Master… do you not like women?

When the two of them finally arrived at the outskirts of the settlement, it was already late in the night. The streets were still a little busy and a lot more boisterous. Ethan and Lia made their way to the market square, where Mark and the others were supposed to be waiting.

Sure enough, they found the group outside the tavern, engaged in what looked like a lively debate with a couple of attractive waitresses.

"Ah, there you are!" Mark spotted Ethan first, waving him over. "Just in time. We already got our payout from the panther hunt."

Gale, standing beside him, tossed a small pouch in Ethan's direction. Ethan caught it midair and gave it a quick weight test in his palm before glancing inside—silver and copper coins gleamed back at him.

"Fair split," Mark assured him. "Might not be much, but it's honest work."

Ethan hummed, tucking the pouch away.

"You heading out already?" Toren asked, folding his arms.