Chang Long and her trusty pet journeyed to the eastern harbor. It only took them a day to reach it, despite numerous obstacles along the way. In the process, she forgot that she had disabled her communication system, leaving the guys frantic and unable to reach her despite their attempts to call her. They feared she might be causing trouble for other players again.

Siegfried, puzzled by Chang Long's action of departing with only Kitsune and cutting off communication, had to rely on Oliang and Lidded Wet Trash Can, who kindly, yet maliciously, filled in the blanks with their assumptions. This left Siegfried stunned, unable to believe that the woman he loved already had someone special.

The afternoon breeze was cool and refreshing, and the chaotic events had finally settled down. Siegfried, the King of the Royal Cliff, managed to herd the migrating beasts back to their original habitats without any bloodshed. Every creature, even the beast kings, refrained from attacking Siegfried if they were native to the mountain.

Siegfried received praise and admiration from many players for resolving the crisis so effortlessly. However, instead of basking in the accolades, he merely gave a small smile before retreating to a quiet spot to be alone. His heart was in turmoil…

At the Thousand Serpents Fields, Siegfried sat on one of the many large boulders scattered across the field, reflecting on what Oliang and Lidded Wet Trash Can had told him. He sighed and lay down on the rock.

"Is Chang Long really in love with Kitsune? Sigh..."

Siegfried spoke softly, staring blankly at the sky that had turned orange as the sun began to set.

"Oliang and Can said Kitsune could access items Chang Long's bag. This clearly proves something... but they don't seem like a couple at all. Kitsune always calls her 'Master' and shows more respect than romantic affection…"

Siegfried reasoned with himself, though one thing still bothered him.

"Kitsune kissed Chang Long…"

Siegfried murmured, recalling their first kiss due to an accident and the second time when Chang Long tripped and her lips brushed his cheek as he caught her. Even if Kitsune's kiss was a life-saving act, he could not help but feel heartbroken.

Siegfried had wanted to ask about Chang Long and Kitsune's relationship many times but never had the courage. Checking his friends' list on his wristwatch, he saw that she was now offline.

"I guess I should give up…"

Siegfried whispered and closed his eyes. It seemed his first love was destined to end here.

Images of Chang Long kept swirling in his mind. No matter how hard he tried to think of other things, his thoughts always returned to her: her face, her smile, her voice. He remembered them well, including the warm lips that had touched his cheek.

"Damn it!"

Siegfried opened his eyes, his face flushed. He realized he could not get her out of his mind. Sitting up, he looked around.

The Thousand Serpents Fields was quiet, as most players avoided it due to the large number of snakes. Their levels were also varying, making it hard for new players to deal with. Not wanting to return to town, Siegfried decided to visit Doi Buppha to admire the beautiful flowers, hoping it would calm his troubled heart.

Oliang, Lidded Wet Trash Can, Draco, Aden, Rafael, and Peach Blossom sat around a campfire, showing off the items that had hatched from their quest eggs. The three whose eggs had not hatched yet had to stifle their envy as Oliang, Lidded Wet Trash Can, and Peach Blossom shared their thrilling hatching stories and the attributes of their new items.

"So, your egg just got more patterns on it?"

Oliang asked Aden curiously after Peach Blossom finished her long-winded tale.

"Yeah, it's weird. It's covered in vine patterns now,"

Aden replied, holding his egg up to the firelight.

"Hey, you guys whose eggs have hatched need to help us figure out how to hatch ours!"

Draco urged. They were picnicking just outside the northern gate, less than 200 meters from the city. When people came by to ask, they simply said they were enjoying the scenery.

"Of course. He's gone completely silent, hasn't he?"

Wet Trash Can expressed his concern. They had tried to invite Siegfried, but he had declined and disappeared, turning off his communicator, making it impossible to contact him.

"He's probably still not over Chang Long,"

Oliang sighed.

"What happened with Master Chang?"

Peach Blossom's ears perked up at the mention of Chang Long's name, and she immediately questioned the two boys.

"But I don't think Chang Long and Kitsune are lovers like Oliang and Wet Trash Can claim,"

Aden interjected before the two boys could explain anything to Peach Blossom.

