Chapter 16- Unwanted Parlay

At the entrance to a large opening to underground walked out a grey haired man and on his shoulder was a pitch black snake. The man's clothes were torn, stretched and even some parts burnt. The snakes condition was no better but they both wore happy expressions.

"WOOOO! Now am I happy to be out that cave? Yes. Will I even be going back ina cave? Probably another time but as of today nope!" Tru stretched as the sun warmed his skin and the wind blew through his hair. Shadow sat upon his shoulder laying lazily as it rolled its eyes at Tru.

"Hey Shadow you know what we need at this moment? Oh and I'm sure you would agree." Tru walked as Shadow opened on eye at his question when Tru steers sprinting. The Necrocoil bounced as he sprinted past the trees deep in the forest

"WE! NEED! WAAAAATEEERRRRR! Tru shouted loudly as he began sprinting through the forest. Shadow bounced around as he held on for dear life. Tru's screaming was so loud it caused several magical beasts to run at the sound. Those that didn't just stopped and stared at him like a lunatic.

He kept running till he came to a massive pool of water surrounded by blue flowers. At the pool all kinds of magical beast drank their fill before leaving. He watched as predators, prey, and low to high rank creatures drank peacefully without worry.

He approached the water and knelt down before drinking some. The water was cool and refreshing as it went down. He splashed a few handful on his face before Shadow got done and decided to take a sip

*THUUM*

*THUUM*

*THUUM*

The ground shook as ripples appreared across the drinking pool. It caused everyone to look up and around for the disturbance. Soon after the Grand Basilisk emerged from the trees and approached the water. All manner of magical beasts moved out the way of the giant lizard.

Shadow stopped drinking and stared as it approached. The lizard reached the drinking pool and began drinking when it felt Shadow's gaze. It looked up at the young Necrocoil as it drank its fill, its eyes in moving off it. Shadow eye'd the giant beast before looking at Tru.

Tru was sitting down not paying any attention when Shadow pushed his shoulder with its head. He looked over when it looked back at the beast. This time the Grand Basilisk finished drinking and stood there staring at the two, its tongue flickering in and out.

It gazed at Shadow with hungry menacing eyes while the lateter's eyes filled with fire. The small flame on it tail began to grow as it continued staring. The surrounding magical beasts didn't move a muscle as the stare off intensified.

Soon after the lizard turned around and walked away not caring for Shadow. Shadow's eyes widen at the action and it rose up higher from the ground.

"Suuuuusssss" Shadow hissed lowed at the beast causing it to quickly turn around wrath filling its motives.

*ding*

"Skill Provoke(Passive)-Rank A has been acquired"

Seeing the new and honestly unwanted skill caused Tru to scramble to his feet. Sweat dropped from his face as anxiety filled his heart. He slow began collecting mana as he readied for a fight, but to his surprise the Grand Basilisk just flicked its tongue before leaving.

"Well uh…that was weird. I wonder why it didn't attack ." Seeing the beast retreat caused Tru to ponder. He looked at Shadow who was equally confused and continued staring in the direction the Basilisk went. Soon after a soft montone voice entered his ears.

"That's because this is a Serenity Drinking Pool. Every beast knows it's forbidden to fight or attack another while here, that's why neither one of them moved."

Tru looked over and saw a purple haired young woman playing in the water with a stick. She wore purple clothes fit for a scout with a larger sword embroider on her back. On her hip she had a thick yellow book.

She stood up and dusted her knees as she looked at Tru with a large bright smile. She held out a tiny hand in his direction. "Hi, nice to, uhm, meet you. I am V, what's your name?"

*ding*

*STATUS*

Name- V Trill

Age- 21

Rank- D

Affinity: Aero

Contract: N/A

Magic Level- 1377/138911

*Skills*

Strength(Passive)- Rank C

Fortitude(Passive)- Rank C

Wind Mastery(Passive)- Rank B

Mana Mastery(Passive)- Rank B

Languistics(Passive)- Rank S

Beginner Grimoire Mastery(Passive)- Rank E

Intermediate Grimoire Mastery(Passive)- Rank C

Lightning Shower(Active)- Rank D

Haste( Active)- Rank E

Thunderbolt(Active)- Rank C

(Locked)

(Locked)

(Locked)

Tru grabbed her hand and stood up before shaking it firmly. "I'm Tru, nice to meet you but uh why are you way out here be yourself?" He looked her up and down as he waited for answer when his eyes fell onto the purple gem hanging from the silver chain around her neck.

