Chapter 91: 91 Dilemma.

Inside a forest where no light breached through its canopy, giving an eerie atmosphere with the appearance of huge shadows pecking on the ground.

A distinct stench of blood wafts in the air, coming from the humongous monster that resembles a chicken, feasting on a beast beneath its talons.

The monster twisted its long neck a hundred eighty degrees, watching the surrounding area with eyes that shrank in wary.

“You guys ready?”.

Jin looked toward his group behind in a hushed voice, careful not to make a loud noise. He raised his hand and let Iris watch the sign to release the arrow in her finger.

Silvia peeked through the trunk while gulping her saliva, afraid of their failed attempt to ambush the monster.

A Cockatrice was strong yet also clever, for it tended to flee if it was being cornered, by howling so loud that it could attract other monsters to hunt it down.

As a mutation from a chicken, Jin read on the quest details that the monster fetched a high price for its meat and mana stone that was embedded in its heart.

True enough, it mainly had a chicken appearance, but only the swaying tails behind resembled a dragon, covered by a glimmered feather-like scales that shone under the dim light forest.

All those characteristics made the monster sit within a top-tier rank.

Iris inhaled, whispering a hum to summon her partner, who dutifully awaits her order.

“Zephyros, lend me your strength”.

Iris’ golden hair swayed as her body emitted a green aura that swirled around, surrounding her with a protective shield before it flowed to the bow and arrow in her hand.

{My liege?}

The spirit voice was calm and seeped gently into the Elven ears with a twitch.

“Thank you, Zephyros”. Iris pulled the string tight, holding her posture straight while focusing her senses on the boy’s hand sign forward.

With a snap from his wrist, Iris released the string and let the force carry the glowing arrow. It flew straight, leaving a green tail that followed behind.

When the monster noticed something coming close, all the scaly feathers stood straight in alert as its long neck straightened.

The Cockatrice puffed its chest out, but in one clean thrust received a tremendous blow that blasted its neck, taking the life out of its body.

Silence descended upon the area, whereas Jin shifted his attention toward Iris, who stood stiffened with her mouth hanging open.

“Iris, what’s just happened?”.

Jin hopped closer and stood next to the Elven girl who scratched her back head, her face painted in pink hue.

“Ahaha, I think I used too much strength”.

“Are you alright?”. Silvia stormed out from her hiding and looked toward the corpse ahead then to Iris.

“I’m fine, maybe because Zephyros helped me, so that I can exert this much power”.

The Elven girl lowered her gaze to the bow in her hand, a gentle smile crept out from her loosened expression, feeling grateful for the newfound power.

“Huff, Never mind, I guess. Let’s retrieve the body and then report it to the guild”.

Jin’s calm voice broke the stillness in the group as he proceeded toward the chicken’s body. His brows twitched to see it still convulsing several moments before stopping.

He inspected the damaged body and nodded to see the clean carcases that would sell high if it was in good quality.

After waiting for the blood to dry up, Jin gently tapped the monster as it faded and entered his Item Box.

Jin looked ahead to the surrounding area but found nothing worth his attention, so he opened his mouth. “Let’s return for the day”.

Iris and Silvia nodded as the three strolled over the dark forest with thick bushes that kept rustling every time they stomped, raising the tension amongst the group.

Along the way, they were not ambushed by a single monster, let alone a beast, and arrived at the south gate earlier than scheduled.

“Okay, you may pass”. An elderly knight who wore full plate armor grumpily announced.

With a gaze lifted high, Jin walked around the knight district, followed with a distinctive gaze of envy, contempt, and a distant curse that pierced his back like a stinging bee.

The sun was still high above, yet the chill atmosphere that enveloped the entire town lowered the tension in their mood.

A glimpse of the central town, which buzzed with fewer people than usual, reminded them that winter had truly arrived within their grasp.

“Jin, can you do the usual?”. Iris nudged the boy’s side with a playful smirk, her green eyes glazed up, prompting him to exhale in exasperation.

“Okay, you guys can go first”. Jin turned to his right and said, “You too, Silvia”.

“But?”. Silvia blinked, unsure of what response she should have.

“Yay, let’s go, Silvia”. Iris slipped from the boy’s side and pulled the silver-haired girl in a daze. “Jin, we will wait for you at my house”.

