"Fuck, what kind of place is this, with magic snakes, centipede tree demons, packs of evil wolves... Are you sure the village won't be trampled flat by these monsters?"
This was a primeval forest, with towering trees tangled in vines that blocked out the sun.
The air was suffused with the verdant scent of moss, and occasional bird calls echoed among the treetops.
Underfoot was a seemingly bottomless layer of decayed wood. The accumulated years of dried branches and fallen leaves had rotted into rich loam. Ancient gigantic tree roots could vaguely be seen extending into the dim distance.
With Lynn's care, David passed through the journey's dangers unscathed.
She was right, within the 30 km radius of the little sun they were invincible.
No matter how terrifying the monster, they would retreat when sensing Lynn's magical aura.
Though he was unfortunately bitten by a venomous snake, it seemed ineffective against his defenses. Not even a fang mark remained on the fair, soft skin - the resilience was astounding.
"The village has a 'True King Statue'. With the villagers' continual worship, it naturally protects against invading monsters," Lynn explained.
"On my last visit, the village had around 300 people. I wonder how it's grown."
"When was your last time here?" David asked.
"19,662 days ago," Lynn answered precisely. "About half a century."
"As long as faith in the True King Statue remains steady, the tributes to the three guardians go on normally each time, there's no need for me to appear. It also saves energy," she said.
...
Afternoon.
In the secluded forest, a large patch of bizarre Clytem vines had overgrown an open glade.
Thick tendrils extended in all directions, each joint laden with glistening cream-berries.
A breeze brought wafts of sweet cream scent as it rustled through.
"As expected of me, I found it after all," a lithe figure darted out from the bushes, making straight for the vines.
She was a girl who looked about fifteen or sixteen, with shoulder-length dark red hair. Her skin was slightly tan, exuding a sunny aura.
She tiptoed eagerly, plucking a cream-berry and cramming it into her mouth unabashedly, smearing it all over her face. "Mmm, just what I wanted - the taste of 'happiness'!"
Nimbly climbing the sturdy vines, she swung back and forth joyfully, reaching for bigger berries and greedily sucking out the sweet cream, moaning in satisfaction.
Sunrays filtering through the foliage cast a soft glow around her.
Her face seemed innocent and childlike, but her eyes held a maturity beyond her years. Beneath arched brows were large, bright eyes - clever, intense, at times hinting at resolute pride.
"Fuck, I've lived over a decade in vain. This is what real life should be, so comfortable!"
"Not like some idiots, always thinking about dedication, sacrifice, work...how boring," she grumbled disdainfully.
Lying in the vines, sunlight dappling her dark red hair, she exuded an alluring, elven charm.
"But alas, it's almost over."
"For me, and for her..."
At some thought, her mouth tightened slightly, and tears silently rolled down her cheeks.
"Sigh..."
After a long sigh, she began harvesting large amounts of cream-berries, holding them in her plain brown smock.
"Hm?"
Suddenly sensing something, she whipped around.
A gigantic aerial beast in the sky had its eyes fixed on her. It had a massive body and 5-meter wingspan. Silver-white scales covered it, and its eyes radiated chilling crimson light.
"Raaawr!!"
The beast let out a low roar. Its wings flapped powerfully, blasting a strong gust of wind straight at Emma!
"F**k!" Emma's face instantly paled. The fierce gust whipped her hair as she gaped in terror.
"A silverbird beast, why's it appearing here?"
...
"I'm really...so unlucky!"
"If I die like this, it'll trouble them too, huh..."
As death loomed, scenes flashed through the helpless Emma's mind.
Buzz... Bang!!
But just before the beast's claws seized Emma, an invisible force suddenly enveloped them.
The beast's body froze midair. Its silver-white scales gleamed with an ethereal green glow.
Its eyes bulged wide, roaring angrily. Veins bulged as it struggled violently but its body was completely immobilized.
"It's alright now."
A voice sounded. Emma looked towards it.
A girl in a moon-white robe stood before her, gentle eyes shining with light.
David emerged from the bushes, right hand raised. Green magical power emanated from his palm.
The immense power had the gigantic beast firmly in its grasp, making it shudder stiffly.
Though its claws were inches away, they couldn't touch Emma no matter what.
"You're safe now," David said, slowly closing his right hand.
As he did so, the beast's body compressed. Its skin ripped inch by inch, eyeballs bulging grotesquely with bloodshot veins.
"Uwaa, uwaaa!!"
The beast let out shrill shrieks, yet the compression was relentless.
Until David completely clenched his fist.
Bang!
A soft thud sounded as the beast exploded midair. Its shattered bones, blood, feathers - all became a rain of gore, falling to the ground.
"Holy shit, was that too scary? Hey Lynn, I killed it!" Despite being the perpetrator, David was frightened, calling to Lynn inwardly.
"It's alright Master, it's normal to lack control your first time using magic!" Lynn quickly reassured.
It turned out David had begun to grasp using this body's magic.
"Huh?" Emma had barely survived the beast's attack and hadn't yet recovered her wits before feeling the blood rain onto her clean, beautiful dark red hair.
She stared wide-eyed at David, sizing him up repeatedly.
"No way, his looks and powers..."
"Could he be..."
"The goddess??"
She immediately recalled the legendary village goddess and couldn't help feeling shocked and awed.
But she quickly composed herself and feigned calm.
She brushed off the blood and gore from her body and forced a smile. "Phew, thanks for saving me. I almost bit the dust there!"
"Ah, the dead bird dirtied all my cream berries!" She continued chatting lightly, but her movements lacked her previous carefree abandon.
"You're not hurt, are you?" David asked with concern.
Emma shook her head. "Of course not, thanks to you arriving in time."
"Just lending a hand!" David nodded.
"I'm Lynn. Just arrived around here. You?"He said Lynn's name
"I'm Emma. I live in the valley back there," she gestured behind her.
"Clearwater Village?" David's eyes flashed. "What a coincidence, we're headed there too. Let's go together, wouldn't want you getting into danger alone!"
Emma's eyelids flickered slightly, keenly catching the slip in David's words.
Didn't he say "we're also going"?
Wasn't she alone?
"Sure, I should head back anyway," Emma readily agreed.
"Um, could you help me gather the cream berries?" she asked hesitantly.
"Of course!" David responded with his usual warm smile.
"Lynn, help me use magic to get all the berries down. I can't control it that precisely!" He immediately asked Lynn for help inwardly.
Lynn took over the body's control. With a wave of her hand, green glows enveloped each berry. The vines and leaves shook as if possessed.
Thud thud thud thud!
The berries precisely landed in Emma's gathering basket as if alive.
"Um, could you also...catch me..." At this point, Emma bit her lip lightly, voice growing softer, cheeks flushing.
"Sure!" David smiled brightly as always.
The magic gently lifted Emma's delicate body from the tall vines and set her down.
Considering the shock she'd undergone, forcing her to stand independently wouldn't be suitable. Lynn thoughtfully placed her in David's arms.
David lightly cradled Emma like a princess.
"It's alright now, let's go back!"
He whispered softly in Emma's ear, the warm breath brushed over the ears, and quickly blushed shyly.
"Hmm..." Emma's heartbeat accelerated unknowingly.
I was hugged by the goddess, ahhh...