The monster, which was originally bowing its head to gnaw on the giant rabbit, heard the sound of movement in the tree.
Raising its head, it bared its sharp teeth in the direction of Athena, growling lowly to assert its dominance.
While Athena was running desperately, she shot an arrow towards the monster. The arrow pierced deeply into its flesh, causing the monster to wail in pain. It then turned and chose to flee into the distance.
But Athena wouldn''t give it the chance. Arrows flew one after another, each faster than thest. The damage inflicted by the arrows,bined with the power of the moonlight imbued within them, gradually seeped into the monster''s limbs and body, chilling it to the bone, freezing even its soul.
The monster was gradually engulfed in the chilling cold, its limbs weakened, unable to take another step, and it copsed heavily to the ground. Athena approached and shed its neck.
| [ ck Panther Beast ]
Level: 4
Strength: 10
Defense: 8
Skills: w, Silent |
Another monster met its demise, and only an hour had passed since the beginning. Blood pooled around, its metallic scent thickening in the air. It was no longer safe to stay here, as it might attract uncontroble entities.
The corpses of monsters within the area battlefield wouldn''t disappear, yet one couldn''t obtain loot or experience points from killing them.
Returning to where Mikmik was, the woman who had been there before remained seated, not daring to flee.
The woman spoke first, "Let''s talk. I didn''t really mean to harm you just now, after all, I''m not that foolish. It was just a smoke that induces unconsciousness."
Seeing Athena''s advancing steps without pause, and the glinting ck axe, the woman decided to get straight to the point.
"I have money, a lot of money. I can buy my freedom with silver coins!"
Athena ignored the woman''s words, continuing forward. When the woman was about to make a desperate attempt, seeking a chance for survival, Athena just retrieved her arrow.
No waste allowed, especially since her supply was limited.
"How many silver coins?" Athena inquired.
The woman looked at Athena with aplex expression, hesitating before speaking, "50?"
Fifty silver coins was not a small amount. After all, she couldn''t harm the woman now, and even if she did, there would be no benefit. It was better to let her go for now and exchange for 50 silver coins, a stable oue.
Seeing Athena lost in thought, the woman thought she wasn''t satisfied, so she gestured with her fingers, indicating "1", and loudly said, "100 silver coins, that''s my limit!"
Though somewhat regretful, Athena abandoned the idea of bargaining further.
"Alright."
| [ Theater of the Stage has sent you a friend request, ept/Decline ]
[ ept ]
[ Theater of the Stage has sent you a trade request, ept/Decline ]
[ ept ]
[ Congrattions! You have received 100 silver coins! ] |
In truth, Theater of the Stage was afraid of Athena taking the money and not fulfilling the promise. But now, her life and freedom were in Athena''s hands. She had no other choice.
If Athena was indifferent to Theater of the Stage before, now she found herself somewhat liking her, albeit only for her money.
"You may leave."
She wasn''t someone who would break promises. In the future, as more regions intersected, her reputation might spread as fearsome, but it must never be that of untrustworthiness.
Theater of the Stage hesitated as she stood up, taking a step towards the exit, then turned back to ask Athena, "Miss, can you take back the thing you used to track me earlier?"
She had searched almost everywhere, even checking herself repeatedly. Yet no matter where she went, she would still hear a cat''s meow behind her, signaling a warning.
"It''s not following you anymore. Rest assured."
"It? Is it really a cat?"
Athena couldn''t be bothered with her and turned away, not wanting to linger in this ce for long. As Theater of the Stage watched Athena''s retreating figure, she still felt uneasy. After walking a distance, fearing that Athena might have a change of heart ande back for her, she confirmed that Athena indeed had no intention of bothering her and began to run frantically.
Meanwhile, at the location of the giant rabbit, more and more monsters were attracted by the scent of blood, leading to a fierce battle as Athena had anticipated.
Athena walked and pondered continuously. She somewhat regretted not questioning Theater of the Stage clearly earlier. If Theater of the Stage was willing to offer 100 silver coins, it proved that she had more than just that amount.
Where did the other party get so much money from? Or was their entire region rtively wealthy? Well, it didn''t matter; she might catch her next time.
If Theater of the Stage knew what Athena was thinking, she would probably be furious.
Athena opened the map and saw that the densely packed red dots were dispersing, with some even inexplicably disappearing.
The direction where the red dots disappeared was ahead of her, causing her to abruptly stop her steps.
Athena looked solemnly at the gloomy forest ahead and decisively chose to bypass it, running towards the direction where there was a river.
Initially, she ran in that direction to find a water source. There were plenty of monsters here, so she could easily kill one for food. However, without water, survival would be difficult.
In the forest she passed through, there was a tree thinner and more frail than the others, looking diseased as if it could be snapped by the wind at any moment.
A monster identally wandered into it, and suddenly the ground cracked open, thick roots emerging to bind ityer byyer. The monster was trapped in a cage made of roots, crushed, and absorbed until nothing was left of its blood and limbs. The frail tree swayed slightly, growing a new patch of green leaves.
After running for a while, asionally stopping to rest and killing one or two monsters along the way, she even caught a normal white rabbit. Athena finally arrived at the riverside, where the turbulent river water flowed clearly.
Feeling thirsty, Athena wanted to drink immediately but hesitated. She dropped the white rabbit on the ground, while Mikmik threatened from the side with bared teeth and ws.
The white rabbit timidly approached the riverbank and drank the water. After tasting its sweetness, it became bolder.
After resting for a while, Athena saw that the rabbit was fine and decided to go and scoop some water for herself.
Suddenly, a fish leaped out of the river, aiming to devour the rabbit. But Athena was faster. With a swing of her axe, she struck the monstrous fish as it jumped out of the water, chopping it directly onto the ground.
The fish was nearly a meter long, transparent from skin to bone, invisible underwater.
If it hadn''t jumped out, Athena wouldn''t have noticed it.
The white rabbit was scared stiff and fainted on the spot.
Athena squatted down and scooped up some water with her hands, drinking it. The cool and sweet river water made her feel alive again. Mikmik also drank some water beside her.
0060 – Tree Roots
0060 ¨C Tree Roots
Three hours passed quietly, and the restrictions between yerspletely disappeared. The red and blue barriers in the distance had vanished entirely, leaving the surroundings in darkness with no trace of light.
The sky was devoid of stars and the moon, immersing everyone in endless darkness, evoking a sense of fear. Moving forward now required light, and in this absolute darkness, any appearance of light would attract everything nearby like a beacon for attacks.
Athena stayed in arge tree by the river, hidden among dense leaves, with Mikmik nestled in her arms. They took a short break there. The extra red dots on the map had disappeared, leaving only ten purple dots representing the top 10 yers.
The war medal Athena carried also changed, showing the number seventeen, indicating her current rank in the regional battle.
| yer has triggered Side Quest 3, activation conditions now announced!
Side Quest 3: Steal other yers'' war medals to gain ess to their backpack resources! Additionally, each war medal adds a 1% bonus to regional battle points! (Stackable!)
Supply packages will refresh in half an hour! Please check the map! |
| 3 km northeast of your position, supply packages will refresh! |
yers had started fighting among themselves, which was exactly what the system intended¡ªto have the strong eliminate the weak. Otherwise, there wouldn¡¯t be such rules.
Athena double-checked the purple message and confirmed she hadn¡¯t misread it. The Mikmik in her arms, suddenly squeezed tighter, yelped in pain. Sheforted it, stroking its head and messing up its carefully groomed fur, causing it to jump out in frustration.
Originally, Athena nned to adapt to the surroundings, staying by the river for food and asionally snatching a package or two, maintaining a rank below 10, and targeting the top yerster. She wanted to avoid being attacked early on but was pleasantly surprised by this sudden opportunity.
She grabbed the still-pouting Mikmik and instructed it to lead the way. Even in total darkness, Mikmik could see clearly and navigate effortlessly due to its natural concealment abilities, making it invaluable in these conditions.
Athena, on the other hand, could only perceive her surroundings within three meters, barely enough forbat, despite her attributes nearing a breakthrough. Therefore, she needed Mikmik to guide her.
With Mikmik leading, Athena moved faster and soon reached the location marked by the purple text. As she observed the surroundings, she realized this was where several red dots had mysteriously disappeared before, a ce she had intentionally avoided.
Unexpectedly, she ended up here anyway. The system¡¯s first supply package refresh point was in this area, causing her a headache. Mikmik, sensing danger, circled her feet, warning her of the potential risks ahead.
Initially thinking she could get ahead of others and take the package right away, Athena now faced difficulties. Even Mikmik, usually calm and proud in battles against various monsters, seemed fearful and uneasy.
After some consideration, she decided not to be the first to act. It was wiser to wait for more yers to arrive and divide the attention of whatever was lurking inside. Reminding herself not to be blinded by greed, she retreated a bit.
Half an hourter, a light beam appeared at the refresh point, illuminating the darkness and attracting distant yers. However, there were three such beams! The other two were much farther away, visible only as faint glimmers.
| Supply packages have refreshed! Light beams will disappear in half an hour!
Special notice: this supply package contains: 1 Dark Vision Goggles, 10 War Medals, 1 Shelter Upgrade Blueprint (applicable to any level), and 5 Deluxe Food Packs! |
Athena¡¯s mouth twitched. Thismotion made the map redundant. And the special notice¡ªwas the system afraid yers wouldn¡¯tpete for the package without knowing its valuable contents?
Ignoring the other items, a single pair of Dark Vision Goggles, just by the name, suggested its crucial role in this dark ce. It was the perfect tool for ambushes and looting.
"Whoosh¡ª"
"Whoosh¡ªwhoosh¡ª"
Shortly after the system''s notification, the nearest group of people had already sprinted at full speed to the location. Inevitably, they encountered each other, creating an instant and extremely awkward situation.
However, the war medals each group carried emitted two different glows: blue and red. This was a system feature to distinguish people from different regions.
Almost instantly, the yers reached a consensus. Those from the same region stood together, and the two sides faced off. Their standoff didn''tst long, though, as the next group was about to arrive, prompting them to start fighting.
Various dazzling weapons appeared, more than Athena had ever seen in the big uncle''s shop. Almost everyone had their own unique skill.
Several of the stronger yers had already charged into the forest. Seeing this, Athena didn''t hesitate and followed suit. As she ran, someone noticed her and tried to block her path.
The person wielded a long spear and thrust it at her fiercely. However, Athena, gathering her strength and activating a skill, broke the spear in half. Both the spear wielder and his previous opponent were stunned.
In the moment of their shock, Athena delivered a flying kick, sending the spear wielder flying. Mikmik seized the opportunity to snatch the war medal from his chest.
The darkness, previously pushed back by the light, suddenly surged forward like a living thread, enveloping and dragging the man away before he could even scream.
Seeing this, no one dared to obstruct Athena''s path.
When Athena reached the inside, she found three people standing still. The fourth person was trapped between the tree roots. The ground cracked inch by inch, and the roots, like wed hands, thrashed about on the surface, attacking the three.
The three fought while retreating but noticed Athena approaching.
Although Athena had anticipated a grim situation, she hadn''t expected it to be this dire.
These roots lurked beneath the entire forest, ready to break through the ground at any moment. The thickest roots were as wide as barrels, and the thinnest were as thick as Athena''s arm.
0061 – Cheat
0061 ¨C Cheat
In this eerie forest, Athena and the other yers faced a challenge. The supply package was right in front of them, but the demonized tree monster was massive and twisted, threatening everything around it.
Athena gripped the ck axe in her hand tightly, her eyes firm and resolute. Reckless and impulsive, she joined the battle. The tree roots attacked, and the fight began instantly. Athena was the first to charge forward, swinging her ck axe, which glowed with a strange light. Each swing created a huge gash in the thick roots, and the smaller ones were severed and fell to the ground.
The other yers were not to be outdone. They unleashed their skills¡ªsome released powerful magic attacks, others fought with their fists, each blow precise. However, none of them used their full strength. Their goal wasn''t to destroy the tree monster but to get the supply package in the middle. They just needed someone to distract the tree monster. As soon as there was an opening, they would rush in and grab the package. Who would get it depended on their abilities.
Unlike Athena, who was fighting with all her might, most of them fought while retreating, waiting for an opportunity. Among the three other yers, two clearly knew each other. During the battle, they protected each other, an unconscious habit that was hard to hide despite their efforts.
In the intense fight, everyone''s breathing became rapid. They kept attacking the tree monster, not giving it any chance to rest, while they also had no time to catch their breath.
"Hey, those two over there, do you know each other?" One of the yers, a young man in full armor, spoke up first. It was unclear where he got his armor from, but he fought the tree monster with his fists, the force of his blows powerful enough to repel and shatter the roots.
The other man and woman ignored him, ncing at Athena instead. Based on the colors shown by their battle medals, the person who had been killed earlier and the armored man were from Region 003, while three of the four remaining yers were from Region 004.
"Don''t ignore me. Although we''repetitors, we''re still fighting together now, right? I''m [ True Heart ] from Region 003. What about you? Are you not even going to say your names?"
After the fierce battle, Athena and the other two panted with fatigue. "Region 4, Athena," Athena said.
The other two also revealed their names. "Region 4, [ Witch''s Cloak ]," said one.
"Region 4, [ Magic King ]," said the other.
"Hahaha, what pretentious names you have!" [ True Heart ]ughed without hesitation, but the other two looked displeased.
As Athena''s attacks grew fiercer, she almost broke into the central area but was pushed back. The other three sighed in relief but used her aggressive assault to quietly advance.
The tree monster, repeatedly losing roots, grew enraged and frenzied. More roots gathered toward Athena, reducing the pressure on the other three and creating an opening.
Seeing the gap, the three quickened their pace to slip inside. The tree monster, sensing something amiss, sent some roots after them too. But at that moment, the light beam from the supply package suddenly disappeared.
The three were shocked, while Athena sighed in relief.
Feigning recklessness, Athena suddenly dashed in the opposite direction with her ck axe, escaping the dangerous area. Leaving the other three to deal with the tree monster''s wrath, they were caught off guard and couldn''t understand how the supply package had vanished under their noses.
Athena didn''t care about this. As soon as Mikmik grabbed the supply package, the light beam disappeared, and darkness enveloped the area again. Now was the best time to escape. If the three behind her reacted and surrounded her, it would be troublesome since they were both powerful and from the same region as well.
Mikmik led the way ahead, and the package he originally held was now in Athena''s hands. They ran swiftly, as if chased by a fierce tiger.
The three at the tree monster''s location grew increasingly suspicious. The disappearance of the supply package was definitely rted to Athena, who had been the main force attacking the tree monster. Suddenly, she withdrew, and the package disappeared¡ªwhat a coincidence?
It turned out they weren''t the ones using the tree monster as a tool; they were the tools themselves.
[ Witch''s Cloak ] gave [ Magic King ] a look, and they nned to abandon [ True Heart ] and escape.
Beside them, [ True Heart ], now bearing the brunt of the increased pressure from the tree monster due to Athena''s withdrawal, was fuming.
"Hey, you two, I''m not an idiot. I''m not falling for the same trick twice. Either we all go together, or none of us are leaving!" [ True Heart ] said with a smile that didn''t reach his eyes.
"And you saw that person''s strength earlier, didn''t you? Isn''t it better if the three of us surround her?"
The [ Magic King ] and [ Witch''s Cloak ] eventually agreed. A blue barrier appeared around the [ Magic King ], and when he pushed it forward, the entire tree monster was shoved back.
[ Witch''s Cloak ] took out several bottles and threw them at the tree monster. The bottles shattered, releasing a ghostly blue me that burned fiercely, scorching the roots of the tree monster.
Since they were cooperating, they had to show enough sincerity! Without hesitation, [ True Heart ] retrieved his weapon from his system backpack: a shield that gleamed with a cold light.
The shield was made of a mysterious metal, its edges sharp as des, and the surface was intricately engraved withplex patterns that seemed to tell an ancient story. When [ True Heart ] held the shield, a powerful aura emanated from him. Although it was a piece of defensive equipment, he wielded it as a weapon, slicing through the encroaching roots with it.
The tree monster was soon forced to retreat. It chose not to attack the three humans anymore, keeping a watchful stance. Seeing this, the three of them left without hesitation, showing no desire to continue the fight.
[ Witch''s Cloak ] closed her eyes, and faint fireflies shimmered around her, merging into the ground. "I see, I hear, I track..." she murmured softly.
The fireflies spread in ripples underground.
After determining a direction, Athena and Mikmik ran without stopping. But as she took another step, Athena sensed something was wrong¡ªit was the feeling of being watched. She warily scanned her surroundings but found nothing. Mikmik meowed questioningly beside her.
Athena didn''t think it was her imagination, feeling a bit uneasy.
Unseen to her, every step she took left a faint glow, creating a trail that only [ Witch''s Cloak ] could see.
0062 – Is There A Way
0062 ¨C Is There A Way
Athena ran, her heart already clear that the three of them must have used tracking methods unknown to her just now.
She knew they wouldn''t let her off easily, especially since she had taken the supply box right from under their noses, which was no different from teasing them.
She moved through the dense forest, holding the supply box in her hand, but dared not open it recklessly. She didn''t know if another beam of light would appear when she opened the supply box.
They used an unknown method to track her, and Athena could feel their approach. No matter how she hid, she couldn''t shake off their pursuit.
While running, she suddenly spotted a hidden cave and didn''t hesitate to dive in.
Inside, she opened the package.
| Congrattions on obtaining Night Vision Goggles x1, War Time Medal x10, Shelter Upgrade Blueprint x1 (applicable to any level), and Deluxe Food x5! |
Simultaneously with the system prompt, another beam of light shot out from the package.
In fact, even with the cave''s concealment, its light was unstoppable. The Night Vision Goggles were a pair of ssic monocr sses. When worn, Athena''s vision instantly brightened, just like in daylight, no longer limited by darkness.
The ten war time medals had automatically merged with her medals, and her ranking on the medal quickly rose to 11th.
Phew, thankfully, just a hair away from the top ten.
The Deluxe Food consisted of five sheets of parchment paper, containing delicacies like seafood feasts, and stewed chicken. Athena rolled them all up and tucked them into her belt.
She was very cautious during battles and didn''t feel marked by anything, and the system and purple fonts didn''t make any judgments.
There was only one possibility: she wasn''t marked; the package in her hand was.
Athena threw the package, which had lost its brilliance, on the ground and retreated. Indeed, the feeling of being tracked disappeared after she moved away.
Meanwhile, on the other side, the three advancing individuals also saw the appearing beam of light, and quickly noticed its disappearance, understanding something had happened.
Witch''s Cloak stopped the Magic King who was preparing to elerate, shaking her head at him. Her tracking method had been discovered; now, they didn''t know where the other party escape to, so there was no point in pursuing again.
True Heart also quietly retreated to the side, turned around, and ran away. With the loss of amon goal, this temporary alliance instantly fell apart.
For Athena, the current dark forest, aside from being a bit more dangerous, had be as easy as walking on t ground. Just as she was about to find a rtively safe ce to take a rest and have a good meal with Mikmik, her friend''s reminder sounded.
Finding a rtively safe ce to temporarily rest, she opened the system panel and found her friend interface.
Inside were a series of messages bombarding her, but she had been busy just now and hadn''t had time to attend to them.
| -- Boss Big Dream, I''m in a dire situation!
-- I''m surrounded by three people from Region 003! Boss, please help!
-- They''re all a bunch of rookies! Something you can handle with a flick of your hand!
-- But I dare not move! |
| Potato sent you a location share! |
The opponent''s timidity seemed natural in their speech.
After Athena clicked, indeed, a white moving marker appeared on her map, indicating Potato''s real-time location.
She was familiar with that location; apart from their beam of light, there were two other beams in different ces. Unfortunately, Athena couldn''t rush over there.
However, amidst the struggle for those beams on this side, she didn''t see her familiar figure. She found the chat box for [ Ask-The-Heavens ].
| Trade request from Big Dream, ept/Decline? |
[ Ask-The-Heavens ] pushed up the sses on his nose, showing a hint of confusion in his eyes, and clicked on ept.
| Congrattions on receiving 20 silver!
[ Big Dream ] sent you Potato''s location sharing. |
| -- That guy has a few people from Region 003 nearby. Give him a hand. |
[ Ask-The-Heavens ] knew Potato because he had purchased several scrolls from him before. Seeing the location was near his own, it was an easy favor to do.
Moreover, hadn''t the rules of the regional battle been stated?
"If the number of surviving yers in our region exceeds that of the opposing region by 10 people, the region subsidy reward increases by 1%, and an independent region increases by 5%!"
He had no way to refuse. He didn''t know where he pulled out a handkerchief from, wiping the blood off his face and sses, then headed in the direction of Potato.
Taking advantage of a break, he opened the regional chat channel.
| -- Can any of the big shots in the regional battle broadcast it live? I''m really curious!
-- Are you daydreaming? How could there be someone chatting in the regional battle?
-- If I were to go, I''d probably turn into Voldemort on the ground, motionless until the end.
-- I''m sitting at home, and I can imagine how intense the battle there must be.
-- We should organize more of these activities in the future. It''s rare to have such leisure, with no monsters around. I feel like nting some flowers and grass in the yard to rejuvenate.
-- We''re pretty leisurely now, but when theye back, our strength will be left behind by others by a lot. |
The system, in a rare act of conscience, had put all regions on rest mode during the three days of Regional battle.
Without system teleportation arrays and monsters being sent over, coupled with the previous barriers being pushed outward, they had more space to explore.
Athena had already arrived at another riverside with Mikmik, fishing out the fish monster hidden inside. After dealing with the opponent, she directly used a deluxe food blueprint next to the fish monster.
She gnawed on a big chicken leg while surveying the surroundings. It waspletely different from her previous sight. Now, Athena truly saw the ck Forest.
The trees in the ck Forest were different from normal trees; their leaves were pure ck, and each tree''s growth was very peculiar. Their branches crazily grew outward but not towards the sky, exuding a sense of twisted madness everywhere.
The top ten on the system panel''s map hadn''t changed until now; they were still those few dots of light. The current top ten could be described as a hot potato; everyone was carefully avoiding entering the top ten.
They might not necessarily be the ultimate winners, but they were definitely good tools for now. The crazy ones didn''t mind using them as practice to increase their chances of winning and ranking, while the cautious ones nned to stay in theter stages and then go harvest thesembs.
However, those qualified to harvest must first have strength that matches them; otherwise, the roles of prey and hunter could easily be reversed.
Athena now had a concern: once she did anything, her score would increase, and she might identally enter the top ten. But if she did nothing, it would go against her original intention ofing here.
Is there any way for her to hunt monsters, snatch others'' medals, and maintain her ranking without moving?
0063 – Big World and the Blacks
0063 ¨C Big World and the cks
Athena leaned against a tree, her hands constantly flipping through the system panel. Suddenly, one of the purple dots on the map began to flicker, then promptly disappeared. She erged the map, and another dot started shing, moving rapidly in one direction. Her pupils constricted abruptly as she realized the dot was heading straight towards her.
There was never a moment of peace... [Ranked 8th: Big World ]
Retreat? Or fight?
It was obvious that [ Big World ] was being pursued by someone, but the number of pursuers and their strength were unknown. Although there were many trees around her, none were sufficient to conceal her as before.
Thinking back to the [ Witch''s Cloak ] and the [ Magic King ] from before, both of them belonged to region 004 just like her. She had the ability to view theprehensive rankings of everyone in her region, yet neither of them appeared within the top 20. They weren''t even in the top 50. [ True Heart ] from region 003, at least, was ranked 8th before the war.
Given their strength, it was impossible for them to rank so low. The only possibility was that their strength had suddenly increased during the preparations for the regional battle in recent days.
The system''s tasks boiled down to survival, hunting monsters, defeating yers, and seizing wartime medals, all of which could earn scores and score bonuses.
"System, what''s the criteria for defeating someone?"
| When the opponent yer losesbat capability, it is considered a defeat! |
Losingbat capability was a loophole. If you left the opponent half-dead but still able to fight, handed them a sword, wouldn''t they still have somebat capability?
Athena held the medal she had snatched earlier from Mikmik. Mikmik liked it and had kept it as a trophy on its chest. But the moment Athena held it, the wartime medal merged with her.
As long as she didn''t touch it personally, the medal couldn''t add to her score. Athena squinted, scheming in her mind.
She thought of a way to increase her score without affecting her ranking: let Mikmik keep the medals every time she obtained one, or store them in a secure ce. When the time was right, she would merge the medals together. This way, her ranking wouldn''t change, and over time, it might even drop naturally.
When thest day arrived, not only could she catch up with everyone''s progress, but she could alsopete for a spot in the top ten, participating in this chaotic battle.
Watching the purple dot gradually approaching her, Athena had no intention of escaping. On the contrary, she, with Mikmik, searched for a nearby hiding spot.
She couldn''t run away every time she encountered someone. Her temporary evasion was just a tactic, not an indication of herck ofbat strength.
After a thorough search, she found a rtively secluded corner. There were several huge rocks here that could temporarily conceal her figure. So she didn''t hesitate to slip into this small space, quietly waiting for others to arrive.
The dot moved quickly, and it didn''t take long to reach Athena''s location. She slowed her breathing, watching the activity outside. Soon, she saw a figure speeding past, followed closely by a giant snake.
It seems that the girl is indeed "[ Big World ]". As for the python, it was as thick as a calf''s leg, but Athena frowned, feeling more and more familiar as she looked at it.
It wasn''t until the monster viewing prompt popped up beside her that Athena realized this was the ck phosphorus snake she had defeated before and sold off.
"[ Big World ]" seemed to notice something unusual here and looked in Athena''s direction. Athena''s heart skipped a beat. Had she been discovered? It seemed this girl had keen eyesight to notice her immediately without any movement.
None of these yers could be underestimated.
However, "[ Big World ]" didn''t linger. She continued to run forward, engaging in a fierce chase with the ck phosphorus snake.
Unfortunately, her vision was limited, and she had to be cautious of her surroundings while running. The ck phosphorus snake, on the other hand, moved through the darkness as if it owned it, its speed far surpassing hers.
Athena stayed put, not caring if "[ Big World ]" had spotted her, as she had prepared herself to be found when she chose to stay there.
She didn''t care if she was discovered or not. She was waiting. If she remembered correctly, she had sold the ck phosphorus snake to a man named [ ck ].
"[ Big World ]" was from region 003, while [ ck ] was from their region 004.
As expected, soon after, a man in casual clothes dashed out. Athena watched as the two, along with the snake, passed by her, but she had no intention of following them. She wouldn''t help either of them, even though one of them had been her customer.
It didn''t matter who won for her. The only thing she was curious about was the rapid growth of the ck phosphorus snake.
But this curiosity didn''t prompt her to take action.
She determined the direction, estimating that the time was almost right, and decided to go to where she had buried the Explosive Balls earlier.
But while she thought this, others had different ns. After circling around the ck phosphorus snake, "[ Big World ]" came back around, heading straight for Athena''s hiding ce. Athena and Mikmik moved, but Mikmik snarled back in the direction they hade from.
Athena guessed that "[ Big World ]" might be running out of options and wanted to use her as a scapegoat.
She took out her Moonlight Bow and aimed in that direction.
"[ Big World ]" ran wildly, but she also kept searching for Athena''s figure around her.
Unfortunately, the endless darkness severely affected her vision, making her search extremely difficult. She regretted not running directly towards Athena just now.
At that moment, an inexplicable chill surged through her, causing her body to tremble involuntarily. The danger didn''te from behind, from the relentless pursuit of [ ck ] and the ck phosphorus snake, but from an unknown source ahead.
She suddenly stopped and sidestepped, warily scanning the front, trying to identify the source of the threat.
The air seemed to be heavy, suffocating. She didn''t have to wait long. Almost as soon as she stopped, she felt a subtle change in the atmosphere around her, and a silver-white arrow shot towards her.
Even though she moved to the side at the first opportunity, she couldn''t dodge in time, only managing to avoid vital points, but the arrow still pierced deeply into her shoulder.
She rolled on the ground, hiding behind a tree, but the tree couldn''t conceal her figure. What made her despair even more was that the ck phosphorus snake caught up from behind.
0064 – Bounced Back!
0064 ¨C Bounced Back!
"Big World" took a deep breath, steadied herself, and decided to continue forward. But soon, that sense of being locked on to overwhelmed her once again.
In this moment, she burst out with an unprecedented speed, her body shooting forward like an arrow released from a bow. At the same time, she felt a stabbing pain emanating from the wound on her shoulder, but she gritted her teeth, enduring the agony, and rolled to the side next to a rock.
The rock happened to cover her figure, but she didn''t feel rxed in the slightest.
Another silver arrow firmly pierced the ground where she had just been, deeply embedding itself underground.
Just when she had decided to face whatevery ahead, now she wanted to escape!
What made her feel unwilling was that she had finally hooked one, and their strength was considerable. She even had [ Two Fool ] within her control.
She had almost seeded. She was so close to making a breakthrough in the rankings!
Not far ahead was the trap she had set up, but while running, she noticed a yer. Thinking that if she could take down two at once, she could save even more, she greedily turned back.
Wasn''t that yer always hiding? How could his strength be so strong! "Big World" felt bitter in her heart, more than anything, she felt unwilling, unwilling to be ended here.
Athena didn''t care about her petty thoughts, only amazed at this person''s speed. Presumably, they had hidden their true strength before, nning to lure others in.
They probably wouldn''t be so easy to deal with; one or two arrows wouldn''t kill them.
She breathed out, her gaze sharply focused on the opposite rock. Activating her skill ''Attachment'', she fired the Arrow of Spacebreaking, directly shattering the rock on the opposite side. Unfortunately, there was no one behind the rock.
Having just used a short-range teleportation, "Big World" felt exhausted, looking at the shattered rock in the distance, shocked by the opponent''s strength, and also feeling a surge of fear.
Equally shocked by this arrow were [ ck ] and the ck phosphorus snake, who hade rushing over.
With its excellent vision, the ck phosphorus snake immediately spotted Athena in the distance. Then, looking at the shattered rock beside it, unpleasant memories surfaced again. It shrank back and hid behind [ ck ].
There were faint bloodstains on [ ck ]''s white T-shirt. He knew there was danger ahead, but he couldn''t see clearly what it was.
Just as he hesitated whether to give up chasing "Big World", he saw the person next to him, who had just run ahead of them, "Big World".
At first, he was surprised, but before he had time to think about why the other person suddenly appeared here, he reacted. The ck phosphorus snake took the initiative to attack, and he also took out his broadsword to prepare for battle.
Who would have known that "Big World", relying on her excellent speed, had been evading them and not engaging in battle. At the same time, she raised her hands in a gesture of surrender, continuously pleading for mercy.
"Let''s stop fighting for now. Did you notice the person ahead? If we don''t take her down first, both of us might end up dead here. Let''s put aside our grievances for now. We can''t let others take advantage of us, can we?"
"In a moment, we both rush up together. Whoever manages to escape, even if it''s just luck, what do you say?"
"Hurry up, the time for hiding is about to expire!"
"Big World" seemed very anxious, but luckily, she seeded in the end.
| Skill "Teammate" activated, judgment sessful! |
| Teammate: After using it on the target unit, turn enemies into allies, and together negotiate battle ns to deal with third parties. Allies cannot be attacked after using this skill. Duration: 1 minute. Cooldown: 48 hours! |
Teammate is a very precious skill. "Big World" wouldn''t want to use this skill under normal circumstances. But she had no choice now. She only hoped to use this fool to distract the enemy and gain a chance for herself.
She even took out the Concealment Scroll she had kept in reserve.
Athena looked at the person who had suddenly disappeared behind the rock, feeling that things had be a bit tricky. Not only had "Big World" disappeared, but even the ck phosphorus snake and [ ck ] had disappeared at the same time.
Changing her Moonlight Bow and Arrow into the ck Abyss Axe, she prepared for closebat. Mikmik had already circled ahead, observing everywhere, searching for the enemy''s trace.
"Big World" said to [ ck ], "You go distract the enemy, and I''ll take the opportunity to move!"
[ ck ] felt a strange sensation spreading in his mind, as if he and the other party were oldrades in arms who had fought side by side for many years. Without thinking, he nodded in agreement, feeling that the other party wouldn''t harm him.
The ck phosphorus snake on the ground was very puzzled. Just now, its owner was nning to kill this woman. How did they suddenly be partners in the blink of an eye? With its tiny brain, it couldn''t understand.
In fact, due to the contract, it couldn''t even resist [ ck ]''s orders.
It spat out its tongue in dissatisfaction. Actually, its fear of Athena still lingered in its body. But it preferred to believe in its master. Perhaps the master could avenge it!
The hidden light curtain that had appeared on the open ground suddenly disappeared. Athena and Mikmik immediately noticed the appearance of the two people and the snake. Without much ado, they charged straight at them.
"Big World" didn''t have time to consider much. She used her rare speed to flee,pletely exposing her back.
At the same time, she entrusted her rear to [ ck ], not because of trust in the other party, but trust in her own skills.
Athena watched "Big World" fleeing. Since the other party had intentions against her, enmity had already formed. So she naturally wouldn''t let the other party leave easily. Even if the opponent didn''t die today, they would be severely injured.
She was about to pursue, but was blocked by [ ck ] and the ck phosphorus snake. Mikmik looked down on this defeated subordinate and the man who had suddenly appeared and went to chase after "Big World".
Athena emanated a chill, truly intending to kill [ ck ] now.
But time was of the essence! Her ck Abyss Axe swung, leaving behind a beautiful trajectory. The ck phosphorus snake pounced at her like lightning, but she easily dodged, then turned around and swung the axe backhandedly towards the snake. With a crisp sound, the hard scales of the ck phosphorus snake shattered, and scales flew everywhere.
Without hesitation, she charged towards [ ck ] ahead. Holding a sharp broadsword, [ ck ], once a standard martial artist from China, hadn''t forgotten his skills sinceing here. As the de shed with the axe, this seemingly ordinary broadsword surprisingly blocked the ck Abyss Axe.
The ck phosphorus snake, ignoring its own injuries, once again pounced at Athena, who was caught between two enemies.
She crouched down, delivering a horizontal kick towards the opponent''s legs. The force made the opponent stagger. Athena then stood up and deflected the opponent''s broadsword, shing directly towards the opponent''s face.
But at that moment, the ck phosphorus snake lunged forward, intending to bite Athena''s arms. She dodged sideways, spun around, and the axe descended without slowing down.
The victory was decided!
| Warning, [ ck ] is the fourth-ranked yer in the 004 area leaderboard! Do not kill! |
It was toote...
But a special barrier bounced Athena''s ck Abyss Axe away!
0065 – Imminent Changes
0065 ¨C Imminent Changes
| System Mechanism Sessfully Activated! |
The force rebounding from her hands made Athena''s arm numb, causing her to naturally step back two steps.
Watching the barrier light emerge from [ ck ], she frowned. The ck phosphorus snake, seeing Athena''s hostile gaze, wriggled its heavily injured body and burrowed into the barrier. Although Athena couldn''t open the barrier, it posed no obstacle to the ck phosphorus snake.
By now, [ ck ] had copsed inside the barrier. Although the system had blocked her axe just now, her previous attacks hadnded squarely on the opponent.
Trying to strike the barrier twice from a distance, Athena confirmed she couldn''t open it as she shout.
"Is this plot armor?!"
The system prevented her from killing [ ck ], but it hadn''t stopped her when she was attacked with a spear by someone from Region 004. The rules during the regional battles even encouraged them to kill each other, with no rule mentioning that same-area contestants couldn''t harm each other. So what''s going on now?
Fourth in the rankings of Region 004? The system seemed to want to select strong individuals; the lives of the weak were inconsequential. Yet all these top yers were exceptional.
| Announcement!
Consequences Realignment process...
Sessfully
Special adjustments to fix identified bugs will manifestster on.... |
Upon realizing she couldn''t kill [ ck ] and disregard the system for pissing her off, she had already shifted her focus elsewhere, pursuing [ Big World ].
As time passed, surely the first batch of people ahead would be aware of this hidden rule. However, it seemed that not many knew about it yet, including the [ Big World ] or else the opponent wouldn''t have used all avable items and fled so desperately.
This was a mechanism for protecting top yers by the system, but this mechanism would surely changeter on; otherwise, the top ten wouldn''t have a chance topete.
When this hidden rule became public knowledge, this ce wouldn''t be a battlefield for 400 yers anymore, nor would it be apetition for the top ten; it would be a hunting ground for the strong against the weak.
For now, she could only catch one by ckmailing one before others caught on.
Although this battle took less than a minute, this brief time was enough for [ Big World ] to cover a considerable distance.
Athena stared at the traces on the ground, relentlessly following them.
"Let me kill you!"
[ Big World ] was solely focused on fleeing desperately. She didn''t know how long the fool from before could hold her back, filling her heart with endless worry and fear. Faced with a life-or-death situation, she couldn''t afford to ck off.
Having just experienced a short teleportation, she had expended too much energy, her breath bing rapid andbored, yet she dared not stop. It felt as if there were invisible pursuers behind her, keeping her in a state of constant tension.
She gritted her teeth and continued to run forward, pouring all her strength into her legs.
Even though she was faster than most yers, she had initially thought she could escape, but she could feel something tracking her relentlessly, watching her.
This was her other skill, ''Sharpness''!
With only one teleportation opportunity and all hidden items already used, if there were no other methods, she might really die here today.
Escape, run to where there are more people, maybe there she could find a glimmer of hope.
However, this thought was quickly dismissed by herself. One was a disadvantaged prey, the other a powerful predator. Even if someone saw them, they would prioritize attacking her rather than Athena behind her.
Her teammate''s skills were still on cooldown and unusable.
It seemed she could only fight to the death, with no other way out.
The purple light spot that had disappeared from the map earlier was not only noticed by Athena, but almost everyone paying attention to the map.
[ Big World ] had myriad thoughts in her mind. Perhaps there were hunters there, or maybe there were powerful monsters. If it was a monster, perhaps it could really give her a chance at survival.
With her acute sense of danger, perhaps it wouldn''t necessarily be her who was caught up by the monster.
At this point, all she could do was bet her life on thisst hope.
After running for a long time, she was beginning to feel some fatigue. The human ahead was really fast, running even faster than a shuttle!
Cats aren''t typically long-distance runners, but without Athena, it wasn''t willing to lose sight of the person. The person ahead suddenly changed direction, and Mikmik''s whiskers trembled as it continued to trot on its short legs.
Athena, behind them, saw the sudden change in direction and gave up following the tracks, choosing to cut across in the nearest direction. Athena quickened her pace; she knew she couldn''t afford to lose them.
As the distance closed, the light spot ahead turned again, and the gap between them narrowed. Suddenly, she heard a buzzing sound and looked up to see a swarm of giant bees flying towards her. Each of these bees was as big as a ser ball, and the sound of their wings was eerie.
But what was worse was what she saw: [ Big World ] and Mikmik running back ahead of the bees. These giant bees seemed highly aggressive, relentlessly attacking [ Big World ] and Mikmik.
Mikmik didn''t even have time to find a ce to hide. As Athena dodged the bees'' attacks, she pondered her options.
Meeting at a narrow pass... The woman locked eyes with Athena again, but this time she felt the oppressive force of the swarm behind her, so she continued sprinting in Athena''s direction.
Life and death are fated; wealth and honor lie in afterlife! Athena furrowed her brows tightly, watching the huge and fierce swarm of bees brought by the person and cat. They were pouring in like a tide.
They pped their wings, emitting a deafening buzzing sound, as if they were going to devour the two. Faced with such a scene, Athena didn''t hesitate to turn her body 180 degrees and then sprint with all her might.
Compared to her arrival, she was now running much faster.
The wind whistled in her ears, and the heartbeat of [ Big World ] sounded like war drums. Her legs churned like engines, each step filled with power and determination. Beside her was Athena, running alongside her, and behind her were the relentless pursuing bees.
"Damn you!"
This girl wants her dead! Athena''s gaze was sharp, coldly staring at her, as if she wanted to tear this culprit apart. Mikmik, exhausted, was already jumping on Athena''s shoulder, cheering.
When a man is about to die, his words are good. [ Big World ] had never felt so brave before. She turned her head and roared angrily at Athena, "If you hadn''t been chasing me all this time, would I have run to this ce? Now we''re being chased by bees because of you!"
Athena''s face suddenly melted like an iceberg, with a faint smile, seemingly agreeing with the other''s words. She raised her ck abyss axe again; even while running, dealing with [ Big World ] was well within her capabilities.
"A weakling like you? Stopining!"
You don''t need to outrun the beasts; you just need to outrun your enemies.
Seeing the glinting ck abyss axe in the other''s hand, [ Big World ] suddenly felt like she wanted to live again.
Chapter 66 – Giant Bees (Revised)
Chapter 66 ¨C Giant Bees (Revised)
Revised Chapter 66
Her face was a mask of despair. Everything had been going so well¡ªshe only needed to kill that person, and her ranking would have risen again. After the regional battle, she could have obtained more resources, ascending to the pinnacle of her life.
But now, everything had deviated from her n. She wasn''t even sure if she could survive.
No one is unafraid of death.
"Hey, we''re in this together now; no one can escape! Those giant bees are right behind us. If we start fighting among ourselves now, isn''t that suicidal?"
"We need to work together to find a way out of this!" The other party smiled sweetly, trying to reason with her.
"Even if I kill you first, it''s the same." Her response was cold and hard voice. She brandished her ck axe and charged at Big World.
Big World knew that negotiations had broken down. She no longer maintained her smile, sidestepping and kicking towards Athena''s abdomen.
Athena jumped back a step, evading Big World''s attack. Steadying herself, she swung her ck axe again, aiming to cleave her opponent.
Big World knew she was no match for Athena in terms of strength andbat power. She could only use her agility and speed to dodge, leaping swiftly and nimbly, causing Athena''s attacks to miss repeatedly.
In one exchange, Athena seized the opportunity to grab Big World''s arm and, with a powerful twist, threw her to the ground.
"Ah!" The impact of her fragile spine against the stone-strewn ground left her in excruciating pain.
Big World quickly scrambled to her feet, but by then, the swarm of giant bees had already closed in. They emitted an ear-piercing buzz, announcing the approach of death.
She ran desperately, her heart filled with despair for survival. Despite getting up as quickly as she could, the fall allowed the giant bees to catch up. They produced sharp buzzing sounds, their wings whipping up a gale that nearly suffocated her.
Her back injury made it increasingly difficult to move her legs, and she was soon engulfed by the bees.
Most of the bees stopped and surrounded her, while only a few pursued Athena. Big Worldy on the ground, her eyes filled with hatred as she watched Athena flee, a venomous malice making her gaze even more ufortable than the most terrifying demon.
"Ah¡ª"
Athena ran through the forest, evading the bees chasing her. Although she couldn''t kill her opponent with her own hands, it didn''t mean that the monsters couldn''t.
From the moment she intended to drag Athena into her scheme, the seeds of hatred were sown between them. Athena''s subsequent pursuit and the bees she summoned to trap Athena only caused this seed to grow.
Every choice was inevitable, leading to an unavoidable conclusion.
The purple dot representing Big World vanished from the map, and someone automatically filled her position.
Athena''s ranking had already dropped by one, but now, with one more top-ten contender eliminated, she was back in tenth ce. Her location was marked on the map, exposing her to everyone.
The more she wanted to hide, the harder it became.
She initially thought the giant bees would give up after catching the intruder and chasing her for a while, returning to their territory. But now it seemed they considered her and Big World as a group, relentlessly pursuing her.
Even though only about twenty bees were chasing her, it was still a significant problem.
She darted through the forest, constantly changing direction, hoping to lose the bees. However, no matter how hard she tried, the giant insects remained on her trail.
Athena stopped, her gaze cold as she looked at the bees behind her. Taking a deep breath, she decided to confront these troublesome creatures head-on.
She retrieved a firebomb from her system backpack and hurled it at the bees. Unfortunately, the shoddy device didn''t explode as she had hoped, only emitting a small me.
The bees were startled by the sudden fire, pausing their chase momentarily. But they quickly regrouped and continued to pursue Athena.
Her veins bulged in frustration. She knew her homemade firebombs couldn''tpare to Mu''s, but she hadn''t expected them to be this poor.
She produced another explosive ball and threw it over, just likest time, still with only a small me. However, this time, there was also a me enhancer thrown out together with Athena.
The moment the me enhancer touched the tiny me, it seemed to ignite a barrel of gunpowder, exploding thunderously! A raging fire swept over, engulfing all those originally massive bees.
The fire was fierce, and all of this happened in an instant. The bees didn''t even have time to react before disappearing into the sea of mes.
Unfortunately, this didn''t kill them. They charged out of the fire curtain, facing the raging mes. Surprisingly, they weren''t entirely unscathed; their wings bore tiny holes from the mes, and their fur was singed.
While the mes inflicted injuries upon them, they also ignited their ferocity. Despite their injured wings, their speed increased rather than decreased, and their eyes gleamed with a fiery red hue.
Lifting their tails, their sharp and enormous stingers emitted an eerie glow, all aimed directly at Athena.
Just when Athena thought they would charge at her with their stingers, the stingers of these bees began to rotate slowly.
An intense feeling of unease and danger surged in Athena''s heart.
"Not good!"
Skill ''Hunter''! She took a deep breath, continuously gathering all her strength to her legs. Muscles in her legs tensed up, her gaze firm and focused, locked onto the front.
Suddenly, she pushed off with all her might, leaving a deep footprint on the ground beneath her feet. In that moment, her legs erupted with unprecedented force, darting forward like an arrow released from a bowstring!
The wind whistled past her ears, her speed unbelievably fast, but the strain on her legs from the skill was considerable.
Her premonition was correct. Unlike normal stingers, the tails of these giant bees first spun and then immediately detached, the stingers spinning as they shot out like a shower of bullets, aiming for her.
If she hadn''t reacted in time, if she hadn''t skillfully dodged, perhaps she would have been pierced to the ground by those densely packed stingers by now.
The gleaming massive stingers fiercely stabbed into the ground, leaving behind enormous craters.
As these bees lost their attacking weapons, Athena breathed a sigh of relief, but her heart tightened again, for she saw the stingers being retracted back into the bees'' tails.
"Damn it!" Even Athena, who usually cared about her image, couldn''t help but swear.
Chapter 67 – Giant Bees’ Killer
Chapter 67 ¨C Giant Bees¡¯ Killer
The spines at their tails turned out to be reusable, not disposable as initially thought.
The giant spines, once shot out, were now eerily retracted back to their tails as if pulled by an invisible force.
During this retrieval process, the spines spun rapidly, seemingly gathering power for a more intense strike. Simultaneously, their massive wings vibrated incessantly, emitting a buzzing sound akin to an indefatigable machine tirelessly in motion.
Their rotation speed surpassed even the first time, and the time for gathering momentum was significantly reduced. Soon, the second wave of spines surged forth, forcing Athena into a desperate evasion.
She couldn''t afford to merely dodge; she needed a n to prevent their retrieval; otherwise, she would remain at a disadvantage.
Atthena eyed the spines, refusing to resign herself to fate. Between her fingers emerged an explosive ball and me enhancer, hurled towards the towering mass across from her.
The once orderly swarm of giant bees, upon seeing what Athena had thrown, instinctively grew wary. They quickly scattered, but the projectile was swift.
To her delight, the explosive ball unleashed its formidable power sessfully! Apanied by a deafening roar, a fierce explosion ensued, as if rending the very fabric of space, illuminating everything around as bright as day.
In an instant, nearby beesy injured and mutted by the st, mes raging and consuming several directly, their wings disintegrating amidst the fire as their colossal bodies plummeted to the ground, charred ck.
The few remaining bees eyed Athena, a retreat evident in their movements, dragging their battered bodies away.
The intense explosion had also affected Athena, hurling her backward with a massive shockwave. As she stood up, coughing twice, dust scattered around her.
She hadn''t experienced the full power of the explosive ball before, only testing it once or twice under Mu''s supervision, but its magnitude now far exceeded her expectations. It seemed she had underestimated the weapon''s destructive potential, initially considering it merely an ordinary explosive, now revealed to be of apocalyptic proportions.
She needed to exercise caution in its usage; otherwise, she might end up harming herself as much as her enemies.
With no time to rest, she retrieved her Moonlight Bow once more, aiming at the fleeing bees, attempting to shoot them down.
| Triggering extremely low probability death state! |
Athena was astonished. She had only triggered this state once before, and now it happened again. The bee she hit fell to the ground, lifeless, while the others sped up in flight.
Since she had the upper hand, she couldn''t allow the bees to escape. Behind the towering massy a massive colony, best not to let the tiger return to the mountain.
She fired several more arrows. Despite the bees showing signs of evasion, the chances of sess weren''t particrly high, but each shot inflicted damage, significantly slowing their flight.
Athena seized the opportunity to pursue, switching her Moonlight Bow for the ck Abyss Axe. Though the bees flew at a considerable height, she couldn''tpletely parallel their flight with her jumps.
The giant bees, unable to escape, aimed their spines at Athena.
She agilely dashed towards a nearby tree, pushing off its trunk to leap into the air. Then, with another burst of strength, shended on another, thicker branch, using it to propel herself upward, flipping in mid-air andnding above a giant bee. In mid-air, she changed her direction, wielding the reflective ck Abyss Axe in her hand, swinging with all her might towards her target!
One bee cleaved, another kicked, leaping towards another. The pace of battle was rapid, the situation ever-changing. Seeing only two giant bees remaining, they abandoned their preparations and dove straight at Athena.
Just as Athenanded from her leap, barely releasing her feet, she saw a giant bee lunging at her again. She dodged to the side, swiftly striking with her axe.
Only one remained, noticeably faster, targeted by Athena''s Moonlight Bow and swiftly eradicated.
With no time for rest, Athena hastened away from this troubled ce at the fastest speed possible. The explosion''s thunderous roar moments ago had alerted monsters in the vicinity and caught the attention of people in the distance, her marker on the map shining brightly.
Whether the swarm of giant bees would pursue again was uncertain; yers couldn''t kill her, but their options were limited.
The markers on the map kept changing, with her own representation glowing even brighter after the recent battle, elevating her ranking once again.
Sixth ce, Big Dream!
Not only were others approaching, but even two from the top 10 were closing in on her position.
The once dark forest now zed brilliantly, illuminated by the fires consuming the trees in every direction.
This was precisely what the system had previously introduced: the me Enhancer, a necessary tool for setting mountains aze. Little had she expected to be setting one aze herself someday.
With nowhere to hide and her position marked, finding her would be effortless for her adversaries, even with evasion skills.
Her immediate objective was to put distance between herself and this ce, find a spot to recuperate, then locate a defensible position.
Athena''s figure moved through the night like a ghost, undeterred by visibility constraints, running at her maximum speed.
Several consecutive battles and prolonged running had left her leg muscles sore, exacerbated by the strain from her earlier skill usage.
Mikmik, at this moment, simply wished to curl up somewhere inconspicuous like an unnoticed cat. It clung to Athena''s shoulder, its ws gripping her clothing to prevent itself from being jostled by her vigorous movements.
Its emerald green eyes, however, missed nothing in their surroundings, perceiving all movements as sluggish.
Upon Athena''s deliberate search, she discovered a steep incline in this terrain-variable forest, sprinting up it at top speed.
The steepness almost caused her to tumble down, her hands clutching onto a rock, her arms exerting force to propel her upward, sessfully reaching the summit.
Only the quiet rustle of the wind and the vast expanse of darkness surrounded her, concealing the lurking dangers. Yet, in this silence, danger seemed more ominous.
Upon reaching the elevated ground, Mikmik had already leapt from her shoulder, patrolling the area.
Though rtively safe here, Athena finally had a moment to catch her breath. Her face was pale, sweat dripping from her body, and her legs throbbing in pain.
To worsen matters, a long gash can be seen her side, bleeding profusely from the sprint, soaking her clothes red around the wound.
Despite her attempts to evade at maximum speed earlier, the relentless barrage of projectile attacks from bees had still managed to graze her, leaving behind a deep cut.
Chapter 68 – Potato, Ask-The-Heavens and Big Bear
Chapter 68 ¨C Potato, Ask-The-Heavens and Big Bear
She endeavored to take a deep breath, feeling the pang in her chest as she slowed her breathing, reaching into her system backpack for the healing potion.
| [ Healing Potion ] |
| Quality: |
Excellent |
| Category: |
Potion |
| Effect: |
Rapidly restores severe injuries prior to breakdown, swiftly heals ordinary injuries post-breakdown! |
| A life-saving elixir, exceedingly precious, to be used with caution; deploying it while uninjured could have adverse effects! |
Now was the opportune moment to use it. With ambitious yers behind her and predatory monsters ahead, any vulnerability here could spell her demise.
Athena uncorked the vial of healing potion, a faint fragrance wafting into her nostrils. Just the scent alone invigorated her spirits.
Bringing the potion to her lips, she gulped it down, the icy liquid coursing down her throat, green light emanating from her wounds, healing at an astonishing pace.
A panacea for all ailments, a resurrection to full health.
Experiencing this wondrous bodily transformation, she drew the attention of the nearby grassball Mikmik, cradling it in her arms, soothing its tousled fur satisfactorily before setting it down.
Once again, she retrieved the Moonlight Bow, taking cover behind rocks, vignt of her surroundings.
Athena observed cautiously, and before long, she noticed some unusual movements. Figures seemed to stir in the distant woods. Gripping the Moonlight Bow tightly, she prepared to confront the impending danger.
As the footsteps drew nearer, Athena finally discerned the neers. They had been drawn by the mes and explosions, seeking nothing more than an opportunity.
There were four in total, clearly a cohesive group, emboldened to approach from this direction. Their intentions were unmistakable. The four individuals dispersed, each heading towards the direction of the mes, utterly oblivious to the lone figure atop a distant slope.
After brief consideration, Athena decided to let them pass. Amidst the pervasive peril, she had no desire to engage inbat and attract further attention.
The somewhat portly man rubbed his hands nervously, his eyes darting fearfully around. He felt as though a monster could spring at him from any direction or someone might suddenly appear and threaten his life. Every step he took was cautious, yet he continued to follow closely behind the others.
When Potato arrived, he was still full of anticipation and ambition. But upon arrival, he was immediately besieged. Without hesitation, he turned to Athena for help. Having been hiding all along, even his white clothes remained pristine, not a hair out of ce.
In contrast, the one in front of him, Ask-For-The-Heavens, was covered in bloodstains, his clothes tattered. The only clean aspect was his face behind the sses.
"Boss, where are we going? Are we heading towards the ce where the light was just now?" The mere thought made Potato swallow involuntarily, feeling his hairs stand on end.
Come on, with such amotion, clearly a fierce battle is underway. They can barely avoid detection even by sneaking, so why would anyone charge towards danger? I can''t fathom these elites'' logic!
Ask-For-The-Heavens paused, turning his head slightly to nce at him. "Leave all your scrolls behind; you''re free to go."
"Oh, ha-ha-ha-ha, no, no! Just kidding, just kidding. I''ll stick with you; it''s an extra meat shield for you. Plus, I can keep using scrolls!" This was Potato''s offer, aiming totch onto this powerful figure.
On this journey, he had truly witnessed Ask-For-The-Heavens''s prowess. This seemingly frail young man was terrifying when it came tobat. The first time he witnessed that bloody scene, he was frozen in ce with fear.
Ask-For-The-Heavens ignored him, continuing forward on his own. Unlike others who rushed in panic, their pace remained unhurried, showing no concern that they might arrive after the battle had ended.
Half a day had passed since thepetition began. Everyone was gradually grasping the intricacies of the regional battle, striving to climb the rankings.
At this moment, a fierce battle erupted, drawing many opportunist yers to it.
Unlike themotion here, Big Bear seemed to belong in this forest. Upon arriving, it was as if she had returned home.
When she first arrived, she had tried to find Athena, but to no avail. So, she leisurely found a ce to settle down with an old man, quietly waiting.
No monsters or people had disturbed them.
Her courage grew, and after catching a small rabbit with the old man, she cleaned it by the river, lit a fire, and began roasting it, presenting the image of a camping trip.
To her surprise, the old man, seeing her bing too rxed, woke her up for training. While he worked on his old trade, chopping wood nearby.
Even after clearing a small circle of trees around them, they still hadn''t attracted anything. They lived as though on vacation, until she heard a loud explosion from across the river.
Startled, she jumped up and appeared behind the old man as if teleporting, squatting down and tightly grabbing his shoulder.
"Why is there still fighting? What''s with the explosion?!" she eximed.
The old man pushed her hand away sternly, turning to her with a serious expression. "This is regional battle, not a vacation spot!"
Wide-eyed, Big Bear seemed toprehend. "Then let''s run; there''s a fight over there." Her actions were as swift as her thought process, but unfortunately, she still went back to get her roasted rabbit, only to be caught by the old man.
"No, we stay," the old man shook his head. Big Bear still had much to learn. Otherwise, even with them around, the days ahead wouldn''t be as easy.
Panicked, Big Bear spun around, but under the old man''s unwavering gaze, she reluctantly agreed.
Finally satisfied, the old man nodded. Though this young womancked in many aspects, her obedience was her only redeeming quality.
People were converging from all directions, including from Region 003. This was more than Athena had anticipated, far exceeding her expectations.
Most of thebatants had arrived, and Athena''s earlier skirmish was just the beginning.
Did they not anticipate the influx of people? No, it was precisely because they knew many would gather here that they came.
Some came to fight, some to observe, and of course, some chose to head in the opposite direction.
With the top ten plus Athena, this ce would witness the convergence of three powerhouses.
This would be one of thergest free-for-alls since the beginning of the regional battle, now enclosed within the barrier.
Chapter 69: The Sand Man And His Indiscriminate Killings
Chapter 69: The Sand Man And His Indiscriminate Killings
As the four figures approached, they were met with a disheartening sight: no trace of any survivors.
Before themy a vast crater, remnants of a recent explosion, surrounded by a devastatedndscape. The forest smoldered with lingering mes, and the ground was littered with the corpses of giant bees.
Exchanging grim looks, the group unanimously decided to find a ce to hide. They concealed themselves behind the sturdy trunks of trees, their breathing slowed, bing one with the forest.
Time ticked by, every second feeling like an eternity. Footsteps echoed from all directions, converging on the massive crater, but no one made the first move. More and more people gathered, their various illumination devices piercing through the darkness, casting eerie shadows. War badges on the yers'' uniforms glowed with the colors of their factions, blue and red lights intermingling.
Unconsciously, the crowd divided into two factions, blue and red, each group huddled together.
Silence reigned, but it was soon broken by a sneering voice.
"You dogs, gathered here to see your daddy, huh?"
The speaker was a man d in green, his hair slicked back in a mboyant style. He had been a prominent figure from the beginning, his arrogance backed by his abilities. His lower body appeared like a mass of sand and mud¡ªa result of his unique skill to transform into a sandy form. He had been a formidable presence since the onset of the regional battle, notorious for betraying allies, ranking fourth with this overpowered skill.
"Damn you!"
A middle-aged woman, exuding an air of dominance, retorted fiercely. She wielded arge machete, resting one foot on a nearby rock, her weapon pointed at the man. She was known as the [ Landy ], ranked second in their ranks.
"Karma will get bite at you!"
"Not a soul will mourn the death of the idiot from Region 004!"
Her sharp words cut through the tension, and restraint snapped. The sand-man, known for betraying allies, merged with the ground, swiftly tunneling through the dirt, leaving a cloud of dust in his wake.
The rest took up their weapons, murder in their eyes, each determined to eliminate the opposing factions. Despite the immediate threat, both sides tacitly agreed to first eliminate members from other regions while some spectating from the safe distance.
The air grew taut, ready to snap at any moment. Unlike their initial, hesitant skirmishes, this battle was driven by unbridled fury and adrenaline. They fought with unrestrained ferocity, their war cries and the sh of des filling the air. Blood spattered, but it only fueled their madness.
The sand-man''s treacherous attacks were relentless. Emerging unpredictably from the ground, he skewered unsuspecting yers with sandy spikes, stealing their war badges upon their deaths. His sess was undeniable, but it did not go unnoticed. The other yers, realizing the threat he posed, began to strategize, nning to take him down first.
Immersed in his ruthless spree, the sand-man disregarded their tactics. As he prepared another backstab, three enemies lunged at him from behind. Forced to abandon his target, he tunneled back into the ground, only to find himself surrounded. Weapons pierced the earth, forming a tightening circle around him.
Cursing under his breath, the sand-man aimed for a weaker opponent. He emerged in a burst of spikes, sharp and resilient while showing his most eerily smile he could muster, defying any elemental damage.
Just as he believed he was breaking through the encirclement, the [ Landy ] flipped into the fray, her seemingly sharp machete gleaming.
"Running away? Weren¡¯t you just bragging? Coward!" She taunted, her grin mocking his futile efforts.
Ignoring her, the sand-man retaliated by transforming into a sandstorm, attempting to engulf her in a makeshift sand wall. The bystanders including the spectators beyond watched with cold detachment, their animosity towards the sand-man growing. His indiscriminate attacks had imed lives from both Regions 003 and 004, leaving him isted.
Yet, the Landy and the sand-man seemed evenly matched, locked in a vicious stalemate. Gradually, the Landy gained the upper hand, prompting unease among the spectators. If she killed the sand-man, the bnce of power would shift, and she could lead Region 004 in a devastating assault.
Finally, someone made a move, aiming to disrupt the encirclement around the sand-man. However, bothbatants unexpectedly turned their des against these interlopers, momentarily ceasing their own conflict.
The sudden betrayal left the would-be rescuers in shock, their faces twisted in disbelief as they fell. The sand-man and the Landy stood in a tense truce, recognizing the peril of mutual destruction amidst the hostile crowd.
They began to probe each other''s defenses, searching for weaknesses, yet neither couldnd a fatal blow. Both knew that acting recklessly could make them easy prey for the others lurking around like wolves.
Aware of a third presence yet to reveal itself, the crowd started to back away, creating space for the two fighters. The battlefield was strewn with the corpses of around twenty yers, victims of such cruel war.
The Landy remained calm, collecting fallen war badges and integrating them into her own. The sand-man,cking patience, yelled into the darkness, "Hey! Ranked seventh, ''Big Dream,'' why not rename yourself to ''Gutter Rat?'' Suits you better!"
"Ha ha ha, ha ha ha!" Hisughter rang out, oddly jarring in the grim setting.
Athena, having just dealt with four hidden adversaries, heard the sand-man¡¯s taunt echo through the battlefield.
Chapter 70: Big Dream And The Arrogant Player
Chapter 70: Big Dream And The Arrogant yer
The derisiveughter from nearby was truly grating. Athena picked up the wartime medal from the ground and merged it with her own medals. Even while she was still on the rocks, she had noticed the two glimmers arriving at this spot.
Yet she didn''t choose to immediately join the melee; instead, she opted to first eliminate the four individuals she intended to ambush.
Listening to the taunts of the opposing side, it was impossible not to feel anger stirring within her. At that moment, she couldn''t discern whether the other side was merely arrogant or employing psychological tactics to goad her into action, or perhaps both.
With such eagerness from the other party to meet her, Athena would naturally fulfill their desire.
Her figure moved like lightning, astonishingly fast as she darted and leaped between the tree trunks, without any hint of hesitation.
As she drew closer to the designated area, she finally arrived at the chaotic battleground. Danger permeated the air here, causing hearts to race involuntarily.
Her arrival did not go unnoticed; those around naturally turned their gaze towards this bted third party.
Not for anything else, but because she was the person marked by the purple glimmer.
Ranked seventh in the regional battle, the powerhouse of region 004 - [
Big Dream ].
The yer digging pits incessantly patted his own sandy lower body, pointing at Athena andughing uproariously, "Look, a rat in the gutter. But just say a word, and she scurries right up."
However, [ Landy ] did not share the same sentiment. She stared fixedly at the bow and arrows in Athena''s hands, sensing a chilling aura emanating from them. She had some knowledge of weaponry from before; this person''s rank might be lower than theirs, but certainly not weaker.
Observing the incessant movement of the other''s lips, Athena couldn''t muster any feeling of anger. For someone destined to die, they could naturally garner more goodwill from others.
Where shadows and darkness lurked was her domain. With nimble agility, she moved among the crowd, unnoticed.
sped in its mouth was a mud-wrapped ball, carefully chosen by Athena. It was a rtively stable explosive ball. At Athena''s signal, it brought the fiery projectile to the vicinity of the yer digging pits.
She didn''t aim to kill this fellow with the st, but rendering them severely injured would suffice. If the oue was even better, perhaps it could incapacitate them directly.
As her moonlit bow and arrow drew taut, she took aim at the opponent. Lunar energy infused the arrow, emitting a faint white mist and coldness.
Even though the arrow had yet to be released, an intangible oppression already hung in the air. The yer digging pits, who had been incessantly chattering, noticed the silver bow and arrow aimed at them and felt the rm bells in their mind start ringing. Their expression darkened; the opponent''s strength seemed much greater than they had imagined.
Not daring to confront head-on, they hastily changed direction, melding into the earth as sand, intending to draw more people to shield themselves. They headed towards the gathering ce of the crowd.
Mikmik, always attentive to the slight movement of the small mound on the ground, continued to tread alongside the opponent with its small steps.
The moment Athena''s bow was fully drawn, the arrow was released. Spinning at incredible speed, the arrow carried a thunderous force towards the opponent, burying itself deep into the ground without finding its mark.
