Chapter 57: Giving Up

The evil fire god, silent for a while, spoke in Na Naya’s mind once more.

“Say yes. You need a way to get close to that rich heiress, right?”

Na Naya ignored it, standing still and thinking.

As much as she hated to admit it, the four-person team’s hunting pace was much faster than solo.

And Meng Linna’s tactics were better than she’d imagined—quite commendable.

The others watched Na Naya.

They didn’t say it outright, but her skills were solid.

As a faith warrior, she fit the team well.

So Stone Fang and Kelly hoped she’d join.

Meng Linna wasn’t sure of her own stance but didn’t object.

It came down to Na Naya’s choice.

Sensing her hesitation, Miao Miao Niya chimed in.

“We recommend adventurers team up for exploration. Coordinated teams are safer than solo. The guild’s cut is the same for solo or teams, but team taxes are split per member. Joining’s definitely better.”

Na Naya nodded.

“Fine, I’ll join your team for now.”

***

“Get along well, everyone!”

At Na Naya’s welcome banquet, Stone Fang downed her last beer.

Seeing Stone Fang sway, Na Naya worried.

“Can she get home like that?”

Kelly propped her up.

“No worries, I’ll take her. It’s late. We’re off.”

“Thanks for getting her home. See you tomorrow.”

Dinner done, they prepared to leave.

As Kelly carried Stone Fang away, Meng Linna whispered to Na Naya.

“They’re a couple, you know.”

“Really?”

Na Naya was surprised.

Their battle support, entrusting their backs, seemed like team trust.

Not that kind of bond.

“Yeah.”

Meng Linna nodded.

“I’m heading out too?”

Before stepping into the evening heat, Na Naya stopped her.

“Wait. I need to talk.”

“Huh?”

Meng Linna looked puzzled but nodded.

“Okay.”

They booked a private room.

***

Since Na Naya’s carriage rejection, Meng Linna’s attitude shifted.

If Na Naya wouldn’t forgive her, even her guilt started to fade.

If forgiveness was off the table, so be it.

Meng Linna’s stance toward Na Naya turned to giving up.

Let her take revenge if she wanted.

Meng Linna didn’t care anymore.

But Na Naya wanting to talk?

Surprising and a bit scary.

Was this revenge?

Uneasy, Meng Linna entered the room.

Dinner was over, so they ordered desserts and drinks.

Meng Linna calmly ate her matcha parfait.

But look closer—her legs shook under the table, her spoon trembled.

Na Naya sighed, signaling the blonde to relax.

“Chill, we’re teammates now. I’m not here for revenge.”

“Okay.”

Meng Linna exhaled, feigning calm.

“I wasn’t worried.”

Her parfait-splattered tablecloth begged to differ.

Na Naya didn’t call her out, eyeing the parfait.

“I’ve got questions.”

Meng Linna’s tone turned formal.

“Go ahead.”

“No need to be so stiff.”

Na Naya gave a slight smile.

“Scumbag Sister’s not this formal with cardinals.”

“Well, cardinals don’t have your…”

Meng Linna almost said “system” but stopped.

Cardinals wouldn’t hassle her for no reason.

Na Naya might.

“Let’s pretend I didn’t hear that. Time for serious talk.”

Na Naya’s face hardened.

“Your strength’s not just C-rank, is it?”

“Me? Above C-rank?”

Meng Linna looked confused.

She used spells beyond her rank, sure.

But her body’s stats were standard C-rank, just with high mana.

“Your water magic’s power isn’t C-rank. I’ve seen your water cannon’s strength. And your water shield’s defense. Even with spell buffs, it’s too much.”

Since the evil fire god fight, Na Naya felt something off.

A C-rank’s water cannon damaging an evil god?

Attribute advantage aside, it was too strong.

She’d watched Meng Linna today.

She even asked the fire god in her.

Its answer?

Meng Linna’s water cannon was B-rank or higher.

“Haha.”

Meng Linna laughed awkwardly.

“I’m just good with that spell. Practice makes perfect.”

She knew why her water magic was strong.

The Water Spirit Heart she absorbed.

But she couldn’t say that.

Na Naya would know she killed the Water Spirit.

“If I remember right, you learned that spell recently.”

Na Naya saw through her.

“Mastering it so fast? You’re either a magic genius, or one of two things. You’re a B-rank mage, so C-rank spells are easy. Or you absorbed a Water Spirit Heart, boosting your water affinity. Am I wrong?”