Catgirls And Dungeons (Yuri)-Chapter 92: Vanessa Lilies

What?!

For a moment, I just stare at Eris in confusion.

She just said we've arrived at Lake Vanessa, but—

Where the hell is the lake?!

All I see below us is a vast, rocky expanse, scattered with pebbles and jagged stones.

No shimmering water. No gentle waves.

Just land.

But then—

Something catches my eye.

A massive fish, nearly the size of a boat, is… floating?

No—hovering.

It glides effortlessly through the air, its translucent fins rippling like liquid silk as it moves in slow, graceful arcs.

And it's not alone.

A whole school of flying fish drifts just above the ground, their smooth, icy scales reflecting the light like glass.

Nearby, clusters of giant ice frogs sit in perfect stillness, their round, crystal-like bodies pulsing faintly with a strange, inner glow.

But what's even weirder—

They're levitating.

Just… sitting there, suspended in midair, as if some unseen magic is holding them up.

I blink, completely perplexed. "What the hell is going on?"

Then—

I look closer.

And—

Holy. Shit.

The lake is right there.

Right in front of me.

I just didn't see it!!!

Because the water is so crystal clear—so impossibly pure—that I can see straight through it, all the way to the rocky bottom.

If it weren't for a few faint cracks across its icy surface, I wouldn't have even noticed it at all.

A lake as clear as glass.

Eris grins, noticing my stunned expression. "And look, these are the flowers."

I tear my eyes away from the invisible lake and follow her gaze.

And there—

I see them.

Vanessa Lilies.

They grow directly from the frozen surface, their stems rising tall and unyielding, their majestic white petals shimmer like carved ice, catching the light in a way that makes them look almost ethereal—as if they aren't just flowers, but living crystals, sculpted by winter itself.

And what's more magical?

They are growing straight from the lake, doesn't even need soil.

A few Glacierblooms are scattered among them, their deep blue petals twinkling with frozen dust, but here—

The lilies dominate.

Eris turns to me with a knowing smile. "Do you know the difference between Vanessa Lilies and Glacierblooms?"

I tilt my head. "Well… they look really different!"

One looks like a blue, sparkling rose.

The other is white and translucent, its petals gleaming like glass.

Eris chuckles. "I meant their properties and uses."

"Oh!" I blink. "No, I don't! Can you tell me?"

"Of course."

She points first to the Glacierbloom, her voice taking on a light, teaching tone.

"Even though both flowers thrive in extreme cold, their nature is completely opposite. The Glacierbloom has evolved to withstand freezing temperatures. Its magic acts as a shield, protecting it from the cold."

My ears twitch in realization. "Ooooh! So that's why it's used for cold resistance potions!"

"Exactly." Eris nods.

Then, she gestures toward the Vanessa Lilies. "But these… they're different. They don't endure the cold."

Her eyes flick to me, glinting with meaning.

"They are the cold, the beautiful manifestation of winter!"

I furrow my brows.

Absorbing her words.

Huhhh???

But it doesn't take very long for me to get what she meant.

"Ohhh!!!" I gasp in realization. "So, one is enduring the cold, but the other one is thriving from the cold???"

"Exactly!" Eris grins.

That's… fascinating!

To think two species, so similar yet so different, can exist in the same frozen world, yet embody completely opposite forces.

A plant that fights against winter—and one that is winter.

Then—

Eris smirks, tilting her head. "Now then, if Glacierblooms are used for cold resistance potions… what do you think Vanessa Lilies are used for?"

I pause.

My mind turns, tracing the logic of their nature.

I bite my lip, staring at the luminous white flowers.

If they carry pure winter magic, then…

They wouldn't be used to protect against the cold.

They'd be used to cause it.

Then…

Perhaps…

"Poison?" I guess.

Eris's smile widens.

I knew it!

The perfect opposite of a cold resistance potion… is a frost poison!

And if my deduction is correct, that means Vanessa Lilies are deadly!

"Hehe, smart Felicia!" Eris taps my hand, grinning in approval.

"Yup! You can grind those lilies into fine powder, then sprinkle it onto arrow tips or sword blades to infuse them with frost magic. Once the weapon cuts into an opponent, the particles will instantly freeze their body. It's also incredibly deadly when used in explosive frost bombs. Some people even combine it with wind magic to create wide-range frost attacks!"

I blink, taking in the information.

That's… terrifyingly powerful.

But Eris isn't done.

