When The Cute Godkiller Opens A Tavern [Stubbed]

Chapter 118 - Safe Travels Gift

”Now that things have settled down a bit, it’s time to catch up on things that were set aside.” ~Valor’el zel Valar

Shallies hadn’t really planned out what to do before she first decided to take a break. She hadn’t ever really taken one before, but planning something beyond opening a tavern didn’t feel genuine to her, as far as having a vacation from dungeons, raids, and Divine Wars was concerned.

She had expected the next few decades to be partially spent on an occasionally busy tavern, and for the rest of that to be quiet. But she ended up with more of a training ground, and less of a tavern, really.

She had expected to meet adventurers of every caliber, but she ended up mostly just gaining students to train in said training grounds.

She had expected to be out of action for a long while, but she had been through a few dungeons, and even finished a raid recently.

And now, her expected thirty-year break had been cut off. Now she only had five years to train her students and hope they developed fast enough to participate in the upcoming Divine War.

She also needed to explain things to everyone even mildly involved. The Gaiamaxims Guild, the Adventurer’s Guild, the kingdoms, the gods and goddesses.

Not to mention her students’ parents…

Shallies sighed as she stared at the blank screen of her System Console. Her mind was nothing but blank. She had done this countless times already, telling people that there was a Divine War coming, revealing herself to those that should know.

And still, she couldn’t come up with a proper way to even start explaining just how it was that some of them might die.

---

Roughly a week had passed since the Thrush’ven Alir Raid. And while her students had been eager to discuss things regarding their levels and skill points, and especially their earnings from the sub-raid, Shallies had been limiting that excitement only within that particular discussion. Training was still out of the menu.

She did this intentionally, of course.

Grace, the half-orc Mana-Edge Sentinel and Weaver, and the youngest among the three, had always displayed indecisiveness right after accumulating so many points to allocate. She needed the time to properly consider her options.

Ren, the human Shield Knight and Disciple, while not exactly unsure of his choices, preferred to meticulously analyze his options while listing down the pros and cons of each of his potential skills. He would be too distracted to even train, missing out on potential skills that he could’ve spent time practicing after he had decided instead.

Tayin, the halfling Chronoadept and Star Gazer, fortunately enough, was probably the most decisive among them. But she was also understanding enough to know that they needed the break after working for days without any proper sleep, fueled almost exclusively by Mana Energy.

So, of course, Shallies, as their mentor, instructed them to rest and recuperate. They had just finished a major endeavor, after all. After reading the reports from the Gaiamaxims Guild, it was apparent that the sub-raid had surpassed the danger levels they’d expected from it.

Still, that didn’t stop her students from gathering within The Adventurer’s Beginning. As far as the tavern was concerned, they were the only regulars. As far as paying was concerned, however, they weren’t.

Shallies had no problem with bits. She was the Godkiller after all, so even if she was losing money that any other business would’ve declared bankrupt already, she was more than capable of paying those losses out of pocket. Besides, most of the dishes didn’t involve expensive mana-infused ingredients.

But with the raid finally done and with the Summer season fast approaching, she had expected there to be some new customers at least.

So far, the only actual, paying customers she had been able to entertain were a few people from either Cinterbrim Town or the Gaiamaxims Guild.

And said guild was about to leave.

As far as other customers went, there were the three seraphim as well, who all technically didn’t count, since they had been invited to stay for more important matters.

Speaking of…

The thought barely had any time to register when a new guest entered the tavern. Shallies didn’t even need to check into her vast awareness to know that it was Yoshelle, the Gaiamaxims Guild’s Princess.

She had been visiting everyday. Sometimes with either Laika, or Krevan, or both. They spent their time mostly exchanging stories with the Shalliesters Party, sometimes about the recent raid, sometimes about other things. But whenever it was just the Guild Princess visiting, the topic would always involve the Godkiller’s secrets, one way or the other.

Today, it was just her.

Shallies, however, had a different agenda today other than tackling whatever probing questions Yoshelle had in store for her.

“The seraphim are leaving tonight,” she started.

It gained a mix of reactions, which was of no surprise to the Godkiller. Grace was shocked, Tayin was concerned, Ren was understanding, and Yoshelle was confused. Apple was just lounging in her teacup as usual, having had knowledge of the news already.

“It took a while for the cattleblinks to calm down after what happened with the raid,” she explained. “And now that they’re back, it’s time for Valor’el and Phey’lan to return to their duties in Avel Paradise as well.”

“But it’s so sudden!” Grace started, which everyone agreed on simultaneously. “If we had known, we would’ve prepared something.”

“Ah, there’s no need for that,” said a smooth voice, coming from behind them. Valor’el. Despite his handsome looks, as quite literally half an angel, he smelled a bit of one who had worked particularly long in the farm. Sweat was running down his face, as though he had just finished a light jog. “People are waiting for us back home. And it’s about time we return. I have all the cattleblinks boarded on The Premonition. We’ll just give them a few hours to settle, then we can take flight.”

