Bibi Dong's First Mission

Hals's eyes snapped open as he looked out at the still-dark sky.

To his surprise, Hals wasn't wearing his hood. For the first time, his face—usually hidden completely beneath it—was revealed.

The only light in Hals's room came from a small candle, its flame glowing a ghostly green. The only thing worth mentioning about it was the fuel: the green flame came from the soul of an ordinary Soul Beast inside Hals's Lantern. At some point, he had become unable to fall into even a light sleep except beneath the glow and warmth of a burning soul. The slightest sound would startle him awake.

The flickering green light fell across the side of Hals's face farther from the window, revealing a truly horrifying sight.

Countless tangled scars covered the right side of Hals's face. His features might once have been fair and handsome, but now they were black and purple. More scars covered his long neck. Unlike those on his cheek, most of the marks on his neck were burns from a branding iron. Near his artery was the brand of an unknown, lurid flower.

Hals turned his head back, lay on the wooden bed, and stared blankly at the ceiling.

The left side of Hals's face was utterly different from the right: pale and flawless. It wasn't a healthy white, but a sickly pallor.

The skin on his left cheek was even slightly translucent. Through the pallid skin, one could make out the faint outline of muscle and veins beneath it—a ghastly sight.

The left side of his neck was the same. In fact, so was the rest of his body: one side was flawless and pale, the other covered in scars.

After lying still for a long while, Hals finally climbed slowly out of bed. His slightly stooped figure was sharply divided between light and shadow. He raised a hand to pull on his hood, once again hiding his face deep beneath it.

He touched the flower brand on his right side, his expression shifting unpredictably.

Once he was ready, Hals stepped outside and turned to the door of Bibi Dong's room. He knocked softly.

Today, he had been ordered to carry out his first mission alongside Bibi Dong.

His hoarse voice rang out. "Master, it's getting late. We should leave."

Then he lowered his head and waited quietly outside.

Bibi Dong was wide awake in her room. This wasn't her first mission, but the previous ones had seemed like child's play to her. When she learned yesterday afternoon that she would be undertaking this major mission with Hals, she had felt conflicted.

Though their relationship had improved after their hunting trip a year ago, Hals remained a mysterious figure to Bibi Dong.

She didn't spend long getting ready. After a quick wash, she tied up her hair and stepped outside.

The first thing she saw was Hals standing respectfully nearby. She couldn't help feeling exasperated.

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

Hals said nothing. He only bowed even lower, as if stubbornly declaring his unwavering position.

Bibi Dong shook her head with a wry smile. No matter how many times she told him, Hals always acted this way. She had almost gotten used to it.

"Come on, Hals." Bibi Dong beckoned him along as they headed outside. "Tell me the plan for this mission. Didn't our teacher say you would be leading it?"

Hals followed silently. Only when Bibi Dong asked did he speak. "According to our intelligence, the Heaven Dou Empire's royal family recently hunted five Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Beasts and obtained four Soul Bones. One of them is a precious External Soul Bone. Our mission is to intercept them and recover the Soul Bones."

"Is that all? What are the specifics? How many people are escorting them, what are their levels, and what route are they taking?" Bibi Dong asked.

"We don't know how many people there are. Their level won't exceed Spirit Saint at most. We know their route."

"I see. If they only have a few Spirit Saints, couldn't you retrieve them on your own, Hals?" Bibi Dong stopped and turned to look at him.

Hals raised his head, but his hood still concealed his face.

"Master, I heard that the elders in the Hall intend to make this mission a test for you. So I'm not allowed to act. I'm here only to protect you."

"Master, I advise you to take this test seriously. A new female talent has suddenly emerged in the Hall, and she may be trying to undermine your position." Hals paused and glanced at Bibi Dong, who was deep in thought, before continuing. "But you needn't worry too much. I'll help you as much as I'm allowed during this mission. If necessary, I'll step in. As for that upstart who dares to covet your position..."

Hals's expression turned cold, and his voice grew dark and menacing. "I'll find a chance to kill her."

"..." Bibi Dong couldn't tell whether she felt touched or something else. Even now, she still didn't know why Hals was so loyal to her. But after all their time together, she said, "With you here, I feel much more at ease. Thank you, Hals."

Green light flickered in Hals's eyes. He seemed moved, yet also as calm as ever.

"At your service, my master."

Suotoli City was a small town on the border of the Heaven Dou Empire, where its territory met the Extreme North.

The little city had enjoyed a quiet, unhurried pace of life for years. Today, two unusual groups of guests arrived one after the other.

"Master, according to our intelligence, the squad escorting the Soul Bones will reach Suotoli City today to rest. We'll attack then." Hals, still dressed in his long robe, looked toward the woman standing by the window. She wore a fur coat and a thin veil as she gazed outside.

"I understand, Hals. Keep watching. Let me know if you spot them." The woman spoke calmly.

"Yes."

Hals bowed, then slowly faded into the shadows and disappeared.

"Hyah!"

A modest convoy slowly entered Suotoli City. The man at its head rode a tall horse, his face full of arrogance. He tossed a token to the guard, who immediately dropped to his knees and hurriedly said, "We didn't know you were coming, my lord, so we made no preparations. I'll go inform the city lord at once and have him come to welcome you."

"Hmph." The man at the head raised his chin and glanced down at the kneeling guard from the corner of his eye, not deigning to look him in the face. "Tell your city lord I expect him and the inn he's preparing for us to be ready within half an hour. If he's late... hmph."

The man gave a sinister chuckle, squeezed his horse's flanks, and rode leisurely into the city.

The group made no effort to hide who they were. Wherever they went, vendors and passersby hurried to give them a wide berth.

They didn't notice the figure in a nearby alley watching them closely. Only after they had entered the inn did the figure slowly turn and disappear into the shadows.

"Looks like those are the ones."

The hoarse voice echoed through the deep, shadowy alley.