“Looking at you now, I can’t see you as the same preachy Li Si from back then.”
Li Si tilted her head back, her gaze moving up from the chest wrapped in fiery red fighting attire, across the scar-covered neck, and finally landing on a sharp, blazing face.
Luo Qi, the Flame Hero, captain of the Flame Team, was 1.9 meters tall, with waist-length red hair, eyes like a wolf, and she herself was a Wolf Tribe fighter, a complete battle maniac.
If there was anyone among the twelve heroines that Li Si least wanted to see, it was undoubtedly this person.
Li Si had a headache from running into her so coincidentally, but soon she realized why Luo Qi was here.
“You’re only level 15 and haven’t even changed class yet. What are you doing? At this rate, you’ll end up the same as when you were in the Flame Team.”
Luo Qi turned with a smile, baring a row of sharp teeth, exuding a faint killing intent.
“Yo, Liewata, I told you I’d kill you when we next met.”
“So, here I am.”
Luo Qi’s figure flashed and disappeared.
Everyone recognized the Flame Hero and also saw her murderous intent, but no one could move.
That faint killing intent radiated a powerful aura.
At that moment, everyone was afflicted with the negative status effect called Fear.
Li Si’s gaze sharpened.
Completely unaffected, she instantly drew her sword and in the blink of an eye stood in front of Liewata.
A fire fist arrived in an instant, stopping right before it touched the sword blade.
The powerful fist wind tore through space, sending her silver hair flying back.
Li Si’s expression was blank as she calmly stared at the figure a head taller than her.
“Hehehe, just kidding~ Can’t revive now, can’t kill people casually anymore. But Li Si, you haven’t forgotten, have you? Our promise: once we reach the same level, we have to beat each other to death~ I’ve always remembered what you said to me.”
Li Si’s eyebrows twitched.
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Luo Qi’s fist slowly open, revealing a Dragon Scale Pendant held inside.
The dragon scale was crushed into powder with a firm squeeze.
Liewata jolted out of Fear in shock, only to find the pendant on her neck symbolizing the Hero’s mark was gone.
Looking up, that pendant had already been reduced to powder in Luo Qi’s hand.
“This person wanted to join my adventuring team before, so I beat her up. I saw she had a decent level, so I gave her a chance: either get stronger or be killed by me. But since you, Li Si, want to protect her, I won’t kill her.”
Luo Qi tilted her head back, withdrew her hand, and turned to look.
Four members of the Flame Team were walking over from the village.
“Li Si! So this is what you look like! Now I can hug you, right?!”
“Li Si, I didn’t expect to see you again so soon. You’re still the same slow and weak as ever.”
“Master, hello.”
“Ah, so you’re their former teammate Li Si. Hello, I’m Alice, a chosen holy ice mage~”
A hand extended in front of her.
Li Si didn’t even look, just sheathed her sword, then pushed away a figure pressing her chest.
If Ao Li An Na and Yi Li Sha Bai’s team was a gathering of girls with similar builds, then Luo Qi’s team was a carnival of giants.
For those who haven’t experienced it, it’s hard to imagine how a 1.6-meter person can carry a conversation among three 1.9-meter giants, especially when these three giants particularly enjoy resting their substantial chests on the 1.6-meter person’s head, euphemistically calling it a rest.
Of course, compared to their figures, the inherent contempt was the most exasperating.
Although they smiled on the surface, every action conveyed the feeling that they were saying you’re too weak.
“Well, we have things to do. We’ll come back to the village tonight to drink with you~”
Luo Qi waved cheerfully, as if nothing had happened, and strode away.
Li Si paid no attention.
Turning around, she revealed a figure that had been clinging to her back the whole time.
Yadana quickly climbed onto Li Si’s head, plopped down on her shoulder, and said indignantly, “Boss, that girl knew she couldn’t beat our combined technique! That’s why she pulled that punch!”
Li Si reached up and grabbed Yadana down, then continued back to the village.
After that brief clash, the entire team’s enthusiasm immediately cooled.
But soon, after entering the village, someone called out “Lady Li Si,” and the cooled enthusiasm returned to its peak.
The little incident didn’t diminish the villagers’ gratitude.
After receiving confirmation from the Defense Force that the Minotaur’s had dispersed, everyone began to organize and prepare a grand celebration feast.
Li Si had originally intended to leave immediately after returning to the village.
After all, she had found her training target, and judging by Liewata’s demeanor, she would agree to join the team as soon as Li Si asked.
But the villagers were too enthusiastic, insisting she stay overnight, and she also wanted to see what Luo Qi was doing in Hot Spring Village.
Given Luo Qi’s personality, she would absolutely not appear in a place that held no opportunity to become stronger.
The whole “saving the village on the way” and “killing Liewata” were just her crazy talk.
But even after waiting until the next day, Luo Qi hadn’t returned.
According to her senses, their location was already very far away, and they probably wouldn’t be back anytime soon.
Li Si couldn’t be bothered to send a message to ask.
Luo Qi was never serious; she had the most flaws among all the heroines, and chatting with her was nothing but torture.
Since Strict Father’s Perception showed they were not in danger, Li Si didn’t worry excessively.
After all, they would eventually meet in Soronwell.
After breakfast, they sorted out the supplies for departure.
Although Hot Spring Village didn’t have many resources, it barely passed as an adventurer supply station.
The traps and supplements used before could barely be replenished.
Village Chief Luolun was very excited.
In addition to the reward for this escort mission, he insisted on giving an entire cart of Hot Spring Fruits as a thank-you gift.
This fruit could increase strength attributes if eaten over a long period and was a very good food, but only if consumed consistently.
Ordinary adventurers could hardly get this fruit long-term, and Li Si didn’t want to travel with a cart of fruit either.
However, this made her think of her own Dungeon.
Managing a Dungeon required unique features.
She could consider transplanting a few Hot Spring Fruit trees into her Dungeon.
“Plant… into a Dungeon?”
Village Chief Luolun was a bit bewildered.
He had only recently learned about Dungeons as an ancient calamity, and had only heard about Dungeons forming bonds after meeting Li Si.
He had never imagined that things could be planted inside, and the Hot Spring Tree had harsh growing conditions—it had to be near a volcano.
Luolun was about to explain, but then saw a business card pop up on the adventurer panel.
“Chief, this is my Dungeon agent. You can discuss prices and cooperation with her. If you don’t want to, you don’t have to contact her.”
Li Si ended the polite conversation in a few words, then turned to look at a certain girl who had been standing in the corner, no longer as enthusiastic as when they first met.
The girl seemed to notice the gaze, adjusted the brim of her magic hat, then, as if letting go of some burden, smiled and waved, about to say goodbye but then she suddenly froze, her eyes widening in disbelief.
[Fairy Tail – Team Leader Lili Ya has sent an invitation, inviting you to join the team.]
Li Si scratched her hair, momentarily bewildered.
[Liewata Affection +50%]
[Liewata Affection 100%]
[Affection increased to lv2 (Mutual Understanding)]
Li Si was speechless, ‘So, girl, your affection just explodes like that?’