“At least let us have a feast,” Shallies suggested. “Let those who can show their gratitude. And for good luck as well.”

Valor’el was halfway up the stairs when he paused. “Yes. I’m sure Phey’lan would love that. Thank you.”

Just like that, anyone who had any notion of expressing their objection held back. Not that there was anybody who was adamant against them leaving. Though Grace did light up like a mana-lamp as soon as the seraph was out of sight.

“What about Arun’dul?”

“What about him?” said a bubbly voice. Phey’lan. The seductive looks carried by her devil half hid underneath her joyful and curious expressions.

“Is he going back, too?” asked the half-orc.

“Oh, he’ll be staying,” Phey’lan answered. She pointed at the Godkiller to continue explaining while wearing an apologetic look. “Sorry, I really want to take a shower. Mind if I use yours, Shallies?”

“Sure.” Shallies shrugged, knowing exactly that those words were only a redirection to remove any implications that might enter the minds of the young adults present. She didn’t bother pointing that out as she turned to them. “As we expected, becoming Daryl’kan’s vessel only helped Arun’dul stave off the curse’s effects. He can now see his mana-core and mana-channels, but he’s still unable to use any of his Hero class skills. There’s no more guesswork with regards to his condition, so he can now safely proceed to the next step.”

“Which is to completely remove his curse,” Ren answered.

“That’s right.”

Shallies didn’t bother specifying the actual next step, which would be for the young seraph to find a party that would take him. Obviously, voicing it out would immediately create a discussion within the Shalliesters Party regarding letting him join. And while that was her preferred setup, she wanted that conclusion to happen between them without her bringing it up.

“He needs a party, then,” Yoshelle suggested. “Are you guys taking him in?”

Shallies blinked, controlling her surprise. She didn’t expect that turn to happen so soon. Or maybe she did, just not from the Guild Princess.

The three looked at each other. But it was more of Ren and Tayin both looking at Grace. They were waiting for her to answer.

“Eh? Why me?” the half-orc asked. “Isn’t this supposed to be a group discussion?”

“Yeah,” Tayin replied.

“And out of us three, you’re the only one who actually worked with him before,” Ren added.

“Oh.” Grace frowned and tilted her head. Chippy, her phoenix familiar, landed beside her. His size, now larger than his mother’s head, perfectly reflected his understanding of the current situation. She absentmindedly ran a finger through his feathery chest.

The two had worked together with Arun’dul. Back in the days when Grace still hadn’t acquired a second class. Shallies remembered them as if they were just yesterday.

“Yeah, he’s pretty solid, I’d say,” said the half-orc. “He doesn’t have as much experience dealing with dungeons or raids per se, but he has experience dealing with monsters and working as a group. He’s quick, he’s strong, and he matched my speed and timing and reflexes within just a few skirmishes.”

Even with that said, Grace still folded her arms. “I’m just not sure how exactly we’re able to help him, if we take him in, you know?”

Just then, the seraph in question opened the tavern door. With the first two sneaking up on everyone but Shallies, Arun’dul’s presence was like a noldzwjak not knowing how to use its instinctual camouflage.

The silence became awkward even for Shallies.

“Umm… Sorry?” the young seraph started. “Does it really smell that bad?”

The Godkiller slowly shook her head. “You smell fine, Arun’dul. But take a shower. Use the one down here.”

After he nodded and walked straight for the shower room, everyone took a sigh of relief.

“I think it’s better if you include the person in question next time,” Yoshelle suggested, scratching her head. “That way, there’s no need to hide like this.”

Almost too quickly, everyone in the Shalliesters Party was quick to agree.

“Do that later,” Shallies said, serving their food. “Eat up, then we’re going outside.”

The second part caught everyone’s attention more than the food this time around. Shallies couldn’t blame them. She had been wanting to experiment on new—or rediscover some old—recipe for quite a while now.

“Where to?” Grace asked.

“The Premonition.”

“What for?” Ren asked.

“A ‘safe travels’ gift for Valor’el and Phey’lan.”

“Which is?” Tayin asked.

“Secret.”

“Oh, come on!” Yoshelle complained.

---

In front of the main building of The Premonition was the actual center of the Cloud Castle. It was a plaza of sorts. Benches, small trees, well-trimmed bushes that glittered with flowers, mana-lamps on patterned posts, and a centerpiece of three intricately-designed fountains, layered on top of one another.

Shallies stood in the air with her eyes closed, hovering right above the fountain. She wore a set of armor that averaged the Rare rarity. Black leather armor layered with dark draconic scales, and leggings that matched. Leather greaves that carried the same draconic accent, but this time, surrounded by swirling black mana. She also had a one-shoulder cape that left afterimages of its nebulous material as it constantly billowed.

