Eight Quest (2)

Hiss!

A handsome man with blue hair in his late teens holding 2 swords and wearing a Silver I Rank pendant around his neck rolled to the side and evaded an attack by a Brown Nake.

He got up and smiled.

"You're still a million years away to touch me!"

He glanced at his side.

There were 2 beautiful women in their late teens wearing a Silver I Rank pendant around their neck: One with green hair and holding a staff, and the other with pink hair and holding a staff that had a red gem on it. 

They were currently facing 2 Brown Kraines.

"How are you guys doing there?" the man asked.

"I'm doing fine," said the woman with green hair in a casual manner." I'm still waiting for Lorietta to cast her magic."

Lorietta, the woman with pink hair, puffed her cheeks in a very cute manner.

"Drake, please tell Chisa that she should properly set up an opening so that I can cast my magic."

Hiss!

The Brown Nake delivered another attack and Drake, the man with blue hair, dodged it.

"You guys, stopped fooling around. Remember we're here to train a bit."

Lorietta puffed her cheeks once again.

"But I don't like to train!"

Chisa rolled her eyes.

Drake, on the other hand, let out a wry smile.

Rawr!

Rawr!

The 2 Brown Kraines lunged over at Chisa and Lorietta.

Pah!

Arw!

Pah!

Arw!

Chisa swung her staff twice and hit each wolf on the nose, driving them away before turning to Lorietta.

"Lorietta, just because you're a Wizard, that doesn't mean you shouldn't train your Physical Arts. Don't forget about the 1 Magic Art to 2 Physical Arts ratio if you don't want your head to explode!"

Lorrieta puffed out her cheeks once again. 

"But it's so boring to train Physical Arts. Just leave the magic to me. I have the both of you to tank for me anyway. And plus, there's also Iris and Hazan. "

"That's not even the point. Also, we can't always rely on Iris and Hazen. They're Gold Rank."

"Then let's become Gold Rank."

Chisa wanted to chastise Lorrieta but was interrupted by one of the Brown Kraines. 

Rawr!

Pah!

Arw!

One of the Brown Kraines attacked and Chisa swung her staff, hitting it on the nose and causing it to back away.

"You!" she glared at Lorietta. "You're really so helpless!"

Hearing his 2 companions continue to bicker, Drake let out a sigh.

Hiss!

Whooosh!

The Brown Nake launched an attack and Drake swung his sword, leaving a thin line on the snake's face.

The snake glared at him and hissed murderously, its paralyzing venom dripped on its fangs.

"Let's finish this off so that we can continue gathering Fira Fruits and complete this quest," Drake said before charging forward.

Chisa gritted her teeth and then twisted her staff.

Click.

Click.

Her staff made 2 clicking sounds and divided into 3 pieces but were still connected with small chains.

It transformed into a 3-chained-staff.

"Go Chisa!" Lorietta cheered and raised a fist.

Chisa stared down at the 2 Brown Kraines.

"Pray to the Elementals that the both of you will have to face my wrath due to my annoying companion. I hope you won't disappoint me!"

Rawr!

Rawr!

The 2 wolves charged at her.

Pah!

Arw!

Chisa swung one of the sticks and hit one wolf on the face, driving it away. 

She got into a jumping position and activated a skill.

[Power Leg].

Combined with the skill's force, her vertical jump became higher, allowing her to rise above the ground over 10ft. 

She whipped her chained staff to her back and aimed for the other wolf before swinging down and activating a skill.

[Power Whip]. 

Pa-riiip!

Crack!

Arw!

The attack landed on the wolf's head, causing a portion of its fur and skin to be shredded and emitting a sound of its skull cracking, leaving the the wolf unconscious.

Lorietta, on the other hand, activated a spell and the red gem on her staff shined.

[Fire Lance]. 

A 6-ft-long spear made out of fire appeared on her free hand and she aimed for the remaining wolf.

Woooh!

She threw the lance made out of fire to the wolf. And when it struck the wolf, penetrating a couple of inches into its body, a small explosion of flames erupted and burned the wolf along with its surroundings. 

Arrrrwww!

The wolf wasn't dead and it cried out in pain as the flames burned its body.

Pah!

Arrrrwww!

Thud.

The wolf tried to run away but it was struck in the head by Chisa and ended up falling to the ground.

