The sun over New Fornia looked a little brighter than usual.
Or maybe it was just Shunya's mood.
He had survived his first cultivation mission.
He had stabbed a monster (by accident), helped Naomi (mostly by being in the way), and walked out with all his limbs attached.
That was a win in his book.
"Hey, no dragging your feet," Naomi said as they walked past the city gate. "You're a cultivator now."
Shunya grinned. "You just want me to trip so you can scold me again."
"Maybe," she said, not denying it.
Vikoria walked beside them, silent as always. But there was a small smile on her lips. She held her sword on her shoulder like a traveling heroine. The Normal-level cultivator looked oddly satisfied.
"Welcome back!" a gate guard called as they passed. "You three made it back, huh? I owe Lato five spirit beans!"
"WHAT?!" another guard shouted from the wall. "You BET on them dying?!"
Shunya blinked. "...That's normal here?"
