The Forest of Bondari was located in the northern part of Fiore. It was a vast, expansive forest, not under the jurisdiction of any country.
Because it was home to many fierce, massive monsters, and even some towering trees had consciousness.
Normally, humans were rarely seen — except for wizards like Chase who had taken related jobs.
"According to the map with the job, we need to go to the deepest part of the northern forest to find the client's village."
At the forest entrance, Chase looked at the parchment map and roughly determined their route.
"Do people actually live in such a terrifying place? And can afford such a huge reward?"
Lucy stood right beside Chase, her large eyes full of fear at the forest before her.
Just moments ago, she had seen a house-sized praying mantis monster leap out of the dense forest and chop a giant snake disguised as a tree into several pieces...
Even at the forest's edge, such creatures appeared. She couldn't imagine what deeper parts would be like!
If Chase weren't there, she would have oiled her feet and fled.
"SS-Class jobs must pass strict review by the Magic Council. The reward is guaranteed."
Chase folded the parchment map, brushed off some dirt from his clothes, and said calmly, "Think of it the other way. The client lives in such a dangerous place. That's probably why they can afford such a high reward."
"When you put it that way, the client seems super scary too!"
The timid Lucy shrank back, hugging herself.
In her little head, she immediately pictured the client as a monster with red hair, fangs, and a body as big as a hill. She was even more scared.
She had been too rash. Taking an SS-Class job with Chase was a terrible idea...
"Whether they're scary or not, we'll know when we meet them." Chase waved his hand casually.
As the guild's record holder for the highest annual number of completed S-Class jobs, he had seen countless "monster" clients. He wasn't like the newbie Lucy, timid and anxious.
"Then, Chase, call Guardian of the Fortress back out. It'll be much easier to fly directly there!" Lucy's eyes lit up. She excitedly suggested.
Pretending to save time and energy, she really just didn't want to face the dangerous, unfamiliar forest.
Her keen insight for avoiding danger rivaled that of an S-Class wizard. She had trained it while teaming up with Natsu, Gray, and Erza.
"After flying for half a day, that guy's tired. He went back to catch up on sleep." Chase directly refused Lucy's suggestion.
The whole point of bringing her was to train her. Why would he skip that?
Remembering how earlier when Guardian of the Fortress had left, he had seemed full of energy, Lucy wanted to argue. But thinking he had indeed flown for a long time and needed rest, she asked instead, "Then, what about flight magic? If I remember correctly, you can use it, right, Chase?"
"Also possible."
Chase nodded, gathered magic power into a dark gold glow around him, and slightly lowered his waist. "Then I'll go ahead. See you at the destination~"
"CHOTTO MATTE!!"
Seeing this, Lucy exploded at speed far beyond her body's limits. She tightly hugged Chase's leg.
Leaving her alone in this godforsaken place would literally kill her!
If that were the case, she might as well walk with Chase. At least there was security.
A completely unsurprising reaction.
Chase looked down at Lucy, stuck to him like a dog skin plaster. He immediately dispersed the magic around him, a satisfied smile on his lips.
"No need to be so nervous. The wizards who took this job before all walked in, didn't they?" He said.
Hearing this, Lucy felt a little reassured. She slowly loosened her arms around Chase's leg.
"Though I heard from Mira that many got lost in the forest before even meeting the client. They were never heard from again."
"Even more terrifying!!!" Lucy's barely calmed heart raced again.
"Haha, don't worry. I've got your back." Chase patted his chest.
Training was one thing. Scaring his silly sister stupid would make it hard to explain to Natsu.
In the end, Lucy naturally chose to trust Chase unconditionally. She mustered her courage and headed into the forest.
As agreed on Guardian of the Fortress — "See what you can do" — Chase let her walk in front to lead, while he followed behind to ensure safety from any unexpected danger.
A winding path, like a vague dividing line, separated the overgrown dirt into two sides.
Whether pioneered over the years by wizards who had taken the job or by people from the client's village, it was unclear.
On both sides stood towering trees, dozens of meters high. Their hanging branches were like dormant pythons.
Occasionally, cold wind carried the unique freshness of nature. In the distant bushes, something massive seemed to lurk in the darkness, waiting.
Every nerve in Lucy's body was tense as she walked nervously.
Her right hand rested on the Celestial Spirit keys at her waist, ready for battle.
Fortunately, for half an hour, aside from a few small mushroom monsters that suddenly jumped out and started Lucy, they had not encountered any large beasts or monsters.
About a third of the way, passing a murky lake, Chase, who had been enjoying the natural scenery, paused.
From the moment he had entered this area, the usual sounds of insects and birds had inexplicably disappeared. It had become extremely quiet.
Sensing carefully, he could detect a faint fishy smell in the air.
They had been targeted.
Without changing his expression, Chase looked at Lucy ahead. The slow-reacting silly girl was still looking around, completely unaware.
Her vigilance was too low...
Just as he was about to casually warn her, DING DONG, the glow of a Celestial Spirit magic circle lit up beneath Lucy's feet.
The outline of a cow's muscles was clear. It was Taurus, double-bladed ax in hand.
Judging by Lucy's startled reaction, he had come out on his own.
"Taurus?! Why did you suddenly appear?!" Lucy scolded him fiercely.
She had been on high alert, and this pervy bull had to pull this stunt.
Taurus's expression was serious. Unlike his usual heart-eyed self. But his words were still improper. "Lucy, take off your clothes."
Lucy: "???"
"I sense danger approaching. We need to prepare for seduction." Taurus explained.
"The leap in your logic is way too big!"
Lucy's mouth twitched. Her voice sharp, she twitched, "Please use normal biological thought processes next time, okay?!"
"W-Wait, you said danger—"
SPLASH!!
The moment she finished, the calm, murky lake exploded with a towering column of water. A massive, grey-brown monster fish leaped out, its fishy, wide mouth lunging at Lucy.
"AH?! It really appeared!!"
Shaded by the huge shadow, Lucy screamed in terror. At the At the same time, she complained sharply, "How the hell could anyone seduce that thing?!!"
Truly Fairy Tail's strongest rant wizard. So dedicated...
Lucy instinctively looked toward Taurus beside her.
Wait. Where was Taurus?
You only came out to give a warning?!
Fortunately, her hand was already on her keys. Before the monster fish's attack reached her, she thrust the Golden Key into the spraying water.
"Open! Gate of Aquarius, Aquarius!!"
***
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