Chang Long was busy herding level 29 forest deer beasts for Kimhant to take down. Unlike Siegfried, who would weaken the beasts significantly before letting Kimhant finish them off, Chang Long was less lenient. Kimhant struggled to fight the beasts that Chang Long herded for him, getting injured every time. Eventually, Chang Long had to summon Davy-chan to teach Kimhant how to fight properly, rigorously coaching him.

After two hours and a lunch break, Kimhant began to show improvement, much to the delight of his mentor, Davy-chan and his master. Even Kimhant was surprised at how much his combat skills had improved. When he first started playing the game, he was invited to join the Journalists and Writers Association, where other players helped him advance without ever seriously fighting beasts himself.

Kimhant finally reached level 40 just as the sun was setting. As the sun disappeared over the horizon, they set up their tents near a water source, about ten kilometers from Suvarn City. After dinner, Kimhant immediately went to his tent to organize the news for the first issue of the newspaper, funded by Chang Long.

Davy-chan decided to rest inside his spirit talisman, finding the outside filled with beasts and devoid of any beauties to flirt with. Chang Long took a walk around the campsite to relax after an afternoon of scolding Kimhant. Kitsune lay sprawled in front of the tent, while Siegfried sat contemplating whether to join Chang Long on her walk.

"Go after her!"

A voice from behind startled Siegfried. He turned to see a handsome young man with clean, fair skin, long, flowing orange-gold hair, and dressed in a nobleman's autumn outfit set, smiling at him.

"Kitsune?"

Siegfried asked in astonishment. The three-tailed fox had disappeared, replaced by this young man. Despite knowing from the Goddess Veritas, he was still shocked.

"It's me. My master is quite oblivious. If you don't clearly express your feelings, she'll never notice you,"

Kitsune advised, breathing fire into the campfire.

"But, I uh... it... feels like my soul leaves my body every time I look into her eyes. I don't even know how to show my feelings,"

Siegfried said, distressed.

"Just let things happen naturally, especially when there are no obstacles around like now,"

Kitsune encouraged.

"Are you sure about this?"

Siegfried asked, uncertain.

"Absolutely. If you miss this chance, you might not get another one,"

Kitsune said, patting Siegfried's shoulder to express his support. Siegfried took a deep breath and walked after Chang Long.

By the river, about fifty meters from the campsite, Chang Long was watching something floating in the water. It looked like an otter but had silver fur. It was floating with its eyes closed, completely at ease. Intrigued by its cuteness, Chang Long reached out to touch it.

"A level 35 Treasure Guardian Otter Beasts are preparing to attack!"

The system's voice alerted Chang Long, making her eyes widen. She looked under the water and saw several pairs of eyes staring back at her. She quickly stepped back from the river, readying herself for an attack.

Splassssh!

Splashing sounds filled the air as Treasure Guardian Otter Beasts emerged from the river, their eyes never leaving Chang Long as they surrounded her, cutting off any escape.

"Let's hope the treasure is worth risking my life for!"

Chang Long muttered to herself, noting that there were almost thirty of these beasts.

"Chang Long!"

Siegfried's voice drew the attention of nearly half the otters, giving Chang Long the opportunity to strike and create an escape route.

The Sovereign Sword remained as sharp as ever. Nearly ten otter beasts were severely injured from a single strike. Chang Long managed to break through their encirclement and reach Siegfried. Seeing Chang Long engage the Treasure Guardian Otter Beasts, Siegfried drew his sword, ready to assist.

"What's going on, Chang Long?"

Siegfried asked, unsure if she was out for a walk or looking for trouble.

"I don't know. I saw one of them floating in the water and wanted to see if it was real or a toy. Then they all started attacking me,"

Chang Long said, exhaling through her nose as she eyed the dozen or so cute, plush-like Treasure Guardian Otter Beasts in front of her.

"I think they're called Treasure Guardian Otter Beasts. Do you think they're actually guarding some treasure?"

Siegfried asked while fending off their attacks.

