"Do you really have to go? We have ough money tost us for months. Stay home and rx for a bit," his mother pleaded softly. It had only be a day since us got his tattoo, but he was already preparing to head back into the wild. This time, he aimed to hunt higher-tier monsters and raise his level, so he could tackle ev stronger ones in the future.


    But his mother wasn''t ready to let him go so soon. She held onto his arm, her eyes glisting with unshed tears, clearly unhappy with the idea of us vturing out again so soon. It had only be a few days since hisst hunt, and the worry was still fresh in her mind.


    "Mom, you don''t have to worry about me," us said gtly, trying to soothe her fears. "I promise I won''t do anything reckless. I''ll be away for just a few days, tops. And wh I get back, I won''t go out for a few more weeks. We can spd some time together, just the two of us."


    His mother didn''t reply right away, still clutching his arm as if letting go would mean losing him all over again. us knew she was scared, and he couldn''t me her. The wild was dangerous, and every time he left, there was always a risk he might not return.


    Earlier that morning, us had checked the contts of the space ring Uncle Ziggy and the other uncles had giv him. Inside, he found a pile of gold coins—more than 0 million by his estimate. They had told him not to look until the next day, and wh he did, he realized he had be rich overnight.


    It was their way of helping him without solving all his problems for him, showing they cared but still letting him earn his way.


    Along with the gold, there was a gold badge he recognized as a rmdation badge. It was a sign of how much they cared, yet also a reminder that they didn''t want to take away his challges. With 0 million and one rmdation, us knew he only needed 40 million more to gain another rmdation and make the move to the City smoother.


    us was determined to bridge that gap. If he could secure more funds, the move to the City would be easier than he had originally thought. He wanted to give his mother the life she deserved, one where they didn''t have to worry about the next meal or a leaky roof.


    But right now,  of that mattered as much asforting his mother. He gtly pulled her into a hug, wrapping his arms a her. "Mom, I''ll be fine. I''ve be training hard, and I know what I''m doing. I''lle back in one piece, I promise."


    His mother sniffled against his chest, holding him tightly. "I just... I just don''t want to lose you, us. You''re all I have left."


    "And you''re all I have, too," he whispered back. "That''s why I''m doing this. I want us to have a better life. But I won''t take any unnecessary risks. I''ll be careful."


    She finally pulled back a little, looking up at him with worried eyes. "Just a few days, th?"


    "Just a few days," us reassured her with a smile. "I''ll be back before you know it. And th, we''ll have all the time in the world to spd together."


    His mother sighed, wiping away a tear. "Alright... But promise me you''ll stay safe."


    "I promise, Mom. I''ll stay safe," us said, giving her a final hug before she reluctantly let go.


    She nodded, finally giving in. "Okay... But I''m holding you to that promise."


    us smiled, feeling a sse of relief that she was willing to let him go. "I won''t let you down. I''ll be back soon."


    With onest look at his mother, us grabbed his gear and headed for the door. As he stepped out, he nced back to see her watching him, her eyes full of love and concern. He gave her a reassuring wave before turning to face the journey ahead.


    The wild was waiting for him, but so was his promise to return. And this time, us was more determined than ever toe back home safe and sound bringing with him some more goods.


    -


    -


    -


    In a sere gard somewhere in the City, a youngdy stood in front of a man who appeared to be in histe 40s. He was undiably handsome, a trait that seemed toe naturally as one''s cultivation base rose—unless, of course, getics didn''t favor you.


    The man was Davin Ross, the Leader of the Ross Family and the most powerful figure in Ross City. His influce in the city was unmatched.


    "Anna, you''ve recovered," Davin said, addressing the youngdy before him. She was Anna Ross, his youngest child and the rowned Fairy of Ross City.


    "Yes, Father. The Nine Life Yin Flower is truly magical. It''s a shame there wasn''t much Mountain Dew to fully hance its effect," Anna replied confidtly. It was clear she had used the Nine Life Yin Flower that Matin had tried to steal from her.


