For days, Mixarnt had been handing out flyers with little success. Most people ignored him, while others reacted with outright disdain. The constant rejection was beginning to wear him down, dimming his usual enthusiasm.

However, hope came in the form of rumors. People whispered about a stunning receptionist at the Adventurers' Guild—one who always seemed cheerful and at ease. Anyone who spoke with her could see she was treated well, with no signs of mistreatment. General Althea even vouched for her, confirming that she was a friend and that the guild treated its employees fairly.

One day, as Mixarnt rested in the guild hall, General Sunshine arrived, intending to check on him. She had been too busy preparing for the upcoming knight exams to help with the recruitment efforts. However, as she stepped inside, her words faltered, her eyes widening in shock.

There, behind the reception desk, sat the beautiful guild receptionist—someone Sunshine knew all too well. It was Eclipse, without her lunar eyes, mask, or armor. As her childhood friend, Sunshine immediately recognized her, but confusion swirled in her mind. She had heard of the guild’s famed receptionist but never expected it to be Eclipse in disguise.

Moonlight giggled, breaking the silence. “Ahem, if it isn’t General Sunshine.”

Sunshine quickly recovered, understanding that Eclipse wished to keep her identity a secret. She had always wanted a life outside of her duties as a general, free from expectations.

“R-right… Moonlight. It’s nice to see you,” Sunshine replied, though her brow twitched slightly in awkwardness.

“Hi, Sun! How’s it going?” Mixarnt greeted her with a cheerful grin.

With a playful smirk, Sunshine pinched his ear. “Sigh… Kid, call me General Sunshine.”

“Ow, ow, ow! M-Moon, help!” Mixarnt yelped, flailing in protest as Moonlight simply laughed.

Moonlight chuckled at the sight of Mixarnt struggling under Sunshine’s playful grip. “Now, now, Sunshine, don’t bully the poor boy too much,” she teased, resting her chin on her palm as she watched the scene unfold.

Sunshine smirked but finally released Mixarnt’s ear, causing him to rub it with a pout. “Tch, you’re lucky Moonlight’s here,” she said before crossing her arms. “So, how’s the whole recruitment thing going? You look… well, tired.”

Mixarnt let out a dramatic sigh, slumping onto the counter. “It’s terrible. No one wants to join. People either ignore me or act like I just offered them a job at a criminal syndicate.”

Sunshine arched an eyebrow. “It’s really that bad?”

Moonlight nodded, her expression softening. “There’s a deep-rooted stigma against adventurers. It’s not just about bad rumors—it’s years of negative perception. People see us as reckless mercenaries rather than protectors.”

Sunshine hummed in thought. “I suppose that explains why people were so surprised to hear a general like me working alongside the guild in past missions.” She then smirked. “Well, if my presence can help, I wouldn’t mind backing you up, kid. I can’t be here all the time, but my reputation might make people reconsider.”

Mixarnt’s eyes lit up. “Really? That’d be amazing! Maybe if people see someone as respected as you supporting the guild, they’ll stop treating us like criminals.”

“Don’t get your hopes up too high,” Sunshine warned. “But it’s worth a shot.”

Moonlight tapped her chin thoughtfully. “Perhaps we should take a more direct approach. Rather than just handing out flyers, why not arrange an event? Something that showcases what adventurers really do?”

Sunshine and Mixarnt exchanged glances before turning back to her.

“…That’s not a bad idea,” Mixarnt admitted.

“I agree,” Sunshine added. “A public event where we demonstrate our skills, maybe even a charity mission? That could help shift public perception.”

Moonlight smiled. “Then let’s start planning. If we want to change how people see the Adventurers' Guild, we’ll have to show them the truth ourselves.”

“Oh, right! I almost forgot,” Sunshine said, clapping her hands together. “I came to check if you’re ready for tomorrow’s Knight Exam. It has multiple phases, but if you pass, I’ve already arranged for you

to join my squad—”

Before she could finish, Moonlight smoothly cut in. “Actually, Mixarnt will be joining General Eclipse’s squad,” she said with a calm smile, making sure not to reveal her identity.

Sunshine blinked in shock, then slowly turned to glare at her friend. Moonlight, maintaining her usual composed demeanor, met her gaze with an innocent smile. But inside, she was just as annoyed. She hadn't expected Sunshine to take an interest in recruiting Mixarnt—just as she had.

Despite the unspoken tension, Sunshine kept up the act to protect Moonlight’s cover. However, she couldn’t resist a playful jab. “You know, General Eclipse may be strong, but I’m still the most beautiful general.”

Moonlight didn’t hesitate to fire back. “I assure you, General Eclipse is far more beautiful and elegant.”

Mixarnt, caught in the middle of their verbal duel, scratched his cheek awkwardly.

“So, Mixarnt,” Sunshine finally said, shifting her gaze to him with an annoyed pout. “Eclipse already recruited you?”

“Err… I haven’t decided yet,” Mixarnt admitted. “Plus, I haven’t even passed the exam, so I didn’t really think about it much…”

Sunshine huffed, still glaring at Moonlight, who only continued to smile in triumph.

"Tch, hear that, Moon? He hasn't decided yet! HAHA!" Sunshine teased, smirking as she saw Eclipse’s smile falter slightly.

Mixarnt, still feeling awkward, scratched the back of his head. "Honestly, I haven't even seen General Eclipse before. But Moon keeps saying she's elegant, beautiful, kind, and that I’d like her. Still, I haven’t decided yet… since, you know, I haven’t even passed the exam. Ahaha..."

Sunshine’s smirk widened as she pieced it together—Moonlight was clearly nudging Mixarnt toward joining Eclipse’s squad.

"Well, what about me?" Sunshine said playfully. "Aren't I beautiful too?"

With a confident grin, she struck a seductive pose—arms raised, hands behind her head, her golden hair cascading down her back. Her smug expression was aimed straight at Moonlight, knowing full well that Eclipse wasn’t good at handling things like this.

Mixarnt's face turned bright red. He had never seen this side of Sunshine before—outside of her usual stern and commanding presence, she was stunning. Her confidence, combined with her beauty, made her even more mesmerizing.

Moonlight, now visibly irritated, swiftly stepped between them, blocking Mixarnt’s view. "Hey, it's not appropriate to show indecent things in front of a kid," she scolded, crossing her arms.

Sunshine chuckled, clearly enjoying herself. "Oh? Flustered, are we?"

Moonlight smiled sweetly at Sunshine, but in her mind, she was fuming. I swear, if I didn’t have to keep up this act, I’d smack her right now… or better yet, challenge her to a duel.

Instead, she kept her composure and said with a calm but pointed tone, "You're lucky General Eclipse isn’t here. If she was, she’d beat you to a pulp."

Sunshine smirked, unfazed. "Oh? Really? Maybe she’s just jealous of my irresistible charm!" she teased. "Beating me to a pulp? Ha! As if she could!"

Their eyes locked, the air between them crackling with unspoken rivalry—so intense that Mixarnt swore he saw sparks.

Then, in a low whisper only Sunshine could hear, Moonlight muttered, "Mixarnt is mine."

Sunshine’s grin widened as she leaned in slightly. "In your dreams. No way I’m letting you steal a talent I found first."

Mixarnt, caught between the silent battle of wills, gulped nervously. "U-uh… Haha… L-let’s all calm down, okay? I still haven’t decided yet, so there’s no need to—oh! Right! I need to go pass out more flyers!"

Seizing the excuse, he bolted, leaving the two women locked in their heated, unspoken war.