Cheng Xiaoyu

China, Bo City.

"Xinxia, I'm heading out!"

In the entrance hall, a teenager wearing a tight-fitting assault suit sat on the floor, tying his bootlaces as he called out into the house.

The boy was lean and had a rather refined appearance. Perhaps it was what the elders called "clean-cut," giving people a good first impression.

His bangs hung low, slightly obscuring his eyes and masking a hint of exhaustion within them.

"Brother."

A voice like a silver bell drifted over, and a delicate figure emerged. However, it shouldn't be called "walking"; the young girl maneuvered her wheelchair into the entrance hall, her eyes fixed on the boy with a look of concern.

"Why didn't you tell me you were going out today? I didn't prepare anything for you to eat. You'll go hungry out there."

The girl sat upright in her wheelchair, her frame slender yet as straight as a magnolia in a courtyard. Her black hair was loosely pinned behind her neck, with a few strands slipping down her cheeks, making her skin appear as delicate as first snow, faintly glowing with a warm, pearl-like luster.

She wore a light cyan thin silk dress. The soft fabric draped gracefully over her knees and pooled at the edges of the wheelchair's pedals, the hem of the skirt folding into a gentle, water-like softness.

Her waist was slender, and the lines of her shoulders and neck were smooth and elegant. Though she was young, her figure was already beginning to take shape, clearly discernible beneath the soft fabric, revealing a sculptural, tranquil beauty.

The boy stood up slowly, hiding the exhaustion in his eyes. He turned around, reached out to ruffle the girl's hair, and said with a smile.

"It's fine. I'll probably be back around evening. You just stay home, be good, and have dinner ready for me. And while you're at it, go visit Mom at the hospital."

Feeling the warmth of the large hand on her head, Ye Xinxia felt much more at ease. She looked at the boy who held their home together, nodded heavily, and beamed.

"Mm, I'll have dinner ready and wait for Brother to come back!"

"Good."

Watching his back as he left the house, Ye Xinxia closed her beautiful eyes and pressed her hands together, praying for the boy.

My name is Cheng Xiaoyu, a sixteen-year-old first-year high school student. The girl from just a moment ago is my younger sister, Ye Xinxia. My task today is to follow a Hunter Team outside the Safe Zone to collect medicinal materials.

My mother, Ye Chang, fell into a coma by accident when I was young. Even Healing Element mages couldn't do anything for her. In medical terms, she is in a vegetative state; her consciousness exists, but she has yet to wake up.

As for why a mere first-year high school student would go outside the Safe Zone... that, of course, is to make money.

According to the books, one must be at least fifteen years old to awaken magic; otherwise, one's mental power is insufficient, and accidents are likely to occur.

Fortunately, my awakening didn't go wrong. I was even lucky enough to awaken the Shadow Element; otherwise, all the savings I had worked so hard to accumulate would have gone up in smoke.

After nine months of strenuous cultivation, I can finally cast Shadow Element magic. Come to think of it, Mu Ningxue took eight months, so I suppose I could be considered a genius.

Although the Basic Tier Shadow Element doesn't have much use, it is still quite rare in Bo City. In specific environments, it can have miraculous effects, which allowed me to successfully join a Hunter Team.

Even as a rookie hunter, I had completed a few missions and earned the corresponding commissions, finally having enough money to continue my mother's treatment at the hospital.

Time had reached December, and the weather was already bitterly cold; even a gentle exhale of breath was clearly visible.

Upon arriving at the team's assembly point, a cute woman in blue clothes spotted him and waved cheerfully.

"Xiao Yu, we're over here!"

Seeing that all the team members had arrived, Cheng Xiaoyu hurried over and said apologetically.

"Sorry, I'm not late, am I?"

"No, we just got here ourselves."

A burly man waved his hand. His name was Wang Dakun, a Novice Level 3 Fire Element mage, and he was the captain of the Hunter Team.

"Hahaha, we were just waiting for you, kid. We can set off right away."

Another sturdy, middle-aged man patted Cheng Xiaoyu on the shoulder with an honest smile on his face; he was the team's Earth Element Mage.

"Alright, come on, everyone sign the contracts, and we'll head out once we're done."

