Ninety-nine attempts ending in failure, Nelly’s fingers trembled slightly, clenching into a fist to maintain composure: “Is this all the explanation you have?”
“We can guarantee that the previous situation will not occur again.”
Nelly lowered her eyes, her lips moving twice before swallowing the questions about to spill out: the system that summoned her to this world and controlled her soul was something she couldn’t resist for now.
Thinking this, her soft voice became somewhat sarcastic: “In the end, I have no other choice. But I have a question: since this world is not virtual to you, why return to the past after the demon king dies?”
The calm female voice did not respond for a long time, clearly unwilling to answer.
Nelly stared at the void, sighed, and shook her head: “Never mind, let’s begin.”
The white light gradually dispersed, revealing a peaceful newbie village. Nelly skillfully opened the system interface, the red dot on the map walking to the temple, quickly spotting a female hero looking around. She was tall and well-proportioned, with hair like forged silver, eyes a captivating violet, beautiful features, standing at the temple entrance.
Matching the character profile, no mistake.
She assumed the system spirit’s work mode, smiling as she approached: “You must be Melissa. I’m Nelly, the spirit assigned by the temple. Nice to meet you, please take care of me!”
The tall, silver-haired hero nodded kindly, extending her hand: “Likewise.”
Melissa’s palm was strong and dry, with calluses from years of sword practice, giving a sense of reassurance. For some reason, Nelly suddenly remembered that unlike Melissa, Kalsas’s hands showed no signs of practice. She quickly drove away that thought, focusing on the hero before her. She systematically began guiding the hero’s operations, and Melissa quickly caught on, seeming eager to start.
Based on Nelly’s experience, such heroes were usually the least troublesome.
Sure enough, after Nelly’s introductory explanation, Melissa immediately got into character.
She tossed her high ponytail of silver hair and said cheerfully: “Let’s go to the village chief’s house and accept a quest!”
Nelly’s momentarily relaxed heart completely shattered when she saw Melissa’s heroic sword-swinging posture.
“Ah ah ah ah! Don’t, don’t come near! I’ll chop! What’s happening! Damn it, it hurts, it hurts!
Melissa, who was full of confidence just moments ago, now looks completely disheveled, being chased around by foxes, her shining silver hair in disarray; the sword she desperately swung only barely scratched the monster’s health bar. Nai Li couldn’t help but wonder if the calluses on her opponent’s hands were the result of some other skill.
Soon, this unconventional hero attracted many curious glances, making Nai Li feel a bit embarrassed, but Melissa continued to fight the foxes tirelessly.
“Melissa, don’t forget to use your skills!” Nai Li anxiously reminded her.
“I am using them!” The other replied innocently, then got distracted and was bitten by a fox again, “Damn it!”
Nai Li covered her face, unable to watch directly: “Keep, keep going!”
Melissa shouted while running: “I’m trying! Yaha—”
By the time they completed the first task, it was almost dark. Nai Li was somewhat speechless, but her mood was undeniably light. She sincerely patted the dejected Melissa: “The mixed stew at the village inn is the best on the entire continent, even chefs from the royal capital can’t match it.”
If we’re late, we’ll miss out!”
Hearing about food, Melissa immediately perked up, enthusiastically pulling Nai Li forward.
“Wait, the inn is in the opposite direction…”
“Is, is it? Hehe.”
Encountering such a noble and cold-looking hero who was actually a clumsy chicken, Nai Li began to worry about maintaining her previously perfect success rate. She even suspected the system deliberately assigned her such a tricky subject to distract her.
For instance, right now, Melissa had chatted too enthusiastically with the innkeeper and drunk quite a bit, looking dizzy and flushed, babbling nonsense and appearing ready to collapse into a puddle.
After settling the unconscious Melissa, Nai Li sat by the window and firmly patted her cheeks: How long it would take to reach the demon’s lair was unknown. As for other matters, she’d think about them later.
“Nai Li? You… not sleeping… hmm? The moon is so big and white!”
Nai Li looked at the “moon” Melissa was referring to: “That’s your shield.”
“Oh oh oh! Watch me smash those damn foxes with the moon tomorrow!”
“Go to sleep…”
“Mmm… so soft, so comfortable…”
※
Early the next morning, before dawn, Nai Li was awakened by the spirited Melissa.
“Time to get up! A new day begins!”
Nai Li, who hadn’t slept well due to someone’s night-long mumbling, rubbed her eyes: “Melissa… the sun hasn’t even risen…”
“What was that saying?
Early birds get the worm.”
Melissa stood akimbo, laughing triumphantly: “Well, I’m awake! Let’s go!”
Nai Li scrambled to get up, scratching her hair, but Melissa had already brought a towel and water basin. After drowsily washing up, Nai Li realized she was being served by a hero.
Feeling slightly flushed, Nai Li coughed: “Today we’ll first visit Blacksmith Schweit, then see Armor Master Hilde to enhance your shield.”
“Okay!” Melissa strode confidently out of the inn.
“Oh, Hero! I prepared a sword for you, but… it’s hard to say. Recently, those weasels have been stealing the rune stone for forging the sword. Could you retrieve the stone?”
“No problem! Let’s go, Nai Li!”
Ten minutes later.
“What do I do, Nai Li? It bit me, ouch! I’ll smash it!”
Nai Li covered her face. It seemed they wouldn’t be leaving the starter village today; it was better to practice and ensure the hero’s safety.
Busy again until dark, Melissa changed into new equipment. Though tired, her spirit remained high.
“Boss, five mixed stews!”
Nai Li twitched her mouth: “Five?”
“One for Nai Li, the rest for me.” Melissa sat down, laughing matter-of-factly, dumping her money bag and nodding seriously, “Hmm, enough money, don’t worry.”
You should be worried about defeating the Demon King, not whether there’s enough money for four traditional mixed stews!
Nai Li thanked the inn server and listlessly stirred her spoon.
Her hand was hit by the hero’s spoon. “No playing with food!” Melissa was already devouring her third bowl of mixed stew.
“Yes, understood.” Nai Li was helpless against the optimistic big sister and obediently ate.
After dinner, Melissa seemed unwilling to go upstairs: “I want to chat with everyone.” She poked the yawning Nai Li: “Go to sleep!”
Nai Li felt embarrassed, declined a couple of times, and after reminding the hero not to return too late, bid her goodnight and went to her room.
The next morning, Nai Li was awakened again: “Wake up!”
“O-okay…” Nai Li followed Melissa to the inn’s ground floor hall.
Melissa looked around, her eyes brightening: “Hey! You’re here!”
Nai Li froze, seeing a person wearing a black magic robe, tall and straight, with a hood hanging down to the tip of the nose, revealing only the beautifully lined lower half of the face and white hair on the cheek.
Melissa had already stridden forward, patting the magician’s shoulder and greeting him like a brother. In her excitement, her wide movements pulled down his loose hood.
Even in a crowded crowd, Nelly could distinguish Kalsas with just one glance. He was the person she was most familiar with in this world. Even if his appearance changed, she could recognize him just by perception. This red-eyed youth in a black magic robe had white hair that was poorly maintained, with long bangs almost covering his eyes, but this did not diminish his beauty; his cold and closed-off temperament only made him more eye-catching.
