Vivian cast a spell.
[Heal].
A faint yellow light enveloped the body of the male Adventurer who carried a bow and arrow and half of his injuries were cured.
[Heal].
A faint yellow light enveloped the body of the male Adventurer who carried a sword and most of his injuries were cured.
Vivian backed up and stood up with her poleaxe on her left hand.
"Listen up."
All three Adventurers -- the male Silver I Rank Adventurer who carried a bow and arrow, the male Silver I Rank Adventurer who carried a sword, and the female Copper Rank II Adventurer who carried a short sword and shield -- were sitting on the ground unarmed and in front of her.
"Let's get a couple of things straight."
She turned to the male Adventurer who carried a bow and arrow.
"You attacked me first by trying to shoot an arrow to my head."
Next, she turned to the male Adventurer who carried a sword.
"You, not only did you cast an unknown spell on me, but you also tried to chop off my head with your sword."
Lastly, she turned to the female Adventurer
"And you, you were so into fighting me. But the moment you saw your companions fall, you immediately gave up. But you're a girl so I don't really blame you."
She returned her attention to all three Adventurers.
"Basically, no matter how you look at it, I'm the victim here."
The two male Adventurers bit their tongue as they cast their gaze on the ground. Meanwhile, the female Adventurer, she also looked down but she also stole glances at her companions.
"And only God knows what were you planning to do to me. Rape me perhaps? Well, I am beautiful woman, no doubt about that. And they say that a corpse is still warm after a few minutes."
Vivian began musing.
"In fact, I remember hearing about a culture that has a tradition where when the spouse dies, they would sleep with the corpse one last time. But I wonder, how does that work if the deceased is the husband? I don't think -- I mean, can it still stand, let alone ejaculate? I think it would unresponsive."
Tap.
Vivian tapped her forehead
"Ah, whatever."
And then returned her attention to the three Adventurers.
"But then again, a lot of people are weird and would do deprave shit if there won't be any consequences. You know what I mean?"
The three Adventurers held their gaze down.
Vivian let out a chukle.
"Of course, you people don't. You're kids who can't even fight properly."
The male Adventurer who used to carry a sword raised his head and met Vivian's gaze. And although he wore an expressionless face, she could sense the raging and swirling emotions behind it.
"Do whatever you want," he said.
Vivian's lips curled up into a smile.
"Do whatever I want, you say?" she said and then leaned in a little closer. "I know and you know what you're going to do next. You're going to report this to the Adventurer's Guild, there's no doubt about that. Why? Because you're weak who can't even defeat a single woman."
The male Adventurer didn't say anything and continued wearing an expressionless face.
"But go ahead, do it. But who do you honestly think think they're going to believe in or at least side with? Me, a beautiful woman and a Priestess, or you three?"
"This isn't how a Temple of Priests is supposed to act," the male Adventurer who used to carry a bow and arrow interjected.
Vivian turned to him.
"Really now?"
He swallowed and then held his gaze against Vivian's.
"I'm not part of the Temple of Priests, but I at least know that part of learning your Class Magic spells is to ease the pain and suffering of people. And despite being stronger than all of us, you still raised your hand against us."
Vivian's eyes turned to slits and her smile that wasn't exactly a smile appeared on her face.
"So you're also going to report me to the Temple of Priests?"
"Honored Priestess…!" the female Adventurer said.
Everyone turned to her.
"I swear to the God of Light that I just met these people two weeks ago…! As a woman, I side with you…!"
The two male Adventurers threw the female Adventurer a look of disgust.
Chud!
Vivian struck the end of her poleaxe on the ground.
"The three of you! Enough of that!"
The three Adventurers turned to her and then the male Adventurers lowered their gaze to the ground.
"Don't look down! Look at me! At least have some guts to look at your victim straight in the eyes!"
The male Adventurers looked at her.
"Now, the three of you --"
"Honored Priestess…--!" the female Adventurer said.
"Stop interrupting me!"
"Forgive me, Honored Priestess…--" the female Adventurer said.
"Shhh! Just stop talking."
After a couple of seconds of silence, Vivian continued.
"Look, we've already established that I'm the victim here.
"Now, if you want to report this to the Adventurer's Guild and also to the Temple of Priests, feel free to do so. But know this, I will also file a report against you and I will win the case because you people are the first ones who attacked me and I was simply defending myself.
"So not only am I the victim here but also the defendant and our story can be confirmed with [Halo]."
Should I just kill these people…?
I mean…
I've never killed anyone…
But this is a magical world based on the medieval era and we're in the middle of the forest…
And if I were to choose between my safety and the safety of other people…
Why wouldn't I…?
It's not like I owe these people anything…
"However, if you won't report me, then I also won't report you. But you're still going to give me some compensation. I'm the victim and defendant here after all."
