Glancing at Mo Fan still running from the half-dressed girls, I asked Ling Ling:
"I take it this is with you?" I nodded at the guy who'd dodged a thrown heel.
"Yeah, we lost that monster-woman and only tracked her today after she'd infected over five hundred people. Sigh, my first big failure like this." Ling Ling sighed sadly.
She's still an experienced Master Hunter and considers such a failure unacceptable for her.
"Don't blame yourself. If that oaf hadn't blabbed to me about the Scaled Demons, I wouldn't have prepared such defenses. I even set up a cordon of Mid-level mages outside the hall, thinking monsters might attack from there. And look how it turned out." I sighed theatrically.
"A cordon of Mid-level mages? Are you some young master from a rich clan? Even that Zhao playboy can't afford that." Ling Ling appraised me.
"Nah, I'm a poor clanless orphan from Bo City. Name's Mu Bai, by the way. Mid-level third-tier mage in ice and summoning." I introduced myself belatedly.
"Mu Bai? The 'toy boy' of the 'best sugar mommy'? The one who beat the entire Green Campus on his first day at uni? 'Legendary gigolo'? 'Illusion destroyer'? 'Invisible peak'?" She listed my titles with amusement.
"Yeah, that one. And you don't need to ask the dumb question about why I need training and to head to the wilds with you for a year when my life's already great. Until I reach Curse in all elements, no way you'll convince me I'm safe. I won't live in constant fear." With fire in my eyes, I told her one of my goals.
"So, you won't escape me. For your skills, I'd even kidnap you from school and face your grandpa's wrath." I grinned predatorily at her, eyeing her with desire again.
This time, she knew I craved her mind, not her body. Which, I could tell, flattered her a bit.
"You know a lot about me. Well, it's not secret info—anyone not a total idiot could find it." She brushed off suspicions about me.
"Plus, I already agreed to help train your charges. And if you keep your word and join our Hunter agency, my grandpa won't get mad. He thinks Hunter work trumps studying." She pitched Clear Sky again.
"Don't worry. If I said I'd join, I will. I'll even get my charges registered. We'll do Hunter missions in the wilds as a group. Since your grandpa values work above all, he won't let us wander dangerous territory without purpose." I shared my view.
"Fine, take me to the girls you're training—I need to evaluate them. We don't take just anyone into our agency." Ling Ling proudly lifted her chin.
"...As far as I know, Mo Fan came to you via an ad. By the way, won't he mind as your partner if I steal you for a year?" I asked Ling Ling a question that truly interested me.
"...All active Hunters were busy then!" Ling Ling blushed a little.
"And he's not my partner. I do missions with different Hunters sometimes—Mo Fan just happened to be available. And he nearly botched it, though partly my fault." Ling Ling confirmed my suspicions.
Still, in canon and my past life, she only recognized Mo Fan as a full partner after being impressed by his bravery and resolve in killing the Queen, plus hearing his goal to reach the top of the Hunter profession.
As you can see, in my current world, all that went down the drain. Kinda pity Mo Fan a bit—I stole so many chances and allies from him. Nah, just my stomach growling. But I should toss him some perk later for cosmic balance.
While we chatted, I smoothly led Ling Ling to where Ai Tutu and Mu Nujiao were. Talking with Ling Ling is a pleasure—hard to find a girl so well-informed about this world's realities. Without Tutu, I'd have hit on her despite the age.
The girls were in a corner of the hall, sprawled unaristocratically on the floor. Not from fatigue or mana drain—they'd pushed harder at Dongting Lake training.
It was mental strain. Responsibility for others' lives weighed on them, and they feared a mistake could cost lives. Now that things normalized, they collapsed to unload their brains.
Felt a bit guilty interrupting, but I needed to introduce Ling Ling and gauge their take on my year-long wilds training plan. After all, a lot had piled on them lately, and I'd understand if they refused.
"Girls, how're you feeling?" I approached, sat on the ground, and pulled Tutu's head onto my lap.
"Mu Bai!" My girl suddenly grabbed my shirt. When I braced for yelling, she said:
"I'm... so weak. Forget what I said before—take me on another training. I don't want to feel this helpless again; it's awful. Better die in a monster's maw than live knowing I'm worthless in this world." Ai Tutu finally turned to face me. Her face was a bit tear-streaked, but her eyes burned with resolve.
"Hope you won't refuse me too. After today, I realized how little my life means here. I want to change that." Mu Nujiao sat up and looked at me with fierce determination. Her face wasn't tear-streaked, but she looked a bit doomed overall.
"Don't worry like that, girls. Even if you quit being mages, I'll protect you. But I'm proud of how you acted today. Later, I'll give you some gifts, but first, meet a Master Hunter. She'll join our next training—I've got the plan ready." Gently wiping Tutu's tears, I pointed at Ling Ling, who stood aside watching us like a TV drama.
-...
The girls silently exchanged glances, then looked at me in confusion. Sigh, sometimes I forget how people see Ling Ling based on looks. In my head, I ignore her appearance and value her as a super-smart ally. Gotta explain.
After listing Ling Ling's credentials and showing her Master Hunter badge, the girls enthusiastically met her and welcomed her warmly. Now just discuss the next training.
No worries about rewards or fame—Director Xiao will find us if there's anything worthwhile, and the media will boost our rep without us.
They couldn't ignore such a loud incident if they tried. Gotta spin it right for the public.
Sigh, business as usual. But I ain't complaining—in good company, saving the world is fine.