The colossal serpent, clearly disoriented and enraged, reared back, its golden eyes locking onto Lilith with a flicker of fear. For a moment, a tense standoff ensued. The humans, still reeling from the sheer spectacle before them, could only stare in awe. This woman, who had just displayed a feat of strength comparable to a legendary S-rank adventurer, had single-handedly saved them from annihilation.
Lilith, however, remained unfazed. She understood the delicate dance she was performing. While overpowering the serpent would have guaranteed her safety, it wouldn't serve her purpose. Fear would keep them at bay, but awe, coupled with a touch of mystery, would open doors. With a calculated smile, she unleashed a mere fraction of her true power, just enough to demonstrate her dominance without annihilating the creature.
Seeing an opportunity, the leader of the caravan, a grizzled merchant with a weathered face, approached Lilith cautiously. Sweat beaded on his forehead, not just from the exertion of the near-death experience but also from the sheer awe radiating from the woman before him. He stammered out his gratitude, his voice hoarse with emotion, then launched into a frantic proposition.
"We… we are headed to the human border," he sputtered, "and with someone like you by our side, the journey would be much safer. We are willing to pay handsomely for your… services."
A slow, genuine smile spread across Lilith's face. This was exactly what she had been waiting for. With a playful wink, she nodded her agreement.
"Lead the way," she said, a hint of her true demonic nature flickering momentarily in her amethyst eyes. The humans, oblivious to the potential danger they had just invited into their midst, could only nod fervently, their fear replaced by a newfound sense of security, albeit a misplaced one.
The caravan, with their unlikely savior at their helm, resumed their journey towards the human border. Lilith, her true intentions veiled but her purpose clear, walked amongst the humans, a predator disguised as a guardian.
As they reached the border, a bustling human settlement teeming with life, Lilith slipped away, vanishing into the throng with a barely audible whisper,
"Human realm, I am," before disappearing.
°°°°°
Adonis rose, his muscles pleasantly loose after a short rest. The crimson stamina cap had done its job, but it had also left him with a dull ache that lingered in his limbs.
''I should refrain from relying on them and buy a proper physical boost potion.''
He stretched, the satisfying pops echoing in the stillness of the forest, and slung his sword onto his back. With a final glance at the cavern entrance, now eerily silent, he turned and began his trek back toward the guild.
The afternoon sun had dipped lower in the sky, casting long shadows that stretched across the forest floor. The air, once thick with tension, now held a serene quietude. Adonis, his mind abuzz with the events of the day, replayed the encounter in his head. He had faced not just goblins, but had also outsmarted them, used his magic effectively, and even dared to experiment with a strange mushroom. It had been a day that tested his skills and pushed him beyond his comfort zone.
As he emerged from the forest and back into the familiar bustle of the city, the weight of the 25 goblin magic stones pressed pleasantly against his hip. He'd collected five more than the required amount, a testament to the unexpected detour his D-rank test had taken. With a confident stride, he entered the guild and exchanged a few words with the other adventurers.
Rosy, perched behind her usual spot at the counter, looked up as the bell above the door chimed. A relieved smile bloomed on her face as she recognized Adonis.
"Adonis! You're back!"
''I was starting to get anxious, you know?" she added with a look of concern.
Adonis chuckled sheepishly feeling warm inside.
"Let's just say things got a little… interesting," he replied, setting the pouch of magic stones on the counter with a satisfying clink.
Rosy's eyes widened as she peered into the pouch, her initial smile morphing into a mixture of surprise and amusement. "Wow, Adonis! It seems like you had quite the adventure," she remarked, her voice teasing. Counting the magic stones with practiced ease, she confirmed the impressive haul - 25 in total.
"Excellent work!" she declared, a genuine smile returning to her face. "With this, your D-rank test is complete. You've not only met the quota but exceeded it by quite a margin."
She gestured towards his guild card and adventurer's tag, which still displayed the E-rank insignia. "Alright, hand those over and we'll get you updated to your new rank."
Adonis retrieved his guild card, its smooth black surface reflecting the afternoon light. The bold, silver letter "E" that designated his E-rank status seemed to mock him now. With a grin, he handed it over alongside his adventurer's tag, its identical "E" mirroring the card.
Rosy disappeared for a brief moment, likely to the guild's record room. When she returned, a satisfied smile played on her lips. In her hands, his guild card and adventurer's tag gleamed with a new inscription. The once prominent "E" had been replaced by a gleaming, silver "D."
"Here you go!" she announced, handing back his identification items with a flourish. "Officially a D-rank adventurer. Congratulations, Adonis!"
Next came the matter of his earnings. Rosy tapped away at a small device on the counter, its screen displaying a breakdown of his reward. The standard rate for a goblin magic stone was 250 Corys, a decent sum for a low-risk mission. Having collected 25, Adonis had earned a tidy sum of 6,250 Corys.
"Like usual the guild will be taking 5% taxes. So, from your initial 6,250 Corys, we'll deduct 312 Corys, leaving you with a final total of…"
She paused for dramatic effect,
"5,938.Corys!"
A grin split Adonis's face. Not only had he achieved his D-rank, but he had also walked away with a substantial financial reward. This was a good day indeed. Even if the 5% taxes stung like usual he decided not to think deeply about it, upon rising to an extremely high rank, he would be exempted from taxes.
Finally, it was time to talk about their previous deal, having reached D-rank as she requested, it was time to get his reward, the date with her.