"Actually, even in its natural form, the flower itself can be a lethal weapon," she continues. "Its petals are as sharp as a knife's edge, and the moment they touch anything, they freeze it solid."

"Ohhh!" I immediately remember something. "So that's why the quest warned us not to touch them directly!"

"Yup!"

I glance at the delicate, crystal-like petals swaying gently in the cold breeze.

Damn!

These flowers are seriously dangerous!

But then—

Eris suddenly smirks. "Well, on the brighter side, they can also be used to make ice cream and sorbet!"

I whip my head toward her. "WHAT?!"

"Yup!" She laughs. "In very small amounts, they're edible and safe. Some high-end restaurants use them in gourmet desserts. And they're even used for enchantments—like your enchanted water bottle, for example."

"Ooooooh! So my cool bottle is also made from Vanessa Lilies?"

"Yeah!" Eris nods, laughing softly at my reaction.

Hmmm.

Now I get why people pay so much for these flowers.

They're not just rare—they're also very versatile.

"Alright, how much money was it per flower again?" Eris asks.

Since my memory sucks, I reach into my bag and pull out the quest paper, scanning for the reward amount.

————————

This chapt𝓮r is updat𝒆d by ƒreeωebnovel.ƈom.

Quest type: Gathering

Danger: D rank

Dungeon: Lake Vanessa

Request: 10+ Vanessa Lilies with frozen petals (has to be kept frozen!!!)

Reward: 2000 crowns for each 10 flowers gathered, up to 20000 crowns.

Note: Do NOT touch the flowers with bare hands, and be aware of frogs! Just don't step into within 10 meters from them, or they will notice ya, and try your best not to pick any flower with a frog guarding it. Well, if ya lads are strong enough to beat up those fuckers and get their core, feel free to do so! I will also be paying ya 100 crowns for each core!

—————————

There are hundreds of Vanessa Lilies here!

However, there are thousands of giant icy frogs.

And judging by how they're positioned, the frogs aren't just hanging around.

They're guarding the flowers!

As I take in the scene, one of them suddenly shoots out its long tongue, snatching a lily straight off the ice.

Slurp!

The moment it swallows, its entire body shimmers with a frosty glow.

And—

Wait—

Did it just get bigger?!

I swear, its body just bulked up slightly, the icy patterns on its skin growing more pronounced!

"It says 2,000 crowns for ten." I finally mutter, reading off the quest paper.

Eris whistles low. "Alright, let's make some mad money!"

With that, she stands up on Inky's back, shrugging off her coat before stretching her arms, rolling her shoulders, and—

Crack. Crack.

She loosens her knuckles and neck, preparing her body as if she's about to go for a light jog, not battle an army of ice frogs.

Then, she downs two cold resistance potions in one go.

"Urrrghhh…" A violent shudder runs through her as she grimaces at the taste, her tail puffing up in protest.

But like the absolute champ she is, she just shakes it off.

I tug on her shirt, worried. "B-be careful…"

Eris grins, ruffling my hair. "Don't worry. Just watch me!"

And then, she turns around.

Takes a step.

…

Huh?

Wait.

WAIT A SECOND!

I immediately grab her arm, my heart lurching. "E-Eris?! What are you doing?!"

She's literally trying to walk off Inky!!!

And we are over a hundred meters up in the sky!

Has she lost her mind?!

Eris pauses, tilting her head at me like she doesn't understand why I'm freaking out.

Then, after a moment…

"Oh…"

A giggle escapes her lips. "Hehe, it's fine, don't worry. I've done this a thousand times before. You just stay here, okay? I'll be back in no time!"

I look at her.

Then at the lake far, far below.

Gulp…

I mean, I know she's strong.

She's A-rank.

She's ridiculously powerful.

She's probably fought way worse things than oversized ice frogs.

But still…

The thought of her jumping off a wyvern, mid-air, it still feels insane…

I hesitate.

But then, I shake my head.

No.

What am I thinking?

Eris is Eris.

If she says she'll be fine—

She'll be fine.

Thus, slowly, I let go of her arm.

Eris flashes me a confident smile before exchanging a silent glance with Inky.

"Inky. Watch Felicia for me, okay?" Eris says softly.

The shadow wyvern rumbles low, a deep, reassuring sound vibrating through the air.

"Good boy." Eris crouches down and pats his side fondly.

Then, without another word, she steps off.

And free-falls straight into the lake.