Hundreds of Nutrivora Blossoms, small but vicious, skittered toward Yukio and Michibiki, their purple eyes glowing like lanterns in the dark. Michibiki cracked her knuckles, smiling like she'd been waiting for this. "Yukio! You know what to do. Try not to die." Then she jumped straight into the swarm. A blur of movement. A shock of mana. Her fist slammed into the first monster, BOOM! Its entire body burst apart in a flash of light. Another leapt at her. She kicked it mid air, sending it flying into two more. They collapsed in a burst of vines and petals. More poured in, surrounding her from every side. Michibiki's smile widened. White-gold light began gathering around her fists, her hair rising as her mana surged. She punched the ground. "SACRED ARTS: DAWN HEART IMPACT!" A blinding wave of holy light exploded outward, clearing a massive circle around her. Every Nutrivora Blossom caught inside it disintegrated instantly, their purple eyes flickering out. Even Yukio stag

Yukio leaned back against the headboard, staring up at the ceiling.His stomach still ached where Kaede had punched him.His pride hurt worse.Kaede sat on the opposite side of the room, face bright red, staring at literally anything that wasn’t Yukio.Michibiki, meanwhile, logged at the edge of the bed, far too amused by the whole situation.Yukio pushed himself upright with a groan. “That's it. I'm getting a separate room,”He muttered.“My body can't take this kind of torture.”He rubbed his side and added.“And if I wake up with two girls on me again, I'm unleashing hell.”Michibiki burst out laughing.“You can try,”She said cheerfully.“Honestly, I was thinking of renting a whole house instead. We've got a small fortune from those last two quests, after all.”Kaede finally spoke, still refusing to look at him.“...Ungrateful brat.”Yukio snorted.“Says the one who punched a recovering patient.”Michibiki stood and clapped her hands together.“Alright, jokes aside,”She said, “

Darkness pressed in from every direction.Not sleep.Not dreams.A blank space, heavy and endless.Yukio floated within it, disoriented, his thoughts sluggish.“…What is this?” He muttered.Without warning, the Wheel of Providence materialized before him, spinning on its own. Faster. Faster. Its jade-gold glow pulsed violently, warping the void around it.Behind it, the Threads of Fate emerged, luminous strands twisting and writhing like living things.They surged forward.Wrapped around him.Pulled.Yukio gasped as his body began to fade, dissolving into light.“Wait!”Vaelora’s voice echoed softly, layered with urgency.You’re losing yourself, Yuki.The Wheel spun louder.Remember why you were given this power.Remember what you’re fighting for.The Threads tightened.And then.“WAKE UP!”Yukio’s eyes snapped open.Kaede was shaking him violently, her face far too close for comfort.“Gah!” He yawned, blinking hard. “Was that really necessary? I literally just closed my eyes,”“Yo

Chapter 37: Beneath the Same Banner The descent from the second level was quieter than Yukio expected. Stone steps spiraled downward through the fortress, torches casting long shadows along the walls. The sound of marching boots echoed faintly ahead, while behind them… eyes lingered. Yukio felt it. He didn’t need Appraise. Didn’t need Vaelora to whisper. Greed had a weight to it. Whispers slipped between mercenaries like smoke. “…That armor.” “…Mythril, right?” “…Never seen runes like that.” He kept his posture relaxed, hands loose at his sides, but his awareness sharpened. The Emerald Aegis caught torchlight in soft arcs of white-green glow, the star-threaded patterns subtly pulsing. Kaede noticed too. She always did. They reached the lower courtyard where the rest of the contracted force waited. Twenty adventurers and mercenaries in total, a mixed group of steel, leather, magic, and mismatched confidence. Some looked capable. Others looked desperate. A few w

For the first time since the fortress, Yukio felt normal again.He sat sprawled comfortably on Candessa’s office couch, armor stowed away, body wrapped in a loose linen shirt and dark trousers. The lingering ache from mana backlash had faded into a dull throb, easily ignored. A quick bath had washed away the grime, blood, and stress of the day, leaving him refreshed physically, at least.Mentally, he was already working.A stack of documents rested on his lap, carefully organized and neatly annotated. Across from him stood Allen, posture straight, hands clasped respectfully behind his back.Yukio skimmed the final page, nodded once, then closed the folder.“Mm. I knew I could trust you with management,” Yukio said with a satisfied smile. “You’ve handled logistics, distribution, and vendor negotiations better than most professionals I’ve met.”Allen blinked. “I… I appreciate the praise, Sir Yukio.”Yukio looked up at him. “You’re getting a raise.”Allen froze.“…Sir Yukio,” He sai