[host the ginseng is surrounded by high density fire crystals along with a lava pool which is why there is so much light] the system replied
"faes what is the matter?" aiden asked, the movement of the fox was way too light and small so he wasn't able to sense it but when he noticed faes he too went alert.
"there is a peak tier 1 fire fox which is guarding a thousand year old red ginseng which is about to mature, but it is guarding it because that ginseng will help it break through tier 2" faes told aiden and then turned back to the light
'this light is going to be troublesome'
faes had hightened senses which allowed her to monitor the fire fox moves all this time without actually seeing it but it was not a boon, now that they were closer to the source the loght and heat were affecting her making her annoyed. her eyes were hurting and she was not able to see clearly.
aiden noticed that faes was uncomfortable and didnt know what to do, he knew that faes was being affected by the light but he was not able to do anything about it.
the fire fox was about to break through so it wasnt attacking them in case it got a serious injury, it will delay its breakthrough and the ginseng was about to mature so the fire fox was not willing to leave it.
faes also understood what the fire fox was thinking and took her time figuring out how to dim the light so that she was not affected by it much.
'system how much time before the ginseng matures?' faes asked
[about an hour]
faes nodded and focused on her light and dark magic trying to dim the light. she was trying to dim the light around them so that they can see clearly and not let the fox get any advantage.
'fox are known for their cleverness'
using light magic to bend light away and dark magic to dim it worked but it took time and mana so faes was slightly wary now. the light and dark magic were still out of question for her as she didn't had enough mana to use it constantly.
using her all she took in the mana around at a fast rate as to recover the loss and not die due to lack of mana.
[half an hour until the ginseng matures] the system reminded. faes actually took half an hour to get rid of the light that showed how difficult the light and dark magic was.
'good thing is that i can see clearly now without being affected' faes smiled as she glanced at the fire fox.
it was as expected red in color with its single tail made of red fire. 'tsk! no nine tails?' faes was somehow disappointed but didn't let her guard down.
the fox focused on her and aiden standing between them and the ginseng which was surrounded by high density fire crystals on an island at the center of a small lava pool that was still emitting high temperature.
the fox was vary of them because of aiden's presence as though weak he was still a dragon king and a mythological phoenix. only his presence is enough to make weak beast hide away.
faes watched as the fox glanced between her and aiden not sure which one is more dangerous.
he forgot about the little dragon sitting at faes shoulder with sparkling eyes watching the ginseng. sky was determined to get that ginseng even when she cant eat it yet, making faes confused.
'why is sky that interested in herbs?' faes just gave her a side glance to make sure she stay close to her no matter what.
'doesnt matter now, if she wants it then she gets it' faes took her sword and got ready to fight the fox which was now focusing on her.
'clever! it figured out that i am the one going to fight it even before i took out my weapon.'
faes became more alert knowing that the fire fox seems to have high intelligence than normal tier 1 beast.
'' faes stay careful, this fire fox is about to break through tier 2 so its more powerful than normal also it have high intelligence than other tier 1 beast because of its race. also make sure to not destroy its fur or that fire tail they come in handy.'' aiden told faes before picking up sky who had her eyes fixed on the ginseng and even he can sense her desire to get it, sky didnt even glanced at him when he picked her up,
'does she want that ginseng because it look cool?' aiden thought.
the ginseng was actually nothing other than ordinary looking but the red glow it was giving due to nurishment from the fire crystals and lava pool made it look interesting.
the fruit on the little ginseng plant was turning red slowly and would turn completely soon representing its maturing but the main medicinal essence was in its roots. faes noticed that aiden had picked sky but she was only relieved, she didnt wanted sky to get hurt during the fight. even if aiden didnt picked sky up she would have handed her to him or sent them both to her space so she can fight in peace without worrying about them getting hurt.
faes focused on the fox which was barring its teeth at her in warning but was in a defensive stance.
'i have to attack it first, it isnt going to initiate the attack' faes took a stance and revolver her mana around her forming a shield just in case! then her qi covered her sword.
''please go easy on me, i dont want to destroy that soft looking fur and especially the tail, i like your tail'' faes told the fire fox making it stare at her while aiden wanted to laugh at her remark.
'you were going to kill it then why are you telling it to go easy on you? this isnt a spar its a real fight'
faes then charged forward attacking the fox with her sword which it dodged and moved away from the ginseng after being forced.
''its safe until it matured dont worry about it just worry about your tail''faes told the fox as she forced it away from the ginseng.
she didnt wanted to accidentally destroy the ginseng or fall into the lava.
'i love my soft skin and dont want it to burn, thank you'
when faes forced the fox away she smiled. the fox was glaring at her the fire on its soft red furry tail was burning wildly from its fury.
fox were naturally clever but they were weak in strength, though not much, faes due to being op was easily going around the fox who was in defensive battle till now. it wasnt hurt as whenever faes got too close to get it the fox would dodge away and put some distance between them.
similarly faes was not hurt either as the fox never attacked.
''why aren't you attacking? took my advice seriously? good for both of us.'' faes said finally getting a low growl out of the fox, and the fire around its tail went wilder if possible, then faes noticed the change in fire magic particles around her and grinned,
it seems that her provokation worked and the fox finally let its guard down and began to prepare its attack.