"Probably. If they are, it's likely in the river since that's where they came from,"

Chang Long replied, trying to catch one of the otters, but they kept evading her grasp.

"Uh... Chang Long, aren't you going to fight back?"

Siegfried asked, puzzled as Chang Long seemed more interested in playing with the otters than fighting them.

"Huh? Oh, sorry, got carried away,"

Chang Long said sheepishly as she noticed Siegfried being swarmed. She laughed apologetically, though Siegfried did not seem to be struggling at all.

"I don't need help, just wondering why you're chasing them,"

Siegfried said, chuckling as he observed her antics.

"Good luck, then. I'll go hide,"

Chang Long laughed and quickly ran off to find cover, leaving Siegfried bewildered.

Splash!

The sound of water splashing loudly caught Siegfried's attention. He turned and his face paled at the sight of a massive Treasure Guardian Otter Beast emerging from the river, accompanied by a system notification.

"A level 75 White Treasure Guardian Otter Beast King is preparing to attack!"

"When you said good luck, you mean this one didn't you, Chang Long..."

Siegfried called out to Chang Long, who was hiding not far from him.

"Yeah, I saw it while chasing the smaller ones by the river. Good luck."

Chang Long smiled, watching Siegfried face off against the White Otter Beast King with excitement.

"Sigh!"

Siegfried sighed quietly, hoping Chang Long did not notice. Tonight, he had intended to confess his feelings and give her the bracelet he bought, but nothing seemed to go his way. Despite the perfect atmosphere and the absence of his friends, obstacles kept arising.

"I guess I have no choice but to deal with this quickly!"

Siegfried muttered, thrusting his sword to counter the White Treasure Guardian Otter Beast King's sharp claws, determined to end the fight swiftly and reclaim the romantic moment he longed for, so that he could confess to Chang Long soon.

With their levels close, Siegfried and the White Treasure Guardian Otter Beast King were evenly matched. However, the difference in sizes like a rabbit and a mouse, made each attack challenging. Chang Long fought nearly thirty smaller otters, using her Eye of Fire, which scattered them in fear.

Soon, Chang Long managed to defeat all the smaller otters, despite regretting harming such cute creatures. She ended up with scratches all over her body from the fierce battle as they did put up quite a fight.

"You're pretty good!"

Chang Long praised as she watched Siegfried fight.

Siegfried swung his sword at the sluggish White Treasure Guardian Otter Beast King, leaving a long gash on its side. The beast roared in pain as Siegfried struck the wound again, causing it to widen and gush blood. The Beast King halted for a moment.

Siegfried focused on attacking the same wound to weaken the creature. Suddenly, the Beast King opened its mouth and shot a large water bullet at Siegfried, sending him crashing into a tree with such force that he coughed up blood. Chang Long, alarmed, rushed to help, but Siegfried raised a hand to stop her.

"Sieg! Are you okay?"

Chang Long shouted, worried.

"I'm fine. That beast is worse off than me,"

Siegfried replied and gave Chang Long a warm smile, wiping blood from the corner of his mouth with his thumb.

"I'm glad to hear that,"

Chang Long sighed in relief. She turned to leave, but the White Treasure Guardian Otter Beast King took the opportunity to shoot a water bullet at her while she was off guard.

"Watch out!"

Siegfried yelled, quickly pulling Chang Long out of the way. They both tumbled to the ground, the water bullet barely missing their heads.

"Ugh!"

Chang Long fell, landing on Siegfried, who held her tightly. Her head rested on his chest as he stared at the Beast King, which was about to finish them off.

Shunk!

Siegfried's sword pierced the White Treasure Guardian Otter Beast King's chest just in time, as he lay on the ground holding Chang Long. The beast, already gravely injured, succumbed to the fatal blow, collapsing with a thunderous sound. Yet, neither seemed to care much about its demise.

Realizing their position, Siegfried froze, one arm around Chang Long and the other gripping his sword. His heart pounded as if it would leap from his chest, his face red to the ears, but Chang Long seemed fixated on something around his neck.

