they can’t, but I can

Walking back to the river wasn't as eventful as climbing the mountain since fewer wolves were in the vicinity.

But Alex took his time training Emily on the way back. Her level was already high enough to take on a level 15 wolf by herself without any risk, so Alex didn't let the opportunity slide and used it well.

When they reached the foot of the mountain, Emily had already slain her first wolf all by herself without any help from Alex whatsoever.

Alex was so happy to see that his sister was becoming more independent. Because in less than two years from now, the state of the world would become so bad that only people with power could live happy lives.

"you did good, Emily, but try to use your aim before shooting next time. You used a lot of mana just to kill a wolf."

"ok," said Emily obediently.

It was already 3 p.m., and right now, they were resting at the foot of the mountain to regain all their lost stamina and mana.

Not long after, they both stood up and started walking towards the river.

When they reached the river, Alex bought a single pearl and threw it into the river.

The river's surface shook, and the old mermaid came out of the river again.

"Hello again, adventurers, did you kill that good-for-nothing assistant of mine?" said the old mermaid in a hopeful manner.

"yes, but before I give you all that we collected from him, I need you to sign a contract with me that states that you will give us the rewards that we deserve,"

The corners of the old mermaid's lips twitch, but she didn't say anything and just agreed.

After reading the contract, she looked at Alex and asked, "what is this? Do you really think I will hurt you?"

Alex had also added a clause about her not being able to hurt the two of them.

"that's just for insurance; you never know who you are dealing with until they get what they want from you," said Alex with a relaxed tone. Right now, he had what she wanted, and the mermaid didn't have any choice but to agree. But there was no reason for the old mermaid to stay true to her word.

"ok, I agree, now give me the ingredients."

After making sure that the contract was signed, Alex gave the ingredients to her.

"There is one ingredient missing," said the mermaid.

"that's all the ingredients that you told me were stolen from you," said Alex.

The mermaid lost her cool for a second before regaining her cool and saying, "I'm talking about the fairy essence; they drop one when they die; I also need that."

Alex tried very hard to hide his surprise, 'so that's why she sent me to kill Nimoid, but why didn't she do it herself?' he thought and said, "oho, you never told me anything about that, I sure have the fairy essence but what will I get in return?"

The corners of the old mermaid's lips twitched again, "how about I give you a legendary potion Recipe?"

Alex was tempted, but he had to stall for time if he wanted his plan to work.

"Alex, I'm bored. Can I go swim in the river?" said Emily while yawning.

"yes, sure you can."

Emily ran to the river, and before the mermaid could say anything, she jumped into the river.

A splash was heard, and Emily was out of sight.

"Where did she go?" asked the mermaid worriedly.

"she is probably underwater; she will come back up in a few seconds," said Alex and tried to change the subject, "a legendary recipe is not enough; do you know how much I had to work to kill that water fairy?"

The mermaid got angry this time and shouted, "what do you want then?"

"I want the recipe for the immortality potion."

"that's not possible; ask for something else,"

"then I want …," before Alex could finish his sentence, an explosion was heard under the water, and the water boomed upward.

In the next second, three water fairies and Emily came out of the river.

One was a middle-aged man with white hair and beard who looked like a god out of fairy tales. His upper body was naked, and you could see how muscular and well-built his body was.

The next one was a beautiful woman whose age couldn't be determined. She was definitely at the top of the list of the most beautiful women Alex had seen in his life.

The third one, of course, was Nimoid. He was swimming with Emily behind his parents like he feared something.

"how-how did you get out?" the mermaid yelled and then looked at Emily, what did you do?"

It didn't take long for her to notice that Nimoid was also alive. She turned and looked at Alex, "what is the meaning of this?"

"you sent me to kill a kid; you have to pay for deceiving me,"

The next instant, the man in the river, shouted angrily, "how dear you betray us; we rescued you from your race and gave you a home, but what did you do? You tricked and imprisoned us and sent our kid to be killed by a human ….."

"you low life, how dare you talk to me like that?" the mermaid refuted.

"what did you do to my Nikoid? A will kill you in the worst possible way if I find out that you touched a hair on her head." The woman shouted furiously. The look on her face resembled an angry lioness that was about to tear the woman in front of her to pieces.

"do you really think you can handle me? you are just a bunch of fairies, don't get ahead of yourself."

"we'll see about that…." The man said and attacked the mermaid.

He formed a trident out of the water and tried to stab the mermaid with it, but the old mermaid was too agile for her age and dodged.

But as she was about to say something, the water behind her exploded, and the beautiful, ageless woman appeared behind her.

This time the mermaid didn't have time to dodge the furious fist coming her way and got hit in the face.

The mermaid was sent flying in the old man's direction, and he used his hand to grab her by the neck.

He placed his trident under her neck and said, "tell me where Nikoid is, or I will kill you."

"you can't kill me; you fairies took an oath never to kill. Did you forget?" the mermaid said with a grin.

But before the man could say anything, Alex stepped in and said, "They can't, but I can."

_ _ _ _ _ _ _

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