The next day.
Lin Dong got up early and went to West Main Street.
Close to the Adventurer Headquarters, the street was already busy even at dawn.
After greeting a few familiar customers, Lin Dong walked into a tavern with a signboard that read:
Hostess of Fertility
A cat-eared girl stood outside cleaning. Her ears twitched as she noticed him.
"The tavern isn't open yet. If you want food, come later—…hm? It's Lin Dong, meow~"
"Morning, Anya."
Lin Dong waved.
He had a working relationship with the tavern and often bought ingredients here. Over time he'd become familiar with the staff.
"Is Ryuu in? I need to talk to her."
"She's inside cleaning. I'll call her, meow~"
Anya pushed the door open and waved at the elf girl wiping tables in the corner.
"Ryuu! Lin Dong's looking for you!"
"Looking for me?"
Ryuu set down her work and came outside.
"What is it?"
"A gift."
Lin Dong took out a sealed file pouch and handed it to her.
"When you have time, open it somewhere private. There's a surprise."
"Why so mysterious, meow…"
Anya tried to peek at the pouch as Lin Dong left.
"Ryuu, what is it?"
"I don't know."
Ryuu tucked it away.
"Eh? You won't open it?"
"He told me to open it somewhere with no people."
"Meow is a cat. Cats don't count as people!"
"Stop fooling around. Work."
Ryuu walked back inside.
Syr wasn't here today; Ryuu had to cover her workload too.
...
Leaving the Hostess, Lin Dong went to Takemikazuchi Familia's home.
"So you're Hestia's child. I've heard about you for a long time. Finally meeting you today."
Takemikazuchi patted Lin Dong's shoulder, smiling warmly.
Before Hestia left the potato stand, she'd mentioned finding a great child.
And after yesterday, Sakura's group came back and told him what Lin Dong had done.
Takemikazuchi had woken early just to wait.
"I heard you want my help with something?"
"Yes. I'd like you to help me refine a Breathing method."
Lin Dong handed over a copied manual of Thunder Breathing, then produced a commission sheet.
"This includes the requirements and payment."
"No need for payment—refining a breathing method is nothing to me—"
"One million valis?!" Sakura yelped.
Takemikazuchi glanced down reflexively.
At the bottom of the sheet, the reward line was a bright chain of zeros.
Ten, hundred, thousand, ten-thousand…
One million.
Takemikazuchi coughed. "I retract my previous statement. I need the payment."
As a benevolent god, Takemikazuchi had taken in many orphans in the Far East.
But as the number grew, he entered a permanent budget crisis.
Money could humble even heroes.
Coming to Orario had always been about earning enough to feed his children.
One million valis was enormous for his Familia.
"It's fine. I heard about your situation from my goddess," Lin Dong said, pushing the sheet closer and pointing at the requirement list. "Read it first."
Breathing Method Refinement Goals
Lower the difficulty of training
Increase the physical enhancement effect
Create stronger forms based on the existing six sword forms
…
Create a personal version suited to Lin Dong and a mass version suited to ordinary people
Takemikazuchi: So the money's not free.
He flipped open Thunder Breathing—and his expression changed immediately.
You call this a breathing method?
In his understanding, a breathing method was something anyone could learn to strengthen the body.
But this was the opposite—every line smelled like it was designed to devour you.
It demanded talent, brutal training, and extreme willpower.
Even after mastering it, activating it crushed the heart and lungs.
Prolonged use could even shorten one's lifespan.
"Lin Dong… where did you get this?"
"A country full of demons."
"Demons… I see."
Takemikazuchi's gaze softened.
In a world where survival was the first priority, even a life-shortening technique made sense.
Compared to dying today, living another year mattered.
"In your commission, you want a mass version… is it for that country's people?"
"Yes."
"Then wait for my good news!"
Takemikazuchi's motivation ignited.
Earning money while helping civilians oppressed in a faraway land—there was nothing more meaningful.
"I'll refine it to the absolute limit!"
Lin Dong smiled. "Then I'll look forward to the final product."
He had no idea why Takemikazuchi got fired up so suddenly, but at moments like this, a polite smile was the correct response.
After some small talk, Lin Dong looked to Sakura.
"Sakura, does your Familia have plans today?"
"Not really. Why?"
"I have another commission."
Lin Dong pulled out a second sheet.
"If you have time, monitor someone and confirm her movements."
"No problem," Sakura answered instantly.
He wanted the money as much as Takemikazuchi did. Repairs, potions, sending money home—everything cost.
He scanned the target line.
Liliruca Arde.
...
-------
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