Chapter 16

After shooting Roland—the pretty boy—a heavy dose of disdain, the group relaxed their guard and began sizing up Silva, whispering among themselves.

“This beauty is cute, gorgeous, and carries such elegance… Why would she be the type to keep a pretty boy? What a waste.”

“You just don’t get it,” the female adventurer from earlier replied with utter confidence. “Sugar mommies love obedient puppies—the thrill of ‘training’ them is pure satisfaction.” She glanced at Silva. “Don’t let her innocent, doll-like looks fool you. She might have… unique tastes. Otherwise, why keep a pretty boy?”

“I agree. Rich folks love living on the edge. A few of my buddies once hooked up with a sugar mommy to skip years of grinding. They fled back in days—bruised all over, kidneys near bursting. Rumor says she tied them to the bed, took turns nonstop day and night… even invited other sugar mommies over…”

*Hiss*— “Terrifying! I’d rather starve than be kept by a sugar mommy.” The adventurer stole another glance at Silva and swallowed hard. “Though… a rich, beautiful young lady? Different story.”

“Ahem! Quiet,” the squad captain cut in, then called firmly to the pair, “You should leave. Monsters in the forest are rampaging—who knows what’ll happen next? If you don’t mind, we can head back together and watch each other’s backs.”

“Boss… we’re due to deliver in a few days…” a member murmured.

“I know. But going now is suicide.”

“But the job—”

“Life matters more.”

The member fell silent. The terror of being surrounded by beasts still clung to his heart. Just recalling that brush with death made him desperate to flee the forest and escape to human territory.

“You go ahead. We still have our mission,” Silva said, turning to leave with Roland—when a voice stopped them.

“Please wait, honored guests!”

The speaker was an Archmage in the squad, slightly less skilled than Captain Idi.

“Kalami, what is it?” Idi asked, puzzled.

“Captain, isn’t this a golden chance?” Kalami whispered. “She’s an Archmage! Bringing her in skyrockets our success rate. With monsters rampaging everywhere, even deep-forest beasts have fled their lairs. If we’re careful, the task becomes easy.” Idi frowned, deep in thought.

“Something wrong?” Silva called from afar.

“I’d like to invite you to temporarily join our squad,” Kalami said earnestly. “We’d borrow your strength for our mission—and assist yours in return.”

*Just apprentice adventurers. Their hunt can’t be tough—max third-tier monsters. This deal is an absolute steal,* he thought.

“Hmm…” Silva glanced at Roland for input.

Roland gave a slight nod.

“No problem. We’ll join temporarily. What’s your mission?”

“Gathering a medicinal herb… deep in the forest.”

“Our mission is monster hunting.”

*Archmage or not, she’s still an apprentice. Simple task. No reward split. We’re making a killing!* Kalami’s pulse quickened. “Deal,” he said, barely containing his grin as he whispered to Idi, “Captain—we’re making a killing.”

Idi’s eyes lit up. “Brothers! Two choices: One—retreat, regroup, wait out the rampage. Two—take them with us and push forward.”

“One!” “Two!” Voices clashed. Fear warred with greed.

“Hands up if you vote to continue.”

Most raised hands. Decision made.

“Then we continue. Anyone may leave—but no squad-fee refunds.” Idi sat cross-legged, weary from battle. Others clattered to the ground. A few hesitated, then sat too.

“Why not join us for a chat? We’re squadmates now,” Idi invited warmly—though his eyes stayed sharp.

“Uh, sure,” Roland replied. They approached but didn’t sit on dirt. Silva pulled two wooden chairs from her Spatial Bracelet and settled in calmly.

“A Spatial Bracelet?! She really is a sugar mommy!” Several handsome adventurers’ eyes gleamed, nearly ready to kneel and beg.

“Pathetic!” The female Archmage rolled her eyes. “So embarrassing. It’s just a Spatial Bracelet—I’ve got one too.”

No one argued back. Everyone stared, dumbfounded, at the watermelons in Roland and Silva’s hands.

“Holy crap—look at those slices! Crimson flesh, seedless… I can smell the sweetness from here. Is that the legendary Qingshuang Melon? Blooms once every three years, fruits once every five?”

“They say one costs over a hundred gold coins. Only the ultra-wealthy afford it.”

The female adventurer’s eyes widened. After a stunned pause, she stood and strode toward Silva.

Members yanked her back. “Where to? Steal their melon?”

She shook her head, gaze locked on Silva.

“I’m asking if that rich, beautiful young lady is into yuri.”