After leaving the team, the adventurer ladies regretted it deeply

Among the poisoned, there seemed to be one of Aiko's friends. This made Lin Da sure that although Aiko lied, spied, and stole his pants, her character wasn't that bad at heart. Considering Aiko's upbringing... with the devilishly strict Rocher and Bervis, who advocated elitist education, Aiko had accumulated unimaginable pressure from a young age. Her ability to cast spells quickly was not only due to her talent but also a result of over ten years of hard work. Growing up in such an environment, it would be abnormal if her character had been normal. Ahead. The desert ground was smashed into a large pit by the Sacred Hammer. The body of the Beast-Swallowing Antlion disappeared, dropping a small pile of Gold Coins and three Level 32 Orange Equipment pieces. A system message box appeared in front of Lin Da: [Mystic Realm of the White Bone Desert, Level 16 completed, calculating clearance...] [Flawless completion: +3 stars] [Clearance within 20 minutes: +3 stars] [Light Series damage accounts for 90%: +3 stars] [Killed the Secret Realm Guardian in under 50 attacks: +1 star] [Clearance evaluation: Perfect!] From the light sphere, a deep purple bracelet fell out. Lin Da picked it up and said in surprise, "Epic Four-Star equipment..." The equipment was Level 33 and named [Antlion Bracers], providing a substantial boost in strength. In comprehensive assessment, it was not inferior to the Epic Three Stars [Chlorophyll Ring] he was wearing at Level 36. The higher the quality, the greater the improvement each additional star brings. But Lin Da and his team's levels were rather high already, and wearing the [Antlion Bracers] would be somewhat redundant; selling it seemed to be the better choice. A shower of gold light descended, and after clearing Level 16, Lin Da received 100,000 Experience Points, breaking through from Level 37 and officially reaching Level 38. Just two steps away from the Moon Rank. "Congratulations," Aiko said with a beaming smile, taking Lin Da's hand, "Don't forget about me when you become a Legendary Adventurer in the future." Lin Da nodded, "I won't." After a short rest, the group entered Level 17 of the Mystic Realm. Level 17 was called [Trap Jungle], filled with various peculiar man-eating plants where one could be hanged by vines in a moment of inattention, or devoured by a trumpet-shaped plant. There were also many venomous snakes lurking in the jungle; any adventurer bitten without the proper Antidote would die within five minutes. At this time, the thief role played by Kafni became extremely useful. With the skill [Danger Perception] and her excellent spiritual power, Kafni could scan for hidden Magical Creatures like a radar, pointing out the direction for Aiko to attack. In just 11 minutes, they arrived in front of the Secret Realm Guardian, the [Poison Teeth Chameleon]. "Wait, let the great me show off a bit," Kafni said, licking his lips and rolling up his sleeves. He held out his right hand towards the Poison Teeth Chameleon coiled on a tree and shouted, "Super Theft!" A dazzling flash of gold light. The next moment, a purple Poison Tooth as thick as an arm appeared in Kafni's palm. The poison was covered with a thick saliva, which sizzled upon hitting the ground, corroding a hole in the soil. Lin Da looked and exclaimed, "Epic One Star material, can sell for about 500,000 Gold Coins." "This is my personal booty," Kafni chuckled, slipping the Poison Tooth into his Space Ring. Lin Da did not object. The spoils from the Attack on the Flame Giant using [Super Theft] should not be kept private by Kafni. Before that, he would do his best to satisfy Kafni, so that when it came to Level 19, Kafni would feel too embarrassed to hog it all. Although Lin Da, as the team leader, could command Kafni by force, he hoped Kafni would willingly consider the team. After the battle. The Poison Teeth Chameleon was securely subdued. Lin Da's level reached 124364/700000 at Level 38. Whoosh. A blue Return to City Formation appeared before them. As per the agreement, after completing Levels 16 and 17, it was time for Aiko, the temporary team member, to leave. Lin Da took out a bulging small pouch containing 200 Purple Gold Coins and gave it to Aiko: "This is your payment." "No need, I won't be an adventurer in the future, so I won't need money. Can I exchange my payment for something else?" As she spoke, Aiko