Wang Dakun took out a stack of documents and distributed them to everyone in the team, then took a pen to sign his own name.

Cheng Xiaoyu browsed through the contents of the contract; it was nothing more than the usual clauses stating that the team would not be held responsible in the event of death. A flash of determination crossed his eyes as he signed his name.

After everyone had finished signing, Wang Dakun collected the contracts and looked at the group.

"Alright, let's move out."

Everyone was a Hunter Magician who frequently walked the line between life and death, so they were accustomed to such formalities and knew it was just a routine procedure. Their team had never lost anyone before.

As the group sat in the SUV, Captain Wang Dakun briefed them on the mission.

"Today's mission is relatively simple. We're just heading outside the Safe Zone to collect a medicinal material called Bone Healing Grass. Once we've collected it, we can return and claim our commission."

"Collecting Bone Healing Grass..."

Luo Hao, the team's Wind Element mage, was taken aback and asked in confusion.

"Captain, it's just collecting medicinal materials, so why would they send a Hunter Team for it?"

"According to the intel, that patch of Bone Healing Grass grows inside a cave, and there should be a Servant-level Magic Wolf wandering nearby. That's why there's a bounty out for a Hunter Team to complete it."

Hearing Wang Dakun's explanation, Cheng Xiaoyu sighed inwardly. This world was just that cruel.

There was already a class divide between mages and ordinary people, and both had their own ways of survival. Generally speaking, they didn't interfere with each other, so the Magic Awakening was truly vital; it could be said to change a person's entire life.

Furthermore, just as ordinary people had gaps between the rich and the poor, mages were also divided between commoners and established families. When the former suffered severe injuries, they would generally think of finding an apothecary to craft a healing potion, while the latter would think of finding a Healing Element mage to treat them.

Taking himself as an example, he also hoped that a high-level Healing Element Mage could treat his Mother's illness and wake her from her slumber.

Wang Dakun glanced at the rearview mirror, looked at Cheng Xiaoyu in the back row, and spoke with a smile.

"Xiao Yu, it's your turn to put in the work this time."

Cheng Xiaoyu nodded heavily. Since they were in a cave environment, the Shadow Element would definitely be the most effective. Plus, he would get a larger share of the money, which would make things a bit more comfortable at home.

He caught a glimpse of the woman in blue beside him out of the corner of his eye. Seeing that she had been silent the entire way, he asked softly.

"Xiao Ke-jie, are you alright?"

The woman named Xiao Ke snapped back to reality, turned her head, and gave Cheng Xiaoyu a sweet smile.

"Xiao Yu, I'm fine. Once this mission is over, I'll be joining the City Demon Hunter Squad."

Xiao Ke could have joined the City Demon Hunter Squad earlier, but because her Father had been seriously injured in an accident and was in urgent need of money, she had joined this Hunter Team temporarily just to make quick cash.

"That's truly a congratulations to you."

Cheng Xiaoyu smiled at Xiao Ke. The City Demon Hunter Squad was much easier and safer than a Hunter Team that operated outside the Safe Zones. If one wasn't in a rush to make money, it was a pretty good choice.

"Haha, Xiao Ke could have joined the City Demon Hunter Squad a long time ago. Everyone should congratulate her."

Captain Wang Dakun laughed heartily. He didn't feel sad about losing a Water Element Mage from the team; instead, he was happy for Xiao Ke.

"That's true. After all, once this bounty mission is over, our team will be disbanding."

The burly Earth Element Mage in the passenger seat sighed, though it was unclear whether he felt relieved or regretful.

Wang Dakun turned his head to look at Cheng Xiaoyu and said with a smile.

"Don't worry, Xiao Yu. I've already spoken to another Hunter Team; they'll let you join them."

Xiao Ke chuckled, ruffled Cheng Xiaoyu's hair, and said.

"Heehee, Xiao Yu, since your Xiao Ke-jie won't be by your side anymore, you have to protect yourself well, okay?"

"Mm, thank you, everyone."

Cheng Xiaoyu looked at the group and thanked them sincerely. Everyone on the team had taken care of him during this time; they were all truly good people.

However, if possible, I don't want to have to live in fear every time I earn money anymore...