After leaving the team, the adventurer ladies regretted it deeply

Lin Da led the three of them to the counter to pay.

"One thousand and forty-five Gold Coins? That expensive?"

Hearing the price, Lin Da's expression was one of astonishment.

It wasn't that he couldn't afford it, but that he pursued cost-effectiveness.

A thousand Gold Coin Fruit of the World Tree, Lin Da would eat without the slightest pain. Enjoy new chapters from empire

But for a few bathrobes devoid of Magic Power, the price was so exorbitant.

"Sir, our bathrobes are all made of top-quality Ice Silk, blah blah blah..."

"Master, please allow me to pay."

Tasya took out a tree-patterned savings card with a silver base, adorned with the image of the World Tree, and handed it to the lady at the counter.

"How can I accept this?"

Lin Da's eyelid twitched; what Tasya had was a tree-patterned savings card commonly used across the continent, issued by the World Tree Sanctum, also known as the Savings Card.

Only those with savings of over 5 million were entitled to the silver-level Savings Card.

He hadn't expected this maid to be a concealed rich lady, even wealthier than himself!?

Lin Da felt a bit sour for no reason. As the Adventure Team Leader, he didn't expect to be outdone by his maid in wealth.

Tasya gave him a strange look: "Master, do you wish to manage the subordinate's Savings Card?"

"Man...age? For me?" Lin Da was surprised.

Their conversation attracted the attention of many passersby waiting in line behind them.

Whispers reached Lin Da's ears:

"Isn't that Lin Da, the Adventure Team Leader who was on the cover of Adventurer's Weekly, hailed as the star of tomorrow in White Dove City? Why is he using his maid's money?"

"Impossible, would Lin Da lack money?"

"With Captain Lin Da's style, he would only give his maid a raise, not spend her money."

The whispers lashed at Lin Da's pride, making his hand, which had stretched out to receive the Savings Card, stiffen in his pocket.

Lin Da's face reddened as he said, "No need, keep it for yourself. As your master, I am supposed to pay you."

Tasya bowed slightly: "I shall obey the master's orders."

Of course, if the day came when the finances of Phoenix Tail Flower were in dire straits, Lin Da would still borrow it.

It would stay with Tasya for now.

...

The group left the shop, carrying bags with the bathrobes.

It was growing late, but the commercial street was still brightly lit.

This was the busiest street in White Dove City, where major businesses, brand-name stores, and Elf race-run gold diggers' dens were located.

On the road there were throngs of pedestrians, Elves, Beastmen, humans with various colored hair, and horse-drawn carriages passing by... weaving a lively tapestry.

There were only three days left until the annual Winter Festival.

Even though it hadn't started, you could already feel the festive atmosphere on the street.

Every storefront was adorned with a 'harvest tree', and it was decorated with fairy lights. It was a decorative piece modeled on the World Tree but scaled down.

The harvest trees were embellished with many candies, jerky, and children under ten could freely pick food from them, but they had to eat it on the spot.

Seasonal specialties were also on sale, such as cream bear jerky, cheese rice cakes, and sugar apples...

People put on new clothes en masse, extravagantly spending the Gold Coins they had saved up all year round.

Businesses made as much in the week before and after the Winter Festival as they usually did in two months.

Many adventurers not seen all year returned from the wilds or other cities to boast in taverns about the exotic Magical Equipment they brought back and the outlandish tales that were hard to verify as true or false.

These included Magic that could turn cats into beauties, forests filled with golden trees, tamed purebred Succubi, and even taking advantage of one's good looks to get free services...

The listeners in the tavern turned green with envy, coveting the tales intensely.

Only the wise noticed that those boasting often wore sweaters unraveling at the seams and boots that were merely of a blue rare-level Magical Equipment.

Everyone was preparing for the upcoming Winter Festival in their own way.

In the blink of an eye, it was the night before the festival.

"Eek!"

In her dream, Monica was sobbing and holding her butt, completely drained of strength and clumsily collapsed on the floor.

But Monica's figure was too good, her stomach didn't make contact with the ground at all.

Because she failed to complete the 1000 push-ups demanded by Dark Shadow, Monica's butt was nearly swollen from being spanked.

"No effort, and you still want to become an excellent adventurer?"

"Continue doing it!"

"Move your waist! Don't stop your hands! Put in effort and move!"

Lin Da suppressed his reluctance, and a Whip of Pain materialized in his hand, which snapped sharply on Monica's petite behind.

"Wu wu wu." Monica whimpered in pain, tears streaked across her little face, and under Lin Da's intimidation, she fearfully propped herself up again, her behind trembling like a sieve.

"998...999...1100!"

Finally, Monica completed the last push-up.

"Well done."

"Fitting for an excellent member of my team."

Lin Da squat down and performed a head pat on Monica.

Monica, wary of the Dark Shadow's version of Lin Da, said timidly, "Th-thank you, Lord Captain."

"I'm looking forward to Monica's yukata at tomorrow's fireworks festival."

"Eh? Does the captain in the dream also know what's happening in reality?"

"Cough cough cough, because I am omnipotent."

Lin Da realized his slip-up and hurriedly ended the dream instruction.

After 1000 push-ups, an experience voucher worth 300,000 had completely absorbed into Monica's body.

A beam of golden light fell upon Monica.

"Wow..."

The girl whispered in astonishment, and before she could ask Lin Da what was happening, she was sent out of the dream.

In a bright yellow, cozy boudoir, Monica woke up, clutching her large yellow duck pillow, still dazed.

She closed her eyes to feel the Magic Strength inside her body and, incredulously, thought: She had leveled up from level 26 to level 28.