Two weeks later, Cely slowly woke up.
After having consolidated her foundation for two weeks, the instabilities in it had finally disappeared. As she slowly stood up, she made her way to the kitchen and sat down on one of the chairs at the dining table.
Slowly, she picked up the steaming spirit tea in front of her and took a sip. As the liquid entered her, she enjoyed the feeling of sublimation as the tea filled her with small amounts of Qi and covered her tongue with an inhumanly good taste.
After that, Cely slowly put the cup down.
"So, you truly died, huh?"
Lucifer, who sat opposite her, asked before lifting his own cup to his lips.
"Yes. Why so surprised? You know what I had to deal with on the daily by running that place; a little death isn't surprising."
Lucifer squinted at hearing this. She was correct in saying that, but the thing he was concerned about was Cely saying he shouldn't ask how she died. Some information has actual weight that could kill even Greater Gods, but for her to say that even he would not be able to handle it would take something way bigger.
After all, he was not really a Greater God. He was only sealed to a very weakened state.
"Can you at least tell me how you were reincarnated and kept your memories? Must have cost you quite the fortune."
"I had a little deal with Wheel. Though, that favour is now turned in, so no second chances from this point."
Hearing this, Lucifer just rolled his eyes. As if! Chaos and Gaia would not allow their little girl to just die. And should Cely really perish, there would be naught but the worst of fates awaiting those responsible and those that dared to watch and not interfere.
He didn't verbalize this, though, and just finished the rest of his tea.
"I guess this is a new beginning for you. Though, even now you are projecting a more mature outer appearance than the age of your body."
At this, Cely's eyes shot open as killing intent burst from her body, aimed at Lucifer.
"Say that again, Luci, and I will rip your lolicon head off even if I have to damage my soul for it!" Though not to the point of losing her mind, the venom and rage in Cely's words were palpable.
At the word "lolicon", Lucifer repelled slightly in annoyance, but it did fully confirm Cely's identity to him. "No need to be so angry right away. I was just speaking facts."
Cely's eyes narrowed under the mask as she looked at the smug, unapologetic expression on Lucifer's face. "I have stuff to do, and so do you. Let's cut this talk here."
Having finished his tea and confirming that this truly was the Cely he knew, Lucifer was satisfied and agreed to that statement. "Be careful, little plant."
With that, Lucifer seemed to merge into space and disappeared.
"Sigh, what a busybody."
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Cely stepped out of the shielding formation on her new home and looked out at the busy streets in front of her. That hustle and bustle, the calling of merchants and the light sounds of street musicians calmed her nerves. A content smile emerged below her mask.
'Since when was I so sentimental?', she thought to herself, while touching her supple lips below her face mask.
She used to be so cold and collected, and now, with only this much, she seemed... happy. It... wasn't bad.
Letting that feeling take hold, Cely started exploring the city. All the buildings around the city were reinforced with formations. From energy-gathering formations on pretty much all the houses to simple atmospheric formations that created a certain environment inside. Likely due to species preferences.
What all buildings had in common, though, was a specific immortal-tier protection formation. Though the interesting part was that each one had slight differences. Using her slightly increased mental capacities due to her breakthrough to Foundation Establishment, Cely began to map each building in her mind. Slowly, as she wandered the enormous city, she found the reason for the differences. The entire city was one large formation.
She knew of these kinds of formations, though she never really saw them, as their price-to-result ratio tends to not be worth it compared to other alternatives. But she also understood the allure of such a formation. With so many hundreds and thousands of notes, all immortal-tier, the whole would reach a remarkable level when combined. Though she could not tell the exact grade, considering the sheer size of the city and her limited time.
Having wandered the city for so long, though, and having gotten a picture, Cely began to head to the Adventurers Guild in the city center. She wanted to do some hunting to replenish her cultivation energy. It was just way more efficient to devour monsters than to absorb energy herself. Since she was going to hunt anyway, why not make some money on the way?
Getting into the building together with a bunch of other people, Cely, for the first time, really took in the sights. Most of the large reception hall was made out of a white, marble-like material called aurium. Its surface broke the light like an opal, and black veins ran through parts of it.
Potted hedges formed large natural barriers throughout the room, forming small private seating areas with isolation formations to stop sound from escaping. When Dan and her had talked, they had sat down in one of these areas.
