The next day, Sylvia woke up first as usual. The soft morning sunlight slipped through the gaps in the curtains of the Silver Moon Inn, gently caressing her porcelain-pale face. The golden rays seemed reluctant to disturb her, only enough to touch her tightly closed eyelids. Slowly, Sylvia opened her dark red eyes. The thin vertical pupils adjusted to the light without the slightest squint, a habit from the demonic blood flowing through her body.

Her body felt refreshed and light after a long, deep sleep, something she rarely experienced after six straight hours of relentless slaughter inside the dimensional rift. Even so, faint shadows of oceans of monsters, spraying blood, and her steady heartbeat while mapping the complex labyrinth still lingered in the corner of her mind. Not trauma, but neatly organized mental notes, ready to be used whenever needed.

Sylvia sat up on the edge of the large, soft bed, her long black hair completely disheveled. The silky strands puffed out in every direction like a lion’s mane waking from a long hibernation. A few strands even covered half her face, making her look softer and more human than usual. Fortunately, her hair was always perfectly maintained thanks to the high-level soul care technique she performed every night. With just a few slow strokes using a carved wooden comb, the hair immediately returned to its neat state, flowing beautifully down her back like freshly ironed black silk.

Beside the bed, the Golden Dragon now in the form of a small golden kitten sat elegantly upright. Its bright golden eyes sparkled with enthusiasm when it saw the comb in Sylvia’s hand. Its long, smooth, and thickly furred tail swayed slowly from side to side like a living, spirited little pendulum. Its golden fur gleamed softly under the morning sunlight, creating an effect like molten metal moving gently and reflecting light with every breeze.

Seeing the cute behavior, Sylvia couldn’t help but show a small smile, a rare expression that only appeared when she was with her family. The smile was gentle, almost fragile, as if it held thousands of years of loneliness that had finally found a place to rest. She patted her thigh twice gently, her voice soft yet filled with undeniable authority. "Come here."

The golden kitten immediately leaped with light and graceful movement, as if it weighed nothing at all. Its body landed perfectly on Sylvia’s lap. It curled up comfortably, resting its head on its master’s thigh while purring softly. The warm vibration traveled through the thin fabric of Sylvia’s sleepwear, giving a soothing sensation that strangely filled the girl’s chest.

Sylvia began combing the Golden Dragon’s thick fur with a patience she rarely showed others. In its cat form, the legendary creature looked like a premium high-class ragdoll. Its long fur was thick, soft, and a bright gleaming gold. The mane around its neck and its tail had even longer fur, giving it a luxurious and aristocratic appearance. It was very different from Noir, who, when transformed into a cat, only looked like an ordinary short-haired black domestic cat with a slender body.

"It takes longer to groom your fur than my own hair," Sylvia murmured softly with a faint smile. Her slender fingers moved carefully, combing from root to tip of every strand. Occasionally she found fine grayish dust and stone fragments from the dungeon still clinging to it. With care, she cleaned them one by one with her fingertips, then blew gently to remove them. The Golden Dragon enjoyed every touch. Its eyes were half-closed, its ears twitched happily, and it occasionally rubbed its head affectionately against Sylvia’s palm.

The grooming process took nearly twenty minutes. Sylvia was in no hurry. She enjoyed this quiet moment, when the world was still not noisy and responsibilities had not yet weighed on her shoulders. The Golden Dragon’s fur finally gleamed perfectly, as if bathed in sunlight itself. A faint natural vanilla and honey scent from its fur spread gently through the room.

Sylvia placed the comb on the side table, then opened her system storage screen with a smooth, practiced finger movement. A semi-transparent dark blue screen appeared before her, displaying hundreds of items neatly categorized: weapons, armor, consumables, clothing, and artifacts. She browsed through the clothing section while thinking for a while. Today she felt too lazy for heavy dressing. She had no desire to wear her usual short battle skirts, cropped leather jackets, or complicated accessories.

In the end, she chose a simple and casual combination: a loose plain white t-shirt that still fit her slender athletic body, light blue short jeans that showed off her smooth, pale long legs, and an oversized gray hoodie with sleeves that could be rolled up to the elbows. She looked like an ordinary girl in her early twenties enjoying a relaxed vacation in a small town. Nothing eye-catching, and that was exactly what she wanted this morning.

Before changing clothes, Sylvia glanced at her two sisters who were still sleeping soundly on the large bed. Alicia lay gracefully like a princess. Her silver hair spread beautifully across the white pillow, her breathing steady and peaceful. Her doll-like beautiful face looked calm, without the slightest wrinkle of worry. She would most likely wake up in about an hour, following her always-disciplined biological rhythm.

