NOVEL WEB Chapter 27: Invite
Xander clenched his fists, his eyes spitting inferno. The entire town knew about his feelings for Achmea, and they never went near Achmea to cause any trouble. Yet, the level 6 rookie was holding Achmea’s hand.
The woman he admired and pursued acted intimate with someone else.
‘I wouldn’t be a man if I let a kid like you humiliate me.’
Zephyr came to the realization this misunderstanding couldn’t be diffused anymore. Xander seemed like the type to do anything to protect his pride and position. To Xander, he acted as a thorn by preventing Sherine from joining his guild.
Now this misunderstanding.
He didn’t need his intuition skill to sense the sheer hatred on the guildmaster’s face. Xander won’t stop until he gets rid of him.
‘Hah.’
Zephyr’s lips curled into a grin. Xander made him more motivated to dive back into the forest in this heat and slaughter every monster. Then consume them with his flames.
Achmea frowned at Xander’s rude interruption. “Xander, I am busy.”
Her cold voice was a far cry from her soft voice she used with Zephyr and Sherine—the two people her brother acknowledged as friends. She also found the couple cute in their own way.
Xander wiped his fury with a friendly smile. “My beautiful alchemist, I have a bulk order for your special healing potions. We discovered a Chronos Chamber left by an ancient vampire in the red zone. It’ll be a long expedition before we reunite.”
Achmea showed visible disgust while Zephyr’s eyes lit up at the word Chronos Chamber.
In this world, Chronos Chamber were special dimensions created by gods or some super powerful being. They offered better rewards than the Blessing Towers and unique treasures that couldn’t be found anywhere. Some even had magic spell books for clearance rewards.
The Chronos Chamber followed a one time clear rule and disappeared after giving rewards. Great rewards that made even the nobles drool. All hunters fought for Chronos Chamber. A struggle like that wouldn't happen in a faraway town like Gallowind.
Xander patted Zephyr’s shoulder with a venomous gaze that didn’t go well with his friendly smile. “Rookie, why don’t you join us with your fiancée? You’ll be able to meet everyone in the guild and see how we fight. Getting the chance to learn from high rank hunters is rare, my friend.”
Zephyr shrugged off Xander’s hand. “Don’t blame me if I can’t keep up with veterans.”
“Haha, nobody will.”
“When are we going?”
“Possibly in two days.”
Xander had to wait for everyone from his guild in Altissia City. As much as he wanted the rewards for himself, he couldn’t risk losing his current party.
“Sure.” Zephyr took the potion pouch from the desk. “How much do I pay?”
“Nothing. Make sure to return in one piece.”
Achmea quelled all the doubts Zephyr had. The alchemist truly wanted them to survive.
Xander gritted his teeth. She showed him no care or whatsoever—Zephyr got closer to Achmea than Xander did in over months. He wanted nothing more than to strangle Zephyr with his bare hands.
Sensing the unadulterated hate coming from Xander, Zephyr rubbed his forehead.
‘This motherfucker.’
Zephyr thanked Achmea for her free potions and left the store.
The moment they turned the corner, Sherine tugged at his shirt with worry. “Xander is luring us into a trap.”
“Your father is a trap.”
“Ah, be serious. Xander will try to harm us.”
“I have you to protect me, my dragon fiancée.”
He was just joking to ease her concerns. Letting her fight would be the last option. His current goal was reaching the next soul rank and unlocking more potential of his emblem.
Nearly two days to collect 3800 Soul Essence.
‘Doable.’
Fighting fools had become a natural instinct to him. With Sherine’s gauntlet skill and his improved stats, he’d be able to sweep through the yellow zone and possibly venture into the red zone.
Sherine nodded furiously, cheeks red like a tomato. “I’ll smash his bones.”
Zephyr held her hand and intertwined his fingers with hers. “I’ll smash you first.”
“Achmea is kind… she also helped me with my problem.” Sherine naturally ignored his innuendo. “I want to be her friend… but we can’t talk.”
“Why don’t you try writing down your thoughts to talk to her? I’m sure Achmea wouldn’t mind that kind of interaction.”
“Oh! I’ll try it. Zephyr, did you talk to Father after that incident?”
She didn’t know Zephyr got mad at her father over her as she was sleeping. She could sense a rift between Riven and him as he refused to talk with him.
Zephyr shook his head. “I didn’t.”
An apology could make things better but Riven didn't deserve one for being a jackass. Riven could’ve put an end to his worries by simply telling him. But no! Riven decided to stay silent and let him run all over the town.
‘I’d be awkward too if I had to tell my daughter’s in heat…’
Soon, they stepped into the familiar forest with giant trees. Zephyr checked on the bracelet Achmea gave him. The glass changed to reflect yellow—their current zone.
“It works.”
A nostalgic cold breeze welcomed him. And the pixie-sized goddess came out with a wide smile on her cutesy face.
“Welcome back!”
Zephyr’s hands twitched. Only he knew how he held back from strangling the annoying goddess of the forests.
Arlette noticed the bracelet on Zephyr’s hands and her eyes went full shocked mode. “A-Achmea gave it to you?”
“Yeah. She told me to say hi to you in her place.”
Arlette covered her cheeks as hearts appeared in her eyes. “Ah, Senior Achmea. You still care about your unworthy junior. You’re so kind. You’re a true goddess.”
Zephyr got the confirmation of Achmea’s identity. She was indeed part of the deity squad and somehow Arlette’s senior.
‘Why is she playing town management as an alchemist?’
He came to know some things about Achmea in the town. She was married to Sorcerer Eldon, the baron of the town. She took over her husband's duties after his untimely death against the brood army. That might have been her reason for carrying the town on her back.
‘The peak of goddess and mortal tragedy.’
Sherine tried flicking Arlette but the pixie dodged around with quick dashes. She hovered nearly ten meters over Sherine and glared at her.
“Don’t do that!”
Sherine shrugged with an innocent smile.
“Arlette, come down. You’re wasting our precious time. Why are you here?”
Arlette furiously waved her hands and arrived before Zephyr. “I came with a business deal.”
