"Haha...Elena, what a coincidence. Am I not already back? Don't get so worked up now." Master Turtle said with a forced smile.
"Humph! Look at how relaxed you are. After you went missing for almost an entire week, the branch couldn't even function properly. Do you know how much paper works need to be signed by you? All the staff, everybody is complaining. If your yearly evaluation is not up to standard, you are dead meat." Said Elenna as she placed the new stacks of documents on the table.
"Hehe, you worried too much. I can finish these documents in a blink. Jut watch." He said confidently while casually signing one of the papers.
"So, what is with the severe look on your face. Is there anything important that I need to know? Just say it."
*Sigh*
"...It's as we anticipated. The anomaly of the Spear Soul brings significant impact.
"The news from other association's branches stationed in the surrounding towns and four leading cities in our Clearsky Province alone reported that new Adventurers keep pouring into the periphery of the Eflo Woodland, mainly our area.
"It's estimated that the casualty Tier one and above Adventurers had already surpassed over fifty thousand deaths through the past six months. Moreover, the excessive killings have provoked powerful Spirit Beasts from the depth of the Eflo Woodland.
"To avoid the possibility of angering the two 'Guardians' under that being, the King has demanded us to temporarily cease from accepting any more requests correlated to the Eflo Woodland. The other branches had already agreed. We were only waiting for you." Elena stated.
Master Turtle nodded. His old face didn't seem too surprised to hear the news.
"Mmm, alright, it's settled." He signed another document and expressed, "Since the other already agreed, there is nothing for us to consider. Although this approach won't prevent those dull and thick-headed punks from entering the Eflo Woodland to stir trouble, at least, they will have less of a reason to go."
"I heard that there is no hope to the missing Adventurers. Well, it's their life anyway."
After conversing for a while, Elena mentioned another important matter with seriousness.
"Anyway..."
"This morning, Sir Hendrik has sent Ira back to make a report, stating that the mysterious Demon Beast that has been lurking since half a year ago had suddenly made a big move as of the moment, resulting in a small scale beast tide."
"It was confirmed to be a Dark-type Demon Beast with the strength of at least Peak-stage, or worst, a Culmination-stage Rank 3 Demon Beast that was on the verge of breaking through to Rank 4. And once it advances, I'm afraid things will get out of hand. Even the safety of the town would be threatened."
"At the moment, many refugees were still gathering at Dandelion Village because of his presence. Sir Hendrik requests our assistance. What do you think?" Said Elena with narrowed eyes.
...
"Tut-tut... A potential Rank 4 Demon Beast of the Dark attribute. Even with the force of the entire town, that kind of monster is not something we can fight against. Hendrik, that blockhead is not taking his life seriously."
"A Guardian Knight... that's his style, alright. By the way, is Ira still here? Where is he?" Asked Master Turtle after some consideration.
Elena quickly replied, "No, he already left long ago. Not everyone is as free as you, Master Turtle."
"What? What do you mean I'm free. I work my ass off all the time...*cough!* you won't understand my plight."
"..."
"Ahem! Anyway, this is troublesome..." The old man leaned backward on his chair. Then soon after, he looked at Elena and continued, "...The association has its own rule, and we can't break it. Just proceed as usual. The town mayor should have already caught wind of the situation. No, just in case, go and get someone to send the information to the main cities."
Master Turtle sighed with a solemn face.
There wasn't much they could do. As the person in charge of this small branch, he can't make a move so easily. And if he did, it would become a personal problem and has nothing to do with the association.
Usually, any of the kingdom's troubles or predicaments shall remain the King's and its subjects' responsibility.
Although the branches of the Adventure Association have spread everywhere on the continent, they rarely intervened in the local force's matter.
One could say that they merely acted as a middleman between the clients and the Adventurers.
And even if Master Turtle personally makes a move, his strength is not enough to resolve the situation.
