The next morning air was crisp, charged with anticipation as Karen and I set out for our monster-slaying quest. Our targets: two A-rank Basilisks and five B-rank Big Hands—creatures so formidable that even a party of ten average adventurers would struggle to survive. But with Karen, an S-Class adventurer, by my side, and my own arsenal of offensive skills, we were more than equipped. Compared to the demon we'd faced before, Karen had assured me these foes would be a breeze.
"Let's do this," I said, my voice brimming with determination, my heart pounding with the thrill of my first official quest as an adventurer.
"Fufu, that's the spirit," Karen replied, her emerald eyes sparkling with approval, her fiery red hair catching the sunlight as she flashed a confident grin.
"First quest as an adventurer, huh? I'm kinda pumped," I admitted, a grin spreading across my face, the excitement of this milestone fueling my energy.
"It's a big moment—your first mission," Karen said, her smile softening as she met my gaze. "How about we celebrate together when it's done? Just the two of us?"
"Sounds perfect," I agreed, warmed by the thought of sharing the victory with her.
"Or…" she added, her tone teasing, "maybe you'd rather hit the brothel for a wild night?"
"Huh?" I blinked, caught off guard by the sudden jab.
"Do whatever you want, Kairi," she said, her voice light but with a hint of something else—disapproval, maybe?
"W-Wait, Karen, are you… sulking?" I asked, studying her face.
"Nope, not at all~," she replied, her cheeks puffing out slightly, a telltale sign of her playful pout.
She's definitely sulking, I thought, my mind racing. Could she be upset about my visit to the brothel? We weren't exactly lovers, but after our intimate moments, I couldn't deny I'd grown to care for her, her presence lingering in my thoughts more than I'd expected. The idea that I'd hurt her feelings gnawed at me, a quiet tension settling in my chest.
For a while, we walked in silence, the only sounds the crunch of our boots on the path and the distant hum of the wilderness. Soon, we reached our destination—a murky wetland, its air thick with the scent of damp earth and decay. Somewhere in these depths lurked our targets: two crocodile-like Basilisks, A-rank monsters, and five hand-shaped Big Hands, B-rank threats.
"—Hold up," Karen said abruptly, her voice low and sharp, her expression shifting to one of steely focus. Her adventurer's instincts had kicked in, her beauty now edged with a fierce determination that stole my breath for a moment.
I snapped to attention, my own senses sharpening. Monsters ahead, huh?
"Looks like a Big Hand," Karen said, pointing toward a cluster of dense foliage to our left. Squinting, I caught a glimpse of a small, shadowy form skulking beyond the leaves.
"…How do you even spot that?" I muttered, genuinely impressed. I would've walked right past it.
"Big Hands are weak to lightning, right?" I confirmed, recalling our earlier strategy.
"Yep," Karen nodded, her eyes still fixed on the target.
"Then I'll take this one," I said, a smirk creeping onto my face. The skill I'd gained from my night with the receptionist was about to get its first real test. "Here we go—"
My first battle as an adventurer was about to begin.
My current skill set was a solid foundation for this quest.
A-rank Skills: [Freeze], [Shooting (Advanced)], [Barrier (Advanced)], [Defense Penetration].
B-rank Skills: [Shooting (Intermediate)], [Charm (Intermediate)].
C-rank Skills: [Unlocking (Low Level)], [Recovery (Small)].
And the newest addition, gained from my night with the receptionist, was ready to shine.
"Take this, [Thunder Bullet]!" I shouted, unleashing my B-rank skill [Thunder Bullet], a crackling orb of lightning that streaked toward the target.
Baziii! The bolt struck the Big Hand dead-on, the monster collapsing in a heap, its body scorched and motionless. Its weakness to lightning made it a one-shot kill, the skill's power proving its worth.
"Yes! One down!" I pumped my fist, a surge of triumph coursing through me.
"I'll keep blasting any Big Hands we spot with [Thunder Bullet]. Just point them out," I said, turning to Karen. Her keen senses far outstripped mine when it came to detecting enemies.
"Got it. The Big Hands shouldn't be a problem," Karen replied, her lips curving into a confident smile, her emerald eyes glinting with approval.
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We pressed deeper into the wetland, the air growing heavier with moisture and the faint stench of decay. Karen's sharp instincts led us to each Big Hand, her pointing out their hiding spots among the reeds and shadows. One by one, I felled them with [Thunder Bullet], the lightning strikes precise and lethal. In no time, all five were down, leaving only the two A-rank Basilisks.
"Basilisks are on a whole different level from Big Hands," Karen warned, her tone serious as we trudged through the muck. "They're incredibly durable and have a poisonous bite. Be careful."
"Poison, huh…" I muttered, the thought sending a chill down my spine.
"Antidote herbs won't work on their venom," she continued. "If you get bitten, only a high-level cleric's detox magic can save you—and even then, it's a race against time."
She cut off mid-sentence, her eyes widening. "Behind you!"
"What?" I spun around, my heart lurching as a massive, crocodile-like Basilisk loomed, its jaws gaping, razor-sharp fangs glinting as it lunged toward me.
No time to counter! My mind raced, my skills too slow to activate in the split second I had.
"Get out of the way, Kairi!" Karen shouted, slamming into me with her shoulder, shoving me aside.
"Karen!?" I stumbled, catching my balance just in time to see the Basilisk's fangs sink into her arm.
"Kuah…!" Her cry of pain pierced the air, sharp and raw.
The wound darkened instantly, a sickly black spreading from the bite, tendrils of corruption snaking across her skin.
"No… Karen's been poisoned!?" I gasped, my chest tightening with dread