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"Ding-a-ling—"

Accompanied by the crisp chime of bells, the members of the Savage Fangs entered the tavern. The orcs took their seats in the corner.

"Hey, look, it's those orcs."

"They're back again."

Shila's ears slowly drooped, looking somewhat listless. Vic smiled and patted her head.

"How are things developing between you and that kid, Moke?"

Shila immediately blushed, her ears shooting straight up. "Uncle Vic!"

"Earlier on the battlefield, when you secretly kissed him, everyone actually saw it," Vic boomed in a deep voice. "Some people were worried that our excellent scout would get stolen away by that kid."

"No way! I am an orc, a member of the Savage Fangs... I won't be stolen away by him..." Shila retorted.

"Just for now?"

"If you say anything else, I'm ignoring you, Uncle Vic." Shila turned her head away in a huff.

Vic let out a hearty laugh, then suddenly realized he was in a tavern with quite a few people looking their way, so he stifled his laughter and quieted down.

An adventurer walked over slowly and placed a glass of beer in front of Vic.

"This is..." Vic was a bit puzzled. This time, the stranger didn't seem to have any ill intent, nor did they look like they were there to cause trouble.

"It's on us," the adventurer sitting across from Vic said slowly. "We heard about it. It seems your adventure team held off the sudden beast tide outside the walls and protected Byrne City."

"It was nothing. We just accepted a commission... Thank you." Vic raised the glass and downed it in one go.

The mugs used by adventurers were no small cups; a full one could hold a liter, yet for Vic, it was gone in a single gulp.

"Whew—what a capacity," the adventurer praised, then looked at Shila beside him. "Does the little bunny want some carrot juice?"

"I don't like carrots... And besides, I'm an adult. I can drink alcohol too."

Shila picked up the mug in front of her with an unconvinced look, but after glugging down half of it, she couldn't help but let out a hiccup and put the glass down.

The adventurer was amused and laughed heartily.

The previous beast tide had been quite large in scale. Given the skill level of these adventurers, no one could guarantee they would survive it. Every beast tide usually resulted in significant casualties.

But this time, the Savage Fangs adventure team had truly shone. Everyone was naturally grateful to have such a group of powerful beastkin warriors there to help resolve this life-or-death crisis.

"Boss, get every orc brother a beer! My treat!"

"I'm buying too! Can't let our guests think we're stingy."

"Count me in too!"

Soon, the members of the Savage Fangs looked at the table full of beer, exchanging glances.

"By the way, I remember when clearing the beast tide, there was another team. Were they your companions too?" the adventurer sitting across from Vic asked suddenly. "They contributed a lot as well... but I haven't seen them before. Are they adventurers from another city?"

"Ah, you must mean Mr. Xia Lun and the Wings of Dawn." Vic raised another beer and drank it down. "Mr. Xia Lun is indeed very strong."

"So it was the Wings of Dawn. No wonder they were so amazing," the adventurer exclaimed. "I saw it from the city walls. Every move you guys made was like mowing grass; the enemies fell in swathes..."

The adventurer and Vic chatted quite happily.

Shila buried her head in her food, ignoring them.

"Ahem... What a coincidence." Someone coughed lightly behind Shila.

"Moke!" Hearing the voice, Shila immediately turned around in delight.

"Can... can you come out for a moment? I have something I want to tell you," Moke asked softly.

Shila immediately got up from the table and followed Moke out.

Vic sighed inwardly, unable to help worrying. Was their little scout going to be stolen away so soon?

A moment later, Shila returned, but she looked somewhat despondent.

The adventurer who had been chatting with Vic sensed the change in atmosphere and tactfully found an excuse to leave.

"What's wrong?" Vic asked softly.

"Moke and the others are leaving Byrne City to adventure elsewhere." Shila forced a smile. "It's okay, Uncle Vic. After all, we are adventurers; there are bound to be times when we part ways. Our team can't stay together forever..."

"Haven't you considered joining them? Mr. Xia Lun probably wouldn't refuse you."

Vic didn't know why he asked that. The moment the words left his mouth, he regretted it. If the little bunny ran off, it wouldn't be easy for their team to find another excellent scout.

"Moke didn't ask me... He knows I won't leave the Savage Fangs." Shila hugged her knees, sitting on the bench with a lonely expression. "And he won't leave the Wings of Dawn either."

Vic gently patted Shila's shoulder, not knowing how to comfort her.

"Shila!"

Moke suddenly rushed back in, grabbed Shila's hand, and dragged her out again.

Vic raised an eyebrow but didn't stop them.

A moment later, Shila returned. However, the gloom was gone from her face, replaced by a faint, shy blush.

"What did he say this time?" Vic couldn't suppress his curiosity and asked.

"He said he hopes I can wait for him for a few years. After their adventure is over, he'll come find me and go back to the Savage Wilds with me." Shila said with a blushing face. "Moke said if I can wait for him, he's willing to go back with me in the future."

"Then he really is a good man." Vic sighed with emotion.

As an adventurer, Moke surely knew how harsh the environment of the Savage Wilds was. It couldn't compare to the habitable lands of the human race... yet he was willing to go to such a place for Shila.

"And he gave me this."

Only then did Vic notice that Shila was hugging a somewhat damaged harp tightly in her arms.

"What is this? A harp?"

Shila nodded gently. "This is Moke's most precious possession."

...

"Huh? You actually gave that harp away as a token of your love? Wasn't that your most cherished possession?" Liana asked incredulously.

"So what? What's it to you?" Moke curled his lips. "You think I'm like you, flirting with everyone? I've made my choice. Shila will be the most important part of my life."

"What about me? I just secretly strummed that harp once before and you bit my hand for ages!"

"You?" Moke looked Liana up and down and let out a disdainful sneer.

"Moke! You chose a girl over your friends..."