The faintest silver light crept across the horizon, brushing the forest in soft shades of dawn. The river near their camp flowed gently, its surface reflecting the pale sky like liquid glass. Mist hovered above the water, thin and delicate.

  Renna’s eyes slowly opened.

  For a moment, she simply listened — the sound of the river, the soft breathing from the carriage beside her.

  She turned slightly toward Serena, who was still wrapped in her blanket.

  “Serena,” Renna whispered gently. “Wake up. Let’s bathe before the kaito wake up.”

  Serena stirred, blinking sleepily. “Already morning?”

  “Almost. If we wait, Kaito will start cooking and pretend he doesn’t notice we’re late.”

  Serena let out a small laugh and sat up. “Alright.”

  They quietly slipped from the carriage, taking fresh clothes with them. The river was cool against their skin, but refreshing. The early morning air carried a calm serenity — no battles, no danger, just peace.

  Serena gazed at the faint sunrise.

  “Yesterday was intense,” she said softly.

  Renna splashed water lightly. “Your magic skill is improving a lot.”

  “We work well together,” Serena replied. Then after a small pause, she added, “Kaito’s Meteor was incredible too.”

  Renna smirked knowingly. “You were staring at him longer than the spell.”

  Serena’s cheeks flushed slightly. “I was not.”

  Renna laughed quietly. “Sure.”

  By the time they returned to camp, the first rays of sunlight were rising fully above the trees.

  Kaito stirred inside the tent as the light brightened.

  He stepped out and paused, noticing Serena and Renna already working near the fire.

  A pot simmered gently.

  “You’re up early,” he said.

  Serena turned, smiling. “We thought we’d cook today.”

  Renna stirred the pot confidently. “Potato and carrot pork stew. Try not to complain.”

  Kaito chuckled. “I wouldn’t dare.”

  He turned and nudged Kael awake. “Breakfast.”

  Kael groaned but quickly rose at the word.

  Soon, the four of them sat together on logs around the fire, steam rising from wooden bowls filled with stew. The vegetables were tender, the pork savory and rich.

  “This is good,” Kael said with a nod.

  Renna crossed her arms proudly. “Of course.”

  Serena glanced at Kaito quietly, watching his reaction.

  He met her eyes briefly and smiled. “It’s perfect.”

  Her heart warmed at the simple words.

  After breakfast, they dismantled camp efficiently. Blankets folded. Tent packed. Cooking tools stored. Kaito lowered the Earth Wall back into the soil.

  Renna took the front seat of the carriage this time, holding the reins confidently.

  “Let me drive,” she said. “You must take a break.”

  Kaito nodded and sat beside her while Serena and Kael settled in the back.

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  The road back to Grainford City felt lighter than before. The morning breeze brushed against their faces as the forest slowly thinned.

  After about an hour, the massive city gates came into view.

  “Back already,” Kael said.

  Renna guided the horse forward, and the guards allowed them through without issue.

  At the Adventurers Guild

  They headed straight for the guild. The familiar building stood proudly in the center district.

  After handing the carriage to the caretaker in the yard, they entered through the large wooden doors.

  The interior buzzed with adventurers discussing quests and clinking mugs.

  At the reception desk stood Lyra.

  “Welcome back,” she greeted warmly. “Successful?”

  “We’d like to submit the Treant King,” Kaito replied.

  Lyra’s eyes widened slightly. “Follow me to the storehouse.”

  Inside the storage area, Kaito opened his Item Box and carefully pulled out the massive seven-meter Treant King remains with some burn on it body. The heavy thud echoed in the room.

  Lyra circled it, checking bark texture, core stability, and magic residue.

  “Confirmed,” she nodded. “Treant King eliminated.”

  Kaito then pulled out another body — the Crystal Viper.

  Lyra froze. “Is that…?”

  “Please verify it, we want to sell the material for this one.” Kaito said calmly.

  She examined the shimmering scales and extracted a crystal shard from its remains.

  Her expression shifted to shock. “Please wait here.”

  She hurried off toward the Guild Master’s office.

  Moments later, a tall middle-aged man with sharp eyes and calm authority entered.

  “Good morning, everyone. I am Henry, Guild Master of Grainford.”

  Henry inspected the Crystal Viper carefully, his brows raising slightly.

  “This is authentic,” he confirmed. “A rare specimen, that give us a lot of use.”

