The pitch-black night cloaked the Northern Province, thick gray mist rolling endlessly as distant wails echoed through the air, adding an eerie chill.
Lydia of the adventuring party now had an iron badge hanging at her waist, marking her official membership in the Adventurers' Guild.
She gripped her cleric's staff tightly with both hands, her eyes darting nervously in every direction.
"Hey, Lydia… this is already your second time out here, and you're still this scared? That's hilarious."
The red-haired youth in the party reached out with wandering hands, aiming to smack her from behind.
"Watch it, Jay. Lydia's our team's healer and mascot. If you get out of line, I'll break your hand."
The man dressed like a martial artist caught Jay's wrist mid-motion. "And don't you have a busty fiancée? Still flirting around like this?"
The mage named Mei lazily waved her hand. "Oh, what's the big deal? Letting off some pressure once in a while is normal."
"Huh?"
