Supreme Spouse System.

Chapter 88: Twilight Hunt.

Twilight Hunt.

Then—a knock at the door.

Rap-rap-rap.

”Lord Leon!” The voice was commanding but polite—Captain Black’s.

Leon’s golden eyes flashed with subdued watchfulness. Without pause, he stood up, glided across to the door

Aria’s hand dropped to her side automatically. Cynthia stiffened, halfway out of her chair already. Syra and Kyra glanced at each other hastily.

Leon threw open the carriage door. His coat billowed in the evening wind and spread out behind him like a banner.

He moved out into.

Outside, the environment was not normal—serene. No shouting. No guns drawn. Just calm.

All the guards had already descended from their horses. They stood stiffly in neat lines in front of the carriage, their faces grave under their helmets. The horses had been saddled off and tied up in the immediate vicinity. Leon’s keen eye ran over the well-drilled ranks, his mind actually racing to comprehend the abrupt standstill.

Behind him, the carriage door opened a second time. Aria, Cynthia, Syra, and Kyra emerged one after another, each wearing his own bewildered expression.

They glanced between the guards and the horizon’s deepening shadows, intrigue and Confusion danced on their face.

Leon’s stance never altered. Serene. Unfazed.

Captain Black rushed forward, bending low. ”My Lord, pardon the abrupt halt in travel, but this issue necessitates your presence.”

Leon looked at him calmly. ”Speak.”

”We’ve reached the edge of Green Grove Forest,” Black said, his tone low but insistent. ”As you can imagine, the forest is dangerous during nightfall. The sun is almost on the horizon, and the golden light is already starting to disappear. We concluded that it would be safer to set camp here before going deeper.”

Leon looked up, feeling the final warm rays of sunlight slipping under the trees. The sky was a dissolving canvas of gold and gentle purples. A quiet nod was his sole response.

”Very well,” he said, voice firm. ”Start setting up camp.”

Black bowed his head respectfully. ”Yes, my Lord.”

Leon turned around, stepping back into the carriage. The women entered behind him, the door sliding softly shut as last Kyra enter inside carriage.

For an interminable moment, there was silence.

The abrupt tension on the street hadn’t quite dissipated yet—each heartbeat sounded loud against the stillness.

Then—

Abruptly, Leon’s lips curled into a smile—and then he burst out laughing, a rich, spontaneous sound which filled the carriage.

”Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha!” The laughter exploded out of Leon, abrupt and contagious. ”The way the carriage came to an instant halt—and that thump.” he gasped for air between heaves, holding his sides, ”for a moment, I really thought we were the ones being attacked!”

Aria met his eyes, her eyes sparkling with mirth. Her lips curled into a teasing smile.

”I thought so too,” she replied, reclining in mock seriousness. ”I already had my mind picturing some epic, heroic combat scene.”

Cynthia released a breathy laugh. ”Lord, I had my hand on my sword before I even knew it—expectant of some mystery danger approaching.”

Syra grinned from ear to ear. ”Honestly? I was going to toss Kyra to whatever danger was waiting out there and run!”

Kyra blinked, wide-eyed, taken aback by her sister’s teasing. She spoke softly, almost hesitantly.

”.You were going to throw me?” she asked, her cheeks flushing as she glanced from Syra to the others, her voice barely above a whisper.

Syra laughed louder, waving a hand. ”Because you were nearest the door, Kyra! Strategic move!”

Kyra shook her head minutely, a small smile pulling at her mouth despite herself. ”You’re awful, Syra” she whispered, but there was affection in her tone.

Leon’s laugh swelled again—richer this time, warm and contagious. He sat back, still chuckling.

”Guess we were all a little too self-absorbed,” he replied, a winking glint in his golden eyes. ”Didn’t even realize how much time had slipped by outside. Guess we were. a little preoccupied, huh?”

Aria inched closer, the look in her eyes sparkling with mischief. ”Or perhaps you are the distraction,” she smiled.

