Chapter 326

  Mythical Beasts and How to Slay Them

  (Mallory)

  All families are different.

  Meaning all family dynamics are also different.

  Given how Mallory’s own family was, most willing to cut her out or tear away at the empire she built up while she was sick and dying for two years had impacted her in a hard way.

  For the most part Mallory had secluded herself, letting her body slowly crumble away to the Blight that was impossible to cure.

  Only her granddaughter from the real world still cared for and believed in her. Giving her messages of encouragement and pride in how well she conducted herself, even in the face of death.

  Apparently, Mallory’s own plight and perseverance to strive on living until a cure was found was used as a rallying cry for many cancer survivors around the world.

  A cure will come, if you just have strength enough to survive until its arrival.

  Even those that didn’t find cures still found solace in the fact that they got to see loved ones and grand children that they might have otherwise missed, had they not persevered until the end.

  Those messages from her own granddaughter had allowed her to keep her sanity and find the motivation to continue onward.

  That bond that they shared showed how important family was.

  Now that her granddaughter was here, her growth rate was exceptional.

  While a little saddened that her Granddaughter had chosen to go with the Spiritlight last name, Mallory couldn’t really blame her granddaughter.

  As a Spiritlight, she was automatically neutral to all spirits, along with the other components that came with such a name and prominent bloodline.

  While she still had all the blessings of the Valhalla bloodline within her, blessings that would make killing just that much easier, it was clear that her granddaughter was also choosing the path of peace.

  A path that seemed to be getting adopted more and more by fellow guild members.

  Oddly enough, those that openly professed the way of peace still leveled. Often, they leveled at speeds that far exceeded those that still hunted to gain levels.

  The main reason for this continued progression was due to the way quests became more and more prevalent for those that truly wanted to change. That was the key, it wasn’t so much a statement of change, but those that truly wanted to change to a way of peace. When they did, that was the moment that quests came out of the woodwork for them.

  Quests to do simple things like completing their next great breakthrough in Alchemy or design. Heck, over half of the students of Dr. Spiritlight seemed to have adopted this mantra of not wanting to truly harm, but to defend what was needed, as they gained quests for completing seemingly simple tasks.

  That was the quest, go into Cass’s class and try to learn what she taught. Do that and the student in question would get a million experience points.

  Then the most interesting part came when the Legrand Forces began their invasion.

  From there the students who were engaged in battle, were allowed to defend themselves and their homeland, but must show restraint by not outright destroying the spirits of those they killed.

  The fact that so many students had grown to the point where they could apparently kill spirits was alarming. That and the fact that even with showing restraint the warriors easily repelled enemy attacks showed the diligence of their training and efforts.

  There were so many things going on that it was hard to keep up. Even now, with a month left to work on things, there were still a few minor issues, and quite a few major ones. But very few seemed to be pixie sized. That is, there were few of the known issues related to the war with the Legrand Empire that Mallory thought Cass could handle.

  Well, let Mallory rephrase that thought.

  For there were many things that Cass could easily fix, disappear, or alter in such a form that they were no longer an issue. The only problem with this was how much change would the beloved Doctor do to fix these issues.

  That was why Mallory was glad that one of these fixes were already addressed without her having to delve too deeply into, about things that Cass could fix, without actually breaking them.

  There it was the notification that Cass still needed to address two things related to the war with the Legrand Empire.

  This of course was when Gwen noted that there was one avenue that would likely lead to a quote unquote fix, to a problem. It was also clear that this was something that would greatly affect Cass and likely cause major problems in the future if not handled correctly.

  It was also clear that this topic was very important to Gwen.

  That was why, Mallory now found herself with Gwen outside Dr. Spiritlight’s Luxury Guild Housing unit.

  Tingle.

  Just as they arrived and Mallory was looking for almost any reason to not be here, that was when Gwen went for the kill. With one movement she instinctively reached her hand out to clasp Mallory’s hand.

  In that connection there was a brief surge of emotions, almost as if Gwen’s own nervous energy somehow flowed through her body to her hand and expressed them all in chemicals that could be interpreted by Mallory’s heightened senses.

  In that grip several thoughts and sensations that were passed without word.

  Taking a moment to look at Gwen, Mallory felt oddly surprised. For here Gwen was, clearly flustered and stressed beyond belief, despite her body and rigid posture not showing an ounce of the fear and trepidation that was now coursing through her.

  Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

  Seeing her forced calm and composure, Mallory couldn’t help but feel her love for Gwen flare up all at once.

  Not because she was vulnerable, but for the fact that she was strong enough to know she could do this on her own, but confident enough in their bond to ask for help.

  Also, the act of just holding hands meant a lot.

