Several weeks after Melody had begun patrolling the road between the north and south Gaian forest, a lone, single horse-drawn wagon with two passengers lazily traveled down the road. The man hummed a simple tune as a woman around his age sat next to him, a sour look on her face.
"I still feel like we should have hired some guards at the guild in Buralett." She commented.
"Come now, darling, we are moving to Hallfen to begin a new life! We need as much capital as we can get if we hope to live inside the city." He replied to her.
She sighed heavily, looking toward the southern forest. "They say that monsters typically appear from the south forest, Chip."
He chuckled at her comment. "Sarah, please, those rumors may be true, but I recently heard a more interesting one." Chip began before Sarah cried out in fear.
Looking toward the forest, a bear the size of their wagon came barreling out of the woods toward them, frothing at the mouth.
"Demon bear! HYAH!" Chip whipped the reins, getting their horse to take off in a mad gallop.
The demon bear roared and continued its pursuit of them.
"Dammit, Chip! I told you we should have hired some guards!" She yelled, hopping into the wagon's back and pulling up a loaded crossbow.
Taking aim, she fired her bolt at the bear, only to fall atop their things when the wagon jolted because of a hole in the road.
"Kyah!" Sarah leaned up and took a look at the bear, only to see it dead behind them.
"What…? Chip! Stop the wagon!" Chip did as she said, and they both looked back to the dead demon bear several yards away.
"Nice shot, dear." Chip commented.
"But, that should be impossible."
They then heard a beautiful voice call out to them. "Are you alright!?"
They looked toward the northern forest where a giant woman in black fur armor and a hood of a black liger approached non-threateningly.
"A giant now?!" Sarah cried, looking for another bolt, only to be stopped by Chip.
"Darling! That is the other rumor I was going to mention! Um, excuse me! Miss Giant! Might we know your name?" He shouted to her.
"I am Melody," Melody replied. A massive wooly bison came out of the north forest, following her.
"Hah! I knew it! Dear, that is the rumored Giantess of the Gaian Forests! They say she is very friendly to humans and often patrols the road area to help keep it safe! Oh, this is amazing!" Chip was excited to meet Melody, but Sarah looked at him suspiciously.
"I remember the rumor now. It also said that she was an unparalleled beauty." Sarah's eyes narrowed at Chip.
"Huh?! Uh, nononononono, my dearest! I swear that is not the reason I desired to meet her!" The two began to bicker back and forth as Melody got to them and kneeled down next to their wagon.
"Oh, you're hurt." Melody noticed Sarah's elbow was bleeding from a scrape from her fall.
"So I am," Sarah said, looking at her elbow.
Melody pulled a small pouch from her belt and revealed a purplish paste. "Here, this is a healing poultice. It is excellent against infections and helps heal the wound with no scar."
Sarah thanked Melody as her husband uncomfortably ogled Melody.
Sarah looked at him coldly before socking him in the stomach, folding him over.
"Sorry about that, Miss Melody. Thank you so much for your help. Would you like some spices? We have some here." Sarah offered.
"Really?! Thank you! Do you have butter clover extract? Pappy has been looking for some since we ran out." Melody smiled.
"One moment. Let's see… Here it is! Here, take these two jars." Sarah offered Melody two of the three jars they had.
"Oh, one jar should be enough." Melody replied, but Sarah insisted.
Melody gratefully took the two jars and added them to her magic pack.
"So, what about the bear?" Sarah asked.
"Oh, I'll take care of it. It seems to be a water-type demon bear, so its hide will make great swimwear and keep me cool during the hotter seasons. Meat should be good, too, once Pappy gets a hold of it. Anyway, would you like an escort to Hallfen?" Melody asked.
"I would not want to impose upon you any further, not to mention this lecherous fool." Sarah kicked Chip in the shin for staring, causing the man to hop about, playing up the pain.
"Very well. Be safe then." Melody turned and headed over to the bear corpse.
"What a nice girl." After some additional punishments, Sarah was able to get her husband moving their wagon toward Hallfen.
Melody watched as they left from the corner of her eye as she called out to Fenny to come down.
Melody effortlessly dragged the carcass off the road toward the north forest's edge.
"Please do it, Fenny." She asked him while petting his head.
Hopping over to the body where Melody's Nature Arrow had pierced it, Fenny began. After whistling a mysterious-sounding tune, the blood from the bear quickly floated out of the body into Fenny's mouth.
"How long, Fenny?" She asked, to which he replied through their telepathic link.