The three Adventurers looked at each other. However, it was more of the two male Adventurers communicating with their eyes and only sparring the female Adventurer a quick glance.
Yeah…
I honestly think it's safer to kill these people…
And just bury their bodies...
Separately of course...
Chopped up and everything...
Just to make sure…
Hmm...?
But what if there's a special spell or skill here that can track a dead person's body…?
Or a spell that can summon their spirits...
There is the Necromancer Class after all…
The three Adventurers returned their gaze to Vivian.
"We accept your proposal," the male Adventurer who used to carry a sword said.
"Tell me exactly what kind of proposal you're accepting. I want us to be in the same boat in case all of you will go back on your word," Vivian said.
He raised his right hand and placed his left hand on his chest.
"I, Azi Likewood, swear to the Elemental Gods and my own life that I will not report or tell anyone about this incident if you won't report or tell anyone about it. I will also pay for the compensation you ask for as long as it's reasonable."
Vivian raised an eyebrow.
Hmm…
There doesn't seem to be any problem except for the last sentence…
"What do you consider a compensation that's reasonable? Give me an exact measurement or example that you consider reasonable."
Azi blinked a couple of times.
"And if you try to be vague or unclear, our conversation will end immediately," Vivian added.
He thought about it for a moment before finally answering.
"An example would be you asking us to pay 50 gold coins today, this week or this month. Another one would be you asking us to commit a crime."
Vivian raised an eyebrow.
"Huh? Commit a crime? Do I look like a criminal to you?"
"No, that's not what I --"
"And even if I was a criminal, why would I use weaklings like the three of you?"
Azi became silent.
"Deal," Vivian said and then turned to the other two. "And the both of you?"
They raised their right hand and placed their left hand on their chest.
"I, Wayne Gallagher, swear to the Elemental Gods and my own life that I will not report or tell anyone about this incident if you won't report or tell anyone about it and will also pay for the compensation you ask for as long as it's reasonable."
"I, Jessica Magian, swear to the Elemental Gods and my life that I won't report or tell anyone of this incident if you won't report or tell anyone about it and will also pay for the compensation you ask for as long as it's reasonable."
Vivian studied at the faces.
Hmm…
Can I trust these kids…?
Is there even any point of doing this…?
"Okay, we have a deal. And in return for me, the victim and defendant, not reporting or telling anyone about this incident, first, you have to pay for my destroying clothes -- at least 10 gold coins or whatever coins you have right now inside your pockets.
"And the second one, tell me what are your Magic Art Affinities."
The three Adventurers looked at each other for a moment before taking out their coin pouches and gathering all of them.
"This is all we have -- 3 golds, 18 silvers and 29 coppers," Azi said.
Vivian squinted her eyes.
10 copper coins is 1 silver coin…
10 silver coins is 1 gold coin…
All-in-all…
5 gold and 9 copper coins combined…
Are people in this world broke…?
What about their Class Crystal…?
She shook her head mentally.
As far as I remember, only the Temple of Priests keep coins inside their Class Crystal…
So they mush have back accounts…
But I wouldn't want to go that tedious…
"Hmph!" she scoffed. "And your Magic Art Affinities?"
"I have Wind," Azi said.
"Mine's Fire," Wayne said.
"Mine is Poison, Honored Priestess…" Jessica said.
Vivian raised an eyebrow.
"That's the Magic Art Masteries that you've opened? I'm asking about all of your Magic Art Affinities."
"I only have the Wind Affinity…" Azi said.
"I have the True Fire Affinity but I have the Fake Wind Affinity…" Wayne said.
"I also only have the Poison Affinity…" Jessica said.
Vivian's brows knitted together.
Are these people lying…?
And what the fuck is a Fake Wind Affinity…?
She turned to Wayne.
"You, tell me more about your Fake Wind Affinity."
"I… I was born with the Fake Wind Affinity but the Elemental Gods are preventing me from opening it."
"A curse?"
Wayne pursed his lips for a moment and then continued.
"I'm not sure…"
Vivian took a step back.
What the fuck…?!
"I-I see…" she said and took another step back from them. "Forget about the coins. Keep it. But the deal is still on -- I won't report or tell anyone about this incident as long as you people won't report or tell anyone about this incident. Goodbye."
Vooom!
She burst out into a blur.
***
A couple of meters away.
Ba-crack!
Vivian swung her poleaxe with the hammer-head and it cracked open a Brown Kraine's skull.
[Heal].
A faint yellow light enveloped her body.
What the hell…?!
Did I catch anything from them…?!
[Heal].
A faint yellow light enveloped her body once more.
I already have enough secrets, curses and problems with me…
The last thing I want is to catch another curse…!
[Heal].