Chapter 17: Want to Become an Adventure?

As dawn broke, the crow of a rooster woke This Flower Village from its slumber.

Men and women, rising from a deep night’s sleep, wore faces full of fanatical vigor.

Reinvigorated, they shouldered their tools and surged out of the village like a tide.

They went to perform their ritual, seeking the blessings of their newly arrived deity.

Meanwhile, inside the village clinic…

The girls who had participated in the ritual the night before were paired up.

One lay on her side on a “hospital bed,” while the other helped apply medicinal lotion.

“Are you saying that strange move can only be used within the ‘God’s’ Domain?”

The one tending to Du Lin was, naturally, Su Yue.

“Yes. In that Domain, levels and Sigils lose all meaning. It depends entirely on your imagination.”

‘Dreams? Hallucinations?’

“Are those treasure chests still fake? Be bolder. I told you — it’s a Domain! Didn’t the System give you a prompt last night?”

“A prompt? What… wait! Don’t tell me that was an [Awakening Domain]!?”

“Sss… be gentler!”

“Was it really an [Awakening Domain]? No way! What kind of deity would use it for that kind of thing?”

“A young deity, I suppose.”

“But can’t you comprehend skills in an [Awakening Domain]?”

“The deity is just too young.”

Indeed… truly young…

Lucoco woke up looking haggard.

Lying on the large bed, her eyes were glazed as she pondered the meaning of this demonic life.

It was so similar!

Too similar!

This was the [♡Gift♡ Domain]!

Relying on her memory, Lucoco found the relevant records in the [Character Notes] left behind by some unlucky fellow who had been slain by a Demon King.

[♡Gift♡ Domain · D]: To put it simply, targets within the Domain can use their imagination to add special effects to themselves, though it has no other substantive effect.

According to the loser’s research notes, this was a skill that usually belonged to those in the Chaos Alignment.

In the notes, there was only a record for C-rank at most.

A C-rank Domain supposedly had a refreshing effect… at least, that was what the notes said.

‘Oh well… I thought it was an [Awakening Domain]. What a pity.’

Every time she used it, the Prosperity Sigil [World Tree’s Blessing] would activate.

What exactly was inside it?

She clicked for details… [Prompt: You are currently in your infancy and cannot view this. Please wait until you are older.]

‘Tsk.’

Just then, Lucia’s voice came from outside the door.

“Coco, are you awake? We’re getting ready to leave.”

“Ah… okay.”

Lucoco responded quickly, rolling out of bed.

She took a bottle of ten-year-old red and blue potions from her Player inventory.

*Gulp, gulp*.

After a few swigs, her haggard little face quickly regained its radiance.

She picked up the new clothes Lucia had tailored and stood before the mirror.

“Hmph… mm-hmm!”

With a series of grunts, the fleshy wings on her back and the tentacles on her chest quickly shrank until they no longer interfered with her clothing.

After a long period of practice, her [Mimicry] skill had advanced once.

Now, Lucoco could basically transform into something that looked human.

However, Lucia had still included special designs when tailoring the clothes so that Lucoco could switch forms at any time.

The early winter sun was lazy.

Lutie leaned against the wall, his fishy eyes darting around as he followed his little mistress’s movements, watching her climb excitedly onto the front seat of the carriage.

Lucia gently pulled the reins.

The tall, powerful monster horse snorted and tossed its head, easily pulling the wagon full of goods down the mountain.

The wheels rolled over the gravel path, making a low creaking sound.

Lucoco poked her head out, waving and shouting at Lutie, “Lutie! Don’t… run outside the barrier!”

*Shriek, shriek!*

Lutie let out a strange cry, his fish-mouth spraying a mist of water.

He wiggled his fishy backside and slowly returned to the manor.

The carriage passed through the magical barrier enveloping the mountaintop and stepped onto the unmaintained mountain road outside, swaying back and forth.

There was a sense of novelty and anticipation, though the scenery around her home had long since become boring.

Bored, Lucoco wanted to browse the forums, but she decided against it.

If she started gesturing wildly like a lunatic, Lucia would definitely think she was sick.

Therefore, she chose to study!

She began familiarizing herself with her newly learned defense-augmenting magic.

She took on a stance as if even a passing grasshopper had to be covered with a [Physical Defense UP↑].

Lucia had said that once she increased her proficiency in [Defense Boost 10%] to D-30%, she would teach her other augmentation spells.

Seeing her serious expression, Lucia couldn’t help but reach out and rub the cowlick on her head.

Lucoco gave a silly, vacant smile, revealing a small snaggletooth.

‘Sigh… I’m really becoming more and more like a child.’

‘But… I… I really can’t refuse it.’

‘Sorry, that was a bit disgusting.’

‘But I still want to say, a child with a mother is truly happy.’

Hard work paid off.

After Lucoco applied a [Magic Defense UP↑] to what was roughly her one-hundredth lucky subject…

[System Prompt: [Defense Boost 10%] proficiency has increased to D. Special Status Augmentation unlocked. Special Defense Augmentation is now available.]

“Mama, it leveled up.”

“Oh? So fast? Coco is truly amazing!”

Lucia said in a tone used for coaxing children.

“I want to learn more!”

Coco had an expectant expression.

“Alright, alright.”

Lucia smiled.

She took out parchment and a pen from a side compartment and began writing and drawing.

These were salvaged supplies from the ship, no longer just wooden boards.

Ten hours had passed since their departure.

The carriage had traveled slowly for nearly 100 kilometers and was now on a relatively flat road.