"Okay, thanks." Melody sat down and leaned back against Aroo, who was lying down.
"It's been a while since I have checked my status. Identify."
Huntress Giant (Daughter of Gaia): Name: Melody. Age: 19. Level: 22. Danger Level: Death.
A Huntress Giant, an evolved form of a High Giant. Huntress giants age slightly slower than humans, increasing their life span significantly. Huntress giants also grow larger than normal giants. This giant is highly intelligent. Expertise in survival, hunting, trapping, stealth, and archery. Significant boost in archery and hunting skills. Can use high-level nature magic. Has received the blessing of a Daughter of Lyuten (Gaia), which considerably boosts magic and natural abilities.
Health: 9630. Stamina: 10120. Magic: 18420. Strength: 1020. Endurance: 1240. Dexterity: 930. Intelligence: 760. Wisdom: 910. Charisma: 14060. Skills: Abnormal Condition Immunity (10). Physical Boost (10). Nature Magic (10+). Magic Boost (10). Wrath (*). Stealth (10+). Survival (10+). Identify (10). Archery (10+). Dismantle (10+). Consume (10). Stampede (10). Tracking (10+). Magic Manipulation (9). Cooking (9). Acrobatics (8). Construction (8). Forester (8). House Work (7). Dig (7). Animal Handling (7). Shadow Pounce (7). Terror Howl (6). Taming (6). Magic Sense (6). Charm (6). Wind Magic (4). Water Magic (4). Fire Magic (3). Seduction (1).
Melody frowned at her listing. "Crap… I got a weird skill… Seduction…" Melody used her identify skill on it.
Seduction: A skill specializing in captivating others for carnal pleasures. Provides a boost depending on skill level. (Current: Rank 1. Increase of one percent.)
"What the hell!? I didn't do that!" She complained.
She figured that it was not her effort that got her the skill but the continuous lustful nature of those who have looked upon her. Melody let out a heavy sigh just as Fenny notified her that he was done draining the bear corpse.
"Thanks, Fenny." She thanked him, which caused him to happily whistle.
Using nature magic, she had a tree nearby reach out and pick the carcass up by its hind legs.
She quickly and easily skinned the bear corpse after pulling out her Demon Mole Claw knife that she made years ago.
After which, she removed the head, front legs, and organs from the body. Melody rapidly butchered the meat into large chunks and stowed all of it into the magic pack she got as a gift from her Aunt Autumn. The pack could store a small room's worth of items.
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"Hmm, I don't think I have had demon bear before. I wonder if I will get a new skill this time?" Melody pondered as she finished packing away the items.
"So, are we heading home now?" Maple asked, who popped out of her invisibility. Maple was getting tired of humans calling her a pixie when she was a 'Magnificent and Regal Fairy' as she started to tell them.
"Yes, it is late in the day, and the sun is getting low. I doubt anyone would be moving on the road at night." Melody said, putting her pack on her back.
Hopping up on Aroo, Fenny took to the air, and they headed into the forest to return home.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Near the main gate of Hallfen, Chip and Sarah's wagon arrived. Sam, the guard, approached them.
"Greetings, what is your purpose in Hallfen this day?" He asked.
"Moving, sir," Sarah answered since Chip seemed to be in a daze.
Sam snorted, knowing the cause of Chip's status. "I am guessing you two ran into Melody?" Sam asked, looking at Chip.
"You would be correct, sir," Sarah said, flicking Chip's ear and directing his attention to Sam.
"Uh, huh?! Oh, we're here. Hello sir, my name is Chip. This is my wife, Sarah. We have come to Hallfen to become new residents. Here are our papers." Chip handed Sam some paperwork.
Sam could only laugh as he took the papers. "It is alright. This literally happens to any male that sees her up close. Most women are unaffected so long as Melody doesn't remove her hood. I have been told that her smile can be... heart-stopping." Sam motioned for them to enter to bring them to his superior for processing.
"Her smile…?" Chip dazed off once more, trying to imagine it until Sarah poked him in the side.
"Keep your eyes on where you're going, or give me the reins, you fool!" She ripped the reins from his hands and directed the wagon into the city. Chip began apologizing to her, but she just ignored him.
"Are you two looking for work?" Sam asked.
"No, sir, we arranged to purchase a shop here. I am a merchant who deals in spices, and this idiot ball of lust next to me helps me run the business. Though I think Melody rightly broke the fool." Sarah complained more about Chip, only getting him to apologize more.
