First Mission with Bibi Dong

Hals snapped his eyes open, staring at the sky outside the window, still shrouded in darkness.

For once, Hals didn't pull up his hood. The face that was always completely hidden beneath it finally revealed itself for the first time.

In Hals's room, only a single small candle burned with a faint green flame. The only thing worth mentioning was the fuel of this lantern—the green flame came from the soul of an ordinary Soul Beast that Hals kept in his lantern. At some point, Hals could only enter a light sleep under the light and heat of a burning soul; the slightest sound would startle him awake.

The flickering green light struck the right side of Hals's face, away from the window, revealing a truly horrifying sight.

Countless chaotic, crisscrossing scars covered Hals's right cheek. What might once have been a fair and handsome face was now a mottled blackish-purple. Looking further down, his long neck was also covered in scars. Unlike his face, the scars on his neck were mostly burns left by branding irons. Near the artery, a strange, enchanting flower was branded into his skin.

Hals turned his head back, lying flat on the wooden bed, staring blankly at the ceiling.

Hals's left face was completely different from his right—pale, flawless. Not a healthy white, but a sickly one.

The skin on Hals's left cheek was even slightly translucent. Through the pale skin, you could faintly see the muscles and blood vessels beneath, quite unsettling.

The left side of his neck was the same. In fact, his entire left and right body were like this—one side flawless and pale, the other covered in scars.

After lying still for a long time, Hals slowly got up from the bed. His slightly hunched figure was sharply defined in the light and shadow. He raised a hand to pull up his hood, once again deeply hiding his face.

He lifted his hand to touch the flower brand on his right cheek, his expression shifting between light and dark.

After tidying himself, Hals pushed open the door and walked out. He turned and stopped in front of Bibi Dong's door, knocking softly.

Today, he was ordered to carry out his first mission together with Bibi Dong.

A hoarse voice sounded, "Master, it's getting late. We should set out."

Having said that, he lowered his head and stood silently outside the door, waiting.

Inside the room, Bibi Dong lay with her eyes open, wide awake. Although this wasn't her first mission, the previous ones seemed like mere child's play to her. When she learned yesterday afternoon that she would be undertaking this major mission with Hals, her feelings were somewhat complicated.

Even though the hunting trip a year ago had improved her relationship with Hals, to Bibi Dong, he remained a mysterious figure.

She didn't spend long grooming herself—just a simple wash and tying up her hair—before pushing open the door.

The first thing she saw when she stepped out was Hals standing respectfully to the side. She felt a bit helpless.

"Hals," she called out, her pleasant voice echoing through the dim corridor. "How many times have I told you? You don't need to be so respectful to me."

Hals said nothing, only bowed even lower, as if stubbornly expressing his unwavering stance.

Bibi Dong shook her head with a wry smile. No matter how many times she told him, Hals was always like this. She was almost getting used to it.

"Let's go, Hals," Bibi Dong said, beckoning him to follow her out. "Tell me, what's the plan for this mission? Didn't the teacher say you're in charge?"

Hals silently followed. Only when he heard Bibi Dong's question did he speak: "To answer Master, intelligence reports that the Heaven Dou Empire's royal family recently hunted five ten-thousand-year Soul Beasts and obtained four Soul Bones, one of which is a precious External Soul Bone. Our mission is to intercept them and reclaim the Soul Bones."

"Is that all? What about the specifics? Escort numbers, ranks, route?" Bibi Dong asked.

"Numbers unknown. Ranks no higher than Spirit Saint. Route is known."

"I see. If it's just a few Spirit Saints, couldn't you go alone and take them back?" Bibi Dong stopped walking and turned to look at Hals.

Hals also raised his head at this moment, but his hood still covered his face.

"Master, it is said that the elders of the Hall intend to use this mission as your assessment. Therefore, I am not permitted to act, only to exist as your protector."

"Master, I advise you to take this assessment seriously. Recently, a new female prodigy has suddenly risen within the Hall, possibly aiming to shake your position." Hals paused, glanced at Bibi Dong who was deep in thought, and continued, "But Master, you need not worry too much. I will assist you within the allowed limits on this mission. If necessary, I will act. As for that newcomer who dares to covet your position..."

Hals's face turned cold, his tone sinister: "I will find a chance to eliminate her."

"..." Bibi Dong couldn't tell if she was moved or felt some other emotion. Even now, she still didn't know why Hals was so loyal to her. But after their long time together, she still said:

"Mm, with you here, I feel much more at ease. Thank you, Hals."

The green light flickered in Hals's eyes, as if touched, or perhaps still calm and unruffled.

"At your service, my Master."

Suotoli City, a small town on the border of the Heaven Dou Empire, located at the junction of the Extreme North and the Heaven Dou Empire.

This quiet little city, long accustomed to a slow-paced life, welcomed two groups of unusual guests today.

"Master, according to intelligence, the team escorting the Soul Bones will arrive in Suotoli City today to rest. At that time, we will launch the attack." Still in his long robe, Hals looked at the woman in front of him, who stood by the window gazing out, dressed in a mink coat with a thin veil over her face.

"I understand, Hals. Keep watching. If you spot them, come notify me," the woman said calmly.

"Yes."

Hals bowed, slowly retreating into the shadows until he vanished.

"Hyah!"

A modest-sized convoy slowly entered Suotoli City. The man at the front, riding a tall horse, wore a haughty expression. He tossed a token to the guard, who immediately fell to his knees, stammering:

"We did not know of your arrival, milord. We were unprepared. This Humble One will immediately inform the city lord to come and welcome you."

"Mm." The leading man lifted his chin, glancing at the kneeling guard from the corner of his eye, not even deigning to look directly at him. "Go tell your city lord. I want to see the inn he's prepared for us and his person within half an hour. If he's late... hmph."

The man gave a cold smile, squeezed his horse's flanks, and swayed into the city.

The group made no attempt to hide themselves. Wherever they passed, vendors and pedestrians alike scrambled to get out of their way.

None of them noticed that in a nearby alley, a figure was watching them intently. Only after they entered the inn did the figure slowly turn and melt back into the shadows.

"It seems that's them."

A hoarse voice echoed through the deep, narrow alley.