Today the town was more bustling than usual. This was quite unusual, because Oakhaven was just a small town in Veridia Territory, located far to the east. Resources here were just some provisions or forest products; Magical Beasts weren't numerous either. Mostly medicinal herbs and timber resources, so each year only two merchant caravans visited: spring to purchase medicinal herbs and autumn to purchase precious wood from the Aethel-Oak Domain forest. Liam curiously ran to ask and learned a nomadic merchant guild called Horizon Guild had stopped outside town. They usually traveled aimlessly around territories to sell goods or buy necessities, similar to a small mobile city, which was why Oakhaven's market was so lively.

  At Oakhaven Market, they only sold Cyclops's internal organs and one tendon. The hide, which Theo and Liam wanted to keep, had made merchants' eyes widen due to its quality and thickness.

  The money earned from selling those parts exceeded expectations, due to the rarity of a Sub-Magical Beast. Its organs had very high medicinal properties for alchemists, and it was quite famous in this region.

  Surplus money: after deducting deposit costs for tailoring, their remaining funds were still considerable—about 35,000 Copper Coins (this was money remaining after deducting costs for tailoring 2 leather armor sets, 2 pairs of shoes and 2 travel bags—a number large enough to buy a Strider).

  While Theo was negotiating with the leather tailor, Liam stopped by the used goods and metal scrap area. There, he discovered a strange item: a special metal spearhead. Its exterior had a golden color but was mixed with streaks of old corroded bronze. The shop owner, a gaunt blacksmith, said it came from Zaravand—a legendary land of gold and mysteries. Though its shaft was broken, Liam was captivated. With surplus hide not needed for tailoring, Liam traded for this spearhead. He held it in hand, feeling the unusual weight and density of the metal. An idea flashed: use it as the main close-combat weapon, or bring it back for his father to research attaching it to a spear shaft. This was precisely the solution to Liam's just-assessed weakness in penetrating power.

  Buying a Strider was no longer a choice, but an urgent need. With 35,000 Copper in hand, they easily acquired their first Strider—a healthy running bird, a specialized hybrid Magical Beast breed. The purpose of buying a Strider was to learn how to care for and use it for longer hunting trips. Theo could research its diet, biological characteristics, as they would journey with this creature for a long time ahead.

  Liam named the new member "Swift."

  Savings didn't change, 202 silver coins, but they had additional equipment needed for the plan plus the first Strider.

  Returning to base, the atmosphere became warm and busy. Theo set to work preparing food for all three plus the new member. He felt fortunate that Swift's palate was quite simple. Liam was absorbed with the new spearhead. He wiped away layers of dust and rust, revealing unusually gleaming metal under the firelight.

  "I think I know what to do with it," Liam said, looking up. "It'll be my armor-piercing spear tip. Its power doesn't lie in the arm, but in the material."

  Theo smiled, feeling relieved. The tactical weakness had a solution. With Cyclops armor sets being processed, the Zaravand spearhead, Paralysis Essence awaiting upgrade, and Strider ready, their team had another powerful step forward.

  The next morning, Sol's Day began. When light pierced through the canopy, the dry heat from thin cloud layers made this transaction feel somewhat different from before. The familiar transaction location became more tense than usual.

  Al flew circling overhead, sharp eyes like laser beams sweeping across the entire forest. Theo, concealed in the familiar oak tree, drew his bowstring taut, gaze focused and unwavering. Liam stood leaning against the trunk, outwardly calm but muscles tensed.

  Vesper appeared right on schedule. Al circled once clockwise—a sign indicating only Vesper alone. Theo shot a short signal arrow, indicating safety.

  Vesper smiled faintly, tossing a money pouch over, speaking as usual: "Three Lunar-Gold and 150 Silver."

  Liam had just breathed in relief, about to indicate the potion location, when suddenly, Al let out a sharp chirp—just one.

  Liam's expression changed. Theo had trained Al very thoroughly: one chirp meant a stranger was approaching from outside their perimeter. He immediately threw the money pouch back toward Vesper, drew the short spear from his back to his right hand, left hand gripping the broken Zaravand spearhead he'd just acquired. Knees slightly bent, he was ready to explode into action.

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  Theo above frowned. He quickly understood the plan: Vesper was using the transaction to lower their guard, while his companion would advance from the forest depths. Ground-level vision was obstructed—a perfect plan to restrain Theo first, then Liam. But they didn't know about Al.

  Theo acted without hesitation. He removed his Spike-Stepping shoes, climbing higher. G analyzed the mysterious person's position based on the call and Al's flight direction. This was a tactic he and Al had practiced before—the chemical reaction between Al and G, functioning like an active sound sensor system:

  Slow movement detected, low footstep intensity (analyzing sound wave feedback from Al's Growl). Estimated target distance: 102.8m ± 2m. Approach direction: East-Northeast. Target moving on ground level. Wind angle 18.5 degrees Northwest direction. Wind speed 3.2 m/s. [Recommend using Magical Arrow].