However, this action frightened those around. Athena''s seemingly simple arrow buried half its shaft into the ground, leaving behind only a feather.
The yer digging pits moved astonishingly fast within the earth. For him, Athena''s arrow posed no suspense. No matter how powerful the arrow was, if it couldn''t hit him, it was useless. He felt triumphant, especially amidst the bustling crowd where Athena had no chance of discovering him.
But what awaited the opponent was a different scene. The bow and arrow were long-range weapons;pared to meleebat, he didn''t believe the opponent could win.
However, that didn''t matter. At least, he had defeated the opponent on another level.
With the first arrow missing its mark, Athena didn''t pause. Immediately, she drew another arrow. Its power remained undiminished, yet it still couldn''t hit the opponent.
Even its direction was not towards the ground, but in mid-air, a in and unremarkable clod of earth suddenly thrown.
Just when everyone was full of doubt, the swiftly flying and continuously rotating arrow had already violently collided with the clod of earth! In an instant, sparks flew off in all directions, quickly spreading into a raging inferno, followed by a earth-shattering explosion once again.
BAAMM!
The gigantic shockwave, the zing fire curtain, the terrifying explosive power, engulfed the yer who was just boasting moments ago, even those around him were not spared from being swept into it.
People panicked and fled in all directions, but faced with such a terrifying force, they had nowhere to escape, mes raged, and the agony was unbearable. The once devastated area now looked like a horrific earthly purgatory.
Thick smoke billowed, mes shot into the sky, and people copsed on the ground emitting piercing screams and cries of pain.
The yer in the center of the rough explosion was directly blown back to his original form, his whole body ragged, like a broken puppet, covered in variousrge and small wounds, his neatlybed big hair now burned into a frizzy mess, like sheep''s wool.
His once clean clothes were now covered with dirt, blood, and even unextinguished mes.
He couldn''t help screaming and howling, rolling on the ground trying to extinguish the mes on his body. He wanted to transform back into his sand state, but his body condition prevented him from doing so.
He was directly exposed to the public eye, this was the first time everyone saw this arrogant yer''s true appearance, it was previously thought that he was a half-human, half-sand figure, only to realize now that he was not as tall as expected, being only about 1.5 meters tall.
When in sand form, he was close to two meters, and his height had always been a point of insecurity for him.
Athena looked coldly at him, retracting the bow in her hand, slowly walking towards him. The people around, witnessing this hellish scene, although not knowing how Athena did it, all stopped their battles, making way for her.
Landy stood by the side, the shockwave from earlier also impacted her, causing no harm, but still shocking her. Looking at Athena walking over, she didn''t dare to act rashly, unsure if Athena could trigger such an explosion a second time.
The fur on Mikmik''s body was slightly scorched from not running fast enough, feeling a bit resentful, it circled around Athena''s legs. Athena also did not expect the explosive power of this fireball to be so great.
This was done by a goblin, given to her, also of inferior quality, but intentionally made by Mu. In order to show how bad she had to be to produce this kind of quality.
Lifting up the person lying on the ground by the back of his neck, slowly dragging him out of the battlefield, the scattered wartime medals around were also collected.
Potato and Asks-The-Heavens hid behind trees, staring in disbelief at everything unfolding.
"Is that Boss Big Dream?" Potato looked at the battle that quickly ended, feeling like he was still in a dream, a big big dream.
"Yeah." Asks-The-Heavens responded heavily, he had thought Big Dream would be strong, but he didn''t expect her to be this powerful.
Chapter 71: Headpats
Chapter 71: Headpats
After Athena hurled the explosive ball, the intensity of the brawl subsided, and everyone felt a sense of vulnerability.
Yet, sporadic individuals continued to trickle in from the distance, drawn by the cries of agony. Athena, being empathetic, promptly knocked them out cold and dragged the troublemakers away, keeping her teammates safe.
Not a hint of murderous intent surfaced throughout, and the system''s protective measures remained dormant.
Thanks to her earlier performance, no one dared to approach her or test her now. Everyone hoped she''d stay as far away as possible.
Athena, instead of seeking out the frenzied giant bees, casually diverted with her teammates to the riverside.
A fish monster, reeking of blood, leaped from the water, its transparent body crashing heavily onto the surface, sending a massive spray of water into the air.
"Safe travels through the water," the fish monster didn''t understand humannguage but knew food when it saw it, opening its gaping maw to swallow its prey.
Ranked sixth now after her recent actions, Athena remained unfazed.
With Athena gone, Ask-The-Heavens and Potato returned to the scene. The 004 region found its backbone, with most people acquainted with Ask-The-Heavens, even friendly with him.
Meanwhile, Landy''s faction in the 003 region, due to abination of interests and Landy''s recent betrayal, found themselves abandoned. Nobody listened to her anymore, rendering the 003 regionpletely fragmented.
As Ask-The-Heavens and Landy tangled, the 003 region quickly crumbled, scattering its inhabitants. Landy hadn''t anticipated that this neer could so effortlessly rally the 004 region with just a few words.
Uncertain if Athena would make a surprise return, they opted to flee.
Thus, nothing could stop Ask-The-Heavens now.
Ranked tenth, Ask-The-Heavens.
After sessfully dealing with the teammate-sabotaging troublemaker, Athena wasted no time, swiftly dispatching the ferocious fish monster with a single swing of her axe. Crimson blood momentarily tainted the river, but soon, the water returned to its natural hue.
Completing this sequence, Athena turned to find Mikmik, who had already found a resting spot,zily lounging against a tree.
It was a rtively sturdy tree, capable of bearing a person''s weight. With ease, Athena climbed up and sat beside Mikmik, listening to the soothing sound of flowing water.
The gentle murmur of the river was pleasant, calming their spirits. Athena closed her eyes, and Mikmik, too, seemed to rx in this tranquil atmosphere.
From her pocket, Athena retrieved a slightly yellowed, deluxe food menu, tearing it open to reveal an array of barbecue delicacies.
Various skewers, meats, fish... each exuded irresistible aroma and tantalizing colors, a feast for the senses.
In this pitch-ck environment, Athena leaned against the tree, apanied by a cute and obedient cat squatting nearby. They savored the tempting delicacies, listening to the rushing river, enjoying this rare moment of peace andfort.
Taking a juicy bite ofmb skewer, the spicy, vorful taste filled her mouth, satisfying her pte. She nodded in contentment, then offered another skewer to Mikmik.
Opening the regional chat channel, it was the perfect apaniment to their meal.
---------------------------------------
"Today''s another day of tree chopping; nning to make some wooden furniture."
"To be honest, being here has changed me. I used to swear by early nights and early rises for good health, but now, that''s just a slogan in my life."
"They fight to the death in their regional battle, while we enjoy rare leisure vacation time here."
"Tch, ignorance. This is probably thest time for you lot who can''t even get into regional battles. We just had a fierce skirmish, and those monsters are getting stronger one by one. After the regional battle, they''ll only get stronger. Do you think the system won''t strengthen the monsters?"
"Wow, a big shot who participated in regional battles is here to enlighten us."
"Are you all thatzy? You even have time to chat."
"The ones above are probably not in the same ce as me. Those monsters are real freaks. Luckily, I''m far away; I extinguished the fire on me just in time."
"How''s that possible? If the system really strengthens the monsters, it''s as if it wants us dead. What''s the point?"
"I think what they''re saying is true."
"Come on, the system doesn''t care if you live or die. The rules of the regional battle are clear: survival of the fittest. We, the top two hundred chosen, have this attitude, let alone you small fry."
-------------------------------
A stream of information flooded the region chat channel with the addition of participants in the regional battle, quickly devolving into various debates and arguments. Arguments escted into personal attacks, and soon, chaos ensued.
Some, unable to contain their frustration, or perhaps driven by madness, initiated challenges within the region, exchanging names and sharing locations.
Their victories were met with cheers, fans fanning the mes, and allies rallying around them.
Watching the exhrating exchanges in the regional chat channel, Athena found her skewers bing even more savory. Beside her, Mikmik shook its little head, not understanding what was happening. It leaped into her arms, joining her in staring at the system panel, though it couldn''tprehend a thing.
Rubbing its head, Athena refrained from tousling its fur as she usually did, instead offering gentle strokes, observing Mikmik''s curious demeanor.
Mikmik and itspanions were intelligent creatures, though she wasn''t sure if they could read. Her idea of having Mikmik record information from parchment onto stone had fizzled out; their drawings were too abstract for her to decipher.
In the end, she only managed to salvage two ordinary pieces of parchment.
If she could teach the trio to read, they could potentially be little informants, perhaps unexpectedly useful in various situations.
What were Paopao and Witty up to? How many suitable weapons had they crafted?
It was inconvenient that while yers couldmunicate remotely using the system, the trio couldn''t.
If only Mikmik had ess to the system panel and could provide real-time location updates. Tracking enemies would be much easier then, serving not just as a warning but as a tactical advantage.
After a tense day, nerves finally unwound in this tranquil setting and whole body stretching out. Having indulged in such a feast and self-pleasure, Athena, half-leaning against the tree trunk, felt drowsiness creeping in. She patted Mikmik.
Sensing her gradually calming breaths, Mikmik attentively monitored the slightest rustle around them.
Under these circumstances, Athena wasn''t truly falling asleep, more like drifting into a light slumber. At any sign of disturbance, she would snap awake, albeit with Mikmik by her side, she felt more at ease.
Chapter 72: Imminent War And Doom
Chapter 72: Imminent War And Doom
Athena had been resting against the trunk of a tree when she suddenly felt a sense of impending danger. Her eyes snapped open, and at the same moment, Mikmik, who had been lying quietly beside her, also sensed something was amiss. It lifted its head, its sharp eyes fixed intently on the opposite bank of the river.
The serene environment, previously filled only with the sound of flowing water, was now disturbed by an unusual noise. A massive giant bee, its sizeparable to that of a small helicopter, was rapidly beating its wings and producing a loud buzzing sound as it flew across the river.
Its enormous body cast a dark shadow in the air, creating an intense sense of oppression. Unlike the golden-yellow giant bees she had encountered before, this one was entirely ck, devoid of any other color, as if it were an emissary born from darkness. Clearly, it belonged to apletely different species- no, entirely new level!
Although it wasn''t heading directly towards Athena, she immediately went on high alert. The bee''s flight path indicated it wasn''t targeting her, but its sheer size made it impossible to ignore. Once it had flown a considerable distance away, Athena exhaled heavily, feeling the blood begin to circte through her body again.
This was no ordinary giant bee. It was highly likely to be the king of its species. For unknown reasons, it had ventured out, indicating that its hive could be nearby. If the king bee was already so formidable, the presence of a queen bee would be even more daunting.
Realizing this ce was too dangerous to stay, Athena and Mikmik decided to head in the opposite direction of the ck bee to avoid any confrontation.
However, as they progressed, the situation became increasingly unsettling. Along the way, Athena encountered numerous other ck bees, each the size of a football, patrolling in groups of five, their presence omnipresent in the surroundings.
In almost every corner, she could see them. During one such encounter with another group of ck bees, they spotted her first. Without hesitation, Athena drew her Moonlight Bow and shot an arrow at one of them. Due to the sheer number of bees, she refrained from using her explosive fireballs to avoid attracting even more attention.
Her hands moved swiftly, not pausing for a moment. Two more arrows shot out, their cold gleam cutting through the air with lethal precision towards the giant bees.
¡°Swish! Swish!¡±
With two muffled sounds, the bees, which had been hovering mid-air, plummeted like kites with broken strings. Though not dead, they were now wingless and defenseless. Mikmik was already at their side, ready to finish them off.
Before she could catch her breath, she saw two more bees¡¯ stingers darting towards her, their speed astonishing, closing in within the blink of an eye.
Reacting instantly, she made her Moonlight Bow vanish and summoned a pitch-ck axe, shimmering with a mysterious light. Gripping the axe handle with both hands, she swung it forcefully, cleaving one stinger in half and dodging the other.
Her feet pushed off from a tree branch, sending her hurtling forward. The branch creaked under the immense force, nearly snapping. Athena charged towards the two bees, her axe slicing through the air with blinding speed, bringing them crashing down to the ground.
As shended, leaves scattered around her. Nearby, Mikmik had already dealt with two more bees. Without lingering, they continued their journey, moving swiftly.
Other ck bees on patrol soon heard themotion and started converging on the location, but many of them remained focused on their original patrol routes, indicating more pressing matters at hand.
By the time reinforcements arrived, they found only the corpses of their fallenrades, with Athena long gone.
After this skirmish, Athena altered her course again. This time, however, she encountered not ck bees but the previously seen yellow ones.
They were spread out, forming small patrol teams of five, searching the area. It was clear that the ck and yellow bees were from different species.
As she traveled further, regardless of the direction she took, she kept running into these patrols. Starting to doubt her own judgment, Athena found a quiet spot and opened the regional chat channel.
-----------------------
"This regional war is ridiculous, monsters everywhere, and it''s pitch ck."
"I don''t think I''ll make it back alive. My shelter is going to end up belonging to these monsters."
"Why are these bees so huge? They look like flying lumps of coal."
"Stop spamming the chat. It''s full of messages from people in the regional war."
"I ran into them too, but mine were yellow."
"So many bees everywhere. Have I wandered into their swarm?"
-------------------
It became apparent that Athena wasn''t the only one encountering this situation. The entire ck forest seemed to be teeming with these bees, both ck and yellow, now spreading out and engaging in battles.
The bees'' extensive patrols meant inevitable shes with yers.
| Warning: The ck Giant Ho n and Yellow Giant Ho n in the ck Forest are about to go to war!
All yers are advised to avoid the area!
!!!
All yers are advised to avoid the area! |
The system notification always came so abruptly, catching people off guard and giving them no time to react. Even though it was anticipated that the situation would beplex, no one expected it to be this severe.
A single bee posed a certain level of threat, but a squad of bees could kill a yer. The onset of war between tworge swarms was a nightmare for all the yers present.
Especially considering that Athena had initially seen the queen bee. The inclusion of such a high-level unit elevated the war to a new, unprecedented level.
Defend against humans, defend against monsters, defend against giant bees¡
Athena ultimately decided to run along the river because she noticed that the density of bees was the lowest by the riverside.
As soon as there was movement on the river again, she had already nocked an arrow on her Moonlit Bow, ready to shoot in that direction.
Suddenly, emerald green vines sprouted from the ground as if by magic, growing at an astonishing speed. They intertwined and entwined with each other, and in the blink of an eye, these vines formed a tightly woven, imprable green wall blocking the way ahead.
The arrow shot by Athena spun rapidly against the vine wall, eventually piercing through, but even that brief pause was enough for the person behind it to evade.
Athena raised an eyebrow. Even though she had witnessed a variety of tactics today, she was still amazed by the opponent''s vine wall defense.
The person on the other side, seeing her fierce attack, shouted in panic and fear, "Big Dream, it''s me, Big Bear! I was wrong, please stop shooting!"
Athena heard the shout but still aimed her bow in that direction.
It wasn¡¯t until she heard the system notification.
| Big Bear has initiated a trade with you: 50 silver coins! |
Chapter 73: Big Bear, The Elderly Goblin And Spider Cave
Chapter 73: Big Bear, The Elderly Goblin And Spider Cave
From behind the tree emerged a short-haired girl, holding a wooden shield and peeking cautiously at Athena.
Her voice was surprisingly loud but trembled with fear. Although facing Athena, her legs were turned to the side, ready to run at any moment.
"Don''t attack her!!"
An old man also stepped out from behind the tree. Unlike the girl, he showed no fear towards Athena, instead scrutinizing the moonlit bow in her hand. It was a fine weapon.
Athena noticed the goblin standing beside Big Bear. She hadn''t expected Big Bear to bring a goblin into the territorial battle. It was likely this goblin that had given her the hair earlier.
The elderly goblin appeared confident, in contrast to the timid Big Bear. Their roles seemed somewhat reversed.
Recognizing them, Athena lowered her bow but kept it at her side. She had already received 50 silver coins from them before arriving, indicating they likely had a request.
"What do you want?" Her tone remained cold, but the atmosphere had eased significantlypared to the previous tense standoff.
Big Bear blinked, realizing that Athena thought she was there to fulfill a promise. She quickly waved her hands in denial, "No, no, we''re just passing by."
The moment she spoke, Athena nodded, ready to leave. She had every intention of fulfilling her promises, but she hadn''t expected Big Bear to involve a goblin. She didn''t want to get too entangled with them now.
The goblins were notorious for their traitorous nature, often attracting monsters, especially during such precarious times.
"The Goblin race is a renegade, rebellious race from darkness. We betrayed the darkness and chose to follow daylight. There''s not a monster that doesn''t hate us, and darkness is our grave..." ¡ª Uncle Gowther
However, Big Bear seemed determined not to let her leave and quickly got to the point.
"Can you show us the way? We''re lost and don''t know how to cross the river..." Even Big Bear found her request absurd, but she and the old man had been wandering here for quite a while, unable to find a way across.
Athena, who had initially not intended to ept the 50 silver coins Big Bear had sent, took them without hesitation upon hearing this request.
| Congrattions! You''ve received 50 silver coins! |
"I''ll show you a clear path. This ce is likely blocked off. You either cross the river directly or catch a couple of giant bees."
Given the goblin''s characteristics, encountering giant bees shouldn''t be difficult. Besides, the elderly goblin didn''t seem easy to deal with, so catching giant bees shouldn''t pose much danger to them.
She still couldn''t understand why Big Bear had managed to obtain five goblins, including an old one, from a single silver package.
Before visiting the goblin city, she hadn''t thought much of it. But after seeing the goblin city, she realized how unusual it was. The skills possessed by the elderly goblin definitely extended beyond logging; the vine wall earlier had been his doing.
Watching Athena''s retreating figure, Big Bear was stunned, staring at the rushing, depth-unknown river, and recalling the mention of giant bees. She hadn''t encountered a single monster on her way here!
The system and the giant bees Athena mentioned had never been seen by her!
In fact, Athena was the first living being she had encountered since entering the territorial battle.
If Athena knew Big Bear was heading towards the recent battlefield, she would certainly tell her not to bother, as the battle was likely over by now.
Athena ran along the riverbank, her eyes catching sight of a swarm of ck giant bees, this time numbering ten. Among them, one stood out, slightlyrger than the rest, likely the leader. They moved with swift precision, their path clear and purposeful.
Despite their hurried advance, Athena remained vignt. Her felinepanion, Mikmik, twitched its ears and tugged her towards a hiding spot, uneasily curling up in her arms.
True to her instincts, not long after the first swarm passed, another rushed by, both heading towards the heart of the Dark Forest. This signaled the gathering of swarms, a prelude to war.
Various monsters had already hidden away, sensing the impending danger. yers, alerted by the system, began seeking refuge. The battle between two Lord-level factions was not something the current yers could engage in, so everyone was lying low, avoiding conflict.
For Athena, this was both good and bad news.
The good news was that she no longer had to worry about being surrounded. The bad news was that she couldn¡¯t act rashly. With monsters and people hiding, increasing her rank would be exceptionally difficult. Killing too many giant bees might trigger a chain reaction, especially since she had already in members of both the ck and yellow bee swarms.
Since there was nothing she could do, she decided to wait and see how things unfolded.
Athena and Mikmik found a concealed cave to hide in, only to discover it was already upied.
The cave was eerie, filled with the stench of decay. Bones littered the floor, some gleaming, others broken and yellowed. Spider webs crisscrossed the space.
As they ventured deeper, Athena held her ck axe, unfazed by the darkness. To her, it was no different from daylight.
She cleared the obstructing webs, sticky and treacherous, but managed to carve a path.
When they finally reached the cave''s end, they found their way blocked.
A massive spider web sealed the passagepletely. Even if they tore through it, a stone wall awaited behind, marking the cave''s terminus. Above them, a gigantic ck spider lurked, its green eyes glowing ominously as it watched them.
The spider moved silently, its many legs allowing it to traverse the cave walls effortlessly. It nned to drop behind Athena and Mikmik, cutting off their escape.
This was the first time prey had willingly walked into itsir, presenting it with a meal.
Athena and Mikmik, however, remained unperturbed. As the spider descended, she moved faster, charging back towards it. With the path ahead blocked and the spider in the middle, their only option was to confront it head-on!
Chapter 74: Armored Spider
Chapter 74: Armored Spider
The enormous ck spider was a grotesque and terrifying sight. Its body was covered in dense, dark hair, and its head was adorned with three pairs of green eyes that radiated an aura of revulsion and fear at a mere nce.
This monstrous creature moved slowly, its massive form supported by eight long legs bristling with sharp spikes, which scraped the ground with a faint, unsettling noise.
Its gaze was fixed intently on Athena, eyes brimming with confusion and shock. How had this small prey managed to close the distance so rapidly and get behind it?
But prey was prey, no matter how surprising. It could never change its fundamental nature as a target.
Athena, too, was focused on the fearsome monster before her. Gripping her ck abyss axe tightly, she gathered her strength and charged. The giant spider suddenly opened its gaping maw, releasing a putrid stench as it shot a thick, resilient web straight at her.
Athena deftly dodged to the side as she sprinted, closing the already short distance in an instant. With a powerful swing of her axe, she struck the spider, but only managed to inflict a shallow cut¡ªa mere flesh wound.
This was the first time the ck abyss axe had failed to prate an enemy¡¯s defense. Until now, no monster or human had been able to withstand its armor-piercing strikes.
Yet, Athena remained calm, her mind steady. Even herpanion, Mikmik,y sprawled behind, indifferent to the battle at hand.
| [ Armored Spider ]
Level: 8
Strength: 8
Defense: 21
Skill: Super Defense
With each evolution, its defensive capabilities greatly enhance, far exceeding the defense value of its peers! |
Due to its massive size, the Armored Spider¡¯s mobility was limited. Its primary attack method involved entangling its prey with its webs¡ªa tactic that Athena¡¯s agility could easily counter.
Despite its high defense, its strength wasn¡¯t particrly formidable, not even matching the giant wasps outside. Defense, however high, would eventually fall to relentless attacks.
The Armored Spider scoffed inwardly at the shallow wound Athena had inflicted. The fierce aura of her initial strike had startled it, but such minor damage could never breach its defenses.
The path ahead was blocked, and with Athena behind it, the spider had no escape. Yet, in its world, it was Athena who was the trapped prey.
As the spiderunched another volley of webbing, Athena agilely dodged again,nding another powerful blow on the same spot, deepening the wound.
After repeated strikes, the wound finally began to reveal the spider¡¯s flesh and blood. The area behind Athena was now cluttered with webs, and the ground was a chaotic mess.
The pain in the spider¡¯s body grew more intense. Though not overwhelming, the wound caused it significant distress. Such pain was a new experience for the Armored Spider, plunging it into a state of panic and fear.
As time passed, the spider¡¯s anxiety grew. Its instincts as a monster screamed that it had to flee this ce immediately!
Once the thought took hold, the urge to escape became irresistible.
But the path ahead was blocked by Athena. There was no way out for the Armored Spider. Every charge forward only resulted in Athenanding another blow on its wound.
The spider¡¯s attacks weren¡¯t entirely ineffective. The sticky webs covering the ground limited Athena''s movements to some extent, but it wasn''t a major hindrance.
While the Armored Spider grew increasingly uneasy, Athena felt that progress was too slow. With one hand gripping the ck abyss axe to inflict another strike on the spider''s wound, she reached into her spatial backpack with her other hand and retrieved a moonlit arrow.
Taking a deep breath, she focused her energy on her left hand and released the arrow with a sudden burst of force! The moonlit arrow didn''t prate the spider''s flesh as expected; instead, it remained lodged in the skin. Yet, this seemingly inconsequential strike was enough. The moonlit energy, irrational as it was, prated the spider''s body through the skin, exploiting its power.
Even in this situation, the moonlit energy proved effective, hastening the progress. Athena didn''t resort to using fireball directly into the spider¡¯s mouth because she had only nine fireballs left, intending to save them forter. For now, she had other means.
As time passed, the battle''s oue became clearer. The Armored Spider felt a chilling sensation coursing through its body, freezing its blood in its veins.
Unable to move, ity on the ground, awaiting the embrace of death. Even its six eyes ceased to emit their eerie green glow, dimming until it finally fell into eternal slumber upon its own heap of bones...
Athena sheathed her ck abyss axe. Despite the sticky webs covering the ground, she paid them no mind as she approached the massive spiderweb nearby. It was a huge cave, yet there was nowhere to rest.
Surveying the webs on the ground, an idea struck her. She picked up some bones and, using the webs, fashioned a makeshift chair. The Armored Spider''s corpse couldn¡¯t be dealt with immediately; at least not until the outside quieted down a bit, making it easier to drag it out.
Fortunately, the spider had been consumed by the moonlit energy, which meant its body couldst longer, and there wasn''t much blood to worry about.
As the colossal creature fell, Mikmik, curious, began circling it, pawing at its head one moment and its legs the next. When his paw was pricked by one of its sharp spikes, he jumped back in surprise.
Amused, Athena gathered materials from the cave and lit a fire with her lighter. Although they could see clearly without it, the mes brought a sense offort and warmth. In the depths of the cave, where venttion wasn''t an issue, she decided to rest for a while.
Regional Chat Channel:
"The center of the ck Forest is swarming with giant wasps. Luckily, I managed to slip away quietly."
"This feels like the prelude to a war. What are we yers supposed to do? The system couldn''t have picked a worse time!"
"Oh god, howe your ce is so eventful? So many incidents in just one day."
"Doesn''t matter. Let''s find a ce to hide and stay out of this mess."
"A bunch of cowards. I''m going to check it out!"
"You''re insane. If you want to go, go on your own. No need to tell everyone here. I hope youe back alive, although I doubt you will."
Chapter 75: A Pervert On The Way
Chapter 75: A Pervert On The Way
In the grand scheme of conflicts, the battle between the two giant bee ns was undeniably more terrifying than any skirmish among yers. Individually, these bees were formidable fighters, and collectively, they posed an even greater threat.
Athena had no knowledge of the location or size of their nests, but judging by the intensity and numbers encountered so far, both sides boasted no fewer than a thousand members.
In this world, monsters were categorized into sentient and non-sentient beings. Even the non-sentient animals here exhibited intelligence levels surpassing those of terrestrial creatures.
Prior to their arrival, both ns coexisted peacefully. Yet, on the very day they appeared, both factions found themselves on high alert, ready to engage in battle at a moment''s notice.
The catalyst for this conflict? Territory.
The ck bees Athena observed today had flown over from the opposite side of the river, while the yellow ones, which she had encountered earlier, hailed from the area she currently upied. They utilized the river as a natural barrier, avoiding interference with each other.
Such behavior indicated that something of great importance to them had surfaced,pelling them to resort to war.
Both sides were mobilizing in full force, deploying every avable bee. Soon, the forest would be teeming with them, surveilling every corner, leaving no creature''s movement unnoticed.
A conflict of this magnitude was unlikely to be short-lived, and with most of the day already gone, Athena and herrades had little over two days left to prepare.
While this situation favored those with higher rankings, it posed a significant disadvantage for those lower down thedder.
Certainly, Athena could take refuge in this cave, using the time to recuperate physically and mentally. However, she was well aware that prolonged hiding was not a wise strategy.
After all, with their strength, they wouldn''t settle for a mere ranking.
With each evolution and upgrade of these creatures, did the higher-tier bees like the queens already possess a level of intelligence approaching that of humans?
Having traversed the central region of the ck Forest previously, she knew it to be devoid of anything significant, save for the treants. Treants, too, possessed a strong sense of territoriality. If these bees had indeed chosen to wage war within its domain, would the treants yield or retaliate?
What were they fighting for, and what new entity might have emerged in the central region?
Wait, the treants?
In Athena''s mind, the image of the treant she had encountered during the battle resurfaced.
It appeared as a frail, slender sapling, its trunk bare and desated. Yet, to her surprise, as it absorbed the surrounding corpses, this inconspicuous sapling gradually underwent a transformation.
Unlike her initial impression, tender green shoots sprouted from its branches, while the treant''s stature grew increasingly robust.
The transformation was nothing short of miraculous, yet in this world, it wasmonce enough that the four present barely gave it a second thought. The small, fragile sapling growing by absorbing the life force of other beings was perfectly normal here.
Though the treant appeared weak and frail, its root system was exceptionally robust and extensive. The roots spread throughout the central region, each thick and imposing, emanating a powerful sense of dominance.
If things had always been this way, the treant must have killed countless intruders in its territory. Given its previous absorption rate, even the most ordinary monster corpse would spur the growth of new green shoots. Yet, until now, its trunk bore only a few scattered, newly sprouted leaves.
Athena vividly remembered the sight of the ground fracturing as the treant¡¯s roots emerged. Thend remained scarred, unrepaired. However, the area had been t upon their arrival, and one of the system''s three supply drops during the first wave had been right in the treant¡¯s territory.
Aplex mix of emotions surged within Athena. The giant bees'' true objective might not be anything else, nor should they worry about a confrontation with the treant. Their target was likely the treant itself.
The system had distributed war supplies, but the real resources in this regional conflict were those already present in the ck Forest, not the system¡¯s packages.
All three supply drop locations might hold secrets. The treant¡¯s domain was one, but what about the other two? Why was this treant¡¯s domain chosen as a battleground? What made this treant so special?
As expected, when people have time to think, their minds wander. Athena rubbed her aching temples as she reviewed the regional chat channel.
¡°Why are there so many giant bees? It¡¯s a death trap!¡±
¡°At first, I could kill one or two, but now there are too many. I¡¯m running for my life!¡±
¡°Can we even continue this regional battle? Our rankings are stuck. Monsters and yers are hiding, and the only thing we see are these giant bees!¡±
¡°Hey, guess what I saw? Giant bees the size of helicopters, and not just one! Are they moving their entire nest?¡±
¡°I¡¯m doomed.¡±
Everyone was weighed down by a heavy sense of despair. Some felt relieved, at least able to exit the regional battle intact, while others were discontented.
The lecherous man who had sent flies to track Athena was now desperately seeking a ce to hide from the giant bees. He had sessfully collected four medals, securing a decent rank, although not in the top ten.
Frustration gnawed at him; he believed he could still break into the top ten with his skills. But he dared not provoke the strong. The people he had been tracking with his flies were either dead or scattered, beyond his reach.
In his moment of despair, he activated his sensing ability again. Suddenly, his eyes flew open, and a grin spread across his face, making him tremble with excitement.
The heavens had not abandoned him!
He had received a faint signal from one of his flies, though it was weak and intermittent. It indicated the presence of someone and potentially a safe haven.
Excitedly, he turned and dashed in that direction. After evading another swarm of giant bees, he finally spotted a crevice between two massive boulders, barely noticeable unless closely inspected. It could shelter only one person.
Perfect!
Chapter 76: Swarm War Begins!
Chapter 76: Swarm War Begins!
As the man cautiously approached the crevice in the rocks, his suspicions were confirmed. He could faintly see someone lying among the grass-covered stones, and the presence of flies further supported his hunch.
Opting not to move any closer, he initiated his attack from a distance. Flies materialized from thin air behind him, but these were not ordinary flies¡ªthey were carnivorous. Under hismand, they swarmed forward like a gue of locusts.
However, when they broke through the underbrush, there was nothing there. The man frowned and started to retreat, but it was toote.
Hidden within the grass was an explosive device that began to fracture upon contact with the flies. The man frantically fled, unable to recall his flies in time. He felt a blinding light envelop him, and then, nothing.
A sudden, dazzling sh illuminated the entire area, akin to the fall of a star, turning night into day and bringing with it immeasurable devastation.
Immediately following, a thunderous explosion erupted, deafening in its intensity. The ground was torn apart, and dirt was flung high into the air.
Simultaneously, the explosion ignited a fierce fire, which rapidly spread. At the epicenter of the st, the man¡¯s body was left in ruins.
The massive explosion drew attention from all directions; even those far away could hear the sound or catch glimpses of the light.
Athena, however, remained oblivious. Inside a cave, she used the massive corpse of a spider to block the entrance, contemting her next move.
¡°What was that explosion just now?¡±
¡°That explosion looks familiar. It happened once during the previous skirmish.¡±
¡°Yeah, it¡¯s the same one that drew people in during the chaos.¡±
¡°I think it¡¯s the top ten-ranked Big Dream again. Damn, is she fishing for people?¡±
¡°Aren¡¯t you afraid she¡¯lle after you if you talk like that?¡±
¡°I¡¯m not in the top ten. How would she even find me?¡±
¡°Excuse me, how do we get across the river? Besides swimming¡¡± - Big Bear
Big Bear was anxiously pacing. After Athena left, she and the elderly goblin had tried numerous methods to cross the river but to no avail. They couldn''t find a way across.
Every piece of wood or other material they tried sank straight to the bottom. After many attempts, Big Bear gave up on finding something to float across on.
Desperate, she considered taking the risk to catch the giant bees Athena mentioned. But she hadn¡¯t encountered a single one. She started to suspect the system might have given false information. Wasn¡¯t there supposed to be a bee war happening all around? Why hadn¡¯t she seen any?
She was about to give up and go back when Garen, sensing a strange disturbance in the ck Forest, suddenly stopped her.
His expression was a mix of shock, confusion, and, upon closer inspection, a hint of joyful surprise.
Grabbing Big Bear¡¯s hand, he said with uncharacteristic seriousness, ¡°We must get to the other side of this river, even if it means swimming across.¡±
Big Bear felt her wrist aching from his grip and didn¡¯t understand why Garen had suddenly changed his mind.
In truth, it wasn¡¯t that Big Bear couldn¡¯t find the giant bees. Each group that approached her had turned away for various odd reasons, preventing any encounter with her. Simrly, no yers or creatures had crossed her path for the same reasons.
Meanwhile, in a hidden part of the ck Forest, a severely injured ck phosphorus snake dragged its weary, battered body to a safe ce. It coiled around its master, trying to use its body heat to wake him, though it forgot it was cold-blooded. Still, it had some effect.
ck awoke from the cold, sitting up abruptly and scanning the surroundings. The image of Athena¡¯s ck axe nearly splitting his skull was still vivid in his mind, filling him with lingering fear.
After calming down, he recalled the scene vividly. Coupled with the system notification on his panel, he realized how he had been saved. Choosing not to publicize the incident, he decided to keep it a secret.
From his system backpack, he took out two ck pills. His heart ached as he looked at the injured ck phosphorus snake. He fed one pill to the snake and swallowed the other himself. Though their wounds didn''t healpletely, they were significantly better.
Big World¡ How could ck not realize he had been tricked? His jaw clenched in fury, but when he opened his system panel, he saw that the person who had tricked him was no longer in the top ten.
Could it be because of Big Dream''s intervention? But if Big Dream couldn¡¯t kill him, how did she manage to harm Big World? There must be some unknown method.
He didn¡¯t harbor much hatred towards Athena, just a bit of resentment since he had initiated the conflict. Given the absolute disparity in power, there was nothing he could do against Big Dream.
The ck phosphorus snake had brought him to a small cave, where a tigery dead, killed by the snake.
The ck Forest seemed to have manyrge and small caves.
Though he wanted to explore the area, his injuries hadn''t fully healed, and he dared not act rashly.
But suddenly, the ck phosphorus snake began to tremble, its eyes wide with terror, hissing incessantly. ck tried to calm it, but to no avail.
Meanwhile, Athena was piecing together the events when Mikmik, beside him, took a half-step back, fur bristling. It bared its sharp ws and fangs, eyes narrowing to slits, ready for battle.
In the sky above the ck Forest, a massive swarm of giant bees hovered. The swarm was divided into two groups: one with a deep, dark hue, and the other shining with bright yellow light.
Thousands of giant bees pped their enormous wings in unison, producing a deafening roar like the hum of countless helicopters.
Their size was astonishing, the smallest being asrge as a ser ball, and thergestparable to a helicopter. Their robust bodies and sharp stingers, poised to strike, made even the bravest retreat.
Each bee radiated a formidable presence, asserting dominance over the sky.
Below them, a tiny sapling stood.
Chapter 77: Consume Title’s Durability
Chapter 77: Consume Title¡¯s Durability
The tree monster''s leaves emitted a faint green glow, giving it a sacred and wondrous appearance, like a divine tree misced in this realm of darkness. Despite devouring numerous lives, the creature''s presence was paradoxically serene. The life it consumed was reduced to blood mist, dissipating into the air, with each drop of blood seeping into the ground to nourish its roots.
Above the ground, the scene was tranquil and peaceful, but beneath the surfacey a twisted, grotesquework of roots. These roots extended in all directions, covering the underground area and ready to burst forth at any moment. The ground was scarred with numerous cracks, evidence of the roots'' previous eruptions. The tree monster''s territorial instincts seemed to have vanished.
Countless giant bees swarmed above it, yet the roots below remained still, lying dormant as if it were an ordinary sapling. The ck giant bee queen initiated the attack, her wings creating a wind vortex that spiraled towards her opponent like a tornado. Not to be outdone, the yellow giant bee queen''s wings hardened into des, emitting a cold gleam as she sliced through the wind vortex with massive gusts.
The sh between the queens signaled the start of the battle. Yellow and ck giant bees engaged in a chaotic melee, employing their wings to disrupt, their stingers to shoot, and their bodies to collide. The sky was filled with a frenzy of primitive and brutalbat. They fought with such ferocity that they ignored the chaos around them, driven by a blinding rage.
As countless bee corpses plummeted to the ground, the roots below eagerly extended, ensnaring the fallen bees. The roots tightened, crushing the bees into a slurry of blood that was quickly absorbed. The energy and nutrients from the dead bees were channeled back into the tree trunk, fueling the sapling''s rapid growth. The tree''s leaves grew greener and more vibrant, and its height soared to one meter, then two meters. Though its growth slowed, a green flower bud suddenly appeared on one of its branches.
The bud remained tightly closed but emitted a warm, enchanting light that bathed the tree monster in aforting glow.
Meanwhile, Athena sat cross-legged in a cave, her mood significantly calmer. The creature, Mikmik, was no longer frightened or agitated. Instead, it bounced around her excitedly, tugging at her clothes and gesturing towards the battlefield of the giant bees with its tiny paws, its eyes gleaming with excitement.
"There is something round and important where the bees are fighting," Athena murmured as she cradled Mikmik in her hands, trying to understand its message.
Mikmik meowed joyfully in response.
Despite Mikmik''s ability to observe the battle stealthily, Athena was hesitant to send it. Mikmik might manage against the ordinary bees, but encountering the queen-level leaders was too risky. If discovered amidst the dense attacks, Mikmik could be exposed and vulnerable.
Unable to monitor Mikmik''s status in real-time and with no way to intervene immediately, Athena decided against the risky venture. She pondered for a while, gently stroking Mikmik''s twitching ears.
"Is that item really as important as you say? It might be useful to the giant bees, but will it be of any use to us?"
"Should we give it a try?"
Seeing Mikmik sitting upright, nodding earnestly, Athena couldn''t help but smile.
|
[ Hunter ]
Durability: 5050
Rarity: Rare!
Acquisition: Dropped by the first kill of the Long-tailed Bear!
Title Attributes: Strength +10, Defense +5 when battling prey
(Adjust your mindset; they are just struggling prey!)
|
To date, Athena had acquired two titles: "Warrior," for activebatants, and "Hunter." Both titles came with durability, but unlike weapons, this durability was consumable.
Weapon durability decreased with use and wear, but the durability of her titles could be expended for benefits. The "Hunter" title provided significant and useful attribute boosts, so she had been reluctant to use it. However, her current attributes were at a bottleneck, rendering the "Hunter" title ineffective and in a cooldown state.
If this venture proved sessful, it could significantly enhance her strength, potentially enabling her to break through her current limits and take on new challenges. Despite the title''s value, the immediate opportunity was even more crucial.
"Yes"
| Durability depleted. Hunter title now usable only once!
Title attributes changing... |
|
[ Hunting Grounds ]
Level: ???
Acquisition: Title transformation from "Hunter"
Title Attributes:
A superior hunter possesses agility, speed, and excellent physical fitness. Temporary enhancement of personal attributes by 20%. (This attribute is currently sealed due to the yer''s bottleneck state.)
You are a master trapper. Any prey caught in your traps is at your mercy. Trap Master!
Enhanced tracking. Once you lock onto a target, you can track its location within an hour. Omnipresent and inescapable. The ultimate effect allows a single teleportation to the prey''s location. Upon a sessful capture, you can return to your original position.
[ Detected that yer Athena''s attributes are at a bottleneck. The first attribute is automatically sealed. ]
|
Even without the first attribute, and with the title now a one-time use, if the n seeded, the investment would be well worth it.
Donning the "Hunting Grounds" title, Athena picked up Mikmik again, marking him with her tracking seal. A red light shed briefly. Mikmik showed no visible changes, but Athena''s map now disyed his location and a single teleportation opportunity.
"Go. When you''re in extreme danger, the marker will sh, and I''lle to you."
Chapter 78: The Queen Among Queen Bees
Chapter 78: The Queen Among Queen Bees
The tree monster seized the opportunity, greedily devouring the corpses of the giant bees with immense satisfaction. It was so pleased that even its trunk began to quiver slightly. The solitary pale green flower on it began to bloom gently.
The battle in the sky remained fierce. Despite losing so many of their kind, the bees fought on, oblivious and emotionless, driven solely bymands like unfeeling machines.
When the ck and yellow giant bees initially shed, their queen bees signaled the battle. Now, however, the queen bees only watched each other warily, refraining from any aggressive moves after the initial attack. They were not just cautious but also overseeing the collection of the fallen bees, watching as the corpses were absorbed and as the flower bud gradually bloomed.
This war was ignited for the sake of the tree monster''s fruit. To nurture this fruit quickly, the bees'' corpses were essential. This was the fastest and most effective method; any dy would result in failure.
Unlike the ordinary bees, which mindlessly obeyedmands, the queen bees were intelligent and obeyed the queen''s orders for the sake of their species. They were ready to die calmly if the queenmanded.
The tree monster was a nightmare for all creatures but a gift for the strong. Its fruit not only enhanced various abilities but also had the power to grant intelligence. Each queen bee was the pinnacle of their species''bat strength. The two bee tribes had maintained a peaceful coexistence for a long time. Whoever obtained the fruit could create another queen, drastically altering the bnce of power. If the fruit matured sessfully, it could be used by the queen, greatly enhancing the entire hive.
Mikmik crept along the tree stealthily. From a distance, he could see the sky swarming with giant bees. Corpses continuously fell from the sky and were swiftly ensnared by the tree roots. He had to watch out for falling bodies and sudden changes on the ground, making his journey perilous and nerve-wracking. But he finally reached the central area.
At first nce, the tree was no longer the withered sapling it once was. It had grown into a towering giant, and the budding fruit on it radiated an extraordinary allure.
Mikmik punched himself with a cat paw, shaking his head to stay calm. He spotted the tworgest bees, one ck and one yellow, directly above the tree monster.
Heeding Athena''s warning, Mikmik knew better than to provoke these formidable foes. Hey quietly for a long time, unnoticed by anyone.
After observing for a while without gaining any useful information or finding an opportunity, Mikmik realized the two giant bees nearly encircled the tree monster, and many other bees swarmed around.
Initially, he watched the fight with interest but soon grew bored. However, he noticed that the number of bees didn''t decrease despite the constant fighting. He observed that bees continuously joined the fray from two different directions.
Mikmik followed the bees into the forest, realizing he didn''t need to chase them frantically. The bees didn''t notice him, and he didn''t have to worry about losing track. If one batch was gone, another would follow.
Athena monitored Mikmik''s marker. Since entering the ck Forest''s central area, Mikmik hadn''t moved much, asionally heading in another direction. It confirmed Athena''s belief that a cat''s curiosity was indeed insatiable.
As Mikmik ventured further, he arrived at the outer edges of the ck Forest. Here, he encountered a cliff. The yellow giant bees disappeared as they crossed the cliff''s edge. Mikmik raised his paw to touch the space ahead and found a transparent barrier.
cing his paw forward, he realized there was indeed a path. Passing through the invisible barrier, the cliff vanished, revealing a breathtaking sight.
Instead of the expected forest, massive beehives loomed on the horizon. They resembled colossal beasts in a dark world, or perhaps evenrger giant bees. Majestic and imposing, they radiated an overwhelming pressure that almost suffocated Mikmik.
Soon, he saw about a hundred yellow giant bees emerge from one of the hives, flying in batches towards the battlefield. Mikmik quietly bypassed them, discovering a distinct yellow hive.
This hive was significantly smallerpared to the others but was exquisitely crafted with remarkable intricacy. There was only one entrance. As he approached, he noticed four or five queen bees guarding it.
However, what truly terrified him was the sight beyond the queen bees: the queen herself. Shey on the ground, her massive body seemingly on the verge of bursting. Countless eggs filled her enormous abdomen, and she was the lifeblood of the hive, its most crucial member. Yet, she could barely move.
Worker bees collected the eggs sheid, and during this vulnerable eggying period, the queen bees protected her diligently.
The queen bees spoke in an unknownnguage, but Mikmik understood everything, even if Athena couldn''t. Observing the queen''s swollen belly, Mikmik knew the eggying process wouldn''t end anytime soon.
Mikmik exited the hive and rushed back to Athena''s dwelling.
Despite not being adept at long-distance running, Mikmik pushed himself, pausing only briefly before resuming his sprint.
When he finally reached the cave, he found Athena waiting like a concerned mother awaiting her child''s return.
Athena sighed in relief upon seeing Mikmik, a bit disheveled but otherwise unscathed. Mikmik, eager tomunicate, gestured frantically with his paws, but his urgency made it hard for Athena to understand.
"Don''t panic. One thing at a time," Athena urged.
For the first time, Mikmik resented his inability to speak humannguage or write. His frustration grew as he struggled to convey his message, eventually swatting Athena''s face in exasperation.
Finally, Athena pieced together Mikmik''s message, "A hive... a heavily pregnant queen... only queen bees guarding... intelligence?"
"...We should kidnap the queen..."
It was a crazy idea, but upon reflection, not entirely impossible.
Chapter 79: Dark Fruit Descent
Chapter 79: Dark Fruit Descent
Infiltration was the best approach. Once the n was set, Mikmik didn''t even rest, immediately darting back out.
Smooth sailing brought it swiftly to the transparent boundary, slipping inside.
It crept forward cautiously, afraid to make a sound. Suddenly, it heard a faint noise and froze, ttening itself on the ground, observing the surroundings.
The yellow giant bee nest appeared again, hundreds of bees swarming. Despite its enormous size, Mikmik doubted it could amodate so many giant bees.
As it approached closer, Mikmik finally saw the inside of the nest: vast yet hideous, emitting a foul stench.
Worker bees were bringing batches of eggs from the queen bee, arranging them meticulously. Rotting bodies on the ground served as nutrients, nurturing these yellow giant bees.
Both sides of giant bees thrived on corpses as nourishment. Mikmik removed three explosive balls from Athena''s back and buried one beneath.
Heading towards the main nest, the four queen bees remained inside guarding, not moving their steps, but they would soon depart.
Mikmik circled the nest, strategically cing the explosive balls in corners, boldly positioning one right next to the queen bee.
On the other side, Athena cautiously exited the cave, vignt of her surroundings, never halting, heading towards the central area of the ck Forest.
Her sole purpose here was to lure more giant bees, ensuring the chaos escted.
Though the yers who came here valued their lives, they were also a group of madmen who, when necessary, wouldn''t hesitate to risk their lives.
Along the way, they encountered giant bees, but these bees now only followed orders, ignoring Athena. They bypassed her directly, heading to the battlefield where the fight was much more critical than Athena''s. This surprised her, who was prepared for battle.
However, no fight was a smoother path to the scene.
She moved like a hunting cheetah, agilely maneuvering and leaping between tree trunks, simultaneously sprinting.
Meanwhile, somerge bees apanied her, but they bore no hostility towards her, perhaps incapable of independent thought, merely obeyingmands.
Finally, she reached the central area of the ck Forest. As she attempted another step forward, she realized she couldn''t proceed any further, a strong sense of danger enveloping her.
Looking up, she saw the sky above dominated by countless giant bees. They circled and battled, forming an overwhelming scene that blocked out the sky, with corpses asionally falling like scattered meteors from above.
Faced with such a spectacle, her heart raced uncontrobly. These giant bees were fighting fiercely over treasures, and the victorious side would gain the right to harvest the fruits.
Stepping in further, she was certain a giant bee would swoop down and strike her first.
Even from a distance, Athena noticed the distinctly unique tree. It stood amidst a dense forest, particrly eye-catching.
The branches of this tree were unusually lush and towering, casting a dense shade that seemed to blot out the sky. If not for theplex and massive root system below, Athena wouldn''t have recognized it as the small sapling it once was.
What was even more peculiar was the faint glow emanating from the entire tree, giving it an aura of mystery and awe.
However, the most eye-catching feature of the tree was the withered flowers on its crown, from which sprouted a single emerald green fruit. The fruit was plump, brilliantly colored, translucent, and exuded a tempting luster.
Two enormous giant bees hovered around it, seeming like guardians of the fruit. Whenever treasures appeared, they would inevitably incite a bloody struggle.
Cold sweat trickled down Athena''s forehead. She involuntarily swallowed, her gaze fixed firmly on the verdant fruit ahead, unable to look away, so enticing it was.
Above her head were countless monsters. The tree, which bore fruit, was originally a bizarre creature. Beside it stood two immensely powerful creatures on guard. Just thinking about breaking in made Athena''s adrenaline surge.
She must have been crazy to do something like this...
| Arrived at the central area, unlocking event ''Dark Fruit Descent''! |
| [ Dark Fruit Descent ]
At specific times each year, boundless darkness would bring mysterious gifts, granting exclusive favor to the ck Forest. Any young sapling had the potential to be the chosen one by destiny, transforming into a fearsome tree creature!
These tree creatures possessed unimaginable abilities, rapidly growing and blooming with brilliant flowers and bearing dark fruits through blood and nourishment. When they reached a critical point of growth, they became the coveted treasure of all monsters.
Their growth requirements demanded an astonishing amount of blood as food, leaving behind only rotten fruits amid the corpses.
|
|
Dark Fruit
Category: Gift
Level ??
Description: Consuming it grants rebirth.
|
Facing the temptation of the dark fruit, Athena was more concerned about what she couldpete for.
|
Tree Monster Leaves
Category: Gift
Level ??
Description: Consuming enhances mental strength; edible even after breaking through.
|
|
Tree Monster Skin
Gift Category
Level ??
Description: Consuming enhances ''luck''!!
|
Just the leaves and skin of the tree monster were treasures that Athena and her fellow yers couldn''t touch at their current level, not to mention whaty beyond¡ªthe dark fruit.
Good things were meant to be shared among everyone; it was impossible for anyone not to be tempted.
[ Regional Chat Channel ]
"Help! I dare not venture out, I don''t want to die as soon as I step outside!"
"Do we really have to hide in here for the remaining two days? This is so frustrating!"
"In fact, it''s not all bad..."
- "Sharing data on Tree Monster Leaves."
- "Sharing data on Tree Monster Skin."
- "Sharing data on Dark Fruit."
"Come out quickly! As long as you don''t enter the central area, those giant bees won''t attack you."
"Are you guys not tempted at all?"
There was a brief silence in the chat channel, followed by a frenzy of messages. Even amid the flood of messages, Athena''s data sharing was preserved due to its uniqueness.
"Haha, no one would really go, right?"
"Are they insane? Where did this datae from? Is it real? Leaves and skin of just one tree?"
"We definitely can''t beat them. Everyone, stay put and don''t rush out. Don''t be swayed! Don''t go, every life saved of region 4 counts!"
"Would you go? I certainly won''t. This guy don''t know the danger! Is he suicidal? So many giant bees!"
Chapter 80: Fight!
Chapter 80: Fight!
Athena paid no further attention to the chatter of those around her. She had done what she needed to do, everything within her power.
Activating her system panel, she inspected the markers on the map. It seemed Mikmik over there had likelypleted his task and wasn''t moving anymore.
As for the other purple markers, they were slowly converging towards this location. Of course, there were also two rushing towards her like mad.
The Dark Fruit Descent... While many still didn''t grasp the concept, some were already advancing towards that goal. Now presented with an opportunity to break through, they could no longer hold back.
Whether it was seizing the leaves or challenging the swarms or other challenges that oveps over the other, all were hellishly difficult. Yet, there was still hope in attempting to wrest control over the contested area.
Watching the approaching light spots, Athena knew it was time to act.
Taking a deep breath, she calmly affixed an explosive bomb to her Moonlight Bow. Her heart raced, yet her hands remained steady and precise as she aimed and shot into the air.
Tied to it was something, causing the Moonlight Arrow to not fly too high and with less uracy, but it was sufficient.
The explosion thundered through the skies, smoke billowing. The giant bees were startled by the sudden st; some continued unaware in their battles and perished in the explosion. Others, however, aimed their stingers at Athena. They wouldn''t tolerate provocation, especially at such a critical moment.
Two bee queens noticed themotion but hadn''t grasped the severity of the situation, still focused on guarding the tree monster.
In the brief chaos, Athena took the opportunity to escape, changing her position while her arrows never ceased.
With the first sess and measurement, she bound more and more things. Launching them one after another with her me enhancers and explosive balls.
Only seeing continuous explosions in the sky, rolling thick smoke surged incessantly, seeming to envelop the entire world. The raging fire burned fiercely, as if to devour everything, sparks flying like meteorites crashing to the ground, apanied by the bodies of giant bees.
In the sky, it was as if a giant fireworks disy had bloomed, yet this once beautiful sight was now anything but beautiful, instilling only fear and despair.
The onught of explosions hastened the death of these giant bees, their bodies crashing to the ground, absorbed by the tree monster, elerating its growth.
The already chaotic scene grew even more chaotic. Even outside the area, she had provoked anger, bing a target for everyone. The myriad giant bees descended like raindrops upon her.
Purple light spots and scattered others had already arrived nearby, witnessing themotion here, yet no one moved. Everyone awaited their chance yet cautious, watching who would withstand the test first.
The giant bees were thoroughly enraged, many diverting their paths to attack Athena, no longer focused solely on the battle but madly intent on sweeping through this entire forest!
The two bee queens noticed but dared not fly over to attack Athena, afraid of losing the advantage to each other.
She gasped for breath, looking back at the devastated area. Had she seeded? She wasn''t sure.
Gripping her weapon tightly, Athena remained resolute.
| Trigger Event: Giant Bee Queen Summoning! |
She smiled because she had seeded. Watching the swarm of giant bees approaching, she chose not to engage them in battle. Instead, leveraging the terrain, she dodged and dashed back towards the light spots. The bees dispersed as expected whenever they encountered people.
Along Athena''s escape route, she could always hear the curses directed at her from those behind.
Unfortunately, the more curses there were now, the happier she felt. It proved that the enemy forces were increasingly scattered, merely a drop in the ocean. All she needed to do was buy time.
Facing the dense attacks, Athena couldn''t afford to rx. She executed various intricate, high-intensity maneuvers to evade the flying stingers and the bees'' impacts.
But battles were inevitable. Her body was already stained with the blood of giant bees, mixed with her own, making it hard to distinguish.
She encountered familiar faces, the Witch Cloak and the Magic King. They recognized Athena at a nce, shocked that she had unleashed explosive balls, a move they hadn''t seen her use before. They hadn''t expected Athena to be the instigator of all this chaos.
Athena was certain of their strength,parable to the top ten contenders, yet they hadn''t entered that elite rank for some reason.
Their eyes widened, pupils shrinking as they watched the thousands of troops behind Athena turn and flee. Still, they saw the eerie smile on Athena''s face and wished they could kill her right then, but they too turned and ran.
Sometimes, you don''t need to outrun others; you just need to outrun your teammates.
Athena pushed off a tree trunk with all her might, unexpectedly rebounding in front of the two.
She could almost see veins bulging on their faces, but it was only temporary.
"Not bad speed. You might survive for a while," the Witch Cloak''s pretty face turned sinister and terrifying, barely paying attention to the giant bees behind while preparing to strike Athena.
A white light,pletely different from the explosive glow, shed, and Athena disappeared on the spot, leaving the two to sprint for their lives.
Joining in their mad dash were yers who had originallye just to observe.
Thus, what started as a chaotic melee between two factions became a three-way battle. More people were drawn in.
Instantly teleporting to the Giant Bee Nest, leaving behind the two bee queens who had lost their ability to fly due to the explosions, as the explosive balls were directly aimed at the queen, but they used their bodies to block the explosion in such a confined space.
The queen was at a critical moment of reproduction and unable to fight. Of the four queen bees that had originally stayed behind, two had just been summoned out, leaving only these two.
They remained vignt, but nothing changed until Athena was instantaneously teleported over. In the instant the light shed, the two queen bees rushed forward.
But what awaited them were not people, but two explosive balls thrown out from space, forcing the two queens to retreat and block in front of the queen.
And Athena, battered and bloody, emerged from the teleportation array. Mikmik picked a good time; the giant bees were still hatching, and the queen was inbor.
Not out of arrogance, but because on this territory, they held absolute authority. Whenever they moved, other creatures automatically retreated, no one dared to challenge their authority.
Moreover, to directly invade the main nest?
Chapter 81: A Fragile Truce
Chapter 81: A Fragile Truce
Athena Ravencroft gripped her ck abyss axe tightly. Though the two giant bees had been sted back, they hadn''t lost theirbat capabilities. Their ferocity remained undiminished, far beyond her ability to handle alone.
The two queen bees, eyes filled with suspicion, watched her intently, their attention fixed on the remaining three explosive orbs in her left hand. Understanding the gravity of the situation, Athena signaled for Mikmik to step forward.
In an instant, Mikmik appeared beside the queen bee, whose body trembled slightly, likely due to the sensitivity brought on byying eggs. The two queen bees¡¯ auras surged to an intimidating peak, resembling demons wing their way out of hell.
Mikmik, unfazed, casually rolled one of the explosive orbs with his forepaw. His piercing gaze, blood-red eyes filled with bloodlust, locked onto Athena. The killing intent emanating from him was overwhelming, like waves crashing against her, promising to tear her to pieces if he so wished.
Athena felt a weight in her heart but didn''t let it show. Instead, she smiled and raised her hands in a gesture of surrender. "Let''s talk."
The ck giant bees weren''t swayed by her gesture, though they didn''t act rashly. They knew they had failed in their duty by allowing her to infiltrate.
They emitted a series of sounds that Athena couldn''tprehend. Gradually, the sounds shifted, bing more human-like, until finally, they spoke in a broken but understandable humannguage.
"Human¡ what do you want?"
"Hurry¡ have that creature move away from the queen. If anything happens to her, you die too!"
Listening to their halting words, Athena remained motionless, careful not to push them any further.
"You want the dark fruit, while I only need some leaves and bark from the tree. I think we can negotiate. Are you sure you won''t reconsider?" Athena¡¯s smile remained, though she knew that she and Mikmik could teleport back to their previous location. However, a battle had likely erupted between the yers and the giant bees, making both options dangerous. Besides, she had no idea what might happen before they could teleport away.
Initially, her target had been the queen bee, hoping to use her as leverage to im the fruit. But once she arrived, she realized it was beyond her grasp, something she couldn''t possess or handle.
Power can still dominate the ends regardless of meticulous nning. Sacrificing that one huh?
Thus, she decided to settle for leaves and bark, items of no value to the giant bees. Threatening the queen¡¯s safety would surely make them agree.
"You want the tree''s leaves and bark?" Their speech was now clearer, free from the initial stuttering.
They couldn''t understand why a human would want such useless items. To them, all the tree¡¯s valuable essence was concentrated in the fruit, which held the power to renew their lives and alter their species'' fate.
"Yes, I don''t want to harm your queen. Otherwise, I wouldn''t make it out of this forest alive."
"I''ll stay here. If anything happens to your queen, you can retaliate immediately."
The murderous gleam in the queen bee''s eyes didn''t diminish. Athena had infiltrated their nest without them noticing, and Mikmik was an enigma.
"Why should we trust you?"
Athena didn¡¯t respond. Instead, she raised her hand, showing the explosive orb and three additional fire enhancers. Her smile vanished, reced by a cold, stern expression.
"No tricks. We have enough here to destroy us all."
"You know I can teleport. If I cause an explosion here, I can disappear instantly." Athena¡¯s face, which had been warm and friendly, turned icy. Her gaze at the two queen bees was filled with menace and indifference. Her demeanor was that of aplete madwoman, making her threats all the more real.
The second queen bee, who had been silent, ceased her movements. Though Athena imed to seek negotiations, it was a thinly veiled threat. They knew nothing of her other capabilities, but she had already infiltrated their nest.
"Alright," the queen bee finally relented, the venom in her voice still evident. "You get your leaves and bark. But if you double-cross us, we''ll make sure you pay with your life."
With a slight nod, Athena lowered her hands, signaling Mikmik to step back from the queen. "I hope we can both walk away from this. Your queen''s safety is my priority too."
The tension in the air remained thick, but a fragile agreement had been reached. Athena knew the danger wasn''t over, but she had managed to negotiate her way out of immediate peril. Now, it was a matter of collecting what she needed and leaving before anything could go wrong.
"Fine, we''ll give you the leaves and bark. Now, leave!"
Athena lowered her hand but did not retreat. "No need to worry. I''ll stay here as a guarantee. It should make you feel more secure, right?"
The atmosphere was tense and eerie. The queen beey weakly on the ground while Mikmik continued to y with the explosive orb. After a sharp nce from Athena, he finally settled down. The two queen bees watched Mikmik¡¯s actions nervously, their eyes flickering with anxiety. Athena stood on one side of the hive, watching them closely.
She wasn¡¯t in a hurry. Even though the fruit had already started to grow, its slow maturation meant that more would be neededter.
Finally, one of the queen bees broke the silence. "We need to send a message to the bee guards by the tree. Otherwise, we can''t get what you need."
"Yes, and we cannot harm the tree before the fruit matures. It would slow down its growth."
Athena leaned against the hive, listening to the queen bees. This was to be expected; now was not the right time.
"Of course, take your time. I¡¯ll wait here patiently."
Silence descended once again. Though the deal had been struck, neither side lowered their guard. The tension was palpable, like a tightly wound string ready to snap at any moment.
After a long pause, Athena spoke first. "Are there only two lord-level units in the ck Forest?"
It didn¡¯t make sense. The ck Forest, designated as their main battlefield by the system, a ce favored by darkness, surely housed more than just lord-level units. If the dark fruit was as important and miraculous as they said, it would definitely attract other creatures.
The ck giant bees and yellow giant bees might be the only lord-level factions, but there had to be other powerful monsters lurking. These creatures, unable to nourish the tree with their flesh and blood, were likely waiting for the fruit to mature. Once it did, they would certainly emerge to seize it.
"Ridiculous!" one of the queen bees spat, clearly annoyed.
The other queen bee, calmer, regarded Athena silently. The anger in its eyes faded, reced by the haughty demeanor of a true monarch.
"Of course not. This ce is muchrger than you can imagine."
As expected, they had only explored a small fraction of the ck Forest. Other areas, likely hidden behind barriers like the hive, awaited their discovery.
Chapter 82: The Dark Fruit’s Secret
Chapter 82: The Dark Fruit¡¯s Secret
As the system indicated, the growth of the Dark Fruit was not a matter of decades or centuries but an annual event. Each year presented an opportunity for the fruit to mature. With the rapid reproductive rate of the Giant Bees, they could easily catalyze the fruit over time without resorting to such extreme measures.
This urgency might reflect their impatience, yet even if the two swarms divided the fruit equally, over time, the numbers would be considerable. However, despite their efforts, the Giant Bees only had about five queens at most, and none of the queens had evolved yet.
This situation was highly unreasonable, suggesting that the sessfully ripened Dark Fruits rarely fell into their hands. Other entities werepeting with them, powerful enough to challenge the entire bee swarm.
Despite knowing they were toiling for others, the bees had no choice but to seize every opportunity.
Athena now needed only to wait. Once the war concluded, the monsters would fight over the Dark Fruit, but the leaves and bark of the tree were useless to them. As long as the Giant Bees handed over these parts to her afterward, she would leave this cursed ce as soon as possible.
She dared not touch the queens, knowing it would drive the bees into a frenzy, triggering catastrophic consequences. The bee queens were evidently aware of this, allowing them to coexist with her up to this point.
No one wanted to take such a risk.
The ck Forest was vast and rich in resources. If she could gather a bit more to take back, she would be well rewarded.
Curiosity killed the cat, and greed killed humans.
Ultimately, Athena chose not to overstep her bounds. Getting the Giant Bees to help her acquire the leaves and bark was already a great oue.
While others were just starting, she was already at the finish line.
"You are visitors from the Third World. You are easily recognizable; no one here does not know who you are."
"Is that a special weapon in your hand? You always seem to have these strange items..."
To Athena''s surprise, the bee queen across from her began to chat, but she knew it wanted more than idle conversation, so she remained vignt.
"That thing was made by you, right? It still carries your aura."
Ha, maybe she was crazy, but these monsters of the darkness, these Giant Bees, were no less insane. She gradually guessed the queen''s intentions.
"Yes," she confirmed.
"Can you make it here? We can find the materials for you."
Just as Athena suspected.
"You were asking if there are other lord-level creatures here? Yes, many."
"Some are even stronger than us, but I think the item in your hand... might be very useful."
