Souls Online: Mythic Ascension-Chapter 439: In the Name of Progress

Adam was clearly not too pleased about going back to that Kobolds Nest Dungeon. While it wasn’t his first brush with death, it was the one where he had to improvise against one of the BOSSes and purposely got his arm cut off to make use of his acidic blood.

That was back before they had a proper healing class and to make matters worse, said healer wasn’t coming with them this time. Nor was the groups tank. He looked at his group members as they walked together towards the teleporter.

Luna had always been at the forefront of a fight but she was a Beserker, trading blow for blow and using the Lifesteal abilities she had gained to sustain herself. While she could take a punch, She was still a bonafide damage dealer at the end of the day.

Lily who had once started as a Plant Based mage had changed to a Beast tamer. It was this Dungeon that she had met and tamed Moku. Lily’s first pet had grown from the tiny puppy to the size of a small dog akin to that of a 6 month old Golden Retriever.

But even Moku didn’t seem too pleased with the idea of going back to his old home as his tail hung low...Or it could be that he was jealous of the ball of fluff that was balanced precariously on top of Lily’s head.

"Lily you know you look ridiculous like that, right?" Adam couldn’t help but ask as the ball of fluff let out a defiant cheep to express itself.

"Well Chicky seems to like it there and I like to indulge my little sweeties!" Lily replied with a puff of her cheeks. Luna who had been stealing glances at the fluffy little chick on top Lily’s head up until now couldn’t help but let out a snort when she heard the name.

"You....Is it’s name really Chicky?" Crystal couldn’t help but ask, completely dumbfounded by Lily’s naming sense. Adam genuinely looked horrified and the corners of Ethan’s lips twitched as Lily casually responded "Yeah. I think it’s cute! What’s wrong with that?!"

Adam looked towards Moku and then towards Chicky and remarked "A lot. A lot is wrong with it. In fact I will be honest and say your naming sense sucks!". Luna cracked a smile as she chimed in before Lily could retort.

"She’s always been like that. Her naming sense has always been...unique."

Lily whipped her head around to glare and pout at her best friend which resulted in Chicky letting out a chirp of fear as it held onto her hair for dear life. " What is that supposed to mean? Huh?"

"It means that when these two are all grown up, you will have a Mighty Forest Wolf named ’Tree’ and a ’Phoenix’ named Chicky~!" Ethan chimed in with great enthusiasm laced with mockery and sarcasm. However it seemed to go unnoticed as Lily replied "Yeah. And?"

Ethan’s shoulder slumped as Adam rolled his eyes "It’s offical. She’ hopeless. Sorry Moku and...Chicky. Your Mom is beyond any help we can provide."

"You are all so rude!" Lily hissed like an annoyed cat but fell silent when they found their way to the village centre that was now bustling with people. They then put on the cloaks that Penny had hastily made for the group before they parted ways.

Each cloak had undergone a minor concealment enchantment so while it wouldn’t make them invisible, it did have the effect of making them harder to recognize.

While it was annoying, it had also become a necessity. The group as a whole had become rather famous and they had wanted to avoid the hassle that came with fame. They had an objective and they needed to complete it as soon as possible.

Making their way through the crowd, they soon found themselves standing in front of a large purple crystal that had an elderly mage standing guard. His back was hunched as he held a cane but there was still a twinkle in his eye as he appraised the group.

"So where do you wish to go young ones? I can send you to any place you have been before or a major town that is compatible with your levels. Though the greater the distance, the steeper the cost!"

The old man then cackled as if he was some sort of villain after delivering some sort of evil monologue. Ethan avoided Adam’s questiong gaze as the latter grumbled "The Beginner village had a cute mage apprentice manning the crystal. Not some old coot."

"Oh my. That is a fascinating creature atop your head young lady. I must say I have never seen it before. Might you tell me of its origin?"

Lily blinked in confusion at the old mage’s sudden interest but offered him a small smile as she lifted the chick from her head. "Oh, you mean Chicky? She’s my pet! Isn’t she adorable?"