  While Mallory knew that Cass wouldn’t have an issue with their relationship, it might be a different thing entirely for her estranged father to react to the sight. With this reaction alone, it showed that Gwen needed her now more than ever.

  Then reality of the situation hit Mallory with full force.

  This man had effectively abandoned not just Cass, but her kids, Gwen included. While it was clear from her nervous posture and the way she all but forced Cass to save this man, Mallory also knew that she needed to have words with this person.

  Not just for his abandoning of Cass, but for his apparent complete abandonment of his daughter and parental relationships. Then for him to side with Rob Jr., or Trenton Spiritlight as the son apparently went by, that was almost a blow too low to take.

  Just having these thoughts caused anger to rise in Mallory.

  Normally, she was calmer and more able to deal with adverse situations, but for both Gwen and Cass, Mallory knew the two were likely too forgiving for this person. This scum who dared to join as a mythical race. A mythical race that was almost immediately destroyed thanks to their own hubris and arrogance.

  For what its worth, it seemed that Gwen could also feel Mallory’s emotions and anger on her behalf. Then as if feeling the strength of their bond, she paused and gave a bright smile to Mallory before gripping her hand tighter.

  Then before Mallory had a second to consider her approach to this event, the door was open and they were inside.

  Glowing darkness.

  Honestly, Mallory had never been into the room that was owned by Dr. Spiritlight.

  Originally, there were carbon filament lights and other modern conveniences that were added. Then ultimately abandoned as it was quickly determined that the Doctor didn’t need nor use lights, thus the open courtroom effect for her classrooms, as this way it was certain that light would be able to illuminate the classes.

  It was also quickly determined that if Dr. Spiritlight truly wanted anything for her room she would ask for them.

  This meant, other than the cursory bed, linen, desk, chair, and other effects that came standard with every room, the room was barren.

  Except for the glowing ball of writhing glitter that now lay upon Cass’s sheets.

  Yes, apparently pixies do glow in the dark, even those that were noted as being Usurpers.

  While this had long been held as the conclusion, as it was deemed to be part of the Legendary Bloodline aspect of the Spiritlight bloodline. However, Mallory did remember noting that Gwen did take the idea of having a glow too seriously, while she was pregnant.

  Snicker.

  Just thinking of that time together made Mallory smile as she realized it had been a good year.

  “Who, whose there?” The weak and shriveled wingless pixie asked. Fear evident as he sprang up to a sitting position in the bed.

  Seeing him move and sit up, Mallory could only feel contempt for the pitiful creature in front of her. A creature who already seemed to have earned three strikes from Mallory. First strike for leaving Cass. Second strike for abandoning Gwen. Then a third strike entirely for trying to steal the work of Cass, while doing absolutely nothing to have earned such a right.

  Yet, before Mallory could respond, a vindictive Gwen began to speak, as acidic words spewed from her lips.

  “Long time no see, dad.” There was an extra harsh stain on that last word, and rightfully so.

  There was a pause, as a bewildered pixie’s head shook slightly, before he opened his third eye and saw two figures standing at the entranceway to the room.

  “Jackie?” The pixie spoke.

  For a moment, Mallory wanted to know who the heck was this Jackie was? Did this man have so many illegitimate children running around, that he lost sight of his own daughter?

  Fortunately, Gwen spoke before Mallory could give value to her thoughts.

  “Yeah, though now I go by Gwendolyn Spiritlight,” Gwen replied, before continuing “Robi’dob’dob Usurper.”

  At that comment, Mallory remembered that Jackie changed her name upon entering this world.

  For a moment, Mallory wished that Cassie had chosen a better name to drive home just how stupid Rob was in choosing his own unique name for this world. But then she realized if she had a copper for every time she and others wished that Cass was better at naming things, Mallory would be a millionaire.

  After this week, it was clear that at least part of the disconnect was the parental controls that still blocked a lot of terrible choices. This would explain why she thought Qi Fusion Fighters should be shortened to QiFFers. Yes, Mallory still couldn’t let that one go, but looking back it did seem to make more sense why certain things were beyond her notice.

  Coincidentally, Mallory had heard that multiple students had all been offered the Qi Fusion Fighter class as an initial class choice as a Qi user, but so far no one had taken the class.

  Fortunately, Rob, or was it Robi? Regardless, he seemed to have been sufficiently cowed by the statement and realization that the person that was now visiting him was his estranged daughter.

  “I guess, a Happy Birthday is in order? Perhaps several?” Robi offered, apparently trying to make light of the situation he now found himself in.

  Smack.

  Before Mallory had a chance to realize what happened, a resounding smack rang out in the room.

  “Shit, you killed him.” The distant voice of Gwen rang out, as it was all Mallory could do to blink twice before realizing that she was the one who apparently acted upon hearing the insensitive response.