The bee queen¡¯s red eyes scrutinized the fireball in Athena¡¯s hand. Though it appeared to be an ordinary clump of soil, its eyes could see the terrifying energy collisions within. The recent explosions across thend, observed through their worker bees, had given them a clear understanding of the power held within this unassuming sphere.
Despite knowing its power, they believed that the human might not use it to its full potential. However, they could push its destructive capacity even further.
¡°Of course, I can make it for you. In return, I expect the leaves and bark as we discussed earlier,¡± Athena replied, awaiting their answer.
The yellow bees had been locked in a long struggle with the ck bees, and now they were losing ground. The ck bees had gained strength from thest skirmish, while the yellow bees faced the threat of annihtion by this rival swarm. Moreover, the ck Forest housed other menacing creatures.
This time, they needed a breakthrough. The arrival of someone from the Third World, like Athena, presented a promising opportunity.
Even if the coboration failed, it would still leave both sides weakened. This was no worse than their current predicament.
Partnering with Athena essentially meant partnering with all the yers who ventured here, with her as their representative.
¡°Giant bee honey can enhance your body, and our stingers are perfect material for your weapons. You can have as much as you need.¡±
¡°But with your current skill level, your creations are iplete. You need practice, don¡¯t you?¡±
Their analysis was spot-on,ying bare the stakes involved. Athena wasn¡¯t annoyed because they were right.
The potential gains from this venture were beyond her initial expectations and control. Yet, she wasn¡¯t deterred; she had been prepared to risk everything from the moment she arrived.
This wasn¡¯t recklessness; if she had tobel it, she¡¯d call it ambition.
¡°Of course.¡±
Those two words, uttered with a slight tremor in her voice, encapsted everything. It wasn¡¯t fear but joy and a thrill she couldn¡¯t quite describe.
This was negotiating with tigers.
¡°I¡¯ll conduct my experiments elsewhere. They¡¯re unstable and might endanger your queens. However, Mikmik will stay here. My life is expendable, but your queens are crucial, aren¡¯t they?¡±
Just in case they tried to surround and threaten Mikmik when she left.
The yellow bees weren¡¯t foolish. For them, Athena¡¯s status as someone from the Third World wasn¡¯t important. What mattered was their queens. If a queen was injured, even a victory would be meaningless.
Behind her, the queen, who had been weak and silent like a puppet, slowly opened her eyes. They were red, like the most dazzling rubies in the world, mesmerizing and radiating an extraordinary power.
It wasn¡¯t coercion or temptation but an innate desire to submit.
Unlike the bee queen¡¯s voice, the queen¡¯s was ethereal and mncholic.
¡°Human of the Third World, let us make a pact.¡±
The Queen had been listening all along. Though she was weak and immobile, she was still the true ruler of the hive,manding all the yellow bees.
Her silence had already given tacit approval to the bee queen¡¯s actions.
Chapter 83: The Contract Between A Human And The Queen Of Yellow Bees
Chapter 83: The Contract Between A Human And The Queen Of Yellow Bees
It was uncertain if the contract was made of parchment, but even in the depths of the ck Forest, the monsters could use a system of contracts.
Under Athena''s watchful gaze, the Queen somehow produced a piece of parchment out of thin air. This parchment was slightly different from the one Athena had seized from a lost soul. It looked more ancient and venerable, exuding an aura of authority and invibility.
A faint ck mist surrounded the parchment, giving it an ominous appearance.
The parchment floated towards Athena, who quickly stepped aside to avoid it. Her eyes were sharp, warning the Queen not to make any rash moves. This thing clearly didn''t seem right.
"Don''t be afraid; it''s just an ordinary contract."
The Queen''s ruby-red eyes remained calm, as still as water without a single ripple.
| Warning!
Mental strength assessment in progress...
Assessment sessful |
"Wait!"
Athena put away her ck Abyss Axe and took out her Moonlight Bow, assuming a shooting stance.
The moment Athena drew her Moonlight Bow, the two Queen Bee Guards tensed their muscles, ready to rush and engage her. However, with the Queen behind them, they could only stand protectively in front of her, issuing warning sounds to Athena.
But no matter how fast they were, the explosion woulde first.
"I won''t harm your Queen, but I do want somepensation."
Acting on impulse wouldn¡¯t solve anything.
"A single arrow from me won''t kill you. Since your Queen tried to deceive me, I''ll shoot one arrow in return. Fair trade."
The moment the mental strength assessment failed, the Queen suffered a bacsh. Her previously wide-open eyes now narrowed. They had indeed hoped to leverage Athena and the other yers'' abilities, but controlling them would have been even better.
What they hadn''t anticipated was that Athena''s mental strength far exceeded their expectations.
Enhancing mental strength was incredibly difficult, and they had underestimated her.
Athena wasn''t foolish enough to harm the Queen, but she also didn''t intend to do nothing. If the Queen thought she was easy to manipte, they would only be more audacious.
"Wait!" The Queen''s ethereal and mncholic voice now carried a hint of urgency.
Sessfully halting Athena''s actions, she awaited the Queen''s next words.
"This ordinary parchment can be very useful to you. We can throw in some extras as an apology for my rashness."
Having gained an advantage, Athena retracted her bow and arrow. Although she understood the Queen''s probing and counterattacks, it didn''t mean she would tolerate such behavior. Gaining something was necessary, but she also needed to maintain their cooperative rtionship without making it too hostile.
"Is the contract you mentioned real?" After this minor interlude, Athena began to doubt the authenticity of the contract ritual the Queen mentioned.
"Yes, but it''s somewhat different from a normal parchment contract. It is a contract verified by your Third World. This type of contract offers more security and is harder, if not impossible, to breakpared to a parchment contract."
A contract verified by the Third World? So, parchment contracts were unverified contracts native to this world? Contracts verified by the Third World were more secure than parchment ones!
Athena was deeply curious. She looked at the Queen and asked, "How do we formalize the contract?"
"It''s simple. Just write the terms on your Third World contract paper." The Queen finished speaking and quietly waited for Athena''s response.
The Queen Bees'' two guards stood silently by her side, though their eyes burned with a desire to tear Athena apart.
As the Queen waited for Athena to act, there was only silence. She had no idea where to obtain this "Third World" contract paper.
Sensing her dilemma, the Queen reluctantly provided the contract paper herself. Only by signing a contract notarized by the Third World could both parties feel secure, preventing the situation from bing overly tense.
A nk scroll, adorned with intricate patterns, materialized beside the Queen. When it appeared, Athena received a system notification.
|
[System Contract Paper]
Description: Write the contract terms and have both parties sign it. The system will notarize it, making the contract effective. Any breach of the terms will result in automatic, inescapable punishment.
Once formed, the contract cannot be torn.
|
Athena grabbed the nk scroll from mid-air and inspected it. Both sides were identical, and without the system''s introduction, it would seem like an ordinary scroll.
However, she didn''t have a pen. She considered asking the Queen for one, thinking it wouldn''t hurt to request another item.
As she pondered this, the nk scroll began to disy her thoughts. This change startled her. It seemed the scroll didn''t need writing; the contract terms would appear as long as she thought about them.
She formted the contract terms in her mind, and they sessfully appeared on the contract paper. While the content could be mentally inputted, signing it required physically cing her finger on the signature line.
Athena signed her name first and then handed the scroll to the Queen, who reviewed the contents.
|
[ Third World Contract ]
Athena and the Yellow Giant Bee Colony hereby agree: The Yellow Giant Bee Colony will provide materials and a location. In return, Athena will create Explosive Orbs to aid the colony in the battle for Dark Fruit. During this period, the Yellow Giant Bee Colony must not harm Athena in any way, nor will Athena harm the Queen.
Regardless of the oue of the battle for the Dark Fruit, after the battle, the Yellow Giant Bee Colony will prepare at least 100 grams of Tree Monster Bark and Tree Monster Leaves for Athena per unit.
The party that breaches the contract will suffer a permanent reduction of 50 in all attributes.
|
The Queen read the terms carefully, then shook her head at Athena.
"100 grams is too much. We can only promise to do our best."
Athena wasn''t surprised by this and ultimately agreed to the Queen''s modification, reducing it to a minimum of 10 grams. Though valuable, these materials were also dangerous to obtain, as Tree Monsters were formidable adversaries.
Athena wasn''t stupid, without the agreement between the two parties, the contract paper is useless.
Initially, she wanted to set the punishment as death, but the system indicated that the notarization strength wasn''t sufficient or perhaps ''unenforceable'', so it defaulted to a 50-point reduction in all attributes.
Chapter 84: The Pact with the Hive Queen
Chapter 84: The Pact with the Hive Queen
Staring at the modified contract, the Hive Queen remained silent. Unlike Athena, it did not sign the agreement with a signature. Instead, the Hive Queen pressed its forehead against the contract paper, and the contract automatically took effect.
The intricate patterns on the unfolded contract paper began to glow gradually. The entire sheet then rolled itself up and flew back to Athena, directly entering her system backpack.
|
Contract Authentication in Progress...
Authentication Sessful ¨C Contract Now Effective
|
Although neither Athena nor the Hive Queen felt any different, the contract had indeed be fully effective. Should either party breach the terms, they would face the consequences.
The system, capable of countering both darkness and daylight, certified the contract, ensuring that neither party could escape its bindings¡ªat least, not currently.
With the contract now in effect, Athena felt obligated to act. She collected her explosive balls, me enhancers, and the ck abyss axe, cing them all in her backpack. She then called Mikmik back and took the explosive ball beside the Hive Queen.
Under the watchful eyes of all present, Mikmik scurried to the hatching nest and retrieved another explosive ball, causing the two Bee Queens to haveplex emotions.
After storing all these dangerous items in her space backpack, Mikmik leaped into Athena¡¯s arms,fortably nestling there.
Athena didn¡¯t remain idle either, assisting Mikmik by grooming its fur.
At this moment, the Hive Queen resumed its production, with worker bees continuously transporting the eggs away. Athena watched the process with a furrowed brow but said nothing.
¡°Agasi, take her to the rear. Deploy one of the units to prepare the materials she needs.¡±
Agasi, the more aggressive of the two remaining Bee Queens, was visibly displeased. However, the contract applied to the entire yellow giant bee n, leaving it no choice. They had gambled with the safety of their entire n.
The bnce of power had shifted. Initially, the ck giant bee n was evenly matched with them, but in recent years, the ck bees had changed tactics, allying with other monsters. The dark fruit was no longer exclusive to any one group, being divided and contested among many. The yellow giant bee n realized toote and now found no potential allies.
The Hive Queen pondered, wondering if this alliance was a desperate move. Nevertheless, their only option was to unite with these Third World beings.
For them, the most important thing was not individual survival, but the continuity of their hive.
As Athena was about to leave, the Hive Queen fixed its gaze on her and said, ¡°If possible, tell yourpanions that we are open to friendly trade.¡±
¡°Alright.¡±
Agasi¡¯s wings had healed, and it flew impatiently, asionally darting ahead. But seeing Athena¡¯s slow, deliberate pace as she carried Mikmik, it had to stop and wait for her.
After another pause, Agasi turned, ring at Athena with evident frustration.
This human was doing it on purpose. Clearly, she could walk faster, yet she chose this leisurely pace. However, remembering the Hive Queen¡¯s instructions, Agasi had toply.
As she walked, Athena observed the surroundings. The vast expanse of the hive seemed endless, and the massive honebs felt oppressive.
Given the current wartime state, almost all the yellow giant bees were out, leaving only a few football-sized ones asionally flying by.
After walking for some distance, they finally arrived in front of a jet-ck hive. Agasi led Athena inside. Despite being a hive, the structure had a metallic sheen and seemed indestructible.
The floor was equally smooth, resembling more a spacious military fortress than a hive.
Once inside, Athena found itpletely empty¡ªa giant hollow shell.
¡°You¡¯ll conduct your experiments here,¡± Agasi told her. ¡°Tell me what materials you need, and I¡¯ll have them delivered. You must experiment inside; the outside can¡¯t withstand your explosions!¡±
After listing the required materials to Agasi and having them confirmed repeatedly, Agasi flew off to await the newly hatched giant bees that would help Athena gather the materials.
Athena wasn¡¯t worried about them knowing theponents. She had included a few rare materials she had seen in Mu¡¯s collection. If they found them, great; if not, it didn¡¯t matter.
Even with theplete materials, knowing the proportions was essential. And even with the right proportions, the necessary technique and experience were crucial. Each step was as challenging as ascending to the heavens. The yellow giant bee n could never replicate her work.
As Agasi went to fetch the materials, Athena carefully examined her surroundings. The walls bore scratch marks, indicating that this was likely the training ground for the bees.
Surprisingly, it seemed quite user-friendly.
For now, Athena felt safe and secure. She didn¡¯t need to worry about her safety, and soon the bees would bring her the materials she needed.
While crafting explosive bombs, she could not only stockpile weapons but also improve her crafting skills, perhaps even surpassing her current quality.
Meanwhile, others were still engaged in a fierce battle on the battlefield. The ck and yellow giant bee ns had a temporary truce, focusing on eliminating the yers before resolving their internal conflicts.
The sky was filled with ck and yellow bees. Instead of congregating in the central area, they spread out, pursuing yers across various areas.
The yers, naturally, avoided direct confrontation, scattering and fleeing in all directions. Not all bees chased them; most remained in the central area, fighting to provide nourishment for the tree monster there.
However, the situation changed dramatically. The yellow giant bees that had been pursuing the yers suddenly ceased their attacks and flew back to the central area, leaving only the ck giant bees in pursuit.
The ck Giant Bee King was displeased and somewhat puzzled. To prevent the yellow giant bees from gaining the upper hand in the central area, it also recalled its forces, leaving no time to deal with the yers.
Although the yers didn¡¯t understand the reason, they breathed a sigh of relief, eager to escape despite their injuries.
Just then, the system issued a prompt:
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Notice: A yer has joined the Yellow Giant Bee faction!
Faction Activation in Progress!
You may now join the Yellow Giant Bee faction!
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Chapter 85: Contribution Shop
Chapter 85: Contribution Shop
The concept of factions was something yers had never anticipated. What was even more unexpected to them was that yers had already joined the Yellow Giant Bee faction.
It was highly likely that it was because someone else had been the first to join the Yellow Giant Bee faction. Hence, only now could they join this faction as well.
This exined why the giant bees that had been attacking them just moments ago had all retreated to the central area.
This was extremely positive news for everyone present. However, despite the giant bees having retreated to the central area, none of the yers had any desire to hide back there again. They stayed where they were, concealing themselves and healing their wounds, yet none of them wished to leave.
Although they were pursued by the bees, the damage inflicted upon this group was minimal, with the death toll not even exceeding a handful.
Those who dared toe here were all somewhat skilled.
When the system prompt sounded, many people didn''t hesitate; they chose to join the Yellow Giant Bee faction. Of course, some hesitated, but after considering it, they agreed and joined the Yellow Giant Bee faction.
For now, it seemed their only option for joining was the Yellow Giant Bee faction. Once they joined, the Yellow Giant Bee faction would be friendly towards them, ensuring they wouldn''t be attacked.
Currently, the only avable faction to join was indeed the Yellow Giant Bee faction. Without joining, yers would have to face all monsters, but by joining, they would ally with the Yellow Bees against other monsters.
Most importantly, if they refused, they didn''t know if those bees would attack them again.
Within this empty hive, Athena pondered what the Hive Queen had just said about recruiting yers. For a moment, she didn''t know how to approach it. Should she speak directly in the regional chat channel?
How could she ensure the basic trust between the Yellow Giant Bee tribe and the yers? How could she make other yers believe what she said was true?
She tried to draft an announcement to test the waters in the regional chat channel, but before she could send it, the system prompted her.
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Big Dream, congrattions! You''ve signed a contract with the Yellow Giant Bee tribe!
The Hive Queen of the Yellow Giant Bee tribe has assigned a connecting mission to you, opening the faction to all yers. Will you?
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"Yes"
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Faction activation in progress!
Currently joinable faction: Yellow Giant Bee tribe!
Faction activated; you have been automatically joined in the Yellow Giant Bee faction!
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At the same time they received the system prompt, Athena''s system prompt also updated, albeit with slight differences from theirs.
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[ Yellow Giant Bee Tribe ]
Status: Friendly
Contribution: 0
Introduction: They are a rare lord-level unit within the ck Forest, feared bymon monsters. They have considerable influence within the ck Forest.
By making contributions to this faction, you can earn contribution points. These points can be exchanged for corresponding items in the faction contribution shop.
[ Contribution Shop ]
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Bee Honey: Strengthens the body and has a certain healing effect. The lower the attribute points, the stronger the enhancement effect, with a maximum direct enhancement of 3 attribute points. Price: 10 contribution points per gram.
Stinger of the Giant Bees: A potent weapon, also excellent material for crafting weapons. When fused with a weapon, it can create a distinctive weapon. Price: 50 contribution points each.
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| ... Currently, the contribution level cannot view higher-tier items. Please acquire contribution points as soon as possible. |
The items in the contribution shop are scarce. Currently, only Giant Bee Honey and Stingers can be viewed, both considered decent but ultimately ordinary items. Instead of quietly waiting here, she decided to take advantage of the safe andfortable environment to practice her archery. Though she couldn''t bring the book from Uncle Gowther, its contents were firmly etched in her mind.
Following the instructions from the book, Athena began practicing. The atmosphere within the hive seemed to have a calming effect, and she suddenly grasped a point she hadn''t understood before.
The Yellow Giant Bee tribe, which had lived in this ck Forest for who knows how long and through countless generations, dominated the area. They were familiar with the terrain and possessed a massive poption.
Athena hadn''t been practicing for long when Agasi returned with a group of worker bees, carrying various materials that Athena had asked them to find.
With just a quick nce, Athena confirmed they had found the right materials. It seemed the efficiency of these giant bees in handling tasks was quitemendable, considering they were under a Hive Queen.
However, Athena was somewhat disappointed that the precious materials she sought weren''t among them. Those materials must be even more valuable than she had imagined.
"Check again. There are two types missing."
"Yeah, you''re right. Please try to find the other two. Their absence might affect the effectiveness, but I can work with what we have."
The bees organized the materials together neatly underground as Athena instructed. Despite the amount, the table provided by the Hive Queen couldn''t amodate all of them.
Counting the inventory, she spoke to Agasi, "We''re almost there in terms of what we need, but the quantities arecking. The failure rate of Fireburst Balls is extremely high. I''ll need more materials."
Agasi understood well; after all, the more powerful the item, the greater the cost of production. At this moment, it disyed an unusual calmness.
"Understood." Turning away, it flew out with the worker bees to continue searching for the materials Athena required.
Once she had the materials, Athena began the process of crafting. The method for creating Fireburst Balls was rudimentary and straightforward, requiring no borate containers or tools, but basic precautions were essential.
Fortunately, the Hive Queen had considered everything thoroughly. Athena marveled at the assortment of odd and curious tools avable.
Before Agasi arrived, another bee queen dispatched by the Hive Queen had delivered a series of crafting tools and a workbench,plete with chairs¡ªeverything she needed.
Though it still wasn''t asprehensive as what she had seen at Uncle Gowther''s, it was enough to manufacture Fireburst Balls.
Sitting down at the workbench, Athena couldn''t help but reminisce. It felt somewhat simr to when Uncle Gowther guided her through the creation of Fireburst Balls, except her mindset now was entirely different.
Sorting through the materials brought by the giant bees, she set them aside for use. Following the mental images stored in her memory, she slowly began replicating the process.
Chapter 86: Bee Wars
Chapter 86: Bee Wars
Unfortunately, the production process was not going smoothly. Athena had found it so difficult under the guidance of that strict goblin, and now that she was producing independently without his guidance, it was still quite challenging.
Fortunately, she had learned the production techniques before, so even though the sess rate was only one out of ten, she was still able to produce many explosive balls due to the ample supply of materials.
The giant bees who helped her transport materials could often hear huge explosionsing from the beehive as Athena became more proficient with the stacking of materials, the explosions became increasingly terrifying.
Athena decided to ce the materials outdoors and have them brought to her one by one by Mikmik, to prevent any materials from being destroyed by explosions.
Because she was the one producing the explosive balls, even if they were unstable, she was able to extend the time before they exploded.
So every time she saw one about to explode, Athena quickly stored everything into her system backpack and rushed out.
The sound of a massive explosion echoed in the beehive, and the mes inside could still be seen vaguely, but because they couldn''t burn, the mes quickly extinguished, leaving only extremely high temperatures.
Athena stood outside the beehive, quietly waiting for the fire inside to die down before entering again.
She felt like she was on the verge of a breakthrough. At this rate, she might be able to produce ordinary-quality explosive balls by the end of the day. By then, she would be able to control the stability and explosion time of the explosive balls.
Previously under Mu''s guidance, he had taught her everything he could in the shortest amount of time, imprinting it all into her mind.
And now all she needed to do was umte experience and practice these operations over and over again, with the support of the giant bee colony.
This allowed her to quickly be proficient in these operations.
Athena gave the explosive balls she produced to Agasi, who then brought them to the Hive Queen. However, she did not hand over all of them, keeping some for herself.
She was like a mad scientist, constantly producing explosive balls in the beehive.
Sometimes, after several consecutive explosions, when her mindset copsed, she would mutter to herself like a crazy person and be irritable.
Then she would start the even more frantic process of producing explosive balls,pletely immersing herself in it. Mikmik would carefully ce down the materials and quickly run away when he saw her.
More and more explosive balls piled up on the side.
The Hive Queen obtained these Explosive Balls and only after examining them closely did she truly understand how terrifying they were. In addition to Agasi leaving to search for materials, another bee queen came to her side, making a total of four. The three bee queens previously sent out due to the chaos in the central area had now returned to her side.
Before the chaos erupted, it was not advisable to invest too much highbat power as they were to fight other monsterster. The Hive Queen had said she could further enhance the power of these Explosive Balls, which was indeed true. All the Explosive Balls brought to her from Athena were suspended in mid-air.
A golden light shed in the Hive Queen''s ruby-like eyes, and the Explosive Balls in front of her followed suit, emitting faint light. The shell, originally encased in ordinary soil, had be smooth and glossy, exuding a terrifying aura.
This was the Hive Queen''s unique skill: she could enhance these weapons by one grade. While she couldn''t enhance grades that were too high, she had no trouble enhancing inferior quality tomon quality.
Athena was still producing continuously, ensuring that these Explosive Balls would y a crucial role in the uing battle for Dark Fruit.
Perhaps this time, their Yellow Bee Colony could surpass the ck Bee Colony. The hive of giant bees was quiet, except for the Yellow Bees continuously being sent to the central area of the ck Forest to die, foreshadowing the imminent war that would affect the entire forest.
Meanwhile, a strange situation had developed in the central area where yers had joined forces with the Yellow Bee Colony. By joining them and discovering the contribution shop, they had already sided with the Yellow Bee Colony.
In order to earn more contribution points, they joined the war, protected by the Yellow Bee Colony, which significantly reduced the pressurepared to being surrounded by both colonies. With the support of the Yellow Bees, the yers were virtually invincible, pressing the ck Bee Colony into a corner.
Countless casualties had befallen the ck Bee Colony, and their bee queen was furious, unable to understand how these small insects could suddenly change sides. In desperation, she had to send a distress signal to the main hive, hoping for reinforcements to counter the growing threat posed by the Yellow Bees.
The continuous supply of troops to the battlefield was crucial to maintain their strength and ward off potential dangers in the uing attack. Only with thousands of giant bees could they withstand the impending crisis.
On the other end of the ck Forest, beyond the transparent barrier,y the nest of the ck Bee Colony. If the Yellow Bee Colony''s nest resembled giant beehives, like numerous beasts piled together, the ck Bee Colony''s hive was akin to a high-rise building, showcasing their advanced civilization with dignity and grandeur.
The most prominent feature was the exquisite transparent hive, guarded by five Bee Queens outside, while inside, there were various furniture items, exquisite ornaments, and the ground covered with skins of other monsters.
Compared to the hive where the Hive Queen of the Yellow Bee Colony resided, it was significantlyrger. With long, jet-ck hair reaching the ground and a pair of bee wings on her back, the Hive Queen of the ck Bee Colony possessed a humanoid form. Her skin was as smooth as jade, her figure proud.
Although she had a pair of captivating fox-like eyes, unfortunately, they had no whites, only a dark, ominous void that made onlookers shudder and feel a sense of foreboding.
While teasing a saber-tooth tiger, watching it struggle in vain and seeing its despair, her mood suddenly turned jubnt. But upon receiving information from the ck bee queen in the central area, her expression changed, and the amusement faded. She lightly tapped the giant tiger''s head, turning it into a mist of blood that vanished.
"Why are people from the Third World getting involved? Berry, what are you up to? Coborating with people from the Third World, I''ll wipe you all out!"
Chapter 87: Bee Wars Intensified!
Chapter 87: Bee Wars Intensified!
She soared out of the small hive,ing to a halt in midair. Despite her small wings, she emitted the most powerful sound in the world¡ªthe arrival of the Hive Queen herself was the highestmand.
Inside another hive, arge spherical object filled with yellow liquid.
At regr intervals, an egg would be produced, carried by worker bees to another hive for incubation.
The Hive Queen of the ck giant bees had evolved, leading the entire hive andmunity to further evolution. She now possessed a humanoid form, personally overseeing egg production within the hive.
She was the pinnacle ofbat prowess, never straying far from guarding the hive.
Hive Queen Berry of the yellow giant bees had made an unprecedented choice to unite with the people of the Third World.
To them, they were the highest beings, looking down upon all monsters, including the people of the Third World, an act that was akin to lowering their own pride.
This was absolutely uneptable; how could the Hive Queen deign to ally with those mere insects?
Despite this, they had to acknowledge the military strength of the Third World, never allowing the yellow giant bee tribe to gain the dark fruits.
Once the yellow giant bee tribe sessfully evolved to the same level as her, their status would revert to what it was before.
The yellow giant bee tribe could only be a vassal to their ck giant bee tribe.
With her at the center, ripples formed one after another in the air, driving the execution of the entire hive.
The once peaceful hive now hummed internally, strengthened as a whole, with a much faster production rate than before, sending batch after batch to the battlefield.
Among them, one could see a strong individual in every batch, not quite a queen bee but certainly elite level. As for the yellow giant bee tribe, apart from the exceptionally rare queen bee, all were mere worker bees.
Inside the yellow giant bee tribe.
As Berry strengthened the explosive sphere, she also received reports from the frontline. Suddenly, a sense of unease rose¡ªa vague suppression from above.
It was Bester, the hive bee of the ck giant bee tribe, making a move. It knew that once it allied with the people of the Third World, the situation would inevitably turn chaotic.
After all these years, how could it allow them to overturn its dominance, even for once?
Yet, it also yearned to evolve, not just for the tribe but for its own freedom.
"One queen bee should stay here; all other queens, move to the frontline."
"Now, immediately!"
Time was of the essence; if the ck giant bees broke the peace first, the nutrient supply that the tree monsters could receive would increase, and their growth would elerate even faster.
Though their preparations were not yetplete, due to continuous reinforcement, more forces than in previous years headed to the battlefield, elerating maturity this time.
Time was running out; the dark fruits this time might ripen much faster than they had imagined.
Those guys surely couldn''t stay hidden for long.
Above a tall peak, on its sheer cliff.
Arge bird hovering above spread its enormous wings, the wind howling around the cliff.
The bird leaped into the wind, soaring towards the central area.
Deep within an unseen canyon, a hundred-meter-long serpent coiled, a single horn upon its head.
Small but already disying its form, its eyes brimming with human-like intelligence, no other creatures in the canyon or its surroundings¡ªthis was a forbidden zone of life.
With the arrival of a new faction, the ck Forest was once again poised for a major upheaval.
The war in the central region never ceased. The ck giant bee tribe, yers from the Third World and the yellow giant bee tribe, seemed to be under a looming suppression.
However fiercely they battled, no one dared to disturb the tree monsters even slightly.
Everyone understood implicitly that these creatures were the most crucial entities in this ce; any interference with them would draw a collective attack.
On the other hand, the current tree monsters were beyond anyone''s control.
As they fought, cracks continually emerged from the ground, with tree roots extending to retrieve bodies strewn across the battlefield, yet not interfering with thebatants in the slightest.
By now, the tree monsters had grown into colossal beings. Only by tilting their heads back could one see their crowns, towering majestically against the sky.
They cast a shadow so dense that underneath, the roots grew more intricate, leaves dense, and their dark fruits gradually taking form.
They faintly glowed, their initially slow growth suddenly elerating, greedily absorbing the surrounding corpses.
The tree roots twisted and changed, bing more vtile. The entire tree was at its most active.
Patterns on the trunk wereplex, vaguely resembling smiling human faces, starkly different from the formerly divine trees.
Now, these tree monsters could truly be called monsters¡ªsinister, terrifying, exuding immense pressure.
Only their highest fruit still radiated a divine light.
The dark fruits were nearing maturity.
Athena tirelessly crafted explosive spheres, seemingly unaware of fatigue. Sweat dripped from her forehead, but she remained focused, controlling every detail with utmost concentration.
Finally, at the eleventh hour, she sessfully broke through!
The radiance emitted from the explosive sphere indicated it was of ordinary quality.
After countless attempts, she had finally mastered it; now, she was truly an alchemist.
Yet her head suddenly throbbed unbearably, as if it might explode at any moment. Intense use of mental energy caused her nose to bleed.
She quickly retrieved a healing potion from her backpack, downing it in one gulp. Its icy touch slid down her throat, gradually alleviating her condition.
Though materials remained, she couldn''t continue. The quantity of explosive spheres was already sufficient.
Exiting the hive filled with the smell of gunpowder, she took a rare breath of fresh air outside, feeling alive.
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-- Has something major happened in the war zone? Why is no one chatting on the channel?
-- I''m not just any person, am I always here?
-- Always? It''s always just been you?
-- They''re in the heat of battle outside, it''s crazy! I dare not venture out. They even formed a new faction, though I wasn''t interested from the start.
-- Not interested, or too scared?
-- Yeah, you guys seem to live so excitingly, unlike us lyingfortably in bed.
-- Where are you all fighting? I got lost right from the start; no idea where I ended up.
-- There''s a massive snake nearby, hundreds of meters long! It scared me so much I haven''t moved."
-- Forget about ranking up; right now, were at war! The snake finally left just now. Where are you? Hurry over to join us!
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Chapter 88: Fourth Force
Chapter 88: Fourth Force
Athena had barely emerged from the beehive when she noticed a faint light screen shimmering on the hive, emitted from Berry''s main hive.
It spread outwards, enveloping everything tightly within.
However, only half of the Giant Bee n''s territory was covered by it; the rest of the outer perimeter remained exposed.
It must have been due to insufficient energy.
If that were the case, it would only prove that the premature ripening of the dark fruits had been elerated.
She rubbed her slightly furrowed brow.
There really was no moment to rest.
If nothing unexpected happened, she would undoubtedly secure the first ce in this regional battle.
Once the time came to start seizing the dark fruits, Athena''s Fireburst Balls would inevitably be used.
And all the damage inflicted would be credited to her. She had already received the system''s rewards; now, she needed to obtain Tree Monster skins and Tree Monster leaves.
She pondered whether to stay directly within the Giant Bee n and await the end of this war, waiting for the final distribution of results. But she quickly dismissed the thought; while feasible, she would at best be just a logistics personnel.
She couldn''t always be a logistics person in every instance; such chaotic battle experience would also benefit her.
When Agasi returned with materials once again, he saw Athena leisurely lounging outside, seemingly idling.
He was about to inform her that once the protective shield was activated, no one could enter or leave to search for materials.
Athena waved at him before he could speak, irritating him slightly, but he managed to restrain himself.
"You''ve worked hard, but it''s unnecessary now. Just leave them aside for the moment."
After several rounds of gathering, each batch of materials brought back was less than thest, but far more than Athena could gather alone.
Her system backpack was full, and she couldn''t discard any of its contents.
When she returned, she would have to see if she could bring all these things back; otherwise, it would be a pity.
Arriving at Berry''s hive, she held the only ordinary quality Fireburst Ball in her hand and wondered if the Hive Queen could enhance it.
The continuous state of the Hive Queen was really not good; it had prematurely activated the protective shield. It had to keep producing continuously, strengthen the Fireburst Ball, and also pay attention to the situation on the battlefield. It was already showing signs of fatigue. Upon seeing Athena enter, it didn''t intend to conceal this.
Athena handed the Fireburst Ball to it, "Can you enhance this quality as well?"
"I intend to keep this one for myself."
Setting aside the other Fireburst Balls, the Hive Queen immediately took this one and started enhancing it separately.
After a while, it sessfully strengthened it.
The Fireburst Ball transformed into a fine quality one, not only bing more stable but also possessing a power far beyond ordinary and inferior quality ones.
The mere act of holding them made her heart race.
These were beyond the usual trades; the low-quality Fireburst Balls in her possession were essentially acquired through underhanded means.
Both she and the Hive Queen understood this tacitly, but neither intended to openly acknowledge it. It was better left unspoken. However, expecting the other to provide free enhancements was pushing it.
But perhaps this was just part of the give-and-take of favors.
Athena''s intention to head to the battlefield was apparent, and the Hive Queen showed no inclination to stop her.
"Let Agasi take you. It can carry you," Athena approached the Hive Queen, intending to raise this matter, only to find the Hive Queen beating her to it.
Agasi, with its helicopter-sized frame, could amodate Athenafortably. If they could drop such devastating weapons from the air and have Agasi defend against attacks, it would be a formidable alliance.
"Okay," the conversation was brief, just a few sentences.
As they departed, Athena remembered to thank the Hive Queen.
Agasi vibrated its wings discontentedly, tossing a few wind des around. However, it couldn''t disobey orders; that was out of the question.
Athena jumped directly onto its back. As Agasi ascended, Mikmik, curious, quietly nestled in Athena''s embrace.
Athena couldn''t help but chuckle softly. "You climb such tall trees without fear, yet your first time ''riding a helicopter,'' you''re suddenly afraid of heights?"
Mikmik yed dead, and Athena didn''t tease it further.
Agasi''s speed was impressive, quickly outpacing the yellow Giant Bees behind and gradually approaching the central area.
The central region was in chaos, yet curiously devoid of corpses. The Giant Bees and Third World yers, who had been battling each other, were now maneuvering around arge bird that had just arrived.
The bird spread its wings, each several dozen meters wide, tearing the airborne Giant Bees to shreds with sharp ws.
With its incredibly fast flight speed, it toyed with the Giant Bees endlessly.
But as more Queen Bees arrived, it ceased its mischief and ignored the ordinary Giant Bees and Third World yers.
It stood guard near the Tree Monsters.
The remaining Giant Bees dared not act rashly, gradually realizing they were not wee in this scenario. Some yers were already considering retreat.
Having in many Giant Bees, not only did they rise in the rankings, they could also exchange many things in the Contribution Store.
Thus, while some yers withdrew, others remained, driven either by madness or greed.
Potato had been urging Ask-The-Heavens to flee from the sidelines, but Ask-The-Heavens remained unmoved throughout.
Relying on Ask-The-Heavens''sbat prowess, scrolls, and various treasures, the two sessfully entered the finals.
Potato now understood that Ask-The-Heavens was aplete madman.
Even with wounds bleeding profusely and on the verge of death, as long as there was breath in his body, he would continue fighting his opponent.
Only after killing the opponent would he slowly begin to heal his wounds.
He truly feared this guy, but he couldn''t escape alone now.
The arrival of Athena and Agasi didn''t attract much attention. The continuous influx of Giant Bees and sessive Queen Bees no longer surprised them.
However, Agasi didn''t head towards the Tree Monsters but stayed on the periphery with Athena. Some keen-eyed individuals noticed Athena on Agasi''s back.
Her purple dot on the map hadn''t disappeared because she hadn''t participated in the melee recently, causing her ranking to drop further.
Now she had fallen to eighth ce.
A dream shattered.
Many recognized her as the madwoman who had thrown the Fireburst Balls previously, causing some to be wary.
Moreover, she was now sitting directly on a Bee Queen''s back, and the situation between them appeared quite amicable.
With three forces now in a standoff, no one dared to make a move because the fourth force was about to arrive...
Chapter 89: Great Wars And Great Entities
Chapter 89: Great Wars And Great Entities
In the distant areas kilometers away, the sound of trees falling and dust flying could be heard, causing birds and beasts to flee in panic.
The crowd was startled by themotion, already knowing that something massive was approaching.
The yers had no intention of running away, but gradually backed away from the central area, finding a ce to observe from a safe distance.
They couldn''t see clearly, but Athena stood high up, with a vision darker than usual, watching a giant white snake that stretched hundreds of meters with no end in sight.
The moment they caught sight of it, there was a feeling of blood freezing, but even the giant bees, including the bee queens and Agasi, remained motionless.
Therge birds in the sky pped their wings and squawked, expressing their displeasure. Despite their huge size, no one feared them.
Hearing the squawking of the birds, the snake creature, originally rushing forward, its scales not as shiny due to the dust, became even more angry.
"Well, let''s take out our frustrations on you!" The snake creature''s body was covered in white scales, its golden vertical pupils exuding a deathly aura as it approached.
Athena half-squatted on Agasi''s back, "Do you guys always fight over the dark fruit with them?"
"Of course!" Agasi was very proud.
Athena slowly stood up again, thinking it''s fine, their bee tribe definitely had a way to resist these guys.
How should they handle this massive creature?
The remaining yers were filled with despair, those who had nned to observe now madly ran away.
[ Landy ] also wanted to retreat, but seeing Athena on Agasi''s back, motionless, she retracted her steps.
No one anticipated that the snake creature hadn''t made a move yet. A gigantic bird flew towards the snake creature first, which opened its huge mouth. The snake''s sharp teeth aimed at the bird, but the bird managed to dodge the attack, glowing with a turquoise light.
"Foul bird, what are you doing? It''s not time yet!"
"Hmph, haven''t you already wanted to start?"
"Do we still need to wait? Since everyone is here, let''s just kill them all, and the dark fruit will ripen instantly, right?"
The yellow giant bees, as the two were fighting, began to retreat. Though something seemed amiss, they paid no heed, as the yellow bee tribe had long been on the decline.
Who would''ve expected one of the bee queens to toss several explosive balls at them. Shouting at them, "Get lost!"
And then another explosive ball came from a different direction.
While they could resist one explosive ball, they still had to dodge a few. If there were more, it would be unavoidable.
The energy waves faintly emitting from the explosive balls made them want to flee immediately.
As they dodged, the explosive balls continued to detonate one after another, with deafening explosions echoing through the sky.
The raging mes fell like a torrential rain, as if doomsday had arrived.
Therge bird up ahead, the hair-raising snake creature, and countless ck giant bees were all engulfed in this raging sea of fire.
They struggled in the mes, trying to escape the dreadful disaster, but the fire grew fiercer, gradually devouring them.
Not only the power of the mes, but also the impact and damage from the explosions.
The corpses of many ck giant bees fell one after another, the feathers of therge bird turned charred, some already burnt to ashes. The scales of the snake creature were sted off, piece by piece.
The yellow giant bee tribe''s retreat before the battle was originally amusing to the snake demon.
But after being attacked, the snake went crazy again, thrashing and pping on the ground. The explosion caused it harm, butpletely enraged it.
It had originally nned to deal with the big bird first, but now it only wanted to catch these damn yellow giant bee queens!
Just as it was about to sweep everything around with half of its body raised, it suddenlyunched an attack towards the ck bird.
The bees held weapons that it didn''t understand, and now that the big bird was injured, it decided to take it out first.
Although the big bird usually disliked this snake, it never expected it to turn against it at a critical moment, shocking its heart.
It was very curious about those weapons, but also deeply wary.
But it had to focus on facing the snake demon''s attacks.
The fireburst balls were definitely effective, but they were running out quickly.
The snake demon wanted to kill the big bird first, but found that this guy was very slippery. Despite its muchrger size, it couldn''t seem to hit it, as the opponent was easily avoiding its attacks in the air.
As they fought, it began to feel passive, like it had be a target for practice, its eyes filled with malice.
The bees were also helping on the side, but not leaning towards either side, urately attacking both.
But their attacks werepletely disregarded, and it was the ck Giant Bees and Yellow Giant Bees that suffered the most losses during the battle between the big bird and the snake monster.
The big bird and the snake monster were equally matched in strength, but the element of surprise was elusive, and dodging was at its maximum.
If the ck Giant Bee Queen encountered an ordinary opponent, it would have put up a fight, but the snake demon was already close to a higher level existence, making it a very challenging opponent even when entangled in so many, causing them to struggle.
The massive body of the snake monster pushed over the trees on all sides, thrashing its tail fiercely around, swatting the bees away like mosquitoes.
The Bee Queen dodged but was still hit and sent flying, and the snake monster nned to swallow it whole. The big bird rushed over, and a blue shield suddenly expanded in front of it, encasing the snake demon.
The big bird was the most difficult opponent, possessing a variety of skills that even monsters found hard to deal with.
Athena and Agasi werepletely forgotten by everyone, with many other yers below them.
"This is bad."
They never expected the snake demon''s attack to suddenly turn in their direction, and the yellow giant bee queens were unable to evade the snake demon''s bloodthirsty mouth.
"This snake is always terrifyingly stupid, making it impossible to figure out." Agasi carried Athena and without allowing her to react, rushed towards the scene.
The yellow giant bee queens hurriedly threw out several explosive balls, bringing another round of explosions.
But because they were too close, the bee queens were also affected by the shock, and a huge snake head broke through the thick smoke and charged at them.
Even though its scales were blown away and its head was covered in blood, it looked like a monstrous abyss opening its jaws. Its eyes bing cker as it became the powerhouse representative of the darkness at this very moment.
In an instant, Agasi transformed from a biological form to a half-mechanical form, with metal wings.
It no longer needed wings for flight, as it could now hover in the air on its own, with its wings bing its sharpest weapons.
"This snake is brainless, easy to deal with!"
Saying that, Athena was thrown onto the snake monster''s body, without a pause, she ran on top of it.
nning to swing the axe and chop at the vital points, the difference in their sizes was simply too vast. Athena was inconspicuous on top, and even if this axe worked miraculously, it would have little impact on the snake monster.
Agasi stood between the snake monster and the yellow giant bee queens, using its metal wings to firmly resist their attacks, then pped its wings hard to break free, but was also thrown far away.
Chapter 90: The Tragic End Of The Serpent
Chapter 90: The Tragic End Of The Serpent
In the instant Agasi was sent flying, he swiftly turned back in retaliation.
Blessed by a peculiar enchantment, Agasi burst forth with astonishing speed, charging towards the serpent''s head. His collision sent it reeling, sessfully dodging the serpent''s strike.
Meanwhile, the huge bird was locked inbat with the ck giant queen bee. Once again, it activated the verdant shield, enveloping the monsters.
In less than five seconds, the serpent would break free and decimate the bees. Holding off the serpent for this long was already a remarkable feat.
But it wasn''t enough. The yers had only one option now: to flee.
Coming to his senses in an instant, Agasi bolted towards safety in the distance, unleashing his hidden potential in the face of danger.
Each stride faster than thest.
They did not look back, knowing survival was paramount at this moment.
Even though Potato knew he would do the same, seeing another group of yers retreat silently irked him.
ncing stealthily at Asks-The-Heavens for answers, there was still no intention of movement.
"They''re all running. Let''s go too."
"Okay," Asks-The-Heavens replied, suppressing the taste of blood in his mouth.
Originally, Potato intended to cover Asks-The-Heavens from behind, knowing Asks-The-Heavens was faster. It might earn him some goodwillter, even if he ended up trailing behind.
But how could Asks-The-Heavens agree? His "okay" wasn''t agreeing to flee, but to charge forward.
Potato hesitated for a moment, then seeing Asks-The-Heavens rush out, followed by the remaining yers.
The serpent pursued, its massive body sweeping past, kicking up dust and felling trees. Birds that had hidden in the forest scattered in fear.
The bees were even more distressed.
They knew continuing to fight the serpent would mean certain death.
Choosing to run also meant a bleak future, but for now, they gambled.
The serpent grew increasingly agitated, its charge towards Agasi bing faster, almost catching up.
With its violent thrashing, it was difficult for Athena to run on its body.
For the ck giant bees, they should have surrounded the yellow giant queen bee alongside these two monsters.
But after a year had passed, the serpent had evolved unexpectedly.
This cooperative rtionship had already been broken, so now their priority was to deal with the serpent.
Despite being part of the yellow bee tribe, the yellow giant queen bee struggled to hold back the huge bird.
Athena swung the ck abyss axe at the serpent''s seven-inch part repeatedly, aiming to crack its tough phosphorus armor, even if just a little.
Feeling the attacks on its vulnerable spot, the serpent grew more furious, trying hard to shake off the humans on its body, but Agasi, apanied by numerous yellow giant bees, kept it surrounded.
What made it even more agitated was that those insignificant insects it once looked down upon, those weak humans, were now climbing onto its body.
Athena wasn''t having an easy time either. The scales of the scattered serpents around her had turned into small snakes, hindering her advance.
In the midst of the battle, Athena''s hair had longe loose, sticking to her shoulders in sweat.
But with the support of other yers, Athena felt much lighter instantly. They surrounded her, fending off the serpents converging from all sides.
The one enjoying the battle the most was Asks-The-Heavens, followed by Potato, who wielded hisrge shield like a sword. The duo wasn''t thrilled but knew Athena had a n.
Finally, after relentless effort, a piece of scale on the serpent''s seven-inch spot shattered, revealing its soft flesh beneath.
Striking at the seven-inch spot was the serpent''s greatest weakness and its most reinforced part.
In that moment, it went berserk, emitting a blinding light.
"Escape!"
This shout was almost shouted by Athena with all her strength. She threw a good quality Fireburst Ball into the flesh of the snake monster.
Originally, when the yellow giant bees were about to start a massacre directly using Fireburst Balls, Athena informed Agasi, who conveyed the order to stop.
Not because of anything else, but because she learned from Agasi that the current snake monster had evolved since thest time Agasi saw it.
It could transform into a human form, but the control was unstable, so it remained in its original form.
What Athena worried about was that under the many Fireburst Balls, the snake monster would choose to transform into a human form, gaining higher agility and mobility, making it harder to hit.
She lured the enemy step by step, choosing to boil the frog in warm water.
Even when Athena broke his phosphorous armor, all him thought about was throwing Athena off directly or transforming into a more powerful snake to kill her.
While his armor was indeed hard, the flesh beneath it was tougher.
By now, the snake monster had shrunken and transformed into a human form, but the Fireburst Ball was buried inside his body.
How is this possible?!
How could that human break his phosphorous armor?!
His white clothes gradually turned blood red. The red light in his eyes grew brighter, full of murder!
Just then, Athena beside him acted first. A faint light enveloped her, and she was directly teleported back to the cave where she was before.
The golden-eyed person now looked incredulous, watching Athena being teleported away, unable to stop it.
"No one can escape! Ahhh!"
Soon, his pupils were filled with disbelief and slight difference, making him feel extremely fearful.
But as Athena left, a wave of terror and heat, as if the earth was about to be destroyed, erupted from the snake monster''s human-form body, sweeping across the entire area.
The tree monsters also let out a cry at the moment of the explosion, but soon copsed, with countless roots tightly wrapping around them, forming a huge protective circle.
yers also noticed this change and ran as fast as they could.
When Athena told them to run, they had already retreated, but it turned out to be more terrifying than they had imagined.
Agasi and the others had long since left. The ck giant bee queen watched as the yellow giant bees retreated and also wanted to retreat. The big bird naturally followed them closely, not being a brainless snake.
The explosion emanating from the snake monster''s body shook the entire ck forest. His body became tattered, full of wounds, silently lying on the scorched earth, no longer making a sound.
And all the surrounding creatures dare not step into the center area at this moment. This wildfire was more violent than any before. It was no longer red but a fiery me.
Although the snake monster was seriously injured, he showed no signs of fatigue. On the contrary, his aura reached an unprecedented terrifying level, and his wounds began to recover and new blood grew within a short time.
Unfortunately, the cries of the tree monsters grew stronger and stronger. The roots that had nurtured from so many corpses had been blown apart. The new, smaller roots tangled around the motionless snake monster.
The snake monster began to struggle violently, not giving up even though blood was flowing everywhere.
Such injuries would degrade it, but not kill it. The energy released could push away surrounding creatures.
Allowing him to heal his wounds, but he was in the center area, and beside him was the tree monster, which spelled doom¡
Take advantage of his illness, take his life.
The tree monster opened a deep crack in the center of the tree, and the snake monster was pushed inside like a hungry demon.
The sound of a tragic scream continued, unable to stop for a long time as the tree monster continued to chew the snake monster.
And the fruit on the tree was now ripe¡
Chapter 91: Chaos At Peak!
Chapter 91: Chaos At Peak!
The green fruit swelled and grew, its color shifting from light to dark until it turned a deep ck.
The tree monster, having absorbed the serpent monster, began to regenerate its previously sted branches at a frantic pace.
A violent, dark, twisted, and maddening aura spread in all directions. Its roots became grotesquely gnarled and dried.
Under the yers'' incredulous gazes, its roots burst from the ground and pierced the crevices of the trunk.
The trunk, like a boundless ck hole, devoured these roots. The air was filled with wails as human faces emerged from the dark fruit atop the tree.
Eventually, it transformed into a single ck fruit, emitting a strange ck light. The scattered corpses of the giant bees on the ground were left untouched this time.
The war was on the verge of breaking out. Almost everyone moved at the same time, like ravenous wolves, mindless beasts, charging towards the giant tree.
Agasi led the yellow giant bee queen, then the ck giant bee queen, and the remaining birds. The three sides gathered, continuously attacking one another.
Wave after wave of giant bees recklessly charged at the fruit, only to be thwarted and killed by any of the factions.
The yers, equally frenzied, used various weapons to stab into the tree monster''s branches from smaller trunks, attempting to take away as much as they could!
Some aimed for the leaves above, but getting close to the canopy was impossible¡ªit was heavily guarded.
Athena was teleported into a cave, clutching Mikmik. Thankfully, they had escaped quickly, or they would have been blown to pieces.
The serpent monster probably wouldn''t survive. If those present allowed it to live, there would be no need to fight over the dark fruit; they could simply give it to the serpent.
There was no time to waste. Athena sprinted towards the center, her destination clear.
As she exited the cave, she saw the towering tree in the distance, now several timesrger than before.
More terrifying was the strange glow emanating from it, drawing even Athena''s gaze,pelling her to im it for herself.
This is...?
A fruit capable of captivating the mind!
The fruit was ripe, and the battle had likely already erupted. Athena hurried towards themotion.
Meanwhile, at the forest''s edge, two hive queens sensed the changes simultaneously.
To their surprise, the serpent monster was dead. Though it had died at the tree monster''s hands, it was still shocking to the bees.
The protective shield above the yellow giant bee''s hive flickered, its energy waning, while dense ck fog swirled around, ready to consume it.
In the distance, the ck hive queen hovered in mid-air, clutching a sphere of energy.
Her eyes, ck as voids, emitted a ck light. ck mist continuously poured from her open mouth.
"Kill them all!"
Shrouded in ck mist, the yellow giant bee hive''s forces were immobilized, preventing any reinforcements for Athena''s side from arriving.
yers, having seen Athena on Agasi''s back, now mimicked her, standing on the yellow giant bees'' backs.
BAAAM! BRRZZTT!! BAAGMMM!!!
Theyunched relentless attacks on the canopy, deploying a variety of skills, even resorting to the dirtiest tricks!
When Athena arrived, the battle was already fierce. She quickly climbed a nearby tree, leaping nimbly to catch a ck giant bee and flipped onto its back.
Despite the yellow giant beescking reinforcements, the explosive fireballs and yer support temporarily suppressed the ck giant bees.
The giant birds, gued by the fireballs, were reluctant to engage directly, fearing another situation like the serpent monster¡¯s demise.
Many people were now hacking at the tree, wishing to take the whole tree if possible. But no matter how they attacked, the tree didn¡¯t even shed ayer of bark.
Eventually, they focused their attacks on one spot, finally seeing a small crack. Unfortunately, their joy was short-lived as the crack quickly healed, bing even tougher than before.
The tree monster remained motionless, as if lifeless afterpleting its mission, indifferent to the yers'' actions.
Even the yers who had fled earlier returned, hoping to im a leaf fallen from the tree as a valuable trophy.
Before the dark fruit was taken, the tree monster wouldn¡¯t be harmed by any attack, and any damage would instantly heal.
Trying to take anything from it was a fool¡¯s dream.
Another wave of violent explosions hit. Thebatants were formidable, and Athena had no intention of joining their chaotic battle.
She was merely there to confuse and distract. Familiarity bred confidence.
Below, her acquaintances, the Cloaked Witch, and Magic King felt a sense of unease as they saw her return, a feeling of d¨¦j¨¤ vu.
The yellow giant bee queens asionally hurled explosive fireballs at the opposing side. Athena assisted byunching her own fireballs.
Any ordinary ck giant bee that approached her was split in half by her axe.
Her fireballs contributed significantly to the battle, coupled with her inherent damage output, causing her ranking to soar.
The fight was fiercely contested. No side could get close to the dark fruit without being repelled by thebined forces of the other factions, leading to a stalemate.
However, the glow of the dark fruit began to fade. It had a time limit and couldn¡¯t withstand prolonged stalling.
The ck fog outside the yellow giant bee hive grew thicker, constantly assaulting their protective shield. Berry had no solution.
They could only hope for a swift end to the battle and timely reinforcements. The ck fog outside seemed determined to obliterate them, with each attack more ferocious than thest.
The woman in mid-air suddenly stopped spewing ck mist. "Hmph!"
She curled into a fetal position, slowly swallowing the energy orb.
Instantly, her power surged, but it was only temporary; she needed a quick resolution.
The massive spherical eggying structure inside the hive was summoned by her.
She then flew inside, soaking in the liquid within. The yellow sphere began to pulsate.
A mysterious connection formed between it and all the ck giant bees...
Chapter 92: Snatch And Flee!
Chapter 92: Snatch And Flee!
On the distant battlefield, the power of the ck giant bees suddenly surged. Their bodies began to crack and then quickly regenerate, growing evenrger than before. Their eyes, once dull and lifeless, now gleamed with a hint of intelligence.
It wouldn''t be long before they sumbed to the strain of this sudden power surge, but for now, the battlefield belonged to them.
Berry, who had been maintaining the protective shield, found herself running low on energy. Despite being connected to the energy source, the yellow giant bees were significantly weaker. Out of a thousand, only a hundred had undergone the transformation.
The disparity was ringly obvious.
The great bird, having held out until now, silently withdrew from the scene.
"Sigh, the usual deal... I get ten"
As long as they were in the ck Forest, there was no defeating the true overlords here¡ªthe yellow and ck giant bees. Each skirmish between them was merely a disy of power and intent.
Upon witnessing the snake monster''s tragic demise, the great bird dared not take any chances and decided to retreat.
The oue was clear: the yellow giant bees were destined to lose.
A seemingly ordinary ck bee flew to the front of the swarm. Its voice, cold and female, emanated from the bee, revealing it to be the voice of their hive queen, channeled through this particr bee.
"I''ve changed my mind. You only get five."
The great bird''s eyes shed with dissatisfaction and a hint of ferocity, but upon seeing the iron-d army, it reluctantly spread its wings and flew away.
The yers watched the sudden turn of events with heavy hearts. The formidable enemy they had been prepared to face had abruptly left, and the giant bees, which they had a fighting chance against, had all gone berserk.
Among them, only Athena pondered how to escape. She hadn''t intended to get involved; she merely sought some tree monster leaves and bark.
However, seeing an opportunity, she began to entertain different thoughts.
But reality quickly brought her back. Her greed was tempered by reason, especially after briefly touching the dark fruit, which triggered a system prompt.
| Dark Fruit is a special item and cannot be collected. |
There was no way to secretly take this thing away.
Even if she managed to take it, there was still a day left, and Athena knew she couldn¡¯t withstand abined assault from both the yellow and ck giant bee tribes.
"Agasi," she called heavily to the half-mechanized Agasi, d in silver armor.
Agasi was perplexed as to why Athena would call out to him at such a critical moment. How could she afford to be distracted now?
"I trust in your speed," she said. Without waiting for Agasi to respond, Athena hurled a fireball ahead.
The giant bees blocking their path scattered, and she leaped onto the back of another bee.
The ck giant bees quickly regrouped, attempting to kill this audacious intruder from the Third World. The lead bee, representing the queen¡¯s consciousness, exuded a terrifying aura.
[Mental Strength Check...] [Mental Strength Check Sessful!]
The once imposing worker bees suddenly seemed half-dead. As mere temporary vessels forcibly connected to their queen¡¯s spirit, they were incredibly fragile and dropped to the ground instantly.
Athena didn¡¯t actually approach the tree crown, but getting close was enough. The pervasive ck glow dimmed momentarily, making the world lose its color.
The fruit at the top of the tree was picked. Mikmik stood at the crown, holding the disgusting, eerie fruit in his mouth, its strange appearance and wailing sound repelling him. He could see a swarm of giant bees, along with all other creatures present, staring intently at him.
Suddenly, they all went mad, charging to capture him. He immediately recognized his master among them and leaped over.
Athena caught him, holding him tightly as she retreated, stepping over one giant bee after another. The fireballs she threw cleared a path, and she charged into the mes, her hair clinging to her cheeks, ignored in the chaos!
Sparksnded on her body, her clothes, and her loose hair, all reeking of gunpowder!
Agasi followed closely, fighting his way through the chaos, despite his overwhelming shock. He now understood why Athena had told him to run faster. He gathered all the yellow giant bees to shield them, and as soon as Athena stepped onto his back, he sped off at an unprecedented pace.
They all flew away?
Great! Now it was time for the yers to return to their old job¡ªchopping trees!
While running, they kept sending messages to the main hive. As long as they handed the fruit to the queen, everything would be fine.
Agasi''s heart was filled with fear, shock, and a surreal sense of excitement. That was aplete Dark Fruit! If the hive queen devoured it, the yellow giant bees would rise to power!
His speed reached a new record, leaving an afterimage.
When the ck hive queen reconnected, all that remained were turbulent smoke and a swarm chasing Agasi.
Feeling the familiar pulsations of the Dark Fruit disappear within her range, she went berserk.
Impossible!!!
Athena, on Agasi¡¯s back, kept throwing fireballs backward. Her me enhancer was exhausted. Despite the yellow giant bees'' defense, the ck bees had gonepletely mad.
Seeing her dwindling fireballs, Athena felt a pang of frustration. This trip had drained all her resources.
Having sessfully obtained the Dark Fruit, Athena''s contribution system was resetting and rebooting. She eagerly anticipated her contribution points, expecting them to reach unprecedented heights due to the rarity of the item, possibly allowing her to clean out the entire yellow giant bee tribe.
While the Dark Fruit was precious, using it could cause her to explode. It was best to trade it for resources to boost her current strength.
A transparent barrier loomed ahead, like the finish line of a long race.
As they approached, the ck giant beesunched their most ferocious attack yet. Every avable yellow giant bee was summoned to shield them, and they sessfully crossed the barrier.
Chapter 93: Berry’s Evolution
Chapter 93: Berry¡¯s Evolution
Passing through the transparent barrier, they arrived at the Yellow Giant Bee''s domain.
Normally, pursuit would have ceased upon reaching this point.
Unfortunately, this was not a normal situation. The unspoken truce between them had no effect now that they had breached the protective barrier. They could clearly see the surrounding ck mist, though the supply from the ck giant bees had ceased on their side.
However, remnants still lingered.
Undaunted, Agasi pressed forward.
The once passive barrier suddenly stabilized, emitting a radiant yellow glow.
Its waves of light rippled out, gradually dispersing the surrounding ck fog.
Wave after intense wave, the light attacked until all the fog dissipated.
Agasi finally returned with Athena, followed closely by scattered yellow giant bees.
Some yellow giant bees did not return; Berry had not forgotten her promise to Athena, and they were midway back to the tree monster''s location.
The towering tree monster, stripped of its Dark Fruit, had lost its former splendor the moment the dark fruit were plucked.
Its bark, its leaves, all immensely useful and plentiful.
Everyone thought they could definitely get a share.
They relentlessly began their assault, and despite its formidable defenses, the yers eventually broke through.
Some yellow giant bees even turned back, joining their ranks. Clearly experienced, they skillfully and swiftly harvested its bark and leaves.
But soon enough, the tree monster seemed lifeless, shrinking from its towering form back into a sapling, then a seedling, and finally into a seed.
As it reverted, the giant bees withdrew. Those without strength left first, leaving only a few yers guarding the seed.
Agasi charged straight to the main hive. Knowing the protective shield''s attack pattern couldn''tst long and would consume substantial energy.
Without needing further urging, when Athena''s feet touched solid ground, she stepped forward.
She showed the Dark Fruit, casting it directly toward the Hive Queen without hesitation.
The Dark Fruit hovered in the air, then was swiftly taken by the Hive Queen straight into her mouth.
It was aplete Dark Fruit, in one piece!
|
Mission Completed!
Yellow Giant Bee Faction Respect Level Raised to Reverence!
Permissions Unlocked, System Contribution Store Reorganized and Open!
|
The Hive Queen didn''t have time to utter a word. The moment the Dark Fruit entered her mouth, a massive energy surge within the protective shield caused its territory to instantly expand.
It pushed the surrounding ck giant bees further and further back.
Berry was enveloped by a yellow, liquid-wrapped sphere materializing out of thin air within the hive itself.
Covered in yellow fluid, it began to transform.
From a massive bee, gradually taking on a humanoid form, with changes urring in its wing structures as well.
It was evolving.
As the shield''s territory expanded, the encapsted hive inside began self-repairing, growing more resilient and beautiful, gaining many new functions.
Agasi and their wounds began to heal gradually, a biological evolution across their entire group.
Athena witnessed this miraculous moment, never having experienced vitality so directly.
Yet now, she could feel a life force around her¡ªunseen, untouchable, yet enveloping her.
These energies incessantly caressed her body, mending her injuries, integrating her into the Giant Bee family.
Her once ash-blonde hair grew anew, bing lustrous ck. Damaged panels on her body started to regenerate flesh and blood. She even sensed ongoing internal transformations.
Unlike the pain and alteration caused by system attribute boosts, this power was gentle,fortable, devoid of any suffering.
It felt like being in the earliest moments of life.
Suddenly, the established order shattered as the Hive Queen, Beta of the ck giant bees, defied her confinement, breaking through the barrier with sheer brute force and power.
Like a fired projectile, unstoppable and unshakeable, hurtling towards them.
The outer ck giant bees sensed their Queen''s rage, trembling uncontrobly.
Around the Hive Queen, an endless ck mist swirled, her eyes inscrutable depths of cold indifference and fury.
Gradually, the surrounding mist morphed into monstrous forms. At this moment, she was more terrifying than any other creature, her misty jaws gaping as if to devour everything.
The once-expanding protective shield unexpectedly halted its expansion.
Two forces shed relentlessly, even as Berry within the yellow fluid began to writhe.
|
Due to Special Circumstances, Regional Battle terminated early!
yers, Please Prepare; Transfer Will Commence in 30 Seconds!
|
The abrupt turn of events cut short what was supposed to be another day before the regional battle''s end, now instantly concluded.
Athena hastily essed the System Contribution Store, which could only be used while within the area.
Without time to scrutinize the items, she quickly nced at her contribution points.
Many zeros. Ignoring these details, she clicked to generate the first page, attempting to purchase items, only to find herself unable. She flipped through the pages, frantically clicking to buy.
She continued clicking until all her points were spent.
Once again, she and Mikmik felt the dizzying sensation of being tossed into a washing machine, this time even more violently during the system''s transfer.
It almost felt retaliatory.
Athena and Mikmik were unceremoniously thrown out of the transfer array.
As shey on the familiar floor, Athena half-rose, rubbing her throbbing head. The immense dizziness mingled with nausea.
Was the system intentionally doing this?
Inside the room, the other two immediately pounced on her, pressing her back down.
Looking at the tree monster leaf in her left hand and the bark b in her right, only a handful''s worth, but enough.
Berry, sensing she would be teleported away, directly used part of her power to transfer something from the yellow giant bees to Athena.
Previously, she couldn''t have achieved this, but now, she had sessfully evolved.
A divine-like figure, fair and translucent skin, perfect proportions, golden eyesplemented by a mane of golden hair, and transparent wings behind her.
She flew out to confront Beta directly, this image burned into Athena''s final impression.
Chapter 94: Home Sweet Home
Chapter 94: Home Sweet Home
The warm, cozy light of the candles illuminated the room, with a pot of cooling porridge indicating that the two little creatures had just eaten not long ago.
Even when Athenaset them down, they remained just as excited, happily bouncing around.
Their owner¡¯s appearance was rather shabby¡ªtattered clothes, a face covered in dust, and disheveled hair. This messy sight was enough to make the cleanliness-obsessed Mikmik bristle with irritation.
Noticing the gazes of Witty and Paopao, Athena flicked each of their foreheads lightly.
Mikmik, however, wasn¡¯t so gentle. It pped both of them hard, annoyed at their stares. Mikmik cared a lot about its image and being scrutinized by Witty and Paopao made it ufortable, so it gave them a good beating to stop them from looking at it.
Athena opened the door and headed to the workroom to check on Grey''s progress. After knocking for a while, she realized Grey wasn¡¯t there. She must have gone out.
Unable to bear the sticky, grimy feeling any longer, Athena went to the washroom to clean up.