"This is..."

Chang Long, oblivious to romantic cues, reached for a necklace hanging from Siegfried's neck, recognizing the floral pendant.

"Ch... Chang Long!?"

Siegfried stammered, feeling her cool fingers touch his neck, his voice dry and his body rigid like he had turned into a robot.

"This is Buppha Garland... You met the Goddess Veritas too, didn't you? That's how you have this..."

Chang Long started gladly, looking up only to find their faces inches apart. Her words trailed off as her cheeks turned a deep red, her heart pounding loudly enough that she feared Siegfried might hear it.

They stared at each other for a long moment, as if their souls had left their bodies. Regaining her senses first, Chang Long gently pushed herself away. Both sat up, avoiding eye contact. Siegfried got up to examine the fallen beast out of embarrassment, while Chang Long remained seated, wide-eyed, puzzled by her own reactions.

Why could she not look him in the eye? Why was her heart racing? Why was her face burning? She did not understand herself at all, she had never been this way before. Chang Long, hands trembling slightly, touched her forehead and let out a deep sigh.

"Sigh! I must have a fever. Who knew you could get sick in this game?"

Chang Long dismissed her unusual symptoms confusedly with a laugh. She stood up and walked to the riverbank, hoping to see a glimmer of treasure beneath the surface.

"Any treasure down there, Chang Long?"

Siegfried asked from behind as he joined her by the river, having taken a moment to calm his nerves.

"There might be, but it looks pretty deep,"

Chang Long replied, her eyes fixed on the shimmering light under the water.

"I'll go check it out,"

Siegfried said, and without hesitation, he dived into the river.

Meanwhile, Kitsune was practicing using his fire without breathing it out at their camp. After a lot of effort, sweat dripping from his brow, he was starting to mimic Peach Blossom's spellcasting gestures. The camp was quiet without Oliang, Draco, and Lidded Wet Trash Can around. Kimhant was immersed in writing his newspaper articles, determined to make his debut issue a huge success.

"I wonder how master and Master Siegfried are doing. They've been gone for a while,"

Kitsune muttered to himself, glancing around.

"If only Master Siegfried could tell master how he feels. But Master is so clueless about these things, and Master Siegfried is surprisingly shy. I wonder when they'll ever be on the same page!"

Kitsune mused with a smile. He then pulled out the Cone of Abundance to order a steak, as his training had drained his energy.

"That smells great... Oh you!"

Kimhant emerged, drawn by the delicious aroma, and was startled to see Kitsune in human form.

"It's just me. Why are you so surprised?"

Kitsune asked sternly, lacking the usual polite tone he used with Chang Long and the others.

"You're the three-tailed fox, right?"

Kimhant squinted, scrutinizing Kitsune closely.

"Yes," Kitsune replied, stuffing a large piece of juicy steak into his mouth.

"Why aren't you speaking politely like you did when we first met?"

Kimhant asked irritably, feeling that Kitsune was acting superior.

"That's not necessary because I am above you,"

Kitsune declared, puffing out his chest and looking at Kimhant with a regal air, leaving the young man speechless at the audacity of a pet acting so high and mighty.

"You what! There's no way you're above me."

Kimhant said angrily.

"Someone who only talks big like you can't accomplish anything. Even after Master and Davy-chan pushed you all day, you haven't shown much progress!"

the young fox continued to mock, looking at Kimhant with a superior gaze.

"Argh! I can't take this anymore. Being insulted by a pet like this. Let's fight. The loser has to become the winner's servant!"

Kimhant shouted, pointing at Kitsune, who was enjoying his steak.

"Very well, just don't take back your words later,"

Kitsune stood up leisurely, unfazed by Kimhant's furious demeanor.

"Of course. Follow me!"

Kimhant grabbed his weapon and led Kitsune to a clearing not far from their camp, filled with anger and determination to teach the arrogant fox a lesson.

-----

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