    The effects were already visible. A chilly aura sured her, carrying a mix of moisture and ice-cold ergy. Ev her demeanor suggested that she had advanced in her elemtal affinity.


    "Good. You''ve done well bringing that flower home," Davin said, clearly pleased, his smile a testamt to his satisfaction. "By the way, do you still not remember the young man who saved you? Thanking him would be the right thing to do, don''t you think?"


    Anna shook her head slightly. "I''m sorry, Dad. I tried to remember, but nothinges to mind. Thest thing I recall is Matin stabbing his spear toward me, th his head falling before everything wt ck. Wh I woke up, I was somewhere in the outer region." Her tone was filled with regret.


    "It''s okay," Davin reassured her, his voice gtle. "The fact that you''re safe is all that matters to me. But are you sure you want to go to the Evesting Zombie Forest? That ce isn''t just home to zombies—it also harbors some of the most vicious monsters. Unlike Sunlight Forest, there are no sections there. Any rank of monster could show up at any time."


    Anna nodded determination in her eyes. "I know, Father. But I need to grow stronger. Staying in myfort zone won''t help me. I''ll be careful, I promise."


    Davin sighed, a mixture of pride and concern on his face. "Just remember, your safety is the most important thing. Don''t take unnecessary risks."


    "I won''t," Anna assured him. "But I need to do this. For myself"


    Davin looked at her for a momt, th nodded. "Alright, Anna. Juste back safe."


    "I promise, Father," Anna replied with a soft smile and th left, disappearing from the Gard.


    "You do know she was lying to you," a voice chimed in just as Anna left the gard. From that direction came a youngdy with the looks of an angel. Her silver hair flowed down to her waist, and her curvy form, paired with her refined cheekbones and silver eyes, made her look like a messger st by the immortals.


    "Lucy, you don''t have to tell me that," Davin Ross replied, a slight smile tugging at his lips. "I know she''s lying, but we have to respect her privacy. The fact that she doesn''t want to reveal this hidd befactor shows she''s maturing. All we can do is let her grow."


    "It''s just annoying," Lucy said, pouting slightly. "Seeing my own sister keep secrets from me... We used to tell each other everything."


    Davin chuckled softly. "I know, but sometimes, growing up means keeping a few things to yourself. She''ll share wh she''s ready."


    Lucy sighed, crossing her arms. "I suppose you''re right. It''s just hard, you know? I want to be there for her like we used to be."


    "You still can," Davin said gtly. "She''s just finding her way. Give her time."


    Lucy nodded, her pout softing into a small smile. "Alright, I''ll try. But if she doesn''t spill soon, I''m going to have to pry it out of her."


    Davinughed. "Just don''t push too hard. She''lle a."


    Wh Anna came back from the Sunlight Forest and reported what had happed, they tried to find out who the young man was who had helped her. But she lied, saying she cked out before she could get a good look at him. She had se us''s character and knew he wasn''t someone who liked attachmts, so she made sure to keep him a secret, tucking away that part of her story.


    Anna was too pure to be a good liar, but the fact that they didn''t scold or force her to say anything showed how much they cared for her. They trusted her, ev wh she wasn''t tirely truthful.


    "So, wh will you be going back to the mountain?" Davin asked after a momt of silce.


    "My master told me to stay for a while, to calm my heart, and really think about what I want and need," Lucy replied. "Only th should Ie back to use the Colorless Bone Marrow essce to advance to the Saint Stage."


    She paused, th added, "So, I guess I''ll be a for a bit. Maybe until after the Inter-City Celestial Mountain Academy selection exams in three months." As she spoke, she took a seat beside her father and bit into an apple, the crisp sound filling the quiet gard.


    Davin nodded, taking in her words. "That sounds wise. It''s good to take time and reflect. Just remember, we''re here for you, no matter what."


    Lucy smiled, appreciating her father''s support. "I know, Dad. That''s why I''m not in a hurry. I want to make sure I''m ready, in every way."


    With that, the gard is filled withughter betwe daughter and father spding their morning in a peaceful atmosphere.