“So, your wish is for us to eliminate that group of green-skins and the spider monster on the mountain, correct?”

Parker glanced at the middle-aged men bowing before him, feeling slightly awkward.

It was the first time he had been treated with such respect, awe, and hopeful anticipation.

The villagers were even more earnest as they replied, “Yes. The green-skins are inherently vicious and extremely aggressive. They not only attack people who go up the mountain but also organize raids on the village, committing all kinds of atrocities.”

“And as for the spider monster, there’s only one, but it’s incredibly powerful and bloodthirsty. Adventurers have tried to take it down before, but none of them…”

Despite the village's remote location, wandering adventurers occasionally passed through, accepting commissions to exterminate local monsters. However, the green-skins and spider monster proved too much for those who tried, and they never returned. Since then, the monsters had grown bolder, launching more violent attacks and targeting humans in retaliation.

“Several skilled fighters have already died at their hands. Please, great ones, be cautious…”

The village elder, though barely over forty, looked much older, with snow-white hair and a hunched back. At first glance, he seemed like an elderly man.

For a moment, Parker hesitated before waving his hand dismissively. “Don’t worry. Even if I can’t handle it, my master will step in.”

“...Master?” The villagers, including Mosheler, were taken aback.

Mosheler had always assumed Parker was the leader of this small group. After all, it was Parker who saved him with powerful magic and did most of the talking. The others rarely spoke.

Some unspoken assumptions lingered as well—after all, the group consisted of Parker and three women. It wasn’t hard to imagine the women as mere followers of a strong magic user…

But these thoughts remained buried deep in the darker corners of his mind, never surfacing openly.

Now, to learn that the girl who looked barely older than a child was actually Parker’s master?

Mosheler swallowed nervously, relieved that he hadn’t acted disrespectfully. He realized he had made too many assumptions and had judged people incorrectly.

The elder blinked in surprise before bowing to Aino and the others. “My apologies for the misunderstanding. You all look so young—I assumed you were apprentices of this magic user…”

As he spoke, he cast Mosheler a reproachful glance.

Mosheler grimaced inwardly. How was he supposed to know this seemingly petite girl was such a formidable figure? It was said that powerful adventurers could remain youthful and healthy well into their hundreds—clearly, this was proof of that.

It was now the morning of the second day. As the group stepped out of the house, they found Mosheler and a few villagers waiting for them.

After a brief discussion, the villagers requested help dealing with the aggressive green-skins to the west of the village and the spider monster on the mountain.

Without delay, the group set off, deciding to handle the green-skins first.

Green-skins were a type of humanoid monster, about 1.3 meters tall, thickset, and muscular. Although not very intelligent, they were vicious and fought with reckless abandon.

Their fighting style resembled that of berserkers—the more injured they were, the more ferocious they became. With lower health, their attacks only grew stronger.

This made green-skins one of humanity’s most dangerous foes, as infamous as goblins. In larger towns, military forces or groups of adventurers would be organized to eliminate them.

But in an impoverished mountain village like this, such resources were unavailable.

Parker glanced back as they walked and voiced his concern quietly to Aino. “Are we really leaving that thing in his house? It’s terrifying to look at…”

“It’s been there for years. A couple more days won’t make a difference,” Aino replied with a faint smile, unconcerned.

“It feels like one of those insect-type monsters. Do you think it’s the ‘many-legged creature’ from the illustrations?” Alea shuddered at the memory of Xiningna’s wrinkled, translucent skin.

“Think of it as practice for strengthening your mental fortitude.”

“I’d rather face a monster ten times stronger than it than let it touch me…”

“And what would you do without magic?”

“Fair point.”

Their banter continued as usual, lighthearted and playful. It had become their norm to bicker when there was nothing else to do.

Even Zola, though typically silent like the tree she originated from, had started picking up phrases from Aino. While she didn’t fully understand them, she instinctively used them at fitting moments.

Zola had once been asked by Aino if she felt left out or disconnected from the group.

Her response was simple.

“No, I’m just observing. I find it interesting. I don’t speak much, but watching you all is enough for me.”

Her perspective as an observer added a unique dynamic to the group.

By the afternoon, they reached the green-skins’ lair.

The first sight that greeted them was two green-skins locked in a brawl, exchanging punches and kicks. Nearby, several others watched eagerly, as if ready to jump in.

“Roar-roar-gibber!”

Unable to resist, one of the onlookers suddenly punched another green-skin beside it, then kicked a third bystander.

“Gibber-roar-rawr!” The attacked green-skin roared in fury and retaliated, starting a chain reaction that escalated into a chaotic melee.

What began as a one-on-one fight quickly turned into an all-out brawl—a green-skin party of mutual beatings.

The green-skin leader, the largest and strongest of them all, stood atop a rock, watching the chaos with a lazy expression. It casually stroked its belly in satisfaction, prideful and unconcerned.

None of the other green-skins dared challenge it. With its imposing physique and a necklace of five human skulls around its neck, it had already claimed the peak of green-skin glory.

But the “festive” mood shifted suddenly as intruders arrived, quickly dispatching a few of the smaller green-skins.

The leader narrowed its murky eyes, running a hand over its grisly necklace before letting out a deep, guttural laugh.

“Gragh-gibber!”

Leaping from its perch, the green-skin leader charged like a feral beast toward the nearest intruder.

It wasn’t particularly large, nor did it look impressive—less so than the creatures it had already killed.

“Good timing. Wind Blade.”

Several semi-transparent blades of magic slashed through the air. Unable to dodge mid-leap, the green-skin leader took the attacks head-on.

Fortunately for it, the leader wasn’t defenseless. Sensing the threat, it activated its body-hardening ability, rendering the struck areas impenetrable.

Even so, it landed with several bloody wounds, glaring at its opponent with a fierce intensity.

“Rawr!”

Its dull eyes locked onto Parker, realizing this was no weakling. This was a real fight.

But green-skins, by nature, feared nothing—not even death.

Instead of retreating, the injured leader charged again, its body glowing faintly yellow as its aura surged to its peak.

The other green-skins, emboldened by their leader, roared and rushed forward, bloodlust driving them to madness.

“Phew.”

Parker steadied his breathing, calming his nerves as he began to plan the battle ahead.