  Theo drew out a magical arrow, already infused with Paralysis Essence.

  "It couldn't take down Cyclops instantly, but against humans..." Theo smiled coldly.

  Taking a deep breath. He'd trained Al to attack enemies in specific directions, and Theo could also rely on growl sounds to determine enemy positions. Based on G's analysis, pulled 25kg with his back muscles, drew the bowstring, and released. The arrow shot forward, crossing the 100-meter distance, flying straight toward the mysterious person's direction.

  "Ah!" A cry of pain rang out from deep in the forest. Theo smiled coldly. If that person was lucky enough not to die, he was certainly paralyzed on the spot.

  Immediately, Theo drew out a normal spiral Paralysis Arrow, narrowing his eyes to aim between Liam and Vesper, ready for the finishing strike.

  Vesper, caught off guard by Al's appearance, slowed half a beat. He saw Liam had shifted to complete defensive stance. He intended to advance and grab Liam to seize the initiative, but his companion's scream also made Vesper hesitate, and when looking toward the forest, a long arrow whistle had already embedded in the ground right between them.

  Another long shriek rang out overhead. Al returned, circling above Vesper's head, eyes staring fixedly down.

  Vesper smiled bitterly, raising his hands in surrender. "Didn't expect you to have a flying Magical Beast. Truly rare."

  "I meant no harm," Vesper said quickly. "Just wanted to ask clearly about ingredients and supply to increase production."

  Liam stared at him, suddenly sneering mockingly: "We're not that naive either."

  Vesper frowned: "Then what do you want?"

  Liam, adrenaline still surging after the confrontation, didn't think long. The group's goal was long-term cooperation. His eyes flashed with fighting spirit:

  "Fight me one round," Liam said decisively. "Win, your companion can leave, we continue transactions. Lose, your companion can still leave, but 4 silver per vial."

  Vesper was surprised, narrowing his eyes to scrutinize Liam, then slowly: "Agreed."

  Vesper wasted no words. He led the attack, steps steady and measured, each movement conserving force yet carrying the weight of experience. His eyes were cold and sharp beneath the scar, not underestimating his opponent at all.

  Liam responded. He lunged forward, Remnant Wind technique erupting. His sudden movement speed, amplified by Spike-Stepping training, caught Vesper off guard for a moment.

  Two currents of power collided. Vesper's sword whistled through the air, relentless strikes, so precise that Liam couldn't find an opening. He wasn't just fast, but heavy—each sword stroke carried the weight of a veteran mercenary, the scent of fresh blood, the wind seemingly targeting weaknesses in Liam's stance, breathing, heartbeat.

  Liam was forced to defend. He used the short spear in continuous rotation, the Zaravand tip serving as a shield, trying to deflect the blade. He saw clearly the difference between his real combat experience and a professional mercenary: Liam's experience came from hunting Magical Beasts, while Vesper's was not just beasts but humans too.

  The battle gradually tilted toward Vesper. Though Liam applied all instinct, Remnant Wind technique becoming more proficient daily, Vesper's continuous sword strikes still found penetrating paths.

  Slash! The blade grazed Liam's shoulder, creating a shallow tear. He felt clearly the blade cutting across his shoulder edge, triggering instinctive fear—but it also made him focus even more coldly.

  Hot blood seemed to stimulate Liam's hunting instinct. Instead of retreating, he accepted the light wound, using his entire body to dodge strikes with dangerous sliding steps. He didn't try to block, but only deflected the blade just enough so it wouldn't hit vitally, then immediately counterattacked with the short spear.

  Liam knew if he fought strength against strength, he'd lose to Vesper because he was more muscular and experienced. He had to fight more ferociously and riskily. His short spear was no longer just a defensive weapon; it became a claw driven by his legs' full power, targeting dangerous positions like Vesper's wrists, knee tendons.

  Liam grew increasingly exhausted, each breath becoming labored, but Vesper also couldn't use full strength. A persistent nagging pain in his side—knowing an arrow was already aimed. Vesper didn't dare use full power to finish, fearing creating a fatal opening for the hidden archer.

  Theo and Liam's coordination had become instinct. Though unintentional, Liam still moved to the best positions for Theo to lock target if Vesper acted foolishly.

  Their duel became a speed display shackled by tactical intelligence.

  Finally, a ringing arrow whistle concluded, embedding deep in the ground right beside Vesper's feet. The arrow carried no paralysis poison, but it carried Theo's cold message: "Should end now."

  Liam understood. He leaped back, breathing hard, but eyes still full of challenge: "Hand over the money."

  Vesper, surrounded by invisible threat, frowned, tossing the money pouch over.

  Liam continued: "Medicine is behind the rock in the bushes over there. Your friend is on the other side near the forest. He's fine, will be paralyzed a while then recover." He nimbly vanished into the forest.

  Vesper watched him go, then burst out laughing. He'd been outmaneuvered by two young hunters and a bird.