Cynthia arched an eyebrow, her smile broadening. ”Right. Are you the one distracting us. or are we hopelessly easy to distract?”

Syra laughed; eyes shining with amusement. ”Oh, no question about it—our Lord is the greatest distraction of all.”

Kyra looked down with a discreet smile, once nodding, the blush in her cheeks.

Leon raised his hands in mock defeat, his smile never wavering. ”Guilty as charged.”

He glanced about the carriage, his face relaxing with real warmth. ”But no fair. I was distracted as well. By all of you.”

That snapped the final strand of tension.

The carriage erupted in laughter once more—Aria’s musical and wry, Cynthia’s deep and deadpan, Syra’s high-pitched giggle, and Kyra’s soft, breathed sound, quieter but just as real. Leon’s thundering laugh enveloped them all like a fire being lit.

At that moment, safe and in each other’s company, the world outside seemed a long way off.

When their laughter died, the gaze of Leon wandered to the shadowy forest outside the carriage windows. His smile remained—but his thoughts had already drifted. Then, a thrill of excitement stirred far beneath him

If we’re this close to Green Grove Forest... then magical creatures won’t be too far behind. And if that’s the case... then this is my opportunity—if I can hunt them, I’ll earn some BLANK POINTS. And I received little sparring too in bonus.

Clearing his throat, he faced the group again, his tone light but with a hint of purpose.

”My beauties. since we’re stopped here, why not make use of the time? A little hunt before nightfall.”

The air in the carriage shifted. As, four pairs of eyes locked onto him—curious, cautious, intrigued.

Aria’s brow furrowed. ”A hunt? Now? The sun’s nearly gone.” Her tone is full of confusion.

Leon grinned, unshakeable. ”Exactly. Twilight’s still ours—a little bit of light training before night really sets in. And apart from that, I haven’t trained seriously in days. This is the ideal opportunity.”

Cynthia leaned her chin on her hand, weighing. ”It could do us some good, actually. Sharpen us up.”

Syra clapped her hands together lightly, her voice rising with enthusiasm. ”It sounds like fun!”

Kyra faltered, eyes lowering. ”You’re certain it’s safe?” Her gentle voice was laced with concern.

Leon’s smile grew more gentle, but his eyes shone with determination. ”Don’t be concerned. I’ll protect us.”

Aria’s face lit up. ”Okay. Let’s make it a h

His sleeve was caught by her.

”Wait, darling,” she said, the sparkle of mischief in her eyes.

He glanced over at her, interested.

”I have an idea to spice up this hunt.”.

Aria’s eyes sparkled mischievously. ”Let’s make a game. While hunting, we’ll gather precious herbs and rare fruits. Whoever collects the most valuable or useful—wins.”

Leon raised a brow, amusement flickering in his eyes.

”And the prize?” he asked.

A teasing grin curved Aria’s lip. ”The winner gets to spend the night beside you. Obviously. cuddling you.”

Cynthia’s eyes gleamed with competitive fire. Syra’s cheeks flushed but her smile was fierce. Even Kyra’s quiet gaze held newfound determination.

Leon chuckled. ”Now this will be interesting.”

Then, with a mock-serious tone, he throwing his hands up dramatically. ”And what about me?

Aria grinned. ”You’re officially excused from the competition, dear. After all, the prize doesn’t get to compete—so yes, you’re safe.”

Leon’s smile turned mischievous. ”Oh? Then I’m but a humble servant, ready to follow your instructions, my lady.”

The women burst into laughter, the tension melting away like morning mist.

Leon moved toward the carriage door and pulled it open.

Together, they stepped outside into the busy camp—guards moving swiftly to set up tents and unpack supplies from their magical storage rings.

Leon was going to say something else when Captain Black came up, his boots crunching softly on the gravel.

”My Lord,” he bowed respectfully, ”the camp is almost in position. Would you consider resting in the carriage for now?”

Leon raised one hand in a gentle motion to forestall him. ”Thank you, Captain, but I have other plans. I am going hunting—with my women.”