After a long time, she put on her pajamas, feeling refreshed andfortable. Her semi-wet hair hung down her back as she headed straight for her little vegetable garden. The vegetables had all been harvested and were no longer growing; only the trees bore plump fruits.
The nt fairies were ying among the trees, but when they saw Athena, they quickly hid, afraid.
Athena didn¡¯t mind. She reached up and plucked a mutated orange from the tree. It felt heavy in her hand.
Peeling it gently, she ced a juicy segment in her mouth. The sweet juice exploded, filling her mouth with a fresh, delightful vor that soothed her weary body and mind.
She picked a few more and strolled over to the low wall. The thorny vines, noticing her arrival, instantly came to life, dancing joyfully and blooming with five-colored flowers.
Just a gentle touch from Athena on the petals made them so happy that they could hardly contain themselves.
On her way back, Athena tried offering the oranges to Prince and Princess, but they both shook their heads, refusing the fruit. They just stayed close to her.
Athena wondered if Prince and Princess were of a lower rank than the other three little ones; otherwise, they wouldn¡¯t be unable to eat and would just stay by the door.
Afterforting them as well, she felt she had greeted everyone in her little home.
She sat by the fire, peeling an orange for herself while watching the mes dance in the stove.
Her system backpack had returned to normal, filled with countless items exchanged from the yellow giant bee. She wasn¡¯t in a hurry to sort through these things.
As she sat by the fire, watching the three little ones y, Mikmik, noticing her cleanliness, also wanted to wash up. Athena let it go and asked it to take Witty and Paopao along. Although Mikmik seemed reluctant, it honestly took both of them.
Athena could already imagine the three of them ying with water.
"Clean up after you''re done!" she called after them, making the three little ones pause briefly before they continued running out without a care.
Sitting by the fire, Athena felt like something was still missing. Suddenly, she remembered the lounge chair she had made earlier. She looked around the room and found it in a corner. Dragging it over, she ced a thin nket on top andy down.
Thefortable warmth gradually dried her hair. Meanwhile, she opened the regional chat channel.
It was as lively as ever.
|
- What the heck? Why did it suddenly end? What about my ranking?
- I should have left that damned ce ages ago. I almost died there.
- What was that huge mass of ck fog at the end? It scared the life out of me! Just as the giant bees left, we had to deal with that fog.
- So soon? Wasn''t there another day left? How did it end? Did we win or did Region 003 win?
- No idea, the system is still calcting. How can it be so slow? It''s worse than when our school used to tally exam scores. We got our results right after the exams! This system is so unreliable!
- Haha, but I have a feeling we won.
|
Seeing the noisy chatter in the chat channel, Athena closed the system panel, gradually closed her eyes, and fell into a deep sleep.
Mikmik, along with Witty and Paopao, were sshing around in the water, showing no signs of the typical cat''s fear of water. In fact, among the three grassballs, Mikmik was having the most fun. Witty and Paopao, now soaked, couldn''t match Mikmik¡¯s energy.
Paopao, feeling wronged, curled up into a ball, sulking and turning away. But it couldn¡¯t escape the water''s assault and eventually turned back, pouncing down and sending a huge ssh that soaked the other two from head to toe. Mikmik grinned widely, pleased with itself.
Once they were done causing mischief, Mikmik finally left the water, shaking itself dry. Each of them carried a small bowl, using the water from the pool to water the nts and trees, leaving only what they couldn''t scoop up.
After cleaning up, they dared to return to the room. Standing obediently at the door, they waited for Athena to scold them, but hearing no sound, they carefully approached the fire and found her already asleep.
Without returning to their own nests, they curled up around Athena by the fire and fell asleep.
A small figure darted through the darkness, ncing back now and then. Several monsters were chasing her, eyes filled with greed.
Her greenish skin and small stature belied a sense of steadiness and experience. She was dressed in a simple grass skirt, and while running, she swiftly pulled three arrows from the quiver at her waist.
In a fluid motion, she turned sideways, drew her bow, and shot all three arrows simultaneously, each one streaking towards the pursuing monsters like lightning.
The whole process was seamless and impressive. Two of the arrows were dodged but managed to slow the monsters down, while the third hit one monster directly in the eye, making it stop and howl in pain.
Grey seized the opportunity to speed up, rushing back until she saw the familiar shelter, finally allowing herself to rx.
But her relief was short-lived as she quickly grew wary. Someone had been here; there was an unfamiliar scent in the yard.
After a careful sniff, she realized it was Athena and was a bit surprised. Knowing it was her, Grey felt reassured.
"I really shouldn¡¯t go out during the dark hours."
She had dyed her return while gathering supplies and ended up being surrounded by monsters as soon as darkness fell, only managing to return now.
Dragging her wounded body back to the workroom, she hastily bandaged herself and passed out before she could properly tend to her injuries.
Chapter 95: Rewards
Chapter 95: Rewards
At dawn, Athena realized she had fallen asleep in the reclining chairst night, a thin nket draped over her, and her hair already dry and loosely tied up.
The three little ones were still asleep, huddled together. She gently removed the nket and ced it back on the bed without waking them.
Sitting on the bed, she opened her system panel. Her backpack interface was now filled with many new items she had acquired on this trip.
Her mailbox was also overflowing with packages from the system.
Red dots were all over her system panel, indicating many unread notifications fromst night.
[Congrattions to yer [ Big Dream ] for securing first ce in the regional battle!]
[Rewards have been sent to your mailbox. Please collect them!]
Regional Battle Rewards:
-
- First ce: Redemption Earrings (Equipment), 5 Silver Packages, 3 World Stones
[Region 003 surviving yers: 37. Your faction''s surviving yers: 49. Calcting...]
Regional Subsidy: 5 shing Blue Packages, 6 White Packages, 106 Silver Coins
[Congrattions to the yers forpleting the faction''s hidden mission. Rewards have been sent to your mailbox. Please collect them!]
Hidden Mission Reward: Berry''s Image
Berry''s Image:
-
- Category: Card
- Attribute: When encountering danger, summon an ally¡¯s image for 30 seconds with 30% of the original''sbat power.
- Quality: Rare
- Durability: 11
Athena carefully imed all these rewards,ying them out on the floor. Among them were 5 Silver Packages, 3 World Stones, 5 shing Blue Packages, 6 White Packages, and 106 Silver Coins.
This was the first time she possessed so many packages, yet she refrained from opening them immediately. Instead, she reviewed the items she had traded from the yellow giant bees.
- Giant Bee Honey: 10kg
- Giant Bee Stingers: 50
- Temporary Giant Bee Wings: 3 pairs
- Temporary Giant Bee Shield: 1 use
- Yellow Hive Queen''s Private Precision Instruments: 1 set
- Yellow Hive Queen''s Private Contract Papers: 30 sheets
- Yellow Hive Queen''s Skill Extraction (Common): 1 use
Athena never expected to find even the Hive Queen''s private stash in their warehouse, which she managed to steal.
What intrigued her most was the Yellow Hive Queen''s skill extraction item, which allowed her to extract one of Berry''s skills. Unfortunately, the extracted skill would be of much lower quality, only at amon level. However, considering it was a Yellow Hive Queen''s skill, it undoubtedly had great growth potential.
As she fiddled with the items, the three little ones by the firece slowly woke up. They ran over to her, eyeing her packages with envy. Previously, the packages they obtained from defeating monsters were all ordinary white ones, which Athena let them handle. If they found food, it became their private stash; if they found building materials, they stored them in the room.
These three had developed a liking for opening packages, but she held them back.
"No, you can''t touch these packages," she said, though she handed them six of the white packages. The three dragged them off to the other side.
Looking at the remaining packages, Athena felt a heavy weight. Last time, her luck had been exceptional, but luck couldn''t always be on her side. She suspected she had used up her good fortune in her previous attempt.
She decided to try her luck with one of the shing blue packages. With a nervous heart, she opened it, but it didn''t sh. Her heart sank.
[Defense Turret Blueprint - Basic 1]
She was familiar with this blueprint. Taking a deep breath, she asked the system, "System, why didn''t the shing package sh?"
[shing packages have a high probability of containing rare items of the tier, but it is not guaranteed.]
She could onlyfort herself, thinking it was just a fluke. After a mental pep talk, she opened another shing blue package.
[Defense Turret Blueprint - Basic 1]
She remained silent.
"It''s okay, just building up my luck," she thought, "Bad luck can''tst forever."
She opened another package...
[Defense Turret Blueprint - Basic 1]
Life always seems to challenge disbelief. She opened the fourth package, which finally contained something different, though not much better.
[Wood: 150, Stone: 150, Weeds: 300]
Four consecutive packages without a single rare item! Her luck was indeed extraordinary, albeit in the wrong direction.
She stopped opening packages and put everything away. Noticing the curious eyes of the three little ones, she nonchntly stood up from the bed, pretending nothing had happened.
Today was clearly not a good day for opening packages.
She opened the door to go outside and get some fresh air, but noticed bloodstains on the ground. The scattered drops led to the workshop. This was her territory, and she knew Grey had returned. Assuming she was resting, she hadn¡¯t disturbed Grey. However, seeing the blood, she guessed Grey was badly injured.
She rushed to the workshop, knocked on the door, and received no response. Pushing the door open, she found Grey lying on the floor, looking worse than when she returned from the regional battlefield yesterday.
Athena hurried to help her, but heard her steady breathing, not typical of someone severely injured.
She was just fast asleep. Although her body was covered in blood, there were no wounds. She wore a green bracelet simr to the goblin bracelet Athena had previously acquired, though with a different function. Grey''s father had obviously equipped her with many good items, relieving Athena unnecessary worry.
Even in deep sleep, Grey woke up to find Athena standing beside her, startling her into jumping up.
"You''re back? It was tootest night, so I didn''t disturb you. How did things go?" Athena asked.
"Not bad," she replied.
Though they lived under the same roof, they didn¡¯t share manymon topics. Athena noticed the room filled with bows and arrows, Grey''s hard work.
Seeing Athena''s gaze, Grey proudly ced her hands on her hips.
"While you were away, I didn¡¯t ck off one bit! There are 50 bows here, each equipped with 50 arrows!"
Short Announcement
Short Announcement
Chapter 96: Level 4 Shelter
Chapter 96: Level 4 Shelter
Bows were piled densely in one corner of the room, a chaotic yet orderly arrangement.
Athena Ravencroft picked up one bow, testing its feel. Though it couldn¡¯tpare to her prized Moonlight Bow, its quality was adequate for regr use. Given the limited materials, producing such a standard wasmendable.
¡°Thank you, you¡¯ve worked hard,¡± Athena said with a smile to Grey.
Grey waved her hand dismissively. ¡°It¡¯s nothing, just helping each other out.¡± Despite her modesty, she had quite an appetite. During Athena''s absence, Grey often ate the most.
Every time Paopao finished cooking, he sometimes had to prepare extra portions just for her, making her feel quite embarrassed.
Initially, the n was to pair each bow with 30 arrows. However, under Paopao¡¯s increasingly resentful gaze, they increased it to 50 arrows per bow.
Athena stored all the bows and arrows in her system backpack, ready to list them on the trading panel for sale. She was confident they would be a hit.
Each bow, paired with 50 arrows, was priced at five silver coins. The production cost didn¡¯t exceed 50 copper coins, but handmade items were always the most expensive.
No wonder Paopao had be the little steward. Despite Athena being away for a short while, he had already reheated yesterday¡¯s leftovers.
He now emerged to find Athena, signaling it was time for dinner. Seeing him, Grey quickly followed, walking even faster than Athena.
Despite being leftovers, the porridge tasted just as delicious. If there was any drawback, it was that Grey didn¡¯t get enough to eat.
Fortunately, Athena handed her several oranges afterward. After eating, she greeted everyone and hurried off.
Typically, she would go out after breakfast and only return for dinner, usually working even after the evening meal.
Athena never questioned her about her outings; this was part of their initial agreement.
Athena provided lodging and food, and Grey crafted items in return. During the day, she was free to adventure on her own.
Clearly, the barrier trapping Athena and the others didn¡¯t hinder her movements.
¡¾ New System Feature Added! Prestige System Activated. Click to View! ¡¿
A prestige system? If not for the asional glimpse of her 15 prestige points on the system panel, Athena would have forgotten about prestige entirely.
Surprisingly, following the regional battle, the system formally introduced this feature.
Clicking on it brought up another system window, detailing the prestige system.
¡¾ Prestige System
yer: Big Dream
Prestige Points: 15 ¡¿
¡¾ Description: Achieving a certain number of prestige points unlocks special system permissions. The prestige system includes a unique prestige shop where items can only be purchased once a certain prestige level is reached. ¡¿
¡¾ Based on your ranking and performance in the regional battle, you¡¯ve gained 150 prestige points! ¡¿
Athena''s prestige points now totaled 165, enabling her to ess the prestige system.
The first item avable for purchase was the World Stone.
¡¾ World Stone ¡¿
Price: 200 Prestige Points
¡¾ Ancient Tree Branch ¡¿
Price: 250 Prestige Points
Despite all her experiences, Athena still didn¡¯t have enough prestige points to buy a World Stone. Clicking on the Ancient Tree Branch, she couldn¡¯t even view its attributes and even description of it.
Wasn¡¯t this just a pure gamble?
Below was a refresh button, which she hesitated before clicking.
Athena stood before the shimmering panel, weighing her options.
¡¾ Would you like to spend 10 reputation points for a refresh? ¡¿
"No"
She couldn''t afford it. It seemed she needed to earn not just silver coins but reputation points as well.
Today, the only bright spot had been the resources she gathered in the ck Forest and the shelter upgrade blueprint she found. Although her house had grown significantlyrger, her possessions had also multiplied, and space was bing an issue.
Grey upied one of the workrooms, and now that she had her own equipment, she needed a workspace for alchemical practices and potion making.
¡¾Would you like to use the shelter upgrade blueprint? The shelter will upgrade to level 4!¡¿
¡¾Consume: Stone x500, Wood x500, Grass x500 and Ore x200?¡¿
"Yes"
Athena and her threepanions stood in the courtyard as the familiar light engulfed them. The house expanded again, muchrger than before.
The low stone walls became more refined, fitting together perfectly without gaps, and rose to a height of two meters. The simple wooden gate transformed into an ornate, tall iron gate, exuding both grandeur and elegance.
The stone house now had two stories, resembling a quaint countryside vi. The small wooden huts on either side also upgraded to stone houses, with an additionalrger stone house serving as a warehouse.
In the courtyard, her vegetable garden gained a unique canopy, protecting it from monster attacks and ensuring better nt growth.
The two-story house''s door had a modern touch, painted pure white with intricate patterns, and its weight was evident when pushed open. Inside, the style shifted to a refined medieval European aesthetic, with an air of noble elegance.
Athena''s two small fireces had finally been upgraded, each set into the walls, surrounded by iron railings, and connected to internal chimneys that vented smoke outside.
The familiar bed was reced by a luxurious European-style sofa set, with two small sofas and arge one in shades of brown and grey, adorned with exquisite tasseled cushions. Arge, plush carpet covered the floor,plementing the furniture with its high-quality feel despite its simple design.
Beside the sofas stood a tea table with a set of European teaware and a tray of sweets. A candle holder held a luminous candle, adding a warm glow to the room.
The three pets'' corner had transformed into an borate climbing frame integrated into the wall,plete with paddedpartments resembling tiny houses, each with its own section.
The only unchanged elements on this floor were the two small windows. Though their style remained the same, they blended seamlessly with the new decor.
Ascending the wooden spiral staircase to the second floor, Athena found a beautifully crafted wooden door leading to her room. Inside, arge European-style bed, an independent wardrobe, and a dressing table awaited her. The room also had three small animal beds, clearly intended for herpanions.
The second floor retained the brown and grey color scheme but featured more intricate patterns and decorations. Two other wooden doors connected to her workspace and the bathroom. This area had been specially reinforced, ensuring it was fireproof and explosion-resistant.
This new home was far superior to her previous one, even luxurious. The only incongruity was her old bedding still on the bed.
Everything else had changed, so why not the bedding too?
Athena felt the system''s mischievous streak for the first time.
Chapter 97: Simulation Once Again
Chapter 97: Simtion Once Again
After thoroughly reviewing theyout of the house, she returned to the first floor and sat on the sofa.
She opened the system panel.
¡¾ Regional Chat Interface ¡¿
¡°This is truly a win without lifting a finger. Sitting at home, rewards just rain down on us!¡±
¡°The rewards are incredible, hahaha!¡±
¡°Many died in their regional battle. There were two hundred of them initially, but now only a few dozen remain!¡±
¡°I wonder what rewards they got. It must be better than ours.¡±
¡°Ugh, so annoying. I bet it won¡¯t be long before we have to start grinding again. There goes my vacation!¡±
¡°Why did you have to remind me? I was having so much fun.¡±
¡°Hurry up and start grinding. I¡¯m bored to death here, chatting with you all is the only thing to do.¡±
¡°The system says: Your wish is mymand. Hahaha.¡±
Athena only skimmed through the messages. She satfortably on the soft sofa, her feet resting on a plush carpet, and opened her inventory.
¡¾ Use Queen Bee Skill Extraction? Yes/No ¡¿
"Yes"
Combining her previous gains, she now had over three hundred silver coins, enough for three scenario simtions.
During her time in the massive yellow hive, her body underwent a purification process. It made her feel closer to breaking through a barrier she couldn''t quite see or touch¡ªa fragile yet unyielding obstruction.
No matter how close she got, she could never truly reach it. Ultimately, she had to rely on the system¡¯s simtions to shatter this limit.
¡¾ Skill Extraction in Progress... ¡¿
¡¾ Extraction Sessful! ¡¿
¡¾ War Queen ¡¿ Quality: Common (Non-upgradable)
In times of war, as the queen on the battlefield, you stabilize morale, boost spirits, and enhancebat capabilities.
- When the number of teammates exceeds three, teammates receive a 10% mental strength boost and a courage buff.
- When the number of soldiers exceeds 500, soldiers be 50% immune to mental attacks, receive a courage buff, and gain +1 strength.
This skill is specifically designed for war, making it an excellent ability, though primarily for teamwork andrge-scale battles.
Having more than 500 soldiers is a stringent condition, but when met, it would be Athena¡¯s ace in the hole.
She moved her body lightly, stretching and rxing every joint from head to toe.
She slowly rotated her neck, then her shoulders, arms, waist, and legs.
After a series of warm-up exercises¡ªjumping, squats, push-ups¡ªshe took out her ck abyss axe, eyes resolutely fixed on a distant point, and sprinted forward.
After severalps, she could feel her blood boiling.
At that moment, she was fully prepared, ready to face any challenge.
She opened the system¡¯s as interface and found the page for the Sun City. On the card, it was still a deste ruin, with only a lone figure gazing into the distance.
¡¾ Use 100 Silver Coins for Scenario Simtion? Yes/No ¡¿
"Yes"
¡¾ Please Choose Mode: 1. Challenge Mode, 2. Training Mode ¡¿
This time, Athena chose differently. Without hesitation, she selected Challenge Mode. She wanted to break through this barrier.
¡¾ Note: In any mode, death ends the simtion! ¡¿
¡¾ Note: In Challenge Mode, the attributes of the opponents will suppress the yer''s attribute point barrier state! ¡¿
The sky was an endless expanse of darkness, pressing down on the world, while the ground was covered with countless Snowstorm Beasts.
The Snowstorm Beasts moved in an orderly formation, resembling an unshakeable army, steadily advancing towards the opposing fortress walls.
Athena blended into their ranks. As the Snowstorm Beasts passed her, they parted to create a path for her.
From her vantage point, she could see amanding figure on the fortress wall, working alone. Numerous turrets aimed downward, unleashing a barrage of firepower.
Her goal this time was to reach the top, avoiding any interaction with the Snowstorm Beasts to prevent being entangled in a skirmish.
History seemed to be repeating itself. With a light jump, shended on a Snowstorm Beast''s head and used their bodies to propel herself forward.
As she began moving towards the wall, the turrets, initially aimed at the Snowstorm Beasts, started to target her.
Amid the intense barrage, not a single shot hit her. She weaved through the explosions, moving closer and closer to her goal.
Despite not using any skills yet, she was moving as fast as she had thest time she used them.
In the blink of an eye, she was at the wall.
¡¾ Approaching Wall, Activating Active Mode! ¡¿
History echoed eerily as Alfred picked up a nearby bow and aimed at her once again.
The arrow''s power was undiminished, but unlike thest time that ended in her death, this time, Athena sessfully dodged the arrow.
Simultaneously, she reached the gate.
Her light body seemed weightless as she used the Snowstorm Beasts to spring herself up to the stone wall.
Her ck abyss axe struck the wall with force, her arm muscles bulging as she propelled herself upward, striking the wall again and dislodging some stones.
Two powerful leaps brought her to the top edge of the wall.
Suspended in mid-air, she exhaled and activated her skill.
¡¾ Skill Hunter Activated! ¡¿
She moved like a nimble leopard, her body flexible and swift.
The figure on the wall wasn''t merely a person but a monstrous presence capable of devouring others whole. His expression was calm, exuding an aura of unassable authority.
A slight swing of his massive sword radiated an immense sense of pressure and threat!
Danger!!!
As Athena''s hand grasped the edge of the wall, a giant sword swung at her, apanied by a fierce gust of wind.
Enhanced by her skill, she narrowly evaded and leaped onto the wall, dodging the strike.
After numerous failures, she finally stood atop the high wall and saw Alfred clearly.
Unlike theirst encounter, he appeared much younger, his armor gleaming, and his grip on the massive sword exuded a formidable aura.
He was no longer a meremander but a master swordsman.
Seeing Athena evade his strike, Alfred smiled¡ªa confident, victorious smile.
He was spirited, exuding an air of absolute superiority.
Chapter 98: Pyrrhic Victory
Chapter 98: Pyrrhic Victory
The area where the massive sword had swept through had turned into a pile of rubble.
Athena didn''t remain in ce. As soon as her feet hit the ground, she charged forward, determined to seize the initiative.
Clearly, neither of them were the type to wait passively.
Despite wearing heavy armor, Alfred moved with the grace of the wind, unburdened by its weight. His legs pushed off the ground with incredible force, propelling him forward like an arrow. His colossal sword was held horizontally before him, shing forward with ferocious power.
The ck abyss axe in Athena''s hands glimmered with a deep, lustrous shine. Forged from the finest ck iron, it was a weapon capable of growth. When it shed with Alfred''s sword, both weapons emitted a resonant hum, neither yielding. The abyss axe''s glow intensified, bing even darker and brighter¡ªa sight Athena had never seen before.
Her arm tingled, and she lost feeling in her fingers gripping the axe handle. They both staggered back, but Athena retreated further. Alfred only took a single step back, his armor providing significant cushioning.
As Athena lunged at him and blocked his massive sword, an unprecedented light red in Alfred''s eyes. His gaze shifted from contempt to a spark of excitement.
Athena''s arm had recovered. Even though Alfred''s attributes had been suppressed to match hers, his strength still surpassed hers. Realizing this, she aimed to exploit her agility, trying to create distance between them in their direct confrontations.
Alfred saw through her intentions and immediately closed in, not giving her a moment''s respite.
¡¾ Commander Alfred activates Eye of Reconnaissance (Intermediate)! ¡¿
¡¾ Detection failed! ¡¿
Not only were Alfred''s attributes suppressed, but so were his skills. Originally a high-level skill, Eye of Reconnaissance was now only at an intermediate level, and some of his abilities werepletely sealed.
For the first time, Athena failed a detection. Her information was nowid bare before Alfred''s eyes. He clearly understood her weaknesses and strengths, and the situation grew increasingly unfavorable for her.
When Alfred closed the distance again, Athena did not retreat. She swung her ck abyss axe fiercely at his neck. Alfred''s giant sword did not pause either. If struck, she would be cleaved in two, but at the same time, Alfred''s head would roll.
Closer and closer, Athena could feel the cold air rushing towards her body. Her axe sessfullynded on Alfred''s neck. It was a life-for-life exchange.
Alfred had been waiting, waiting for Athena to flinch. No one wasn''t afraid of death, just like the countless people he had seen in his blurred memories. He was certain she would withdraw. It wasn''t until his neck started to bleed that he realized what a formidable opponent he was facing.
He leaned back, narrowly evading the continuing arc of the ck abyss axe, while simultaneously distancing his giant sword from Athena.
She didn''t back down. She kicked Alfred in the abdomen. Even through his armor, the force prated, impacting his insides.
Still in his leaning position, Alfred was kicked in the stomach by Athena. Using his footing, he twisted his body in an awkward posture, nting one foot firmly while the othershed out at Athena''s head.
Athena couldn''t dodge in time. She raised her arm to block. The heavy blownded on her arm, and she heard the sound of her bones cracking!
The force of the blow was so immense that she almost cried out and cortord her body in "<" shape, but she swallowed the pain down!
Meanwhile, Alfred used the opportunity to spin,nding gracefully and regaining his bnce.
Their distance finally increased slightly, but only for a brief moment of respite. In closebat, Alfred wouldn¡¯t allow Athena to gain any significant distance, nor would he give her a chance to use her bow!
Her arm throbbed with pain, the bones shattered. Gripping the ck abyss axe, sheunched another attack, their duel growing ever more intense. Their weapons shed, each strike countered, while their free hands and feet yed crucial roles in the battle.
Athena was at a disadvantage in defense. Shecked the high-quality armor Alfred wore. Yet, even with his superior armor, Alfred was under immense pressure. He had to protect the unarmored parts of his body carefully, for anypse would invite a deadly strike from Athena¡¯s axe.
The heavy armor that protected Alfred also slowed him down, giving Athena an edge in maneuverability. If the battle dragged on, neither side would be able to decisively ovee the other¡ªsomething neither Athena nor Alfred desired!
They fought like two wild beasts, unrestrained, tearing into each other with ferocity. Trading blows, Athena seized a moment when Alfred dodged, aiming her bow and arrow at his armpit while half-crouching!
Alfred delivered a brutal elbow strike to her back.
"Argh!!!"
Athena shifted slightly, avoiding a direct hit to her spine. The blow stillnded on her back, making her organs tremble. She spat out a mouthful of blood, the metallic taste spreading in her mouth.
She stabbed the ck abyss axe into the ground, rolled away, and quickly got back up.
Alfred wasn¡¯t unscathed either. The arrow from the Moonlight Bow had pierced his armpit, embedding deep into his arm. Blood flowed freely, his arm nearly useless, and the moonlight¡¯s power began to spread within him, worsening his condition over time.
As Athena''s injuries worsened, she avoided head-on shes, engaging in a tactical battle instead. Alfred¡¯s strength meant the moonlight''s power took longer to infiltrate him. He repeatedly attacked, his giant sword a whirlwind of strikes, giving Athena no breathing room.
However, his movements were increasingly restricted as he tried to protect his armpit and neck, forcing Athena to dodge repeatedly.
Noticing his body stiffening and a strange power rampaging inside him, Alfred¡¯s excitement turned to seriousness. He abruptly stopped his assault, his aura growing more terrifying, muscles bulging under his armor.
¡¾ Opponent has used Skill: Decisive Battle! ¡¿
Without needing a prompt, Athena charged with her ck abyss axe, pouring all her strength into the weapon, maximizing the skill''s effect.
She swung at his neck, unable to halt the momentum. His armor seemed fused with his body, leaving only his face vulnerable. Athena gritted her teeth, not giving up, as she shed down!
Alfred¡¯s raised sword offered her no escape unless she retreated, but she seized the opportunity. The ck abyss axe came down, and Alfred leaned back, calcting the distance so she couldn¡¯t reach him.
His sword, though slightly off due to his movement, struck true, severing Athena¡¯s bruised arm. Blood spurted out, staining the ground red.
Simultaneously, Athena''s ck abyss axe did not touch him. Instead, she switched to the Moonlight Bow, driving an arrow into his eye.
The arrow prated half his skull, and Athena twisted it further!
Both fell simultaneously. Alfred''s remaining eye filled with disbelief, his consciousness fading. He tried to charge forward with his sword, but halfway through, his vision dimmedpletely, and he stood frozen.
Athena copsed, her body wracked with pain, unable to speak. Her internal organs were damaged, her arm severed, and blood continuously gushed from her mouth, clouding her mind.
Even though she won, it felt more like a pyrrhic victory.
¡¾ Challenge Sess! ¡¿
They both died in the end.
Chapter 99: Breakthrough!
Chapter 99: Breakthrough!
¡¾ Congrattions! You have defeated the opponent. Attribute points can now exceed the limit! ¡¿
The system notification echoed in her ears, but Athena''s blood continued to flow, and soon she felt everything go ck as she lost consciousness.
When she opened her eyes again, she was back in her room. Reaching out, she no longer felt warm blood but the soft fabric of her sofa. The warmth of the fire slowly revived her, the sensation of blood loss lingering vividly.
During her battle with Alfred, she hadpletely forgotten it was just a simted scenario. Her only thought was survival. Despite her efforts, the oue had been mutual destruction. Fortunately, it was merely a simtion; otherwise, she would have died on that cold city wall regardless of victory.
Her mission had been a sess. Though slightly different from her expectations, the result was positive. She had saved hundreds of silver coins, allowing her to purchase more supplies.
¡¾ Please ensure you are within a safe range! ¡¿
¡¾ Barrier breakthrough willmence in three minutes! ¡¿
¡¾ The pod has been delivered to your mailbox. Please ce it securely! ¡¿
Urgent, blood-red notifications shed repeatedly. Frowning, Athena opened the system panel and saw the pod mentioned in the email. It resembled a futuristic gaming pod, sleek and silver, exuding a sense of power. cing it on the carpet, the ss cover automatically opened, inviting her inside.
¡¾ Please enter the pod! ¡¿
Athena took a deep breath. Everything she had done led to this moment. Without hesitation, she climbed in andy down. The ss cover slowly closed. The interior was lined with soft leather, providing a sense offort and tranquility.
The pod was spacious, easily amodating her, and could even fit two people. She then felt a viscous liquid rising from the bottom, gradually submerging her hands, then her body, until her entire face was underwater.
Despite being submerged, she could breathe easily, feeling as if she were floating among clouds. Just as she was drifting, numerous tubes with needles emerged, snakelike in their agility, inserting themselves into various parts of her body. They began to pump an unknown fluid into her veins.
Suddenly, Athena felt a violent sense of suffocation. Her eyes snapped open, mouth agape, and she tried to push away, only to be restrained by the tubes. This transformation was more thorough and painful than any previous remolding of her flesh and bones.
The clear viscous liquid gradually turned blood-red. She could see nothing but crimson. Pain radiated from every part of her body, her pulse racing beyond normal limits.
"Thump, thump, thump!" Her heart pounded more urgently, blood surging as if it would explode the next moment.
At a certain moment, her heart suddenly stopped, then resumed its normal rhythm. The pain in Athena''s body gradually receded, ebbing away like a tide.
The ss cover of the pod opened, and Athena sat up abruptly, pressing her hands against the walls of the pod. She clutched her chest, gasping for breath. ncing down, she saw that she waspletely dry, with no traces of blood. The mysterious liquid and tubes inside the pod had vanished.
Paopao and the others, who had been standing by, watched her curiously. Athena looked around, noting that everything seemed unchanged, though she felt different. Once she stepped out of the pod, it was automatically retrieved by the system.
¡¾ Barrier breakthroughplete! ¡¿
¡¾ Congrattions to yer Big Dream for bing the first yer in this region to break through the barrier. Reputation increased by 100 points! ¡¿
¡¾ Announce to the entire region? Yes/No ¡¿
"No"
Athena assessed her body, feeling no significant changes. She lightly tapped her toes on the ground and effortlessly leaped to the other side of the room without making a sound. Unlike previous power-ups, this time her increased strength felt natural and seamlessly integrated.
She opened her system panel and saw that the plus signs had reappeared next to her attributes, indicating she could upgrade them again. Her umted potential had resulted in a higher attribute point increase than before.
Simultaneously, her Hunter title, crucial in regional battles, had turned permanently gray from overuse. Reflecting on the numerous giant bees and monsters she had in, she noticed the system hadn''t awarded her any experience points. She allocated her remaining experience points evenly across her attributes.
Name: Athena
Experience: 50
Title: Proactive Warrior
Race: Human
Gender: Female
Strength: 6 (¡ü)
Speed: (¡ü)
Agility: (¡ü)
Mental Power: (¡ü)
Skills:
Enhance lv6 (¡ü1): Adds strength to weapons, causing an extra 10 points of damage per attribute point. Low chance to inflict severe injury, very low chance to trigger an instant kill.
Hunter lv6 (¡ü1): Enhances leg power, increasing burst speed by 20%. Cooldown: 10 hours per use.
Flexible lv5: Greatly increases body flexibility, allowing forplex maneuvers and minor facial bone adjustments.
Calm Mind lv5: Quickly calms the user at any time, resisting mental debuffs duringbat, and increasing efficiency by 15% out ofbat. Cooldown: 24 hours, Duration: 2 hours.
War Queen (Non-upgradable): When the number of teammates exceeds 3, they receive a 10% boost in mental power and a courage buff. Whenmanding over 500 soldiers, they be 50% resistant to mental attacks, gain a courage buff, and +1 to strength.
As expected, familiar pain returned, but Athena was much moreposed this time. She leaned back on the sofa, realizing that training her mental power through fireball exercises had led to the fastest growth in this attribute.
She tested her previously uncoordinated limbs, finding that the more control she had over her body, the less time she needed to adapt to the new power. In less than a minute, she had fully adjusted and integrated the new strength.
The three little creatures huddled around her, bored. She nced at her backpack, filled with arrows and remaining silver coins, realizing she was wealthy once again.
Chapter 100: Athena’s Unease
Chapter 100: Athena¡¯s Unease
Familiar with the system''s trading interface, though it felt like ages since shest saw it.
¡¾ Arrows ¡¿
Price: 5 silver coins
Description: Comes with arrows of excellent quality. You can inspect them yourself to avoid getting ripped off.
After putting items up for sale, all that was left was to wait.
Athena''s trading stall continued to attract attention, especially since she was the top yer in their region. Plus, everything she had sold before was highly practical.
People came intermittently to inspect her offerings.
She still had three blueprints for basic defense turrets in her hands. Thinking about the numerous packages in the system backpack made her hands itch again.
She took out another shing green package, and this time, the sh was finally normal!
¡¾ Ice Defense Tower - Basic! ¡¿
This relieved her greatly, feeling more stimting than going into battle when opening packages.
Should she strike while the iron was hot?
Suddenly, thinking of something she possessed, she took out a delicate mirror.
Maybe it had never imagined that such a mysterious and eerie item would one day be used to test luck.
Silently asking within her mind.
Soon, mysterious words appeared on the mirror''s surface. Because the question was so simple, they almost instantly appeared.
Bad luck!
After confirming several times, Athena put it back into her system backpack along with the five silver packages she had eagerly taken out.
Leaving the house, she took out her three basic defense turret blueprints, still lined up row by row. Then, shebined these three into one intermediate defense turret.
cing the Ice Defense Tower beside it, its appearance resembled the Fire Defense Tower, only with frost patterns instead of mes.
Despite the walls around the yard being higher, Athena still hadn''t solved her need for aerial defense.
But there was nothing she could do about it; after all, aerial defense was something you stumbled upon rather than sought out.
The weather outside remained calm and pleasant, but Athena couldn''t shake her unease.
''It feels like a storm ising. That... I don''t know.''
After the several attacks following the Snowstorm Beast, things had returned to normal. However, the system had initiated a regional war and even allowed other yers to rest for three days.
The next attack wouldn''t be easy for them.
The previous warnings Athena had received:
¡¾ Merfolk ¡¿
Level 8
Strength 13
Defense 11
Skills: Waves, Singing, Bite, Tail Strike
¡¾ Note: Merfolk are intelligent beings! ¡¿
Dealing with these monsters, which werepletely different from the normal units they had faced before, was challenging. These creatures possessed considerable intelligence and formidable individualbat abilities.
Maybe even more powerful than the queen bees!
As sharks naturally inhabited the sea, all their skills were closely tied to the ocean. If these skills were somehow restricted by leaving the sea, the purple font wouldn''t fail to warn.
Thinking of this, Athena finally understood where her unease stemmed from.
Who could have imagined that such serene weather would reveal an inexplicable vast ocean deep within these woods?
Even Athena felt uncertain. If it was just her imagination, that would be fine. But what if it was real?
Based on thest incident, the system provided a three-day advance warning. Although this time there was no warning, most yers were granted three days of rest.
But when had the system ever been so benevolent?
Back in her room, this thought plunged her deeper into contemtion, prompting her to open the system panel.
¡¾ System Store ¡¿
Ship Seal
No need for more words. The first search term disyed it.
Athena dared not imagine the scene if her home were flooded. In an icy wastnd, she could rely on heating supplies to cope.
But how would she manage against an inundation, possibly submerging her shelter, the very ce she relied on for survival? Though the system might not truly allow shelters to flood.
However, this time it truly felt like being cornered, and they, the yers including Athena, were the trapped animals waiting to be culled.
Further contemtion before everything started was now futile. It was better to act decisively.
¡¾ System Store ¡¿
Peach Tree Mutation
Price: 30 silver coins
Description: nt it. If you live long enough, you might enjoy sweet and delicious peaches. Long-term consumption of mutated fruits will bring unexpected changes to the body.
Cabbage Seeds
Price: 2 copper coins
Description: Deliciousrge cabbage. Who wouldn''t want to eat them?
Carrot Seeds
Price: 5 copper coins
Description: Rich in beta-carotene. Come and replenish your nutrients.
She bought some new seeds and arrived at her small vegetable garden.
Though the garden had expanded, the number of nt spirits had not increased, so Athena didn''t buy many seeds.
The nt spirits were still wary of Athena, but they were starting to get used to her. Without Paopao''spany, they wouldn''t have stuck around.
Scattering these seeds, they quickly sank into the ground and, under the spirits'' influence, sprouted forth.
Seeing this scene, so full of life and magic once again, Athena couldn''t help but feel moved.
As for Grey, who knows where she ran off to? ording to Paopao, she would return by dinnertime.
It had been a long time since she had gone chopping wood. Originally, she intended to take all three with her, but unfortunately, Mikmik was particrly resistant, having just cleaned its fur not long ago.
In the end, Athena only took Paopao and Witty with her.
Paopao, after growingrger, had put away the fierceness in its eyes, as well as its sharp ws and teeth.
Athenayfortably on its grassy back; its fur was not prickly but soft andforting.
Holding onto it was like hugging a giant stuffed toy. Paopao walked steadily, and Athenay on its back, gazing at the sky.
Encountering any small animals, Witty chased them away. Its rabbit legs kicked the animals'' faces, sending them flying several meters away.
Athena wasn''t just admiring the scenery; she kept an eye on the surrounding vegetation, looking for herbs to make fireburst balls and potions.
With her current resources, she no longer needed to chop wood herself, but one should never forget one''s roots, right?
If she spotted a tree she particrly liked or if any tree obstructed her view, she would personally chop it down.
After all, it wouldn''t take long for them to grow back.
Thus, after circling outside for a while, she did gain some harvest, although it certainly couldn''tpare to the materials the giant bees inside the ck Forest had brought her.
But even one or two of these materials were already quite rare here.
Hugging thezy Paopao in her arms, only Witty, this guy, was ying too much and didn''t want to go back. After being taught a lesson by Athena, it obediently hopped and jumped back home.
Chapter 101: Ocean And Tides Begin!
Chapter 101: Ocean And Tides Begin!
Giant honebs make for a perfect dessert. Sweet yet not overwhelming, they are a delightful treat that also benefits health and improves physical condition when consumed in moderation.
Once again, Grey waste. No one knew what she was busy withtely, but even the most punctual dinner time couldn''t ensure her timely return. Each time she came back, she carried a few new wounds. Thankfully, she had items that could heal her injuries, or else she might have faced far more dire consequences.
Upon returning, she quickly grabbed her bowl and spoon, hastily eating a bowl of rice. Just as she was about to retreat to her workshop, she noticed the honey. With Athena''s permission, she took a generous spoonful before making her way.
"Athena, is it okay if I stay in the shelter for the next couple of days? I can¡¯t seem to get out," Grey asked, her tone filled with curiosity.
Athena called out to her, stopping her in her tracks. "Stay in the shelter for the next couple of days. It''s too dangerous outside."
Grey turned, a puzzled expression on her face. It wasn''t that she didn''t trust Athena, but the request seemed unusual.
Seeing her confusion, Athena exined, "The weather might be problematic."
Though unsure whether to attribute it to environmental or weather conditions, Grey realized Athena was expressing concern for her. She shed a bright smile, her pristine white teeth glinting as she patted her chest confidently.
"A little bad weather is nothing for us goblins!" With that, she lightly closed the door and returned to her workshop. Living and eating at someone else¡¯s ce meant her work had to bepleted daily.
Athena pondered for a moment but decided not to borate. Who would believe her anyway? In time, Grey would get used to it.
¡¾ Darkness is descending upon the world in 10...9...8...0 ¡¿
As another bout of darkness approached, Athena sat on the carpet, leaning against the sofa, a bowl of hot soup in her hands, her demeanor rxed and content.
In stark contrast to her calmness was the system¡¯s incessant stream of warnings, relentless and unending.
¡¾ Cold wave iing! ¡¿
The system interface turned a ring red, filled with warnings.
¡¾ Respawn points will no longer be randomly reset, prepare for battle ¡¿
¡¾ Due to irresistible forces, special monsters will reappear tomorrow! ¡¿
¡¾ Due to irresistible forces, monsters will bring the ocean with them, prepare for defense! ¡¿
¡¾ Due to irresistible forces, the shelter will temporarily switch to floating mode upon the ocean¡¯s arrival! ¡¿
¡¾ Due to irresistible forces, game difficulty has increased significantly! Subsidies are being issued, please check your mail for details! ¡¿
Facing another unexpected event from the system, Athena remained unperturbed. If not for the system¡¯s reminder about the package reorganization, she might have almost forgotten about it.
She couldn¡¯t pinpoint when her luck began to sour, but these random package reorganizations had be increasingly elusive to her.
Still, she was quite curious about how this lush forest would transform into a vast ocean.
Opening the door, the outside world was no different from the usual darkness that came with these events¡ªpitch ck, with visibility reduced to nothing. Holding a luminous candle, she stepped outside.
There was nothing unusual outside¡ªno sudden weather changes, no rain, no unexpected snow or wind. Just the tranquil and silent forest shrouded in darkness.
As she walked to the courtyard gate, seawater began surging from within the forest, rapidly flooding the area. In no time, a thinyer of water reached the front of Athena¡¯s courtyard.
Interestingly, the seawater wasn¡¯t absorbed by the ground at all. It seemed as if there was an invisible barrier separating the water from the earth, causing it to float above without ever touching the surface.
As the seawater reached the courtyard¡¯s edge, the entire shelter, including the ground it stood on, began to tremble slightly.
"...?!"
The edge where Athena stood traced a curved line, isting the shelter from the outside world.
With more water flooding in, the system¡¯s promise of the shelter switching to floating mode wasing true. Remarkably, this vast shelter could be buoyed up by the shallow sea.
Athena could even feel the shelter gradually rising, ever so slightly, detaching from the ground.
The once-dense forest was being isted, and by tomorrow, it might be an underwater forest.
She stood outside for a while, waiting for a tiny mail carrier to deliver a message.
She wondered if the Lost Soul had any way of knowing she had returned today. Normally, she would still be on the battlefield of the regional war.
In the distance, she spotted a small light¡ªso tiny, about the size of a fingernail, yet impossibly bright and noticeable in the dark night.
A small paper boat, carrying a tinyntern, sailed towards Athena. Inside the boat was a tiny figure, tirelessly rowing.
The scene was so cute that Athena tried to control herughter, not wanting to mock the relentless effort of the Lost Soul just to uphold their contract.
Athena waits for more than 5 minutes.
It was the Lost Soul indeed, cursing and muttering in anguage Athena couldn¡¯t understand as he struggled to maneuver the boat.
When he finally reached the courtyard gate, gasping for air, he looked up at the towering Athena and handed her a parchment.
There were no exchanges, no greetings between them.
Athena took the parchment from his hand, and it unfurled and erged in her grasp.
¡°Oh, unlucky yet fortunate one, you are about to encounter a rare royal.¡±
This was the most text Athena had ever seen on one of these parchments. Since discovering that the Lost Soul was the one writing these messages, he had taken liberties, expressing himself more freely within the limits of his ability.
She pulled out a small wooden bowl she had specially carved, filled with honey, and handed it to the Lost Soul.
Without hesitation, he hung thentern at the boat¡¯s bow, reached out with both hands, and grabbed the bowl.
The weight of the honey caused the small paper boat to sink momentarily, but it quickly floated back up. The Lost Soul turned away and paddled off in his tiny boat.
The water level was only ankle-deep, yet he had somehow procured a boat, though his speed was a measly 2 meters per minute.
Despite his malevolent nature, there was something endearing about him.
As Athena turned to head back inside, she glimpsed the Lost Soul¡¯s boat swaying erratically in the wind, drifting off course.
He struggled to keep the boat from capsizing, asionally ncing back at Athena to see if she had noticed. Seeing her retreat, he sighed with relief.
¡°So embarrassing¡¡± he muttered.
Chapter 102: Big Bear’s Request And Question
Chapter 102: Big Bear¡¯s Request And Question
The characters on the parchment had scattered with the wind. She carefully wrapped it up again and ced it into her system backpack.
After all, this thing itself was something rare and precious. Her only stable way of obtaining it so far was through the lost soul.
The Royal Family? This hint was too obvious; tomorrow, Athena would likely encounter nothing but Merfolk.
But the hints she had received previously clearly pointed to the Merfolk.
¡¾ Tomorrow, the monsters will be reorganized (Merfolk Royal Family)! ¡¿
¡¾ Please try to avoid direct conflicts, please avoid direct conflicts! ¡¿
As the saying goes, it''s easier to change one''s face than to turn a page.
The prompts in purple font have never been wrong, albeit dyed.
As an intelligent creature, the Merfolk might be asmunicative as giant bees, able to achieve cooperation.
Unfortunately, Athena also wanted to avoid direct confrontation. However, the other party came specifically to destroy her base. Although she didn''t know what benefit these monsters would gain from doing so.
But what benefit could Athena offer them?
Her previous dealings with the Hive Queen were based on equal terms, demonstrating her strength to qualify for any transaction.
Battle is inevitable, even the most cautious cannot foresee everything; there are always unexpected changes.
Perhaps tomorrow, she could really try to talk her way out of it.
If they were ordinary Merfolk, Athena would be willing to engage in a hearty battle. But these were the Royals.
After all, this wasn''t a simted scenario. If she really lost her limbs, she wouldn''t survive in the days toe.
The only downside to floating on the sea is never knowing where you might drift. Moreover, the ocean itself is fraught with dangers beyond just underwater monsters; many dangers stem from the sea itself.
Just like now, the entire base is floating above the sea. Athena could feel that both she and the base were drifting around.
The base now feels incredibly light; when the sea truly rises tomorrow and this ce bes a vast ocean.
Any wave can be stirred up, any wind can be a disaster. Like lost soul''s boat, the base will be that small paper boat.
¡¾ Regional Chat Channel ¡¿
"It''s only been a few days of rest, and the system is causing trouble again!"
"I feel like we''ve seen this so often now. These sudden incidents aren''t even sudden anymore; whose problem is it that always turns into a problem!"
"Shouldn''t your concern be about us turning into an ocean? I just went out to look, and our base really has floated up. Where did all this seawatere from?"
"A sudden snowstorm overnight was already crazy enough; now, we can even have seas in the forest. My goodness, this world has truly gone mad!"
"This world was already mad to begin with. Any creature hidden away here shouldn''t be too weak. Besides, we''ve just undergone a reinforcement; the system won''t be lenient on us."
"Do you think it''s mermaids or deep-sea monsters?"
"Haha, you''re so innocent. Mermaids? I think Shark people are more likely!"
Everyone remained unruly as usual, but even amidst their joking, there was a hint of seriousness as they considered the challenges of tomorrow.
In this unpredictable world, if they lived each day so seriously, they might not eventually be killed by monsters, but rather by their own hands.
For instance, Athena''s own mindset had undergone many changes. Previously, she would worry about various issues, but now she was more inclined to take things as they came, calm and unruffled.
¡¾ [ Big Bear ] has sent you a message! ¡¿
Athena was puzzled. Why would [ Big Bear ]e to her at this moment? Was it because of the uing monsters, or something rted to the silver coins from before?
She remembered clearly that before entering the regional battlefield, she had received a payment from her. During the battle, she had guided her once and received another payment.
Thinking back, she almost felt like a shady merchant. Was she here to demand a refund?
With these thoughts swirling, she reluctantly opened the chat interface.
"Uhm, after much thought, I feel I need to talk to you."
"How old are you?"
"?"
Just like Athena''s state of mind, she slowly typed a question mark. Was [ Big Bear ] going crazy inside the regional battlefield?
Without responding, she raised her hand to close the interface, unwilling to join her in madness.
"Well, actually, what I really wanted to ask is, have you encountered any other goblins?"
The earlier part might have been her madness, but this line was definitely prompted by the old goblin next to [ Big Bear ].
And indeed, as she suspected, [ Big Bear ] had beenfortably nestled in her bed until this regional battle. Instead of killing a few monsters, she had spent the entire time finding routes, resulting in minimal gains.
Fortunately, she unexpectedly found a massive cave and discovered many treasures inside, although most were unusable and she could only bring out a portion.
Such a girl bearing outrageous luck.
ording to the old goblin, it was a cave of snake creatures.
Upon returning, the old goblin instructed her to contact Athena. If not for the old goblin''s presence now, she might have forgotten entirely.
"I have. Do you have something you want to ask?"
In truth, this was directed at the old goblin. The old goblin next to [ Big Bear ] was definitely out of the ordinary.
As a renegade goblin n, their ability to keep so many goblins willingly confined to Goblin City, afraid to step out, stemmed from their being shunned by the darkness.
Once they left this protective haven, their fate was almost predetermined. Even during daylight forays, they often returned heavily wounded.
But oddly enough, the old goblin next to [ Big Bear ] never provoked any monsters.
Moreover, Athena had specifically asked Uncle Gowther before whether goblins could leave through other means, and her answer had been affirmative.
No, she had harbored doubts but had never actively sought out [ Big Bear ] . Everyone had their own secrets, and unless it involved mutual interests, there was no need to delve deeper.
She hadn''t expected the old goblin to approach her first.
"He says he wants to buy three goblin hairs from you."
Athena''s hand paused momentarily. How did she know there was a goblin beside her? Was she bluffing or telling the truth?
Time to find out. Tomorrow she could use her powers again.
"I can''t decide on that. Perhaps tomorrow I can give you an answer."
Chapter 103: In The Middle Of The Ocean
Chapter 103: In The Middle Of The Ocean
Athena had once desired the old goblin¡¯s hair for a reason: her heart had whispered that the three strands of goblin hair would be the key to unlocking the Goblin City for the first time.
But now, the tables had turned. The old goblin sought the hair from her. Why? She already possessed it, and Big Bear had more than one goblin at his disposal.
Still, this wasn¡¯t her immediate concern. Regardless of what the other party wanted, the decision was in her hands, and there was no threat to her.
As she sat in her room, she felt the base sway as if it were afloat. Through the window, she saw that the water outside had risen halfway up the trees, and the water level was increasing rapidly.
Should she be grateful that her home hadn¡¯t been flooded?
Ignoring the yful trio downstairs, she went upstairs to her room andy on the spacious bed. Even in this new environment, the calming effect of the four-piece bedding set soon lulled her into sleep.
The sea waves rocked gently. Outside, an endless expanse of water stretched out. In the middle of the ocean, she saw not a blue sky but a deep, overwhelming sea, bringing a sense of istion and suffocation.
Opening the window, she saw only the vast ocean. The base floated like a real ship on the water¡¯s surface. The sunlight sparkled on the waves, but it couldn¡¯t prate the deep, unseen depths of the ocean. Yesterday¡¯s dense forest had vanished without a trace.
After getting ready, the system notification chimed in.
¡¾ Daybreak has arrived, please begin exploring the world! ¡¿
It was 6:00 AM. Monsters would arrive at noon, giving her six full hours.
When she went downstairs, she saw that Mikmik and the others still preferred the small wooden hut they had made rather than the new nest upstairs.
Hearing Athena¡¯s steps, Mikmik twitched his ears and woke up, stretching. The other two woke up gradually, and Paopao scrambled down from the nest, his first reaction being to cling to Athena¡¯s leg like a child¡¯s toy.
She picked him up and ced him on the sofa. Despite his small size, Paopao was the heaviest of the three, more like a weighty highly dense grassball than a convenient leg attachment.
Skipping the effort of preparing breakfast, they each chose a favorite fruit and began munching.
Grey, with her hair in a disheveled mess, came in carrying a small jar of honey. She peeled an orange, dipped it in honey, and popped it into her mouth, closing her eyes in happiness. Seeing her method, Athena and the trio exchanged nces and silently followed her lead.
After finishing her meal, Grey wiped her mouth with her hand and said to Athena with some hesitation, ¡°The giant bee stinger you brought is slightly too high-level. The smelting furnace can¡¯t fully melt it. I can only use my forging skills to partially process them.¡±
"..."
¡°If we get the corresponding weapon blueprints and upgrade the furnace, I can make something out of them.¡±
Grey¡¯s frustration was clear; it wasn¡¯t that she didn¡¯t want to help, but the furnace was too basic. Despite inheriting some of her father¡¯s skills, she wasn¡¯t at his level yet. If she were, she wouldn¡¯t need a furnace to forge weapons.
Athena just acknowledged her calmly, ¡°I understand.¡±
Grey, relieved by Athena¡¯sck of demands, sighed and returned to her room.
Athena hadn¡¯t expected much from her anyway. The furnace wasn¡¯t advanced enough, and they didn¡¯t even have blueprints. It was already a challenge for Grey to process the materials partially.
Though the soft sofa wasfortable, a portable deck chair was even more appealing. On a clear, cloudless day, gazing at the deep blue sea merging with the sky was a beautiful sight.
Estimating the width of the door and the smaller sofa, Athena moved the sofa outside, facing the sea. Shey down, enjoying a seaside sunbath.
The trio lined up at the door, staring at her. Should she be surprised by the nt spirits¡¯ rapid growth? The nts they sowed yesterday were ready for harvest today, faster than cutting chives.
¡°Harvest the fruits,¡± shemanded, pointing to the garden.
Despite their intive looks, they had no choice but to obey.
Lazily basking in the sun, she watched them work, feeling a serene sense of peace. She was curious about whaty beneath the sea. Were there only the sea creatures, or were there other monsters too? Where had the forest creatures gone?
Without diving equipment, she couldn¡¯t explore underwater. Though she had explored every inch of the forest, the underwater forest remained a mystery.
¡¾ Regional Chat Channel ¡¿
¡°Endless sea, endless feelings, just like endless me, not knowing where to go!¡±
¡°Stop being dramatic.¡±
¡°Don¡¯t you guys feel something when looking at this sea?¡±
¡°I get it! Do you feel an urge to cast a fishing rod? It¡¯s a pity we can¡¯t fish!¡±
¡°Kindred spirit! I didn¡¯t expect to find a fellow angler here.¡±
¡°Fishermen are everywhere¡ this sea might not even be real. Who knows if there are fish?¡±
¡°Hurry up, why is it taking so long? The suspense is killing me! What kind of monsters wille? Can¡¯t we just get it over with?¡±
From her bag, she took out the Heart¡¯s Desire, reflecting her doubts. Her reflection in the mirror blurred, turning into a line of words.
¡°Follow the path you believe is right.¡±
The words appeared quickly and faded just as fast, leaving Athena lying on the sofa with the mirror in hand.
Tonight, she would ask Grey for three strands of goblin hair. If the goblin apanying by Big Bear wanted them, then she would give them to him.
''I wonder if Grey''s pubic hair is allowed, though I doubt she has any.''
Athena thought while scratching her rear.
Chapter 104: Witty And The Musical Dolphin
Chapter 104: Witty And The Musical Dolphin
Athena was enjoying the serene beauty of the seaside when she noticed a peculiar, triangr shape piercing the horizon. Squinting her eyes, she scrutinized the moving object more closely. The longer she observed, the more it seemed like the dorsal fin of a shark. It appeared that the ocean offered not just the exclusive scenes of merfolk but also some other marine creatures, perhaps even unfamiliar monsters.
As it swam closer, seemingly curious about Athena''s shelter, she stood up from her sofa, her Moonlit Bow appearing in her hand, ready to take aim. Yet, before she could release her arrow, the object halted at a distance from her refuge and suddenly leaped out of the water.
It soared through the air, creating a spray of water, its sleek and graceful body moving with an elegance that resembled a dancer on the ocean¡¯s surface. The leap was over a meter high before it plunged back into the sea, its white body shimmering in harmony with the waves.
Athena lowered her bow as she finally discerned the creature¡¯s true form¡ªit was not a shark but a dolphin.
¡¾ Musical Dolphin ¡¿
Level: 6
Strength: 3
Defense: 5
Skill: Musical Attack
The Musical Dolphin¡¯s unique skill, the Musical Attack, allows it to summon the Royal Mermen! In a sense, it was a harmless creature, although its ability to call the Royal Mermen made it anything but benign.
Athena lifted her bow again but ultimately decided toy back down on her sofa. Since the system would always reconfigure the mermen, killing this one would only prompt another to appear. Perhaps more might emerge if this one were in.
Seeing her initial intent to attack, the Musical Dolphin dove underwater. Once it realized the danger had passed, it popped its head back up, curious and seemingly unbothered. Its intelligent eyes locked onto Athena¡¯s, as it began jumping yfully at the entrance of her yard,pletely blocking her view of the outside world.
With a twitch at the corner of her mouth, Athena called over Witty, who was working diligently nearby. Witty looked at her, puzzled, possibly thinking his master had a sudden change of heart. To his surprise, Athena shoved a stone into his hand, her intention clear.
"Your aim and strength are better. See that thing jumping around? Throw this at it."
Witty''s ears twitched as he looked at his serious-faced master and then at the yful dolphin outside. The Musical Dolphin, unaware of what was toe, continued its joyful antics at the gate, its eyes showing its superiority over thend creatures.
Understanding the dolphin¡¯s condescending look, the already irritable Witty¡¯s eyes reddened. He weighed the stone in his hand before hurling it with precision. The stone hit the dolphin squarely, causing it to tumble back into the sea.
"Hahaha...," Athenaughed.
Witty pped his paws together with satisfaction before returning to his task of harvesting vegetables. With the obstruction gone, the sea returned to its calm state.
The Musical Dolphin, now with a noticeable bump on its head, soon resurfaced. This time, its eyes no longer gleamed with wisdom but held a pitiful, human-like sorrow as it gazed at the smirking Athena. Instead of retreating, it swam closer, seemingly fascinated by Witty, making cheerful sounds that even Athena, a human, recognized as joyful.
She couldn''t help but suspect the dolphin had lost its mind. Despite being hit by Witty, it showed no anger or desire to escape, instead, it eagerly sought out Witty¡¯s attention. Even when Athena red at it menacingly, the dolphin¡¯s gaze remained fixed on Witty. Every time Witty red back with his rabbit eyes, the dolphin would leap joyfully.
Unable to bear the noisy creature, Athena finally moved her sofa back indoors. Witty, on the other hand, didn''t spare the dolphin another nce, which only added to the dolphin¡¯s dejection. It was used to getting whatever it wanted in the sea, with the princess ensuring no one dared to disrespect it. Now, feeling wronged, it remembered what it used to do when ignored by other sea creatures¡ªit went to the princess!
With that thought, the Musical Dolphin dove back into the sea decisively.
Athena¡¯s decision not to kill it was due to previous tower defense missions where killing one often brought more trouble. She had hoped to avoid additional problems by sparing it this time. Little did she know that the trouble was inevitable and even more dramatic than she had anticipated.
¡¾ Special Event Triggered! ¡¿
¡¾ The Tale of the Musical Dolphin! ¡¿
¡¾ The Royal Mermen Reconfiguration Time Will Be Greatly Advanced! ¡¿
¡¾ yers, Prepare Yourselves! Prepare Yourselves! ¡¿
Athena, just about to sit back down after returning her sofa to its original spot, was bombarded with a series of system notifications. She triple-checked the alerts.
Paopao, arriving with thest apple, sensed the heavy atmosphere surrounding Athena. His master maintained her usual stoic expression, but the oppressive air around her was too palpable to ignore.
Athena regretted having Witty throw the stone. She should have just shot an arrow herself¡ªit would have been quicker!
The once calm sea began to churn violently, causing her shelter to sway. At this moment, the ocean roared with fury, signaling the onset of an earth-shattering storm. The wind howled ferociously, waves surged like the angry roars of the sea, and her shelter was tossed about in the tempest. The entire world seemed enveloped in tension and oppression, heralding an impending catastrophe.
Chapter 105: Fight Against The Rulers of Oceans!
Chapter 105: Fight Against The Rulers of Oceans!
The sky was choked with dark, oppressive clouds, and lightning crackled across the heavens. The once tranquil sea roared with monstrous waves, turbulent and unforgiving.
Within the shelter of the boundless ocean, it felt like a dpidated wooden ship, barely holding together. Giant waves crashed relentlessly against the base''s barrier, and Athena stood amidst the chaos, clearly seeing the scene beneath the turbulent waves.
The deafening sh between the waves and the barrier sounded like the ocean''s furious roar.
The scene before her bore no resemnce to the legendary mermaids who arrived with enchanting melodies. Instead, it resembled an apocalyptic vision.
Before the forces of nature, even the mightiest of humans felt like mere ants¡ªfragile and easily crushed.
Beneath the fathomless depths of the sea, an unusual portal appeared. It was a cramped, narrow gateway, norger than a one-meter-diameter sphere.
A dolphin emerged from it, followed by a mermaid.
With scales on her face, fins on either side, and eyes the same color as the sea, she possessed a beauty that humans could only dream of.
Her eyes held the coldness of the deep sea, her sharp teeth and ws gleamed, and her light blue, seaweed-like curls danced in the water.
Her upper body was human, but her lower half was a fish tail¡ªtwo meters long by itself, making her total length an intimidating three meters.
She moved through the water with the grace of a fish, her tail propelling her swiftly towards the ocean surface.
Beautiful yet perilous.
Athena, still within the base, felt a pang of anxiety¡ªa sensation of being targeted by a predator.
The surrounding sea remained churning, but suddenly, it all fell eerily still.
Athena fixed her gaze on a specific spot on the sea''s surface, and as expected, a tail emerged¡ªa long, shimmering blue tail that, even without sunlight, dazzled brilliantly, rippling the surface of the sea.
A wave surged toward the floating base ind, only to be blocked once more.
Athena finally glimpsed the mermaid''s true form. Her beauty was unforgettable at first sight, but beneath that allurey a sense of mystery and danger.
As a member of the royal mermaid n, she carried an inherent aura of authority that disallowed any thoughts of defiance.
This creature, an enemy of Athena, could awaken the slumbering sea with a single call¡ªone mermaid could rival an entire army.
Athena had no doubt that battling a mermaid would be futile; if she ventured outside the base and fell into the sea, today would be herst.
Each assault from the waves brought immense pressure to the base¡¯s barrier, but it withstood every attack, indicating its resilience and an unlikelihood of being breached.
Previously, every monster assault allowed the creatures to prate the base¡¯s interior.
But against the mermaid, the base had, for the first time, repelled monsters both by night and day, demonstrating its full capabilities.
The system¡¯s arrangement of monsters was a way of testing and revealing the yers'' strengths. Normally, the base wouldn¡¯t provide protection during monster attacks.
Yet, in the face of this unique mermaid, the system had activated the base¡¯s protective functions, ensuring there would be no inevitable defeat or simply call it, inescapable death for all yers.
However, this battle was unlike any other. While Athena¡¯s base was of a high level with formidable defense, how many times could a lower-level base withstand the mermaid¡¯s assaults?
Observing the ineffectiveness of the waves¡¯ attacks, the royal mermaid squinted her beautiful eyes and smiled, revealing her sharp shark-like teeth.
Her smile, charming yet dangerous, was like finding a delightful new toy.
She ceased the wave attacks, seemingly confident that Athena could not harm her, and swam toward the base.
Though the barrier had repelled the waves, it did not necessarily mean the mermaid could not enter.
The strength of a whale-like mermaid diminished greatly when away from the water¡ªan option worth considering.
In the sea, mermaids were nearly invincible. The system¡¯s rating of her was urate: level eight, with exceptional skills, though her attributes weren¡¯t particrly strong.
In the water, they were the ocean¡¯s rulers.
Yet, a strong dragon cannot dominate a local snake¡ªvictory is especially challenging on another¡¯s turf.
Athena suppressed her urge to draw the ck axe and restricted the base¡¯s various towers from attacking.
At this moment, all her attacks were ineffective. No matter what she tried, the mermaid could conjure waves to neutralize them.
And from the look of it, the mermaid seemed unfazed, as though summoning the ocean was a trivial task that required no effort.
As a member of the mermaid royalty, she did not possess greater physical attributes than ordinary mermaids but exuded a regal presence that could have overwhelmed anyone less mentally strong than Athena.