"What? Chang Long/Master Chang and Kitsune are lovers?!"

Peach Blossom, Draco, and Rafael exclaimed in unison.

"How could it be otherwise? Kitsune can take things out of Chang Long's bag, and they're always together. Just this morning, they ran off with just the two of them without telling anyone,"

Oliang pointed out.

"That's not true! No way that guy could be Master Chang's lover!"

Peach Blossom shouted.

"Regardless of the real situation, it looks like our friend is in a bad way. Look, he even turned off his communicator. Who knows, he might be crying his eyes out somewhere!"

Rafael said, shaking his head.

"Forget about Siegfried for now. Draco, is your egg glowing?"

Peach Blossom pointed to Draco's egg, which never left his side except during battles. Everyone, including Draco, turned their attention to his egg.

"You're right! It's glowing in time with a heartbeat!"

Wet Trash Can said excitedly.

"That means there's a stimulus nearby,"

Oliang noted, looking around to identify who or what might be causing it.

"I don't see anything special, just the campfire,"

Rafael observed.

"Try moving your egg closer to the fire,"

Oliang suggested. Draco did so and found that his egg indeed reacted to the fire.

"Great, Draco! Your egg really does react to fire,"

Wet Trash Can exclaimed again with excitement.

"How about keeping the egg by the fire all night? It might hatch by morning,"

Aden suggested, and everyone agreed except for Peach Blossom, who quickly snatched the egg from Draco's hands.

"Being slow like this will take forever to hatch. Let's do this instead!"

Peach Blossom said and promptly threw Draco's precious egg into the roaring fire, stunning the boys.

"No, Peach Blossooom!"

Draco shouted in shock, but it was too late. His precious egg was already lying in the middle of the fire...

On Doi Buppha, Siegfried had reached the Sacred Water Pond in the center of the area. He chose a clear spot near the pond, set up his tent, and started a campfire. Then he went for a walk to enjoy the nighttime scenery of the Doi Buppha, where various colorful flowers bloomed and hundreds of fireflies flew around, creating a beautiful and romantic atmosphere.

"Tonight's full moon is so beautiful..."

Siegfried gazed up at the sky, where a bright, full moon hung, illuminating the night. After walking through the flower-filled fields with his heavy heart, he returned to his camp near the sacred pond.

"Throw a coin and make a wish? Might as well give it a try,"

Siegfried said, pulling a silver coin from his pocket and tossing it into the water. He clasped his hands together and made a wish.

'If Chang Long and I are destined to be together, let me see her again. This time, I'll ask her everything, leaving nothing unsaid,'

he wished silently.

Flash!

A dazzling light emanated from the moon's reflection on the water, causing Siegfried to shut his eyes. When the light faded, a figure of a beautiful woman with a beautiful face and radiant skin, dressed in a white robe covering her from head to toe, appeared standing on the water. She smiled warmly at Siegfried, who was left speechless.

"Greetings, faithful human. I am the Goddess Veritas," she greeted him with a gentle voice, as light and clear as the breeze.

"H...hello, I'm Siegfried,"

he replied, still in awe.

"You are the second human I have encountered. The first was a clumsy young girl who came here with an egg about to hatch..." the Goddess Veritas smiled, recalling her first meeting with Chang Long.

"A young girl?"

Siegfried asked, puzzled. As far as he knew, the Thousand Serpent Fields were not popular among players, especially female players, as none had ever entered the field.

"Yes, I believe her name was Chang Long..."

Veritas replied, walking slowly on the water towards Siegfried.

"Chang Long!"

Siegfried exclaimed in surprise.

"Oh, you know her? Hehe, she's quite the troublemaker. Last time, she even bathed in my sacred pond,"

Veritas said with a chuckle.

"B...bathed in the sacred pond...?"

Siegfried repeated, astonished.

"Indeed. Not only did she bathe, but she also drank from it and even used the water to sprinkle on the egg she carried. Just the thought of it makes me unable to stop laughing,"

 Veritas laughed heartily.

"The egg... Did you see what it hatched into? How long ago was this?"

