The sun was beginning to disappear behind the buildings when Liam and Lydia finally stepped out of the Ace of Spades Guild headquarters.
Several hours had passed since they had entered the shooting range.
Between pistol practice, posture corrections, and breathing exercises that Liam had continued practicing even after Evan had vanished, they both ended up thoroughly exhausted.
Liam stretched his arms over his head.
"I think I’m going to feel every muscle in my body tomorrow."
Lydia smiled.
"That just means you trained well."
"You think so?"
"Of course."
She gave him a light tap on the arm.
"By the end, almost every shot was landing exactly where you wanted it to."
Liam looked down at his hands.
He could still remember the sensation of the recoil.
At first, it had been awkward.
Now...
...it was starting to feel natural.
Not perfect.
But much more controlled.
Just as they started walking down the front steps, the automatic doors slid open once again.
Behind them appeared Evan...
...along with the same young huntress who had occupied nearly all of his attention during the training session.
She walked with her hands clasped in front of her body, her cheeks faintly flushed.
Evan, meanwhile, wore the same broad smile as always.
"Liam!"
The archer raised a hand in greeting.
Liam turned around.
"Ah, Instructor Evan."
Evan approached casually.
"So, how did the training go?"
Liam smiled.
"I think it went pretty well."
"It certainly looked that way."
Evan replied confidently.
"It seems you’re both learning quickly."
Then he pointed toward Lydia.
"And your wife... I don’t think she needs any lessons on destroying targets."
The three of them laughed.
Evan crossed his arms.
"If either of you ever needs help, you know where to find me."
Then he pointed his thumb toward the young woman standing beside him.
"Now, if you’ll excuse me... My shift is over."
He smiled proudly.
"I’m off to give this young lady some private lessons."
The huntress lowered her head even further, completely embarrassed.
Liam made a tremendous effort to keep a straight face.
"Well then... have a good time."
"I’m sure I will."
Evan replied with a wink.
"See you tomorrow!"
Without waiting for a response, he walked away alongside the young woman, heading in the opposite direction from Liam and Lydia.
◇◆◇
The couple watched him leave for a few moments.
Once he was far enough away, Lydia crossed her arms.
"I told you."
"Told me what?"
"That guy’s a total flirt."
Liam finally burst into laughter.
"Don’t be so harsh."
"Harsh?"
Lydia pouted.
"He didn’t even come back to see how your shooting was going! He left us completely on our own!"
Liam remembered how he’d spent nearly an hour practicing without receiving a single additional correction.
"Well..."
He shrugged.
"I don’t really feel like I need that much of his help anymore."
Lydia looked at him curiously.
"You don’t?"
"No. After all, he said it himself. Once you understand the proper stance... it’s just a matter of practicing over and over again."
Lydia smiled.
"That’s true."
They continued strolling slowly down the sidewalk.
The cool evening air felt refreshing after spending so many hours indoors.
After walking in silence for a while, Lydia spoke again.
"You seem really calm."
"Do I?"
"It’s your first official day training at the guild. I thought you’d come out a lot more nervous."
Liam slipped his hands into his pockets.
He looked back at the enormous white building behind them.
Then he lifted his eyes toward the orange-tinted sky.
A smile spread across his face.
"I think it’s because... it finally feels like things are starting to go our way."
Lydia gazed at him affectionately.
"We’re debt-free. We’re hunters. We’re training with amazing people. We have jobs. And the Squad Selection is only a month away."
He let out a quiet sigh.
"Just a few days ago... I thought our lives were falling apart."
He turned toward Lydia.
"And now... it feels like they’re only just beginning."
◇◆◇
After walking a few more steps, Liam suddenly stopped.
"Ah!"
Lydia tilted her head.
"What is it?"
"Do you still have my camera bag stored away?"
Lydia’s eyes immediately lit up.
"The camera?"
"Yeah."
Liam smiled.
"I want us to take a picture."
"Here?"
"Right in front of the guild entrance."
He slowly pulled his hunter ID card from his pocket.
"With our guild cards."
Lydia’s entire expression brightened.
A huge smile spread across her face.
"Of course!"
Without wasting a second, she raised both arms.
Her skin transformed once again into that familiar green gelatinous mass.
From inside her body, Liam’s old camera bag slowly emerged.
She proudly handed it to him.
"Here you go."
Liam opened the bag and carefully removed his camera and tripod.
He set them up in front of the guild’s massive entrance.
The evening light was perfect.
"Alright..."
He looked at Lydia.
"First, one of just you."
"Just me?"
"Yep."
"Smile, sweetheart."
Lydia quickly adjusted her black hair, smoothed out her white dress, and smiled.
Liam gave her a thumbs-up.
"Perfect."
Click.
The shutter snapped softly.
Liam reviewed the picture and smiled with satisfaction.
"You look beautiful."
"As always."
Lydia felt her cheeks grow warm.
"You’re exaggerating."
"I’m really not."
◇◆◇
"Show me your guild card."
She proudly held it up.
Liam did the same with his own.
"Come a little closer."
Lydia wrapped one arm around Liam’s waist.
He draped his arm across her shoulders.
Both of them held up their guild cards toward the camera.
Five seconds.
Four.
Three.
Lydia rested her head against her husband’s shoulder.
Two.
One.
Click.
The instant the camera took the picture, Lydia turned slightly toward him.
She gently kissed his cheek.
"I’m so happy."
She whispered.
"That I get to experience all of this with you."
Liam smiled.
He turned his head as well and kissed her back.
"So am I."
For several long moments...
...neither of them spoke.
They simply stood there embracing each other in front of the enormous guild building.
◇◆◇
Liam returned to the tripod and checked the photograph.
It was perfect.
Both of them were smiling.
Their guild cards were clearly visible.
And towering behind them was the enormous Ace of Spades emblem.
"This..."
Liam said with a smile.
"...I think this is one of my favorite photos."
He carefully put the camera away.
Then returned it to the camera bag.
Lydia held out one hand again.
Her skin transformed back into slime, and the bag slowly disappeared into her body.
"All set."
Just then, two blue system windows appeared before Liam’s eyes.
[You have shown affection to your Slime.]
Liam let out a small laugh.
"Again?"
A second message immediately appeared beneath it.
[Your Slime has reached Level 41.]
Liam’s eyes widened slightly.
"You leveled up?"
Lydia blinked.
"Really?"
"Yep."
She started laughing.
"Then I guess... kissing my husband gives experience points too."
Liam couldn’t stop himself from laughing.
"This system makes less and less sense every day."
Lydia reached for his hand once more, intertwining her fingers with his.
"But if leveling up means spending more time with you... then I really like this game mechanic."
Liam gently squeezed her hand as the two of them continued walking home together.