With a mesmerizing and enchanting face, the mermaid slowly approached Athena, spreading her arms as if seeking an embrace.
She carefully sheathed her sharp teeth and ws, as if to signify her harmlessness.
A mythical creature, usually untouchable, had sheathed its threats and approached cautiously, tempting the observer.
Yet, to Athena, the beauty and allure were overshadowed by a sense of danger and power.
As the mermaid opened her mouth, Athena wasted no time. The base''s defensive towers sprang into action immediately.
A moonlit bow, strung taut in her hands, glowed with the serene light of the moon.
Upon release, the arrow shot forth with the force to part the sea, aimed directly at the mermaid¡¯s mouth as if intending to pierce through and pin her in the boundless ocean.
Another wave surged.
It deflected countless artillery shells and arrows, yet the moonlit arrow continued its path through the wave, but fell powerless before reaching the mermaid,nding on the sea.
The mermaid, however, could not manage a smile.
Her once-beautiful face was now a mask of disbelief. Her eyes widened, her scales bristling, revealing her monstrous side.
Athena¡¯s unanticipated arrow shattered her song, cutting off her melody before it could even begin.
Countless shells targeted her, but were stopped by the waves.
The musical dolphins below struggled to keep up with their princess''s speed, pushed back by the surging currents.
Finally reaching the surface, they saw a sky filled with artillery fire closing in on them.
Chapter 106: The Clash of Tides and Arrows!
Chapter 106: The sh of Tides and Arrows!
The Musical Dolphin let out a startled cry, its wide eyes fixed on the iing barrage. Beneath the sea¡¯s surface, nothing escaped the notice of the mermaid. With a mere flick of her tail, a massive wave rose to shield the dolphin.
The Musical Dolphin hurriedly swam to the side of its princess. Despite her somber mood, she gently stroked the dolphin¡¯s smooth back, offering itfort.
Seeing the wave¡¯s defense fail, she knew her only option was an attack through song.
Just as she prepared to sing again, a volley of arrows from Athena rained down, relentless and unyielding. The speed of her waves was no match for the swiftness of Athena''s arrows, leaving her flustered.
Hearing a mermaid¡¯s song triggered a mental resistance test. A failed test meant falling under the song''s spell. Although Athena¡¯s mental fortitude had significantly improved, she knew to preemptively block any potential attacks.
Irritated and unable to maintain her mysterious demeanor, the mermaid retreated, testing the range of Athena¡¯s arrows, only to find they reached her no matter the distance.
Venturing too far was not an option; her song had a limited range. Engaging Athena in closebat was out of the question. She wouldn¡¯t abandon her strengths or highlight her weaknesses.
Sunlight, fire, andnd devoid of water were their weaknesses. When mermaids transformed their tails into legs, their attributes decreased by 40%.
She realized that without the ocean¡¯s aid, she couldn''t match this monstrous human. Frustrated, she knocked on the Musical Dolphin''s head. Despite the chaotic scene, the dolphin¡¯spanions, undeterred by any concern for Athena''s defeat, squeezed together at the door, watching the battle.
The Musical Dolphin, confused by the sudden onught, was further agitated by another tap from the mermaid princess, exacerbating its headache. Its eyes caught sight of a familiar rabbit head peeking through a nearby door crack, bringing a sudden burst of joy and another loud, annoying cry.
The mermaid, thinking the dolphin was cheering for her, squeezed its mouth shut to silence it. Athena, noticing the dolphin beside the mermaid with a noticeable bump on its head, realized it had been reporting back to its mistress.
Without pausing, Athenaunched another arrow, this time aiming at the dolphin, but it was blocked by a wave again. Both sides seemed locked in a war of attrition, unable tond a decisive blow, yet neither willing to relent.
Unfazed by the oing Moonlight Arrow, the mermaid focused solely on her spell, determined to lure Athena out. Athena''s arrows, losing power after passing through the waves, were consistently thwarted by sessive waves.
The enchanting melody of the mermaid¡¯s song resonated through the ocean, sweet and divine, captivating all who heard it. Like a fairy tale, the song''s mysterious, magical quality seemed to pierce the depths of the sea.
Those who heard the song couldn¡¯t help but reach out, drawn to its source, only to find the darkness hidden behind its beauty. Sailors lured by the song often met their end in the ocean.
¡¾Mental Resistance Test in Progress¡¡¿
¡¾Mental Resistance Test Passed!¡¿
Despite the song''s allure, the most beautiful Athena had ever heard, her resolve remained firm. The mermaid, seeing her expression soften, sang with even more vigor, her eyes filled with disdain.
The moment the mental resistance test seeded, the mermaid¡¯s song abruptly halted, receiving a bacsh. Disbelief filled her eyes as she stared at Athena, unable toprehend how her proudest weapon had failed against a mere human.
This was an unbearable humiliation.
Not only did she fail to charm her opponent, but the bacsh injured her. The situation above the water shifted dramatically. Though Athena¡¯s sanctuary seemed insignificant in the vast ocean, she now stood as the victor.
Once again, the stalemate resumed. Athena¡¯s attacks couldn¡¯t harm her, and she couldn¡¯t harm Athena. Fearing to sing again, the mermaid watched as Athena ceased firing arrows, yet she had to summon wave after wave to block the barrage of cannon fire and arrows from various defense towers.
Retreating into the ocean would be too shameful!
She slowly released her grip on the Musical Dolphin, allowing it to voice itsints. Amidst the chaos, the mermaid hurled the dolphin away with a wave, but it soon swam back.
"Wait, a misunderstanding," the mermaid¡¯s voice, melodic and emotionless, like the waves, reached Athena¡¯s ears. The cannon fire continued unabated.
"Ceasefire. Fighting benefits neither of us."
"The Musical Dolphin wants to see your little rabbit."
Her exnation did nothing to halt Athena¡¯s assault. What did it matter why she attacked? The reason was abstract at best.
Under Athena¡¯s scrutiny, the once arrogant mermaid, her face wless and emotionless, floated on the sea''s surface. A single crystalline tear fell from her eye, turning into a perfect pearl in her hand.
Athena paused, taken aback by the sight.
Without a trace of emotion, the mermaid held the pearl aloft in the sunlight.
"A mermaid¡¯s tear as a peace offering."
The gesture was undeniably effective. The overwhelming cannon fire ceased instantly.
Chapter 107: Balance
Chapter 107: Bnce
The tears of a mermaid transform into pearls, a phenomenon that has earned them the name "Mermaid¡¯s Tears."
Legends abound regarding the Mermaid¡¯s Tears, yet no one anticipated that they woulde across one so easily today.
¡¾ Mermaid¡¯s Tear ¡¿
Rarity: Rare
Category: Special
Attribute: The tears of a mermaid can speak. When held in the mouth, it grants the ability to breathe underwater, making the ocean no longer reject you. Consuming it will cause a special transformation in your body, permanently increasing the favorability with oceanic monsters to 5.
The mermaid watched with pride as the human ceased their attack, knowing that no one could resist.
Athena had no reason to refuse; after all, why pass up a free opportunity? She set her bow and arrows by her side. ¡°Throw it over.¡±
The mermaid flicked her tail and shook her head. ¡°No, rabbit. You must give it to me.¡±
Contrary to what she had imagined, an arrow streaked through the air towards her, which she hastily blocked with a wave. She turned to Athena with disbelief, unable to understand why the human would attack her.
"To go back on your word!" The mermaid was incensed. She had given her tears to this human, and now they were attacking her in return!
With a full draw of her bow, Athena looked at the mermaid''s angry eyes, feeling utterly perplexed.
¡°It''s a gift. Throw it over.¡± Confirming that the mermaid could not attack her and that her shelter was safe from being sunk, Athena assessed that the only remaining danger was the potential difort of swaying left and right, like seasickness.
She didn¡¯t understand why the mermaid wanted the grassball, but it was probably the idea of that musical dolphin. Regardless of whether it was the Mermaid¡¯s Tears or even if the dolphin offered her meat, she would not agree.
The mermaid¡¯s strength was not as formidable as Athena had imagined. In fact, the mermaid seemed somewhat foolish. If it weren¡¯t for the undeniable aura surrounding her, Athena might have thought of her as nothing more than a silly fish.
In the vast ocean, the shelter stood in defiance against the mermaid. Enormous waves repeatedly attempted to submerge the shelter but werepletely ineffective.
Ilinaya was a member of the mermaid royal family, though she was of little importance. Despite the vastness of the mermaid race and theirrge poption, with nearly a thousand royal members, her standing was not high.
However, due to her innate abilities in the ocean, even though she was a minor royal, she held considerable sway beneath the waves.
The musical dolphin, due to her presence, was highly respected in the ocean. Those who offended it would face her retribution.
Unfortunately, due to her low status, she was not permitted toe ashore, especially given the current state of conflict between darkness and daylight.
The opportunity toe from the ck Lands to the battlefield was something she had fought for, and she even sent her most beloved musical dolphin to make an early arrival through the special summoning of the Silver Lake Dolphin.
Now, reduced to being at the mercy of this small human, the mermaid harbored no desire to attack Athena¡¯s shelter.
As one of the rare intelligent species in the ck Lands, they did not blindly follow the darkness''s directives. Without substantial benefits, their attitude toward neers from the Third World, like Athena, was often indifferent and contingent on the situation.
Her initial aggressive approach was merely to intimidate Athena and to observe what the other mermen had described about the people from the Third World.
To her surprise, she ended up in a predicament. After all, it was just a rabbit; what harm could it do to her?
¡°Stop, cease the attack, I¡¯ll give you the Mermaid¡¯s Tears!¡± In the end, it was Ilinaya who conceded first, as her time in this ce was limited.
Once the time was up and the portal closed, she would have to return, and who knew when the next opportunity toe out would be.
She remained curious about Athena and herpanions, observing their legs, their manner of walking onnd, and the small animals behind them¡ªthings she had only seen in books before.
Keeping a safe distance from the shelter, Ilinaya used the waves to send the Mermaid¡¯s Tears over. Although the waves were blocked, the tears easily passed through the shelter¡¯s barrier, gentlynding at Athena¡¯s feet.
Athena bent down to pick it up. The cool, soothing sensation of the tear felt surprisinglyfortable. Despite its appearance as just a rather beautiful pearl, it seemed utterly ordinary.
Yet, it was hard to believe that it had transformed from a tear.
She stowed it away in her system backpack, now observing the mermaid more clearly. Ilinaya appeared to be a curious, naive deep-sea mermaid, likely pampered in her upbringing. The thought that this might be an act crossed Athena¡¯s mind; if so, the mermaid¡¯s performance was indeed impressive.
Regardless, Athena maintained her vignce, showing no signs of rxing her guard.
Even if the mermaid acted friendly, it did not change her fundamental nature as a monster. Her apparent amiability was simply because she knew she could not best Athena. Should Athena reveal any vulnerability, there was no doubt that her sharp teeth would sever Athena¡¯s artery, spilling blood, and she would then seek out her next interesting target.
The musical dolphin, having failed in its negotiations, continued to hum and fuss. It wanted that white rabbit with red eyes!
¡°My name is Ilinaya. What¡¯s yours? I heard that humans usually introduce themselves to each other.¡± She tilted her head, trying to appear harmless, keeping her hands behind her back and avoiding showing her teeth while speaking.
¡°Big Dream.¡±
Ilinaya was momentarily stunned. She found the name unusual but did not delve deeper.
¡°Why are you here? Why do those from the Third World aid the daylight rather than the darkness?¡±
She expressed a hint of regret. ¡°Daylight is so weak. If you helped the darkness, daylight might have been repelled long ago.¡±
¡°Don¡¯t you think eternal darkness is the most beautiful?¡±
Athena, not feeling tired, instructed the three small creatures watching the spectacle to move the sofa out. Once she wasfortably seated again, she answered Ilinaya¡¯s question.
Since there was nothing else to do, chatting with her might reveal more valuable information.
¡°Given that you asked this question, I believe you are indeed a wise mermaid, but you probably know more than I do about the answer, don¡¯t you?¡±
¡°I¡¯m sure you have something to say to me.¡± Athena revealed the first genuine smile since their meeting, though her eyes remained devoid of warmth.
Chapter 108: Royal Mermaid Princess
Chapter 108: Royal Mermaid Princess
Ilinaya''s indifference to Athena¡¯s attitude was palpable. She remained unfazed by Athena''s retorts or apparent disdain. Her curiosity about everything was evident, but it did not equate to naivety or foolishness. In her eyes, Athena was no ordinary human; Athena was a formidable figure on their side.
She casually extracted a stone from somewhere, tossing it into the air and catching it effortlessly in her hand. This seemed like mere idle y, but her eyes were constantly observing Athena¡¯s reactions.
Unfortunately for her, Athena paid no attention to her antics. Instead, Athena focused on devouring the giant honey provided by Paopao, seemingly oblivious to everything else.
Ilinaya¡¯s smile only grew wider, her gaze fixed on Athena with an unsettling certainty. ¡°You recognize this stone, don¡¯t you?¡±
Her question, though rhetorical, carried an unmistakable conviction.
The stone in her hand was none other than a World Stone.
Despite Athena¡¯s nonchnt demeanor¡ªalmost as if she were looking at an ordinary rock¡ªIlinaya detected the subtle change in Athena''s expression, confirming that Athena did indeed recognize the stone.
¡°I know a great deal more than you do. You¡¯ve been in the battle zone for so long¡ don¡¯t you find it dull?¡±
She sighed as she swayed her tail, drifting through the sea and circling the shelter without evering too close. ¡°It¡¯s like being stuck in the den of predators, Dark Lands¡ªI feel like I¡¯m going to go mad eventually!¡±
¡°Have you used this stone before? If you have it, you must know its purpose. I have the coordinates to the portal. Don¡¯t you want to visit the Light Lands?¡±
Even without singing, her voice carried an undertone of temptation.
Even if Athena didn¡¯t respond, Ilinaya continued speaking, knowing that Athena was listening.
¡°Your Third World aids the Daylight faction to gain more World Energy, doesn¡¯t it?¡±
¡°To you, it doesn¡¯t matter which side you help, as long as you obtain World Energy. You¡¯d even be willing to go to war or coborate with both sides.¡±
She dove into the sea again, emerging with droplets clinging to her longshes and a mischievous glint in her captivating blue eyes.
¡°What if I told you I could give you World Energy?¡±
Even though Athena¡¯s hand holding the apple paused for a brief moment, it was clear that this statement had caught her attention.
Why had the system wanted them to witness the fall of the Sol Kingdom? Was it to observe the rise and fall of a kingdom, to witness history?
No, the system wasn¡¯t that grand. The real reason was that when the Sol Kingdom fell, the Daylight power that once protected it transformed into the original World Energy.
Before it was reimed by Daylight, the system had intercepted it.
Athena had a vague sense of this fact but had never known what to call it. The term "World Energy" was new to her.
Ilinaya ¡¯s keen observation did not miss Athena¡¯s reaction.
Athena finally lifted her gaze, looking intently. Her eyes were calm, yet they seemed to hold a storm within.
¡°Why are you telling me this?¡±
Ilinaya was no benevolent fish. Even if the information posed no direct loss to her, there was no apparent reason for her to divulge it.
¡°You carry a scent of corrosion. You must have recentlye from the ck Forest, right?¡±
¡°You¡¯ve been to the battle zone and the Dark Lands. Though I don''t have the knowledge what you humans called them, but anyway, aren¡¯t you curious about what the Light Lands, which your kind reveres, is like?¡±
¡°After I leave, you¡¯ll have time to explore. I have the coordinates. This stone is the key, and with the door in your hands, you can visit the Light Lands anytime.¡± She held up the World Stone, her sharp nails scratching its surface, though no mark was left behind.
The "World Gate" was their term for the system¡¯s built-in teleportation portals.
Such gates, which allowed for instantaneous travel, were not only hard to detect but also had camouge capabilities.
¡°So, what do you think? Even if the gate is in your hands, it¡¯s useless if you can¡¯t find it.¡±
Ilinaya¡¯s intention was unmistakable. Though she didn¡¯t reveal her exact method, it was clear she wanted to use the system¡¯s gate to reach the Light Lands.
As she said, Athena had never been to the Light Lands. Yet, she was uninterested in working with a potentially dangerous royal mermaid. The risks outweighed the potential benefits.
One day, she would go to the Light Lands. Given the system¡¯s nature, it wouldn¡¯t abandon such a useful tool. It was only a matter of time before they were sent there, making Ilinaya¡¯s offer seem unnecessary.
¡°No, I¡¯m not interested. I prefer staying home.¡± She tossed the remaining apple core, which quickly disappeared into the thorns.
Ilinaya ¡¯s previously confident demeanor turned icy. ¡°What did you say?¡±
¡°No, thank you.¡±
¡°¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡± A sharp, ear-piercing shriek erupted from Ilinaya, as though it could puncture eardrums.
Athena merely frowned, unaffected by the noise, which seemed more annoying than threatening.
Ilinaya, visibly frustrated, unleashed a terrifying tsunami. The shelter rocked violently on the surface of the sea, constantly tumbling.
Yet, it remained afloat, undisturbed, with everything inside securely in ce.
The only ones suffering were the three little ones and Grey, who were in the workroom, dry heaving uncontrobly.
Ilinaya, on the verge of a breakdown, nearly bit her own teeth in frustration. Yet, she resumed her cheerful demeanor, chatting with Athena as if nothing had happened.
¡°Why wouldn¡¯t you want to go? There are so many benefits, and don¡¯t you want World Energy? If you have it and give it to the Third World. Even a small amount would make a difference!¡±
Athena did not answer but instead posed a question. ¡°If it¡¯s such a great thing, why give it to me? Wouldn¡¯t it be better for you to keep it?¡±
¡°Uh¡¡±
¡°Yes, I don¡¯t have World Energy myself, but I know how to obtain it. I can even help you get it. What¡¯s your response?¡±
¡°A ticket! Yes! My reward is just a ticket!¡±
¡°How can you guarantee it? It¡¯s just a trick, nothing more.¡± Athena¡¯s cold demeanor was, in itself, a blow to Ilinaya .
¡°We can sign a contract!¡±
Contrary to what Ilinaya expected, as soon as she finished speaking, Athena produced a pre-prepared contract and handed it over.
Ilinaya , holding the contract, felt a surreal sense. Despite proposing it herself, the contract seemed as if it had been written long ago.
¡°What are you waiting for? Sign it.¡±
The Royal Mermaid Princess look at Athena in confusion and sighed¡
Chapter 109: Contract Signed
Chapter 109: Contract Signed
The contract stipted that the yer "Big Dream" would provide the portal to the world, while the Ilinaya party was responsible for providing the portal''s coordinates and bringing their own key to the Light Lands. Neither side was allowed to disclose any information about the other. Once entered, both parties were free to act independently.
The Ilinaya factionmitted to assisting the yer Big Dream in obtaining World Energy, which would belong exclusively to Big Dream.
Neither party was allowed to harm the other.
A breach of the contract would result in a permanent reduction of 50 to all attributes.
Furthermore, if Ilinaya breached the contract, she would incur the ''Fear of Water'' debuff,sting for one month.
As Ilinaya held the thin contract paper in her hands, she immediately realized she had been tricked. The human before her seemedpletely uninterested in cooperating and had even drafted the contract herself.
The contract''s terms were clearly skewed against her, and Ilinaya''s frustration was palpable.
She looked up at Athena, who remained unmoved and simply indicated that she should sign.
With no opportunity for negotiation, Ilinaya signed the contract. For Athena, missing this opportunity might mean waiting for another chance, but for her, that was not a certainty.
A faint glow enveloped them both, signifying the contract''s formation.
In an instant, Ilinaya returned to her aloof demeanor, like the most mysterious creature of the ocean, her earlier expressions seeming irrelevant.
"Take your time to prepare; see you tomorrow," Athena''s light statement settled the matter with an undeniable tone.
Ilinaya clicked her tongue in disapproval. "Can¡¯t we go now? Don¡¯t you need some time to prepare?"
"Anytime is fine."
Ilinaya was unwilling to continue the argument. "I haven¡¯t had enough fun yet. Tomorrow will be more suitable."
She turned and dove into the sea. After emerging from the portal, she had been misled by the musical dolphin and ended up here without fully appreciating her surroundings.
Her homnd was different from this ce. Although it was also an underwater realm, it was not this artificially created sea. Beneath the ocean were not forests but an immense, dark trench that led to her kingdom, where not only did her kin, the mermen people, live but also other sea monsters.
Ilinaya swam freely underwater, never before experiencing such a sense of liberation. To her left, the musical dolphin continued to circle her, expressing its grievances.
"Alright, this rabbit is no toy. If it¡¯s not suitable now, I''ll find you a new er."
Athena watched her retreat into the depths, lost in thought for a moment.
With the fighting outside now subdued, Grey and the others emerged from the house.
Originally concerned about Athena, they saw her unharmed, sittingfortably on the sofa with a jar of honey that had already been significantly depleted.
Witty, ever the most proactive, was the first to run over, carrying a stone of moderate size and scanning for the musical dolphin¡¯s presence.
Though unsure why the floating base had suddenly rocked, Witty felt it was connected to the dolphin.
"It seems the battle went smoothly," Grey remarked sincerely.
Athena looked at her, politely offering her some of the honey.
"It was easier than I expected."
She took a few steps forward, nearly at the gate, and said to Grey, "Try to stay inside and avoiding out."
Grey nodded understandingly. After all, their goblin n was a rebel faction, and to creatures of the dark faith, they were an embodiment of divine hatred.
Thus, Grey had stayed indoors until the situation outside was confirmed to be calm.
As a human with considerable strength, Athena was less affected by Ilinaya''s intimidating presence, but Grey felt its influence.
Such higher-level monsters had an inherent pressure on them.
Athena held the Mermaid''s Tear in her hand. With it in her mouth, she could bypass the barrier and jump into the sea to witness the marvel of the forest-oceanbination.
Moreover, due to the contract with Ilinaya, she would not be attacked and did not need to worry about her safety.
A mermen person, having lived their entire life underwater, might long to transform and explore thend.
Conversely, a human who has lived onnd all their life might yearn for a fish tail to explore the unknown ocean.
Given the current conditions, with safety assured, human curiosity was magnified, presenting Athena with a unique opportunity.
Even if she encountered the sea in the future, it would not be the unique sea created by the system.
However, in the end, Athena put the Mermaid''s Tear back into her backpack and chose not to take that step. Instead, she returned to her sofa and basked in the sunlight.
Ilinaya continued to explore the underwater world, her curiosity fully satisfied and her entire being in an excited state.
As she had previously mentioned, the Third World allied with the rtively weaker Daylight to gain more World Energy.
But this did not mean it was wholly aligned against the darkness. Athena and the other yers were forcibly brought here as part of the border defense.
To aid in protecting the rear Light Lands, the Third World people were different from them. With the system''s assistance, they could rapidly break through various limitations and grow quickly.
They could even form an army on their own, making the appearance of Third World people sessfully repel the darkness''s fierce attacks.
The system''s sudden events were not intentional but rather random urrences it could not urately predict.
Being a third-party entity, even an intruder, it could not grasp every move in this world.
It merely erected a barrier between yers and monsters to ensure better yer growth, but did not entirely block the monsters. These monsters became regr tower-defense tasks for the yers.
Each monster reorganization was entirely dependent on the darkness''s next attack.
For high-level monsters like Ilinaya, whether to attack was a matter of free will, not dictated by the call of darkness.
She chose to heed the call and crossed the barrier chosen by the system, sessfully reaching the battlefield to seek an opportunity to enter the Light Lands.
While exploring the underwater scenery, she awaited Athena¡¯s arrival.
Such a pity about the Mermaid''s Tear; she had hoped Big Dream mighte down to take a look.
Chapter 110: Easiest Mission Complete
Chapter 110: Easiest Mission Complete
Despite the unexpected turn of events, it seemed only natural that Athena chose not to descend.
She had yed with the musical dolphins below for a long while, reveling in the feeling that this entire area was her dominion, a realm where she didn¡¯t need to share with other merfolk. Here, she was the true queen.
As the sky began to darken, signaling the approach of evening, she swam up to the surface. When she emerged again, the familiar sight she had once known was now gone¡ªneither Athena nor the sofa was visible.
Ilinaya had found Athena irritating, yet she waspelled to interact with her. In frustration, she flicked her tail.
She resumed her singing outside, her voice still melodious and enchanting.
Paopao, holding a pinch of salt, carefully sprinkled it into the pot. ncing at Athena for a reaction, and seeing none, he added a little more.
Just as he was about to pour more, Athena hurriedly stopped him.
¡°That''s enough. Any more and it will be too salty.¡±
She stirred the mixture with a spoon, tasted it, and confirmed it was perfectly seasoned.
¡°From now on, use this as the standard.¡±
Indeed, Athena was teaching Paopao how to cook. While Paopao had be proficient with ingredient cement, he still struggled with seasoning.
So, Athena was guiding him step by step. Her seriousness made Paopao uneasy, worried about making a mistake.
Seeing Paopao¡¯s anxious demeanor amused Athena. She patted his head, ¡°You¡¯re doing very well.¡±
Her voice revealed her pleasure, and immediately, the little fellow returned to his usual cheerful self. The others, who had been waiting, rushed over to join.
Athena realized that this approach worked on all the animals at home, except for Witty. Witty would trulysh out and scratch her.
While serving the food, a melodious song wafted in from outside. It was unmistakably Ilinaya''s.
She set her bowl down, signaled Paopao and the others to continue, and walked out the door.
Upon opening the door, she saw Ilinaya singing right at her doorstep. The only time Ilinaya didn¡¯t seem so irritating was when she was singing.
Athena had not intended to interrupt her, preferring to wait until Ilinaya finished. However, Ilinaya noticed her presence and stopped singing immediately.
¡°Aren¡¯t you afraid I might leave? What if I don¡¯t return tomorrow?¡± Ilinaya¡¯s tone was brusque.
Athena pretended to consider seriously, ¡°Would you?¡±
Silence¡
Ilinaya summoned the musical dolphin and guided it towards the floating ''ind'' base.
¡°Leave it here for today. I¡¯ll return tomorrow. It¡¯s gettingte; I need to go.¡±
The dolphin, seemingly confused, bumped against the floating base¡¯s barrier, its head turning a bright red from the impact. It whined and swam back towards Ilinaya, only to be shooed away.
¡°The musical dolphin isn¡¯t a siege monster. It just enjoys following me. Leaving it here is fine.¡±
Athena wasn¡¯t particrly concerned about the issue, but since Ilinaya had kindly exined, it was even better.
Just like with the previous snowstorm, even if the monster was driven away, the scene wouldn¡¯t clear up immediately. So, it was perfectly fine for the dolphin to stay outside.
As she waited for the next day, Athena was curious whether the dolphin would use the same method to summon Ilinaya in the absence of a system portal.
Of course, this wasn¡¯t something she needed to worry about.
Watching Ilinaya disappear again, Athena noted that the task was finallyplete once Ilinaya passed through the portal.
¡¾ Experience Points: 500 ¡¿
¡¾ Congrattions, yer Athena, forpleting the tower defense mission ahead of schedule! The basic rewards have been sent to your mail!
Special reward: Conch! ¡¿
¡¾ Tower Defense Evaluation: A ¡¿
Athena was quite surprised by the rating. Despite not doing much and not causing any harm to Ilinaya, in fact it was the easiest mission she aplished, the system still awarded her an A rating.
At the same time, she received 500 experience points.
A in conch appeared in her palm. She examined it closely. There were no system prompts, andpared to a normal conch, it was merelyrger and less attractive.
After passing through the portal, Ilinaya rubbed her temples, feeling a bit dizzy. A male merfolk, who had been waiting nearby, hurried over to support her.
He had hair simr to hers, and even his fish tail color was close to hers, though darker.
This male merfolk looked at Ilinaya with concern and worry.
Ilinaya brushed off his hand without giving him a single nce and walked away.
The male merfolk, used to this behavior, was unperturbed.
He followed closely behind Ilinaya, noticing the absence of the musical dolphin. After a moment of hesitation, he spoke up.
¡°Wasn¡¯t the musical dolphin with you? Howe it¡¯s missing now? Did something happen?¡±
¡°I left it there.¡±
They conversed as they moved, but their pace remained unchanged, leaving the surrounding fish far behind.
The male merfolk¡¯s expression turned to one of shock. ¡°Are you really going? Don¡¯t you know that going to the surface is very dangerous for us? And it''s a territory beyond ours, a lightnd territory¡ªwhat if someone discovers your identity? Didn¡¯t you consider that?¡±
¡°I shouldn¡¯t have agreed to let you go. You said you were just going for a short trip! And you promised to call me if you encountered any danger. That¡¯s why I stayed by the portal!¡±
Ilinaya finally stopped, looking at him with a serious gaze. ¡°I had intended to call you. But if I couldn¡¯t break the barrier, how could you? They didn¡¯t consider the thoughts of those in the sea.¡±
¡°I am definitely going to the lightnd. I¡¯ve signed the contract. I don¡¯t want to be trapped here forever.¡±
The male merfolk felt a twinge of fear from her gaze. He backed away slightly but quickly adopted a firm tone. ¡°You¡¯re already of royal blood among the merfolk. What more could you want?¡±
Thisment, however, touched Ilinaya¡¯s nerve. She stared at him coldly, as if viewing the lowest of fish.
¡°It¡¯s precisely because I am of royal blood that I have greater ambitions, seizing every opportunity to rise, even if it means death.¡±
She turned her back on him and swam towards the pce of the merfolk.
The male merfolk watched her retreating figure with a mixture of concern and helplessness.
Chapter 111: Reality
Chapter 111: Reality
The room was filled with a cozy atmosphere, untouched by the disturbances from the outside world.
After Ilinaya left, the sea returned to its initial calm state. The surface was serene, with a gentle breeze whispering across it, leaving everything unusually quiet.
Holding the seashell and examining it closely, Athena noticed a circr indentation inside, perfectly shaped to fit a sphere.
Please insert the mermaid¡¯s tear here.
Athena gently traced the indentation with her fingers. The size and shape indeed seemed tailor-made for the mermaid¡¯s tear.
As she ced the beautiful pearl into the indentation, the seashell began to transform. Its mottled colors turned into a brilliant blue, and the shell¡¯s surface gleamed with a lustrous, ss-like shine.
¡¾ Mermaid Shell ¡¿
Category: Musical Instrument
Rarity: Rare
Description: No matter your musical talent, simply ce it to your lips and blow, and it will produce the soothing sounds of the sea.
Has a small chance to grant the blessing of the ocean and a high chance to trigger the Mermaid Song skill, which can confuse the target.
Seeing the two items merged into one, Athena tried once more to pry the mermaid¡¯s tear out, discovering that it was indeed removable.
The mermaid¡¯s tear could be used alone orbined with the seashell, but the seashell could only be used inbination. This was convenient since the mermaid¡¯s tear could be retrieved after being ced.
Paopao ced a delicate porcin bowl in front of her, urging her to eat quickly before the food grew cold.
Athena put away the items into her system backpack and picked up the bowl from the ground.
Even though the room had beenpletely transformed, now featuring a soft and luxurious sofa, they still had to sit on the floor for meals, as there was no table.
She needed to find time to craft a table from wood or perhaps stack a few wooden blocks to use as one.
Today¡¯s draw was "clean-up duty," assigned to Grey, who had noints and willingly took the bowl outside.
After a satisfying meal, Athena leaned back on the sofa, while the three small ones cozied up beside her.
As Athena pondered, having already taught Paopao how to cook, it seemed necessary to introduce cultural lessons for the three small ones.
The three small ones, enjoying their post-meal time, would have no idea of the harsh cultural lessons awaiting them in the future.
Before that, during a thorough room cleaning, Athena stumbled upon a deck of cards she had long forgotten.
Opening the new deck of cards and discarding the instructions, she noticed the three small ones curiously gathered around her.
¡°I¡¯ll teach you,¡± she said. ying cards was a great form of entertainment, and was an easy game to pick up without too muchplexity.
Sheid out all the cards and began teaching them how to recognize each one. After two rounds of instruction, Mikmik had almost learned all the cards, Witty understood part of it, and Paopao looked somewhat confused, scratching its head.
Athena felt helpless and realized that this challenging task needed a professional¡¯s help.
¡°Mikmik, teach Paopao to recognize the cards. I¡¯ll teach you all how to y another day.¡±
Mikmik showed great interest in the cards and became enthusiastic about teaching Paopao, diligently guiding it through the process.
It was no surprise to Athena that a cat and a bear could understand each other¡¯snguage. Watching their exchange was bing quite routine.
Tomorrow, they would head to Light Lands. There was no need to worry about Ilinaya; as long as she provided directions, the system would create a portal. Athena had plenty of World Stones.
One for teleportation and one for disguise.
The Snow Barrier, Snow Guardian, Redemption, and Mermaid Shell were her current equipment, all of which she would bring along.
Redemption, an essory obtained from the regional battle rankings, was an borate red wing-shaped earring worn behind the ear.
¡¾ Redemption ¡¿
Category: Earring
Rarity: Extremely Rare
Description: A beautifully crafted ear essory, exquisite in its design, with powerful functionality. Never be deceived by its beauty.
When on the brink of death, it temporarily protects against fatal damage and continues to restore health. However, you must defeat the enemy within one minute, or you will suffer severe bacsh, leading directly to death!
It offers salvation but also represents the abyss!
A formidable piece of equipment, it could protect and gradually restore your health when near death, making it nearly invincible.
However, it had a nearly impossible condition: you had to defeat the enemy within a minute, or you would face a high probability of death.
¡¾ Regional Chat Channel ¡¿
¡°What¡¯s happening today? Oh my god, was yesterday¡¯s guy actually a prophet? There really was a mermaid!¡±
¡°Holy crap, I¡¯m still alive! That¡¯s it, I¡¯m quitting this game for good. It¡¯s way too dangerous¡¡±
¡°Seriously, people keep dying over and over. I¡¯m so fed up with the constant death count. Are they trying to wipe us out?¡±
¡°That mermaid was so gorgeous, like my dream lover. Its song was like heavenly music, but I scared it away.¡±
¡°What a disaster. After finally scaring it off, my shelter still has a huge hole. How the heck do you even fix this?¡±
¡°I¡¯m telling you, when I heard that singing, I jumped right into the sea. If I wasn¡¯t a ten-year swimming veteran, I might not have made it back.¡±
¡°You¡¯re all just showing off. My shelter¡¯s barrier broke and got flooded. It¡¯s still taking in water, and I don¡¯t know if I¡¯ll make it till tomorrow.¡±
After scrolling through the regional chat channel for a while, Athena closed the system panel. She decided not to open all her packages at once in the future.
Instead, she would open one today. The familiar silver packagey in front of her, and Athena felt visibly tense. Yesterday was yesterday, and today was a new day¡ªthere was still a chance for a turnaround.
Her hand hovered over the silver package for a long time before she finally pulled it open, and the silver light scattered, revealing its contents.
¡¾ Congrattions, you have received World Stone x1. ¡¿
Athena picked up the World Stone, feeling indifferent. While World Stones were valuable, she wasn¡¯t in immediate need of them.
Faced with this result, she was unsure whether it was good or bad, though it was likely a positive oue. It led her to another thought: perhaps she should open another silver package.
Soon, another silver package appeared in front of her. This time, she felt more confident. The World Stone probably wouldn¡¯t appear again. If only something like the smartphone, sr panels or maybe generator woulde.
But reality, as always, proved to be far from dreams.
Chapter 112: Trade Like Normal
Chapter 112: Trade Like Normal
¡¾ Congrattions on obtaining a mysterious gem! ¡¿
Mysterious Gem
Category: Gem
Description: An enigmatic gem of sufficient mystery.
Even though Athena had mentally prepared herself, the moment sheid eyes on the mysterious gem, she almost lost herposure.
Rather than a gem, it looked more like a in stone. Holding it in her hand, it felt exactly like a stone, with the color and texture of ordinary rock.
Was it necessary to cut it open to reveal its whatever it is inside?
The system hadn''t provided any details about its use or quality; it was simply named "Mysterious Gem," and its description repeated that it was a mysterious gem. It was as if the name and description were mocking each other.
If Athena had any doubts before, they werepletely gone now. The silver wraps had only three left.
At that moment, Grey returned from washing dishes. Though she didn''t understand what had happened, she could sense that Athena''s mood had noticeably darkened.
In stark contrast to the trio of small creatures nearby, who were in a state of constant agitation, with Witty asionally joining in the shrill cries directed at Paopao, the atmosphere in the room was chaotic.
Grey tiptoed into the room, deliberately slowing her breathing, hoping to quickly put things away and slip out unnoticed.
Yet, as a goblin, even with her utmost efforts to be unobtrusive, it was hard not to attract attention.
Athena nced over and saw Grey sneaking toward the dish rack. Though she was simply putting things away, Grey''s furtive demeanor made it look like she was trying to steal something.
Athena stood up and walked decisively towards her.
Though she knew Grey would likely agree to her request, she still needed to be courteous as she was asking for a favor.
Grey watched as Athena approached with a determined stride, her expression resolute, and couldn''t help but gulp.
She instinctively wanted to back away but fought against her urge.
¡°Grey, may I pull three strands of your hair?¡± Athena asked with the utmost seriousness and sincerity.
¡°Y-yes¡¡± Grey responded, her face twisting into a painful expression. With her severe hair loss, even pulling three strands was a challenge.
But in the spirit of precision, she selected the longest three strands and handed them to Athena.
Athena sincerely said, ¡°Thank you.¡±
Grey was indeed very amodating and easy to deal with.
With Grey''s hair in hand, Athena quickly opened her system panel, while Grey, seeing that Athena was no longer focusing on her, swiftly made her escape.
¡¾ Trade Request from Big Bear! ¡¿
Big Bear was running non-stop, not daring to slow down, in the training ground designed by the goblins for her.
Wooden stakes were nted all around, and her task was to urately jump from one stake to another as quickly as possible while dodging the wooden blocks thrown by Grandpa Goblin.
She couldn¡¯t afford even a moment''s rest because Granpa Goblin also moved rapidly below, knocking over a wooden stake with every pass.
Big Bear had no choice but to make swift decisions and leap to the next stake without hesitation.
Although Athena had set special concern for her, she received this information even without opening her system panel.
She was thrilled because, whenever something urgent came up, she could use it as an excuse to escape the grueling training.
¡°Granpa Goblin! Boss Athena, it¡¯s about the goblin hair!¡± Her tone was unmistakably excited, as if she could almost rest.
In past scenarios, Granpa Goblin would have already agreed to her request. Unfortunately, this time Granpa Goblin was unusually strict.
¡°Alright, read it out loud! And don¡¯t stop running!¡±
Big Bear could hardly believe her ears, but Granpa Goblin''s actions confirmed she hadn¡¯t misheard. Facing the copsing stakes behind her, she had no choice but to read while running.
¡°I can give you three strands of goblin hair, with the same trade price asst time¡ªone silver coin.¡±
Last time, Athena had proposed this trade, and Big Bear had agreed without objection. It had allowed her to reach the goblin city, indirectly serving as a favor.
She had no intention of taking advantage of the situation.
¡°Agree to her request,¡± Granpa Goblin said, nodding while continuing with her tasks.
Though Big Bear was initially delighted, she now just wanted to finish quickly. Bncing two tasks was proving too difficult.
She swiftly transferred the silver coin to Athena, and the three strands of goblin hair were sessfully added to her inventory.
Athena had tomend her efficiency.
There was still a lot of time left, but she had pressing matters to attend to, specifically the materials she had recently collected.
If all went well, these materials would be enough to craft three or four fireballs, assuming everything proceeded smoothly.
The ingredients for the potion were challenging to find, and given herck of experience, producing even one potion would be a significant achievement.
In her workspace, cluttered with various bottles, jars, and intricate instruments, Athena sorted through the collected materials. Among them were some clumps of mud and, curiously, a small pot on the floor.
The pot was for brewing potions.
After working diligently for some time, Athena nearly lost track of time if not for the system notification.
¡¾ Darkness is encroaching upon the world: 10, 9, 8¡ 0 ¡¿
The final item Athena picked up was not a potion ingredient but a flower wrapped in beast skin¡ªPurple Dream Bud.
After multiple tramplings by the Snowstorm Beast and the ravages of a snow storm, it had be somewhat wilted but had been cared for by Athena for a long time.
With the arrival of the nt Spirits, it was unfortunate that the spirit ignored the Purple Dream Bud as if it didn¡¯t exist.
Now, having finally recovered to its original bloom, it was cruelly trimmed by Athena. She had only cut one flower, leaving the others intact.
She also left a root in hopes that it might regrow, though that was uncertain.
After crushing the Purple Dream Bud and filtering it into juice, Athena worked with gloves to avoid direct contact.
The purple juice, shimmering like purple quicksand, was poured into a small spray bottle she had purchased.
She had yet to test whether the juice from the Purple Dream Bud possessed dream-inducing properties like the flower itself, or if its effects were enhanced or diminished.
Tomorrow, if time allowed, she might test it on a weaker monster to find out.
Chapter 113: Troublemakers!
Chapter 113: Troublemakers!
No matter what happened yesterday, the dawn of today will stille.
"Daylight has arrived; begin your exploration of the world!"
The person in bed turned slightly, opening her eyes. Although she had just woken up, her gaze was remarkably clear, far from the dazed look of someone who had just risen.
Last night, Athena had barely managed to climb into bed, her mind exhausted. Even though she had recovered somewhat by this morning, there were still lingering effects.
She dressed in her military uniform from yesterday, donned her conspicuous Redemption earrings, hid her Snowstorm Guardian ne beneath her cor, and fastened her Snowstorm Arm Guards.
As soon as she descended the stairs, she was stunned by the noise. The once orderly room was now a chaotic mess, with things strewn everywhere, a stark contrast to the cleanliness of the previous evening.
The culprits had long since fled, leaving only a single bear, Paopao, to face the aftermath alone.
After Athena had retiredst night, the little troublemakers had barricaded themselves in the workspace,pletely out of earshot. What began as a game with a deck of cards had quickly escted into mayhem.
When it became clear that Athena was not responding, the situation had further deteriorated, turning the entire house into a battleground.
This was the scene Athena faced this morning. Upon realizing the gravity of the situation and its unmanageable nature, the culprits had chosen to hide temporarily.
After their spree of chaos, Paopao, exhausted, had opted to sleep on its own rack, leaving its fate to chance.
Athena approached its rack and stared at it in silence. Despite its eyes being closed, the little bear shifted uneasily.
¡°Still asleep?¡± Her soft question weighed heavily on Paopao.
Instinctively, it tried its usual trick of clinging to her forfort, but Athena gave no leeway. She picked it up and ced it on the highest shelf.
¡°Stay here. There¡¯s no breakfast for you today.¡± Her brief statement crushed Paopao¡¯s spirit. Realizing its mistake, the bear dared not look at Athena with its usual pleading eyes.
Lowering its head, it awaited its fate with some faint hope, only to hear Athena add, ¡°I¡¯ll catch the other two and then clean up the house with you.¡±
Athena had been quite patient. Some breeds of dogs can be destructive, but these three little ones were just as unruly as any troublemaker.
The morning sky was brilliantly clear, and the sea breeze carried the fresh scent of the ocean.
Though the seawater had not entirely receded, it was now possible to see the treetops faintly.
Contrary to her expectations, Athena searched outside but found no sign of the two little ones.
They were surprisingly good at hiding.
Soon after, Grey also got up. The first thing she did was head towards the house.
Her eyes were still half-closed, but her hunger was evident.
The moment she opened the door and saw Athena¡¯s face, her soul seemed to fly away. Once she recovered, she abandoned the idea of finishing breakfast and going back to sleep.
¡°Have you seen Witty and Mikmik?¡±
¡°No,¡± Grey shook her head vigorously.
¡°May Ie in and check?¡±
Grey stepped aside to let Athena enter. ¡°Please.¡±
Athena searched thoroughly but found no trace of them, her brow furrowing deeper.
As she emerged, she sensed something was amiss and added, ¡°Thank you, and good morning.¡±
¡°...No need to thank me. Good morning.¡±
It was improbable they had gone out to sea, but it was still possible; after all, the trees outside were barely visible.
It was possible they had spent the night on the trees outside.
After fruitlessly searching around the house, Athena approached Prince and Princess, who were still somewhat sleepy.
Upon her arrival, Prince and Princess straightened up, as if they were saluting an officer inspecting the troops.
¡°Did you see Witty and Mikmik?¡± Athena asked, bending slightly.
Prince and Princess exchanged nces before unanimously pointing their front paws towards the door.
Athena was left unsure whether tough or feel exasperated. They preferred to hide outside rather than tidy up the house before she woke.
It was truly frustrating.
At the gate, she looked out at the vast expanse of what had be deeperkes.
The two must not have gone far, just nearby. Indeed, as Athena turned her gaze, she saw the two of them huddled together for warmth.
Strangely, they were not on the tree branches but on the back of a musical dolphin.
It seemed that in just one night, the three had blended together and had a lot of fun. Witty and Mikmik appeared quite content as the musical dolphin carried them around.
¡°What are you up to?¡± Her voice was not loud, but in the tranquil seaside, it was deafening.
Seeing Athena at the gate, the musical dolphin instinctively tried to escape with them.
Mikmik stopped it, so it reluctantly and slowly made its way over.
Arriving at the gate, Witty and Mikmik pushed each other inside the barrier. They huddled together quietly, neither daring to speak first.
¡°Mikmik, you exin,¡± Athena said.
Mikmik momentarily regained its previous pride, disying the courage of a warrior going to battle.
When they realized the house was a mess, they had wanted to hide outside. They ended up encountering the musical dolphin, and after some conversation, they yed together. The dolphin had taken them on a tour, and they had forgotten the original purpose of their outing.
Athena listened, unsure of how to react. ¡°There¡¯s no breakfast left. Clean up the house before lunch; otherwise... there will be no lunch either!¡±
They finally understood the severity of the situation and trudged back to their room, their path filled with their sorrowful voices.
Of course, they did not forget to bid farewell to their new friend. Athena wasn¡¯t sure what they said, but she noticed that the musical dolphin¡¯s gaze toward her turned from curiosity to one of fear.
Athena felt a sense of helplessness about the situation.
Everything outside was calm and serene, making it impossible to predict how Ilinaya would make her entrance.
After inspecting the area and confirming no other disturbances, she went inside, opting not to wait in ce.
In the underwater pce, Ilinaya had spent the entire night restless, constantly pulling items from her backpack, cing them back, and sorting through them without settling on what to bring.
Chapter 114: Gained Cards!
Chapter 114: Gained Cards!
As the sky began to lighten, Ilinaya felt that she had already reached her limits.
After a final round of internal struggle, Ilinaya selected a few items she deemed essential.
The enormous and heavy satchel was effortlessly tossed into the air, shrinking rapidly into a pendant that now hung around her neck.
Ensuring that no one was around, she swam out of the pce. Unfortunately, she hadn¡¯t traveled far before encountering a male merman blocking her path.
¡°Ilinaya! What are you nning to do?¡± The repeated obstructions from the other party had begun to wear on Ilinaya''s patience.
¡°I¡¯m saying this for thest time¡ªI have to go. The contract is already signed!¡±
Ilyashin retracted his hand, which had been blocking her path, and extended a clenched fist towards her. His slender fingers, adorned with long blue nails, created the illusion of a blooming flower when opened.
Inside was a pendant identical to Ilinaya''s¡ªanother space storage device. Such items were incredibly rare, with each member of their royal family allowed only one.
Ilinaya had initially thought Ilyashin was there to stop her, but she was surprised to find that he was actually offering supplies he had stored for a long time.
¡°Return alive, Ilinaya. And... I¡¯lle find you¡¡±
Her only response was her passing figure. Ilinaya did not ept his gesture of goodwill, leaving him in disappointment. Just as he was about to turn away, he heard a soft whisper pass by his ear.
¡°Of course.¡±
Apanied by the sound of flowing water, it felt surreal, yet he heard it clearly.
Watching her retreating figure, he hung the pendant back around his neck and swam away in the opposite direction.
Ilinaya arrived at the site where the teleportation array had been deactivated yesterday. With the system''s teleportation gate now nonfunctional, even if the musical dolphins called for her, she could not directly reach the ce where Athena was.
However, since a teleportation gate had appeared here yesterday, the spatial fluctuations here were the easiest to tear open.
Her summoning of the musical dolphins was bidirectional; not only could the musical dolphins summon her, but she could also summon them.
At the dark depths of the sea, where only endless darkness prevailed, even the fish were asleep. Yet, the beautiful merman sang her song leisurely.
¡°Ah~ Ah~¡± Her voice was clear and pure, expressing her longing and summoning creatures from afar.
The musical dolphin, feeling the vibration in the water, quickly arrived at the shelter and began bumping against it, as if it could not feel any pain.
Athena rushed out the moment he heard themotion, apanied by three small creatures carrying rags and brushes.
Upon seeing the glowing blue musical dolphin bouncing before the shelter''s barrier, Athena approached.
Through subtle bodynguage, Athena understood the musical dolphin''s intentions and gently ced her hand on its forehead through the barrier.
Unexpectedly, the dolphin tilted its head back and yed dead, allowing Athena to sessfully capture its card.
This familiar routine gave Athena a sense of dejavu.
Had news of this loophole spread through everywhere?
As Ilinaya¡¯s summoning of the musical dolphin grew stronger, the card in Athena¡¯s bag temporarily turned golden.
However, due to its extreme instability, the golden color flickered intermittently.
¡¾ Special Event: Mermaid Summoning ¡¿
Using the musical dolphin as a medium, teleport to the mermen pce. Difficulty level unknown, teleport destination unknown!
¡¾ Detected yer holds special merman certificate: Mermaid Tear! ¡¿
¡¾ Teleport direction altered, temporary passage formed. Your teammate will arrive in one minute! ¡¿
¡¾Would you like to activate it?¡¿
"Yes"
A teleportation gate appeared suddenly before Athena¡¯s shelter, directly adjacent to the barrier.
The blue light on the musical dolphin remained undiminished. After one minute, Ilinaya''s familiar face emerged from the teleportation array first.
Followed by her fair arm, she tapped on the barrier with her sharp nails, signaling Athena to open it.
Athena created an opening for her, and she slipped through like a fish. The musical dolphin, as if pulled by an unseen force, was also drawn into her hands.
As her fish tail was about to touch the ground, it was enveloped in white light, transforming into a pair of long, fair legs.
Gently touching the ground, she quickly recoiled slightly, as if not ustomed to the temperature and sensation of the surface.
Nevertheless, she finally steadied herself on the ground. Her remaining scaly-like features gradually faded, leaving behind a breathtakingly beautiful woman.
She took out a in veil and put it on, obscuring her features until she appeared ordinary.
Athena observed the entire transformation, waiting until it wasplete.
Just as she expected something unusual to follow, Ilinaya made a very familiar request.
¡°ce your hand on my forehead.¡±
The familiar procedure and its steps were now second nature to Athena.
The mostplex matters often require the simplest solutions. If one attempt fails, repeating the process multiple times usually works.
Soon, the notification sound chimed again, and Athena collected another merman card. This card was different¡ªit was transparent.
Its seemingly ephemeral appearance suggested that this loophole was not guaranteed to seed, with a certain degree of uncertainty.
However, this was exactly the result Ilinaya needed. She produced a bracelet made of shells from somewhere and put it on her wrist.
Athena soon received the system notification.
¡¾ Updating data¡ ¡¿
¡¾ Defeated Royal Mermaid: White Grand. White Grand card has been unlocked! ¡¿
¡¾ Congrattions yer Big Dream on being the first in the region to unlock the White Grand card. Reputation increased by 100! ¡¿
¡¾Please choose carefully! Do you wish to enter the White Grand realm early?¡¿
"Yes"
¡¾Detected sufficient World Stones; choices made automatically! One World Stone for teleportation, one World Stone for disguise!¡¿¡¾Legendary Array activated. Due to its special nature, your temporary team is formed!¡¿
¡¾Team Members: 22, Big Dream, Ilinaya¡¿
After a series of notifications, a teleportation gate appeared before Athena. She restrained the effect of the disguise until the moment she stepped through the gate.
Indicating for Ilinaya to go first, Ilinaya, without hesitation, used a World Stone and entered the gate.
Athena followed closely, activating the skill ¡°Boneless.¡±
Boneless Lv5: Significantly enhances body flexibility, enabling extremely difficult movements and subtle changes in facial bone structure.
Chapter 115: White Grand Empire
Chapter 115: White Grand Empire
As Athena stepped into the teleportation array, subtle shifts in her facial bone structure urred. Yet, these slight changes had dramatically altered her appearance from what it once was.
The system¡¯s camouge function was in effect; Athena¡¯s attire had transformed into simple ck clothes,plemented by arge ck trench coat adorned with an eagle emblem.
This journey into the new world was unusual, allowing the apaniment of one subordinate, a role naturally filled by Mikmik.
Originally a ck grassball cat, Mikmik had been transformed into a white Persian with blue eyes under the system''s disguise. Despite its difort with this new form,pliance was mandatory.
The teleportation, as always, was like a washing machine''s spin cycle¡ªan instinctual need to find a wall for support, a movement so familiar it was almost painful. Mikmik had fallen to the ground in a crumpled heap of feline fluff.
Athena surveyed her surroundings: a redwood writing desk with an ornate leather-cushioned chair, oil paintings on the walls, and wooden floorboards. The curtains were neatly pleated with tassels, and the entire office exuded a medieval style.
The room was upied only by Athena and Mikmik. Outside the window, carriages and people in extravagant attire passed by. Ordinary citizens in simple linen garments stood along the road, making way for the carriages.
Opening a file on the desk, Athena saw her own face on the first page.
Identity Card Unlocked!
Agency: Eagle w
Position: Deputy Director
Introduction: Known for her capricious temper and cold demeanor, code name ¡®Dream¡¯. Manages the ¡®Locked Affairs¡¯ for the White Grand Empire and oversees urban security.
Activating her system panel, Athena saw a list of teammates, including herself and Ilinaya, with her as the team leader. A small map icon was visible, allowing them to view each other¡¯s locations. Athena disabled this feature for now; it wasn¡¯t yet time.
Looking out the window, she noticed that all the noble carriages were heading in one direction. Following their path, she could see the distant spire of a castle obscured by mist. Today seemed to be a significant day, yet Deputy Director Athena was not attending, which left much to ponder.
Turning the page, Athena found detailed files on the remaining personnel of the Eagle w agency. The files were meticulously organized, revealing intricate connections between each member and the royal family. A few were linked to the current state minister, Babron, showing that the Eagle w agency was intertwined with political struggles.
As Athena pondered, footsteps approached from outside the door, followed by a knock.
She returned to her office chair, gently picking up Mikmik and stroking its back.
"Come in."
Two people entered: a middle-aged man with a slicked-back hairstyle and a young woman, both of whom Athena had seen in the files. The man, Carter, worked for Babron and was holding a sword. His face was weathered with stubble and a determined expression.
Trailing behind him was a neat and efficient young woman, recording notes and mumbling to herself.
"8th, 5:43 PM, the executor identally injured two civilians and damaged one house, withpensation of 54 silver coins."
"9th..."
Yuris, the Eagle w agency¡¯s finance officer, was like a living calctor. Even if she knew of royal assassinations, she¡¯d respond with a mere hum. Yet, ask her about the agency¡¯s expenses, and she could recount every detail for hours, stressing how difficult it was to secure funding.
Carter saw Athena seated gracefully, her white-gloved hand petting the white Persian cat, her demeanor calm and elegant. His anger red instantly, but a single nce from Athena extinguished his rage, leaving him with a diminished resolve.
He tossed the documents onto Athena¡¯s desk.
"Director Athena, while you¡¯re here petting cats, you¡¯ve vited Article 149 of the Empire''sws by embezzling funds from the agency. This proves your disloyalty to His Majesty!" Carter''s posture was rigid, his words sharp, as he prepared to seize the opportunity to advance his own position should Athena fall.
Athena didn¡¯t even nce up from the documents. She focused intently on the papers Carter had handed her.
"Continue."
Carter, enraged by her nonchnt response, dragged Yuris forward.
"Yuris, exin it to her!" Carter¡¯s eyes gleamed with malicious glee, convinced this would be Athena¡¯s final downfall. "You don¡¯t think you can escape this, do you? No one can save you!"
Yuris, initially uninterested in the drama, stepped forward at Carter¡¯s insistence. She closed her ledger and, with a respectful bow, addressed Athena.
"Director Athena, it¡¯s time to set out."
At Yuris¡¯s words, Athena casually closed the file, picked it up, and set it alight with the desk¡¯s oilmp, dropping it onto the floor.
Watching the mes consume the papers, Carter lunged to extinguish the fire, but it was already half-burned.
His eyes zed with fury as he red at the charred remains. "Don¡¯t think burning these files will erase the evidence of your crimes!"
He then cast a murderous look at Yuris. "So, you¡¯ve chosen to conspire with her, huh? Just wait!"
Despite his vehement threats, this was his stage alone, as the other two had long since left.
The files contained evidence of Athena¡¯s corruption, but what of it? In her desk drawer were other documents of her transgressions, even bearing the Emperor¡¯s seal.
Some feared confronting her but sought to earn merit by secretly reporting her crimes. Yet, every time the Emperor read these reports, he returned them to her.
The fates of those who had attempted to expose her were long forgotten, buried in unknown ces.
To Athena, these so-called incriminating documents were just ordinary files, casually stored in her drawer without disguise. Anyone who dared to look would find a mountain of evidence.
The Emperor was not afraid of her greed but rather of herck of it¡
Chapter 116: The Intrigue of the Banquet
Chapter 116: The Intrigue of the Banquet
Despite the apparent ease of acquiring incriminating evidence against her, it should have been nearly impossible for someone of Carter''s standing to achieve such a feat. The audacity of simply presenting a piece of evidence and daring to confront her in her office seemed uncharacteristic of someone with such limited capability.
Achieving the second-inmand position, aside from Athena, with such qualifications is hard to imagine without considerable backing. This was a pawn on the surface, prominently disyed yet harmless, providing cover for more dangerous moves while simultaneously creating trouble for Athena and her allies.
Even with Carter¡¯sck of intelligence, entering the Eagle w organization required exceptional skill, and his advanced swordsmanship meant he was not a pawn easily discarded. The fact that those behind Carter chose to give him this information indicates they were well aware of his nature. The only possible exnation was that he had be a useless piece, deliberately abandoned by his handlers.
Yet, he believed this to be a reward, a promotion, and came to Athena with genuine enthusiasm. Unfortunately for him, his fate would be as grim as those before him, perhaps even worse. By bringing the matter to the forefront, he would face harsher punishment, serving as an example to others.
Athena could surmise what had transpired. On the eighth day, a significant scandal rocked the city¡ªsomeone had privately smuggled monsters from outside. The situation had escted into a city-wide riot, and it was Athena¡¯s subordinates who were investigating the matter. The file detailing this scandaly prominently on her desk.
Carter was merely a distraction thrown by the opposing side, hoping Athena would cease her investigation in exchange for the abandonment of this pawn. But this was far from sufficient.
The carriage outside had been waiting for quite some time, its understated luxury contrasting with its purpose. Although Athena had no intention of attending today¡¯s banquet, Yuris was not the first to invite her, but the only one who seeded.
The coachman yawned on the carriage, knowing their director¡¯s typical disposition meant she likely wouldn¡¯t attend. When he saw Athena, he was startled, quickly adjusting his posture.
The carriage was subtly opulent, adorned with the Eagle w insignia. Ignoring the astonished nces along the way, Athena entered the carriage.
¡°Let¡¯s go,¡± the coachman said, flicking the reins, but a pale hand suddenly caught the carriage door. Yuris, who had been following closely, spoke up, ¡°Director Athena, I¡¯ll apany you.¡±
Athena gave her a brief look and nodded. Yuris immediately joined her inside, seating herself opposite Athena and pulling out her notebook to scribble.
The pce banquet was bustling, with carriages from prominent families lining the castle. Beautifuldies and well-dressed gentlemen disembarked gracefully. Compared to the gem-encrusted carriages, Athena¡¯s seemed modest. When she stepped out, the air around her momentarily hushed.
Eyes subtly fixed on her, somedies tried to conceal their faces with fans. Athena ignored them, not recognizing the families and only estimating their status based on attire and demeanor.
Most kept their distance, their gazes tinged with a mix of awe and apprehension. Athena and Yuris wove through the crowd and carriages, ascending the steps into the pce. The gatekeepers stepped aside for her, while the nobledies behind were halted for routine checks.
Despite the procedure, no oneined, as if it was expected. They moved into the grand hall, adorned with golden splendor. The vaulted ceiling, adorned with intricate carvings, reached dozens of meters high. Sunlight streamed through the massive windows, illuminating the room.
The walls were draped with luxurious silks and tapestries depicting mythological scenes. The floor was polished marble, each inch exuding opulence, a testament to the imperial wealth and power.
Athena surveyed the grandeur with aposed expression, though internally, she was struck by its extravagance. In contrast, she seemed like a pestilence within the imperial circle, casually grabbing a drink and finding a seat, indifferent to etiquette.
Whispers rippled through the crowd:
¡°Why is this pestilence here today? She usually avoids imperial invitations.¡±
¡°Nothing good, I¡¯m sure. This banquet might not go well. Who knows what trouble she¡¯ll stir?¡±
¡°What a waste of the dress I specially ordered for today¡¯s event!¡±
¡°Indeed! I even spent a fortune on a dress for my daughter, hoping to impress his Imperial Highness!¡±
¡°Suchck of self-awareness to appear at such an event. When did she be so bold?¡±
Athena, thoughte, arrived as the main guests had gathered. The subtle click of footsteps on the marble captured everyone¡¯s attention, and a hush fell over the room.
The emperor, resplendent in formal attire, descended the stairs slowly. His kind smile belied an unspoken authority, his presencemanding respect and quelling any defiance.
Following him was a young man with striking golden hair and chiseled features, his smile more approachable than the emperor¡¯s. He was the dream of many women.
The emperor took the stage, surveying the silent crowd below before breaking into a heartyugh. ¡°Ha, ha, ha! Thank you all for attending my son''s celebration. Please, rx and enjoy yourselves!¡±
As his words ended, the crowd began to bow, offering their respect and showering him with praise. Athena, amidst them, gave a casual nod, the gesture fitting her demeanor. The emperor¡¯s gaze shifted away from her.
The elegant waltz began, and guests sought their dance partners, stepping gracefully onto the floor. However, the pce doors, which had been shut, were abruptly pushed open with an incongruous noise.
Barbron Lawrence entered, drawing the attention of all with his impatience. He furrowed his brow and tapped his cane against the floor. ¡°What are you staring at? Continue your dancing!¡± Yet, no one dared move, their eyes darting between the emperor and Barbron, waiting for the next move.
Chapter 117: The Veiled Tensions
Chapter 117: The Veiled Tensions
The jovial atmosphere of the banquet was abruptly interrupted as the guests became aware of their own inappropriate behavior. Someone took the lead and began dancing again, attempting to restore the evening''s spirit.
Athena observed Babron Lawrence striding purposefully to the side of their emperor. The two stood facing each other, engaged in a private conversation that was punctuated by uproariousughter, as if they had heard the most amusing joke in the world.
Yet, amid this seemingly light-hearted exchange, the mood suddenly shifted. The smiles that had once been so genuine slowly faded, reced by increasingly dark and stormy expressions. Athena wondered what could have urred to make these two prominent figures lose theirposure so drastically.
Eventually, the facade of cordiality copsedpletely, resulting in an abrupt and discordant end to the gathering. The banquet, which had promised to be a joyous asion, had instead turned into a battleground of unspoken tensions. The attendees were left in an ufortable limbo¡ªtoo cautious to fully enjoy themselves but equally reluctant to stifle the atmosphere altogether.
As Athena, the assistant, found herself out of ce amidst such turmoil, she noticed how Yuris remained oblivious to the surrounding tension. Focused solely on her duties, Yuris was impervious to the odd stares she received, unshaken by the strange looks directed her way.
Eventually, one such onlooker chose to disengage, their disinterest evident as they turned away.
Athena, taking a small spoonful of cake, grimaced slightly. The sugar content was overwhelmingly excessive, leaving her unable to taste anything beyond an overpowering sweetness.
Watching the clinking sses and murmurs of conversation, she found the scene rather mundane.
The real drama, she realized,y in the covert power ys between the influential figures present.
Though her seat was unobtrusive in a far corner of the grand hall, her keen hearing allowed her to catch a significant amount of information. The evening had, thus far, proven to be more revealing than she had anticipated.
Within the imperial city, the Eagle w Agency and the imperial guards served under the emperor''s directmand. Beyond the city''s walls, however,y Babron¡¯s domain¡ªlong protected and cherished by the people, with significant military influence.
Though the current head of the Babron family had chosen a political career, the family''s military prestige and their loyal following had not waned. They maintained their own formidable army.
The emperor had long harbored resentment towards the overly ambitious Babron family, yet had been unable to address the issue effectively.
For a time, the two sides had managed to maintain a facade of harmony, but the Prince''sing-of-age banquet had marked a turning point. On that day, Babron Lawrence''s son had led the guard to a decisive victory against a key monster stronghold.
The son¡¯s triumph overshadowed the prince¡¯sing-of-age celebration, rendering the prince''s milestone virtually insignificantpared to the feats of Babron¡¯s heir. This event had be a catalyst for the current covert hostilities between the factions, turning the empire into a simmering cauldron of tension.
