In the amber twilight, four figures walked step-by-step toward the village.

Behind them, a massive, black wing membrane fluttered in the wind like a banner.

The Wing Membrane of a Giant Winged Bat!

The aerial shadow that had loomed over Valley Town, the terrifying presence that had chilled the villagers to the bone, was now nothing more than a trophy displayed before them.

A silence stretched for several seconds, and then...

"They won!! The Adventurer party won!!!"

Someone’s voice was the first to cry out, and the entire village entrance erupted in a colossal, tsunami-like cheer.

"Thank the Adventurer’s Association! We’re saved!"

"Heroes! They’re the village’s heroes!"

Zelir and the others hadn’t even reached the entrance before they were swarmed by the excited villagers.

The threat of death that had loomed over them for days finally dissipated, and tears of joy streamed down many faces.

Finally, they no longer had to live in constant fear of being torn to shreds by a diving Giant Winged Bat.

"Brave Adventurers, on behalf of the entire village... on behalf of the entire village, I thank you!"

Old Village Chief Bart was just as emotional. "You are the heroes of Valley Village!"

Marcus was a little embarrassed by the grand reception. He scratched his head. "We just did what the quest required, Village Chief."

"You must be tired and hungry, right? Uh... Lun’er! Go slaughter a chicken and a duck, quickly!"

Village Chief Bart immediately started giving orders. "Old Henry, bring out that fine wine you’ve been hiding in your cellar! We’re holding a banquet for our heroes! You all will rest in the village tonight!"

"Ah, no, no, no... that’s not necessary."

Marcus quickly waved his hands in refusal. "You’re too kind, really. There’s no need to go to such lengths. We appreciate the thought, but we won’t be staying."

Only after going back and forth with Village Chief Bart several times did Marcus manage to change his mind.

However, Village Chief Bart still provided the party with a convenience. He had someone bring out the village’s only hay cart and instructed the driver to personally take them back to Black Stone Town.

Marcus couldn’t bring himself to refuse this offer. Besides, walking after such a fierce battle would indeed be exhausting, so he accepted Village Chief Bart’s help.

The cart rumbled along the dirt country road.

Zelir sat in the cart.

Looking back, he could see the residents of Valley Village still standing at the entrance, waving goodbye from afar, their faces filled with sincere gratitude.

Seeing this, Zelir couldn’t help but be moved by their emotions, a wave of sentiment washing over him.

’It’s really not easy for the common people of this Otherworld...’

’A single Demon with a [Difficulty] rating is enough to bring a cataclysm that could destroy their homes.’

’What would they do against the Giant Winged Bat’s attacks if there wasn’t an Adventurer’s Association nearby?’

’It’s hard to imagine...’

’Without enough Power to change one’s destiny, you can only be like a duckweed, tossed about by the waves, liable to be submerged at any moment.’

’How lamentable.’

Zelir quietly clenched his fists, his conviction hardening once more.

Pulling his gaze away, he noticed Gray was also staring at the crowd seeing them off.

The setting sun cast long shadows, and the soughing of the pines was like the sea.

In Gray’s normally frivolous blue eyes, a complex emotion seemed to surface.

So, Zelir spoke softly.

"You also think life is hard for ordinary people, don’t you?"

"Huh?"

Zelir’s words snapped Gray back to reality. A look of great pity appeared on his face as he shook his head. 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

"I was just thinking how pretty that girl in the long linen dress was. It’s a shame I’ll never see her again... Don’t you think?"

Zelir silently turned his face away, not wanting to respond to Gray.

Inside the cart, only Valles let out an unsurprised snort of laughter.

...

The cart brought the party back to Black Stone Town without issue. Though the driver vehemently refused, Marcus insisted on paying him one Silver Coin for the ride.

After turning in the quest at the Adventurer’s Association, Marcus collected the reward for the commission.

Giant Winged Bat bounty: four Gold Coins.

Five Giant Winged Bat fledglings: two Gold Coins and fifty Silver Coins.

Giant Winged Bat Wing Membrane: three Gold Coins.

Giant Winged Bat Demon Core: Five Gold Coins.

Five fledgling Giant Winged Bat Demon Cores: two Gold Coins.

For a total of sixteen Gold Coins and fifty Silver Coins.

Zelir and Marcus could get four Gold Coins and ninety-five Silver Coins, while Valles and Gray could get three Gold Coins and thirty Silver Coins.

All in all, it was another handsome reward.

Zelir’s total assets now amounted to six Gold Coins and twenty Silver Coins.

"Let’s have a team dinner!"

Gray suggested enthusiastically. "We have to celebrate properly after finishing a quest!"

"Sure, you pick the place," Marcus agreed readily.

He rolled his neck and stretched his muscles, clearly wanting to relax as well.

Zelir didn’t mind either. Going back to the Night Flower Inn just meant his usual dinner of beef shank in red wine sauce before a long sleep. Going out with Gray for a bit wasn’t a bad idea.

A refusal almost escaped Valles’s lips. He had absolutely no interest in this kind of activity.

But considering Gray had saved his life today, he acquiesced.

"Do we even need to look for a place? The Drunk Wild Boar, of course!"

Gray’s face lit up. "Let’s go! It’s my treat tonight!"

The Drunk Wild Boar. The tavern’s name was boisterous, and the scene inside was even more so.

The moment they pushed open the creaking wooden doors, a wave of heat mixed with the smell of ale, roast meat, and tobacco washed over them.

The tavern was a cacophony of voices. The excited shouts of drunks and gamblers even drowned out the Minstrel’s diligent performance.

Everywhere you looked, the scene was one of lively chaos, with miners practically standing on tables to clink their mugs.

At a gambling table surrounded by a dozen people, dice were being shaken furiously. The moment the cup was slammed down, everyone’s eyes widened to see the result.

There were also plenty of casual patrons chatting about everything under the sun. Fueled by alcohol, they were far bolder than usual, and the boasts they spouted were enough to make one’s jaw drop.

This was the Drunk Wild Boar, the tavern most beloved by the local Adventurers and miners!

The thick smell made Zelir sneeze, and Valles’s brow furrowed so tightly it looked like a knot.

Gray, on the other hand, was on familiar turf, walking into the tavern as if it were his own home.

After letting out a sharp whistle, a buxom waitress in a tight miniskirt immediately came over to greet him.

"Well, well, if it isn’t Gray? Finally remembered to come see me, did you?"

The waitress feigned annoyance, lightly tapping Gray on the chest, only for him to pull her into his arms.

"HOHO! My dearest Marian."

Gray planted a hard kiss on her cheek. "You have no idea. To see you again, I had to risk my life crawling out of a Demon’s maw."

"You silver-tongued devil!"

"As for whether my tongue is slippery, you’d know best, Marian," Gray said with a suggestive smile.

’Dude, do you have to be so wild? We can all hear you,’ Zelir thought, dumbfounded.

"I can’t stand this. I’m leaving."

Valles turned to walk out the door.

"No, no, no... We’re already here..." Zelir hurriedly grabbed Valles.

Despite being teased like this by Gray, Marian didn’t seem truly angry. She shot him a glare, but her expression gradually broke into a wide, delighted smile.