Siegfried asked, starting to piece together the story.

"It was quite some time ago when I first met and spoke with her. The egg hatched into an adorable little fox... I believe she named it, hmm... Kitsune, if I'm not mistaken,"

Veritas said thoughtfully.

"A... and... was there... a man with her then!?"

Siegfried's eyes widened like a young boy as he asked, his voice trembling slightly, which made Veritas laugh again.

"Hehe, you're funny. No, she was alone. But the last time she bathed here, there was a spirit following her. After she left, the little fox emerged. I was quite shocked to see that he suddenly developed the ability to transform into a human."

"Huh!"

Siegfried exclaimed loudly, startling Veritas, who turned to see his face suddenly lit up with newfound hope.

"What's the matter with you? Your mood changes so quickly,"

Goddess Veritas asked with curiosity.

"Y... you said... a fox can transform into a human?!"

Siegfried asked, his heart pounding as if it would leap out of his chest. He was overwhelmed with excitement, joy, and immense hope.

"Yes, little human. Fox beasts from noble bloodlines, only those close to the gods, can transform into humans. Their formidable power lies in their illusionary abilities,"

Goddess Veritas explained kindly.

Siegfried's long-disheartened heart swelled with hope again as he heard Goddess Veritas' words. So Kitsune was Chang Long's pet. It had evolved once and could transform into a human. This explained why Kitsune was so polite and obedient to Chang Long, why he could access her inventory, and the meaning behind Davy-Chan's words about "just a dog licking her lips" as told by Oliang and Wet Trash Can.

Siegfried felt as if his dark world had suddenly brightened. He wanted to jump and shout with all the joy and excitement bursting from his chest.

'Chang Long and Kitsune aren't lovers! Chang Long and Kitsune aren't lovers!'

He repeated this thought over and over in his mind. Seeing him silent for a long time, Goddess Veritas cleared her throat softly to get his attention.

"S... sorry!"

Siegfried snapped out of his reverie and quickly apologized to Goddess Veritas.

"Hehe, alright. I'll take my leave. Here! This is your reward for your faith, little human,"

Goddess Veritas said, handing him a Buppha Garland.

"Thank you!"

Siegfried reached out to take the necklace. Goddess Veritas stepped back onto the water and began to sink. As her head was about to sink into the water he heard her voice, faint as the wind.

"I believe you and Chang Long are destined to be together..."

Draco's egg, which fell into the fire, caused the flames to blaze fiercely. They all had to back away. The thumping sound like a heartbeat echoed from within the flames, accompanied by cracking sounds as if the shell was breaking. Everyone turned pale, especially Peach Blossom, who began to doubt whether what she did was right.

"Waaah! What should I do? I'm sorry, Co! I'll put out the fire right now!"

Peach Blossom cried, tears and snot streaming down her face as she started to cast a water spell.

"Don't, Peach Blossom!"

Oliang shouted, making everyone except Wet Trash Can look at him in confusion.

"What are you talking about, Oliang? If we delay, Draco's egg will be seriously damaged. It might even turn to stone!"

Rafael asked, bewildered.

"No, Rafael. I'm pretty sure the egg is about to hatch!"

Oliang said, watching the intense flames.

"Is that how your eggs hatch!?"

Draco shouted angrily at Oliang.

"Calm down, Draco. We didn't throw our eggs into the fire to hatch them, but when the egg makes the fire blaze and the heartbeat sound is like this, our eggs that were about to hatch did the same thing!"

Wet Trash Can confirmed firmly, easing Draco's worries.

"It'll be alright, right...?"

Draco asked, his voice softening.

"Of course! Let's all cheer and see what it'll hatch into,"

Oliang said, giving Draco a reassuring pat on the shoulder and a comforting smile.

"Yeah!"

Draco nodded, smiling back at Oliang.

"Look! The fire is swirling into an egg shape,"

Aden shouted, drawing everyone's attention back to the fire.

The intense flames were spinning rapidly into the shape of an egg, constantly surging until they were spinning so fast that their eyes could not follow. Suddenly, there was an explosion, and embers scattered widely, forcing Draco and his friends to retreat several meters further back.

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