¡°What is the Babron family trying to do? Are they really considering rebellion? Our emperor is no pushover,¡± an old nobleman, slightly inebriated, interjected into a discussion among the gathered guests.
The surrounding individuals instinctively distanced themselves from him. A few acquaintances patted his shoulder, signaling to an attendant to escort him away.
¡°You¡¯re drunk.¡±
Everyone knew the unspoken truth, but discussing it openly was risky. Despite the seemingly safe confines of the pce, it was riddled with hidden watchers.
Once the elderly nobleman had been escorted out, the guests resumed their mingling, turning to lighter topics and recent amusements.
Among them was a newly ascended noblewoman, resplendent in extravagant attire, appearing somewhat overzealouspared to the others. Eager to make an impression, she engaged eachdy in conversation, saying whatever she thought might be well-received.
¡°The Eagle w Agency is utterly useless, just catching a few mice in the tunnels. How can they still call themselves ¡®eagle¡¯ when they can¡¯t even manage that?¡±
¡°And that Director Athena¡ªjust a deputy director. Does she promote herself?¡± She continued as the others smiled at her, increasingly enthusiastic, mistaking their reactions for approval.
¡°They¡¯re just arrogantpdogs in the imperial city. If they¡¯re so capable, why don¡¯t they prove themselves on the battlefield? I¡¯ve heard they¡¯re short on manpowertely.¡±
What started as an attempt to win favor had now turned into a disy of self-indulgence. Those who had initially anticipated her failure now showed their disapproval, distancing themselves from herments.
She was taken aback by the sudden shift in the crowd¡¯s reaction. Only one kind-hearted noblewoman offered her a sympathetic nce.
Following that gaze, she saw Athena seated at a distance, quickly using her fan to cover her face.
The attempt to conceal her difort only drew more attention.
It was no surprise that she was so flustered; Athena had never attended such events before. This time, she arrivedte and had discreetly found a seat, making her presence barely noticeable unless one was specifically looking for her.
However, the ability to read the room and observe the surroundings was a basic skill for nobles, and as a newly elevated noble, she clearly fell short.
Athena sipped her juice, masking the cloying sweetness with the tartness of the fruit.
Though she held the title of deputy director at the Eagle w Agency, she was effectively the highest authority since there was no actual director.
There had been one before, but he had died, and no recement had been appointed since.
Midway through the evening, a servant approached Athena with urgency.
Despite the servant¡¯s hurried pace, he moved with remarkable stealth, avoiding detection and making no sound.
He lowered his voice, ¡°Director Athena, the Emperor is waiting for you in the pce¡¯s rear garden.¡±
Athena ced her remaining juice on the servant¡¯s tray but showed no intention of rising.
The servant quickly made a gesture for her to follow. Yuris, having momentarily closed her notebook, intended to apany Athena but was held back by her.
¡°Wait for me here.¡± Athena adjusted her coat and followed the servant out.
Exiting through an ornately carved door on one side of the grand hall, they traversed a winding corridor and, after a considerable walk, arrived at the garden behind the pce.
The garden had been meticulously maintained, featuring an elegant fountain with crystal-clear water shimmering under the sunlight. Surrounding it were neatly trimmed flower beds.
At that moment, the Emperor and his son, the prince, stood by the fountain, their backs to Athena. They appeared to be admiring the scenery and engaged in conversation.
Upon hearing Athena¡¯s approach, their conversation ceased. Even in this open space, their words were shielded from any prying ears.
This was the Emperor¡¯s confidence.
Chapter 118: The Mouse
Chapter 118: The Mouse
The old king turned around and beckoned to Athena.
Athena, not daring to be careless, hurried over. "I''ve called you here to inquire about the situation regarding the ''Mouse,''" the old king said with a grave expression.
Athena''s demeanor was highly respectful as she immediately knelt on one knee.
"Our intelligence agents have detected a mysterious energy fluctuation not far from our base. We¡¯ve already sent people to investigate, but the other party has withdrawn, taking their belongings with them. If we don''t find them quickly, it will pose a significant threat to us," Athena said solemnly.
"Immediately proceed to trace this mysterious energy. Report any dangers immediately and remember, do not act recklessly," the old king instructed.
"I don¡¯t have much time left," the king added, repeatedly patting Athena¡¯s shoulder, pressing her down slightly.
Athena looked up with resolute eyes and said, "Understood!"
She did not reveal any useful information, which was apse in duty. However, the king did not hold it against her, or at least, not at that moment.
The information acquired by the Eagle w Agency was far fromplete. Unfortunately, she hade in too much of a hurry to review the remaining materials and could only manage with what she had.
The king waved his hand, signaling her to leave and to ry instructions to the prince standing nearby.
Once she returned to the hall, she let out a sigh of relief, reaching up to rub her sore shoulder. It seemed their king was quite strong, as this intensity would likely leave a bruise.
At this moment, the banquet was graduallying to an end, and the noise was dissipating. Athena walked out of the banquet hall side by side with Yuris.
Once they settled into the carriage, Yuris raised her hand slightly and made a gesture to the driver. Understanding the cue, the driver cracked the whip and urged the strong horse to gallop towards the Eagle w Agency.
The agency was now eerily quiet, with most people having left their posts. Athena walked slowly back to her office.
As she gently pushed open the seemingly ordinary cab door, the hidden room appeared before her eyes. Inside the hidden chamber was her private room, a different world altogether.
In the entire Eagle w Agency, only she and the workaholic Yuris stayed overnight in the agency. Outsiders said they were crazy to live in such a gloomy ce.
She walked into the smallpartment. The space was notrge, with a simple single bed in one corner, as if waiting for its owner to return.
Next to the bed stood a small nightstand with amp and a few folders.
On the opposite side of the bed was a bookshelf, filled with various books. Some of these books were yellowed with age, while others looked brand new, as if just purchased.
Athena found the folderbeled ''Mouse'' on the nightstand. The ''Mouse'' was another term for monsters within the lightnds, a ce that was considered untouchable.
Thisnd was rich in resources, housing many monsters and precious world energy. Not only did countless people seek to enter, but monsters also did.
The term ''Mouse'' referred to a specific type of monster within this lightnd. They were reviled like vermin, even more so because their existence was intolerable.
They had even formed an organization with considerable influence across various kingdoms within the lightnds.
The White Grand Empire, where Athena was based, also had its share of these ''Mouse,'' who had recently been active and were likely responsible for the mysterious energy fluctuations.
The task to deal with them naturally fell to the Eagle w Agency.
On the 8th, they had caught a lead, and on the 9th, they found one of their bases. Unfortunately, the Eagle w Agency suffered heavy casualties. Although Athena suppressed the news and kept it from leaking, it severely impacted subsequent operations. Thetest record was from the 13th, when Babron Lawrence¡¯s son appeared near the base Athena''s team discovered and took something away.
The investigation ended there.
Closing the file, Athena felt that things were not as simple as she had imagined. A slight misstep might make her a political pawn between the king and Babron.
Babron Lawrence¡¯s son was thest lead, but given the current situation, she was reluctant to provoke conflict.
Yet, if she didn¡¯t, the mission could not proceed.
She had no choice but to visit the Babron estate¡
Beneath the outskirts, there was a vast space shielded by a special spell. Unless someone¡¯s magical ability exceeded that of the spellcaster, the concealment barrier could not be broken.
Without a knowledgeable guide, no one would discover this ce.
Ilinaya arrived in the lightnds, initially very excited, but soon calmed down. Humans struggled to detect their disguises, but monsters always recognized each other instantly.
Shortly after arriving, she found her kin and, after paying a small price, was led to the ''Mouse'' base.
The base was different from her expectations. Above was an eternal daylight, while below was a dark realm forged by the monsters.
Here, they exchanged information and identities, lurking throughout the cities,ing here only at specific times.
Even here, they did not reveal their true forms.
A seemingly ordinary young man approached her and assessed her. "New here? Good strength. We haven¡¯t had neers in a long time."
Ilinaya followed him as he gave her a tour of the ce. "The battlefield is bing more dangerous, and the borders are harder to breach. Our numbers are dwindling."
He looked at her meaningfully. "Do you know what to do?"
Ilinaya¡¯s pupils darkened, and she smiled, saying, "Of course, destruction¡ªwanton destruction!"
Here was their paradise, where they could indulge in unchecked destruction, revealing their primal nature. The more severe the destruction, the more world energy would overflow.
She did not disclose to Athena that in addition to world energy, there was also the world¡¯s secondary source. As they caused chaos, the instability would cause an overflow of secondary sources along with the world energy.
The world¡¯s secondary source could nourish darkness, and darkness would, in turn, nourish them. However, in the darknds, secondary sources were tightly controlled by a few monsters. To obtain them, the only option was toe to the lightnds.
The more secondary sources they possessed, the more they could be the dominant force, which was why countless monsters were willing to traverse bothnds. Of course, some monsters were simply drawn to violence and destruction.
Chapter 119: Feathers
Chapter 119: Feathers
Recently, the Eagle w Agency had tightened its regtions, leading to a significant reduction in their activities and preventing excessive damage. However, many of their operations had recently moved into the open due to the involvement of high-profile figures.
For these influential individuals, as long as their own interests were not threatened, the lives ofmoners were inconsequential. Sometimes, even riots in the slums were weed, as they allowed for the elimination of many restless souls. Moreover, external pressures on the border and the movement of numerous military lines towards the battlefield had plunged the empire into turmoil.
Desperate people began losing faith in their empire and instead ced their belief in obscure, fabricated ideologies. Adopting a facade of faith, many desperate individuals were willing to serve them.
Thus, no matter how much the empire oppressed or suppressed them, it was only a temporary setback. It wouldn¡¯t be long before they would rise again.
Neers were not typically introduced to the council so early, but Ilinaya was different. She had offered so much that the rules were bent in her favor. Given sufficient benefits, no rule was too sacred to break. They allowed her to participate in the meeting, but she was still kept away from the crucial parts.
Ilinaya found this normal. With Athena¡¯s formation of a temporary team, she had also acquired a temporary system panel, though it only allowed her to view the status within the team. Typically, only leaders or top-tier individuals within a faction, such as the Goblin Chief or the Queen of the Giant Bees, had ess to such panels. For those at their level, the system was no longer a secret; instead, the Third World¡¯s panel had be a symbol of status.
Initially, this mysterious object had frightened them, but as time passed and its benefits became clear while its dangers remained obscure, they adapted to it. They marveled at the Third World¡¯s wonders and its power.
While they had certain functions of the system panel, they did not have the full range. Due to its special nature, Ilinaya had been given a temporary panel. Despite its small size, it symbolized that everything was improving, and she could hardly contain her excitement. She had already examined the so-called team functions.
As a mere ordinary team member, her functions were minimal, and the sole positioning function had been disabled by Athena. She suppressed her impatience; as long as Athena did not disband the team, it meant that the function would eventually be activated. After all, Athena still needed her to understand the world''s principles.
The "rats" shifted their battlefield once more. Deep within the underground world, there was a hidden passage. Following the passage, they traversed cramped, narrow tunnels and finally arrived at a door.
Opening the ancient, intricately crafted door, they did not find the expected meeting room but instead ake. The passage connected to ake beneath a cavern outside.
The leader adjusted his hood and leaped into theke. The others followed in quick session, diving in like dumplings.
They swam deeper and deeper. While the water monsters werefortable, the other monsters began to struggle. Ahead, the leader released a few bubbles that expanded and formed helmets over the monsters behind them.
Atst, they reached theke''s deepest point. Here, several tables were firmly anchored to thekebed, each with a human corpse nailed to it. Unknown symbols were etched beside them, representing both atonement and defiance.
Beneath the surface, another world awaited. They arrived at a sunken ship and opened the cabin door. The cabin was remarkably dry due to automatic water-repelling features.
They finally removed their hoods and gathered around a round table. The leader took the main seat, his face obscured and unclear throughout the meeting.
His voice was husky and indistinct as he asked, ¡°How is Number Eight¡¯s preparationing along?¡±
Number Eight, now unmasked, had shed his disguise. His flesh was peeling away, dense fur sprouting wildly, and a long, hairless tail emerged behind him. He was a ratman. ¡°Of course, mypanions are scattered throughout the empire¡¯s sewers. Recently, I¡¯ve fed them well. They even thanked me for helping to expand their numbers.¡±
He spoke with a cunning, lecherous grin, his rat-like teeth quivering as if eager to devour something.
¡°Number Thirteen!¡±
Thirteen still maintained his humanoid form. Seatedzily, he awoke at the mention of his name but remained indifferent. ¡°Ha~ I really don¡¯t get it. What¡¯s the point of these meetings? Just give the order and charge out!¡±
¡°Cut it out. Don¡¯t look at me like that. I¡¯m far superior to you useless lot.¡±
¡°Those guys address me as the Holy Son. Even the humans I summoned cheered for seeing a divine being right until the moment I consumed them!¡±
He spoke with an excited, eerie tone, yet there was a calmness, as though he was a benevolent Holy Son embracing everyone.
He then reported a series of matters. Once it was confirmed that there were no mistakes, the meeting finally concluded.
In the office, a deskmp was always on. Its dim light was sufficient for Athena to review the documents. After painstakingly going through the thick files, he discovered a secret in the bookshelf. Among the new books, there was nothing unusual, but the old, dusty ones held a surprise.
When opened, the center of the old books was hollow, containing various items: evidence of a certain official¡¯s crimes, bizarre collectibles, and valuable artifacts.
Athena found a feather among them. It was made of metal, with serrated edges at its base, resembling a key. He quickly extracted a nearby book, revealing a map between its pages¡ªa map of the entire imperial city.
The only marked location was a church. This sect had been entrenched in the empire for years but was considered illegitimate and relegated to the sidelines. The church¡¯s emblematic holy object was also a feather.
Chapter 120: The Visit
Chapter 120: The Visit
Athena was not particrly surprised by this discovery. There was simply another ce that needed to be explored, and none of them were straightforward.
She had initially intended only to review some documents to check the current status of the Babron family, in preparation for an uing visit. However, she did not anticipate uncovering yet another church in the process.
The files she had just reviewed included not only the internal records of the Eagle''s w Agency but also documents concerning various factions. There were royalists, pro-Babron supporters, and even factions beyond the neutral ones¡ªsome that sought to gain advantage and dere themselves rulers.
The variety of people one encounters over a lifetime is astounding. Athena dismissed these families that failed to grasp the situation.
The situation was far moreplicated than she had imagined. Each time she visited a location, the system would assign her a task based on the circumstances, but this time, there was no task given.
Was it because she had entered the White Lands too early, or was it because she had yet to find the crucial clue? Was there anything she had overlooked? Party disputes, conflicts between monsters and humans¡ªif it wasn''t any of these, then what could it be?
The World''s Energy, world energy or whatever it was, was of no use to Athena directly, but it could be exchanged with the system for the materials she needed. There was an 80% chance that this mission might be rted to the World¡¯s Energy. Although Ilinaya had promised to help her investigate, Athena did not intend to ce all her hopes on her.
Especially considering that Ilinaya had not recklessly ventured into the White Lands; she had likely joined the organization known as the "Rats" by now. Seeking her out at this moment would be highly imprudent.
Athena spread out all the files, beginning to construct awork of rtionships within the empire, and gained a rough impression of it.
She had only intended to rest for a short while on the bed, but when she awoke, four or five hours had already passed.
In the White Lands, there is no night; people''s routines still follow a 24-hour day, divided into morning and afternoon shifts. Both shifts required work, but each half-day included a six-hour break.
Well, in this empire at least.
When she stepped out of the darkpartment, the Eagle''s w Agency had resumed its normal operations.
Athena merely sat in her chair, pressed the bell beside her, and immediately, the sound of hurried footsteps was heard from outside. The door was flung open with force, bypassing the usual knocking.
Yuris entered, holding a steel pen with a deadly gleam. The ink of Yuris'' pen was poisonous; ordinary people who touched it would die instantly. Only Athena could be immune to this poison.
Upon entering, Yuris quickly scanned the room. Seeing Athena sitting calmly in her chair, Yuris even doubted if the bell had been rung out of mere convenience.
If there was anything different in the room, it was merely the absence of a Persian cat.
Despite Athena being her superior, Yuris felt a strong urge to drive the pen into her neck. However, her professional demeanor prevented her from doing so. She reattached the pen to her chest and asked, ¡°Director Athena, has something significant happened that required the emergency bell?¡±
¡°Prepare a carriage to the Babron residence for me.¡±
Yuris paused for three seconds to confirm once more, ¡°Just a carriage?¡±
¡°Of course not. You also need to prepare some gifts for the visit.¡±
Seeing Athena¡¯s sincere smile, Yuris felt her own smile falter and, without responding, turned and walked out.
Athena was not worried; she knew Yuris would ensure everything was prepared. Losing face for her meant losing face for the Eagle''s w Agency, and Yuris would not allow that to happen.
As expected, Yuris was highly efficient. Before long, she returned and informed Athena that everything was ready, and they could set off at any time.
Athena then rose and left. The Eagle''s w Agency staff continued their work but dared not raise their eyes to look at her.
Even those on duty would choose to step aside, waiting until she had left before slowly heading to their posts, as if she were some fearsome beast or a flood of disaster.
The carriage driver who awaited Athena was still the same one from the morning shift. Judging by his state, he likely spent most of his workday idly.
However, today his attendance rate was unusually high, which contrasted with his usual monthly or annual attendance records.
The main road was paved with cobblestones, and the surrounding houses featured many overhanging wooden structures. Pedestrians moved quickly, and street vendors would involuntarily halt their cries upon seeing Athena¡¯s carriage.
Such reactions were typical for any noble¡¯s carriage here, as the lives ofmoners were often considered less valuable than the exquisite shoes of the aristocracy.
Leaving the bustling streets behind, the carriage headed towards the more remote outskirts. From a distance, Athena saw the Babron family¡¯s residence on the hillside.
It was no wonder that their king was so wary of the Babron family. The construction of the residence alone could rival the king¡¯s pce; apart from being slightly smaller and more remote, it was almost identical in grandeur.
The symmetrical architecture, three-dimensional sculptures, and clear, imposing outlines were magnificent.
The carriage stopped at the estate''s entrance, where guards were stationed. They halted the carriage, unmoved even by the disyed insignia.
In their eyes, their master was the most esteemed, and they had no reason to fear Athena, whom they considered merely a king¡¯sckey.
A knight ran inside to announce their arrival. After a long wait, the one who emerged was not a steward but a mere maid.
The maid nced at the carriage and signaled for the guards to let it pass.
As the carriage driver prepared to enter, he was stopped once again and told that Athena needed to enter on foot.
Yuris, observing with some surprise, saw that their Director Athena actually disembarked calmly and even took the gifts with her.
She reluctantly followed, surrounded by meticulously trimmed flowerbeds and trees. Each flower was a rare variety, enough to sustain amoner for a month.
Thevish disy was casually nted around the exterior, even more extravagant than a pce.
The maid led them without stopping, bypassing the hall and reception area, and took them directly to the dining room.
At the dining table, Babron¡¯s ministers were enjoying their meal with elegant use of forks and knives. The Duke and Duchess of Babron and their son sat quietly beside them, eating in silence.
Seeing Athena enter, they wiped their mouths with the prepared napkins and then discreetly withdrew.
Chapter 121: The Steak
Chapter 121: The Steak
The maids quickly cleared away the dishes as Athena pulled out a chair to sit down.
Throughout this entire process, Duke Babron remained in his seat, cutting into his steak with a knife and fork, and continuing to eat without acknowledging her presence. Athena, however, did not hesitate to seat herself directly across from him. A maid promptly served her a fresh steak, cing it before her with delicate care.
Athena methodically cut into the steak, though it was clear she had no intention of actually eating it.
"I must apologize for this unexpected visit, and I appreciate Duke Babron''s hospitality in preparing lunch for me," she said, her hands skillfully slicing the steak as if she were dissecting it rather than dining.
Though they were at odds, both understood the necessity of maintaining basic decorum.
Duke Babron, who had been silent until now, finally ced his knife and fork down on the te, wiping his mouth lightly with a napkin. He signaled for the maids to clear the table, including Athena''s untouched meal. She offered no resistance, epting the gesture with a mild demeanor.
"Director Athena Ravencroft, you certainly have a unique approach," Duke Babron remarked, his gaze sharp as a de aimed directly at Athena. "A surprise visit without so much as a prior notice¡ªI''ve been caught off guard."
His eyes were piercing, challenging, but Athena met his gaze without flinching, refusing to back down.
"To be honest, this visit isn''t something I would have preferred," she began, her tone measured and calm. "However, your son has done something that we at the Eagle''s w Agency find... quite baffling."
"I thought it prudent to consult with you first before reporting to the King, to avoid any unnecessary misunderstandings. Wouldn''t you agree?" Athena didn''t even bother with her usual professional smile¡ªthere was no need for pretense.
Upon hearing her words, Duke Babron''s stern expression softened into a more genial smile, starkly contrasting his earlier demeanor.
"Haha, whatever do you mean? A guest is always wee in my home; how could I possibly not be pleased by your visit?"
His smile was radiant, his tone warm and inviting. Yet, his bony hands intertwined on the table, with his right hand incessantly fiddling with the emerald ring on his left thumb. He made no further move, aware that Athena, the head of the Eagle''s w Agency and a trusted enforcer of the King, was not someone to be trifled with lightly. Her position was not merely a gift from the King; it was earned through her own formidable strength.
Without sufficient preparation, no one in this kingdom could take her down without paying a heavy price. Now was not the time to openly confront her.
"However," Duke Babron continued, his tone still amiable, "I must admit that I don''t quite understand the matter you''re referring to.
My son is well-known for his kindness and filial piety, as well as his unwavering loyalty to the King. Otherwise, he wouldn''t have joined the Royal Guard and risen to the rank of captain." He paused deliberately, turning to scrutinize Athena with a calcted look. "It''s been quite some time since I''ve heard anyone speak of him in such a manner. What exactly has he done that warrants this visit from you, Director Athena Ravencroft?"
His hand shifted from the emerald ring to the table, where his fingers tapped rhythmically, creating a sound that could easily have intimidated others present. Unfortunately for him, Athena was unaffected.
"Oh, it''s nothing major," she replied, her voice steady and unhurried. "We recently discovered a rat''s nest¡ªan enemy hideout. While we were securing the area and preparing to investigate, your son arrived and dug up something rather... interesting. A coincidence, perhaps?
After all, as the saying goes, truth is stranger than fiction." Athena mimicked his posture, leaning back in her chair as she recounted the events.
Duke Babron listened to her words and suddenly burst intoughter, his hands retreating to his chest, fingers inteced.
"Director Athena, you''re quite the joker. A mere offhandment from a subordinate, and you rush to my estate to investigate? That''s hardly rational. Even without conclusive evidence, not even you have such authority."
Athena, however, had no shortage of evidence. "Is that so? I''ve heard your son has been confined to the estate, but aside from your household, is there anyone else who can vouch for him? How can we be certain you''re not protecting him?
You im my subordinates aren''t trustworthy¡ªdoes that mean yours are?"
"You¡ª" Duke Babron, who had maintained an air of unppable calm until now, suddenly shot up from his chair. His eyes zed with anger as he red at Athena, a challenge in his gaze that even the King himself might hesitate to issue.
How dare she?
"The Eagle''s w Agency conducts its investigations without the need for evidence; a singlemand from me is all it takes. If you want evidence, Duke, why don''t you provide some to clear your name?
And besides, there''s no suchw in our kingdom, is there? Or have I misunderstood, Duke Babron?"
Duke Babron felt his fury rising, yet at the same time, a strange sense of relief washed over him. If the King''s most trusted enforcer was this impulsive and foolish, how could he not feel reassured?
He hoped this was the real Athena.
"In any case, I won''t allow you to take my son, unless, of course, you seek the King''s judgment. Let''s see how he responds," Duke Babron remarked, his earlier outburst giving way to a calm realization that the situation had always favored him.
"Of course, I merely sought your opinion," Athena replied smoothly. "Since you''ve made your position clear, I shall report to His Majesty ordingly."
As their confrontation reached a tense impasse, the butler suddenly entered, whispering something into the Duke''s ear. The Duke waved him away, his expression bing even more pointed.
"It seems, Director, that you truly came seeking my consent. However, isn''t it a bit hasty to act before reporting? His Majesty''s Royal Guard is already at the door, waiting to enter." He nced meaningfully at Athena.
In response, Athena calmly produced a recording stone from her waist. Recording stones were rare and precious, capable of capturing only a brief 15-second scene.
She activated it, projecting the image like a film before them. The scene depicted was none other than Duke Babron''s son, caught on the day in question, digging at the enemy base.
Duke Babron watched the scene in silence, saying nothing more.
Even during routine operations, the Eagle''s w Agency rarely deployed recording stones, especially for what was supposed to be a mere cleanup operation. He had even instructed Carter and other pawns to search for any recording stones used during the previous mission, but they found nothing. He had been confident that Athena couldn''t produce any concrete evidence, believing his status would shield him from the King''s ultimatum.
Chapter 122: Human Heads
Chapter 122: Human Heads
Was Duke Babron too weak? Not exactly. Even the mightiest of yers can stumble when burdened with a liability, especially one as significant as a barrel of oil.
It''s not umon for one generation to produce outstanding individuals only for the next to falter. Everyone in the empire knows their king and Duke Babron, but who can name the king''s son or Babron¡¯s son? Most refer to him as just "Babron¡¯s son."
Even thest great achievement credited to Babron¡¯s son was actually a gift from his father. Ironically, this gift overshadowed the prince during hising-of-age ceremony. Yet, no one could pin anything on Babron''s son¡ªno matter how hard they tried, it all seemed like a mere coincidence.
Babron¡¯s son, in his eagerness to escape his father¡¯s shadow, didn''t make any significant mistakes. To be safe, he even brought skilled guards with him. With Katarina aiding him, they managed to acquire something crucial. Instead of being praised by his father, he was reprimanded upon his return, leaving him resentful.
Since then, he¡¯s been confined to the Babron estate, but one cannot escape the inevitable. Unfortunately for him, on that particr day, the guards on duty were joined by Athena, who decided to participate on a whim. Sometimes, luck is a part of one¡¯s strength.
¡°If my son is under suspicion, then I certainly won¡¯t protect him,¡± Babron dered. ¡°Director, since you have doubts about my parenting, feel free to take him away.¡±
Babron, seeing no other option, let his son be taken. It was time for the boy to learn a harsh lesson, to realize he couldn¡¯t escape his father¡¯s grasp.
Everything proceeded so smoothly that it raised Athena¡¯s suspicions. She guessed that most of the evidence had already been destroyed by Babron; otherwise, why would he so readily hand over his only son?
Despite this, Athena knew she had made an enemy of Babron. Yet, their king would likely be pleased. They couldn¡¯t use force against Babron¡¯s son; simple questioning wouldn¡¯t yield any useful information. Given his father''s status, he could ignore any pressure.
From the start, this interrogation was just a formality. The king¡¯s guards had already taken Babron¡¯s son away, leaving Athena¡¯s carriage waiting for her. It seemed their king didn¡¯t want to leave this matter to Athena. He knew it was just a procedural step, so he preferred to keep Babron¡¯s son under his control rather than leave him in Athena¡¯s hands.
The king could never fully trust Athena. Over the years, the Eagle w Agency had slipped from his grasp. The key figures in the agency listened more to Athena than to him, as evidenced by the fate of all the directors he had sent to oversee the agency.
Athena didn¡¯t mind; she only needed to maintain a bnce between the two sides. In the open, their king was still the ruler of the empire. There were too many legitimate reasons to target him, too many resources to tarnish his reputation and make him a public enemy, a fugitive.
Babron was different. If he wanted to harm Athena, he¡¯d have to do it covertly. Just like this time, the carriage stopped on a rural path.
Babron knew that an attack wouldn¡¯t kill Athena. It might even cost many lives, but that didn¡¯t matter to him. He wanted to teach her a lesson, a warning. He could simply me it on a rogue group, knowing any investigation would lead nowhere.
Suddenly, the carriage halted, and the coachman¡¯s urgent voice echoed outside. At that moment, dozens of shadows emerged, ghost-like figures swiftly approaching Athena¡¯s carriage.
These attackers were highly skilled assassins, wielding various weapons and exuding a deadly aura. Their orders were clear: eliminate Athena!
Without any unnecessary words or hesitation, theyunched their attack mercilessly. In an instant, des shed and sparks flew.
Inside the carriage, Athena drew a ck axe and stepped out, just in time to deflect a sword aimed at the coachman¡¯s throat.
Yuris stayed motionless inside, confident that Athena could handle the situation. However, witnessing Athena''s reckless fighting style, showing no regard for the carriage, horses, or coachman, Yuris was rmed and rushed out.
¡°Do you know how hard it is to find a coachman willing to work for the Eagle w Agency? Do you realize how expensive this carriage and these horses are?¡± Yuris shouted, clearly frustrated.
These attackers didn¡¯t care; they only knew how to fight.
Facing the onught of dozens of men, Athena showed no fear. Her ck axe gleamed, each swing bringing a gust of wind. Wherever the axe fell, blood sttered, and screams echoed.
Athena¡¯s attacks were relentless, giving her enemies no room to breathe. Under her fierce assault, their formation began to falter, cracks appearing in their ranks.
¡°We¡¯re just the first wave. There will be more, each stronger than thest. A lone wolf can¡¯t stand against a pack of wolves,¡± one of the attackers said, but he was swiftly silenced by Athena¡¯s axe.
With her relentless strikes, the number of attackers dwindled while her momentum only grew, dominating the battlefield.
Yuris guarded the carriage, swiftly killing anyone who tried to get close with her pen. Each of her victims fell, poisoned, frothing at the mouth, and turning purple.
Under Athena¡¯s onught, the ambush was thwarted, and she calmly turned back to the carriage. But Yuris stopped her, pointing out the bloodstains on her clothes, which would dirty the carriage and incur a hefty cleaning fee.
The coachman, alone, drove the carriage back, while Athena and Yuris took a shortcut through the woods to avoid drawing attention.
As they walked, Athena suddenly grabbed Yuris¡¯s arm. If she remembered correctly, they were near the church that revered feathers as sacred.
Chapter 123: The Church And Fanaticism
Chapter 123: The Church And Fanaticism
She wasn¡¯t familiar with the roads in this area, so Yuris had been leading the way. However, she had made a mental note of the location of the church on the map.
After leaving the Babron Estate, they continued walking eastward. If they took the next turn, the church should be just ahead.
Sure enough, it wasn¡¯t long before she spotted a small path, and in the distance, she could faintly see the outline of the church.
Absentmindedly, she touched the feather in her pocket, quickened her pace, and moved ahead of Yuris, heading toward the church.
Yuris was puzzled as to how Athena had suddenly moved ahead of her, only to see Athena take a turn in the opposite direction of the Eagle w Agency.
Frowning, Yuris called out, "Director, you''re heading the wrong way." Her mind was filled with thoughts of the mountain of paperwork and the numerous files awaiting approval.
As Athena''s trusted assistant, she had taken on most of the administrative work, leaving Athena free to oversee from above. This had left her overwhelmed with tasks, and today had cost her even more time than usual. All she wanted now was to get back to the Eagle w Agency as soon as possible.
Maybe, once all this was over, she could enjoy a quiet drink at the bar.
Without looking back, Athena continued striding toward the church and offered a brief exnation, "We¡¯re going to check out this church. We might catch a rat by the tail."
Although Yuris didn¡¯t fully understand, she didn¡¯t question Athena¡¯s decision. Her initial protest had been driven by the belief that their director had once again fallen prey to notorious habit of getting lost.
"Understood."
The church, situated on the outskirts, should have been abandoned, with overgrown weeds and an untended countryside road. But as they walked closer, they realized that this path wasn¡¯t an official road; it was one that people had gradually carved out through frequent use. Despite the overgrown weeds on either side, the path itself was bare, indicating that this ce was more frequently visited than it seemed.
After a while, they finally reached the church¡¯s entrance. They could faintly hear the sound of scriptures being recited inside.
The church wasn¡¯trge, but it was exquisitely designed. The walls were adorned with unknown deities, intricately carved and lifelike, as if they mighte to life at any moment. At the peak of the pointed roof fluttered a g with a sun motif.
The church¡¯s door was pitch ck, with a deep, solemn color that contrasted sharply with the pure white of the church, creating a striking and dissonant image.
Just as Athena was about to push the door open, it unexpectedly opened from within. An elderly woman, dressed in ck, gestured with an unfamiliar hand sign over her chest.
"Come in, travelers from afar!" Her expression was solemn and reverent, as if chastising them for their tardiness.
Athena and Yuris entered the church, discovering that the interior was muchrger than it appeared from the outside. As they looked up at the domed ceiling, they saw vibrant murals painted in vivid colors.
The mural depicted a god weing his followers, who smiled as they were embraced by the divine.
The people inside sat quietly on the benches, their hands sped in prayer. The church was almost entirely full, and their chanting echoed through the vast space, creating a resonance that felt as though the gods themselves were whispering.
On the tform, the priest raised his hands above his head, shouting incoherently. To Athena, he seemed like a madman, but to the worshipers, he was a vessel for the divine.
Athena decided not to interrupt this bizarre ceremony and sat with Yuris in a corner. It quickly became clear why the old woman had so easily let them in¡ªpeople continued to trickle in after them.
Given the remote location and the fact that this church wasn¡¯t part of any official organization, people often came in secret, with some arrivingte. The church was lenient about this, with the priest often saying, ¡°The gods will forgive them.¡±
Yuris was disdainful of this. Whether or not these gods existed was one thing, but even if they did, who would protect a follower who couldn¡¯t even be punctual for a church service?
Unfortunately, no one seemed to care. Their faith had blinded them. After the ceremony ended, the priest smiled and brought out a box.
It was clearly a donation box, needing no further exnation.
The congregation, already clutching the money they had intentionally brought with them, ced it over their hearts, muttering nonsensical words, and then, with expressions of devout reverence and obsession, they deposited their hard-earned money into the box.
The process went smoothly. Of course, there were those like Athena and Yuris who didn¡¯t contribute, which prompted the congregation to stare at them as if they were criminals.
It was as if they believed that by not donating, they would incur the wrath of the gods. At that moment, the priest would always step in with a reassuring smile, saying, ¡°They just haven¡¯t yet realized the greatness of our god. In time, they¡¯ll understand.¡±
Some, after a mixture of the priest''s encouragement and subtle threats, eventually gave in and made a small donation. Others, like Athena, remained unmoved.
But the donation box lingered beside them, waiting patiently for their repentance.
They were here just to observe, uninterested in the proceedings, but what the priest did next shook them to their core.
¡°The seats are filled with the most devout followers of our god. Our god does not ignore our suffering. In fact, He is still being oppressed by malevolent deities, and we need more power!¡± the priest proimed, his eyes scanning the congregation.
The people, thoroughly brainwashed, were beyond saving. Even theters, despite retaining some sense, could not resist and would eventually be consumed, bing the next batch of fanatics.
¡°But our god has never forgotten us! Today, one of us will be chosen,¡± he continued, pausing for effect, before raising his voice, ¡°to be led by a holy child to serve at our god¡¯s side for eternity!¡±
To their astonishment, the once-still mural on the dome began to move!
The painted god emitted a warm, radiant light, while the nearby angels yed music. The mural¡¯s followers reached out, and their god guided them to a world without suffering, sickness, hunger, or pain.
But as the music yed, Athena received a notification from the system.
[ Mental Strength Check in Progress¡ ]
[ Check Sessful! ]
Chapter 124: The Boy
Chapter 124: The Boy
The chapel was far more intricate than she had anticipated. The murals adorning the walls were so lifelike, so vibrant, that it felt as if they were truly guiding everyone toward a beautiful world.
However, Athena saw something else. In the eyes of the gods and angels depicted on the murals, there was a clear, insatiable greed¡ªnot for wealth, but for human flesh. It was a hunger, a gaze as ferocious as that of a ravenous beast.
Athena pped Yuris awake from her trance. The girl quickly regained her senses, but her face was pale, drenched in cold sweat from fear.
The murals had taken notice of Athena and Yuris¡¯ resistance. The painted figures began to emerge from the walls, taking on a three-dimensional form. Arge, warm hand reached out toward Athena.
The priest, observing that Athena and Yuris had not sumbed to the influence, realized that they were not ordinary people. Still, he wasn¡¯t afraid. He had encountered many strong-willed individuals like them before, all of whom eventually became mere puppets of the chapel.
Indeed, half of the people in this grand chapel were already soulless puppets, their spirits devoured, while the other half were devout followers who endlessly propagated the chapel¡¯s influence.
As the massive creature extended its hand toward her, Athena courteously reached out as well, cing her hand into itsrge palm.
But as soon as their hands touched, the creature¡¯s smile froze. Athena¡¯s hand, which had been clenched into a fist, opened to reveal a fireball that gentlynded in the creature¡¯s palm.
The ground began to crack, revealing a red glow from within, as a tremendous pressure filled the room.
The creature¡¯s mouth, which had been wide open in anticipation, slowly closed. It raised its hand slightly, as if wanting to return the fireball to Athena.
But as the fireball approached her, it became increasingly unstable. Panicked, the creature tried to distance itself from her, but each time it attempted to discard the fireball, the cracks on its surface multiplied.
Understanding its predicament, the creature¡¯s divine guise faded. Its once silver hair and golden eyes turned jet ck, and its irises lost all color, leaving only darkness. It grinned, revealing sharp teeth, its smile nowced with a hint of appeasement. This bizarre and absurd scene, however, was visible only to Athena and Yuris.
The chapel¡¯s followers had long been blinded by their delusions, unable to see anything.
The priest, sensing that something was wrong, began to retreat slowly. It wasn¡¯t the creature he feared, but rather this strange human, Athena.
Yuris turned her head, mimicking Athena¡¯s earlier expression, smiling sweetly as she stared at the priest. She flicked her pen, and it embedded itself in the ground beside the priest¡¯s foot, freezing him in ce.
¡°Do you like this gift?¡± Athena asked with a teasing smile.
The creature shook its head vigorously, but seeing her displeased expression, it quickly nodded in agreement.
¡°If you like it, then it¡¯s yours to keep,¡± she said lightly.
The creature was too terrified to even consider rejecting the offer, its head bobbing up and down like a broken toy.
¡°Do you recognize this feather?¡± Athena asked, pulling out a feather-shaped key she had kept in her bag. She waved it in front of the creature.
For such arge chapel to have developed to this extent, it was unlikely to be the work of a mere low-intelligence monster. The feather key likely held great significance.
As expected, the creature¡¯s tension eased as it recognized the feather.
The powerful figures of their organization had a peculiar habit of toying with minor beings like it, frightening it half to death each time. It was a good thing it was a monster; otherwise, it would have died of fright long ago.
The creature pointed at the feather in Athena¡¯s hand, then at the mural on the ceiling, its earlier fear now reced with submission. It handed the fireball back to Athena, no longer wanting anything to do with it.
Satisfied with the information she had gathered, Athena took back the fireball. Given that she could still control its stability, there was no need to waste it here.
Holding the fireball in her left hand, she drew her ck axe with her right and struck the creature¡¯s head in one swift motion. Blood sprayed as the creature copsed.
Meanwhile, Yuris had already subdued the priest. She used a mild toxin, paralyzing himpletely.
¡°Take him back to the Eagle w Agency. Summon reinforcements toe here,¡± Athena instructed.
Yuris saluted her and dragged the priest out of the cursed chapel without looking back.
Although it was Athena who had told her to leave, she couldn¡¯t shake the odd feeling of being left behind so decisively.
The mural creature remained standing even after death, a headless corpse dripping with blood. Athena stepped onto its neck and pushed off, leaping upward. She grabbed arge gemstone embedded in the ceiling. A hole in the center of the gemstone caught her eye. Without hesitation, she inserted the feather key into it.
As she slowly turned the key, the ceiling began to open, revealing a hidden chamber above. Athena used her arm strength to hoist herself up into the space.
She moved with the agility of a monkey.
To her surprise, the space above the ceiling was an entirely different world. The chamber wasn¡¯trge, but it was sufficient for one person to live in.
With the ceiling open, light flooded into the previously dark room. Athena sharpened her focus, alert to her surroundings. Suddenly, she heard faint breathing, followed by the clinking of chains.
She struck a match and tossed it across the room, using the brief me to illuminate the area.
In the dim light, she saw a young boy, no older than seventeen or eighteen, kneeling on the floor. His features were delicate, and his hair was a striking shade of blue, like the sun¡¯s rays. Yet, his eyes were a stark white.
He was d in a loose white robe, his limbs frail, and his ankles shackled by heavy chains. As the light reached him, he instinctively raised a hand to shield himself.
The sight of a stranger like Athena made him tremble in fear.
Athena guessed this must be the "Holy Son" the priest had mentioned. She watched the boy sobbing, her expression cold and indifferent, as she continued to survey the room. But apart from a simple bed and this exquisite boy, there was nothing else.
When the feather key had been inserted into the gemstone, Athena had felt a brief spatial disturbance, but it was quickly suppressed, leaving only this chamber behind. She couldn¡¯t believe that there wasn¡¯t something else at y here.
Seeing the boy still crying, Athena casually pulled out her Moonlight Bow and, in a sh, fired an arrow straight at his heart.
The boy, who had seemed so weak and fragile moments ago, suddenly raised a hand and snapped the arrow in two. His eyes, now filled with a chilling coldness, showed a hint of anger.
¡°No more pretending?¡± Athena asked with a knowing smile.
Chapter 125: The Hideous Beast
Chapter 125: The Hideous Beast
The creature''s disguise wasughably poor. Even if it hadn¡¯t been Athena standing there, anyone with a bit of sense could see through the facade. Such arrogance and overconfidence¡ªthis creature truly believed that every human whoid eyes on it should either pity it or worship it as a divine being.
Just like those soulless beings in the chapel, this creature expected to be revered without question. He slowly rose from the cold, stone floor, the chains of cold iron around his limbs clinking ominously with every movement. Desperate, he tried to inch closer to Athena, but another arrow from her bow stopped him in his tracks, this timending just at his feet.
It wasn''t that Athena intended to show mercy, but rather that the chains binding him had be his weapon, deflecting her arrow with ease. The once-beautiful and delicate boy before her began to reveal his true form. His mouth split open, far wider than any human¡¯s should, stretching grotesquely as he unleashed a shrill, ear-piercing scream.
The sound was unbearable, threatening to shatter her eardrums. The sight was even more horrifying¡ªa beautiful face twisted by a monstrous maw, the sheer incongruity of it all surreal and nightmarish.
Seeing that his attempts to manipte Athena had failed, the creature decided that killing her would suffice. Heunched himself at her, his movements imbued with a ferocious speed. His feet barely touched the ground, propelling him with an explosive force. In a heartbeat, he was in front of her, swinging his chains toward her neck.
Athena retreated, her bow vanishing as quickly as it had appeared, reced by the gleaming edge of her ck abyss axe. The axe''s de was sharp and deadly, reflecting the dim light with an ominous glint. She skillfully caught the chain with her axe, twisting it around the weapon¡¯s handle with a swift movement.
With a powerful yank, she pulled the chain taut, the tension causing it to creak under the strain. Her eyes were cold, unyielding, and filled with the determination to obliterate her opponent. The boy had clearly underestimated her; instead of fleeing from his attack, she had willingly moved closer, throwing him off bnce and triggering a deep sense of unease within him.
He hesitated, his instincts screaming that something was wrong. Yet before he could react, Athena charged forward with blinding speed, her attack unstoppable. The ck abyss axe sliced through the air, aiming straight for him.
Trapped by the short distance, he couldn¡¯t escape. As the axe neared, his face contorted grotesquely once more. His head swelled, the refined features vanishing into a mass of writhing muscles. Three enormous eyes bulged out from one half of his face, while the other was consumed by a mouth that seemedrge enough to swallow the world.
The ck abyss axe was caught in that gaping maw, the impact sending tremors through his jaws. His skin split upon contact, blood seeping from the wounds, yet he managed to stop the axe¡¯s advance. Despite the pain, he grinned, his hideous smile stretching even wider.
Athena stared at his monstrous head, still perched atop a human-like body. "Utterly repulsive," she dered coldly, her words cutting deeper than any weapon.
The creature¡¯s smile faltered, momentarily frozen by her harsh judgment. But his shock quickly turned to rage. He bellowed a deep, guttural roar, preparing tounch an all-out assault. No longer able to maintain his human form, he underwent a full transformation. His body expanded, muscles bulging as massive wings sprouted from his back. His limbs thickened, exuding an aura of terrifying strength.
The wooden floor beneath them cracked and splintered under the weight of his enormous feet, and the two of them plummeted downwards from the dome¡¯s hiddenpartment. The creature saw an opportunity¡ªAthena was vulnerable midair, while he remained in control.
But before he could capitalize on his advantage, the chain he had wielded earlier was flung back at him. In a swift motion, it wrapped around one of his wings, yanking him downwards. Unable to maintain his bnce, he lost his chance to escape.
As they fell, Athena clung tightly to the chain. The creature, grounded by the tethered wing, iled desperately, his remaining wing beating frantically. His n had backfired, but he wasn¡¯t ready to give up. Aware of her formidable closebat skills, he decided to use the gathered crowd as a shield.
These people, long stripped of their souls, sat mindlessly in prayer. The sight of the creature stirred a faint spark of recognition in their empty eyes, and they scrambled towards him, eager to prostrate themselves before their would-be savior.
Without hesitation, the creature grabbed two of the closest worshippers, holding them up as human shields. "Go ahead, use your axe! These are living, breathing humans!" he taunted, his three grotesque eyes ring at Athena with twisted delight.
But Athena was unfazed. She had no intention of sparing anyone who stood in her way. With a flick of her wrist, she tossed aside the hapless worshippers as if they were nothing more than ragdolls.
The creature¡¯s smugness evaporated in an instant. Though he hadn¡¯t harmed the worshippers, he couldn¡¯t resist a cruel smile. His hands wrapped around the necks of the two people he¡¯d grabbed, ready to snap them as a final threat.
¡°Don¡¯t¡ª¡±
He never finished his sentence. Athena moved even faster, rushing toward him with deadly intent. Even as he crushed one of his captives'' necks, she didn¡¯t falter, aiming to cleave him and his hostages in half with a single, merciless strike.
Realizing that he was outmatched, the creature¡¯s bravado gave way to panic. He wasn''t built forbat; he thrived on the fear and worship of others, on watching people destroy themselves for his amusement. Now, faced with the reality of his situation, all thoughts of grandeur fled his mind. He desperately wanted to escape.
But there would be no retreat. The chain still bound one of his wings, preventing him from taking flight. He wed frantically at it, trying to free himself, but Athena was relentless. Her ck abyss axe bore down on him, forcing him to retreat again and again.
Every time he tried to counterattack, she was a step ahead, exploiting his openings, leaving him battered and bloodied. His strength waned, and he knew the battle was nearing its end.
Just as all seemed lost, a figure burst into the room¡ªYuris, galloping back into the fray on horseback.
Chapter 126: The Rat Plague
Chapter 126: The Rat gue
The horse didn''t stop, galloping straight into the church. Yuris remained mounted, her usualposed demeanor shattered by panic. Yet, the battle before her eyes was far from over.
Athena, without even ncing at Yuris, quickened her movements. Unfortunately, despite itsck of strength, the monster before her was unnervingly agile, dodging with unnatural ease. Killing it would take far more effort than she had hoped.
The creature, upon seeing Yuris return, grinned as if it had anticipated this. At that moment, Athena felt a dangerous presence rising from beneath the ground. Without hesitation, she pulled back, abandoning the ck axe that had nearly struck the monster.
In an instant, the ground where she had stood copsed. The creature managed a mocking smile before it, too, was swallowed by the sudden sinkhole.
Athena was about to give chase, but Yuris dismounted swiftly, grabbing her arm. Yuris, usually calm and steady, had returned alone without bringing reinforcements, which could only mean something dire had happened in the capital.
The urgency of the situation left no room for dy. Athena remounted, extending a hand to Yuris. "We¡¯ll talk as we ride," she said, her voice steady as if the fierce battle moments ago had never urred.
Without hesitation, Yuris grasped her hand and agilely leaped onto the horse. With a sharp crack of the whip, the steed shot off like an arrow, galloping towards the capital.
The sound of hooves echoed across the deserted road, kicking up a cloud of dust. Yuris, clinging to the horse''s back, quickly reported the situation to Athena.
"A rat gue has erupted in the capital. Rats, five or six times the normal size, are pouring out of the sewers."
"They''re attacking people and livestock indiscriminately. Our forces and the city guard are deployed, but we can¡¯t contain it."
A rat gue? How could something like this erupt so suddenly, especially in such a densely popted city? It had to be connected to the creature¡¯s allies, who had just rescued it.
Despite being gravely injured, the creature had refused to activate a teleportation array, allowing Athena to sense the faintest ripple of its power.
As they reached the city gates, the gravity of the situation became clear. Even the guards stationed there had been reassigned to maintain order within the city.
Inside the walls, the scene was hellish. Giant rats continuously emerged from the sewers, attacking and biting anyone in sight.
Panic-stricken citizens fled in all directions, their screams and cries of agony filling the air, punctuated by the sickening sound of gnawing.
The rats showed no fear of humans. They even attempted to attack Athena¡¯s horse when they saw her. However, her steed, well-trained for such dangers, easily evaded them as it charged towards the city center.
The city center housed wealthy merchants, minor nobles, and intellectuals, all of whom were under priority protection.
Athena finally spotted the agents of the Eagle w Agency, d in their signature ck coats, hunting the oversized rats. But their efforts were futile; the rats were too numerous and toorge to be easily killed. Even if their numbers were increased tenfold, it wouldn¡¯t be enough.
Athena might have been able to take on a few monsters, even several at once, but against a swarm this vast, she was powerless.
These rats couldn¡¯t have been bred overnight. Even if they had been confined to the sewers, feeding them would have been a massive undertaking. The empire regrly inspected the sewers, yet no one had noticed any changes. This clearly pointed to an internal issue.
Athena also couldn¡¯t believe that the capital had no means or weapons to deal with such a situation, yet nothing had been deployed.
[ Mission Selection! ]
Levels 5¨C10
The sudden outbreak of rats has disrupted the empire¡¯s peace, causing widespread chaos and disorder.
Assist the Monsters
Defeat the Monsters
[Choose Your Path!]
[You Have Chosen to Defeat the Monsters!]
Athena hadn¡¯t expected this at all. It was her first time encountering a mission of this type. Her previous tasks had been aligned with the light, but this one was clearly neutral.
As the Director of the Eagle w Agency, siding against the empire would put her in an extremely unfavorable position.
Had she not infiltrated the empire using a World Stone disguise, she might have chosen to assist the monsters. Assisting only required minimal help, qualifying as a low-level, Level 5 task.
But as she epted the mission, the situation flipped entirely.
[Defeat the Rat Monsters, Level 10!]
The mission had escted to the highest difficulty level!
After leaving Yuris behind, Athena spurred her horse towards the royal pce.
Ilinaya and her group were also involved in the operation. However, to Athena¡¯s fury, they had been assigned to the surface, tasked with dying the Eagle w Agency and the city guard.
Meanwhile, another group was underground, controlling the rats. She had clearly been used as cannon fodder.
"Mew," a dirty white Persian cat emerged from the sewers, far from its usual graceful appearance. It didn¡¯t even bother to groom itself, as the surrounding rats, initially intent on attacking, suddenly lost sight of it as it vanished.
The cat had been busy all day, exploring the pce for suspicious areas and items it could carry away. It had uncovered several hidden passages, but most of the valuable items were either out of reach or heavily protected.
If it touched anything, waves of energy would ripple through the air, revealing its presence.
In one hidden passage, the cat had overheard a conversation. Startled, it identally triggered a mechanism and fled in panic, only to tumble down a pit and into the sewers, eventually reaching the city center.
Now, Mikmik was desperate to find Athena. During its fall, it had discovered a massive rat nest, the Rat King at its core. Even more shocking, a gravely injured, winged monster was there¡ªand so was the emperor!
Chapter 127: The Emperor
Chapter 127: The Emperor
[ Task: Repel the Monsters ]
Difficulty: Level 10
Objective: Defeat the iing wave of monsters!
Reward: ck Iron Set (Level 3), 2000 Experience Points
Failure Penalty: One day of extreme weakness!
Athena was already en route to the pce, narrowly missing a potential encounter with Mikmik. On an ordinary day, any horse galloping down the streets would have been stopped by the city guards, but today, everyone was far too preupied to pay her any mind.
The hordes of rats posed a greater threat than therger monsters, for they were everywhere, wreaking havoc on a scale that demanded more manpower and resources to contain. Individually, these rats were no match for a seasoned warrior, but their sheer numbers made them a formidable challenge.
Riding swiftly, Athena reached the pce gates. Despite the chaos outside, the two knights stationed there remained at their posts. Upon recognizing her, they dutifully opened the gates¡ªan exclusive privilege granted by the Emperor himself.
The switch for the defense tower was located in the Emperor¡¯s bedchamber.
As she read the sudden notification, a sense of unease crept over her. How could such a significant disturbance go unnoticed by the one seated on the throne? And yet, the defense tower remained inactive.
No matter how peculiar the situation seemed, if she intended toplete her mission, activating the defense tower was imperative. The only forces she couldmand were the men of the Eagle w Agency, but they alone were insufficient to fend off the monstrous onught.
Given that the rat swarm had already begun its assault in earnest, it was only a matter of time before the main force of the monsters arrived. She had to deal with the rat creatures before then, or the situation would only deteriorate further.
The defense tower might repel the lower-tier rat monsters, but it would do little against the more powerful foes.
The vastness of the pce, now eerily silent, was unsettling. Not a single maid or guard was to be seen, despite the imminent threat.
Although one was traditionally expected to be unarmed when meeting the Emperor, she couldn¡¯t help but retrieve the ck Abyss Axe from her pack, gripping it firmly in her hand.
Before she could proceed to the Emperor¡¯s bedchamber, she spotted a familiar figure in the rear garden.
The Emperor, as always, strolled leisurely among the flowers. He stood there, his gaze fixed upon the vibrant life around him, his once-vigorous hands now frail as they caressed the blooms before snapping them off.
Her arrival had not escaped his notice. As he turned to face her, Athena had already bowed in respect, the weapon in her hand vanished as if it had never been there.
The once-beautiful flowers crumbled in his grasp, falling to the earth below.
¡°What is it?¡± His voice, though questioning, was devoid of any emotion, calm and unperturbed.
His deep gaze bore into Athena as he awaited her response.
¡°The ¡®rats¡¯ have begun their attack. The capital is overrun with them¡ªan infestation,¡± she reported, her head bowed low, obscuring the expression in her eyes.
¡°And the defense tower has yet to be activated. I assumed the pce might be under attack as well, so I hurried here.¡±
She kept her gaze lowered, her tone carefully neutral.
¡°Have you seen it?¡±
¡°I have.¡±
¡°Then why are you still here? Maintaining order in the city is the responsibility of the Eagle w Agency.¡±
The Emperor¡¯s words were delivered without a trace of concern, making no mention of the defense tower.
Athena remained silent, lowering her head even further before asking in a tone devoid of emotion, ¡°Your Majesty, is the defense tower damaged?¡±
Her words struck a nerve. The Emperor, with a swift flick of his sleeve, approached her with surprising speed. Though old, he still towered over her, his presence intimidating.
¡°Do your duty and refrain from asking questions you have no business asking.¡±
With that, the Emperor turned and left. Once he was gone, Athena began pacing the garden, measuring its vastness with her steps. The rear garden was enormous, upying nearly half the pce grounds.
Was it possible that their Emperor had such a fondness for flowers? Yet, despite the garden¡¯s apparent beauty, the number of actual flowers was rtively small.
As she walked, nothing seemed amiss. Athena cast a final, deep look at the garden.
The Emperor¡¯s aversion to the mention of the defense tower was puzzling. Was the tower trulypromised, or did the Emperor simply refuse to activate it? Activating the defense tower certainly consumed resources, but it was well within the capital¡¯s capacity¡ªit wouldn¡¯t cripple the empire¡¯s economy. The Emperor¡¯s strange behavior was difficult to exin.
Athena had no intention of confronting the old Emperor directly; it would be a foolhardy move. She had previously arranged to meet with Mikmik, who should have returned by now with any findings. If she couldn¡¯t enter herself, perhaps a cat could.
There was something about this garden that unsettled her.
Even if the Emperor suspected her involvement, as long as there was no overt evidence, she could deny it. If she seeded in repelling the monsters, she would undoubtedly earn the people¡¯s trust, and the Emperor would find it difficult to act against her swiftly.
She had thought Babron was troublesome, but it seemed their Emperor was no less so.
This vast empire¡ªapart from themon folk who truly cared for its safety¡ªwas merely a colossal cake in the eyes of the nobility. All they cared about was how much of it they could im for themselves.
Even if it meant toppling the cake and dividing it into pieces, they would do so without hesitation, greedily scooping their share onto their tes.
Meanwhile, the old Emperor had returned to his bedchamber. He moved aside a nearby bookcase, revealing a hidden passageway. The mes within ignited automatically, illuminating the entire corridor.
Descending the steps one by one, he arrived at a spacious, cavernous chamber directly beneath the garden.
In this chamber sat many figures, cloaked in ck hoods. Beside them was an extravagantly adorned bed, upon whichy the Prince of the White Grand Empire.
¡°How goes it?¡± The Emperor, gazing at the sleeping Prince, was visibly agitated.
The leader of the hooded figures withdrew his hand from the Prince¡¯s body. A worm had silently burrowed into the Prince¡¯s flesh.
¡°Of course, a promise is a promise.¡±
¡°It won¡¯t be long now. This body will be yours.¡±
The old Emperor was no longer the diligent ruler he once was. Now, he was merely a decrepit old man, desperately yearning for a young body once more.
Even if it meant eternal damnation, so be it.
In the grim sewers below, no more rat monsters emerged, for they had already imed the streets above.
Chapter 128: The Old And The New
Chapter 128: The Old And The New
Panic spread like wildfire. People screamed for help, their voices trembling with fear as they ran in every direction, yet no matter how they struggled, escape from the relentless pursuit of the rat beasts was impossible.
Fear gripped them tightly.
The more these frightened souls fled, the more arrogant the rat beasts became. Their shrill cries seemed to mock their prey, taunting them with their inevitable doom.
Some tried to hide, seeking refuge in the shadows, but the rat beasts¡¯ keen senses left no corner unsearched. Despite the valiant efforts of the city¡¯s guards and the Eagle w Agency, they could only manage to protect a fraction of the city. Small as they were, these rat beasts had driven the defenders to the brink of despair.
Though exhausted, the defenders held onto a sliver of hope. The rat beasts, after all, were limited in strength. With enough force, they could be exterminated. It was only a matter of time.
But time, it seemed, was no longer on their side.
From the depths of the sewers emerged new foes. Cloaked in ck hoods, their faces varied but their presence was anything but subtle. Compared to these rat beasts, these new enemies were true demons¡ªeach one so powerful that it took several men just to hold one at bay.
Their arrival drained what little strength remained in the defenders. The situation, already dire, now grew even more desperate. And as if summoned by their presence, the rat beasts, previously on the verge of being wiped out, surged in numbers once again.
Among these new terrors was a hooded rat-man, from whose robe an endless stream of rats poured forth. Though smaller than the elite rat beasts, these lesser vermin still posed a considerable threat.
The situation grew increasingly dire, and as time passed, everyone began to sense that something was terribly wrong. They had believed that they only needed to hold out until the defense towers were activated, but as the silence stretched on, a shadow of doubt crept into their hearts.
Had the pce also been attacked? The Eagle w Agency''s director had been gone for so long¡ªwhy was there no word from her?
Ilinaya was among them, blending into the chaos. Her song, which had no effect on Athena before, now held an immense power. Under the spell of her voice, civilians who had been fleeing suddenly stopped, turning back to willingly walk toward their deaths, obstructing the paths of the city guards and the Eagle w Agency.
The confidence they had lost earlier suddenly returned. Humans were indeed fragile.
Mikmik emerged from the chaos, but Athena was nowhere to be found. What he did smell, however, was a very familiar scent of fish.
Mikmik¡¯s nose was not particrly sharp, but he would never forget this scent. He had once bitten into a sea dolphin, and the taste had nearly knocked him unconscious. Ilinaya, with the same scent as that dolphin, had been burned into his memory. He followed the trail.
And there she was, Ilinaya, unleashing her power. Unlike thest time they met, when she had been in the ocean, now she stood amidst a sea of blood.
They were responsible for causing chaos in the city center, while another group of monsters outside the city created a pincer movement, cutting off reinforcements from the outside.
As people screamed, died, and buildings crumbled, tiny, transparent white specks of light began to spill into the air. There were only a few, but Ilinaya noticed them immediately.
The world¡¯s energy had no effect on her, but she had signed a contract with Athena.
With a transparent crystal bottle in hand, she collected these lights, her actions drawing curious nces from the other monsters as she observed her surroundings.
One thing puzzled her¡ªwhy was Athena, with all strength, so silent in this chaos? Even if Athena intended to remain hidden, Athena shouldn¡¯t be sopletely inactive in the face of the city¡¯s turmoil.
She couldn¡¯t help but wonder what kind of expression Athena would have when Athena discovered that the world¡¯s energy could only be collected under these dire conditions.
Never in her wildest dreams did she imagine that Athena had already transformed into a native.
Mikmik, having wandered around, quickly grew bored. On his way out, he casually killed a few rats to scratch an itch in his ws.
As another rat blocked his path, Mikmik ended it with a single swipe.
A human child, holding his sister tightly, sobbed as he watched a cat sh past. The rat that had threatened them was suddenly gone.
¡°Thank you, big kitty! Hoo-hoo...¡±
Human children were so troublesome, always crying at the slightest provocation. Mikmik needed to get back to the Eagle w Agency quickly. What if Athena returned and couldn¡¯t find him?
Meanwhile, Athena had arrived at the entrance of the Eagle w Agency, only to be met by a figure she never expected to see.
It was none other than Babron. He leaned on a jet-ck cane, yet his back was perfectly straight, making it seem like he didn¡¯t need the cane at all.
As Athena spotted him, Babron noticed her as well. The small detachment of soldiers he had brought with him was already sweeping through the area, clearing out rat beasts and protecting the civilians.
¡°Looks like you youngsters still aren¡¯t up to the task,¡± Babron said, lighting a cigar and cing it between his lips. His tone was one of mncholy, though his expression betrayed nothing of the sort.
With the addition of this small army, the situation began to improve. Babron had even brought out those who usually protected him in the shadows, revealing them in the open.
¡°Went to the pce, did you? What did you think? Have you gained any new insights about our dear Emperor?¡± he asked, slowly exhaling a ring of smoke.
The cigar didn¡¯t seem to taste very good; after a single puff, he discarded it, crushing the expensive cigar underfoot.
¡°To be honest, after knowing him for so long, it feels like I¡¯m only now truly seeing him for the first time. Our oldrade... has grown senile.¡±
¡°Look at this hellish scene! The empire is falling apart. The new generation is so weak and ipetent, and we old-timers are on our way out.¡±
To be honest, Athena hadn¡¯t expected Babron to be the only one standing up at this crucial moment.
¡°The defense towers aren¡¯t broken. The Emperor has taken control of them. I tried, but I couldn¡¯t get anywhere near his chamber,¡± Athena reported. The pce maids and guards were no ordinary people; they hadn¡¯t disappeared but were all stationed outside the Emperor¡¯s chamber.
Athena had no way of storming in alone, so she had returned to send Mikmik instead, only to unexpectedly run into Babron.
Babron looked at her in surprise, as if seeing her in a new light.
¡°Hahaha, I thought you were the Emperor¡¯s loyal hound, but it turns out you¡¯re a wolf!¡±
In her words, Babron detected not a hint of loyalty or respect toward their Emperor.
Chapter 129: The Clue
Chapter 129: The Clue
In the dimly lit underground passage, the old emperor paced anxiously by the bedside, his steps growing increasingly restless as the situation dragged on. He cast a worried nce at the others, whose pace seemed to slow with each passing moment, further fueling his agitation.
¡°What¡¯s the matter with you lot? Why is this taking so long? Isn¡¯t this supposed to be a simple task for you?¡± he barked, his voice tinged with desperation.
The hooded figure across from him didn¡¯t bother to look up, responding in a calm yet unsettling tone, ¡°My dear Emperor, the current situation is far from sufficient. We haven¡¯t yet obtained what we desire. And who¡¯s to say you won¡¯t renege on our agreement once you¡¯ve got what you want?¡±
¡°You insolent¡ª!¡± The old emperor¡¯s anger red, but he knew the man was right. He wanted to minimize his losses, after all.
These were his subjects, after all. They could sacrifice themselves for him, and the Empire could be rebuilt. No matter how rampant these monsters became, they would eventually retreat to their dark corners. Once he secured a new body, he would usher in a new era, leading the Empire to yet another glorious age.
In time, history would remember him as a wise and just ruler. No one would ever learn of his deeds; they would only sing his praises.
Lately, the fear of death had grown stronger within him. The guards and servants he had chosen were all meticulously trained, their loyalty unquestionable. They wouldy down their lives for him, and now, they were all stationed outside.