As for Stacia... the Fallen Angel girl was sleeping on her side in a much freer position. Her mouth was slightly open, her ash-gray hair messy and covering her face and pillow, the silk blanket almost slipping off her bare shoulder. Her beautiful black wings were slightly spread, the tips of their fine feathers touching the bedsheet. She probably wouldn’t wake up until noon, or even afternoon, if left undisturbed. Sylvia shook her head slowly with a small smile. "Sleeping like a child..."

She stood up gracefully, carrying the golden kitten in her arms. The Golden Dragon curled comfortably against Sylvia’s chest, its head resting on her shoulder while purring softly with a calming vibration. "We’ll go down first. Let them rest longer."

The wooden stairs of the Silver Moon Inn creaked slightly as Sylvia descended. The sound was familiar and comforting, reminding her of other inns they had stayed at during their journey. Downstairs, the atmosphere was surprisingly quiet. Usually, mornings were always bustling with the chatter of dungeon hunters, the clinking of spoons and forks, the aroma of strong black coffee, and rough laughter filling the room. But today only five tables were occupied. Most of the staff looked relaxed, sweeping the floor or wiping empty tables with damp cloth.

Sylvia approached the reception desk. A middle-aged woman with reddish-brown hair greeted her with a friendly smile. "Good morning, Miss. Would you like breakfast?"

"Yes. And... Why is it so quiet this morning?" Sylvia asked softly.

The woman chuckled. "You three have really caused a stir in this city. The complete map of the dimensional rift you brought back yesterday afternoon has already spread to all the guilds. Now almost every capable hunter has gone there. They say the new area is full of rare mineral veins and hidden rooms. Even Lord Harlan sent his elite team early this morning."

Sylvia nodded slowly, a faint smile appearing at the corner of her lips. Good. The more people are busy there, the fewer who would disturb them. She didn’t need to explain further. For ordinary humans, exploring a newly mapped area alone would take days checking traps, assessing risks, clearing remaining monsters, and marking resources. Meanwhile, the three of them had done it in just six hours.

Sylvia chose a table near the large window that received the warmest morning sunlight. The golden kitten stayed on her lap, occasionally rubbing its head affectionately against Sylvia’s stomach, leaving a warm furry scent. The waitress came quickly, bringing a full breakfast tray: fragrant whole wheat toast with red berry jam, soft scrambled eggs smelling of butter and spices, crispy bacon strips, a glass of steaming warm cow’s milk, and a bowl of fresh fruit sliced red apples, oranges, and some sweet local mango.

Every bite tasted more delicious on this peaceful morning. The toast was crispy outside and soft inside. The berry jam was perfectly sweet and tart, balancing the savory eggs and salty bacon. Sylvia chewed slowly, enjoying the textures and flavors while occasionally giving small pieces of meat to the Golden Dragon. The golden kitten ate eagerly, its tail wagging quickly left and right as a sign of utmost satisfaction.

From the window, Sylvia watched the main street of Silvermist City beginning to bustle. Merchants opened their stalls one by one, the aroma of fresh bread and spices wafting from the morning market. Children ran around laughing, and a few adventurers who hadn’t left for the dungeon yet walked while talking seriously. News of the "three mysterious girls" who came out alive from the inner area of the dimensional rift had surely become the main topic in every tavern and guild.

However, Sylvia didn’t really care. Her mind drifted far to their next plans. They would stay in Silvermist for a few more days to handle the rewards from Lord Harlan, possibly rare artifacts or access to restricted areas. After that, they would continue their journey, disguising themselves again as merchants. The next evolution was drawing closer. She could feel the surging power vibrating in her soul and blood. The preparations had to be perfect: a safe environment, abundant resources, and protection for her sisters.

The golden kitten on her lap looked up, as if it could read its master’s thoughts. Its golden eyes were full of trust. Sylvia gently stroked its head with her thumb. "You’ll like Nocture," she whispered softly. "Noir is there... and Sofia will definitely be very happy to meet you. Maybe you two can play together in the palace garden."

The Golden Dragon purred louder, its vibration reaching all the way to Sylvia’s chest. For a moment, the world felt perfect. A peaceful morning, warm breakfast, and the presence of a beloved creature in her lap. After so long living in battle and intrigue, these small moments felt like a treasure.

Sylvia sipped her warm milk slowly, letting its sweetness spread across her tongue. Outside the window, the morning breeze blew gently, carrying the scent of wildflowers from the hills on the edge of the city.