All in all, it wouldn’t be a stretch for an observer to mistake her for a Shadow Walker, or even its Hero class ascension, Shadow Striker, with how much she was dressed in black. But to those who knew she could change classes at will, she was actually standing there as the Favored class, Death Stalker.

The holder of this particular class tree that held stealth above all others stood out in the open in silence as a handicap, while her students, Yoshelle, and Arun’dul watched on the sidelines. The setup was already obvious for her, and she knew those who were watching also understood her intentions.

Of course, the recipient of this ‘safe-travels’ gift, Phey’lan and Valor’el, were no exception.

An explosive boom erupted in the air outside The Premonition as the female seraph appeared next to Shallies. The Godkiller spent precious little moments to open her eyes and see the excited yet desperate look on Phey’lan’s face as she descended with a downward kick empowered by her Enlightened Ascendant skills.

At the last moment, Shallies simply shifted to the side.

Phey’lan caught the movement and reacted, swiftly breaking her speed with her wings, attempting to use the force from that sudden break in momentum to her advantage. She had already expected her wing attack to miss.

Shallies allowed the force to carry her away, utilizing her mana-control to cushion the entire weight behind it, rendering the attack harmless. But before she could even land on the floor, the female seraph caught up with her, propelled by another boom.

This time, the Godkiller retaliated as she dodged, summoning a dagger which headed straight for her opponent’s head. Despite timing it perfectly, Shallies was already anticipating her attack would be deflected before landing. Still, out of caution, the dagger she chose to materialize was enchanted to simply bruise without the proper mana-flow coming from its wielder.

Phey’lan twisted out of the way, spinning for another wing attack followed by a chop. Shallies dodged the first and blocked the second.

Their mana clashed, but neither one dared to stop. Once their arms collided, it became a battle of who could hold the position. And while Shallies held a dagger, Phey’lan wasn’t the least bit fazed by it.

Close-ranged strikes of all manner flew out as both ladies tried to hit the other. Mana struck everywhere, causing destruction around The Premonition. The lumilettes, fortunately enough, were hard at work protecting the guests, as well as minimizing the damage.

As the battle went on, it slowly became clear who was on top.

The Enlightened Ascendant class came from the Disciple Base class. It was the more accepted sibling of the Anti-Magic that Ren was trying to achieve. The class excelled at utilizing mana to enhance unarmed attacks, making them the preferred route for anyone who would rather use their limbs than wield weapons. This gave Phey’lan a significant advantage in hand-to-hand combat against Shallies, who was using the Death Stalker class.

At least, that was supposed to be the common consensus.

Not only did the Death Stalker class also utilize unarmed-based skills. They also didn’t care how they could win in a fight.

As Phey’lan gained ground, Shallies used Smokescreen to conjure an explosion of black smoke out of her palm.

It was aimed right at the female seraph’s face. Even as she had anticipated it, quickly defending her face with an open hand and expulsion of mana, it bought the Godkiller the tiniest opening she needed to strike.

Shallies added a layer of deception to her attack, filling her dagger with a dangerous amount of mana while keeping its sharpness sealed. The intent behind it alone would be enough of a signal that any normal defense would be ineffective. At the last moment, however, before her arm met Phey’lan’s instinctually driven guard, she pulled her feint and struck with her other hand instead.

The blow stunned the seraph, causing her to fall. She regained consciousness right before she hit the floor, spinning quickly as she gracefully made her landing.

“I really thought I had it this time,” Phey’lan said. She casually used mana-control to get the soot from the black smoke out of her face. “Yuck.”

“You know that if the challenge is for the both of you, it means that you both fight together, right?” Shallies asked, floating back to where she was originally positioned. “Not take turns to see who can land a blow first.”

“We prefer it this way,” explained the female seraph as she relaxed slightly. “Take turns first, then go at the same time, if neither of us could land a hit. I’m sure you’re fine with that.”

Shallies crossed her arms and closed her eyes. “Well, it’s not like I can’t cater to those requests.”

Just then, runes appeared around her. World Hero runes. The ones that prevented an Ancient Storm Dragon from leaving its lair.

Isoworld.

Shallies opened her eyes again, and saw how limited the isolated section was. She wouldn’t be able to fly around like during her fight with Phey’lan, and getting pushed into one of the runes would cause a massive backlash. A quick analysis also indicated that these runes were stronger, compared to when the class holder had used them in the raid.

So you’re saying you can block my Sight Step now? Or are you saying that stepping out of it would be admitting defeat?

The Godkiller turned to see Valor’el already mid-motion to his downward strike. But what she didn’t expect was Phey’lan joining in the fray.

“I’m skipping my turn,” said the World Hero.

Shallies smiled. “That’s better.”