Shunya's first morning as an "official cultivator" began with a cheerful knock on the door.
Too cheerful.
Naomi stood outside, already geared up in her crisp battle uniform, hair tied in a perfect ponytail. "Get up, rookie. Your first mission is today."
Shunya rubbed his eyes. "Morning… wait, today? I thought they'd give me a week to enjoy being broke in peace."
"NGCO doesn't believe in peace," Naomi said sweetly. "They believe in sending underprepared rookies into dangerous situations so you either adapt or die. Builds character."
Vikoria's voice floated from the end of the hall. "And they also deduct the cost of your funeral from your stipend."
Shunya froze. "…You're kidding, right?"
Neither of them answered.
✦✦✦
The NGCO mission hall was busier than he expected. A huge board on the wall listed jobs in different regions. Most sounded deceptively harmless: "Wolf Nest Clearing," "Escort Village Supplies," "Collect Rare Herbs."