"Hehehe well funny thing is I could ask yo I the same thing, espcialky for someone that doesn't know what a Serenity Pool is." She giggled hard as his face turned red from embarrassment.

"But dont mind me and to answer your question I'm here to do some well I'd call it recovery work. Though I'm not alone I've got my squad with me. Do you want to join us it's not far aaaaand I've got fooood."

Tru's stomach growled as it heard the word food. He made a sheepish grin before giving her a thumbs up. She clapped in excitement before walking away.

"If just this away about three minutes from here. So it won't be too long of a -OH MY GOD IS THAG YOUR SNAKE?!" V's eyes went wide as they fell on Shadow who was standing a behind Tru.

Tru became nervous as V walked up to Shadow and knelt before him. The close distance made the Nercrocoil inch closer to its master. It eyed the purple haired girl wearily before deciding to climb Tru's shoulders for safety.

"Haha yeah this is Shadow, he's a Black….Tree uh Viper?" Tru lied and laugh nervously as V continued to observe Shadow.

She looked at Tru with a skeptical look before smiling. "Hmmm a Black Tree Viper you say? Huh I've never actually seen one only seen pictures in books. Well either way let's get going before they send a search party."

She shrugged be for leading the way with Tru and Shadow both in tow. Shadow gave Tru a a weird look but Tru ignored it and patted its head.

"Hey you have to be careful, I've never heard of a Necrocoil and I'm sure she hasn't. People are greedy so you can never be too careful." Tru whispered to Shadow justly while the latter nodded in understandment.

Shadow just rode on Tru's shoulders and watched the woman in silence. After a few minutes they arrived at a small camp with five tents. In the camp were men and women of various races and colors bustling about.

"Welcome to our humble camp! I know it's not much but please do get comfortable. Also what size do you wear? Look like you've been picked apart by wolves.

Tru rolled his eyes and looked down at his clothes and gave her a cheeky smile. "Hehe you wouldn't believe it if I told you but I wear a large. Thanks in advance."

Tru took a seat as V left and returned with a set of purple clothes. She handed them to Tru along with a towel and rag.

"There's a shower over there,feel free to use it. Also don't worry no one here is going to bother you, not as long as I'm around." She pinged at herself and flashed a big smile. Tru laughed a bit then headed to the showering tent.

He entered the tent and saw a giant tall glass shower, sink and even a toilet inside. He looked at Shadow who was still a bit battered and needed rest. He cancelled the summon and watched as Shadow turned to black smoke and entered the black snake tattoo.

Tru showered for a bit and then got dressed. He looked at the clothes k n the mirror and saw that he was dressed like everyone else in the camp.

'Hmm must be some kind of mercenary group, but not one I ever heard of before. I don't know too many with a sword as their symbol. He shook the thoughts from his head as he exited the tent.

V was talking with a few other members when she saw Tru and walked over to him. She looked him up and down and nodded in approval of the outfit.

"Not bad not bad I'd say, if you met a random they'd think you were part of us haha. Not that it's a bad thing anyway. Are you hungry ? The chef just finished cooking incase you want a bite. Tru nodded quickly and followed V to the chef's tent.

After getting the food she found a nice quiet spot for them to talk and eat in privacy. Though it was more her talking as Tru scarfed down his food. V went on about various things from magic, magical beasts and even why she doesn't like toast.

Tru finished his food and listened to her talk when a question ran across his mind. "Hey V , do you mind if I ask you a question?" He looked at V with curious eyes.

"Sure go ahead I love question!"

"Well I see you all have the same uniform and insignia but I've never seen it before, who are you all exactly?"