“Alright”. Jin nodded and saw the two girls leave his side.

Iris’ golden ponytail swayed around, following her aggressive temperament, and Silvia calmly matched the elven girl’s step with a smile plastered on her ethereal face.

“Huff, I guess it was a man’s duty to dance along the girl’s palm”.

Jin shook his head and wove toward the adventure guild. His steps were light, recalling the reward he would receive after defeating the Cockatrice.

“I can’t wait”.

***

While the boy was hopping in joy on the main street, the girls’ side was busy loitering around the marketplace while carrying bags in their hands.

“Iris, is this all of them?”.

Silvia turned to Iris, who watched the stall that sells spices and herbs with narrowed eyes.

“Hmm, what should I pick?”.

“Have you decided on your order, girl?”. A middle-aged woman appeared from behind the counter and stood beside Iris.

“I’ve decided, I will take this, this, and this one, please”. Iris touched the pursed in her pocket and tossed several silver coins.

“Coming right up”. The woman received it with glee and packed the things in one swift motion. “Here you go, thank you for your patronage”.

Iris nodded and glanced toward Silvia, “Let’s go, how about a sandwich for lunch?”.

“Yes, that would be good”. Silvia nodded, and the two walked side by side around the market.

The sun was still high above, casting its glowing light toward the cold land that was prepared to welcome a winter season.

Iris’ steps were light, knowing that she didn’t have to hide under the disguise of the ring and freely express her emotion that had been bottled up all this time.

It was all thanks to the appearance of a close friend as Silvia, and Daughter Nina, who could accept her for who she really was.

Her green eyes swept over the surrounding area, watching the various expressions that pasted on everyone’s face to see an Elves loitering around the place.

At first, she was hesitant to reveal her true face, but she had promised Nina, who took away the illusion ring from her hand.

Nina told Iris to show her true appearance to the world as a means of punishment for the incident yesterday.

As her mind started to wander around, the two arrived at the calm neighborhood where a wooden house exerts its presence, a place where Iris and Nina spent their lives as a family.

“Wait for a bit”.

Iris inserted the key and, with a gentle twist, the door clicked open with a gentle ’creak’. She pushed the door, then slightly tilted her head to welcome Silvia inside.

“Go ahead, make yourself at home”.

“I will take up on your offer”. Silvia stomped inside, sniffing the aged wooden scent that soothes her mind.

Iris gently closed the door and put the bags in the kitchen. “Just sit at the dining table, I will prepare the tea for you and Jin”.

“Let me help too”. Silvia approached after placing the ingredients on the table.

“Thank you, can you boil the water?”.

“Sure”.

The two moved their hands swiftly. Silvia channeled her mana through her finger and generated a fresh sprinkle of water toward the kettle.

Iris opened the wardrobe above, pulled a jar containing the mixture of herbs and tea, her original blend.

“Silvia, how long will you be around here?”.

With a spoon in hand, Iris scooped the jar contents into a smaller kettle on top of a filter, waiting to be flushed by hot water.

“Hm, not sure,”. Silvia was still watching the temperature of the water. “Probably till mid-Mart. I have an entrance exam to take”.

“Entrance exam?”.

“Yeah, I planned to enter the Academy in Spring”.

Iris widened her eyes; she glanced at the water that started to produce bubbles.

“Silvia, the water?”.

“Alright, excuse me for a second”.

While Silvia poured the steaming water to the filter to flushed the herbs, Iris delved in her own thoughts about the academy.

As someone who once lived in high society, Iris had a fair share of invitations to enter the academy. But, because of the strict rules from her parents, she could not even read it. Instead, the letter was burned away before her own eyes, saying that all of that was a waste of time.

However, what about now? Iris who had no relation with those stubborn old fart, the current her could decide where to stay and which place to visit.

’Should I try it? Academy? I bet Jin, too, would enter the academy’. Iris pondered, then a flickering image of smiling Nina waved at her. ’No, I can’t leave Nina alone’.

A gentle knock rang in the room, followed by the chilling wind that entered the room from the opened door.

“I’m coming in”.

Jin’s voice reverberated across the room as he stepped inside and noticed the shadows on Iris’s expression.

“Iris, are you okay?”.

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