Chapter 47 : You Believe Me If I Say I Guessed?

Perched on a stump Joseph had just chopped flat, Milly watched the team efficiently pack up camp.

She’d considered helping—but she had no experience, and Tifna had said to leave it to them. So she stayed put, quietly enjoying the rare moment of peace.

They worked fast. Within minutes, the camp was dismantled. After extinguishing the fire, Tifna gathered everyone, unfolding a map.

“Our final target: the Horned Lizard.”

Milly listened quietly—this felt like gearing up for a raid in an old video game. Looking at the squad’s composition: tank (Alva), DPS (Joseph), mage (Idis), healer (Layn), and archer (Sion). Perfect balance. Now, would their teamwork match the setup?

While she zoned out, Tifna summarized the Horned Lizard’s behavior. The exact plan would be decided on-site, once they found its lair.

Briefing done, the team moved out in formation—careful, silent. They were deep in the forest; random beasts could attack anytime. And today’s target wasn’t some weak monster—they couldn’t afford unnecessary fights.

Milly walked beside Idis, both protected in the center. Joseph led with his massive axe. Sion and Alva guarded the rear. Since this morning’s “lesson,” Idis had been unusually quiet.

The journey was mostly smooth. They encountered a few dangerous beasts, but Sion’s sharp eyes caught them early, allowing the group to hide and pass safely.

Eventually, Tifna halted them at a cliffside.

The Horned Lizard’s den lay deep within a fissure. Even from a distance, Milly caught the stench—sulfur and rotting meat.

“Damn, that reeks.”

Before Milly could mutter it herself, someone beat her to it.

“Which means we’re definitely in the right place,” Tifna said, sword tip tapping the ground. Her eyes traced claw marks on the rock. “Alva, prepare to lure it. Once it emerges, Joseph leads the assault. Layn, keep your Purification Spell ready—watch for poison mist.”

After assigning three roles, she turned to Sion, bow in hand. “Its eyes are weak points—take any chance to strike. If it tries to flee, cut off escape routes.”

Still not assigned, Idis finally spoke up. “What about me?”

She’d held back all morning. Now, she was ready.

“You’ll…” Tifna glanced at Milly. Unsure of her abilities—and considering she was new—she didn’t want to risk her. “Stay back, provide support magic as usual. Watch your aim. And protect Milly.”

“What do you mean ‘watch your aim’? Last time was a mistake! I won’t freeze the team again!”

Wait—

Milly blinked. Did she hear that right?

But before she could ask—

CRASH!

Alva slammed his shield against the cave wall.

Rocks tumbled.

A second, stronger impact followed.

The ground trembled.

Then—a roar.

“It’s coming!”

As the roar echoed, the earth beneath Alva exploded.

He leapt back—just in time.

From below surged the Horned Lizard—over five meters long. Its obsidian-scaled head dwarfed Joseph’s axe. Yellow vertical pupils locked onto the intruders.

It swiped—claw meeting shield with a thunderous clang.

Joseph lunged from above—axe crashing down on its skull.

For a normal beast, that would’ve been fatal.

But the lizard only roared in pain—then whipped its tail, sending Joseph flying.

“Damn! This thing’s skull is tougher than expected!”

Layn’s healing spell landed instantly. Joseph’s numbed hands recovered. He raised his axe again—slashing during the lizard’s clash with Alva. Sparks flew.

As the battle stalled, Idis readied her ice magic.

Milly considered summoning Broken—jumping in to help.

But what if she failed?
What if instead of a sword… wings sprouted?

No. Too risky.

Instead, she picked up a small stone.

Electricity—that was safe. She’d used it countless times without triggering transformation.

She charged the stone—flicked it.

ZZZT!

A bolt struck the lizard’s tail. Scales exploded outward.

Compared to the damage, Idis stared at Milly’s fingertip—where lightning crackled freely.

“No incantation? Instant-cast lightning? That’s only possible for top-tier mages! Milly, where did you learn that?!”

Milly. The name made her flinch.

But the question stunned her more.

Her electricity—instant-cast magic?

“I… I guessed. Only works sometimes.”

Idis narrowed her eyes—then shrugged. Made sense. Milly looked young. A prodigy capable of instant magic? She’d have heard of her.

Relieved, Milly picked another stone.

But throwing raw lightning again would raise suspicion.

Maybe… fake an incantation?

Afraid of accidentally summoning wings, she switched to her native language.

“Tomato scrambled eggs, braised pork, sweet and sour ribs, mapo tofu…”

That should be enough.

She stopped. Flicked her finger.

CRACK!

This time, scales flew from the lizard’s head. Stronger.

Proud, she thought of Stacy—effortlessly summoning thorns and lightning.

Stacy never needed chants.

And her power… far beyond Milly’s.

Clutching the stone, Milly realized—she was still nowhere near strong enough to kill her.