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They stopped in front of Windblossom.

“I can sense the scent of our kin from you,” the half-bear man at the front said in a deep voice as he looked at Windblossom.

“Tako, have you seen her before?”

“…No impression whatsoever. I think she might be one of our people who has been wandering alone out there,” the man called Tako replied.

He nodded in understanding. “Then, Miss Stranger, may I ask your name?” Unexpectedly, the brown bears were quite polite.

Windblossom was a little at a loss. This was the first time a beastfolk had initiated a conversation with her. “Windblossom.”

“That’s a rather unusual name…” The man pondered for a moment before adding, “My name is Karlo, Captain of the Brown Bear Warriors from the Aralan.”

“Nice to meet you…” She nodded.

Assuming she was simply not good at socializing, Karlo hesitated before speaking. “Well… if you don’t mind, you can come with us. Once the competition in Noctilune City is over, you can return to the clan and live with us.”

Trying to bring her home the moment they met?

“Boss, that sounded like a confession,” Tako said seriously from the side.

“…”

There was nothing more terrifying than a sudden silence.

**Boom!**

Tako lost 3% of his HP from a single punch and collapsed onto the ground.

“Sorry about that. He’s not very good with words.” Karlo grinned.

“…” Judging from that display, this guy was probably on par with the Frostcrystal Giant, perhaps even stronger.

…

Under Zane’s encouragement, Windblossom set off with the brown bear group. If they missed this opportunity, they might not get another chance like it.

As for the Wind Wolves and Red Rabbits, the bears were nowhere near as enthusiastic about accepting them. They would have to think of another way to get inside and reunite with Windblossom later.

First of all, the plan of seeking out their own race was no longer viable.

He had heard that Red Rabbits were an extremely weak race to begin with. Having two representatives show up was already considered impressive, and one of them was practically dead weight.

The Wind Wolves were not much better. Their true strength only emerged when they fought in packs. Individually, they were nothing remarkable. Swiftshadow Wolves were an advanced evolution of Wind Wolves. Although their attributes were similar, they were fundamentally much stronger creatures.

He wondered whether transforming directly into a White Wolf would allow him to enter the city.

Of course, Zane still had a backup plan. He pulled a gray card from his backpack. Faint strands of dark blood energy coiled around its surface. This was the item Kesius had given to Starry. If all else failed, they would have to rely on it.

…

After another twenty minutes of walking, they could finally see the queue lined up before the city gates. There were fewer people than expected, only around twenty in total.

A thick scent of blood lingered in the air, and scattered scraps of remains could be seen nearby. Apparently, a few troublemakers had already been dealt with before they arrived.

Zane and Starry stood at the very end of the line, with a little rabbitfolk sandwiched between them.

Sensing someone behind it, a zombie carrying a ghost lantern suddenly twisted its head a full one hundred and eighty degrees. Its eyeballs rolled continuously, yet there was not a trace of white visible within them.

It remained in that position, staring at the three of them. After a long moment, it slowly turned its head back around.

Zane shuddered from head to toe and nearly drew his sword to cleave the thing apart. ‘What’s wrong with this thing? Why is it trying to scare people for no reason?!’

Still, the rabbitfolk wasn’t bad. She hadn’t even screamed.

“Lulu, you’re pretty brave!” Starry said with a smile, patting her shoulder.

**Whoooosh… Thud.**

The rabbitfolk’s legs kicked once before she fell flat onto the ground, white foam leaking from the corner of her mouth.

“…”

Well damn. She had already been scared unconscious!

“I mean it, trash like you should stop dreaming about participating in the tournament! You’re scared stiff by nothing more than a Ghost Lantern Zombie. Get lost while you still can and stop wasting my time!” A rough, booming voice rang out from behind them, grating on the ears.

At some point, another person had joined the queue behind them.

His entire body was concealed beneath pitch-black armor and a helmet. Only a pair of blood-red eyes glowed fiercely in the night. One hand rested on the handle of his weapon while a giant axe as tall as an adult man lay across his shoulder.

Undead? Not quite, by the look of it.

Had his eyes deceived him? No, he hadn’t seen it wrong. A Level 40 Unique monster. Yet these attributes had already far surpassed those of ordinary Unique monsters of the same level.

Its attack power was even comparable to that of a boss.

Noticing Zane’s little action, the crimson glow in Praxis’ eyes intensified dramatically.

Under the moonlight, the sharpened edge of the greataxe gleamed with a cold silver radiance. The blade suddenly dropped and slammed into the ground, carving half a meter deep into the earth while triggering a powerful tremor.

“Kid, are you tired of living?”

The people waiting in line ahead remained completely unfazed. None of them could even be bothered to turn around, as though they had long grown accustomed to scenes like this.

Meanwhile, the two Skeleton Guards stationed at the gate shifted their gaze toward the disturbance. They locked eyes with Praxis for a moment.

“Tch!” He pulled the greataxe free and slung it back over his shoulder. “Consider yourself lucky,” he said impatiently.

Beside him, Starry quietly pushed the Autumn Moon Sword back into place as well.

…

Nothing else happened afterward. Eventually, their turn was almost up.

The Ghost Lantern Zombie at the front simply walked straight into the city, while the two Skeleton Guards acted as though they hadn’t seen a thing.

That worked?

Naturally, Zane dragged the rabbit girl along and walked forward side by side with Starry, intending to enter as well.

**Clang!**

Two long spears crossed in front of them, blocking their path. Something was definitely wrong with this script!

“Heh heh heh… You think you can enter the city without a guarantor?” the Greataxe Master sneered. “This isn’t a place just anyone can come to!”

‘Geez, did this guy allocate all his stat points into Taunt?’

No matter what, being stuck here wasn’t an option. Starry immediately opened her backpack and prepared to take out the gray card.

“Let them in.” Suddenly, a calm female voice sounded from behind. After her words rang out, the Skeleton Guards withdrew their weapons.

Starry froze mid-motion. Turning around, Zane looked past the stunned-looking Praxis and saw a woman standing not far away. Fragrant and alluring, breathtakingly beautiful.

Every inch of violet silk concealed the necessary parts with exquisite precision, while every movement she made exuded boundless charm. Beneath the moonlight, her flawless fair skin seemed to glow with an ethereal radiance.

Sensing Zane’s gaze, she smiled knowingly and gave him a small nod.

???

‘Why are you nodding to yourself like that?! Do I even know you?’

Still, delays only invited trouble. Since someone was offering them a free pass, it was better to get inside first and avoid unnecessary complications.

He had barely taken a single step. A greataxe suddenly plunged into the ground directly in front of him, standing upright and blocking his path.

Praxis roared angrily, “Lady Xaelia, why should trash like them be allowed into the city!?”

“Are you… questioning my decision?” the woman’s voice turned as cold as an ice cavern. At the same time, withered leaves drifted down sparsely from above. The evening breeze scattered them away, only for them to rise and dance through the air once more.

“…I wouldn’t dare.” The Greataxe Master lowered his head and retrieved his weapon, speaking in a muffled voice.