  He turned to Kaito. “The guild will purchase this material for twenty gold coins.”

  Kaito nodded. “Accepted.”

  After paperwork and verification, they returned to the reception desk.

  Lyra handed them two pouches — fifteen gold coins for the Treant King quest and twenty gold for the Crystal Viper material.

  “Congratulations,” she smiled.

  They approached the quest board.

  Serena scanned it carefully before her eyes paused.

  “Catch or Kill an A-Rank Raijinhorn Thunder Stag. Reward: 10 Gold Coins. Urgent Quest.”

  Kaito took the paper and handed it to Lyra. “Is it just a deer?”

  Lyra shook her head. “Reports say it comes from the western plains. It has been killing monsters, chasing merchant caravans, and occasionally releasing powerful thunder shocks that destroy the surrounding area.”

  Serena’s eyes sparkled slightly. “Thunder… that’s rare.”

  Kael crossed his arms. “Thunder beasts are dangerous. One shock can paralyze or burn you from the inside then you are done for real.”

  Kaito looked thoughtful. “Then we must take it before someone gets killed.”

  Lyra nodded. “Be warned — it appears and disappears unpredictably. It may take days to track.”

  Renna grinned confidently. “We’ll handle it.”

  Lyra stamped the quest paper.

  Lunch at the Guild Hall

  Before leaving, Kaito suggested lunch at the guild hall upstairs.

  They found a table near the window.

  “Order whatever you like,” Kaito said.

  Kael grinned. “Roasted chicken.”

  Serena smiled. “Beef stew, roasted chicken leg, and orange juice.”

  Renna leaned back. “Wolf meat steak. And a cup of wine.”

  “One cup only,” Kaito warned.

  She winked. “I won’t get drunk.”

  Kaito nodded. “Noodles and two chicken legs for me.”

  Soon the table was filled with hearty dishes.

  They ate comfortably, laughter mixing with the noise of other adventurers.

  For a moment, they weren’t warriors.

  Just friends sharing a meal.

  After lunch, they split up to shop.

  Kaito purchased supplies — meat, eggs, noodles, vegetables, chili, rice, salt, olive oil.

  Meanwhile, Serena, Renna, and Kael entered Fion Trading Company to browse clothes and gear.

  As Kaito walked past a jewelry shop, something caught his eye.

  A delicate blue crystal necklace.

  It shimmered gently under sunlight.

  He stepped inside.

  “How much?” he asked.

  “Two gold coins,” the shopkeeper replied.

  Kaito nodded and purchased it.

  Then he noticed a pair of deep blue earrings.

  “One gold coin.”

  He bought them too.

  Carefully storing them in his pocket, he returned to meet the others.

  At The Lantern Inn

  Evening approached as they returned to The Lantern Inn.

  Lilith greeted them cheerfully. “Welcome back!”

  After securing rooms, Renna and Kael remained downstairs.

  Serena turned to Kaito shyly. “Can you… come to my room?”

  Inside, she showed him neatly folded clothes.

  “These are for you,” she said softly.

  Kaito touched the fabric. “They look great.”

  Then he reached into his pocket.

  “I have something too.”

  He revealed the blue crystal necklace.

  Serena’s eyes widened.

  Kaito stepped closer and gently placed it around her neck. The crystal rested beautifully against her blue hair.

  “It suits you,” he said quietly. “Your beautiful hair makes it shine even more.”

  Her cheeks flushed deeply. “Thank you… Kaito.”

  He then presented the earrings, carefully helping her wear them.

  When she looked up, their faces were closer than before.

  “You’re beautiful, Serena,” he whispered.

  Her heart raced.

  “Kaito…”

  He gently placed his hand on her waist.

  She didn’t step back.

  Slowly, he lowered his forehead to hers.

  Serena closed her eyes.

  The distance between them disappeared.

  Their lips met softly.

  At first, it was hesitant.

  Then warmer.

  Gentle. Tender.

  The world outside faded — no quests, no monsters, no danger.

  Just the quiet beating of two hearts.

  When they finally parted, Serena’s face was crimson.

  Kaito smiled softly. “I’ve wanted to do that for a while.”

  She hid her face slightly. “Me too…”

  Outside, the evening sky glowed deep blue.

  A new part of a couple who come from the two different worlds has start.