At the end of the hall was the reception area. A dozen booths were open with personnel warmly receiving visitors. To the left were a dozen or so doors leading to private rooms for more sensitive matters that could not be handled at the main reception.
Overall, one word could describe this best: Luxury.
Everything looked perfectly neat and clean, partly due to formations, but also because all the materials used in this hall were of immortal-tier. Every plant, every table, and even the cutlery and decorations were not spared.
'What a waste.'
That was the only thought Cely could really muster, her eyes twitching at how wasteful this all truly was at the end of the day. The more she thought about it, the more she started to notice that, although this kind of material surplus might seem normal considering how resource-rich Neal was. This city was only in the border region of the two continents.
And no matter the backstory, that is still too high a cost for a city that is just supposed to protect the border.
"You wondering why we dare to be so wasteful with all these materials?", Dan's voice suddenly startled Cely from behind, causing the latter to glare at the Wolfman, who threw up his hands in innocence.
"Not my fault you were so lost in thought. Anyway, we have large mines in the mountains some distance from the city. They were discovered before it was built, so the Holy Church spent quite a sum to secure the mine and this region back when the Duke was still in charge.
"It is honestly surprising how plentiful materials here are. Large spirit springs, fields of immortal trees, and mines overflowing with immortal materials. Makes you wonder what might have happened here once.", Dan, who had sat down at the same table they were at last time, started explaining.
"I saw what you did a few weeks ago and was waiting to talk to you for a short bit before you would inevitably go out to hunt monsters for your nourishment. I just want to tell you to be very mindful not to provoke the Monster Gods in the center of the forest. Yes, some hunting may be fine, but be sure to diversify what you kill and how much you kill. Those old beasts really do not like their children being slaughtered and will hunt you should you go too far."
The Wolfman's tone was understandably grave. After all, if Cely really managed to provoke the Monster Gods, Grimm might be in danger too. Even the old guy would be hard-pressed if even one Tier 9 monster came out of the forest.
"Don't worry. I know how monsters tick. Not the first time I have gone on a bit of a killing spree on their kind. I'm here to pick up some hunting missions. Pick out specific targets to chase after, so I will seem to have specific goals, with any casualties along the way being mere coincidences. Also, some extra money never hurt anyone.", Cely calmly replied, as she chugged a beverage that had at some point appeared on the table.
She didn't know what kind of beverage it was, but it tasted great. It was cold and refreshing, with a taste reminiscent of a mix of all the best berries. It blended nicely.
"Good. I have some missions here that might interest you. Just pick the ones you think fit you best, and I will be on my way."
With that, Dan placed some papers on the table showing different missions. Exterminating an Oakland Spider nest, hunting some Poison Leaper Frogs, etc, etc. Nothing too exciting, but Cely wasn't looking for excitement... mostly.
"I'll take the frogs and the spider. Before I go, though, do you have some Demi-Devinity finger claws I can use? I am truly lacking in the weapon department and I have something nice I can trade for them in return." Cely asked, a pensive smile on her masked face, as she waited for Dan to answer.
"Well, I don't. You'd have to go to the Blacksmith Association for that. Though I am curious what you would trade, if you don't mind showing." Before Dan could really prepare, though, Cely waved her hand, making a sword appear above the table and crash onto it.
The table, made of immortal material, nearly broke under the sheer weight of the rapier, as cracks spread from where it landed.
Dan's eyelids twitched as he stared at Cely with annoyance. Although she was wearing a mask, he could tell she was smug about this. Was this revenge for startling her?
More so than that, he was truly surprised. This rapier was definitely made of divine materials, and then, it hit him. This was Maria's rapier. He had forgotten what Edward had told him about Maria's death, which was why he had not anticipated this.
"Well, that will definitely give you the funds for some custom-made Demi-Devinity claw weapons. Though, was it truly necessary to let it drop on the table?"
"Yes."
"Sigh... go on then. Here are the two missions you want to do. I will contact Klein at the Blacksmith Association. He will make those finger claws for you. I, myself, will be heading to a meeting.", and with that, Dan sat up and walked toward the back of the Adventurer's Guild, where he took a teleporter to the meeting.
Though slightly curious about the killer, Cely chose to ignore it as she took the rapier again and walked towards the exit. She had her own missions, and getting some proper weapons before she started with that would be crucial.
And so, a minute later, she reached the Blacksmith Association.