A Morning of Reflection and Adventure

At the same time, in another bedroom.

Through Luna’s senses, Little Nightingale listened to Ming Yu’s soft whispers.

“Luna, if one day I disappear, then Nightingale is entrusted to you.”

“…”

It was unknown how much time had passed.

The breathing beside her ear gradually became steady and gentle.

Ming Yu had fallen asleep.

But Nightingale couldn’t sleep.

She tossed and turned, hugging her pillow, as Ming Yu’s words echoed in her mind over and over. Her heart felt as if it was being squeezed by a large hand.

Ming Yu…

In the quiet of the night, her thoughts spread.

…

Morning came.

Ming Yu opened her eyes and casually picked up the alarm clock from the bedside table, glancing at the date.

December 22, 2623.

Recently, with nothing to do, she had been flipping through Viktor’s smartphone and had accidentally discovered information about Little Nightingale’s birthday, recorded inside.

It was just next week.

As for how to celebrate, Ming Yu hadn’t decided yet.

Moreover, there were quite a few things going on at the association lately.

According to Old Jiang, the Dresa Refuge in the north had fallen, and some refugees had begun to cross the ocean in large groups, heading towards the outer city of Pharos.

The upper echelons of Pharos had always welcomed refugees, but the city’s population capacity was already at its limit, so it definitely couldn’t accommodate this batch. They needed to build new outer city districts to ease the pressure.

During this time, any attack by sea beasts would disrupt and damage their progress, seriously affecting the construction of the city’s infrastructure.

So, according to Old Jiang, if a high-level sea beast breached the warning sea area, even though she had retired to the second line, she would still have to act as one of the top forces to defend Pharos.

In short, she would be heavily exploited for labor.

Ming Yu raised her hand and pressed the earpiece, projecting yesterday’s email in holographic form.

“Respected S-rank Hunter, Silver Kite, greetings!”

“After an emergency meeting and discussion, the association has decided to form a temporary patrol and warning team with you as the core, completing one patrol mission per month.”

“The team member list and task requirements have been submitted to you as attachments. Please take note and review!”

She skimmed through it and couldn’t help but roll her eyes.

No wonder the training camp hadn’t arranged any further work for her; it turned out they were waiting for her here.

Wait, why hold a meeting in the middle of the night?

Could this have been Fujiwara Tachima’s doing?

Thinking of this, Ming Yu’s face darkened, and she immediately called Jiang Chen.

“Jiang, can you hear me?”

“It’s you again? What’s up so early?”

“I received a new task, patrol and warning. Do you know what’s going on?”

“Oh, that… Last night, our association’s chairman suddenly held an online emergency meeting, arranging for all S-rank and A-rank hunters, not just you, to work overtime.”

“…My health condition, you know about that, right?”

“Of course, so I suggested you lead the team, training new recruits, rather than act as a lone wolf like other S-rank hunters… If a situation arises, let your subordinates handle it first, and if they can’t, you step in. Understand?”

“…”

Ming Yu was speechless and casually responded before hanging up.

It seemed like this would be quite relaxed.

However, the patrol task could be set aside for now, pushed to the end of next month before considering going to sea.

By the way, Little Nightingale’s birthday was coming up. Where should she take her, and what gift should she prepare?

Ming Yu hadn’t spent much time in the inner city and hadn’t visited or understood the recreational areas there once.

She decided to go take a look.

…

“Speaking of which, Little Nightingale, we haven’t taken you out recently. Are you bored staying at home all the time?”

“If Sister Ming Yu is at home, I won’t be bored,” Little Nightingale thought for a moment and nodded seriously in response.

Ming Yu didn’t notice the hint of grievance in Little Nightingale’s tone and merely nodded slightly, blinking her eyes and softly asking,

“How about we go out to play today?”

…

On the metallic corridor, a silver-haired beauty in casual attire walked gracefully, followed closely by a radiant golden tail.

Passing cleaning robots all made way, their screen displays showing similar expressions of surprise.

Cleaning Bot 1: O.o

Cleaning Bot 2: o.o

Cleaning Bot 3: o.O

Cleaning Bot 4: O.O

Watching the tall and short figures disappear into the distance, the cleaning robots quickly returned to their duties, dispersing in all directions.

Towering buildings stood densely, like a forest of steel. Above and below, various forms of transportation passed by endlessly.

Looking down upon the earth, people were like tiny ants, moving orderly along the wide roads.

The intention behind developing the recreational zone was to boost consumption levels, stimulate the domestic economy, and thus accelerate the development of Pharos.

In short, creating such a pleasure ground was to empty the pockets of the working class.

Despite this, over time, this oasis of relaxation had become a paradise that most people yearned for.

There was always some form of entertainment that could satisfy anyone.

Even if Little Nightingale was blind, Ming Yu could still find suitable entertainment for her.

Arcade, Virtual Reality Experience Hall.

Leading Little Nightingale through the crowd, Ming Yu entered the hall and booked two VR pods at the front desk.

In the virtual reality world, even the blind, deaf, or lame could see beautiful scenery, hear melodious music, and travel on far-away journeys.

This is what the promotional posters claimed.

Ming Yu was inspired and wanted to bring Little Nightingale here to try it out.

“Two people, right? Please wait a moment…”

After a series of operations, the servicewoman smiled sweetly and handed Ming Yu a metallic card, gesturing towards the distant elevator.

“A standard two-person suite has been reserved for you, room B1326. Please take the elevator to the thirteenth floor.”

Receiving the card, Ming Yu nodded and then looked at the line forming at the elevator, unable to help but twitch her lips.

“Sister Ming Yu, there are so many people here…” Little Nightingale clung tightly to Ming Yu’s lower back, speaking softly.

She still wasn’t used to being in such crowded places.

Ming Yu noticed Little Nightingale’s unease and patted her head, then looked up at the servicewoman.

“Where is the staircase?”

“The rotating staircase to the thirteenth floor is opposite, the second one from the left.”

Following the direction indicated, Ming Yu saw the elaborately decorated but deserted rotating staircase and walked towards it with Little Nightingale.

Of course, who would choose to climb thirteen floors on their own.

Arriving at the staircase, Ming Yu looked at Little Nightingale, then at the Luna in her arms, and sighed helplessly.

“Little Nightingale, I’ll carry you up. Let’s put Luna down first.”

Saying this, Ming Yu crouched down, reaching around Little Nightingale from behind, signaling her to place the small white cat down.

Upon hearing Ming Yu’s words, Little Nightingale hesitated before raising Luna and placing her gently on her head.

“Meow~ ⊙ω⊙”

“Is this okay…?”

“Yes, come on, I’ll take you up.”

When Ming Yu offered to carry her up the stairs, Little Nightingale felt a twinge of concern.

“I can do it myself…”

“It’s fine, come on up.” Ming Yu smiled slightly.

After a moment of hesitation, Little Nightingale didn’t resist further, wrapping her arms around Ming Yu’s neck and pressing her body against hers, feeling the silver hair brush against her cheek and the soft waist against her thighs.

A faint rose scent wafted past her nose.