Lorietta twisted her staff and it separated into two, revealing a short and thin blade from one of the sticks.

When she rushed over to the wolf, the flames had disappeared.

She was about to finish off the monster by stabbing it in the head when suddenly, the Brown Nake and the 2 Brown Kraines got up and ignored all of them before charging together in another direction.

Drake, Chisa and Lorietta all turned toward where the monsters were charging.

Although the being was a little bit blurry due to the speed it was moving, they could tell that it was a human with violet hair, wearing a brown cloak and holding a long silver weapon.

Vivian focused and the world appeared to move slower through her eyes.

3 adventurers…

3 monsters…

The 2 dogs are way ahead and the snake is still behind…

Tch!

She clicked her tongue and stopped in front of the 2 Brown Kraines.

It was then, Drake, Chisa and Lorietta finally had a good look at their unexpected visitor.

To their surprise, it was a beautiful but stressed-out-looking Priestess with purple hair and red highlights holding a poleaxe. On top of that, she had a Copper I Rank around her neck.

Vivian activated a skill.

[Power Axe].

Whooosh!

With one swing, the bodies of the 2 wolves were shredded into pieces. 

Vivian dashed forward to the Brown Nake that was crawling on the ground.

Bam!

A hammer landed on the snake's head, crushing it.

Vivian pulled out her weapon and resumed running.

Vooom!

And as she was running at full speed, she focused and stared at the 3 adventurers.

Her brows knitted.

Why do these people look familiar…?

She thought about it for a moment before finally deciding to just forget about it.

Whatever…

The last thing I want to be accused of stealing their prey once again…

I mean, it's not like I can't turn [Nemesis of Beasts] off…

Truth be told, Vivian already met these people before. They were the ones who shared a table with her on her first night eating dinner at Shirley's Tavern.

When Vivian finally disappeared, the 3 adventurers looked at each other.

"Who was that woman?" asked Lorietta.

"Never seen her before. So maybe a new adventurer," said Drake.

"I've heard of her," said Chisa. "That was the Copper I Rank Priest Vivian and they say that she's a bit stuck up."

"Stuck up?" asked Drake.

"They say that she never accepts special quests from clients and party requests from adventurers, even from Gold Rank adventurers."

"But aren't all Priests like that?" asked Lorietta.

"Says the Wizard…" Chisa said and looked at her.

"Hey! They're much worse than us. At least us Wizards are cooperative."

"You Wizards would only move if it benefits you."

"Who told you that?"

"Guys, come on, let's continue our quest," Drake said and began walking.

Chisa and Lorietta returned their weapons to their original state before catching up to him.

"Did you guys notice how those monsters reacted? They all got up and rushed towards her," said Lorietta.

Drake and Chisa didn't say anything but they were thinking about it.

"Maybe they find her smelly? Those stinky Priests! Teehehehe…"

Both Drake and Chisa let out a sigh.

Although this companion of theirs likes to act kind, cute and an airhead in front of people, in reality, she was actually a sadist. And to make matters worse, she was also sharp and gifted.

Chisa looked at Drake.

"Did you notice her speed?"

"I did," Drake replied and nodded.

"She was fast. Too fast."

"Yeah. Even Iris and Hazan weren't as fast unless Hazan uses his boots that can temporarily boost his speed."

"What do you think her actual strength was?"

"It's hard to say. After all, there's too many things to consider -- Physical Arts, Magic Arts, equipment and experience. But if I were to make a guess, I'd say Gold I Rank."

"So you're saying she's as strong as Iris and Hazan?" Lorietta asked and then an evil grin appeared on her face. "I'm gonna tell Iris you said that."

"Hey! That's not what I said! Those 2 are above-average Gold II Rank adventurers!"

"Huh? What do you mean? That's not what I heard."

"At least now we know why she's stuck up," said Chisa. "She at least has some strength to back up her attitude. But once she becomes a Gold Rank adventurer, it would be a different story."

"Chisa, are you jealous?" Lorietta continued teasing.

"Why would I? That woman is older than us so she must've trained for years before becoming a Priest and adventurer. And plus, just like what Iris and Hazan taught us, a person's true limit is determined on how many Magic Art Affinities they're born with."

"If you say so," Lorietta said and then thought about something. "Hey, do you remember that quest about investigating the reason behind the abnormal amount of dead monsters in the forest?"