The emperor''s spies had long since outlived their usefulness; they had be nothing more than traitors. But that was of little concern to him. They couldn¡¯t stir even the smallest ripple against him.
He could contend with anything¡ªsave for time and mortality.
¡°You had best hurry, and don¡¯t think I won¡¯t notice any tricks you might try to pull. Or else¡¡± A sh of cold, steely resolve glinted in the old emperor¡¯s otherwise cloudy eyes, as though his younger self had resurfaced.
The man, hidden beneath his dark robes, simply chuckled at the threat. ¡°But of course,¡± he replied, unfazed.
The lifeblood of a nation, once stolen, could never be restored. The pity was that the old emperor was no longer in his right mind. He still believed that with a younger body, he could lead the Empire to new heights.
What he failed to understand was that losing the world¡¯s energy meant losing the light of day. The monsters infesting this ce would only grow in number until the Empire¡¯s fate was sealed in death.
Could he not grasp this truth? Perhaps, in the faint remnants of his sanity, he did. But what of it? It wasn¡¯t his concern¡ªhe would leave it to his descendants to worry about.
Athena and Babron were never ones to exchange pleasantries. She was certain that, given the chance, Babron would have no qualms about driving a dagger through her heart.
After all, Babron¡¯s son was still held captive by the old emperor.
The two of them sat casually on the steps of the Spymaster¡¯s headquarters, basking in the sunlight, watching the surrounding soldiers valiantly battle the encroaching monsters.
After a while, Athena felt something soft brushing against her foot, apanied by a peculiar odor.
Ayer of mud, clearly dredged from the sewers, had somehow found its way onto her leg, emitting a faint stench.
That was when Mikmik appeared in her field of vision, a creature more intent on dirtying her up than seeking her out forpanionship.
¡°Do you have a n, Duke? The defense tower is within the pce walls. Could you breach it?¡±
Babron cast her a cold, sidelong nce. ¡°That¡ is quite impossible. The emperor¡¯s forces and mine are evenly matched. An all-out assault would be required, but how could we ensure the tower¡¯s safety in the process?¡±
¡°I thought as much,¡± Athena sighed.
She picked up the now filthy white Persian cat that had turned ck from the grime, and the two pairs of eyes¡ªhers and Mikmik¡¯s¡ªstared intently at Babron.
He merely raised an eyebrow at Mikmik¡¯s sudden appearance, but asked no questions.
¡°Could you create a diversion, Duke?¡± she inquired.
Babron,bining Mikmik¡¯s ability to move unnoticed, had already pieced together her intentions.
¡°Director Athena, I always thought you were a cold and heartless person. Yet here you are, showing concern for themon folk,¡± he remarked, shaking his head with a wry smile.
If not for the plight of the ordinary people outside, Babron couldn¡¯t fathom why she would go to such lengths. Betraying the emperor would be tantamount to sentencing herself to death, with no reward to show for it.
But Athena remained unfazed. It made no difference to her whether she offended one side or both, so long as she didn¡¯t cross the System.
As Babron¡¯s forces continued to rescue more civilians, these people naturally gravitated toward the soldiers, gathering around them in increasing numbers.
Babron rose from the steps, maintaining the grace of a noble, and ascended to the tform above.
He tapped the ground with his cane, exerting an invisible pressure that instantly silenced the once-chaotic surroundings. In a moment where many lives hung in the bnce, with rat-like monsters still on the prowl, he began his speech.
¡°My dear citizens, please allow me to address you as such!¡± His voice boomed, resonating in every ear, bringing a strange sense of calm.
Athena recognized the technique; Alfred had used it before.
¡°Our emperor has betrayed us! He has struck a deal with these monsters, which is why he refuses to activate the defense tower to vanquish them. He has chosen to discard our lives!¡±
¡°He is no longer our emperor! He is more despicable than the monsters themselves. He is unfit to be our ruler. Now, I shall lead us in his overthrow. Who will join me?¡±
The crowd erupted into murmurs. The news was too much for them to process, especially after just surviving the rat gue and losing loved ones.
They had barely begun to feel relief when Babron, the head of one of the nation¡¯s oldest noble families, now stood before them, iming that their emperor had betrayed them.
The defense tower wasn¡¯t inactive due to technical difficulties; it was a deliberate act by the emperor himself!
¡°How could this be? Why would the emperor do such a thing? What could he possibly gain?¡±
¡°It¡¯s a lie, surely. I¡¯ve heard rumours that Duke Babron has had rebellious intentions.¡±
¡°No, it can¡¯t be. The Babron family has always protected us, and the emperor has been acting strangely in recent years. The taxes have be unbearable.¡±
¡°Then what¡¯s going on? Why hasn¡¯t the defense tower been activated? Why did my loved ones have to die?¡± someone screamed in despair.
Chapter 130: The Spark of Rebellion
Chapter 130: The Spark of Rebellion
As the tension in the air thickened, more and more people began to step forward, their faith ced in Babron, choosing to follow him to the pce for an investigation. Others, weary of further turmoil, remained indifferent; to them, the emperor, no matter who he was, mattered little.
After all, it was Babron who had just saved them, and standing by his side was Athena Ravencroft, the Director of the Eagle w Agency. The Eagle w Agency was a loyal organization dedicated to the emperor, a symbol of unwavering allegiance. Now, with Athena aligning with Babron, it was clear that something significant was amiss.
Among the crowd, some clever minds were steering the course of opinion. They feared that if they voiced dissent now, the very soldiers who had been protecting them might suddenly withdraw, leaving them to be torn apart by the lurking monsters.
Babron, of course, did not forget to invite Athena to join him. If he could marshal his soldiers tounch a unified assault on the Ratman¡ªthe creature relentlessly spawning these pests¡ªthey might indeed secure victory.
At the very least, they could eliminate a major threat and save more lives.
But Babron chose differently. He decided to disperse his forces to rescue civilians instead ofunching a direct attack on the source of the danger.
Meanwhile, the Eagle w Agency and the city guards were upied with high-level monsters, unable to spare any manpower.
The Ratman, far from being foolish, seldom lingered above ground, choosing instead to remain in thebyrinthine sewers beneath the city. He would only emerge briefly to release hordes of rats, never for more than half a minute.
Mikmik¡¯s ears twitched continuously, while Athena remained vignt. Finally, after another pinpointing attempt, she sensed the creature¡¯s energy fluctuations deep within the sewers.
¡°Your Grace, do take care of my cat for me,¡± she said with an air of finality. ¡°I have some unfinished business to attend to.¡±
Before the Duke could respond, she was off, sprinting towards an open manhole, disappearing into the darkness below.
The moment she descended, the soft, nauseating sensation beneath her feet caught her off guard. The ground was gone, reced by something soft and repulsive¡ªan endless mass of rats.
The darkness within the sewer was more oppressive than she had anticipated. She quickly retrieved a lens, clipping it onto her ear, and her vision brightened, revealing the extent of the ckened surroundings, a reward she get from the regional battle.
The Ratman, alerted by her sudden descent, had summoned swarms of rats to block her path while he himself made a hasty retreat.
The rodents swarmed around her, undeterred, some even trying to crawl up her legs. But when Athena produced a half-detonated firebomb from her pack,bined with her natural aura of intimidation, the rats scattered in fear.
She had no intention of using the bomb. In the gas-filled sewers, a detonation would trigger a chain reaction, possibly blowing up the entirework and causing untold destruction above ground¡ªdamage that might rival the monsters themselves.
The Ratman, fleeing for his life, called upon his allies, sending out small rats to fetch other creatures. He couldn¡¯tprehend the sheer audacity of someone who would dare enter the sewers alone, just to hunt him down.
To him, only a fool or a maniac would do such a thing, and neither was his concern. His job was to unleash the rats, leaving the rest to those other imbeciles.
Though Ilinaya had taken the world¡¯s energy, the secondary world source¡ªthe true prize¡ªhad been theirs for the taking. Do not underestimate even a sliver of it; it had taken them a considerable amount of time, careful nning, and execution to seize such an opportunity.
Opportunities like this were rare.
Athena moved as if the sewers were deserted, quickly locking onto the Ratman. He hadn¡¯t expected her to arrive so swiftly, and a shiver of dread ran through him when he recognized her as the human from the chapel. He had not forgotten the bloodlust in her eyes that day.
¡°Where are those idiots?!¡± he cursed under his breath. They had no loyalty to one another, only a shared goal. If the Ratman were to die, their entire n would suffer a devastating blow, and the world¡¯s secondary source they had harvested would be significantly reduced.
Outside, the monsters, receiving the rats¡¯ distress signals, rushed to the Ratman¡¯s aid. Ilinaya was thest to leave, casually stowing away the vial of energy. She had only promised to collect it, not how much.
To be honest, the humans¡¯ dy in attacking the Ratman had been a pleasant surprise; things had gone smoother than expected.
For some reason, the first thought that crossed her mind when the Ratman was under attack was Athena¡¯s face.
As the monsters dove into the sewers, the guards and Eagle w Agency agents above ground breathed a collective sigh of relief. With the monsters gone, they could finally focus on clearing out the surface rats.
There was no time to mourn fallenrades; every second counted.
Babron led his massive retinue away, the temporary surge in fighting power having improved the situation somewhat. But with his army¡¯s departure, everything reverted to its previous state.
He had steeled himself to embrace the now filthy Mikmik, who had been soiled beyond recognition.
To his surprise, Mikmik recoiled, disdain evident in the cat¡¯s demeanor, as it trotted ahead, showing no interest in being held.
Babron didn¡¯t mind in the least. Being slighted by a cat was a small price to pay as he led his grand procession towards the pce, a clear act of rebellion.
Inside the pce, preparations were finallyplete. The cloaked monster gazed at its work with satisfaction; the handsome prince was now nothing more than an empty shell.
The emperor, trembling with excitement, could hardly contain himself. He was about to be reborn.
Once he transferred his soul into the new body and activated the defense tower, it would be as if none of this had ever happened.
The monster knew that the emperor must not die. This lunatic held the lifeblood of an entire nation and had far more resources at his disposal than they had ever imagined. In his madness, he might drag them all down with him.
But this old emperor was a rare coborator. Human desire, once satisfied, only grows, leading to the second, then the third...
Desire would consume him without end.
Chapter 131: The Soul Exchange
Chapter 131: The Soul Exchange
The swarm of rats recoiled in fear of Athena, yet the Ratman¡¯smand soon drove them back into the fray.
These creatures were infuriatingly persistent! They even formed a living wall of rats, hindering every step Athena took. Her pace slowed dramatically, as though she were trudging through a boundless swamp, though the mire beneath her feet was very much alive.
To make matters worse, a few rats clung to her now and then, wing their way upward. She shook them off quickly, but their incessant harassment was grating on her nerves, filling her with frustration and helplessness.
She tried every method she could think of to rid herself of the wretched vermin, but they stuck to her like shadows, impossible to shake off. Sensing her struggle, the rats grew bolder, their fear of her diminishing with every passing moment.
Fortunately, Athena¡¯s body had been strengthened, her resilience bolstered. Otherwise, she would have been covered in bite wounds by now.
But this couldn¡¯t go on forever.
Her axe could only do so much against the swarming masses. It would be better to deal with the Ratman first.
The Moonlit Bow appeared in her hands, its mysterious, cold light shimmering in the dimness.
She seemed to merge with the bow itself, entirely unbothered by the rats crawling madly over her body. With unwavering focus, she nocked an arrow and drew the string taut, aiming directly at the Ratman ahead.
The Ratman¡¯s eyes widened in terror as he felt an icy chill stab through him. His heart raced, cold sweat beading on his brow. An unprecedented fear gripped him, sending shivers down his spine.
Most men would quail before such a horde of rats, yet this woman stood her ground.
The rats that had been obstructing Athena¡¯s path began to scatter, retreating towards the Ratman. They burrowed beneath his ck robes, melding with him.
Some of the rats formed another wall between Athena and the Ratman, attempting to block her attack.
Several arrows flew from Athena¡¯s bow, each one intercepted or dodged. Only one managed to graze the Ratman¡¯s shoulder, merely scratching the surface of his defences without causing any significant injury.
Not only was the Ratman adept atmanding the swarm, but he was also a formidable foe in his own right. However, his instincts leaned more towards flight than fight.
Their speed was extraordinary; to the average eye, they were nothing more than fleeting shadows. The Ratman, familiar with every twist and turn of the sewers, led them through a maze of passages.
This wretched creature was absurdly agile, but once struck by the Moonlit Arrow, its power would slowly devour him from within.
The Ratman could already feel his body stiffening, his speed waning. He summoned more rats to rejoin his body, attempting to regain his momentum.
Meanwhile, with the rats no longer obstructing her, Athena¡¯s pace quickened once more. Yet this was merely a temporary reprieve.
The Ratman, undeterred, never ceased his frantic flight, knowing he was mere moments from reaching the pce, where victory would surely be his, and Athena would fall.
As they pressed onward, the Ratman, ever cunning, guided their path closer to the pce.
A creature of the Ratman¡¯s calibre would undoubtedly lose in a direct confrontation with Athena. But if he focused solely on escaping, even she would struggle to catch him.
Above ground, the monsters were retreating, and even the rats were beginning to thin out.
With courage restored, themon folk took up arms against the remaining rat-monsters. Their initial terror transformed into righteous anger, fuelled by the loss of their loved ones.
No longer was this a one-sided massacre; it had be an even match, with the humans slowly gaining the upper hand.
Duke Babron, leading the people and the army towards the pce, moved with a steady, unhurried pace, unconcerned by the chaos around him.
Now and then, he would exchange a few words with those nearby, his speechced with subtle hints, guiding the people to believe that perhaps their emperor truly had abandoned his people and his realm.
They were like a powder keg, needing only a spark to ignite an explosion.
The surrounding soldiers treated them with leniency; if someone fell behind, they would be carried or left in ce to wait.
Duke Babron refrained from looking towards the pce, his thoughts unreadable.
By now, the affair at the pce should be nearing its conclusion.
In the underground chamber of the pce, a mysterious and potent force was quietly awakening. In the pitch-ck darkness, a massive magic circle began to glow, its eerie and ominous light filling the space with a sense of foreboding.
At the same time, the once vibrant flowers blooming in the pce gardens began to wither, as though drained of life. Their once radiant petals shrivelled, as if consumed by the surrounding darkness.
In an instant, the garden was left lifeless, a scene of death and decay.
The sight was enough to send a chill down one¡¯s spine, yet the guards stationed nearby remained unfazed, their eyes fixed unwaveringly on the royal chamber.
As the light from the magic circle flickered, the prince, who had been lying motionless on the bed, slowly opened his eyes, only to see the lifeless body of the old emperor beside him.
His gaze, initially filled with confusion, quickly turned to excitement, then to a wild, almost maniacal joy. He sat up abruptly, clutching his head as he broke into hystericalughter.
A figure in ck robes watched silently, pulling his hood lower over his face before offering his congrattions. ¡°Congrattions, Your Majesty, on your rebirth.¡±
The old emperor, now in the prince¡¯s body, caressed his smooth, youthful face. Among all his children, only the prince had survived the selection.
This was hisst hope. Though the prince wasn¡¯t a perfect match, the soul transfer had been a gamble he was willing to take.
And it seemed that even the heavens favoured him, for he had survived the ordeal.
Lowering his hand, he looked up, his golden hair framing eyes as cold as a thousand-year-old cier.
¡°Our cooperation ends here,¡± he dered, his voice chilling and authoritative. ¡°You¡¯ve received what you came for. Now, be gone.¡±
His tone was distant,manding, just like the new emperor of forty years ago, who had once conquered the world with ambition and fervour, fearing no monster.
The figure in ck remained unperturbed, merely raising his hands in a gesture ofpliance. He had no intention of lingering. What happened next was none of his concern.
Chapter 132: An Ever-Changing Situation
Chapter 132: An Ever-Changing Situation
It wasn''t until that dangerous individual used his teleportation skill to leave that the old emperor finally allowed himself to rx, his nerves unwinding like a taut string cut loose.
There was no formal contract between him and that individual, only a verbal agreement of cooperation. Either party could break it at any moment without consequence. Ordinary contracts held little sway over either of them. Even third-party pacts, which could bind more effectively, were only useful when dealing with beings from the Third World.
There was no point in engaging in a self-destructive conflict. It was better for both sides to retreat, each content with what they had gained. After all, both had achieved what they desired.
Yet, even now, the emperor''s heart raced with excitement. People often say that once you''ve faced death, you no longer fear it. For some, however, it''s quite the opposite. Experiencing death once makes one cherish life all the more, and fear death even more intensely. The emperor was precisely one of those people.
As for the remaining riffraff, he hardly spared them a thought. Once the defensive tower was activated and half his guards were dispatched, the situation would soon stabilise. He would then publicly announce that a monster had attacked the pce, leading to his apparent death. The prince, fighting valiantly, would be credited with reopening the defensive tower.
This would greatly elevate the prince¡¯s standing, smoothly paving the way for him to be the next beloved emperor.
His only concern had been Babron causing trouble. Yet, to his disappointment, the man had made no move, leaving the emperor feeling oddly unsatisfied. He had hoped Babron would stir things up, giving him an excuse to act against him.
The emperor stepped toward his former body, his hand forming into a w. With a swift motion, he plunged his hand into the old, frail form, extracting a glowing crystal orb from the abdomen.
The orb floated in mid-air, radiating a warm light that swiftly enveloped the entire pce. From the pce''s centre, a shield expanded outward, covering the entire city. The rat-monsters, previously running rampant, evaporated in an instant.
Even the remaining creatures found themselves suppressed.
The ck-robed figure had been teleported outside the city by the defensive spell. Strangely, as he was expelled, a crooked smile formed on his lips.
From his vantage point, he watched the barrier¡ªa sight that had been impossible to behold for many years.
Those who had survived the onught fell to their knees, some immediately, others slowly sinking to the ground in exhaustion and despair. Tears streaked many faces¡ªsome wept openly, while others shed silent tears, their eyes vacant, as though their very souls had been drained. Their bodies trembled slightly, still gripped by the terror and hopelessness they had just endured.
The scene was eerily silent, broken only by the asional sound of sobbing.
Yet the powerful, holy barriersted only a few fleeting seconds before it began to flicker, then shattered before their eyes into countless fragments, which dissolved into the air.
For the people gathered outside the pce, the brief surge of hope was swiftly crushed, plunging them into a deeper despair than before. The monster attacks had be a regr urrence, but none had ever been as severe as this. Still, the blow to their spirits was not caused by the attack but by the shattering of the barrier they had always relied upon.
The once-old emperor, now in the form of a prince, felt the orb in his hand tremble violently. The scene within the orb showed the barrier enveloping the entire imperial city, yet the next image shook him to his core.
The city¡¯s centuries-old protective barrier shattered just as quickly as it had appeared. Immediately after, cracks formed along the surface of the crystal orb. In mere moments, it shattered in his grasp, leaving his hands bloodied as he tried in vain to gather the pieces.
Staring at the shards on the ground, he didn¡¯t even feel the pain in his hands. His mind was a nk haze.
"Impossible! Who could possess such power? If those monsters had the ability to do this, they wouldn¡¯t have been held at bay for a hundred years!"
What in the world was happening?
The crystal orb was no counterfeit¡ªno one even knew that he had hidden the defense tower within his body. And if the tower had been fake, how could it have activated the barrier in the first ce?
His frenzied cries alerted the guards outside. A squad rushed in to find the prince, furious beyond words, pounding the ground with his fists, desperately trying to reassemble the broken pieces.
None of them understood what had happened. Even outside, confusion reigned.
Except for one man.
The ck-robed figure gazed at the dissipating barrier and calmly took a step forward, crossing into the city¡¯s boundaries with an air of inevitability, as though everything had unfolded exactly as it was meant to.
Meanwhile, Babron stood before the crowd, his eyes glinting with a hidden smile as he witnessed the shattering of the barrier. Slowly, he stroked his cane, his expression betraying nothing of his inner satisfaction.
But when he spoke, his voice was one of deep anguish, a sorrowful cry to the heavens. "My friends! Ourst hope has been destroyed. Those monsters have shattered our sacred barrier!"
Babron tapped his cane lightly against the ground, motioning for him to continue forward.
The people, paralysed by despair and shock, stood frozen, their gaze nk. Yet deep within their eyes, a faint glimmer of hope flickered.
Athena arrived before any of them, now standing within the withering garden.
Monsters blocked her path, while behind her, pce guards hurried towards themotion. She had been pursuing the ratman, but upon realising they were heading towards the pce, she had quickly attempted to destroy the sewer entrance. Though her arrows had missed their mark, they embedded themselves in the surrounding stone walls.
In an instant, the rat-monsters vanished, and the ratman''s speed slowed dramatically.
She had seeded halfway¡ªthe passage had been destroyed, and the ratmany on the ground, barely clinging to life. But just as she prepared to leave, more creatures crawled out of the sewer.
Still, she loosed another arrow, this time striking one of the ratman in the abdomen. Had it not struggled, the shot would have pierced its heart.
She spotted Ilinaya, though it was clear the woman hadn¡¯t recognised her in her altered form.
With the added wounds, the power of the lunar energy would corrode the rat-man even more fiercely. The poison embedded in her arrow¡ªa potent purple dream buds toxin¡ªthough no longer inducing sleep, had be an inescapable death sentence.
The rat-man wouldn¡¯t survive.
Athena had no intention of lingering with these creatures, lest she be surrounded. She was ready to leave, confident they couldn¡¯t hold her.
Yet, to her surprise, the monsters didn¡¯t attempt to detain her either. Instead, a mysterious formation appeared beneath their feet, and in the blink of an eye, they all found themselves within the garden.
Chapter 133: The Standoff
Chapter 133: The Standoff
The tense atmosphere was palpable as both parties formed a standoff, with Athena at the heart of it all. Though the situation was fraught with danger, she had wisely refrained from openly breaking with the emperor, knowing full well that her position remained precarious. Her guards, ever vignt, stood closely around her, their eyes keenly focused on the threat ahead.
While they harbored some doubts about Athena, their priority now was to face the monstrous creatures that loomed before them. These ferocious beasts, though terrifying, stirred no fear in the hearts of loyal warriors. Gripping their weapons tightly, they braced themselves for the impending sh.
The barrier¡¯s shattering was like a signal, heralding the start of a brutal conflict. Both sides sprang into action, fully aware that this battle would be a test not just of might but of strategy.
On one side stood the feral monsters, each more hideous than thest, charging at the human line with reckless abandon. On the other, human warriors met their advance, resolute and unyielding, their weapons glinting as they prepared for the onught.
It was a fight to the death.
The monsters howled, spewing mes that threatened to engulf the humans. One of Athena''s guards quickly rallied hisrades, raising shields to ward off the firestorm, beforeunching a counterattack. Swords shed, cries of battle rang out, and the scene descended into chaos.
Amongst the mayhem, a ratmany ensnared at the rear, its life precariously hanging by a thread, while a butterfly-like creature hovered over it, tirelessly working to heal its wounds, battling the mysterious force that surged within the ratman.
Athena acted swiftly. She pulled from her robes a half-primed firebomb, her gaze fixing on the oing wave of monsters. With a firm grip, she hurled the bomb into their midst, feeling the immense power it held.
The bomb arced through the air and detonated upon impact, unleashing a deafening explosion. mes and shockwaves radiated outward, engulfing the creatures in a storm of destruction.
Startled by the st, the monsters scattered, scrambling to escape the mes, but the inferno spread with rming speed, consuming everything in its path.
Though the bomb¡¯s power had already been immense, its repeated failed detonations hadpressed its energy further, making this final explosion even more devastating.
The ratman perished instantly. The remaining monsters and the emperor¡¯s guardsy broken and defeated, many too injured to continue. Though Athena had stood at the furthest point from the explosion, even she felt the heatwave wash over her, the burning sensation momentarily overwhelming. But she quickly regained herposure.
[ You have obtained the Ratman Card! ]
The explosion had inadvertently damaged a magical formation in the royal gardens. In the distance, the emperor¡¯s pce began to crumble, revealing a familiar figure emerging from the ruins, supported by others.
It was the crown prince, carrying a corpse slung over his back ¨C the body of the emperor.
The prince, his lungs choked with dust, coughed violently as his eyes scanned the battlefield. The moment his gaze met Athena¡¯s, her brow furrowed.
That look in his eyes¡ Was this truly the prince who had inherited his father¡¯s mannerisms, or had the emperor somehow taken his ce?
Athena suspected thetter. She vividly remembered theirst encounter, and no amount of time could exin such a drastic transformation in the prince¡¯s demeanor.
"Kill them all," came the coldmand. The prince¡¯s voice was low, but the intent was unmistakable. Though his own guards were wounded and weakened, the monsters had been fewer in number to begin with. Now, with the tide turning, it was the perfect moment to deliver a fatal blow. And by "them," the prince clearly included Athena.
The explosion she had triggered had been too great a threat for him to ignore. He could sense the danger she posed.
As the prince¡¯s guards moved toward her, Athena reached into her bag and pulled out another firebomb. The prince¡¯s expression immediately shifted.
¡°Mind the Director,¡± he ordered, though his eyes remained locked on the deadly device in her hand.
Surely, he thought, such a powerful weapon couldn¡¯t be anything but a rarity. How could she possibly have another?
The monsters, originally there to rescue the ratman, now found themselves trapped, forced to fight for their own survival. They cursed their ill fortune, cursing also the shadowy figure they had followed to this ce.
In the midst of the chaos, Ilinaya made her move. Before Athena could fully react, something smalltched onto her leg. A cat, with an air of familiarity. Ilinaya immediately recognized it as one of Athena¡¯s creations and quickly followed it, slipping away unnoticed.
To avoid suspicion, she continued to duel one of the guards, leading him farther from the fray. The second firebomb exploded behind her momentster, but thanks to her swift retreat, she was spared any serious injury.
Her eyes now fixated on Athena, watching her every move. No wonder she hadn¡¯t been able to locate her earlier ¨C Athena¡¯s appearance had changed. But, upon closer inspection, Ilinaya could still discern the features she knew so well.
The two would not harm each other, bound as they were by a mutual agreement. Ilinaya had already gathered a fair amount of the world¡¯s energy, and she was ready to hand it over to Athena when the time came. However, if anything were to happen to Athena now, their contract would be nullified, and chaos would surely follow.
As Mikmik disappeared into the shadows once more, it circled Athena¡¯s feet before slipping into the basement. It had been here before, though itsst visit had triggered a trap, and someone had been present.
That cane-wielding old man, with his irritating habit of treating Mikmik like a mere cat, had made it sniff something outst time. Foolish humans.
But now, with no one around, Mikmik was free to rummage as it pleased. It soon found a small shard, unsure of its significance but careful nheless as it picked it up.
Meanwhile, outside, the pce echoed with the sounds of copsing stone and bestial roars, the once-steadfast guards now uneasy and fearful.
Yet Babron remained unmoved. He stood his ground, waiting in silent anticipation. Time passed, and still, he waited, unflinching.
Finally, Babron and his men moved forward, entering the pce without hesitation, though not before reassuring the uneasy crowd gathered outside.
Among the people, a figure slipped unnoticed. He had just returned from outside the city, discarding his previous attire to assume the guise of Babron¡¯s son.
None of themon folk knew of the capture, and Babron¡¯s son was still a highly regarded figure. His presence alone restored hope among the people, calming their fears once again.
Chapter 134: The Final Curtain Draws Near
Chapter 134: The Final Curtain Draws Near
Atst, everyone had gathered!
Under the leadership of Duke Babron, arge crowd surged into the pce like a mighty wave, their presence strikingly prominent under the sunlight. At the forefront strode Babron himself, his tall, imposing figure and resolute expression exerting an invisible pressure on all who beheld him. Every step he took was firm and purposeful,den with unwavering resolve.
Inside, where a fierce battle had been raging with no clear victor, the appearance of this unexpected group was akin to a stone cast into a calmke, instantly shattering the atmosphere of intensebat. Every gaze was inevitably drawn towards them.
Even Athena, who had been watching the infighting with detached amusement, shifted her attention.
Some within the crowd noticed the emperor being carried by his guards. Whispers began to spread, their focus falling on the gaping wound in the emperor¡¯s abdomen.
Those who had believed the emperor had abandoned them now found their faith wavering. What they were witnessing starkly contradicted what Babron had told them.
Their prince was valiantly leading the charge against the monstrous invaders, while their old emperor had already perished.
With just one nce at the army Babron had brought, the prince knew what scheme he was concocting. Fortunately, despite a few mishaps with the barrier, the story was still unfolding as the prince had nned.
¡°Attack the monsters with all your might! Do not allow them to harm Duke Babron or the people!¡± The prince¡¯s voice was bothmanding and impassioned.
Yet, beneath that powerful exterior, there was a tremor¡ªa hint of sorrow that could not be ignored. ¡°My father has fallen in battle. I shall now take up his mantle and protect you all!¡±
When he spoke of Duke Babron, his tone grew notably heavier. As for Babron¡¯s son, though the prince had imprisoned him in the pce¡¯s secret dungeons, it wasn¡¯t beyond possibility that Babron had bribed someone to set him free.
Those who had been hesitating now felt a wave of guilt wash over them.
The prince¡¯s disy of grief was heart-wrenching, but Babron¡¯s performance surpassed even that, his sorrow so deep that he turned his head away, silent.
Even Babron¡¯s son, standing beside him, appeared suddenly ovee with anguish and disbelief.
¡°Father! Why would you do this? You! How could you ally with those foul creatures?¡± His voice trembled with fury, each word spat as though it had been shattered before emerging.
Sensing something amiss, the prince rushed forward to stop him, but his body suddenly grew stiff, veins bulging beneath his skin.
And then, he saw it¡ªayer of white debris falling from his face, fluttering to the ground.
With a trembling hand, he touched his cheek, only to realise that his face had fractured into countless shards, like a broken mask, pieces of it falling away.
It wasn¡¯t just his face. Parts of his body were also disintegrating, shedding in pieces.
¡°Father, you conspired with monsters in your pursuit of immortality, refused to activate the defense towers, sabotaged them, and even went so far as to take possession of my cousin¡¯s body!¡±
¡°You are no longer fit to be emperor!¡± With that, the "Babron''s son" tore off his human skin mask, revealing the face beneath¡ªit was the prince himself.
The true prince, his soul, in his body.
The figure that had the old emperor''s soul, now stripped of his disguise, had the appearance of Babron¡¯s son.
Those present werepletely stunned, their minds struggling to process the revtion.
At this moment, the old emperorunderstood. The problem wasn¡¯t with the defense towers¡ªit was with him. He had not possessed his own son¡¯s body as he had thought but instead that of Babron¡¯s son.
The Emperor and Babron were equally ruthless; neither had any qualms about using their sons for their own gain.
Only the old emperor knew the location of the defense towers, a secret passed down through generations to prevent any ill intent. The towers were imprable to monsters and would even injure them if they came too close.
The soul-swapping technique was most effective when used on a direct blood rtive; otherwise, the bacsh would be severe, and a long period of adjustment was required. Few survived this process, and eventually, only the prince had.
The old emperor had no fear of failure. If the ritual went awry, he was prepared to take everyone down with him. Yet, to his dismay, the ritual had seeded.
Under pressure from the Babron family, he had taken Babron¡¯s sister as his queen, giving him the blood connection needed for the ritual. Babron¡¯s son had undergone the same conditioning as the prince, making him the perfect vessel for the old emperor¡¯s soul.
Now, as the old emperor opened his mouth to speak, he found himself unable to utter a sound.
Instead, it was the prince¡¯s voice, who survived the ordeal, filled with righteous indignation, that resounded through the hall, cementing the narrative in everyone¡¯s mind. The pieces of truth fell into ce: their emperor had made a vile pact with monsters, willing to sacrifice his people for immortality. He had stolen Babron¡¯s son¡¯s body and attempted to kill the prince to maintain his power.
Thankfully, Duke Babron had saved the prince, who, in his anguish, had stepped forward to use his father, sacrificing his familial ties for the greater good. His bravery would be sung for generations.
The old emperor could feel the life slipping from his newly imed body, his hard-won second chance at life fading away.
The defense towers had always been controlled by the ruling monarch, their location known only to the emperor of the day. While they could be activated by any being of the light, only the emperor could shut them down. This fact sealed the old emperor¡¯s guilt.
Yet, because of the failed soul swap, the towers no longer recognised him. They had initiated self-destruct mode.
But the towers could be restored if handed over to the true emperor. And now, they only recognised one ruler¡ªthe prince.
The old emperor had so many ns left unfinished. His resentment was palpable, but now he couldn¡¯t evenmand those who once followed him. His soul, like his body, was disintegrating.
He was merely a secondary yer in this grand tragedy, his role to appear at the crucial moment and then quietly exit, having helped the protagonist bring the drama to its climactic end.
And one of the main actors in this grand y was undoubtedly his son, grown beyond recognition.
Chapter 135: The Performance
Chapter 135: The Performance
Before the guards behind the Emperor could even react, they saw him copse to the ground, writhing in agony.
These guards were once thete Emperor¡¯s death-sworn followers, aplices to all the dark deeds he orchestrated, including this soul-switching affair. They knew that once the Prince took the throne, they would be the first to face his wrath.
Caught between a rock and a hard ce, with the Babron army ahead and monsters at their back, they were well and truly trapped.
After expressing his sorrow and fury, the Prince turned to Babron and the citizens.
"Your Grace, Duke Babron, esteemed citizens, I grieve for the deeds of my father. Now, allow me to put an end to this farce.¡±
With just a nod of his head, the army stationed to protect the people moved forward in perfect synchrony,unching a full-frontal assault. They did so only after receiving Duke Babron¡¯s own subtle signal, allowing the Prince to assumemand.
Curiously, the monsters and the guards shared the same thought: to flee this ursed battlefield. A guard who had once summoned Athena sprinted forward, scooping the barely-breathing Emperor onto his back before retreating.
The monsters, too, wisely separated themselves from the chaos. They had realized the ck Robe had betrayed them. ck Robe had promised them a n¡ªan opportunity to converge inside the pce and destroy the defense towers from within.
Their orders were to eliminate the pce¡¯s elite. If anyone else had suggested it, they wouldn¡¯t have believed them. But ck Robe, one of the highest-ranking members of their council, was beyond reproach¡ªhe had established the entire ¡®Rat¡¯ organization. Even now, they couldn''t fathom why he¡¯d turn on them.
However, they had no choice but to flee, taking all they could carry, for a drawn-out battle would only work against them. With the Ratman''s mass attack neutralized, the Eaglew Agency and the royal guard could now spare reinforcements.
Their instincts were sound, but this was no ce for easy exits.
The explosion earlier had caused a section of the ground to cave in, revealing the underground chamber from which they had initially teleported. Now, it seemed their only escape routey there.
But soon, Witty swooped in, clutching a vtile explosive orb and dropping it beside the formation. Then, with a swift movement, it returned to Athena¡¯s side, guiding her to her next vantage point.
By now, everyone noticed that Athena had circled far from the battlefield''s centre, and had readied her bow from a distance.
She loosed an arrow, with a precise trajectory that sliced through the air, striking the underground chamber where Wit had ced the explosive. This was no ordinary explosive¡ªit was a failed creation of hers, notoriously unstable, and sensitive to the slightest energy disturbance.
As the Moonlight Arrow struck the vicinity, the ensuing energy surge triggered the precarious orb.
In an instant, a brilliant sh lit the area, followed by a searing st that spread shockwaves at a terrifying pace.
The confined space magnified the explosion''s destructive force, reducing the teleportation array, along with the entire basement, to rubble.
They had wanted to stop Athena, but none could match her speed. All they could do was watch in horror as the explosion unfolded.
Neither Duke Babron nor the Prince truly wanted to kill the monsters. It was all for show¡ªa calcted move to give the impression of a final stand. After all, cornered beasts are the most dangerous, and forcing the creatures into a desperate battle would only end badly for them. These monsters cared nothing for human lives or the destruction of buildings.
Now, however, with their escape route obliterated, both the Emperor¡¯s faction and the monsters had no choice but to flee through the pce and out into the city¡ªan ordeal that would prove perilous.
For a fleeting moment, Athena sensed the murderous res from all sides. If looks could kill, she would have been torn apart by now.
But she had no choice; her mission was not yetplete.
---
Objective: Defeat the Monsters Difficulty: Lv 10
Objective: Repel the monster invasion!
Reward: ck Iron Armor (Set 3), 2000 Experience
Failure: Severe Debilitation for one day!
Current Progress: 39%
Warning: Sess requires 60%pletion or higher!
---
The progress was abysmally low. Given the monsters'' weakened state, her mission should have been much further along. If she let them escape now, her task would be impossible to finish.
A full day of severe debilitation wasn¡¯t necessarily life-threatening¡ªif she could remain within a safe haven for its duration. But the system had never yed by conventional rules before and even slightly change the words and contexts of the missions. In the span of one day, there were plenty of opportunities for her to meet a grisly end.
Moreover, the ck Iron Armor intrigued her greatly.
Naturally, the monsters shifted their focus to Athena, aware that she was now their primary threat. No one particrly cared for her anymore, that much was clear.
The soldiers, however, remained unaware of the true meaning behind their orders. They blindly charged ahead, engaging in a savage and bloody battle with the enemy. Their only thought was to press forward, no matter the cost.
On the chaotic battlefield, their vision was clouded with rage and hatred, their minds consumed by the grief of losing loved ones. Their single goal: annihte the guards and monsters in their path!
With unyielding determination, the soldiers threw themselves into the fray. Wielding their weapons with fierce cries, they engaged in brutal hand-to-handbat, using their bodies as shields against enemy assaults.
One must admit, Babron¡¯s conditioning of these soldiers was impressive. They no longer feared death. At hismand, they would charge headlong into certain doom.
Among them were several individuals of exceptional skill. Without them, even these well-conditioned soldiers would be nothing more than fodder for the monsters.
Athena, however, had no intention of being swarmed by this rabble. Who knew when Babron might suddenly turn on her with some underhanded scheme, then nobly dere her a martyr for the kingdom?
Gathering all her strength into her legs, she darted into the crowd with lightning speed. Babron had brought these men along merely to lend credence to his words and to ensure the Prince¡¯s smooth ascent to the throne. Of course, there was also the possibility that he wished to tarnish thete Emperor¡¯s legacy.
Now, however, these men had be Athena¡¯s perfect shield.
Previously, people viewed Athena as a cunning, unpredictable official with a vtile temper. But now, seeing her fight to thwart the Emperor and the monsters, they had begun to see her in a new light.
More than that, she had cornered the monsters, leaving them with no escape. It was a truly satisfying spectacle.
Standing openly beside Babron and the Prince, Athena even managed a polite bow and a professional smile.
Babron may have been smiling, but Athena could tell he was seething inside. The Prince, on the other hand, seemed calm, as though he genuinely regarded her as a national hero, full of admiration.
Chapter 136: Teleportation
Chapter 136: Teleportation
Mikmikzily sauntered over to where Athena had just been standing, leaping effortlessly into her arms as she scooped him up.
"Director Athena is quite the expert in our country. With your participation, I am confident our soldiers will im victory even faster."
"As for the Duke''s forces, they''ve just endured a battle. I''ve suffered no small internal injury and am in no condition to fight again."
"Besides, we must have faith in our nation''s warriors; they are more than capable."
An awkward silence fell over them, while the prince of their realm continued his performance, fully embracing the role of a tragic figure. Tears stained his cheeks, though they had yet to dry.
Babron, that scoundrel, had no qualms about sacrificing his own son, a scheme he had long been orchestrating.
Athena gently stroked Mikmik¡¯s fur. She wasn¡¯t sure what kind of magic the little creature had worked, but his fur concealed an array of hidden treasures. As she stroked him, her hand would asionally uncover an item, which she promptly stored in her system inventory.
Though the objects were small, Athena trusted that anything Mikmik brought back was of value.
Mikmik, evidently pleased by her attention, opened his mouth to reveal a gleaming shard¡ªa fragment of a crystal ball. Despite the old emperor''s best efforts to retrieve every piece, a few had managed to slip through the cracks.
Even such a tiny shard, when given to the right person, could summon a new crystal ball imbued with the nation''s power.
Though the presence of a defense tower would expedite the creation of protective shields, weakening the monsters and hastening their defeat, Athena felt no urgency.
The real concerny with another group. She, after all, was merely a passerby here. In the grand scheme of things, whether or not the defense tower existed held little consequence for her.
Athena did not reach out to take the shard from Mikmik¡¯s mouth. Instead, Babron, having spotted the cat, approached them.
The situation had reached its conclusion, and his men were working swiftly to deal with the monsters, engaging them in a desperate struggle.
The old emperor must be reimed, for the ancient monarch still possessed many valuable things.
It would be ideal to secure Mikmik¡¯s shard quickly, but if that proved impossible, they would have to capture the old emperor and discuss termster.
Babron, in a bold move, reached out to stroke Mikmik, but the cat dodged at lightning speed, baring his teeth in a menacing snarl.
Babron sighed, abandoning the attempt, and simply held out his hand. Mikmik spat out the shard into his palm, leaving a trace of saliva behind.
Unfazed, Athena calmly stored the staff in her system inventory, unconcerned that Babron might notice her spatial abilities. By the time anyone reached such high-ranking positions, it wasmon knowledge that people possessed such items for storage.
Babron was equally unbothered by her actions. The moment the shard touched his hand, it emitted a strange glow, clearly gathering energy. Without hesitation, Babron passed the shard to the prince, as if returning it to its rightful owner.
Their prince was an odd one. Though his smile appeared harmless, and his actions seemed normal, he delicately epted the shard with a handkerchief, avoiding direct contact.
Only Athena noticed this small detail; the others were too distracted by the spectacle above. Even if they had seen it, they would not have thought much of it.
The shard, already glowing, began to fully activate in the prince''s hands. Strange light flooded in from all directions, drawn by the fragment¡ªthe residual, shattered energy of the world itself, flowing into it continuously.
The era of the old emperor had ended. A new ruler was about to ascend the stage of history, and this newly formed crystal ball symbolised the beginning of his reign.
Radiant beams shone from the orb, each one representing hope and the future. The ball served as a beacon, and around it, a fresh protective barrier rose, more brilliant and durable than thest.
The moment the new emperorgrasped the crystal ball, it was as if the very world trembled in response.
Everyone was caught up in the sensation¡ªa ritual unique to thends of Light.
Regrettably, the monsters fared poorly. In an instant, they were crushed. After fighting for so long, their strength had already been depleted, and despite their resilience, they were now covered in wounds of varying sizes.
More troubling still, their leader had vanished without a trace, abandoning them.
Ilinaya had drawn the short straw. Her first mission, her first venture into the field, and she found herself in this deathtrap.
Athena, judging by her expression, recognised Ilinaya, but showed no inclination to save her. Onnd, Ilinaya was far weaker than in water, and now her voice felt on the verge of giving out from the strain.
In her current half-dead state, things didn¡¯t look good. If she died, she would ensure Athena went down with her.
The monsters were either dead or gravely injured, and Athena finally spoke. "Hold the remaining few for now. The mastermind isn¡¯t among them."
The remaining monsters had lost all will to fight. Three or four of them posed no real threat.
The prince readily epted her suggestion.
The monsters were nearly annihted, yet Athena''s progress had stalled at over half the rate and wouldn¡¯t budge.
As she watched the peculiar prince, a thought urred to her. The shard hadn¡¯t even touched him directly; it had glowed in Babron¡¯s hand, not his. Only the monsters feared the shard, avoiding contact with it.
With the nation¡¯s heir deceased, it was natural that a new candidate would be chosen. Clearly, the fragment had chosen... Babron.
Their prince was merely a figurehead.
The prince and Babron noticed Athena¡¯s scrutiny and turned to grin at her. Their smile was disconcerting, like a predator sizing up its prey, as though they intended to devour her.
They didn¡¯t bother hiding their true intentions because, in their eyes, Athena was already amb to the ughter.
Making deals with the devil...
This ce was less an imperial city and more a monster¡¯s breeding ground, with the new leader of the nation having struck a pact with the creatures. Babron was even more ruthless and deranged than their previous emperor.
Havingpleted her mission, Athena made a swift decision: teleport.
Ilinaya, who was part of her team, was also transported away. In the midst of the confusion, Athena didn¡¯t forget to toss a firebomb at the prince.
As the explosion erupted, her mission progress ticked forward once more.
That ¡®prince¡¯ was the true key to the mission.
Chapter 137: Return
Chapter 137: Return
The old emperor was no saint, and neither was Babron. Their generation had been led astray by these two decrepit figures. The so-called ''heir''¡ªthe prince¡ªwas nothing more than the leader of another monstrous faction. Though they held each other in check, unable to move against one another, it was inevitable that one day this fragile bnce would shatter, exposing their mutual deceit.
As the light from the teleportation array grew brighter, Athena stepped forward without hesitation. Her figure was instantly swallowed by the dazzling radiance, and Mikmik quickly followed her into the array.
Ilinaya, who had been watching from the side, was drawn forward against her will by the sheer force of the array.
In the blink of an eye, she, too, was transported.
The journey was smooth, without the slightest jolt or difort. When Athena opened her eyes, she found herself in familiar surroundings. The water that had previously protected her base hadpletely receded, leaving behind only a few lingering aquatic creatures, forced out of the depths.
[ Teleportation sessful. You have returned! ]
[ Mission settlement in progress, please wait¡ ]
Sunlight broke through the clouds, illuminating the entire base. The trees in the surrounding forest swayed gently, their leaves rustling in the breeze, restoring the world to its original peaceful state.
No sooner had Athena arrived than Ilinaya was unceremoniously flung out of the teleportation array,nding heavily on the ground. Her previous injuries reopened, and blood oozed from the wounds.
Meanwhile, Witty and Paopao were busy outside the base, moving the remaining aquatic monsters. When they saw someone suddenly appear in the courtyard, they were startled.
Witty, quick as ever, rushed back inside. Paopao, halfway through the task, suddenly grew in size and dragged back the fish monster Witty had left behind.
Mikmik, upon returning, immediately darted into the bathhouse, just as he always did.
Ilinaya''s condition wasn¡¯t promising. Given that she still owed her a debt, Athena considered bringing her inside to tend to her wounds. However, before she could act, Ilinaya touched the pendant around her neck, pulled out a pill-like object, and swallowed it.
A bubble of water suddenly enveloped Ilinaya, cocooning her as she closed her eyes, allowing the water to soothe and heal her wounds.
The two small creatures raced toward Athena, eager to leap into her arms, but she hastily stopped them. Given Paopao¡¯s current gigantic form, a full-body tackle could leave her with internal injuries.
Paopao was carrying the grotesque fish monster¡ªa hideous creature beyond imagination. Its twisted, snarling face was enough to make one''s skin crawl, its body covered in knobby scales that glistened with a nauseating sheen. In the center of its head was a gaping hole, from which a green liquid continuously oozed.
The foul green substance left eerie trails on the ground, emitting a noxious stench that filled the air with waves of nausea and dread.
Athena couldn¡¯t help but wonder if these little creatures had eaten her out of house and home and were now resorting to this monstrosity.
¡°Do you n to eat that?¡± she asked. Being nt-based creatures, perhaps they didn¡¯t mind consuming such things? Or perhaps she had simply never noticed.
Mikmik shook his head, while Paopao nodded, attempting to drag her toward the bathhouse.
It seemed the water bubble surrounding Ilinaya wasn¡¯t going to dissipate any time soon. When Athena tried to push it, she was surprised to find it moved easily, so she maneuvered it into a corner and left it there.
Upon entering the bathhouse, she noticed her usualrge water reservoir now housed a musical-note dolphin, its cramped quarters leaving it looking rather pitiable.
When it spotted the fish monster that Paopao had brought, it let out an excited squeal.
After a brief moment of sadness at seeing Ilinaya in the bubble, it quickly turned its attention back to the meal, devouring the fish monster in just two bites, despite its size.
It was clear the dolphin wasn¡¯t full yet.
This was no ordinary creature but a veritable ¡®gold-eater.¡¯ Mikmik, meanwhile, was frolicking in a smaller pool, clearly disdaining the blood-soaked water in the dolphin¡¯s reservoir.
Athena made a mental note¡ªshe would have to demandpensation for food and lodging from Ilinaya.
Once everything was in order, Athena left the bathhouse, surveying the courtyard. The unsettling stillness in the air was all too apparent.
It was not the usual peaceful quiet, but an eerie silence. Walking to the edge of the courtyard, she gently touched the once-lively thorn vines, now still. She brushed her hand over their delicate flowers, but they remained unresponsive.
Her previously calm mood grew unsettled once again. With a furrowed brow, she hurried to the vegetable garden, only to find that the once-thriving crops had all withered in her absence.
Even her five nt sprites were curled up on the ground, encased in faint golden spheres of light, fast asleep, with none of their usual lively energy.
Athena tried to lift them but quickly realized the golden spheres were highly unstable, forcing her to ce them back in the soil, where the light became steady once more.
Normally, Prince and Princess would have leaped three feet high upon seeing her, but now they merely sat listlessly by the door, guarding it with their heads drooping. Even after seeing her, they couldn¡¯t muster any excitement.
Something was clearly wrong, though Athena couldn¡¯t yet determine what.
The only ones unaffected seemed to be the three smallest creatures, the most unique and highest-level of them all. Even Witty and Paopao hadn¡¯t noticed anything amiss.
Suddenly, she caught the scent of fooding from inside the house. Gripping her ck Abyss Axe tightly, she burst through the door with lightning speed, startling the person inside.
It was Grey.
Seeing this, Athena rxed, though she still found it odd. Grey was never around the base during the day and usually roamed outside. Yet here she was, cooking lunch.
The anomalies were bing impossible to ignore.
Grey, startled by Athena¡¯s sudden entrance, dropped herdle into the pot but quickly fished it out.
¡°What''s going on?¡± Athena asked. If anyone could exin what had happened, it would be Grey.
Chapter 138: A Strange Tower Defense Mission
Chapter 138: A Strange Tower Defense Mission
Grey didn¡¯t immediately grasp what Athena was saying, so she instinctively asked, "What¡¯s happened? What¡¯s the matter?"
Athena ryed everything she had just witnessed, still puzzled by the events that had unfolded. "What¡¯s going on? I have no idea what''s been happeningtely."
Although everything around them had taken a turn for the unusual, neither of them had been harmed. In an instant, it was as though the very life force had been drained from their surroundings, much like flowers wilting and withering away.
After hearing Athena''s exnation, Grey became visibly excited,pletely forgetting about thedle that had fallen into the pot. Grabbing Athena by the arm, her face lit up with enthusiasm as though she¡¯d finally found someone to confide in.
"While you were away, I suddenly started seeing something inexplicable!" she eximed. "There was this transparent object right in front of me, but no matter how hard I tried, I couldn¡¯t touch it! It was just like the system panels my father used to mention."
"It disyed a task called ''Withering,'' and mentioned an area that would soon be open for exploration. However, it didn¡¯t specify the exact time." Grey shared everything she had firmlymitted to memory, her expression growing serious as she looked directly at Athena.
"As soon as that notification appeared, I realized something was wrong with the base. That¡¯s why I didn¡¯t go out today. I stayed back and helped gather supplies with Witty and Paopao. We collected a lot of food, and we¡¯d only just returned when you arrived."
Athena also noticed a troubling detail: when she wasn¡¯t in the base, she didn¡¯t receive notifications about tower defense missions. It reminded her of the regional battle¡ªthose outsiders were unable to receive the mission given to yers.
While the beings within the base of the yer could receive these notifications, they were limited to seeing only the mission details due to theck of a system panel.
After Grey finished recounting everything, Athena received the mission. Apparently, it could be retroactively epted, as long as one knew the general task.
As she pondered over this, Grey fished herdle out of the pot, yelping as it burned her hand, yet she dutifully continued cooking, undeterred by the mishap.
[Warning: The current Tower Defense mission has been updated!]
[The updated content is as follows]
[Withering]
Mission: Survive
Mission Reward: None
Mission Penalty: None
Introduction: A previously unseen anomaly has urred in the battle zone. nts will wither and will not regrow for the foreseeable future. The area has now been opened to yers, and you must do whatever it takes to survive. This anomaly doesn¡¯t just affect nt life. Explore at your own discretion. The system will offer the maximum possible protection to ensure your safety.
- Mission Duration: Unpredictable
- Mission Start Time: Unpredictable
[Regional Chat Channel is being updated and is temporarily closed. It will reopen in approximately two hours!]
Faced with the new mission, Athena could only sigh¡ªopening the screen felt like getting hit with an instant critical strike. Although she already knew that the system wasn¡¯t actively trying to create chaos but was itself struggling to predict the iing changes, the rapid developments left her unprepared.
The nts in the battle zone would wither, with no chance of regrowth, and that was just one aspect of the anomaly. The duration was unknown, and so was the starting time.
Nothing is more terrifying than the unknown.
The first to lose control weren¡¯t the yers, but the creatures around them. Even the defensive barriers that the system usually used to protect and restrict them were now in a half-activated state. They coulde and go freely, but high-level monsters were still prevented from entering.
Ignoring the bloodstains on her body, Athena sank into the soft,fortable sofa. Not only had the regional chat been temporarily disabled, but even her friendmunication function was cut off, leaving her with no ess to outside information.
[Current return summarypleted]
[Monster Defeat Mission Progress: 67%]
- Mission Rewards: ck Iron Armor Set (3 pieces), 2000 experience points
- Special Reward: Evolution
The White Grand Empire Athena had recently entered was just an ordinary part of the White Lands. There were countless empires in this deste ce¡ªsome stronger, some weaker.
Though the system had matched her randomly, Athena remained suspicious. Too many things had happened as soon as she arrived¡ªstarting with an attack by monsters, which led to the appearance of world energy. She couldn¡¯t help but suspect that the system had deliberately ced her there.
Herst explosive orb managed to increase her mission progress by 5%, bringing her total to 67%. While her experience points remained untouched, her original three-piece ck Iron Armor Set had been reduced to only two pieces.
She took out the ck gold staff she had acquired from Babron. The staff was weighty¡ªheavier than an ordinary rod¡ªwith a glossy surface that feltfortable to hold.
In addition to these spoils, she had brought back all sorts of odd trinkets that Mikmik had casually looted.
Only after returning did these items officially be Athena¡¯s property.
[Staff]
- Quality: Rare
- Category: Mental Attack Weapon
Description: When you wield this staff, your aura will shift, marking you as a person of considerable authority. Your words will seem more credible, and your actions will appear more reasonable and convincing.
[Silk Scarf]
- Quality: Common
- Category: Handkerchief
Description: Nothing special¡ªjust a beautifully designed scarf that feels soft to the touch.
[Crimson Tear]
- Quality: Unique
- Category: Offensive Gem
Description: Embed this gem into your weapon to randomly grant it an ability.
[Golden Water Ring]
- Quality: Rare
- Category: Storage
Description: More than just a symbol of status, this ring offers five square metres of storage and possesses water-like properties. It can take the form of a ring, bracelet, or any essory you wish.
[Emerald]
- Quality: Common
- Category: Gem
Description: A standard gem, but of good enough quality that you might find it appealing.
Mikmik¡¯s habit of collecting anything and everything had unexpectedly yielded some decent finds. As for the handkerchief, Athena simply chalked it up to his quirky taste.
In addition to these items, she also received two cards¡ªone of a Ratman and the other a half-grey card from the White Lands.
[Ratman]
- Level: 10
- Attack: 10
- Defense: 11
- Skills: Summon Rat Horde, Nurture Rat Horde
Description: You might consider him just an ordinary creature, but given enough time and space to grow, you¡¯ll find he can be a terrifying force, capable of bringing utter devastation.
Athena had already experienced the Ratman¡¯s abilities first-hand, so she didn¡¯t bother examining the card further.
"Level 10 huh..."
By this time, Mikmik and the others had returned. Grey¡¯s meal was ready, and she called them over to eat before they had to head back out for more work.
They discussed whether they could still catch rabbits or other small creatures today. As for nts, most of the vegetation here contained toxins. While the local animals had developed special digestive systems to handle them, Athena and her group had no such immunity.
Athena ate in silence, asionally ncing at the pile of food they had managed to gather in the corner of the living room.
Chapter 139: The New Weapon
Chapter 139: The New Weapon
Due to the consistent operation of the water pump, there was no need for her to worry about her water supply. Next came food; having always maintained a stockpile, she had also taken to growing her own fruits and vegetables.
The three little ones enjoyed wandering into the forest from time to time, asionally foraging for wild delicacies. Upon inspection, she realized that her food reserves were quite abundant; as long as they exercised some self-restraint, they wouldn¡¯t need to fret about food for the foreseeable future.
In fact, when all was ounted for, this bout of decay had surprisingly little impact on them. Athena could easily remain cocooned in her sanctuary until it all blew over.
During this period, her sole concern would be keeping an eye on the monsters attacking the shelter.
The gradual decay of all nt life was undoubtedly due to some underlying cause¡ªperhaps the most significant threat of all¡ªand those monsters were not to be underestimated.
Some yers still relied on the white parcels to reorganize their supplies, yet the system had a troublesome habit of halting this functionality at critical moments. yers without rations were forced to venture out in search of food.
This would inevitably lead topetition with the monsters. Without nts to sustain them, those creatures would soon find themselves in dire straits. As time wore on, thepetition between monsters and yers would intensify.
Many monsters would likely go mad.
Unbeknownst to her, Athena had polished off thest of her rice. Unfortunately for her, it was now her turn to wash the dishes.
The three little ones, along with Grey, couldn¡¯t help but snicker, though they kept theirughter discreet.
As the saying goes, "A bet is a bet." Athena offered no objections. She promptly rose, collecting the bowls and utensils from the table. Bncing the stack carefully, she made her way to the washroom and gently ced them in the small sink, preparing to start her cleaning duties. While the sink waspact, it was just aboutrge enough for her dishes.
Meanwhile, the three little ones had already scurried past her, eager to set out on their hunt.
Perhaps because of the peculiar nts she had grown, they seemed to possess unique attributes or sensitivities, making them the first victims of the decay¡¯s initial phase.
In contrast, the vast, verdant forest outside remained untouched, as ifpletely unaffected¡ªif it weren¡¯t for the fact that even the thorny vines had begun to wither. Were it not for this, Athena might not have noticed that decay had already set in.
The greatest pity was that even the nt spirits had felt the effects, forcing her to abandon any thoughts of relying on her garden.
Once she had tidied everything up, she returned to her room. Looking at the day¡¯s haul, she considered the Golden Water Ring, the most useful item at present, though it left her feeling somewhat torn.
With hertest transfer, she was now able to carry two additional familiars, allowing her to select two out of the three little ones to apany her.
Of course, Mikmik was a given, while Paopao and Witty were still uncertain choices.
From the outset, Athena had envisioned Witty as a dual-purpose entity: one that could transport goods while also serving as a capable attacker. To that end, she had outfitted it with a miniature turret.
However, she soon discovered that carrying it was quite cumbersome. Once Witty equipped the turret, while it could indeed attack, it could no longer perform its transport function.
Thus, the Golden Water Ring could prove invaluable for Witty, allowing it to stow the turret directly within the ring, alongside other items.
Should the situation require it, she could simply summon the turret and unleash its firepower, while Witty maintained the appearance of an innocuous little rabbit.
This was crucial; Mikmik¡¯s shadow maniption was both powerful and handy, often enabling it to pilfer various items. The Golden Water Ring would be tremendously useful for it, especially since Mikmik had been the one to bring the ring back initially.
Bestowing the ring upon anyone wouldn¡¯t be a loss; perhaps she¡¯d wait for the three little ones to return before letting them decide.
Next on her agenda was the gear she had acquired.
[ck Iron Ring]
Rarity: Rare
Category: Ring
Description: An ordinary ck ring that may even appear somewhat cheap. But do not underestimate it; when worn, your defence increases by 2.
[ck Iron Bracelet]
Rarity: Rare
Category: Bracelet
Description: An ordinary bracelet, exceedingly inexpensive, yet upon wearing it, your defence will also increase by 2.
To her surprise, the system¡¯s ck Iron set emphasised defensive capabilities. In truth, equipping both would yield a significant boost to her defensive stats, yet she had always preferred attack-oriented gear.
As she adorned herself with both items, she couldn¡¯t help but marvel at how she had amassed such an array of essories: earrings, nes, rings, and bracelets.
If she were to acquire more items of this nature, she might soon find every finger adorned, evoking a sense of burgeoning wealth. The key was that each piece had its own unique characteristics,pletely distinct from one another.
Just as she finished putting them on, the system disyed yet another panel for the ck Iron set.
[ck Iron Set]
Rarity: Unique
Category: Wearable Item
Attributes: Equip two to trigger set bonuses; Strength +2; each additional item increases aura by 10%.
Description: The ck Iron setprises fiveponents: two bracelets, two rings, and one ne.
How impressive! The set even offered individual bonuses. Regrettably, Athena could only trigger the +2 Strength bonus at present.
She felt no regret, though. While achieving a score of 90 or above on this task would reward her with the entire set, acquiring all theponents was out of reach¡ªespecially considering their so-called ¡®prince¡¯ and the formidable Babron.
Previously, she had obtained three packages. Deciding against keeping them, she resolved to open them all at once.
Regardless of the oue, she was confident in her ability to handle whatever awaited her. Besides, there was no one around to witness her actions.
Eyeing the three silver parcels on the ground, she steeled herself and reached for the first.
[Special Event Card 1]
Rarity: Unique
Category: Quest
Description: A magical card that unlocks the potential for greater resources. Activate it to trigger a random special event, tailored to your current situation and environment.
As she opened this peculiar item, a frown creased Athena¡¯s brow. ¡°What on earth? This too?¡±
Without hesitation, she reached for the second parcel, determined to continue.
Then she quickly tore open the third.
[Firearms Skill Scroll: Mastery]
Rarity: Rare
Category: Scroll
Description: Open it without hesitation; your understanding and proficiency with firearms will be elevated to mastery level.
[ck Friday]
Rarity: Unique
Category: Sniper Rifle
Attributes: Pration 10; Range 500m; Critical hit chance 80%; Headshot chance 30%; Shatter effect 20%.
Description: Times have changed; strike with precision from seven steps away, and with speed and uracy from closer range. This weapon must be used in a concealed position, with a distance of over 500m.
Chapter 140: Upgrades!
Chapter 140: Upgrades!
The attributes of ck Friday were simply perfect. Once Athena mastered firearms, she would wield ck Friday with remarkable skill.
The most powerful feature of ck Friday was its ability to correct for enemy movements. Even if a foe, be they human or otherwise, attempted to dodge the bullets, ck Friday boasted an 80% chance of striking a vital area and a 30% chance of hitting the head.
Inparison to Athena''s bow and arrows, ck Friday offered additional armor-piercing and crushing capabilities. However, it came with restrictions on usage; it was ineffective at short range and significantly less agile, making it aplementary tool.
With the unpacking event concluded perfectly, Athena breathed a sigh of relief, thoroughly satisfied with the oue.
She immediately tore open the mechanical scroll.
[Congrattions! You have reached Mastery Level in Mechanics!]
Athena realized that the special rewards provided by the system seemed tailored to her. So far, of the two special rewards she had received, one enhanced the stealth capabilities for Mikmik, while thistest evolution reward was rted to her Grass Ball creatures.
Special Evolution Reward
[Evolution]
Item: Grass Ball Creature
Description: You may choose any one Grass Ball creature to use. Upon use, that creature will transform into a true living being, no longer categorized as a Grass Ball creature.
This evolution, a leap in life tier, would bring about unforeseen changes, but rest assured, they would all be for the better.
When she first met the trio, after their loyalty exceeded 80%, they had gained flesh and blood¡ªmerely a superficial transformation that made them resemble true beings. Yet, they had always remained grassball creatures. Now, however, they possessed an opportunity for genuine evolution, and this evolution would only yield positive oues.
For her first Grass Ball skill, Athena had chosen Mikmik. With this second evolution opportunity, she opted for that little cat once more; it was the best choice. Mikmik'' abilities destined it to be her greatest ally.
However, if simr opportunities arose in the future, she might lean towards the other two creatures. But for now, her priority was clear¡ªshe would choose Mikmik.
Although she doubted that the Witty and Paopao would hold any resentment against her, she decided it was best to exin her choice to them when they returned.
Next, she opened her attributes panel. After a period of contemtion, she was ready to make significant upgrades to her skills and attributes¡ªupgrades she felt confident in.
With the 50 experience points she had remaining, the 500 points she had earned thereafter, and the 2,000 points from the recent encounters, her total experience points had soared to an unprecedented 2,600.
With fervor, she began to allocate her points on the system panel.
Name: Athena
Experience Points: 20
Title: Proactive Warrior
Race: Human
Gender: Female
Attributes:
Strength: 7313 (Up)
Speed: 731 (Up)
Agility: 7614 (Up)
Mental Power: 8413 (Up)
Skills:
- Attachment LV10 (Up by 5): Applies strength to weapons, dealing an extra 10 damage per point of attribute; low chance to trigger critical injury; very low chance to trigger a fatal state!
- Hunter LV10 (Up by 4): Enhances leg speed, increasing burst speed by 50; cooldown time of 20 minutes for each use.
- Boneless LV10 (Up by 5): Greatly enhances body flexibility, allowing for extremely difficult maneuvers and subtle facial adjustments.
- Tranquility LV10 (Up by 5): Instantly regainsposure at any moment, resisting various mental negative effects during battle; outsidebat, efficiency increases by 45; cooldown of 2 hours,sting 2 hours.