Occasionally, they encountered woodcutters carrying firewood or hunters returning home.

Finally, there was a sense of human civilization.

“Are you going to town to sell goods, Madam?”

A hunter returning with a full catch approached them.

Upon seeing the goods on the wagon, he greeted them warmly.

“Yes, Mr. Hunter.”

Lucia slowed the carriage to a stop and looked at the man.

“Hehe, then tell me, what do you think of my prey?”

The hunter patted the game hanging from his body, speaking expectantly.

After looking them over, Lucia’s gaze was drawn to one specific creature.

After a moment’s thought, she gave a final price.

“Hmm… how does two silver coins sound?”

The hunter froze, appearing unable to believe his ears.

“This… Madam, are you sure?”

“Yes. You can just put it in the back; there should still be room.”

Lucia stopped writing and pointed toward the rear of the carriage.

“Deal!”

The hunter was overjoyed.

He hurriedly untied the prey, thinking to himself, ‘Where did this wealthy lady come from?

She’s so generous!’

Lucia naturally saw through his expression.

She had her reasons for offering such a price.

After placing the prey in the carriage, the hunter walked back to the driver’s seat with a smile, rubbing his hands.

“Madam, it’s all set.”

With a gentle wave of Lucia’s hand, two silver coins flew and landed in the hunter’s palm.

“Ah!”

The hunter was startled.

He looked up at Lucia, his gaze turning to one of awe.

“You… you are a Mage!”

“Mr. Hunter, can you tell me where you caught that horned falcon?”

Lucia’s tone was gentle, but a flicker of inquiry flashed in her eyes.

The hunter did not dare be negligent and immediately pointed in a direction.

“Over there, about four or five miles away. Actually… when I found it, it was already injured. I just got lucky.”

“I see. Thank you.”

Lucia looked in the direction the hunter pointed, her thoughts unknown.

“Madam, is there something wrong with that bird?”

The hunter scratched his head, sounding curious.

“Yes. That is a [Starflame Falcon] chick,” Lucia replied calmly, retracting her gaze.

The hunter looked thoughtful upon hearing this.

‘So that’s what a [Starflame Falcon] looks like…’

He thought to himself, ‘No wonder the Mage offered such a high price.’

“Wait… hiss!”

The hunter suddenly gasped as he realized something.

“Doesn’t that mean… there are two adult [Starflame Falcons] over there!?”

He felt a chill run down his spine, and his legs began to tremble.

It was a miracle he had made it back alive!

“Yes, Mr. Hunter. I will deliver the information about this chick to the Adventurers’ Guild. Most people can’t handle those big fellows. Could I ask you to spread the word to the nearby residents?”

“Yes! I’ll head back to the village to find the Chief right now. Truly, thank you so much! Madam!”

The hunter bowed repeatedly in gratitude and then rushed toward his home.

He needed to get back to the village so the Chief could send word to other areas.

The carriage continued forward. Lucia went back to her writing and drawing, while Lucoco swung her legs, watching the scenery move backward with a hint of weariness in her eyes.

“Coco, do you want to become an adventurer?”

Lucia asked out of the blue.

“Huh?”

Lucoco turned her head, confused as to why Lucia would bring this up.

She wasn’t even one-year-old yet!

This was way too early!

Even if she looked like she was four or five.

“How about using those [Starflame Falcons] as your first adventurer exam?”

A strange light shone in Lucia’s eyes.

Lucoco stared at Lucia without blinking, unable to comprehend where her mother got this confidence.

Could she win against adult [Starflame Falcons]!?

She didn’t have that kind of power!

A Demon King at Level 15 Elite rank against the highest-level Boss monsters in Echo Territory, which were Level 25.

Two of them! And they could fly!

They would also be in a berserk state because of their lost chick!

They might have even drunk “bathwater,” meaning their attributes were enhanced!

Unless she activated her Demon King Authority, she wouldn’t consider it a victory through her own strength.

If it were some other normal Level 25 ground-based creature, Lucoco had the confidence to fight it to a draw in her normal state.

But that was it.

The gap between Elite rank and Boss rank was not small.

For instance, a Boss could slap a normal mob of the same level to death with a single hit!

“You don’t want to?”

Lucia leaned in closer.

“I… I can’t beat them…”

Lucoco’s face flushed as she turned away.

Seeing this, Lucia was incredibly amused.

“Silly girl… I’m not making you fight them alone. Hahaha!”

She placed the parchment with the completed spell formula into Lucoco’s arms and pinched her plump, rosy cheek.

“Don’t worry, Mama will find you a few cannon fod… good teammates!”

After casting a suspicious glance at her mother, Lucoco finally nodded.

Seeing her agree, Lucia immediately perked up.

“Great! Now let’s think. What should Coco’s adventurer title be?”

“Hmm…”

Seeing her mother so enthusiastic, Lucoco naturally didn’t want to spoil the mood.

“One-Punch Lucoco!”

“…”

“Tentacle Nun!”

“?”

“Morgoth?”

“That one… absolutely! No!”

“Jie jie jie~”

Lucia pulled her into a hug and kissed her cheek.

***

Heavenly Realm.

“Who do you think will be the lucky ones to team up with Little Rice Cake?”

“Who knows? But it’s about time for Alicia to show off her tea artistry, isn’t it?”

“Why is their destination the [Crossroad Market]?”

“Hemera must have used her deceptive divine arts again, right?”

“Why is Hemera guiding them there?”

“There is a commoner girl there who has awakened as a [Candidate Saint].”