After leaving the team, the adventurer ladies regretted it deeply

The three of them moved into a Beastmen restaurant in the Inner City District.

The cuisine here was meat-centric, and it was said that the chef had once served as a logistician in a Steel Level Adventure Group, with culinary skills famous throughout White Dove City.

For today's meal, Lin Da had spent ten Gold Coins.

Charcoal-grilled bear paws, pork knuckles, the tail of a giant lizard... all topped with a layer of red chili peppers and cooked with oil rendered from farm-raised Slimes.

Additionally, with various spices from the World Tree Secret Realm, the dishes were a feast for the eyes, nose, and palate, stirring everyone's appetite.

After a day of hunger, Lin Da and his companions instantly switched into a mode of wolfing down their food.

Lulu, as a Beastman, showed her wild side during the meal, using her sharp tiger teeth to effortlessly bite through the pork knuckle, breaking both meat and bone.

Every bite from her small mouth devoured a substantial amount of food, like a wind sweeping through leaves.

To Lin Da and Kafni's surprise, they together didn't eat as much as Lulu, the smallest of them all.

"Cheers."

Lin Da took a napkin and wiped the oil from his hands, then raised a gigantic oak beer mug filled with Wheat Beer.

Wheat Beer was a favorite among nearly all adventurers, and Lulu was no exception. Each person raised their mug, clinking them together.

A short while later, all were satisfied with food and drink.

The three of them sat with bulging bellies, drinking water and resting.

Lulu suddenly brought up, "Is your team made up of just these people?"

A Minor Secret Realm with too low levels wouldn't allow Lulu to enter, and if the Phoenix Tail Flower Adventure Team went into the World Tree Secret Realm, there would be only two of them.

It was manageable at the lower levels where the danger was minimal. But at the third or fourth level, missing a front-line class was less than ideal.

Lin Da said helplessly, "I'm still considering recruiting, but it's hard to find good members."

"I know someone," Lulu said, her head bowed as she trimmed her claw-like nails with a small dagger, sharpening them even further while speaking, "If you need someone, I could recommend her to you."

"Oh? What kind of person is she?" asked Lin Da.

"She... doesn't like strangers much. But if it's you, she might consider joining your team," Lulu replied.

"What about her talent and profession?" Lin Da was particularly interested in this point.

If the person was just an ordinary adventurer being forced to level up, the stress would be too great for them, and they would be a burden to the team as well. Read exclusive content at m v l em pyr

Lin Da believed in quality over quantity.

Lulu's voice brimmed with confidence, "Don't worry, that kid's talent has attracted invitations from several Steel Level Adventure Groups."

"Steel Level Adventure Groups? She didn't join any?" Lin Da asked.

"Hmm. The kid is a bit shy, but I think she'd be okay with you," Lulu nodded and then gave him a meaningful glance, "She's a Mage, around level 15. If you can bring her in, it's your team that should feel honored."

After hearing this, Lin Da became inwardly alarmed. Could Lulu really be so benevolent to think of the team's welfare having just joined herself?

"Where can I find this person you're talking about?" he asked, keeping his composure.

"Red Heart City," Lulu answered.

Lin Da raised an eyebrow.

Red Heart City?

That was Lia's hometown.

In Lin Da's mind surfaced the image of an elegant red-haired lady.

Lia's mother, Lady Bellini.

Two years ago,

Lin Da had a private meeting with Lady Bellini, who had come from far away Red Heart City.

This lady spoke in a soft and delicate tone, requesting him to take care of her disobedient daughter, Lia.

Back then, Lia was still quite normal, and Lin Da readily agreed.

Now, having parted ways with Snow Goose Adventure Team, meeting that lady again would inevitably be awkward.

But...

With Red Heart City being so large, it wouldn't be too likely to encounter her by chance, right?

Lin Da thought it over and silently noted the address Lulu had mentioned.

After finishing their meal, the group left the restaurant.

Lin Da and Lulu exchanged their residential addresses to facilitate future contact before returning to their respective rented houses.

Under the crooked, dim yellow street lamps,

Lulu's gaze flickered as she stared at Lin Da's retreating figure.

If he could summon the child from Red Heart City, he must undoubtedly be the captain.

Aside from the captain, that child wouldn't accept anyone else's invitation.

Lulu had her own matters to attend to.

She easily found a passerby and inquired about the whereabouts of the well-known Snow Goose Adventure Team's residential area.

Located in the Inner City District's first ring, it was a famous, affluent area and quite easy to find.

Lulu prepared to meet the 'Lin Da' from the Snow Goose Adventure Team.

One 'Lin Da', one 'Li Cha'.

Surely one of them must be the person she was looking for.

Ever since Lulu became a witch, the search for the mysteriously vanished captain had nearly reached three years.

Before receiving an apology, Lulu wouldn't give up her search.

In these three years,

Why had he disappeared, what had he been doing, and during those three years, did he feel a slight sense of guilt towards his team members?

Lulu was grateful to that captain for rescuing her from the slavers, yet she resented him for treating her as just a tool.

Taking her to the high floors of the World Tree only to then kick her out of the team with one swift motion.

She had fought tooth and nail for the team, yet not a single trace of her ever remained.

Lulu wasn't willing to settle for that!

Becoming a witch was just so she could make him apologize, for he shouldn't have kicked her out of the team.

Perhaps one apology wasn't that significant.

However, it had become the pillar of strength that allowed Lulu to endure when the Witch's Corruption flared up.

With that apology, she would have no regrets.

The late summer breeze carried a hint of coolness, stirring the pale blue strands of hair on the young girl's forehead.

Lulu's hands, tucked in her pockets, stealthily transformed into beastly claws as she hailed a carriage, heading towards the Snow Goose Adventure Team's residential area.

...

Night.

The Snow Goose Adventure Team's villa.

In the second-floor conference room, morale was low, and the atmosphere was oppressive.

Members of the team sat around a long table, each one with fatigue etched on their faces.

Aiko sat restlessly in a wheelchair, only able to hear the breathing of others and the severe scolding from a certain red-haired girl.

"Why did we suffer such heavy losses? The front line should have held back the Magical Creatures' attacks properly, but I was constrained, and couldn't even successfully activate my 'accumulate power' skill!"

"And the Healer as well, the Healing Arts are cast so slowly every time they're not timely!"

"The Mage too! Be careful not to attract the hatred of the Magical Creatures!"

Lia, her face the color of iron, pointed at everyone in turn, stomping her foot in anger.

Aiko, one of those named, hung her head, biting her lip and rubbing her temples, struggling to restrain the impulse to flip the table.

Aiko admitted that she had issues with this strategy.

Always miscalculating the Magical Creatures' hatred value, using skills to inflict damage, only to end up being targeted by the creatures.

She acknowledged this fault.

But Lia's problem seemed to be even bigger, right?

Charging into a group of Magical Creatures recklessly, the team had to waste so much magic power and magic scrolls to save Lia.

Objectively, Lia's total damage to the creatures was the highest among the team members, but that premise was based on dragging everyone along to support her!

Yet, Lia thought all that damage was solely her own doing?

Aiko had even killed a Swift Rock Lizard and was accused by Lia of kill-stealing.