Hifung: What's going on?
Man: Hand over the snake's heart.
Hifung: Hah!?
Ray: What do you mean by that?
Man: You must've run out of chi after fighting that snake. Now give us the heart, and we'll let you live.
Hifung: Don't be ridiculous.
Ray: Hifung, looks like this'll be extra training for us.
Hifung: Heh, good point.
Man: Hand it over now, or we'll kill you.
The men began to approach Ray and Hifung.
Hifung immediately summoned magma magic in his right hand, while Ray drew his lightning sword.
Hifung and Ray: If you're brave enough, come and take it—if you can.
They both smirked sharply. The men trembled, clearly panicked and afraid.
Man: Hey—th-they're not out of chi! What do we do!?
Man: Run!!
And just like that, they fled.
Hifung: They ran off. Should we go after them?
Ray: Nah, it'd only cause more trouble.
Hifung: Yeah, you're right.
Both Hifung and Ray dismissed the magic in their hands.
Ray: Let's just go to the Mission building.
Hifung: Alright.
They began walking back toward the town.
Upon arriving at Mission, they handed over the snake's heart and received their payment.
After that, they returned to the inn and sat on their respective beds.
Ray: Huh... I'm starting to feel bored lately.
Hifung: Same. Every day's starting to feel the same.
Ray: I wonder how things are going in Milty right now.
Hifung: There shouldn't be any war until we get back. That's what King Hakao's treaty promised.
Suddenly, someone screamed for help.
Villager: Help!!
Hifung and Ray immediately stood up.
Ray: Hifung.
Hifung: Let's go.
They rushed outside, leaping across rooftops, heading toward the source of the voice that kept calling out.
Villager: Help!!
A crowd had gathered around something.
From the rooftop, Hifung and Ray saw a man being kicked by another person in front of everyone.
Ray: What's going on?
Hifung: Let's ask around first.
Ray nodded, and they both dropped down into the crowd and spoke to one of the bystanders.
Ray: What's happening here?
Bystander: It's a common scene. A noble's kid tormenting a merchant like that. Poor guy.
Ray: What!?
Ray and Hifung exchanged a quick glance before leaping into the center of the crowd and landing in front of the noble kid.
Noble Kid: Who the hell are you!?
Hifung: The ones who'll make you regret this.
Ray: The ones who'll traumatize you.
The noble kid looked slightly confused but clearly felt insulted.
Noble Kid: What the hell is that supposed to mean!?
Noble Kid: You dare stand against me!?
Hifung: That's right.
Hifung conjured an orange flame in his right hand and hurled it at the noble, blasting him backward and setting him ablaze. He screamed in pain. Several of his lackeys rushed in to help him, while others appeared before Hifung and Ray.
Hifung: Here we go.
The thugs drew swords cloaked in blue aura.
Ray raised his lightning sword, and Hifung summoned his magma sword.
They clashed blades. Hifung toyed with his opponent, barely putting in any effort.
After a few exchanges, Hifung released magma energy from his sword, igniting the surroundings in flames.
Ray easily defeated all his opponents.
Then, one of the enemies stepped forward. He seemed stronger than the others—calm, with a piercing gaze.
He conjured fire magic in his right hand and hurled it toward Ray.
Ray blocked it with his left hand, which was covered in yellow aura.
Hifung dashed at the man with his magma sword, slashing swiftly.
But the man dodged every strike, then coated his right leg with aura and delivered a kick toward Hifung's abdomen.
Hifung dodged backward just in time.
Ray: Hifung! You okay!?
Hifung: Yeah... looks like he's pretty strong.
The man then summoned a fire sword in his right hand, raised it to the sky, and swung it downward.
A wave of fire surged toward Hifung and Ray.
Hifung: Tch!
Ray leapt upward while Hifung blocked the fire wave with his magma sword.
Ray dashed toward the man with his lightning sword.
Ray: HUAA!
The man saw Ray coming and jumped back to evade his strike.
Ray's attack hit the ground, causing a powerful explosion and a cloud of dust.
Suddenly, through the smoke, Hifung and Ray emerged, both charging with their swords—one of magma, one of lightning.
The man quickly raised his fire sword and blocked every incoming strike.
Hifung and Ray unleashed a barrage of attacks, but none landed.
Finally, Ray slashed from the side. The man blocked it, sword tilted downward, arms raised, unknowingly leaving his upper body exposed.
Hifung jumped high and landed behind him.
The man realized it too late.
Man (in his thoughts): "What!?"
Hifung channeled lightning magic into his right leg and delivered a powerful kick to the man's shoulder.
The man screamed in pain and was sent flying, his shoulder badly burned.
Seeing this, the remaining enemies panicked and ran off in fear.
Ray and Hifung exchanged small grins as they watched the cowards flee.
The crowd erupted in applause.
--
Back at the inn.
Hifung: Phew... that was a bit exhausting.
Ray: Yeah, it's rare to find an opponent that strong.
Hifung chuckled.
Hifung: Though, he wasn't that strong. I wonder how powerful Micyl is now.
Ray smiled.
Ray: By the way, how much money have we saved up?
Hifung: Hm? Should be enough to buy a house by now.
Ray: Oh wow, that much already?
Hifung smiled soft
ly.
Hifung: Yeah, we've been taking missions every single day.
Hifung: Should we take another one tomorrow?
Ray: Sure. I'm gonna keep training until the day I return to Milty.
Hifung: Okay.