Chapter 22: Aura and Dragon Might

"Alright," Miss Sula said, her expression turning stern. "The messengers of the gods are watching us. Let us begin the mission report."

"Understood."

The four members of Paul's squad set aside their playful demeanor and began a detailed account of their investigation mission. They recounted everything, from where they entered the Monster Forest to how many days they spent there, their encounter with Li Rui, the discovery of the brain-eating monster, the suspicion that a mind flayer was hidden within the Pure White City, and finally, their full-speed return—nothing was omitted.

"Heavens!" Miss Sula was startled by the possibility of a mind flayer being inside the Pure White City. "Such a dangerous creature has actually appeared?"

She cast her gaze toward Li Rui. If what he said was correct, a mind flayer was undeniably a mid-to-high-level monster, and one possessing the ability to convert humans into more of its kind—the entire Gold Wheat Town might be in danger!

Realizing the gravity of the situation, she shot a glare of annoyance at Paul and his companions—this group of heartless, boorish adventurers actually had the mind to tease her when such a serious event had occurred!

After Paul finished his report, Miss Sula pressed a specific gold coin hanging on the divine granting instrument.

The instrument immediately emitted a green glow, followed by the clinking sound of a small pile of gold coins falling out. Then, all light vanished, and the device returned to its original state.

In front of the counter, the four members of Paul's squad and Li Rui bowed their heads, showing respect to the gods.

Although it wouldn't necessarily matter if they didn't show respect in this setting, some of the gods who supported the establishment of the Adventurers' Guild were neutral, and it was rumored that a few were rather petty—such as the Goddess of Luck and the Goddess of Misfortune.

After Miss Sula finished distributing the gold coins to Paul and his team, the four of them pulled out the goblin left ears they had collected along the way during their investigation, exchanging them for gold coins one by one.

Li Rui also took out the two goblin left ears he was carrying and exchanged them for six gold coins.

Gold Wheat Town was not short of adventurers, and the low-level monsters here were not particularly dangerous. As long as a team didn't have deserters like the Jay squad, almost all adventurer parties could return safely. Therefore, goblin left ears here could only be "sold" for the minimum rate of three gold coins each.

Seeing that they had no further business, Miss Sula called them back. "Wait a moment. The matter of the mind flayer is too serious; I must notify the Guild Master."

With that, she left Counter No. 1 and stepped into the small door behind the receptionist's office.

***

A while later, a beautiful woman with a golden-yellow ponytail emerged from the side door of the lobby where Li Rui and the others were waiting.

"Guild Master Nova."

Facing the Guild Master of the Gold Wheat Town Adventurers' Guild, the four men of Paul's squad dared not be as loose-lipped or handsy as they had been with Miss Sula; instead, they bowed respectfully.

Li Rui looked at Guild Master Nova with curiosity.

Although [Jay's Common Language Memory] contained some relevant information that had made Li Rui aware of her existence and beauty, Jay had never seen her at such close range. The entry had no visual data, so until this moment, Li Rui did not realize just how beautiful she truly was.

Under the illumination of the chandelier, which was enchanted with a constant Light spell, Guild Master Nova’s perfectly curved oval face looked like a freshly peeled boiled egg, so fair it seemed to reflect a faint glow. Her peach-blossom eyes were filled with a liquid luster, the corners slightly upturned, with her eyelashes casting fan-shaped shadows upon her eyelids...

Li Rui did not continue looking, as the Guild Master's clear, pale blue eyes swept toward him.

Though it was merely a light glance, the icy chill unintentionally carried within it made him and the four members of Paul's squad stiffen.

This was the aura of a high-level professional!

Thousands of years ago, the aura of any person in the Endi world could only be manifested through the backing of power and status. But after the gods and extraordinary powers descended, "aura" transformed from an abstract concept into a tangible, substantial force.

When standing before someone who was at least one major rank stronger—such as low-level adventurers like Paul’s squad and Li Rui standing before a mid-level or high-level professional like Guild Master Nova—it was easy to feel the opponent's invisible pressure, which could trigger reactions like irregular heartbeats, difficulty breathing, or a dry mouth.

If this aura were strengthened to the extreme, it became Dragon Fear.

It was said that the Dragon Fear of an adult dragon was a natural filter for the strong. When released, those who did not collapse within a hundred meters were mid-level professionals or had the potential to become one; those who could stand steady within thirty meters were high-level professionals or had the potential to be one.

Those who dared to engage an adult dragon in close-quarters combat while under the suppression of Dragon Fear were all of legendary caliber!

After scanning the five people before her, Guild Master Nova quickly withdrew her aura and said gently, "You are the 'Earth Claw' adventurer team, and Mr. Li Rui, correct? This matter is of great importance. Let us head to the temple to discuss it."

***

After speaking, she took the lead and walked toward the temple across the street.

Paul and the others finally recovered from Guild Master Nova's aura and hurried to follow.

Perhaps still shaken by her presence, Li Rui couldn't help but look at Guild Master Nova’s tall, voluptuous yet slender-waisted figure as she walked ahead. His thoughts were in a whirl, and he couldn't help but recall some gossip from [Jay's Common Language Memory] regarding her, such as the full-body aesthetic reconstruction services at the Fisher Wizard Tower in the south...

Come to think of it, the scope of the wizards' business in this world seemed quite extensive.

His wandering thoughts lasted only until he crossed the street and stepped into the gates of the Temple of Luck.

Upon entering the temple, the first thing that caught the eye was the statue of the Goddess of Luck at the end of the chapel.

The entire statue was pure white. The goddess had long hair draped over her shoulders, wore a long-sleeved, full-length dress, and held her hands out as if to embrace someone.

There were no intricate decorations on the statue, and the face of the Goddess of Luck was not exceptionally beautiful; she looked like an ordinary young girl who simply loved to smile.

Looking at the statue, Li Rui couldn't help but recall information from [Jay's Common Language Memory].

It was said that long, long ago, before the gods descended to the Endi world, the Goddess of Luck and the current Goddess of Misfortune were actually the same entity. But something happened, and that entity split, becoming the two goddesses who now vied with each other.

However, their conflict seemed limited to secret, petty maneuvers.

After all, belonging to the same absolutely neutral alignment and both participating in the establishment of the Adventurers' Guild showed that the extent of their opposition was limited.

Beneath the statue of the Goddess of Luck, a middle-aged woman with blue hair and an ordinary face, dressed in white robes trimmed with gold thread, stood behind a lectern, guiding a four-member adventurer squad in prayer.

This was the High Priestess of the Temple of Luck in Gold Wheat Town, Priestess Katherine.