Chapter 34: Na Naya’s Conscience

Focusing on the target, Meng Linna pulled out her Crystal Saint Bell.

As mentioned, it doubled as a catalyst for spells and divine magic.

Saved her from buying a staff.

“I’ll try the spells from the book. Watch closely!”

Pushing Na Naya aside, she recalled the incantations.

“Water Cannon!”

A thick water jet shot from the bell, blasting the target off its stand.

Being a training target, it reset quickly.

“Water Shield!”

With her chant, a water-flow shield formed.

At her signal, Stone Fang triggered a dummy’s mechanism.

The shield held through three volleys before breaking.

“That’s it.”

As the shield faded, Meng Linna ended her demo.

She’d learned “Ocean’s Shelter” too.

But a D-rank shouldn’t cast that.

So she skipped it.

“Nice job, Teacher Big Dream!”

Stone Fang gave a thumbs-up.

“No way a D-rank could blast that target! Your spell power’s almost B-rank mage level!”

“Oh, haha, maybe I overdid it. I’m kinda drained!”

Meng Linna remembered her Water Spirit’s Heart boosted water spells.

She tapped her head, faking mana-drain pain.

Stone Fang looked concerned.

“Take care of yourself. That kind of power’s too much for a D-rank, right?”

Meng Linna muttered softly.

“Maybe I’ll hit C-rank soon. I feel close.”

As they talked, Na Naya stowed her whip and headed for the exit.

She’d seen Meng Linna’s spells.

In her mind, Meng Linna was a pure priest.

Sudden water magic, and so strong?

Suspicious.

Na Naya’s eyes narrowed, hiding her doubts.

Time to test them.

Seizing the moment, she stopped by the group.

“You’re all on the same team, right?”

Stone Fang, already sour on Na Naya, bristled at her curt tone.

Arms crossed, she glared.

“What’s it to you if we’re a team?”

“Nothing.”

Na Naya shook her head. The hostility was palpable.

They must be close to Meng Linna.

“I’ve got a job and need a team. If you take it, I won’t have to post it with Miao Miao Niya. Saves her some pointless commission.”

Money aside, Meng Linna stepped forward.

“You’re in trouble?”

She couldn’t fully ignore the girl she watched grow up.

“Of course.”

Na Naya nodded.

“Life-threatening trouble.”

Meng Linna grabbed her shoulders, forcing eye contact. Her face was serious.

“What happened?”

Na Naya shrugged off her arms easily.

“A few days ago, I was exploring. Stumbled on a ruin—the one everyone’s tackling. First-come, first-serve, I pushed in before reporting. Reached the boss at the center.”

The others, despite their irritation, widened their eyes.

Stone Fang stepped closer.

“You soloed to the boss?”

Meng Linna knew what Na Naya was getting at. No real danger now.

She stepped back, letting Stone Fang question.

“Saying I ‘soloed’ isn’t quite right. Maybe I got lucky. No monsters on the way. Thought the boss was just an elite.”

Meng Linna rolled her eyes.

That story could only fool Stone Fang and Kelly, who hadn’t seen the Water Spirit.

“So, I charged in, got knocked out, and was in mortal danger.”

Stone Fang caught on.

“So the ‘life-threatening’ part isn’t now, right?”

“Yes and no.”

Na Naya shook her head, continuing.

“When I woke up, the boss was dead. But I couldn’t find any trace of the slayer. Like they vanished. They even healed my wounds before leaving. As a nun, gratitude is a core virtue.

If I don’t repay my savior, my conscience will drive me to suicide. So, I’m in ‘life-threatening’ danger.”

Meng Linna’s eyes nearly rolled out of her head.

The church preached devotion and gratitude.

But suicide was a grave sin.

If Na Naya had a nun’s conscience, it might scold her for not repaying.

But never push for suicide.

If she had such a conscience, it’d be screaming about her lies.

No one bought it.

Stone Fang looked exasperated.

“So you want to find your savior?”

“Bingo!”

Na Naya clapped playfully, like praising a child.

“Anyone with useful clues gets a reward.”

Stone Fang rolled her eyes, staying silent.

“Here’s what I know about them!”

Na Naya, unfazed, began listing details.