My head feels so dizzy… My body is so heavy… but so warm…
Where am I?
Struggling to open her hazy eyes, Gadelia saw a warm campfire in front of her, crackling now and then, with a few skewers of meat on top that looked sticky and completely unappetizing.
“You’re awake?”
A girl’s voice sounded by her ear. Turning her head, she saw a pure-looking young mage sitting beside her, asking. Across from her sat a male adventurer.
“Who are you?”
At this moment, Gadelia was leaning weakly against a tree trunk, wrapped in a brown coat to cover her battered armor…
Sensing her body, Gadelia realized she was in a state of total magic depletion. No wonder her head was spinning and her limbs weak.
What did that monster do to me? Did it take my Magic Core?
“We’re just adventurers trapped in the Mist. We found you near the Wooden Fort half an hour ago.”
Suna comforted Gadelia, then she and Reg took turns introducing themselves before asking about Gadelia’s situation. Seeing how pitiful she looked, Suna wondered if she’d been done in by the Mist Gang from the News.
And she’s an Airwing from the Northern Empire, too. Her feathers are quite beautiful.
But didn’t the books say Airwing folk only venture out after reaching Intermediate Rank?
Someone of Intermediate Rank should be able to move freely in the Mist, so why is she in such a state?
Gadelia hesitated over whether to reveal her ordeal, but felt that these two student-like adventurers seemed trustworthy enough. At least, they weren’t under that monster’s command:
“It was a monster. I accidentally provoked a powerful creature in the Mist, and it pinned me to the ground with a single claw…”
Gadelia hid her identity as a Royal Shadow Guard, simply describing her recent encounter. Suna and Reg were instantly stunned.
In the Mist? With claws? A powerful monster?
Isn’t that just Truth…
Now it all makes sense. So that’s why even a high-ranked adventurer got wiped out in the Mist—looks like that pervert is at it again…
Meanwhile, deep within the Mist, Truth was also observing Suna’s situation from a god’s-eye view. How could it be such a coincidence that the birdman ran into Suna?
Gadelia was desperately trying to prove the monster’s existence, while Suna and Reg wore the “I don’t know anything” look. It was actually pretty amusing.
Let these three do as they please in the Mist. When the birdman finishes repaying her Debt and leaves, I’ll “kindly” remind her not to reveal my existence.
Next is repairing the Mist’s terrain. But before that, can anyone explain why so many adventurers have suddenly appeared in the Mist? The Mist Energy is skyrocketing!
……
“Gadelia, in any case, let’s work together to find a way out of the Mist first.”
After a brief rest, Suna cautiously stood up, intending to invite Gadelia to team up. After all, the more people, the more fighting power.
Gadelia didn’t hesitate to agree. Right now, she couldn’t fly or cast spells, her body was weak, and she could barely go a few rounds with an Intermediate Rank warrior. There was a high chance she’d get wiped out, so sticking together was the best choice.
Damn it, once I’m out of the Mist, I’ll have my teacher flatten this place!
The three of them gradually left the Safe Zone.
But Gadelia really couldn’t fight right now. She draped Reg’s coat over herself and didn’t dare move too much, walking shyly at the rear of the group—otherwise, she’d risk being exposed.
Then she noticed: why did the little mage girl beside her walk even more awkwardly than herself?
“Are you hurt?”
“Uh, n-no!”
Suna’s face turned bright red, making Gadelia even more confused.
At that moment, the grass around them rustled, and in the next second, a Mist Wolf leaped out, jaws wide, heading straight for Gadelia!
“Watch out!”
Reg shouted and tried to raise his sword to block, but another Mist Wolf jumped out behind him, forcing him to turn and defend.
Mist Wolves always move in packs of three to five. Because they were near the Core of the Mist, they’d run into the unluckiest scenario.
There were five Mist Wolves surrounding them!
“Fall back, Gadelia!”
Suna reacted quickly, shielding Gadelia and firing off two Meteor Strikes to drive back the Mist Wolves. She and Reg worked together, each Meteor Strike perfectly following up Reg’s attacks.
She’s pretty impressive… Gadelia thought from the rear. This casting speed isn’t something a novice mage should have.
She noticed something odd about the magic around Suna—her Elemental Affinity seemed to surpass most Second Rank mages, almost reminiscent of a Spirit.
Could she have some kind of innate special Blessing?
Gadelia and Suna didn’t know that, after becoming Truth’s “pet,” Suna’s magic Blessing increased with every level, gradually approaching the level of a Spirit.
Then, Gadelia noticed something was off with Reg as well—how was he so strong? He could fend off a monster of her own rank with one hand.
His wounds also healed quickly, even though he didn’t seem to have any buff skills!
It reminded her of the Human Hero physique—unable to use magic, but with a body so tough it could withstand King-Tier Magic and even tear apart King-Tier mages barehanded…
These two’s Blessings… they’re amazing!
Who would have thought that Deya City would produce two such promising youngsters at once? Gadelia suddenly felt the urge to recruit them both for the Royal Magic Academy.
But no matter how talented, Suna and Reg were still only LV.1. Two first-rank adventurers could hardly hold off five Mist Wolves, and eventually one managed to break through, lunging at the weakest-looking Gadelia.
“Senior!”
Suna turned to shout, but the Mist Wolf that broke through darted past her so quickly it blew up her skirt, making her yelp and frantically clutch at her lower half:
“Ahh!”
Even though she reacted quickly, Gadelia still accidentally caught a glimpse of someone’s pale, bare bottom behind her…
“Huh?”
Wait… Gadelia seemed to realize something shocking, her face stunned.
Then she casually reached out her right hand, grabbed the attacking Mist Wolf’s tail, and flung it a dozen meters away.
Come on, even weakened, I’m still Fifth Rank!
“Awooo!” The Mist Wolf’s howl trailed off as it flew through the air.
This act stunned the remaining Mist Wolves. Seeing they couldn’t win, they slunk back into the bushes and vanished.
Suna and Reg were shocked too—if you’re that strong, why didn’t you say so earlier!
“Senior, may I ask what your rank is?”
Reg sheathed his sword and asked. He found this Airwing rather strange—she couldn’t fly or use magic.
“Heh.” Gadelia gave a bitter smile and said,
“I’d feel embarrassed to say, so maybe I’d better not tell you for now…”
Even as a strong Fifth Rank who could easily wipe out those Mist Wolves, she’d still been one-shotted by some existence in this Newbie Mist. Worse, two LV.1 adventurers had seen her in such a miserable state—how humiliating.
She really didn’t dare admit she was Intermediate Rank…
Since the senior didn’t want to say, Reg didn’t press further and kept scouting ahead. As long as he knew she was strong, that was enough.
I feel so safe, Suna thought to herself.
With Truth’s deliberate map guidance, the three unconsciously took a wide detour toward the western Mist.
Meanwhile, Gadelia’s mind was filled with the image of that pale, shapely bottom…
Thinking it over, as a senior, she felt she should remind her juniors of some useful adventuring tips.
Gadelia leaned over and whispered in Suna’s ear:
“When you’re adventuring outside, it’s best to wear a little more clothing…”
“What?!”