Going back in time a little. When Artemia was asking Alex if he knew the real goal of this expedition, Isabella, on the other side, sat not too far from the river and was throwing stones on the water while muttering.
''I wonder what they're talking about?"
''What if Alexender became a beast and assaulted her highness? Kyaah! I must be there to watch, no save her.''
''Should I go back to peek?"
Isabella quickly shook her head and tried to convince herself.
''No, that not it. Everything I'm doing is for the princess's wellbeing.'' She said.
This would have sounded convincing if she wasn't wearing a dangerous smile on her face. Currently, Isabella's mind was filled with some dangerous scenes, not suitable for a sane mind to learn about it.
Isabella was so lost in her little world that she hadn't noticed the monster lurking behind her. It was a Water monkey, and unlike average, this Water monkey was different. It stood at 2 meters tall; its fur was a little bit grayish on the left side. While it was not mid Boss like the one Alex killed yesterday, it wasn't far from it; this is a unique monster; calling it Rare species should be more accurate.
This monster was the mate of the one Alex killed; in other words, the killed monster's wife. She came to seek vengeance for her man. What Alex and others didn't know was that just after getting killed, that giant Water monkey released a special pheromone that sticks against his killers to alert the others. It was pretty undetectable, so Alex's group didn't know.
As for the reason why the female Water monkey picked Isabella especially, it was simply because she was the weakest of the three.
Holding her right paw forward, the rare female species of Water monkey slowly changed. A water ball of the side of three basketball was created in the sky, just above the daydreaming Isabella.
Just as the spell was completed, the female Water monkey swung her arm down.
Swoosh!
At the last moment, Isabella was able to sense the incoming danger. Mustering enough strength into her legs, Isabella managed to barely avoid the fate of being squashed by a water ball.
BOOM!
A big explosion occurred that leave a deep scar on the ground where Isabella was.
It was this same explosion that alerted Alex and Artemia to come over quickly.
And when they came, they were shocked to see Isabella locked in a fight against a strange Water monkey.
''It's the woman of that Big monkey I slew yesterday.'' Alex immediately announced upon seeing the female Water monkey.
Artemia was curious about how he knew that; however, she stopped when she recalled the particular skill those reincarnated have: Appraisal skill.
''No good,'' Artemia shouted when she saw Isabella be sent flying; she even spurted a mouthful of blood before crashing against a tree, breaking it.
While puking blood, Isabella tried to move. However, Artemia's voice dissuaded her.
''Isabella, stay done. I shall take care of this little monster.'' Artemia declared.
Her declaration forced Alex, who was preparing to kill the female Water monkey, to step back. He went to assist Isabella in getting back on her feet.
When the female monkey understood that Artemia would be her opponent, she turned tail and ran.
''As if I would allow getting away after injuring my cute subordinate.''
Artemia declared before disappearing as well; like a bolt of lightning, she moved, passing through the trees as if they were not present.
On the other hand, the female Water monkey jumped from tree to tree like a ninja. The two continued the game of catching first when Artemia suddenly stopped and leaned to her left.
Swoosh! Bang! Crack!
A big tree passed by air breath of her face and crashed against the tree behind her. The big tree almost surpassing the one that attacked Artemia was broken into two. If Artemia's instinct weren't sharp and warned her that she was walking into a trap, she would have become a corpse by now.
Looking at the female Water monkey who had a human-like face after seeing her trap failing (A/N: She showed a disappointed face.), Artemia's eyes turned calm, and instead of immediately lashing at the culprit of her current mood, she calmed before suddenly taking an action that startled the female Water monkey.
Artemia turned her back at the monster and simply walked away. At first, the monster was confused, thinking maybe it was some kind of devious trap the despicable human was plotting; however, no matter how long she waited, Artemia didn't make any move, she continued to walk back towards Alex and Isabella's direction.
Seeing this, the female Water monkey grinned before trying to create a spell to kill Artemia.
Just as she stretched her paw, bolts of black lightning descended from the sky and obliterated her.
At the same time, Artemia mumbled.
''Black Demise.''
''Sigh! This skill is still incomplete; if not, I would have erased at least half, if not the whole forest. Time to go back.'' Artemia said, dejected.
The other monsters that previously hoped to move against Alex's group dropped that idea after seeing the scene of some portion of the forest gone.
•••••
Artemia joined Alex and Isabella; the latter was sleeping after receiving treatment.
Alex and Artemia decided to resume their previous discussion.
''Do you have an idea about what you are going to snatch?" Artemia asked, her legs crossed.
''I don't know, but I guess it's some kind of treasure.'' Alex speculated.
〖I'm curious as well.〗Silveria said; however, Alex ignored her and focused on Artemia.
''You are wrong; what you will be going after is the same thing I'm currently after.'' Artemia dropped a bomb.
''What?" Alex shouted.
As if it wasn't the end, Artemia added.
''Lilith is the same as me. A reincarnated goddess, in fact, she is the reincarnated goddess of Demon.''
''Eh?"
Alex was so surprised that his mouth was wide open.
〖What a starling revelation.〗Silveria sighed.
Alex nodded his head. Artemia continued.
''Even Lilith herself isn't aware of this truth. What you are going to snatch is something that contains a part of her power. It was sealed after that battle. Acquiring this thing may bring back some of her memories apart from increasing her strength.''
''I see; however, I'm more interested about what happened back then for this world gods to fall,'' Alex said, his eyes locked on Artemia.