"Ah, don't blame him too much, miss. From what Violet and the others told me, Melody is still trying to get that under control somehow. At least before she meets the city lord."
Sarah snapped to attention at Sam's words. "Wait, she will be brought into the city!? With that level of charm, she would wreak havoc on the populace!" Sarah stated.
"Yes, we know. That is why they are waiting until she can get it under control." Sam stated, happy that Melody's beauty was the more worrying factor than being a giant now.
Sarah thought for a moment. "Hmm, I would like to see a good woman like her be a part of the city. How does everyone else feel about her?" Sarah asked out of concern for Melody.
Sam smiled at Sarah's question. "Melody's assistance has been a large boon to the city. Merchants have been spreading word quite a bit about her. Most people in the city are more curious to see or meet her than scared of her. Once she can get her charm under control, the guild master plans to arrange the meeting."
"I see. Well, I hope to see her again soon. She is such a lovely lass." Sarah commented, looking at her bandaged elbow.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Maple was lying on a pillow on the table, a tired and slightly exasperated look on her face. Melody sat before the fairy with her eyes closed, focusing and calming her mind.
Melody then gave a dazzling smile. "Ahhhhhhhhh." Maple groaned, rolling over onto her back, letting her head hang down the edge of the large pillow.
Melody stopped smiling and had a sad but frustrated look on her face.
"Still no good, huh? Haaaaah." Melody sighed heavily.
"We're never going to get into the city at this rate, Melody." Maple said, opening her eyes and looking at her friend.
"I know. I am really trying." Melody said sadly.
Melody was still a bit apprehensive about the city. Still, after meeting so many humans that appreciated her help, she was now curious.
"We tried covering you in mud, calming your mind, covering you from head to toe, a mask to cover your mouth, and twenty other things. None of them even seemed to dent your charm. Are you sure you can't turn them off?" Maple asked.
"I cannot. I tried many times. I even asked mother if she knew anything, but she said that my charm skill is passive, so I cannot turn it off…." Melody trailed off.
Melody looked over at her friend and noticed the tip of a little blue cap just barely poking over the edge of the pillow. Melody smiled and picked up the now giggling gnome.
"What are you doing back there, Bell?" Melody asked, snuggling the gnome to her cheek.
"Just hiding. I wanted to surprise you two." The two ladies shared a warm giggle between themselves. Maple, on the other hand, cocked her head, taking hold of her chin in thought.
"Hey, Melody." Melody stopped cuddling with Bell to give Maple her attention. "Have you tried just hiding your presence? Like you normally do? Just, not all the way where you disappear from sight?" Maple's questions cause Melody's eyes to slowly widen and her mouth to drift open in awe.
"Ah." Was the only sound that came from her.
Melody placed Bell down on the table, closed her eyes, and used her hiding skill to reduce how others could perceive her. Opening her eyes, she smiled brightly at her two friends.
"Oh, wow. Uh, Pappy! Pappy! Can you come here, please?!" Maple called out excitedly.
The old gnome appeared on the table next to them.
"What is it, Maple? Is something a matter?" Pappy asked.
"Look at Melody! Melody! Do it again!" Maple ordered.
Pappy looked at Melody as she tried to give her most dazzling smile.
"Oh, what a lovely smile," Pappy said with a smile of his own before his face changed to surprise.
"Wait, what? I… Miss Melody! You did it!" Pappy called out.
"Yay!" Melody raised her arms in excitement, accidentally releasing her control over her presence a bit. Pappy fainted.
"Ah." The three girls said in unison.
"Um, keep practicing, Melody." Maple said.
"Yeah, I'll do that… Sorry, Pappy…"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A couple of weeks go by. Violet, Annabelle, Lucas, Mina, Lala, Ellen, and Gona arrived at the edge of the north Gaian forest.
Violet turned toward the forest and shouted, "MELODY! WE'VE COME TO VISIT! IT'S ME! VIOLET!"
Inside the cart were several small cases.
"I hope Melody will like these." Annabelle worried.
"Relax, Anna, I'm sure she would love cake. I mean, she lives in the forest. How much cake could she get in there?" Violet assured her friend.
"Well, I guess that is true," Annabelle said.
"Your cakes are delicious, Miss Annabelle. I am sure she will love them as much as us." Mina, Lucas, and Lala assured her.
"How long do ya think it will be this time?" Gona asked.
"Gambling with Ellen again? You lose every time, Gona." Violet commented.
"I feel like I'll win this time!" Gona complained.