suddenly leaned in, stood on tiptoe, and kissed Lin Da on the cheek. "Now I have no regrets," she said with a mischievous smile. ... Afternoon. South Gate of White Dove City. Outside the city gates lay a desolate, withered yellow expanse where not a hint of green could be spotted. Weak magical creatures had long been exterminated by adventurers, with only the occasional bird crossing the skies above. The entire membership of Phoenix Tail Flower and Snow Goose had come to see Aiko off. Underneath the setting sun, they surrounded Aiko, exchanging words of farewell. Lin Da, who had been feeling restless since entering the Mystic Realm, stood still, subconsciously touching his cheek that tingled slightly where he had been kissed. "Remember to contact us if you ever run into trouble," "Even if you're retiring, we're still comrades," "Aiko, are you really leaving? Can't you stay?" The members of Snow Goose crowded around Aiko, chattering away. Klyne and Klrona were crying, and even Oru, a big man, was wiping his eyes with the back of his hand in the wind, claiming sand had gotten in them. Even the team leader Lia softened her tone, telling Aiko she would miss her. "I'll miss everyone too," Aiko said, her smile stiff. How to close this chapter? Aiko no longer knew. She could only hope that her plan would proceed smoothly. "Aren't you going to say something?" Lulu walked up to Lin Da and whispered, "After all, she's an old teammate you've been with for three years." Lin Da didn't reply, his gaze lost on the crowd not far away. Ten meters ahead sat a carriage emblazoned with the flag of the Holy Rock Adventure Team. The coachman was a man with a long golden ponytail, idly chewing on a grass root and looking boredly towards the sky. This man yawned occasionally, glancing at Aiko and urging her with his eyes to hurry up. Lin Da recognized him as Bervis, the "Smiling Swordsman" from South Rock City, Aiko's older brother. Once Aiko boarded that carriage, she would vanish from White Dove City, and it was highly likely she would never cross paths with the adventurers again. If it was just for a peaceful life, retiring was not a wrong decision. Lin Da thought to himself that climbing the World Tree was intrinsically risky; even he, an old gamer who had cleared the game multiple times, had to be fully alert and cautious with every level. Retiring was the best choice for Aiko. Even knowing this, Lin Da felt as if a hole had opened in his chest, the cold wind whistling through. At that moment, Aiko stepped past everyone and approached him. "Here, a parting gift," Aiko handed over a white carry-on case. Lin Da opened it with confusion. "What's this?" Inside was a complete set of orange rare quality, light mage's level 40 moon-tier equipment. At the current market price, orange moon-tier equipment required 400 purple gold coins per piece, and a whole set of six items was therefore equivalent to 2,400 coins. This was a large sum of money! Lin Da looked at Aiko in astonishment – had she emptied the Holy Rock Adventure Team's treasure store when she ran away from home? "I can't accept something so valuable," Lin Da refused. Aiko shook her head, "Anyway, I won't need it after I retire. Instead of letting it gather dust under my bed, it's better to give it to the future light mage of Phoenix Tail Flower." "And for Lia..." Aiko fetched a savings card, "There are 200 purple gold coins inside. Consider it my sponsorship for Snow Goose's adventuring funds." Lia's hands shook slightly: "Why give this to me?" "A normal person can live a comfortable life on just ten thousand gold coins, let alone for a household of the Sunrise Level Adventure Group like mine; take it," Taking advantage of her height over Bilya, Aiko playfully touched the confused Lia on the head and giggled, "I've recently realized that I don't dislike you that much as a team leader." Lin Da furrowed his brows: "Aiko, I'm asking one last time. Is this truly what you want? Do you really want to retire and become an ordinary person rather than continue as an adventurer?" All eyes eagerly turned to Aiko. Lia clenched her fists, somewhat nervous. She and Aiko often quarreled, but if Aiko truly left, the large villa of Snow Goose would only have her and Klrona left. Klrona was always running off to Phoenix Tail Flower, which meant Lia would be alone in the villa. It was too lonely. Not as a team leader, but as a friend. Lia wanted Aiko to stay.