  “I, I… I just,” Mallory stammered out. Trying to explain the fact that she herself was angry. Then through their still clasped hands, she felt the anger and disappointment forming from her connection to Gwen.

  Fortunately, they still had that connection, for Mallory only got a sense of reassurance, and oddly enough appreciation for the reaction.

  Yes, Mallory had smacked Gwen’s father so hard that he died and Gwen was actually thankful for the act.

  Only a moment later, when Gwen began casting Resurrection on the dead and swatted pixie did her reaction begin to make sense.

  That’s right, Gwen and the Doctor could both Heal and Resurrect, as Gwen had been granted the Doctor’s amazing Healing class. Well, at least until the Doctor once again evolved her class until it was a Unique Healing class.

  This was fine though, as it meant that Gwen could Resurrect people, just as all four of Dr. Spiritlight’s Simulacrums apparently could.

  This meant that their capital was considered one of the safest places in the world.

  Yes, death was a possibility here, but permanent death was very hard to obtain.

  Mallory watched in morbid fascination as Gwen began to slowly Resurrect her father.

  The process was so long, that Mallory almost missed the quest notification she had obtained.

  Yes, that was another thing, even Mallory found her own level skyrocketing recently.

  There was just one problem with that Title. Namely it only seemed to affect three or so creatures currently, Mallory being one of them. Maybe it was a sign that more Mythical creatures would soon be released upon the world? But for the most part the world had been rather sparce with the types of monsters being released. While the world always seemed to come up with higher level zones, the fact that most creatures, even dragons, were not of Mythical grade was readily apparent. Especially as Mallory received the next part of her quest completion notification.

  Seeing the message, Mallory wondered if it was purposefully worded awkwardly to cause obvious confusion about who exactly Mallory had killed to earn this announcement.

  Thinking about it, this was likely the best-case scenario, for Mallory and the whole guild. If Robi had been killed by someone else, then this powerful Title would have gone to someone else, likely a Legrand Empire soldier who would then feel compelled to use the Title and its bonuses against her, or God help them, against Dr. Spiritlight.

  There was also the fact that with this death happening here, like this, it meant that Gwen would be able to Resurrect the jerk. Giving Mallory a chance to do it again.

  No, she wouldn’t do it again. Actually, she didn’t know why she did it the first time.

  Well, she did know, but she did find it odd that she couldn’t control her baser impulses.

  Also, who expected a mythical grade creature to be so weak that it could die from a simple slap to the face.

  Granted Mallory was extremely high level at this point, with her own Mythical bloodline and Mythical grade class, but still, one would assume Mythical beasts would be slightly more durable.

  By the time Mallory was done feeling the effects of her new levels taking hold within her body, she realized that Gwen had finally finished Resurrecting her father.

  Thinking back, Mallory used to think that it took Cass a long time to cast this spell, though if she was to compare the two, then Cass made her form of Resurrection look like it was on speed dial.

  Of course, Mallory made sure not to state this point to Gwen.

  Only afterwards did she realize that she still held Gwen’s hand. For a moment she wondered if her thoughts had been transmitted to Gwen, the same way Gwen’s thoughts had flowed into Mallory earlier.

  “Well, I guess I should be thankful that you didn’t voice your actual opinions,” Gwen replied.

  At that Mallory just winced.

  Fortunately, Gwen seemed to be in a somewhat decent mood as she responded honestly, “though I don’t think I will ever take a comparison of not being able to cast magic at the same proficiency as mother to heart.”

  Then as if just realizing that someone else was in the room listening in to their conversation a third voice chimed in.

  “Your mother is here?”

  Hearing those words, Mallory could only stare at the odd pixie with a bewildered expression. Until finally she responded.

  “Just who do you think brought you here to safety?”

  At that question, the pixie just stared on in amazement, before responding.

  “That was your mother? But she was…” Robi trailed off as he tried to come up with the words to state exactly what he was feeling at this time.

  “So powerful?” Gwen asked.

  The pixie just shook his head.

  “So young?” Mallory asked, realizing that a pixie that looked fourteen at the most might show up particularly to someone of the same species.

  “No,” Robi began, then seemed to put into words exactly what he was thinking when looking at his former, well also current wife. “She looked good.”

  Then before Mallory could let her revulsion at the comment fully form on her face, Gwen already began speaking her thoughts on the situation.

  “What, are you going to say that now you want to try to work things out with mother, after all of this time?”

  “What? No, I never…”

  Hearing Robi speak, Mallory waited with bated breath as she wondered if she would be strong enough to stop herself from reflexively swatting a mythical pixie to death for the second time, in as many minutes.