Black’s face set in a grim line. ”My Lord... the sun is almost set. As soon as night falls, the forest grows unpredictable—deadly. With respect, I must firmly advise against going out on night.”

Leon stood his ground, meeting his gaze with steady determination. ”Captain Black, do you question my wisdom? Or my endurance?”

Black was wincing, even more clearly conflicted. His jaw clenched as he bent his head. ”Never, my Lord. I act solely out of concern—for your safety.”

Leon’s expression softened just a bit. ”And I’m grateful. But I have a handle on this.”

And you have ”Cynthia and I are both Realm Grandmaster cultivators. Aria’s at Peak Master Realm. Syra and Kyra are good Masters. We can take whatever is out there.”

Black’s jaw clenched, then unclenched. His shoulders slumped just a little under the burden of unspoken concern.

”...Then at least let me send an escort,” he spoke low. ”Five of our best. Just in case.”

Leon paused for a moment, then nodded once.

”Very well. But tell them—no interference unless absolutely necessary.”

Black nodded crisply and turned sharply.

At the nod of his head, five of his top guards emerged from the camp perimeter. They closed in a flawless formation—silent, swift, already in position. They all dropped to one knee before Leon at the same time.

”It is our privilege to escort you, my Lord,” the lead guard spoke, bowing deeply with the others.

Leon’s eyes roamed over them. His smile was thin but determined.

”Stay sharp,” he said, voice steady. Then, with a slight pause, he added—firmer this time, ”But do not intervene. Not unless absolutely necessary.”

The lead guard nodded. ”Understood, my Lord.”

He stepped ahead, his coat sweeping the air behind him. The others trailed after, their dark outlines stretching long in the final rays of sunlight. The line of Green Grove Forest loomed in front—tall, ancient trees that bridged like sentinels, their tight canopy casting the still-present golden rays into soft, dancing patterns on the forest floor.

There was a stillness that fell over the group as they stepped into the tree line. The air of the forest was cooler here, heavy with the smell of moss and far-off water. Shadows collected at the trunks’ bases. A low, guttural howl came from somewhere far away.

Leon let out a slow breath, golden eyes going tight.

Time to earn some Blank Points.

The moment the thought occurred to him, a crystalline chime sounded within his mind—a sound he alone could hear.

[Ding!]

[Quest Panel Update: Teamwork Mode Activated.]

Leon blinked as the sudden system message caught him off guard.

He brought up the system prompt hastily, intrigued. What is Teamwork Mode?

[Host can register team members. When any member slays a magical beast, the host earns corresponding Blank Points.]

Leon’s eyes sparkled. ”So, if one of them slays a beast, I get the points as well?”

[Yes.]

Leon smiled expansively. ”That’s amazing!”

How do I recruit team members?

[Just remember their names while planning to include them in your team.]

Leon shut his eyes for an instant, calling out mentally: Cynthia, Aria, Syra, Kyra.

And the guards? he thought.

[You can also include unknown members by simply thinking of them as escort team members collectively.]

Heeding the prompt, he included all five guards.

[Team Members Registered Successfully.]

[Leader: Leon Moonwalker]

[Members: Aria, Cynthia, Syra, Kyra, Five Elite Guards]

Leon’s smile widened. ”This hunt just got a lot more interesting.”

A hand came down on his shoulder rather abruptly.

He turned to see the four women and five guards looking at him. They were smiling, ranging from amused to curious, and the unspoken question hung between them.

Aria cocked her eyebrow, regarding him sideways.

What in the world are you thinking, darling?” she teased, her tone playful, although her eyes tracked his glance toward the deepening woods.

Leon laughed softly, shaking his head slowly.

”Fresh air. and the finest company a fellow might desire,” he said, the twinkle in his golden eyes betraying their amusement.

But under the carefree smile, his thoughts were elsewhere—concentrated.

This hunt. it’s going to prove more rewarding than he initially assumes.