Ellen accepted the stubborn dwarf's wager. If he lost, he would owe her a three-hour massage. If he won, she would buy him a gold coin worth of booze. No one else but Violet noticed that Ellen's ears tended to twitch a little shortly after they called into the forest for Melody.
Heh, cheater. Ellen saw Violet's mischievous smile. She replied by putting a single finger to her lips while giving her a wink and a naughty smile of her own.
"I say she'll be here in one hour!" Gona declared.
"Then I will go with thirty minutes," Ellen replied.
"I say twenty!" "Twenty-five!" "Ten?" The three children chimed in.
So, about thirty minutes until she arrives. Violet laid down on the ground to rest until Melody's arrival.
Just as Ellen had claimed, Melody arrived at twenty-nine minutes, much to Gona's dismay.
"Hello, everyone." Melody smiled brightly, her hood back.
"Melody!" The children ran up to give her a hug.
"My! Melody! You did it!" Ellen was the first to notice that the strength of Melody's charm had been reduced to a more normal level.
"I did, thanks to Maple and Bell."
Bell warped down from Aroo to Mina and Lala. The three small girls became fast friends during their gatherings.
Maple landed on Melody's shoulder.
"It was a real pain, but we finally found a way." Maple sighed heavily.
Violet laughed and smiled. "Looks like it."
Melody began smelling the air. "Hm? Something smells sweet."
Violet and Annabelle smiled. "We brought a special treat this time. Made by Miss Annabelle's Bakery! Cake!" Violet called out dramatically while revealing the cakes.
"Wah! Cake! I love cake so much!" Melody cried.
"Reeeeeaaaaly? Where would you ever have cake in the forest? Annabelle is the first person to introduce cake, as far as I know. Not to mention, where would you get the flour?" Violet probed while handing Melody one of the cakes.
Melody took a happy bite of what looked like a cupcake in her hands.
"Mmmmm! This is delicious, Annabelle!" Melody was a bit distracted to answer Violet.
"So, Melody, what would you say is your favorite type of cake?" Violet tried her questioning again.
"Hmm? Oh, hmmmmm… I would say that the fruit cake that Miss Poppy made a few months ago is my favorite. It tasted like pure happiness!" Melody replied, both Maple and Bell agreeing, a bit of drool coming from their mouths.
"O-Oh… Well, what did she use for flour?" Violet asked, frustrated that her questioning did not go as she hoped.
"I think she used several sweet chestnuts to make the flour for it. It really added to the flavor, and because of the sweetness of the fruits and flour, no sugar was needed. Ahhh, this chocolate one is fantastic! What do you think, Bell? Maple?" Melody asked her friends.
"Bell likes the white fluffy one!" Bell cried happily, some frosting on her cheek.
Maple commented that she liked the chocolate one more but still preferred the fruit cake Poppy made.
"Well, I am glad everyone likes my cakes. Melody, I will try my hand at making a fruit cake too! As not to be outdone by Miss Poppy!" Annabelle stated her challenge, causing the others to laugh.
They finished off all of the eight cakes that were brought. The three children ran about playing with Bell while Maple overate and was resting under some shade. The others were gathered together to begin their critical discussion.
"So, when will the Lord want to see me?" Melody asked.
"Once we report to my father, he will work to set up the meeting. We will do it as you requested, just outside the city. But Melody, I will say that you will likely draw a much bigger crowd than we thought…." Violet said, scratching her cheek nervously.
"What do you mean?"
Ellen was the one to answer as Violet seemed to not want to bring it up. "Rumors of your beauty have many... men, wanting to catch a glimpse of you. But it is not to say that anyone has negative feelings toward you. The people of the city are curious to see or meet you. The other day, I met a spice trader who opened a shop near the guild."
"Oh, do you mean Chip and Sarah?"
Ellen nodded.
Melody saw their curiosity as to what might have happened. She happily told them of her meeting with the couple. Gona was in stitches as he laughed, rolling about on the ground.
"You're no better, Gona." Ellen's playful chiding, calming the dwarf down.
Melody looked to become more nervous.
"Melody, you're slipping." Maple commented from her recovery spot.
Melody saw their eyes were getting drawn to her again, so she restored her dampening on her charm. Melody thanked Maple for catching her before she unleashed the full strength of her appeal.
"Anyway, Melody, you keep practicing your control. We will let you know the meeting date with the lord." Violet commented.
They cleaned up and got everything ready to go back to their homes. The children gave out hugs to Melody and Bell before their groups turned to head back to their homes. They all had much work to do.
The meeting with the city lord was set two weeks after that day.