His back pressed against a boulder, Vera had nowhere to retreat to.
The young woman he assumed was the Qingqiao stared at him intently, leaving merely an inch or two between their faces.
Realising he was stuck in this position, Vera let go of his personal space with a confused dignity.
The setting sun shimmered through the forest's dense foliage; dusk's dull orange hue exacerbated the Qingqiao's presence.
As the campfire's dry crackling stilled, the young woman spoke.
"What are you doing in my domain? And can I pet that dog?" she asked Vera with curious eyes.
The situation left his mouth ajar. Regardless of Vera's silence, the Qingqiao stared at him intently, waiting for an answer.
Vera took a series of deep breaths to calm down.
All of a sudden, a cold palm smelling of crushed pine sap held his mouth shut.
"Your breath is too warm; stop that." Her gaze unwavering even as she held Vera's mouth shut.
A few moments of silence ensued until she removed her palm from Vera's mouth; she took a step back, finally exiting his personal space.
"Now answer me," she said, eyes widened and unblinking. "Can I pet that dog?"
Sword Dog lifted his head off Vera's lap; still lying down, he nudged Vera's chest with his snout.
A dim blue radiance formed within Sword Dog's mouth as it looked to Vera for his command.
"... No buddy, this isn't a fight for you."
Sword Dog rested its head against Vera's lap, followed by a low whimper.
"I'll find someone for you to fight soon," he spoke as he scratched the back of Sword Dog's fluffy ears.
After placating his companion, Vera's head shifted to the intruder in his camp.
"Are you the Qingqiao?"
Another moment of silence passed; the woman continued to stare at Vera.
"My name is Mei, not Qingqiao. If you are asking about my species, then yes, I'm a Qingqiao. And can I pet that dog?" She spoke while pointing at Sword Dog.
Vera stared at the woman with an incredulous expression. Though he was used to people like 'Elem' who liked to give unnecessary answers, he hadn't expected it of a guardian.
"My apologies, Mei. Let me clarify: are you a guardian who is also a Qingqiao?" Vera formed a complete question in hopes of circumventing the woman's long-form answers.
"Erm... Actually the previous guardian of the wood element wasn't a Qingqiao. But I'm a guardian who is also a Qingqiao. Also, when will you let me pet that dog?" She pointed at Sword Dog with both her hands as she stared at Vera.
Memories of Elem flooded in; Vera had to restrain himself before he smacked her in the head.
"Yes... you can pet him; his name is Sword Dog. What trial do I have to face to earn your mark?"
The woman continued to stare at Vera as she ruffled Sword Dog's fur with a joyful smile on her face.
"You can get my mark if you tell me why you call him Sword Dog."
Vera's eyes sharpened as he gazed at Mei with suspicion.
Well, it's worth a try...
"I call him Sword Dog because he wields a qi sword."
"Hmm..." she responded as she fiddled with the muddy lake shore using her finger.
"Can I get your mark now?"
"Yes. Also, can you show me Sword Dog's sword?" She responded as she raised her muddy finger to Vera's forehead.
Vera's breath stilled for a moment; veins bulged through the skin of his neck. His teeth gritted as the sound of mud rubbing against skin permeated through the empty forest.
"Did you just write your name on my forehead... with your muddy fingers?" Vera asked as he restrained his arm from eviscerating the woman's skull.
"Yes... Didn't you ask for my mark?" Her head leaned into her shoulder as she responded.
Vera dipped his finger in mud... In times like this, Vera also behaved like a child.
A moment of silence passed.
"Is your name Vera? Also, can you show me your dog's sword?" Mei asked as she mimicked the noise of a sword cutting through the air.
Her unbothered expression irritated Vera even more, but he had to restrain himself.
I can't smack a guardian in the head... At least before challenging her.
Vera counted to ten, in hopes of calming down. As the blood returned to his knuckles, he spoke to Mei.
"I can show you his sword if you tell me how to earn your mark, the one a guardian is supposed to give challengers."
"Hmm... Okay, I accept."
Vera looked at the resting Sword Dog.
"Buddy, can you show me your sword?" He asked with a coy expression.
Sword Dog looked at Vera with an exasperated expression.
With his head rested on Vera's lap, Sword Dog widened his jaw. Soon a blue sword appeared in his mouth; its blade stood dangerously close to Mei's shins.
"Ohh..." Mei exclaimed as she bent over to examine the sword; she started making swooshing noises again as her eyes darted across the sword.
"Now can you tell me what the trial is?"
Mei's fingers pressed against her chin as she petted Sword Dog with her other hand.
"I've decided; you must give me an enjoyable fight if you want my mark."
A smile grew on Vera's face. The chance to ease the irritation in his heart had finally arrived.
The dull crackling of the campfire grew intense.
"Then, I'd like to challenge you to a fight!" Vera remarked, his smile laden with killing intent.
But, just as Vera was about to reach for his halberd, Mei interrupted him.
"Wait, you must give me an offering if you want to challenge me." Mei spoke with her palm held out, waiting for Vera's offering.
The veins from Vera's neck climbed to his temples. Just as he was about to lose his temper, Vera remembered something.
Vera rummaged through his rucksack with a stifled giggle; soon he fished out a stone with a polished black lustre.
After dropping it into Mei's palm, he spoke.
"Although this offering is a bit excessive, I will give you this stone. Note that it is not just any stone... It is a Divine Rock. A Divine Rock that has been blessed by the mountain god, Bao, himself!" Vera exclaimed with a shameless grin.
Thank you, Renta!
However, unlike what Vera had expected, Mei's expression did not falter. Rather, a bright smile grew on her face.
"Wow... Grandpa Bao gave me the same gift the first time we met! Very well, I accept your challenge."
Vera's mouth gaped as he heard Mei's response. After nearly a year, it had finally become clear to him.
So that's where Renta got this stupid rock from... Really, Senior Bao?