassed ten thousand views—and she’d only taken down a Grade D and a Grade C monster. Roland’s team had barely defeated a Grade B beast together, yet their overnight views paled next to Sasha’s solo run. Even if Sasha was practically another version of himself, Roland couldn’t help sighing at how wildly uneven this world could be.

"How much Faith Power do you have now?" Autumnwater tucked his phone away.

Thuke glanced at the upper-right corner of his goggles.

"You mean that number?"

"Yep."

"I’ve got… twenty? Is that a lot?"

"Forty-five," Autumnwater said, then turned to Roland.

After a slight pause: "One hundred."

"One hundred?! Holy crap, what kind of monster boy are you?! We were all in the same video—how’d you grab so much Faith Power?!"

(Thuke really hadn’t considered his own part in this?)

Autumnwater calmly stepped in: "Roland was first to save someone on camera. Audiences love that heroic entrance. Plus, he’s undeniably handsome—it’s not surprising he won favor."

"I’m plenty handsome too," Thuke muttered.

What *was* he even competing over? Roland felt a trace of helplessness.

"Pay me back, Thuke!"

"Why’d you jump straight to money?! I’m still hung up on looks! Does society today only like soft, cute boys like you and ignore tough guys like me?!"

With faces stuck at sixteen or seventeen, how "mature" could they really be? Roland’s smile grew even more helpless.

Still…

As long as they had Faith Power, tougher monsters might not be impossible.

"We should thank Miss Agnes for editing the video," Autumnwater said with a shrug. "She even blurred the cooperating mercenaries’ faces—to highlight us three, and protect their privacy."

"Miss Agnes really is amazing," Thuke mused suddenly. "Beautiful, thoughtful, cooks like a dream, chats effortlessly with nobles… and even crafts creative ways to humiliate me. I think… she might like me?"

"…"

Thoughts like that usually mark the start of serious delirium.

Roland had briefly caught that fever too, thanks to Agnes’s charm—but recovered fast.

He just hoped Thuke would be defeated by it soon.

…

…

"Nothing but monsters."

Tina and the others crouched behind bushes, watching the patrol line near the Lionbite Shark’s territory.

They moved with eerie discipline—exactly as expected. Moments earlier, the other Roland had fought through this very zone.

"Agnes?"

"Yes, Little Sasha?"

"Did you upload Roland’s battle video yesterday?"

Agnes blinked, glanced at Tina, then answered: "Yes. Roland’s team fought a Grade B monster—it was intense. Since it was exciting, I edited and posted it to Imperial Vision Network. Did he mention it?"

"Just a quick text about yesterday," Sasha replied vaguely. Agnes smiled. "Don’t worry. Their combined views still don’t match Little Sasha’s solo numbers."

"Uh…"

She wasn’t sure whether to feel glad.

…

…

…

"I’ll lure them away."

After observing, Agnes concluded: slipping past the patrol unnoticed was near impossible. Someone had to draw them off—like Autumnwater did.

But… she wasn’t a demon, let alone a Shadow Demon. No divine evasion skills. Once monsters latched on, escape wouldn’t be quick.

"No. We move together. Splitting up weakens us," Tina rejected firmly.

"We don’t need the front gate."

"The territory’s surrounded by swamps. Pushing through dense jungle and escaping fast? Nearly impossible."

The words left her lips—Tina raised her right hand. A whirlwind swirled in her palm.

"Who said impossible?"

Agnes frowned. "You mean… levitate us over the swamp with wind magic? Even as a seasoned Elemental Envoy, can you carry all four alone?"

The girl had clearly planned ahead.

"I’m no wind mage. And Little Sasha’s just a… 'outlaw of the law'…"

"'Outlaw of the law'?"

Oh. *Magic apprentice.*

Little Sasha got it.

Internet slang—truly baffling.

"I can do it."

Xue Die raised a hand, still tapping her handheld console. "I know some wind magic. I’ll carry Sasha across."

"Really safe?" Agnes sounded doubtful. Tina took her hand.

"Agnes—we’re Raiders. Mercenaries. Adventurers. Where’s the adventure without risk?"

"But…"

Truth was… however dangerous…

Wasn’t *that Deity* watching?

With that presence as backup, anything was worth trying.

"I think it’ll work too."

Sasha sided with Tina and Xue Die.

"Three votes! Agnes, unconditional obedience!" Tina happily ruffled Sasha’s hair. Agnes sighed in defeat.

"Fine… I really can’t win with you all." She gripped Xue Die’s arm, voice stern: "Then, Miss Xue Die—I entrust my life to you."

"Overload alert. My wind magic only works on lolis. Zero interest in aunties," Xue Die replied flatly. Agnes forced a tight smile. "We’re *all* sixteen. How can you, Miss Xue Die, act so senior? Honestly—I can’t trust Little Sasha’s safety to you. Blame your wind magic’s bias."