The moment Miyamoto pulled the mission slip from the quest board, the atmosphere inside the guild changed.
Whispers spread throughout the room as adventurers turned to look at him. Some watched with curiosity, while others stared in disbelief.
Miyamoto unfolded the slip and examined its contents before addressing the sisters.
"A group of Alpha Darkside Spirits arrived in Green Pasture last night. According to the report, they're led by three Special Darkside Spirits, with around twenty-five Alphas in total."
Amanda's expression immediately changed.
"Then why did the primary concern say they were Beta Darkside Spirits? Morons..."
Miyamoto ignored her remark.
"This isn't an ordinary mission. That's why nobody else has accepted it. But if you two want to grow stronger, you must learn to face dangerous opponents. You can't expect to improve by fighting enemies weaker than you every day."
Amanda smirked.
"That doesn't change anything, Master. Alpha Darkside Spirits are too weak for us now. We need stronger opponents."
Lucy frowned at her sister's confidence.
Miyamoto snapped his fingers, drawing their attention back to him.
"Don't get ahead of yourself, Amanda. I taught you everything you know, so don't forget how much you still have to learn. The Alpha Darkside Spirits you're underestimating are still around your level. And a single Special Darkside Spirit could kill you if you make the wrong move."
He folded the mission slip slightly.
"With twenty-five Alphas and three Special Darkside Spirits against you, you wouldn't stand a chance without me, especially if they're all at their peak."
Amanda's smirk never faded.
"We won't know how strong they are until we fight them. It's a bet, Master. Give us the map, and we'll complete the mission ourselves. We'll even bring back the reward."
Lucy clenched her fists.
"Have you lost your mind, Amanda? We've never fought a real Darkside Spirit before. Our last experience was against a Beta, and don't forget how that turned out. We don't know how they fight or what they're capable of. You can't just throw our lives away because you want to become stronger."
Amanda turned sharply toward her.
"Throw our lives away? Is that what you think I'm doing?"
She stepped closer, her expression hardening.
"Listen carefully, Lucy. Everything I do is for us. This world belongs to the strong. The weak are forced to live under their control, with no power to decide their own fate. I refuse to become one of them."
She moved closer to her sister.
"I'll make us strong enough to stand above everyone else, even if I have to sacrifice everything to get there."
Lucy's hands slowly relaxed.
"I don't want to stand above everyone else, Amanda. I don't want to rule anyone or spend my whole life fighting. I just want us to live peacefully. That's all I want."
Miyamoto let out a tired sigh and rubbed his temple.
"Enough. I'm not accepting your bet, Amanda. We're taking this mission together. I'll watch how you both handle the situation, and the outcome will help me decide whether you're ready to take on missions like this alone."
Amanda clicked her tongue, clearly dissatisfied, but didn't argue further.
Lucy lowered her head and sighed in relief.
"Now, let's move, you stubborn brats."
Miyamoto folded the mission slip and put it away before heading toward the exit. The two sisters followed close behind.
---
By the time they reached the border of the Kingdom of Scale, the sun was sinking toward the horizon, spreading orange and red across the sky.
Beyond the border stretched a vast desert forest. Dry trees stood scattered across the landscape, surrounded by patches of sand that extended along the path ahead. The evening wind swept through the branches, carrying dust across their route.
Miyamoto led the way as the three continued their journey.
After a while, Amanda broke the silence.
"Master, why can't we use that teleportation technique you showed us earlier? Wouldn't it save us a lot of time?"
Miyamoto continued walking without looking back.
"That technique is called Switch Mode. You can't use it simply because you want to. You must first reach Phase Zero of cultivation."
Amanda tilted her head.
"Phase Zero? How do we reach it?"
"You've only been practising Renshi for a few months. Don't expect to master something like that so quickly."
Amanda frowned but continued listening.
"Then what exactly happens when someone reaches Phase Zero?"
Miyamoto slowed his pace slightly.
"The name was created by humans to describe a change that goes beyond the limits of ordinary cultivation. When you first begin using Renshi, your body can only handle a certain amount. Push beyond that limit, and your body begins to suffer. Your muscles strain, your movements become unstable, and you risk injuring yourself."
He glanced back at the sisters.
"But when you reach Phase Zero, that limitation changes. Your body becomes capable of handling far greater amounts of Renshi, and your potential for growth expands. Your understanding of combat changes, too. Techniques that once seemed impossible begin to feel within reach."
Amanda's eyes brightened.
"So reaching Phase Zero means I can become much stronger."
"Yes, but don't misunderstand me. It doesn't mean you're invincible. Experience, control, and judgment still matter. Even someone who reaches Phase Zero can lose to an opponent who knows how to exploit their weaknesses."
Amanda looked ahead, determination returning to her expression.
"There are still so many things I need to learn about the world of Renshi. I'll reach Phase Zero someday, no matter what it takes."
Lucy gave her a small smile.
"Finally, you're saying something sensible."
Amanda's expression immediately soured.
"Shut up, dumbass."
Lucy grinned.
"Same to you, moron."
Amanda suddenly swung her left hand toward Lucy. Before the blow could land, however, Miyamoto caught her wrist.
"Enough."
He released her hand.
"Save that energy for the Darkside Spirits. You'll need it more against them than you will against each other."
"She started it," Amanda protested.
"No, you did," Lucy replied without hesitation.
Miyamoto closed his eyes for a moment, as though trying to summon the patience to deal with them.
"That's it. I've changed my mind about your training."
Both sisters looked at him warily.
"From now until we reach Green Pasture, you're running. No walking, no resting, and no complaining."
Before either could respond, Miyamoto shot forward, disappearing down the path in a blur.
"Huh? Master, that's cheating!"
Both sisters immediately rushed after him.
The desert wind struck their faces as they ran, their footsteps kicking up clouds of sand. Miyamoto maintained a punishing pace using Switch Mode, forcing them to push their bodies far beyond their comfort.
Amanda gritted her teeth and kept moving, refusing to let her master get too far ahead. Beside her, Lucy struggled to maintain the pace, her breathing growing heavier with every passing moment.
Whenever they slowed down, Miyamoto simply increased the distance between them.
The hours dragged on.
Gradually, the desert gave way to open plains. The darkness of night eventually began to fade, and the first light of dawn appeared along the horizon.
By the time the morning sun rose, the three had finally reached the outskirts of Green Pasture.
The difference between Green Pasture and the desert they had crossed was striking.
Vast fields of crops stretched across the land, their leaves swaying gently in the morning breeze. Small irrigation channels ran between the fields, carrying water through the rich soil.
Farmers usually filled these lands with activity from sunrise, tending to the crops that had made Green Pasture famous throughout the country of Wuhan.
Its soil was said to be the richest in the entire country, producing harvests that few other kingdoms could match.
Amanda bent forward, resting both hands on her knees as she struggled to catch her breath. Sweat ran down her face, but she still managed a tired grin.
"Finally... We made it."
Lucy stood beside her, breathing just as heavily. She stared at Miyamoto, who looked as though the exhausting journey had barely affected him.
"Master... you're... not... human."
Miyamoto ignored the remark.
His attention remained fixed on the fields ahead. As he studied the surrounding area, his expression gradually changed.
"Stay close," he warned quietly. "Something isn't right."