The next morning.
Alpha went to the potion shop as usual.
As she pushed open the door, Mia pounced over like a cheerful little bird and hugged her leg. Li Fu’s complexion was much better than yesterday, and she could already get out of bed with Mia’s support to talk to her.
Everything was fine.
Alpha stayed for a short while, then took her leave and headed to the Adventurers’ Guild.
At the Adventurers’ Guild.
Alpha had been getting up very early these past few days to avoid crowding with other adventurers when checking the quests.
Like now, there was no crowd yet, so she could walk straight to the quest board, stand at the front, and look for a quest she wanted to take.
Today, many new quest notices were posted on the board, but one new emergency quest caught her attention.
[Emergency Extermination Quest]
Location: Outer area of East City Wall
Content: Recently, monster activity in the Abandoned Mine in East City has intensified, with scattered monsters leaking out and appearing near the city wall. Adventurers are needed to exterminate them and ensure surrounding safety.
Reward: Ten silver coins
Note: It is recommended to form a party for this quest, but solo acceptance is also allowed. Monster materials belong to the adventurer and can be settled additionally.
‘Ten silver coins.’
Alpha was taken aback.
‘This reward is quite generous.’
‘And—’
‘Solo acceptance is allowed.’
Alpha glanced at the stamp at the bottom of the quest notice, then at the previous monster extermination quest, and noticed the issuer was the same.
‘It seems no adventurer has taken that extermination quest, so the monsters in the Abandoned Mine in East City have gotten out of control.’
She reached out, took down the quest notice, and brought it to the counter.
The man behind the counter glanced at her, registered it as usual, and casually said,
“This quest was already taken by quite a few adventurers yesterday, but only a few brought back monster materials. Don’t be careless.”
Alpha nodded and turned to leave.
—
Outside the East City Wall.
It was a desolate rocky beach overgrown with weeds, with a few crooked trees scattered here and there. In the distance were rolling hills, and the abandoned mine was behind them.
Alpha walked along the city wall for a while and soon found her targets.
Two monsters with bloodshot eyes, skin and bones.
One was wandering aimlessly on the rocky beach, the other was gnawing on a tree’s bark.
Alpha observed for a while, and after confirming there were no more monsters nearby, she took a deep breath and stepped out of hiding, her eyes full of fighting spirit.
This was her first time fighting two monsters at once.
Also her first true life-or-death battle.
Sword light flashed, roars deafened the ears, blood and wind.
When the last monster crashed to the ground, Alpha leaned on her sword, gasping for breath.
Although she had no injuries, her stamina was greatly depleted.
Alpha looked down at the two monster corpses, then at the Light Sword trembling slightly in her hand.
These two monsters were only Second Order, but in their Berserk State, they could unleash power close to Third Order.
No wonder the guild receptionist warned her before she left—probably someone had already fallen victim yesterday.
After a short rest, Alpha dragged the two monster corpses back.
By the time she returned to the Adventurers’ Guild, the sky was already to the west.
Dragging the two monster corpses, Alpha stopped when she reached the guild’s entrance.
A huge figure stood at the door.
Over two meters tall, dark-skinned, with bulging muscles, clad in heavy armor that gleamed coldly in the setting sun. At his waist hung a giant sword almost half his height.
He stood there, motionless like a wall, until Alpha tried to enter, then purposely stepped forward to block her path.
Alpha’s gaze, through her mask, fell on the man.
She didn’t know him.
But his action told her—he was here for her.
“Alpha?”
The man spoke, his voice low and deep.
Alpha didn’t answer, just looked at him.
“I’m Vicorehand,” the man said. “There’s something—you need to come with me.”
Alpha’s eyes narrowed slightly.
“What is it?”
Vicorehand paused for a second.
“Grey Finger’s death.”
He said it calmly, as if stating a fact.
“You killed him on the street. Surely you have an explanation.”
Alpha’s heart sank.
‘As expected.’
Just as Gelinlite said, news of her killing Grey Finger had reached those behind him.
But she didn’t panic.
“Explanation?” Her voice remained calm. “Doesn’t the Empire admire the strong? I was stronger than him, I killed him because I didn’t like him. What more explanation is needed?”
Vicorehand’s brow twitched.
“Your personality suits the Empire.”
He said, “But this matter isn’t up to you. Come with me. The Lord Baron requires an account from you.”
Alpha looked at him and suddenly laughed.
The smile was faint, almost invisible through her mask, but Vicorehand sensed it.
“And if I refuse?”
Vicorehand didn’t reply, just took a step forward.
The moment he stepped, a wave of pressure washed over her, like a mountain pressing down.
“Then I’ll have to use necessary force to bring you back.”
He said it calmly, as if talking about a trivial matter.
Alpha’s body tensed instantly.
‘Third Order.’
This thought flashed through her mind.
But at the same time, another thought flashed—‘I have to end this trouble here completely.’
She let go, and the two monster corpses dropped to the ground.
Then she turned around and faced the huge figure formally.
No words.
No unnecessary movements.
She just stood there, like a blade about to be drawn.
Vicorehand’s eyes narrowed slightly.
This reaction…
It was different from what he expected.
He thought a Second Order Magic Swordsman facing the pressure of a Third Order powerhouse would show at least a hint of fear.
But this Black Robe didn’t.
She just stood there, looking at him calmly.
As if waiting.
For him to make the first move.
Vicorehand suddenly felt unsure.
But the arrow was on the string and had to be released.
He stepped forward, reaching out—
That massive hand grabbed toward Alpha’s shoulder.
Just a probe.
He wanted to see her reaction.
Then—
Alpha moved.
Her right leg whipped out like a lash, aiming for that outstretched hand!
Vicorehand’s eyes narrowed slightly.
He was waiting for this moment.
Their grounds were justified—if she dared to fight back, he would have a reason to “teach her a lesson.”
However—
The moment Alpha’s kick hit his arm, Vicorehand’s expression changed.
“Bam!”
A dull thud.
“Urgh—”
Vicorehand’s arm was kicked aside, a numbing ache spreading through it.
He quickly looked down at his hand, which was trembling slightly, numbed by the impact.
And…
A strange force surged within his arm, rendering it completely powerless.
Finally, wariness and gravity appeared in his eyes.
He looked up, cold sweat beading on his forehead, and when he looked at Alpha again,
The power of that kick…
No…
‘This is definitely not power a Second Order can unleash!’
‘At the very least, it’s Third Order!’
‘And she’s a Magic Swordsman—if she draws her sword…’
‘She might be even stronger!’
Vicorehand took half a step back, staring intently at the Black Robe before him.
Alpha retracted her leg, standing still, looking at him calmly.
Her breathing returned to normal, without a trace of panic.
Only her eyes, visible outside her mask, were colder than before.
“Go back and tell your Lord Baron.”
Her voice was cold as ice.
“Don’t mess with me.”
With that, she bent down, picked up the two monster corpses again, and walked into the Adventurers’ Guild without looking back.
Vicorehand stood there, watching her back disappear through the door, his face pale.
His hand was still shaking.
He gritted his teeth and turned to leave.
‘I must report to the Lord Baron immediately.’
‘The intel was wrong.’