A Rank 4 Demon Beast, no matter where they are in a Third-tier power, such an existence is no different than a walking calamity capable of wiping out an entire town with a population of a hundred thousand from the face of the earth.
Such evaluation was no exaggeration!
Especially those Demon Beasts with powerful destructive abilities, they could easily take on an elite army of ten thousand without much of a hindrance.
Master Turtle said after some thought, "Oh, I almost forgot. Elena, go and publish the news on the notice board if you haven't done so."
"If anyone is interested, they are free to take a look. There should be a few experienced 'hunters' with so many new faces showing up lately. Even death couldn't get in between them and money."
"We will wait and see how things go."
The night passed uneventfully.
——
-Two days later-
In the glimmer of the first sunshine, Myah and Mu Suyin packed their luggage and left the inn after bidding goodbye to the inn lady.
Though it was still relatively early in the morning, almost all the shops and stalls were already set up and were ready for business.
The bustling atmosphere was slowly coming to life upon a new day as clamoring noises became increasingly louder.
After securing the horse cart onto Bumpkin's back, they gradually headed for the town gate.
Mu Suyin planned to return to the village today. Due to Myah's insistence on going back, this trip ended a little sooner than anticipated. But that is not important as they had already bought what they needed these past two days.
Clothes, resources, and an opportunity for little Myah to experience real battle, her initial goal for this trip, are more or less fulfilled.
At this point, what happened near their Dandelion Village was already circulated among the townspeople. It wasn't a secret that the appearance of a super-duper sinister evil Rank 4 Demon Beast was impending.
Thus, it didn't come as a surprise that Myah also heard about the news the previous night while eavesdropping on the drunk adventurers' gossip.
He couldn't wait to return and help everyone defend the village, his home.
Fortunately, Myah's injuries and spirit energy have mostly recovered after two days of resting, while Bumpkin's wounds have also healed. It was currently pulling the horse cart with big eyes darting around the fruit stalls merrily, tongue lolling over the numerous boxes full of sour berries and verdant spirit grasses.
At first, Bumpkin was heading toward the Southern gate, but it steered in another direction and stopped in front of a familiar place shortly after.
This place was no other than the "Hundred Flowery Styles."
Saki's clothing shop.
The pit of torture.
"What is it? Didn't you keep wailing your heart out, begging to return to the village all night? What do you want to do here?" Asked Mu Suyin, her face was that of an amused expression. It was no wonder. Since she hadn't told Bumpkinn to come here, it much is Myah's doing since they could communicate telepathically without her knowing.
Mu Suyin briefly glanced at the clothing store, then looked at the energized little Myah and that mischievous smile on his dainty face.
Myah was now wearing a white, cartoon-like panda shirt and cute blue overalls. And on his back was a supper large-sized panda backpack that was several times larger than his tiny body. It was heavy, no doubt with the dark iron spear stuffed inside along with a bunch of clothes, candies, and snacks.
Together with the sight of him nibbling and holding onto a bag full of mutton skewers, this image was quite cute yet funny. It drew out a little giggle from Mu Suyin's mouth.
"Hehe, I just want to say bye-bye to sister Saki before we go," Myah replied as he stuffed the bag of skewers into her hand. "Wait for me. I will be right back."
"You mean looking for trouble?" She asked.
"What—no, you know I'm a very good boy." Myah quickly pouted in shame. "Anyway, keep these mutton skewers for me. They are delicious. You should eat some too, grandma."
Mu Suyin said, "Oh, you shouldn't worry about me, and don't take too long in there. If you make any trouble, I will spank your butt later, got it?"
"Huh? Hey! That's the wrong store. Go a little bit to your right." She warned.
"Haha, got it!"
-Inside the clothing store-
*Mhmm~*
Saki stretched her shoulder then casually rested her head on the back of her hand. She yawned next to a long narrow table behind the counter. Her eyelid was drooping while her entire being rayed with a leisure and lazy vibe.
It's pretty evident that she wasn't much of a morning person.
