The tension in the guild was thick the moment Miyamoto pulled the mission slip from the board.
Whispers spread like wildfire—eyes full of both eagerness and awe locked onto him.
"A group of Alpha darkside spirits arrived in Green Pasture last night," Miyamoto began, his tone calm but edged with weight. "And they're being led by three special darkside Spirits. The report says around twenty-five Alphas in total. This isn't an ordinary mission. That's why nobody else dared touch it. But if you guys want to grow stronger, we need to face things like this daily."
Amanda's lips curved into a smirk. "Doesn't make any difference, Master. Witches Alpha darkside spirits are too weak for us now. We need something stronger."
Her words made Lucy's eyes narrow.
Miyamoto snapped his fingers sharply, silencing the air around them. "Don't get ahead of yourself, Amanda. Don't forget—I taught you everything you know. The darkside spirits you're underestimating are on your level right now. A single witch special darkside spirit could tear you apart if you're careless. And if those twenty-five Alphas happen to be at their peak, without me—you won't survive."
Amanda's smile hardened, her voice cutting in, "You can't tell until we try, Master. This is a bet. Give us the map. We'll return with the reward ourselves."
Lucy clenched her fists. "Hey, sis, that's reckless! We haven't fought a real darkside spirit yet. We don't know their true strength. Don't risk our lives just because you're obsessed with power!"
Amanda whipped around to face her sister, eyes blazing. "Obsessed? You think this is obsession? Listen carefully, Lucy. Everything I do—it's for us. This world is ruled by the strong. The weak? They're nothing but slaves to that strength. I refuse to be among the weak. I'll carve a place for us both, even if it costs me everything."
Lucy's voice shook, but her eyes held steady. "I don't care about being the strongest, Amanda. I just want a peaceful life. That's all I need."
The guild went silent at their clash. Miyamoto finally exhaled, rubbing his temple. "Enough. Both of you. I won't take your bet, Amanda. We're going together. The outcome of this mission will decide if you're ready to take on something like this alone."
Amanda smirked and lowered her gaze, while Lucy sighed in disappointment. With that, Miyamoto turned and strode toward the exit, both sisters following.
---
The Road to Green Pasture
By the time they reached the border of the Kingdom of Scale, the sun had already dipped low, bleeding into the horizon. The desert forest stretched endlessly before them, its sands whispering with the winds of nightfall.
They walked in silence until Amanda finally broke it. "Master… why can't we use that teleportation technique you showed earlier? Wouldn't it make this easier?"
Miyamoto didn't look back. "That technique is called Switch Mode. It can't be forced. To use it, you need to reach Phase Zero of cultivation. You only started practicing Renshi a few months ago. You've still got a long way to go."
Amanda frowned. "Phase Zero… how do I reach it?"
Miyamoto's voice turned heavy with experience. "Humans came up with the name. What actually happens is your body evolves into the unlimited. At first, Renshi has a limit—you can only handle so much before your body feels like it'll rip apart. But once you reach Phase Zero, that limit breaks. Your strength feels endless. Your mind hungers for new techniques. It's not something you mistake when it happens—it changes your very existence."
Amanda's eyes lit up with determination.
They're lots of things i still need to learn in the world of Renshi" I'll eventually get there. Whatever it takes."
Lucy gave a soft smile. "Finally, you're making sense."
Amanda's temper flared. "Shut up, dumbass!"
Lucy grinned. "Same for you, moron."
Amanda lunged, swinging her left hand, but Miyamoto caught her wrist in an instant. "Enough. Save that fire for the darkside spirits. We don't have time for your petty fights."
"She started it!" Amanda snapped.
"No, you did," Lucy shot back.
Miyamoto groaned. "That's it. New training—fitness run until Green Pasture." And with that, he exploded forward, his movements a blur.
"Huuuh?! That's not fair, Master!" both sisters shouted in unison as they bolted after him.
The desert winds whipped against their faces as they pushed themselves harder, lungs burning. Miyamoto's pace was merciless, forcing them to dig deep. Every stride was a test of endurance, every breath a fight against exhaustion.
Within minutes, they tore through the border and into open plains, chasing their master like shadows trying to catch the wind.
Hours bled into dawn. By the time the morning sun stretched across the horizon, the trio finally slowed at the edge of the lush fields of Green Pasture.
---
The Town of Green Pasture
Unlike the barren desert they'd crossed, Green Pasture was alive with vibrant crops swaying gently under the golden sunrise. The soil here was said to be the richest in the entire country, producing harvests unmatched anywhere else.
Amanda stretched, sweat dripping down her brow but a grin still on her face. "Finally… we're here."
Lucy, panting hard, muttered, "Master… you're.....not...human"
Miyamoto didn't answer. His gaze was locked on the horizon, his expression dark. The air felt wrong—too heavy, too still. A storm was coming.