The old man’s squinted eyes widened slightly as he leaned closer, his wrinkled fingers tightening on his cane. "Chicky, you say?" His voice trembled with something that wasn’t amusement anymore. "May I see her more closely?"

Chicky let out a sharp chirp as if warning him to stay back. A faint spark of blue light flashed between her tiny wings. The mage’s gaze sharpened, and for a moment his pupils seemed to shrink. "By the gods... could it be?" 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

Lily tilted her head suspiciously. "What are you talking about?"

The mage’s mouth went dry before he finally whispered, "Young lady... that chick of yours... is it by chance an infant Storm Phoenix?"

Lily froze. "A what?" she asked, her tone cautious now.

The old man’s excitement grew. "The Storm Phoenix! A creature thought to have gone extinct since the Age of Tempests! Do you even realize what you hold? Its feathers could store lightning itself! Its heart could power a hundred storms! This is—"

"That’s enough," Morgan interrupted sharply, stepping forward with his cloak shifting slightly around his shoulders. "We’re here to use the teleporter, not talk about birds. The Kobolds Nest Dungeon, please."

But the old man didn’t even blink at her words. His gaze was glued to Chicky, who fluffed her feathers in visible irritation. "Tell me, child," he said with a faint smile, "would you consider parting with it? I assure you it will be in the name of progress."

A system chime rang in Lily’s ears, startling her.

[Player Lily has received the Quest: In the Name of Progress][The Old Mage Storren has suspicions that your pet is actually the long lost species of Phoenix known as the Storm Phoenix. He is willing to pay you gold so he can dissect it and learn the secrets of its body.][Reward: 10 Gold Coins][Rejection Penalty: The Ire of the Storm School of Magic]

Her eyes went wide as she read the details. The word dissect burned itself into her mind. "Absolutely not!" she burst out, hugging Chicky protectively against her chest.

Everyone turned to look at her in confusion. "What’s wrong?" Luna asked, already sensing the tension.

"He... he wants to dissect Chicky!" Lily snapped, glaring at the mage with pure fury.

"What?" Adam’s expression turned murderous. "Are you out of your mind, old man?"

The mage frowned as if offended by their outrage. "Do not act rashly, boy. Sacrifices must be made for the advancement of magic. That creature’s existence could change the world."

Crystals’s hands clenched into fists. Her voice was cold as he stepped forward. "We don’t have time for your perverted quests, old man. Just send us to the dungeon before we lose our patience."

The old mage’s eyes flashed dangerously. "You dare speak to me like that? You brats have no respect for your elders or for the Storm School of Magic. If you deny our offer, then you will pay the fee."

Crystal frowned. "What fee?"

"One gold per person," Storren said smugly. "That is the toll for those who deny the Storm School."

Lily’s glare was ice-cold. She reached into her inventory and pulled out a gold coin without hesitation. "Here." She tossed it onto the ground in front of him.

Storren looked at it, startled. "I said per person."

Lily pulled out five more coins and threw them all together at his feet. The coins clattered on the stone path before dissolving into particles of light that vanished into the air. "There. Six. Now send us."

The mage’s jaw tightened, his momentary satisfaction replaced by a simmering fury. "So be it," he said through clenched teeth. "Touch the crystal."

No one moved at first. Then Adam stepped forward, muttering, "Let’s just go before I do something stupid."

One by one, they pressed their hands to the glowing surface of the teleportation crystal. A hum of power filled the air, and light began to envelop them.

As the six figures vanished from sight, Storren stood silently, his gnarled hand trembling slightly on his cane. His eyes glowed faintly with a pale blue hue as he whispered to himself, "A Storm Phoenix... after all these years."

A slow, sinister smile spread across his face. "You will not escape the Storm School’s reach so easily, little chick."

The crystal pulsed once with faint lightning before returning to its usual calm glow, leaving the village square quiet once more.