First Quest (part 2)

Everyone still had their doubts about my talents, even after the receptionist confirmed it with her words. Most of the adventurers who signed up for the investigation request were keeping their distance from me.

Well, I don't actually care what they think of me. All I want right now is to earn money and have a roof over my head tonight.

The receptionist lady earlier explained to us the main objective of this quest. First, this is not a subjugation quest, but protecting the human settlements remains a priority. Second, after collecting enough report material and evidence, we must return to the guild. The guild will then decide if this monster threat requires the capital city's aid.

Maybe I can just stay at the back and observe.

"I can feel it... There's a pack of monsters coming our way. Hey, little girl, come here."

"Eh? Why?"

"Isn't it obvious? You're the strongest. You should be at the very front of everyone."

"Is that how this works?"

"We're counting on you."

The guy who said that even gave me a thumbs up.

This guy is nuts. Putting a single little girl in front of everyone—are they bullying me? They are definitely bullying me.

"I guess I have no—"

"This is wrong!" A young lad stepped forward and continued, "Placing a little girl in the front just because she was said to be strong is insane. Are you trying to kill her?"

"Young lad, you might not know, but Rebecca said she is strong, and we believe in her words. Rebecca can wield a high-level appraisal skill that she uses to assess adventurers' strength. And this girl was said to be stronger than anyone in the guild as of now. To protect everyone and avoid casualties, we must put her in the front."

So that serious glasses girl's name is Rebecca.

Also, these people simply trust Rebecca's words and are definitely not bullying me.

Turning my gaze to the adventurers behind me, I saw their faces. Most of them wore ragged attire. Others had decent armor, but nothing as great as what Retto, Lumina, and Kuroe wore.

I know they are low-level adventurers because I can also use the Appraisal skill.

As for this young lad, he is level 25, and the people behind him—who seem to be his friends—are level 20 and below.

"Thank you for your concern, but—"

"Don't worry, we'll stay with you. We'll definitely protect you, unlike these bastards," the young lad said to me.

"Yeah… Well, I don't really—"

"We'll protect you." He then held my hand and looked at me with intense eyes. If I were a maiden looking for romance, I would definitely fall in love.

A window popped up in my vision.

[Abnormality detected.] [Charm effect nullified.]

Wait, this young lad used a skill on me? Looks like he still didn't notice that it was canceled. Anyways, I don't like his intentions.

I brushed off his hand and said, "Don't touch a maiden's hand without permission!"

After that, I delivered a punch directly to his face, knocking him out cold.

"Neil! Hang in there!"

My Cute Charm ability can detect charm abilities and also nullify them.

I walked to the front line and used my Detection skill to scan my surroundings. Just like the big guy said, there were monsters coming our way. A bunch of monsters, level 20 and above. Higher than the level of most people in this group.

"Looks like I'll have to demonstrate my talents here," I said, placing my palm in front of me. I gathered mana in my hand and blasted a big fireball directly at the pack of monsters far ahead.

A huge explosion echoed through the air.

"Amazing… Rebecca's judgment was on point."

Detection skill!

I wiped out a wave of monsters, but another wave would be coming anytime soon. Expanding my Detection skill together with my Mapping skill, I found that there were still plenty of monsters heading our way. I have a huge mana pool, but I won't be able to kill them all.

"We probably really need assistance from the capital city."

I turned to the big guy. "We can't do that. We need to investigate for a longer time and collect evidence." He said.

"This is going to be a horrible day…" I sighed. "If that's the case, then I have a plan. First, I'll collect evidence using pictures. Adventurers, stay here because another wave of monsters is coming past the forest ahead."

"Are you looking down on us? We are proud adventurers. We're here to take action and make a name for ourselves," an adventurer retorted.

"Everyone will be given an equal amount of reward. I'll only get a bonus because I have a verbal agreement that if I prove my strength, I'll get extra pay." I turned my back to the adventurer. "Well, I don't actually care what you all think… But don't cry when you find yourselves on the brink of death later."

I said this as I levitated into the air using my newly acquired Flight skill.

If only I had this skill before, I would have had more advantage during my fight with that demon woman.

But this is not the time for regrets. I have to focus on the present.

The adventurer shut his mouth and shook in anger.

I probably hurt his pride, but I can't let anyone die on my watch. Just like that time…

"Earth Magic: Earth Wall Fortress!"

A thick wall of earth rose from the ground, a massive 20-meter-tall structure stretching about a kilometer in length.

This should be enough to serve as a defense for the nearby human settlement. It would also slow down the monsters moving in a straight line. They would be forced to find an alternate route. On the left, they would run straight into a huge river, and on the right, they would have to climb back up a rocky mountain. Some monsters might be able to cross, but that's where the adventurers come in. With their numbers, they should definitely be able to defeat any monster lucky enough to make it past my Earth Wall.

"That was advanced earth magic."

"Just who is this little girl?"

"A prodigy?"

The adventurers stared in awe.

Well, that's expected. My level compared to theirs is very high. That's because I lived inside that dangerous dungeon.

"I'm not guaranteeing that no monsters will come our way. But I'll count on everyone."

"Okay, we'll handle it. Go and gather evidence."

"Sure, I'll be back as soon as possible."

I said and flew up high, heading directly to the eastern mountains to take some pictures.

"What the? These monsters… They're running as if they're running for their lives. What's happening here?"

I took some pictures with my smartphone.

A huge lightning bolt came straight at me.

Immediately, I placed a barrier to protect myself. Then, another wave of lightning bolts shot in my direction.

"What is happening here?! Ice Magic: Icicle Strike!"

Huge spikes of ice deflected the lightning bolts.

I found the source—a giant snake producing the lightning.

"Could it be… this monster is the reason why the others are running for their lives?"