There usually wouldn't be any customers this early in the morning. After she opened the shop, Saki merely adjusted a few mannequins and was somewhat unrestrained.
Life was great, like a salted fish.
But at this moment of peacefulness, Saki failed to notice that through the door strolled in a petite silhouette carrying a massive panda on its back. It was Myah. Because of the counter, only the large panda backpack was visible with his short little legs.
'Huh?'
Feeling a slight tug at her dress, Saki was surprised. Her long wavy purplish hair swayed as she turned her head only to meet with a pudgy panda face.
"Ungaaar!"
'Mhm?! What's this?' Not at all intimidated by the soft roar, she thought with raised eyebrows. And as her inquisitive gaze fell on the petite silhouette with hands raised in an attempt to appear fierce and scary, Saki quickly became energized.
"Kyaa~ I'm so scared."
She shrieked exaggeratedly and played along.
Myah also laughed, "Hehe, you should be!"
"Oh my~ so it's little Myah. You look so fierce. What brings you here? Do you want new clothes? Hehe~ big sister can give you a special discount, what do you say, wanna try some new 'handsome' dresses?" She asked playfully.
"Unh-uh." Myah shook his head and pouted, "I won't let you flick my little birdie again."
"Haha, then does little Myah miss big sister? You hadn't come here since the other day after all." Said Saki as she then suddenly paused with widened eyes, "I heard that you got injured in the arena by someone from the academy? How are you feeling? Have the wounds healed?"
For a moment, listening to her affectionate words, Myah wavered from carrying out the thought of revenge.
Despite the little guy waving his hands in assurances that he is in good health, Saki didn't believe him. She swiftly rummages through the desk drawer and takes out an exquisite jade container.
"Come here and let big sister apply the medicine for you. I just bought this healing balm yesterday."
"Though 150 low-grade Spirit Stones are expensive, this thing can heal external injuries even remove old scars in minutes. It wouldn't be good if the wounds blemish your perfect body."
Sniffing the familiar soothing fragrance, Myah chuckled and shook his head, showing her that he also had a similar healing balm out of his pocket, albeit in a different container.
Saki much has purchased it in the chamber of commerce since Myah and his grandmother had sold a few extra batches these few days.
Although the amount was pitifully low, it had become somewhat famous.
Seeing that he has the same medicine, Saki didn't insist.
However, she couldn't help but feel a little astonished. After all, 150 low-grade Spirit Stones is not a small amount even for her, and Myah's container is even bigger.
"Hug?"
(> ^_^ )>
While Saki was in a trance, Myah tugged at her dress again with both hands raised. Although he has a missing front tooth, his cute smile entranced her.
At that moment, Saki feels her heart get shot by a cupid arrow then melted like a scoop of ice cream on a hot road. Instinctively, she leaned down for a hug.
Myah's cuteness was irresistible.
But when Saki leaned down, little Myah's innocent face swiftly changed into that of a smug and super evil smile.
His little hands blurred.
Pa!
Pa!
Pa!
Unexpectedly, the sound of meat slapping resonated in the store as Saki's voluptuous boobs jiggled like brimming pudding.
Little Myah has learned many valuable lessons from eavesdropping on the talks of the veteran adventurers. The best way to bully a girl was to squeeze them boobs directly, while to bully a guy, one needs to kick their crotch.
Since Myah wasn't confident, a few slaps would do.
"This is my revenge for the other day. Off I go, hahaha~" With a peal of mischievous laughter, the little guy quickly darted to the door for his escape.
However, it was already too late. Before Myah could take a second step, Saki already reached out and held firmly onto the panda backpack he was carrying.
If it were animated, Saki's face would be evilly dark with eyes glowing red.
"Let go... w-what are you doing?" He was both confused and scared.
What is going on? Shouldn't Saki now be embarrassed, giving him a chance to slip away? Why is the situation not going according to the script? Were the veteran adventurers' words a joke?
At this moment, countless thoughts ran through his little mind.
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