- War Queen: Cannot be upgraded; if allies exceed 3, they gain 10 mental power and a courage buff. If soldiers exceed 500, they be immune to 50% of mental attacks, receiving both courage and strength buffs.
Leveling Tranquility costs 100 experience points, totaling 500 for all levels. Leveling Attachment to the next rank requires 120 experience points, totaling 480. Hunter costs a staggering 150 per level, totaling 600, while Boneless requires 100, summing to 500.
Thanks to her thorough preparations and rest, this upgrade didn¡¯t bring her excessive pain, yet it nearly drained her reserves.
The most unexpected oue was with the Boneless skill; shockingly, it showed no change even after five levels.
This truly disheartened her, not because she was reluctant to upgrade other skills, but because she realized that once skills reached level ten, there were no further prompts for upgrades.
Other skills had undergone minor transformations, significantly shortening cooldowns and greatly enhancing their effects. Even the smallest change could turn the tide in battle, and for that, she felt a sense of satisfaction.
However, theck of progression for Boneless remained a source of frustration. She couldn¡¯t help but notice that every skill appeared to have its own barriers, much like her attributes.
[Skill Barrier Reached!]
[Please break through Skill Level 10 as soon as possible!]
[Upon breaking through, skills will undergo aprehensive transformation! They will be greatly enhanced! Please hurry!]
As always, the system merely urged her to breakthrough but never provided guidance on how to do so.
She found herself eager to see what would happen after the breakthrough, much like her attribute points; once she shattered those barriers, each point would hold far more value than before. This was a rough calction, but one point post-breakthrough would equate to what previously required five points.
Additionally, she still needed help with a special item she had acquired, as none of her weapons had slots for embedding it. This would require Grey¡¯s expertise for adjustment.
Grey had a habit of napping after lunch, making it unwise to disturb her just yet. Thus, Athena resolved to check on Ilinaya.
Initially, she had assumed Ilinaya would remain stationary in her bubble for quite some time. However, while washing the dishes, she had noticed that the previously motionless Ilinaya was now moving about within the water sphere. It wouldn¡¯t be long before she fully recovered and could emerge.
Athena''s belongings were still being held by Ilinaya, and her primary objective for visiting the White Lands was to gather the World¡¯s Energy, eager to discover what it truly entailed.
As she approached the bathroom door, just before she could push it open, a faint sound reached her ears¡ªsomething seemed to be breaking in the water. Her brow furrowed slightly, and just then, a ssh echoed through the room, as if the entire space had been submerged.
Chapter 141: The Arrival Of An Unmeasurable Entity So Powerful
Chapter 141: The Arrival Of An Unmeasurable Entity So Powerful
As Athena stepped inside, she immediately noticed that the bubble encasing Ilinaya had burst, water sttering everywhere and leaving the floor damp beneath her feet.
Ilinaya stood there, dazed, her eyes slightly unfocused. Just as she was about to embrace her beloved musical dolphin, Athena pushed the door open and entered.
The moment Athena spotted Ilinaya, aplex array of emotions crossed her face. For a fleeting moment, she had thought she might need to go to extremes to ensure they both perished together.
But fate had other ns; Athena had returned in a state that left her feeling half-dead, though she couldn''t ce the me on the mermaid. After all, it was that ursed ck-robed figure who had ensnared them.
Meanwhile, Ilinaya remained perplexed. What possible benefit could destroying their chances bring? Or had the figure already met an untimely end in some unknown corner of the world?
Her mental turmoil didn''tst long.
Athena was sinct, extending her right hand toward Ilinaya¡ªa patient who had just regained her senses.
¡°ording to our contract, I require the world''s energy you owe me,¡± she stated, casting a sidelong nce at the musical dolphin. ¡°Also, I need to settle the expenses for your pet''s meals and amodations.¡±
Those expenses would certainly need to be reimed. Although the dolphin feasted on peculiar fish that they themselves could not consume, it had a particrly hefty appetite. The bear, known as Paopao, had even grumbled to her about this very issue.
At her words, Ilinaya''s expression remained unyielding; thoughts were solely on returning to Ilinaya''s domain. Despite having obtained what desired from this excursion, Ilinaya felt utterly drained, in need of recuperation rather than engaging in further battles of wits with Athena.
However, upon hearing thetter part of Athena''s statement, Ilinaya felt a flicker of indignation. Reflecting on the dolphin''s daily food consumption, she silently bit her tongue.
With a slender, pale hand, Ilinaya touched the pendant at her chest. The vial containing the world¡¯s energy materialized in her palm, which she promptly offered to Athena.
¡°Here you go.¡±
Almost immediately, she reached out again, producing another object¡ªa shell.
¡°For the meals and amodations,¡± she stated, her voice t and devoid of emotion, though the strain in her hand was evident, blue veins tracing the surface.
Athena, however, remained unperturbed as she took the items from Ilinaya''s grasp.
[Congrattions! You have obtained a portion of the World¡¯s Energy!]
[yer Athena holds a special item; Reputation increased by 100!]
[Do you wish to sell the World¡¯s Energy to the system?]
[World¡¯s Energy]
Sale Price: 1000 Silver Coins
Special Acquisition Level Upgrade Permission Granted. First Submission Reputation increased by 200. First Submission of the Golden Package.
Description: The original power sustaining the world, transformed into World¡¯s Energy through special means, has been utilized by both darkness and daylight to create different energy forms, safeguarding the realms of light and dark, as well as their sanctuaries.
The moment Athena made contact with it, a cascade of notifications flooded in, urging her to sell the item to the system without dy.
After handing over the items, Ilinaya''s expression soured.
¡°Dissolve the team,¡± she ordered.
Gently, she stroked her musical dolphin, which nuzzled affectionately against her palm.
Ilinaya wished to leave quickly, and Athena had no desire to keep her; as the team leader, the responsibility fell to her to dissolve their partnership.
Without hesitation, she initiated the disbanding process.
[Team Disbanded!]
Finally, Ilinaya let out a long sigh of relief, her eyes closing as she breathed in the surrounding air. When she opened them, a subtle look flitted across her face as she regarded Athena.
¡°Good luck,¡± she said, her wordsced with a hint of mischief.
As she finished speaking, a teleportation circle materialized behind her, pulling both her and the musical dolphin into its shimmering embrace, and they vanished from sight.
That girl undoubtedly sensed the disturbance in the battlefield; her parting words were tinged with a sense of malicious joy.
Once she had gone, Athena promptly chose to sell the World¡¯s Energy to the system.
[Yes]
[Sale Sessful!]
[Permission Level Upgraded! Please check your system panel to explore your new permissions!]
[Reputation Points Granted!]
[Golden Package Granted!]
Just as Athena prepared to examine the items, an unsettling noise echoed from outside the door.
"%$^**U*@U!!!"
Instantly, her senses heightened; that sound was definitely not from the trio or the bear.
The noise grew closer, a formidable pressure apanying each approaching step. Atst, it arrived at the door, pounding against it with a relentless fury, the thundering knocks resounding like heavy hammers, causing the very room to tremble.
"BAAAMBB!!"
Each impact reverberated through Athena, leaving her feeling as if her insides were beingpressed with each strike.
Athena gripped her ck abyss axe tightly, trying to shift her body, but suddenly she felt an enigmatic force pin her in ce, rendering her immobile.
Athena''s body turned rigid, ensnared as if by invisible shackles.
In that moment, silence enveloped the room, save for the incessant pounding at the door. Her breaths came faster¡ªnot from fear, but because with each echoing knock, it felt as if her organs were being squeezed tighter.
The knocking intensified, imbued with urgency and a warning tone.
Though daylight still bathed the area, an ominous presence was clearly attempting to breach her home.
[ Calm Yourself! ]
[ Judgment Sessful! ]
In an instant, Athena regained the ability to move, paradoxically finding rity amidst the chaos.
The creature outside clearly could not enter, yet it possessed an overwhelming psychic ability, allowing it to approach even in daylight, its power seemingly formidable.
Phantom
Level?
Strength?
Defense?
Skills? Psychic Suppression, Phantom, ???, ???, ???¡
Psychic Suppression could immobilize opponents through a medium, with control duration determined by the disparity in strength.
Phantom could shift into a state of invisibility, undetectable and unobservable, free to traverse anywhere.
Warning: The unthinking, special creatures wander the battlefield, yearning for pure World¡¯s Energy. Please do not provoke them; they will depart on their own.
The phantom creature was beyond Athena''s capacity to defeat at this time. The red color of the text and barrage of question marks starkly highlighted their disparity, but the purple text reassured her slightly. Still, she maintained a firm grip on her ck axe, eyes locked on the door.
Chapter 142: Mikmik’s Secret Stash
Chapter 142: Mikmik¡¯s Secret Stash
Athena breathed a deep sigh of relief. It was fortunate the three little ones had already gone out, and Grey was still napping in the room, unaware of the outside events.
As the minutes ticked by, the persistent tapping finally ceased.
[ The abnormal creature has left! ]
Atst, Athena dared to open the bathroom door. The moment the world''s energy appeared in the area, it had almost instantly attracted this peculiar entity.
Right now, her desire for a defensive barrier was at an all-time high. The system¡¯s protective shield, however, only functioned optimally at night. During the day, while it could fend off some creatures, it didn¡¯t offer protection against the system-refreshed monsters or these special entities.
The giant bee shield that Athena had acquired some time ago still remained unused. Its duration was only three days, so she had been saving it for a crisis¡ªparticrly for when she faced swarming attacks.
But now, it seemed she should deploy the shield. The appearance of the phantom wasn''t solely due to the world''s energy but also because of the evolving dynamics of the battle zone, making it more sensitive and vtile.
Even though the giant bee shield might not fully fend off more powerful monsters, at least it would give Athena some forewarning, rather than leaving herpletely unguarded.
With a fleeting thought, a radiant golden orb materialised in her palm. Upon closer inspection, one could faintly see the outline of a giant bee within the orb.
She threw the mysterious golden sphere high into the air. Instantly, a thin yet awe-inspiring golden barrier unfurled like lightning, swiftly enveloping the entire shelter.
Simultaneously, a countdown appeared on Athena''s system panel, marking three days of protection.
The noise stirred Grey, who could no longer sleep. She peered through the door crack to assess the situation. Seeing everything was in order, she finally emerged.
Looking up at the pale golden shield before her, Grey was utterly fascinated. Apart from the initial burst of strong golden light when it first activated, the shield now emitted a faint, steady glow.
It was an imprable barrier, capable of withstanding any external threat or attack.
Seeing Grey, Athena promptly took out her three weapons¡ªthe Moonlight Bow, the ck Abyss Axe, and ck Fridaypaired with the Crimson Tear¡ªand handed them over.
"Could you help me figure out how best to install them and assist with the instation?" Athena asked sincerely and warmly.
Grey, clutching all the weapons to her chest, nodded eagerly. It was clear this was a testament to Athena''s trust in her!
At that moment, the three little ones returned. Sensing the gravity of the situation, they didn¡¯t goof off as usual but scoured the surroundings thoroughly, bringing back a wild rabbit and arge boar, which Witty dutifully carried home.
Paopao, having used his gigantification ability in thest battle, couldn¡¯t transform again and thus couldn''t handle such hefty loads.
They held their heads high like triumphant generals, already anticipating Athena¡¯s praise and admiration.
Yet, as soon as they approached their home, the sudden sight of the protective shield stunned them. They recognized that this was different from the system¡¯s usual protective barrier; it was another type entirely.
When Athena allowed them inside, the three were still somewhat bewildered.
As soon as they entered, Athena erected an earthen wall at the entrance of the shelter to reinforce its weakest point.
With her increasing mental strength, she could now maintain an earthen wall for about an hour. If she only sustained a single wall, she could extend that time to five or six hours, which also provided a small mental exercise.
As they had expected, Athenavished them with praise, sending them into a blissful state of pride.
Athena, as usual, chose to dpose the meat using the system¡ªnot because she wished to be frugal, but because the system-preserved meat couldst up to six months without spoiling.
If she processed the meat herself, it would likely rot within a few days. While her system backpack could slow down spoge, it wouldn¡¯t stop it entirely.
Thus, system dposition remained the most practical option.
After returning indoors, Athena sat the three little ones down and solemnly exined the process of evolution and the significance of the Golden Water Ring.
The trio exchanged nces, each clearly understanding Athena''s decision. They all agreed to give the opportunity for evolution to Mikmik. However, when Athena ced the Golden Water Ring before them, asking them to decide, a dilemma arose.
Paopao immediately dered he wouldn¡¯t get involved, nonchntly grabbing an apple and munching away. Witty and Mikmik, on the other hand, began pushing the Golden Water Ring back and forth between them, neither willing to take it.
Finally, Mikmik, unable to contain his frustration, exploded! His fur stood on end, resembling a small, angry lion, baring its teeth and pouncing on Witty.
With one swift motion, Mikmik pped Witty¡¯s head with his paw and snarled ferociously as if to say, "Put it on already!" His demeanour was so fierce it was as though he intended to devour Witty whole.
Witty, stubborn as ever, still refused to relent, insisting Mikmik wear the ring instead.
In the end, Mikmik shot a guilty nce at Athena before pulling Witty aside to whisper something in his ear. Witty''s expression turned to one of surprise, but eventually, he quietly agreed and slipped the Golden Water Ring onto his paw.
As soon as the Golden Water Ring touched his soft, fluffy paw, it transformed into a bracelet perfectly sized for his foreleg.
Witty was fascinated by the transformation, examining it from all angles. He even ran over to Mikmik and Paopao to show them up close.
Athena had no idea what the two had whispered about, but since they had finally sorted it out, she was relieved.
Mikmik, seeing that Athena hadn¡¯t noticed their little exchange, also breathed a sigh of relief. After all, he had his own secret stash.
Every time he apanied Athena on outings, whenever they came across something beautiful or of high value that suited her refined tastes, Mikmik would discreetly swallow it. Later, he would cough it back up and hide it under her bed. If Athena ever checked, she''d discover his collection.
To Mikmik, the Golden Water Ring was ugly and gaudy, so he had no qualms handing it over to Witty. It suited him much better.
As for their leader? Well, one day, if she ever ran out of resources, Mikmik figured his little treasure trove might juste in handy for supporting the four of them. He needed to stash away more!
Athena scooped Mikmik into her arms and initiated the evolution process.
Chapter 143: World Chat Feature
Chapter 143: World Chat Feature
The illusion cast by the system gradually faded away, revealing the true form of Mikmik. His body, once woven from special grasses, was now exposed, with a faint green glow emanating from within him.
The gentle green light radiated with vibrant life energy, glowing brilliantly. From within Mikmik''s form, flesh and blood began to rapidly grow, recing the original strands of grass.
From the inside out, his body underwent a remarkable transformation. The green light gathered into a single point, slowly forming a heart. Its rhythm, once imperceptible, grew stronger and more powerful with each beat.
As the heartbeat reverberated, the green light continued to weave through Mikmik''s body, growing new flesh and fur. His appearance remainedrgely unchanged from before.
When the glow finally receded, hended gently on the ground.
His fur, now as ck as obsidian, shimmered with a dark lustre. It appeared as smooth as silk, soft and sleek. His emerald eyes, like precious jewels, sparkled with an enchanting brilliance.
The entire cat exuded an indescribable sense of elegance and mystery. If before he was merely an ordinary ck cat, now, with just a nce, he emanated an unattainable aura of nobility.
[Grassy Creature¡ªCat, Evolution Complete!]
[Shadow Panther]
Level 8
Strength: 11
Defence: 8
Skills:
Shadow Shift
[Shadow Shift, Advanced]
A unique skill of the Shadow Panther.
Grade: Excellent
Description: A stealthy prowler of the night, capable of blending into shadows even in broad daylight. Stealth value: 35.
[Would you like to draw an evolutionary skill?]
"Yes."
[Drawing...]
[Sess! Please choose one of the Shadow Panther¡¯s skills.]
-
Mesmerize (Grade: Refined)
-
Night Prowler (Grade: Excellent)
-
w Strike (Grade: Common)
[You have selected Night Prowler!]
[Night Prowler]
A unique skill of the Shadow Panther.
Grade: Excellent
Description: Allows for swift movement in darkness. Speed: 10. Agility: 10. Stealth value: 5.
At this point, Mikmik had evolved far beyond Athena¡¯s expectations. With his current abilities, was there anywhere he couldn¡¯t go?
Among the enemies they were likely to face, there wasn¡¯t a single one who could detect Mikmik before, and now it had be utterly impossible.
Mikmik let out a gleeful purr but quicklyposed himself, elegantly flicking his tail. Despite his best efforts to maintain aposed exterior, he couldn¡¯t help the instinct to puff it out in excitement.
Athena, gazing down at the now exquisite creature, ced her hand atop his head, yfully ruffling his once sleek fur. Watching Mikmik¡¯s frantic attempt to smooth it back down, she chuckled softly.
[Regional Chat is now avable!]
Athena hadn¡¯t noticed that the regional chat had been restored. Upon opening it, she found the familiar interface, unchanged from before.
The number of survivors remained pitifully low, yet in theseter stages, the daily fluctuation of deaths had be minimal. By now, most had learned how to survive.
¡°Good heavens! Just a few hours, and I already felt like I¡¯d been locked away in a dark room! Without the regional chat, without you lot to keep me entertained, I was on the verge of losing it!¡±
¡°For the first time, I realize how much I need you all. Normally, I find you lot infuriating, but now? Now I¡¯m grateful for thepany.¡±
¡°Here we go again... Decay? If this keeps up, we yers are going to decay before the corpses do!¡±
¡°Atst, it¡¯s back! Could the system at least give us a bit of warning next time? I nearly had a heart attack!¡±
¡°What¡¯s that writing in the top right corner? Did the system scribble it out? I can barely make it out.¡±
¡°Oh, thank goodness! I thought this would take days. The system''s never been one for reliability, though.¡±
Amidst the continuous stream ofments, Athena quickly caught onto something¡ªright, the writing in the top corner?
She stared intently at her system interface, scanning the upper right corner repeatedly, yet no such writing appeared. She couldn''t help but feel she¡¯d been pranked from behind the screen.
¡°So what exactly did the system improve?¡±
¡°Honestly? Nothing. I¡¯m done. Completely done.¡±
[World Chat is now open!]
¡°Wait a moment... Did a system sneak in amongst us? A living, breathing system?¡±
¡°Oh my god, it¡¯s real. It¡¯s actually real¡ªlook, up there!¡±
Watching thements flow rapidly, Athena noticed the ringly obvious system announcement. So, that was the improvement. Alongside the regional chat, a new button appeared¡ªa world chat channel.
The button, once translucent, solidified¡ªWorld Chat Channel.
[World Chat Channel]
003: ¡°Anyone here?¡±
007: ¡°Anyone?¡±
¡°Person.¡±
081: ¡°Person.¡±
¡
The newly introduced feature had everyone treading carefully, leading to a flood of repetitive messages.
Athena, not wanting to be left out, sent her ownment.
[Would you like to reveal your region?]
[Yes.]
004: ¡°.¡±
That single full stop¡ªhers. yers could choose to reveal their region number or post anonymously. If they chose to reveal, the number would appear alongside thement. If not, only thement itself would disy.
Because it was now a world chat, the volume ofments far exceeded the norm. The screen scrolled at dizzying speeds, making it hard to follow unless manually paused.
Athena intended to observe the chat further when an unsettling sound from outside the shelter caught her attention.
''I hate this...''
Despite the protective barrier, the fierce winds battering against it created a cacophony of rattles and ngs.
The intense wind also stirred the air, creating gusts that resembled eerie howls¡ªghostly wails that sent shivers down one¡¯s spine.
Through the window, she nced outside¡ªclear blue skies, and sunshine as bright as ever.
Even Mikmik, who had been circling the room excitedly, was distracted by the strange sounds outside. Together, they decided to investigate.
Athena opened the door and stepped onto the porch.
The scene outside was nothing short of apocalyptic. The once serene sky, now devoid of clouds, seemed to glow unnaturally. The sun burned a deep crimson, like fresh blood, with temperatures continuing to rise.
The gale-force winds, thoughcking any ominous darkness, were ferocious. They swept away leaves that would usually remain undisturbed. Every leaf, every tree, was stripped bare with ease.
The wind spiralled into small tornadoes, formed entirely of leaves, wreaking havoc as they whipped through thendscape. The ground itself cracked open, forming fissures from which plumes of yellow dust spewed forth.
The trees, their moisture seemingly stolen by the wind, withered and shrivelled. What remained were brittle, lifeless husks. The vegetation beneath fared even worse, as if centuries had passed in the blink of an eye¡ªdried up, decayed, gone.
Chapter 144: Requirements Is So Hard
Chapter 144: Requirements Is So Hard
[ The spawn points will no longer randomly refresh the packages and are now entering a state of preparedness. ]
[ Due to irresistible circumstances, this system will no longer randomly refresh monsters; however, the number of monsters will not decrease. yers are urged to prepare for defensive measures! ]
[ Due to unavoidable factors, the shelter will activate its barriers during daylight! ]
[ In light of these factors, the game¡¯s difficulty has significantly increased! Subsidies are being issued; yers should check their emails for details! ]
[ Detected In yer ''Big Dream'', you already possess a shield; this shield will merge with the system shield upon its dissipation, granting you a new shield aspensation! ]
Athena maintained her stance at the door, gazing at everything outside, even as her three smallpanions could only stare vacantly into the expanse beyond.
As the door swung open, the trio plopped onto the ground in utter disbelief.
The changes of the past had always arrived with darkness, but no one had anticipated that this time, they would descend so swiftly, and in broad daylight, no less.
The sky had transformed into a searing purgatory, while the earthy barren like a ghostly wastnd.
A swirling tempest of snow and an endless sea had besieged them¡ªelements of nature that, regardless of how tumultuous, once birthed vibrant life. Yet, even amidst their fury, one could still glimpse the exuberance of existence, or perhaps, their arrival heralded vitality yet untapped.
Now, however, the scene was undeniably inhuman; whether it was merely Athena¡¯s perception, she could even feel the mournful cries of the creatures around her.
This aberration was the first of its kind to engulf the entire battlefield; previous anomalies had only targeted specific regions withinbat zones.
[World Chat Channel]
091: ¡°It¡¯s over; the world is finished.¡±
053: ¡°So spectacr, I almost wish for death!¡±
073: ¡°This scene is like the previous ones¡ªsurely it¡¯ll dissipate in a day or two?¡±
009: ¡°Not necessarily; this time feels different.¡±
038: ¡°If we can explore outside, does that mean we can locate one another?¡±
¡
The atmosphere in the world chat was hardly cheerful, yet many maintained an optimistic outlook.
What left people in despair was the grim knowledge that the anomaly had not yet peaked; this was merely the beginning of an uncertain catastrophe bearing down upon them.
This time, they faced not the actively hostile monsters, but rather a cmity of their own making, with raging beasts surging from every direction, their origins a mystery.
Having returned with a surge in her abilities, Athena found herself, despite her swiftnesspared to most yers, still outpaced by the gathering danger.
Choosing not to linger and watch the world¡¯s transformation, she stepped back inside.
With the temperature rising steadily, she retrieved an item she had yet to employ since its purchase.
[Cooling Wind Chime]
Price: 10 silver coins
Description: Hang it indoors to create a cooling breeze; using it in cold weather may lead to illness.
The exquisite silver wind chime emitted a pleasant, melodious sound as she hung it up. The escting heat began to recede slowly, soothed by the chime''s delicate tones.
She activated her reputation system.
[Reputation System]
Reputation Points: 565
[World Stone]
Price: 200 Reputation Points
[Blueprint for a Level 5 Shelter ¨C Special Permissive Item!]
Price: 500 Reputation Points
Within the reputation system, two items appeared each round. The ancient tree branch from the previous round had already vanished, leaving only the immovable World Stone.
To her delight, the Level 5 Shelter blueprint was among the offerings. This item was typically reserved for those whopleted high-difficulty tasks or specific system missions, yet due to her enhanced system permissions, it had be avable.
Without hesitation, she opted to exchange for it.
[ You have obtained the Level 5 Shelter blueprint! ]
[ The shelter cannot be upgraded! ]
[ To upgrade to Level 5 shelter: 500 special stones, 1,000 stone blocks, 100 wooden nks, and 100 corpses of Level 5 monsters or higher. ]
With the upgrade of her shelter, the demand for grass had diminished significantly, and the requirement for wooden nks had decreased as well. Conversely, the need for the other materials had increased, including monster corpses.
Following her previous upgrade to the Level 4 shelter, she had only 60 special stones remaining. Without a reliable means of obtaining more, she felt a wave of frustration wash over her.
One hundred corpses of Level 5 monsters was a daunting requirement; unless she encountered a storm beast once more, she would need to face even more formidable creatures.
In summary: it was tough, exceedingly so. But progress must be made! umting materials would yield results in due course.
In her hand floated a golden-yellow package, radiating a glow reminiscent of pure gold. Merely holding it brought forth a sensation of joy, not merely an illusion of her mind; the golden package possessed such an enchantment.
[ Unpredictable! ]
In prior instances, Athena had disabled the purple text disy to stave off monotony. This time, however, when she attempted to use it, she discovered the golden package could not even be predicted through the purple text.
As she turned it over in her hands, a familiar mirror materialised. If physics wouldn¡¯t suffice, she would turn to the metaphysical.
With her heart aligned, she was on the verge of refining it into a tool for luck.
s, this peculiar object had proven unreliable; perhaps her level was insufficient. After several more attempts, any inquiry of significance resulted in nonsensical answers, yet it remained infallibly urate when used for divination.
When is the best time to open it?
Ancient characters emerged: The day after tomorrow.
Athena had few redeeming traits, but one was her tendency to heed advice.
Stowing away the assorted trinkets back into her pack, she cast a nce at her wealth.
Silver Coins: 1,489
The silver coins she had rued,bined with the sales of her bows, formed her total fortune.
Opening her familiar card catalog, she noticed two new cards had appeared.
[ Would you like to spend 100 silver coins to initiate a scene simtion? ]
"Yes"
Even though she had triumphed over Alfred in challenge mode, that victory had merely yielded a double demise¡ªher opponent reduced to her level, skills sealed.
She required more encounters with strong adversaries to hone her skills.
[ Please select a mode: 1. Challenge Mode, 2. Training Mode, 3. Teaching Mode. ]
To her surprise, a new mode appeared¡ªTeaching Mode. This had not existed previously; was it perhaps a result of her prior defeat?
[ Teaching Mode selected!
Note: Any mode death will terminate the scene simtion. ]
As the system¡¯s voice faded, Athena opened her eyes once more, finding herself in a familiar setting; however, this time she stood within the city walls rather than outside.
Gone were the once numerous storm beasts; on the area stood Alfred, his expression calm and amicable, offering her no aggression.
Chapter 145: The Withered Treants
Chapter 145: The Withered Treants
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Chapter 145: The Withered Tree Spirits
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Alfred simply gestured for Athena to approach. His primary weapon was a colossal sword, while Athena wielded a ck abyss axe.
Though their weapons differed, they sharedmon ground in their approach, primarily relying on powerful shes. More crucially, there was much to learn from Alfred''s form. While Athena had imed to acquire some weaponry insights from the goblin elder and had trained herself, the guidance of a seasoned instructor was invaluable.
At that moment, Alfred¡¯s weapon remained sheathed, and Athena hadn¡¯t yet drawn her ck axe.
Without further ado, Alfred assumed a standard martial arts stance and motioned for Athena to mimic his movements. Sheplied earnestly.
Two hours swiftly passed. When Athena finally opened her eyes, she found herself back in the base.
Even after exiting the illusion, she could still feel a phantom pain in her calf¡ªa lingering reminder of yet another kick delivered by Alfred.
However, it was clear that he was an excellent teacher. Despite only two hours of training, he strived for perfection with every move.
Upon noticing her awake, the three little creatures paid her no mind, fully absorbed in their card game. Ever since Athena had taught them how to y, they had diligently practiced on their own.
Now, they were seasoned yers, though Paopao had suffered the worst losses, unable to triumph even with a good hand against the two opponents. Each defeat meant parting with a portion of his meagre stash of snacks.
Next to themy a small pile of treats, all carefully hoarded by Paopao.
Athena watched them y a round, realizing they were far beneath her level of skill. Finding it dull, she decided to step outside.
The sky had darkened considerably, yet the sun remained stubbornly high, casting a fiery glow that did little to fend off the encroaching darkness. Instead, it seemed to take the moon¡¯s ce, still dominating the sky.
Such a sight could only evoke a sense of absurdity.
The only reassuring aspect was that the base''s barrier had never faltered, its soft glow a constant source offort.
Beyond its protective embrace, the world had turned to destion, leaving behind cracked earth and withered trees.
With nightfall approaching, it would soon be even eerier outside.
Athena gazed out for some time, eventually realizing it wasn¡¯t merely her imagination¡ªthe gnarled branches of the dead trees were subtly swaying. Not due to the wind, but because they were moving of their own ord.
They appeared to inch closer with each moment; whenever Athena pretended to look away, they advanced a few centimetres. Although the distance was minimal, given enough time, they would inevitably reach the base¡¯s boundary.
These trees hade to life, and they harbored ambitions that were anything but trivial. The only living beings in the vicinity now resided within the base: Athena and herpanions.
Withered Treant
Level: 3
Strength: 3
Defence: 2
Skills: Movement, Carnivorous
An aberration of nature!
These withered treants had transcended their botanical origins. They no longer drew nourishment from the soil nor relied on sunlight for photosynthesis. Instead, they consumed flesh to sustain themselves. Remarkably, they no longer needed to take root; they could shift their position slowly.
Dealing with such arge-scale collective mutation of ordinary organisms was a thankless task. Defeating these treants would yield scant experience, and what could one do with their remains? Burn them for firewood?
At present, Athena required the corpses of a hundred creatures of level five or higher. While acquiring one hundred level five corpses might seem manageable, she pondered an unaddressed concern: would higher-level remains lead to a stronger evolution of the base?
Observing the stirring withered treants outside, Athena opted against an attack; initiating a confrontation might send them scattering.
Even the smallest mosquito could be considered a meal, and the defense towers required no personal involvement. Once these creatures drew nearer and realized they could not breach the barrier, they would likely cease their advance.
Moreover, they would soon enter the firing range, at which point a few projectiles would suffice to dispatch them. Currently, the base''s defensive systems had multiplied significantly since its initial confrontation with the snowstorm beasts.
Watching the creatures¡¯ pace, Athena noted that even when she averted her gaze, they moved only about half a metre in a minute.
With that, she chose not to linger by the window any longer and turned back inside.
The game among herpanions concluded rapidly, or rather, Paopao lost rather swiftly.
Athena discreetly retrieved the cards from Paopao¡¯s deft paws, who let out a sigh of relief and cheered her on from the sidelines.
ncing at the cards, she noted that luck was on her side this time; she held a small king and two twos, and the other cards were not too shabby either.
Thanks to her superior skills, Athena handily won that round, sending Paopao into a jubnt bounce.
In the next round, she drew a straight. Just as she revelled in her newfound fortune, she realized shecked any high cards.
She tried to y a straight, only for Witty to discard a bomb.
¡°Pass.¡±
Four twos.
¡°Pass.¡±
A royal flush.
¡
In the following rounds, it became painfully clear: she did not win a single hand. Whether it was a spring or a counter-spring, her luck seemed to run dry, much to the amusement of herpanions.
Witty¡¯s cards made her wonder if the creature had somehow evolved a skill rted to luck.
Moreover, this unfortunate streak hadnded her with the duty of washing the dishes for the next few rounds.
¡°You lot keep ying; I¡¯ll check on the situation outside.¡± With that, Athena decisively returned the cards to Paopao.
She stepped out with an air of calm, and only once the door was shut behind her did she allow herself a deep breath, feeling her spirit lift just a fraction.
To her surprise, the withered treants had advanced considerably closer to the barrier, clustering together in rings as if attempting to topple it by sheer force of numbers.
Their naive attempts to push against the barrier, however, would serve only to create a splendid opportunity for experience points.
Athena silently activated all the defense towers; in an instant, they locked onto their targets.
Then came the onught¡ªfireballs, ice shards, and arrows rained down upon them, shattering their already feeble defense.
The fireballs proved most devastating; a single ignited sphere would set an entire patch of withered treants aze.
Chapter 146: Gemstones And PVP?!
Chapter 146: Gemstones And PVP?!
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Chapter 146: Gemstones And PVP?!
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The instinct of the creatures drove them into a frenzy, desperate to flee. Unfortunately, the tightly packed throng behind them could not react quickly enough, leaving those at the front trapped and unable to escape the encroaching mes.
As the treants continued to burn, Athena was inundated with notifications from the system.
[Experience Points: 2]
[Experience Points: 2]
¡¡
Once all the withered treants that had missed their chance were eliminated, Athena¡¯s experience points surged by a total of 136.
Although the individual increments seemed modest, the cumtive experience was rather impressive. Regrettably, the treants lurking in the distance, upon witnessing the devastation, ceased their attempts to approach.
This left Athena feeling somewhat disappointed.
[World Chat Channel]
¡°I feel something is off outside. Do those trees actually move?¡±
¡°What are you dawdling for? Let¡¯s head out and scout the situation while it¡¯s still early and before there are too many monsters!¡±
¡°Why don¡¯t you go check it out instead of inciting others?¡±
¡°I¡¯m just pondering if I were to find another yer¡¯s shelter¡ could I attack it? If I manage to breach the shelter, would all the loot belong to me?¡±
[ System: yers can attack each other, and the barrier defense will drop to 10. Once breached, two shelters will merge, forming a new function. ]
[ System: However, yers are encouraged to explore the world actively, seekingpanions and supporting one another! ]
What had begun as a mere spective inquiry unexpectedly received confirmation from the system. This revtion stirred those who had previously only entertained the thought in their minds, igniting a sense of urgency!
¡°Is this a ploy? Supporting each other, indeed! It¡¯s quite embarrassing to even hear that.¡±
¡°PVP?!¡±
¡°The system seems rather perceptive.¡±
As Athena observed the flurry ofments, she sensed the deep-seated malice emanating from the system. Without such a prompt, some yers might genuinely consider remaining in their shelters until the end, provided their resources held out.
However, this notification sparked curiosity among yers. Those who were already intrigued by the actions of others now feltpelled to act, especially with the lure of potential gains.
What if? What if others were quite close? What if they were defenseless?
When faced with the terrifying monsters, yers often preferred to direct their des toward their ownrades.
Seizing another¡¯s wealth was invariably swifter and easier than umting one¡¯s own.
Falling behind even slightly could spell disaster; one could not allow others to gain the upper hand.
Previously, many had been sharing their hardships and the dire conditions of their shelters in the regional and world chat channels, seeking sympathy and attention from others.
Now, however, they had all chosen silence, for they feared that any revtion of their circumstances would invite predators.
Athena felt a keen interest in the system''s proposal.
The shelter barrier¡¯s protective capacity was merely 10. As time progressed, acquiring upgrades and materials for shelters would only be increasingly challenging. If one could not ascend, many would opt forteral expansions instead.
At this moment, Grey struggled to maintain her footing as she clutched Athena¡¯s weapon, striving to advance toward the interior of the house.
Spotting Athena lost in thought in the courtyard, her eyes gleamed with excitement as she swiftly redirected her steps.
¡°Quick, look! Look at ck Friday!¡±
Before she had even reached Athena, her excitement bubbled over as she ryed the good news to Athena.
Seeing her unsteady gait, Athena hurried to take the items from her grasp, storing them directly into the system backpack while leaving ck Friday clutched in left hand, Athena''s right arm supporting Grey.
At that moment, her primary concern was not ck Friday but rather the well-being of Grey. She couldn¡¯t help but worry that her dedicated artisan might be unwell.
Yet, who could have anticipated that Grey¡¯s eyes were sunken, staring at her like a ghoul?
¡°Look at it! Quick, look!¡±
Athena carefully guided her back inside the house before turning attention to ck Friday.
The sleek ck barrel, adorned with crimson markings, featured a gem embedded in the stock that blended seamlessly, adding the perfect finishing touch.
[ck Friday]
Quality: Unique
Category: Sniper Rifle
Attributes: Pration 15 (Up by 5), Range 600m (Up by 100m), Critical Hit Chance 80%, Headshot Chance 35% (Up by 5%), Shatter Effect 30% (Up by 10%).
Gem: Crimson Tear (Perfect Fusion)
Description: Times have changed; strike with precision from seven steps away, and with speed and uracy from closer range. This weapon must be used in a concealed position, with a distance of over 500m.
Atst, Athena understood Grey¡¯s frenzy. This weapon¡¯s attributes were enough to drive anyone mad, boasting an astonishing overall enhancement of nearly 13.
Aesthetically pleasing, practical, and maintaining formidable attack power¡ªeverything one could desire.
Seeing the astonishment in Athena¡¯s eyes, Grey beamed with pride. This was one of her most treasured creations, and even she had been taken aback when the final product emerged.
Athena felt as though she had struck gold; she could hardly refrain from caressing ck Friday, admiring the gem set within.
¡°Thank you! The embedding is simply wless!¡±
In that moment, Grey felt that all her efforts had been worthwhile. Yet, she had emerged from her work for another important reason.
Her face radiated with joy as she gazed up at Athena, who remained engrossed in the rifle, seemingly oblivious to her presence.
Casting a sidelong nce at the three little ones, she noted that they had yet to catch the scent of food.
As her intense gaze swept over them, they finally responded, only for them to hear Grey¡¯s stomach rumble shortly after.
The trio halted their y, seemingly oblivious to the need to prepare dinner in their excitement.
Observing Grey, who looked as if she were about to starve, Mikmik was the first to react. He jumped down from the sofa and pushed a small pile of snacks towards her, indicating that she should eat first.
Paopao watched the meagre pile of treats, feeling as if his heart were breaking, yet he hurried off to prepare the stove.
Meanwhile, Mikmik and Witty turned their attention to gathering the necessary ingredients, as they nned to indulge in hotpot that evening.
The only regret was the absence of chilli¡¡
Watching them, Grey finally came to her senses, two tears silently trailing down her cheeks. After a long day of toil, discovering there was no rice to eat felt like the sky was about to copse.
With no other option, she picked up the snacks from the floor, shoving them into her mouth.
Mmm, delicious!
In truth, forgoing a proper meal for snacks wasn¡¯t so bad.
[ Darkness Approaches! yers, please return to your shelters immediately. ]
[ Darkness is invading the world in 10, 9, 8¡ 0 ]
Chapter 147: 007 Players To Athena’s Doorstep?
Chapter 147: 007 yers To Athena¡¯s Doorstep?
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Chapter 147: 007 yers To Athena''s Doorstep?
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The world was shrouded in darkness, with only the crimson sun hanging on the horizon, its bloody hue giving the impression that it might bleed and stain the earth at any moment.
The sun had lost its power to illuminate thend, unable to dispel the creeping darkness. Thick shadows writhed, seemingly ready to engulf it whole.
Below, the oblivious humansughed and chattered joyously.
The surrounding trees quivered, hesitant, held back by the ming torches the humans carried.
The torches burned brightly, yet they barely illuminated a small patch of ground beneath their feet. The darkness around them seemed almost sentient, its tendrils writhing incessantly, as though trying to drag the men into its depths.
The badge pinned to the man¡¯s chest emitted a faint glow, warding off the encroaching darkness.
Most striking of all was the object beside them¡ªsomething resembling a motorbike. "Resembling" because all its wires andponents were exposed, devoid of any cover, appearing more like a pile of scrap.
The man surveyed his surroundings. The sky had now fully darkened, and the restless shadows, the monsters lurking in wait, and the unease gnawing at his heart¡ªall of it urged him to leave this wretched ce.
"Are you done yet? How much longer?" The man asked, his toneced with irritation.
Hispanion beside him, a dishevelled figure with long, soft ck hair and a petite frame, gave an exasperated response in a gruff voice. "Stop rushin'', stop rushin''! I''m workin'' on it!"
¡°Ah, bloody hell! Theponent¡¯s busted!¡±
Seeing his partner¡¯s continued, futile attempts to repair the machine, coupled with that dreaded news, the man felt his heart sink.
¡°¡¡¡±
¡°Looks like we¡¯ll be walking back¡¡± The long-haired youth, noticing hispanion¡¯s worsening expression, offered an awkward smile.
Before they set off, he had triple-checked that the bike would be enough to take them on a full circuit and return. Who could have foreseen it breaking down so suddenly?
With no choice left, he packed the remains of the contraption into his system backpack and looked back at the man.
¡°Let¡¯s move.¡±
The man turned his head, his face concealed from the youth, yet thetter could still hear the gritted teeth in his voice, a tone that spoke volumes of his frustration. He could only feel a wave of guilt wash over him.
Although they both wielded torches, they couldn''t deter the creeping, dead trees around them, which were growing increasingly bold and beginning to close in.
[ World Chat Channel ]
036: ¡°It¡¯s already dark. How did it get dark so quickly? Looks like I¡¯ll have to push my adventure ns to tomorrow.¡±
032: ¡°Stop makin'' excuses.¡±
007: ¡°Hey, anyone nearby? Coordinates shared.¡±
074: ¡°You mad? Posting your coordinates like that¡ªaren¡¯t you afraid someone wille and raid you?¡±
007: ¡°We¡¯re stuck outside. Anyone out there? If some kind soul coulde and get us, we¡¯d even work off the debt!¡±
... ¡°Lol, running about after dark? You¡¯re just askin'' for it, boy.¡±
... ¡°You reckon anyone¡¯s dumb enough to fall for that? Fishing with those low-tier tactics?¡±
Athena hadn¡¯t learned her lesson from earlier in the day, as she was now huddled with the others ying cards.
She felt like she was torturing herself. She had gone through three simtions today¡ªtwo training ones and onebat¡ªand whether it was in training or fighting, all she''d experienced was getting beaten.
Beaten up during the day, and ying cards at night.
After another round, looking at her entirely disjointed hand with not a single high-value card, she handed them over to Grey, who was sitting beside her, amused by the novelty of it all, and then she opened the World Chat Channel.
Immediately, she noticed the distress signal sent by someone from Area 007.
Curious, she clicked on the coordinates.
The areas were numbered adjacently, like that member of their team who had made contact with someone in Area 003 at the boundary. For someone from a few areas away, it should have been nearly impossible to reach them.
But upon opening the coordinates, Athena''s eyes lingered on the map. The shared coordinates not only disyed the other party''s location but also gave her a one-sided view of her own.
She confirmed it several times. Judging by the current map disy, they were no more than three kilometres away, meaning they had been moving steadily ever since the barrier was activated.
Could they have some sort of vehicle?
Perhaps a contracted beast?
It wasn¡¯t an unreasonable thought. After all, who would have imagined that these people had exchanged various items and cobbled together a "motorbike"?
Anyone brave enough to take such a significant risk and press forward had to be powerful, at the very least capable of handling the monsters they encountered and any minor crises along the way.
Moreover, they said "we" when they sent the message. It was at least two individuals or perhaps a group. Could it be a trap?
Crossing multiple areas just to bait others into a trap?
¡°One¡ three.¡±
¡°Hahahaha! Hahaha!¡±
With her final card yed, Grey burst into a loudugh, breaking Athena''s train of thought. Grey had managed to turn the game around, despite her awful hand.
Mikmik stared nkly at the "Bomb King" still in her own hand.
Feigning indifference, Athena nced at the pile of discarded cards and the ones Grey held, verifying her win, before nonchntly heading back to her room.
Once in her room, she discovered that the window was facing precisely the direction of the people from Area 007.
Three kilometres¡ªa distance that, at a brisk pace, would take about an hour to cover. For individuals like them, who had enhanced abilities, perhaps just a half-hour sprint would suffice.
But since they had sent out a distress signal, it seemed they were trapped by something.
Athena''s gaze narrowed slightly. She wasn¡¯t sure if they¡¯d make their way to her location.
If they managed to attack and seize her shelter, her sanctuary would merge with theirs, while her own would vanish.
Yet she knew it was a near-impossible feat. Not only was there the system barrier to contend with, but also her defensive turrets¡ªand Athena herself would ensure they¡¯d regret it if they even tried.
What would happen, though, if she killed them first?
Instead of attacking their sanctuary, she would just eliminate its owner. The system hadn¡¯t mentioned that scenario.
[ World Chat Channel ]
007: ¡°I¡¯m not baiting! I swear! My vehicle broke down, and we¡¯re stranded!¡±
... ¡°You been drinkin¡¯, mate? Since when do we have cars? In your dreams, pal!¡±
... ¡°What happens if you kill a yer who owns a sanctuary/base, without attacking their shelter first?¡±
036: ¡°??¡±
028: ¡°??¡±
[ System ]: Under normal circumstances, yers are not encouraged to kill each other. However, considering the current special situation, killing a yer who possesses a shelter will allow the killer to obtain half of that yer¡¯s defensive turrets and the materials for shelter upgrades from the yer''s system backpack!
Note: After a shelter is breached, the yer will not die immediately but will be a ¡®wanderer¡¯.¡±
Chapter 148: Is It A Black Cat?
Chapter 148: Is It A ck Cat?
In the darkness, therey inherent dangers¡ªnot merely the monsters or the eerie sun¡ªbut the darkness itself was the gravest threat.
Whenever Athena and her group ventured into the darkness, they were always under the protection of luminous candles, much like when they had the safety of the special items provided by the system during the battles. Only thus had they managed to evade certain death.
To step directly into the darkness would be to akin to suicide.
Truth be told, what the system had said was enticing to her. Compared to toiling away to find things on her own, having opportunities presented to her was indeed a rare luxury.
And the target was so very near.
Thus, under the puzzled gazes of Grey and the others, Athena, who had just gone upstairs, slowly descended once more.
"Mikmik,e over here."
Mikmik, who had been absorbed in a game, nced over at Athena approaching. Though he was a bit reluctant to part with his hand of cards, he knew that if Athena was calling him, it must be something important. So, obediently, he put down his cards.
Witty looked left and right, realizing it had nothing to do with him. He simply picked up the cards Mikmik had left and signaled for the game to continue.
It was truly baffling that the system¡¯s shop sold anything one could imagine, yet refused to sell paper and ink. Moreover, thesemonce items weren''t permitted to be brought in from elsewhere.
''Tsk, annoying system.''
Grumbling aside, Athena dutifully took a stone and ced it on the floor, using a piece of charcoal to draw upon it continuously.
She eventually managed to sketch out a rough map, circling the location where they currently stood and marking where the 007 yers was situated.
She then looked at Mikmik, who was wagging his tail earnestly, paying rapt attention.
"Got the location, have you?"
Mikmik seemed slightly offended¡ªoffended that Athena had doubted his skills as her apprentice and his ability to learn. He lifted his fluffy head and stared at her, nodding resolutely.
Initially, she had intended to go back out to gather some materials for crafting explosive orbs, but encountering this situation had left her ns in disarray. Currently, she had only three explosive orbs left¡ªeach one irreceable.
She handed one over, choosing one of stable quality, and Mikmik only needed a nce before gently holding it in his mouth, then stuffing it into his fur. The explosive orb disappeared beneath his coat without a trace.
No matter how many times she witnessed it, Athena always found his fur fascinating.
"Check the numbers, test their strength. If they prove too tough, retreat. If cornered, use the explosive orb." She continued to instruct him, though she knew that with Mikmik¡¯s abilities, it was likely the enemy wouldn¡¯t even know he was there until it was toote.
Mikmik wagged his tail at her before sprinting out the door, slipping through the shelter¡¯s barrier, leaving a faint shimmer in his wake before vanishing into the darkness.
Meanwhile, Ebony Veil and Azure Dew had barely managed to bring down another group of withered treants. At longst, the remaining treants seemed to have learned their lesson, ceasing their advance towards them.
Instead, they anchored themselves firmly in ce, appearing for all the world like ordinary dead trees.
"Ebony, we need a n. If this keeps up, we¡¯ll copse from exhaustion first!" Azure Dew shouted, panting heavily.
"Shut up! And who do you think got us into this mess?" Ebony Veil snapped back.
"Hey, don¡¯t pin this all on me. You agreed toe along, I didn¡¯t force you!" Azure shot back.
"Oh really? Who was the one boasting there¡¯d be no problems? Didn¡¯t you im you were some super inventor? Howe it broke halfway?" Their argument grew increasingly heated, until the pair were shouting directly in each other¡¯s faces, seemingly oblivious to their dire surroundings.
...
The area fell silent, with only the asional crackle from their torches breaking the stillness.
"You did send out an SOS in the world chat, didn''t you?" Ebony Veil eventually asked, attempting to de-escte the situation.
"Yeah, but don¡¯t even mention it. No one bothered to reply. I got a load of snark instead, people using me of baiting them. Where¡¯s the trust between people, huh?" Azure Dew slumped to the ground, hoping they could just make it until dawn without any more trouble.
The medals on Ebony Veil¡¯s chest¡ªthe same as the one on Azure''s¡ªwere unique awards from their sh with Area 008 in the regional battle.
Without the protection of those medals, they wouldn''t have dared to venture out, especially not now. They would''ve been swallowed by the darkness hundreds of times over by this point.
"Did you seriously post our coordinates?" Ebony Veil muttered, scrolling back through the world chat.
Upon seeing that Azure had indeed shared their exact location, ck Veil felt his head throbbing. This was the sort of reckless thing Azure would do.
"Of course! How else would people know where to find us?"
"Are you serious?"
"Who cares? If theye with good intentions, it¡¯ll work out. If they don''t... well, let them perish," Azure Dew said, grinning.
"You¡¯re mad."
"Aah!" Azure, who had been sitting on the ground, suddenly let out a yelp, feeling something heavy smack into his back.
The force was substantial, and caughtpletely off-guard, he cried out in rm.
Ebony Veil immediately took notice. All he saw was a dark, indistinct shape, too small to make out clearly.
Mikmik¡¯s stealth mode allowed him to perform many tasks, but it had a w. If heunched an attack or was struck, his stealth would deactivate temporarily, re-engaging only once he exitedbat.
Still, with his natural camouge,bined with his speed and small frame, Ebony Veil had only managed to glimpse a fleeting shadow.
"Get over here! Something¡¯s out there!"
No need to tell him twice¡ªAzure leapt to his feet and scrambled over to ck Veil, the two standing back-to-back, eyes fixed on their surroundings.
¡°What in the world¡ Not even a shadow!¡± Azure muttered as he frantically scanned the area.
¡°Shut it!¡±
Ebony Veil strained to focus, activating his scouting ability.
But it was a futile effort. His skill was pushed to its utmost, sensing everything around them, but somehow, the creature that had attacked them remained elusive.
As he pondered this, he felt it approaching again, and before he could warn Azure, another pained yelp echoed.
"Damn it!"
Ebony Veil quickly swapped positions with Azure but had lost sight of the creature once more¡ªthis time seeing nothing at all.
"Did you see what it was?"
Azure hesitated, a hint of uncertainty creeping in.
"It... it seemed like a ck cat?" Even he sounded doubtful, looking down at the fresh w marks on the back of his hand.
Meanwhile, Mikmik was circling around them, still concealed, observing and preparing for his next move.
Chapter 149: The Cat
Chapter 149: The Cat
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Chapter 149: The Cat
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The two of them were strung taut with nerves. This creature attacking them wasn¡¯t just unafraid of fire; it could even vanish into thin air.
Having seeded twice, Mikmik grewcent. It hadn¡¯t expected these two to be so weak. The instinct of a cat toying with its prey awoke within it, and Mikmik¡¯s mischievousness surged.
It had forgotten its original purpose¡ªto retreat once the mission wasplete.
Once again, it pounced. But in the instant it leapt, Ebony Veil reacted first, clenched his fist, and swung fiercely in Mikmik''s direction. His forearm, reinforced by iron bracers, nearly made contact with its body. In midair, Mikmik could hardly maneuver effectively and barely evaded the strike.
Although this attempt had missed, his reaction was improving¡ªhe was beginning to anticipate Mikmik¡¯s moves. Another try, and he might hit for real.
The yful mood that had just arisen was quickly squashed. As Mikmik prepared to retreat, Azure Dew rummaged through his backpack and flung something towards it.
The substance glittered as it left his hand, possibly glow-in-the-dark powder. Though Mikmik recoiled sharply, a few particles stuck to its fur as the wind carried them.
It seemed like it had taken things a bit too far. For the first time, its invisibility waspromised, the glowing powder clinging to its fur. As it moved, the sparkling trail betrayed its presence. To an unknowing bystander, it might have appeared as if a ghost were ying tricks in the dark.
A mess indeed.
Mikmik moved rapidly on the ground, but the two men remained hot on its heels. It couldn¡¯t risk leading them back to the sanctuary, knowing full well he¡¯d be scolded if he did.
If he couldn¡¯t shake them off on the ground, perhaps an alternative approach was required. No matter what, he couldn''t lead them to the sanctuary. A good old diversion was needed.
Bee Wings. A tiny golden orb, norger than a marble, dropped from its fur. The Bee Wings had been Athena¡¯s reward from thest regional battle¡ªthree pairs in total, distributed among the trio.
With a shake, spectral wings sprouted from Mikmik¡¯s back, farrger than its own body.
Mikmik flitted around the two, the air currents stirred by its wings slowly ridding its body of the powder.
Ebony Veil looked up, watching the sky. There was a ck cat, its jet-ck fur blending into the vast darkness. And yet, astonishingly, its body shimmered with faint starlight.
More surprising still was the pair of glowing wings extending from its sides, resplendent in their rity.
"A monster with equipment? Could it be a high-level beast, with the intelligence to use items..."
He kept elbowing Azure Dew in the back, gesturing for him to find something¡ªfast.
"I''m looking, I''m looking."
Watching the flying creature, Azure Dew¡¯s heart pounded. He was frantically rummaging for his mechanical crossbow.
Why hadn¡¯t he realized before how disorganized his things were?
Finally locating it, he shot a few bolts towards Mikmik, which it evaded effortlessly. Soon, Mikmik had shed thest of the powder, vanishing into invisibility once more¡ªalong with the wings.
It disappeared from sight, darting swiftly back to the sanctuary.
On its way out, Mikmik even made sure to swat a few loose tufts of fur in another direction.
¡°Chase it!¡±
Seeing it vanish, Ebony Veil felt a surge of frustration. Today was truly a rotten day¡ªdid they really think they could bully the two of them so easily?
¡°Chase it?¡±
¡°Chase what? We¡¯re lucky to have survived this. Who knows if there are more monsters? Run, run!¡±
¡°Chase it!¡±
¡°Run!¡±
¡°You¡ªyou just wait...¡±
In the dim candlelight of the sanctuary, Athena reclined on the balcony, a thin nket draped over her.
Her system panel was aglow.
Initially, she¡¯d intended to trade some rare minerals with "Asks-The-Heavens," but he mentioned his supply was limited. With that option dismissed, the conversation wandered off-topic.
Asks-The-Heavens said, "I¡¯ve gathered my team. We¡¯re nning an offensive against Area 003 soon, but we''re short on manpower. Any interest?"
Asks-The-Heavens was also sittingfortably in his two-storey cottage, sipping hot tea. As he messaged Athena, he was simultaneously organizing his group in another chat.
The people in Area 003 had shed with them in thest regional battle. With this function re-opened, it made sense to prioritize eliminating that threat and avoid furtherplications.
Athena understood perfectly why Area 003 was the target instead of Area 005¡ªthey had some familiarity with each other and grievances from thest encounter. Besides, given Asks-The-Heavens'' ongoing transactions with Area 003, they had precise information of the 003 yers.
¡°Sure. When?¡±
¡°Tomorrow morning at seven. Head straight east, and you¡¯ll reach the boundary.¡±
This move was in the collective interest of their entire area. Asks-The-Heavens knew Athena wouldn¡¯t refuse.
If his team was the strategic brain of their area, then Athena represented its topbat power. With her on board, more people would be encouraged to join.
This group had learned to rely on their self-healing capabilities¡ªthere was no fear of them leaving their homes vulnerable to raids.
They discussed more details, and after settling on a general strategy, ended their pleasant conversation.
Athena closed hermunication channel, ncing over at the rowdy crowd. The gambling frenzy had reached a fever pitch, and the snacks below piled ever higher.
Gambling fools¡ªgamble too much and end up with nothing.
Mikmik had been out for quite a while and hadn¡¯t yet returned¡
Looking at the inky ckness outside, Athena fell silent. It wasn¡¯t that she doubted Mikmik¡¯s abilities, but anything could happen.
She eyed her watch. Ten more minutes. If Mikmik didn¡¯te back, she¡¯d go looking.
Two minutester, the sanctuary¡¯s barrier rippled slightly, and a flying creature suddenly hurtled in. Evidently, Mikmik hadn¡¯t quite mastered the art of flight yet and hadn¡¯t learned to stop in time¡ªcrashing straight into the ceiling beam.
Athena opened the door to see Mikmik sprawled on the floor, dizzy, with little golden orb beside it. Prince and Princess were covering their mouths, stifling theirughter, much to Mikmik¡¯s indignation.
The Bee Wings weren''t a one-time-use item; they could be used for a total of three hours. If they weren¡¯t used up all at once, they¡¯d revert to the golden orb. Once their usage umted to three hours, they¡¯d disappear for good.
"You used the Bee Wings?"
Mikmik nodded.
"Troublesome opponent?"
He nodded furiously, tail swishing.
Chapter 150: Black Friday Sniper
Chapter 150: ck Friday Sniper
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Chapter 150: ck Friday Sniper
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Mikmik hadn¡¯t sustained any injuries during the battle, but the bump on his head upon returning had left him more rattled than he would care to admit. Dazed and disoriented, it still tried to pick a fight with Prince and Princess, only to find itself scooped up by Athena and carried back to the shelter.
Athena, unperturbed, questioned him thoroughly. Through his vague gestures and somewhat abstract scribbles made with a charcoal pencil, Athena pieced together an idea of the individuals involved.
In a bid for recognition, Mikmik skillfully omitted the part where he had been discovered, focusing instead on how he had deliberately left clues to throw the enemy off his trail. He hoped to receive praise for his efforts.
Athena, however, merely smiled gently, understanding far more than Mikmik had let on. She knew it had likely been discovered after toying with the adversaries a little too much, probably leading to a hasty retreat.
Ignoring Mikmik¡¯s attempt at seeking credit, she warned, ¡°Next time you pull a stunt like that, you¡¯ll be sleeping in the vegetable garden.¡±
...
Meanwhile, Ebony Veil and Azure Dew, locked in another argument, finally saw Azure emerge victorious. Together, they had chosen to follow the direction Mikmik had intentionally led them toward¡ªright in the path of Athena''s shelter.
¡°If we head the other way, we¡¯ll avoid trouble,¡± Azure Dew suggested confidently. ¡°These monsters will only attract more creatures. Once tonight passes, I¡¯ll find something to fix the car tomorrow, and we¡¯ll leave this cursed ce.¡±
Ebony Veil¡¯s face darkened at the suggestion, recalling how simr promises had been made when they first arrived. Luck had not been kind to him since teaming up with such a recklesspanion.
¡°Are we really not going after that cat?¡± Ebony Veil asked again, suspicion lingering in his voice.
Azure Dew, for once, grew serious. ¡°You know something¡¯s off, so why pursue it? With your strength, you struggle to take me on!¡±
¡°Struggle to take you on? I was going easy on you!¡± Ebony Veil retorted.
Their intentions may have been noble, but as fate would have it, they continued heading straight toward Athena¡¯s territory.
As for Mikmik, the threat of being banished to the vegetable garden sent a chill through its body. Not daring to hide the truth any longer, it confessed everything in painstaking detail, even throwing in some self-reflection for good measure.
However, its indulgence in snacks was curtailed for the week. Watching helplessly as its fruit was handed over to the luckless Paopao, Mikmik¡¯s spirits sank.
Athena, gazing out the window, seemed lost in thought before heading upstairs. Agile as ever, she vaulted from the second-floor balcony,nding on the rooftop with the grace of a butterfly.
There, she quickly assembled her jewel-encrusted sniper. Despite never having used it before, her mastery over firearms ensured her actions were swift and precise.
Based on Mikmik¡¯s description, one of the two men seemed aggressive, while the other appeared more intelligent. Mikmik¡¯s tricks weren¡¯t exactly subtle¡ªperhaps they¡¯d seen through the ruse and were now headed straight for the shelter.
The sniper rifle, capable of reaching up to 1200 meters, had its range extended by the system to 1600 meters. However, the darkness posed a significant obstacle, limiting visibility to only the additional 600 meters provided by the system.
The two men were originally over three kilometers away. If they truly were headed in her direction, they would now be within two kilometers.
Assuming no dys along the way, they would enter her range within thirty minutes, given an average walking pace.
Lying still on the rooftop, Athena focused her attention on the distantndscape. Her fingers curled around the cold metal of her sleek sniper rifle. Through the scope, her gaze was sharp, missing no detail.
The scenery stretched out before her, but her attention remained fixed on identifying her targets. She waited patiently, like a predator stalking its prey.
It wasn¡¯t long¡ªperhaps ten minutes¡ªbefore she spotted them. Ebony Veil and Azure Dew.
Her first reaction was to recall the haphazard sketches Mikmik had made of the pair. The resemnce? Let¡¯s just say the drawings had no bearing on reality.
Adjusting her position, Athena prepared to pull the trigger.
Ebony Veil and Azure Dew, with their limited vision in the dark, had their attention drawn to the shelter¡¯s glowing barrier. It was unmistakable from a distance.
Their initial response was excitement. It seemed luck had finally turned in their favor¡ªa shelter in this forsakennd? The owner must be having an awful day.
However, that excitement quickly morphed into wariness. As they drew closer, they recognized the shelter as a level four stronghold.
The owner of a shelter like this was no amateur, and the defensive towers surrounding it were another formidable deterrent. They were standing on the enemy¡¯s turf, which gave them little advantage.
¡°This ce isn¡¯t worth the trouble. Let¡¯s just treat it like a campsite and move on,¡± Azure Dew suggested.
¡°Agreed,¡± Ebony Veil replied, for once not offering a rebuttal. They didn¡¯t even consider approaching Athena for assistance.
Ebony Veil knew well enough that targeting a shelter of this caliber was unwise.
Then, a sudden gust of wind lifted his hair, sending a chill down his spine. Instinctively, he shoved Azure Dew aside and threw himself backwards, narrowly dodging a bullet that tore through the air between them.
The ck Friday rifle was notorious for its high hit probability, particrly when aiming for vital areas. However, it required minute adjustments tond a critical shot.
Dodging the first bullet had rendered it ineffective.
Ebony Veil barely had time to celebrate before another terrifying presence locked onto them.
Athena, calm and unshaken, knew for certain that her targets hadn¡¯t sensed anything before the shot. The man in the ck hoodie had a disturbingly strong intuition and had reacted with rming speed.
Her emotions remained undisturbed, as if nothing could disrupt her. She methodically adjusted the sniper¡¯s aim, her gaze steady and resolute.
This time, her target was the long-haired man lying on the ground.
He hadn¡¯t yet recovered from the shove and was blissfully unaware of the imminent danger. Her finger brushed the trigger, waiting for the perfect angle.
She squeezed the trigger, and the bullet shot forward.
With a sharp crack, the bullet soared through the air, swift and deadly, tearing through the sky toward its target.
At this distance, Ebony Veil had no chance of pushing hispanion out of the way again. He could feel his entire body tense, every instinct screaming at him to flee.
¡°Move!¡± he bellowed, his voice hoarse with desperation, just as the gunshot echoed through the night...
Chapter 151: Repelling the Attack
Chapter 151: Repelling the Attack
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Chapter 151: Repelling the Attack
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The bullet shot forth like a bolt of lightning, racing straight for the enemy''s lung!
It pierced his flesh, embedding deeply within his tissue. Had it not been for his considerable defensive capabilities, that bullet would havepletely prated his body.
At that moment, Azure Dew entered the pit, engulfed by an unbearable wave of agony. His body contorted, mouth agape in a silent scream, producing a shrill wail that echoed through the air. The pain crashed over him like relentless waves, battering his nerves.
He lifted a hand, attempting to cover his wound, but all he could manage was to let blood gush forth uncontrobly.
Beside him, Ebony Veil¡¯s pupils dted in shock, momentarily rendered speechless by the sight before him.
Yet, he knew this was not the time for hesitation. Before Athena could take another shot, he dashed forward and hoisted Azure Dew up in his arms.
With thest remnants of his fading consciousness, Azure Dew swiftly retrieved a white mechanical sphere from his backpack. The sphere levitated above him, its tiny mechanical arms spreading outwards like delicate white veins, sealing the gaping wound that bled profusely, stabilizing the potentially fatal injury.
Ebony Veil, d in hisbat boots, noticed mechanical patterns emerging on them, significantly amplifying his speed as he sprinted away with his injuredrade.
Athena observed everything, her mind racing. She had suspected that her adversaries might possess hidden capabilities, but this level of ingenuity took her by surprise.
So many mechanical creations could not possibly originate from a fixed source; there was only one possibility¡ªthey had built them themselves. Just as she could craft various explosives, it was entirely usible that they could engineer such devices.
Lost in thought, her hands remained steady as she once again pulled the trigger.
The prey moved swiftly, but sadly for them, the hunter''s aim was swifter.
This time, however, they had learned their lesson well. A semi-transparent light beam enveloped them¡ªnot a teleportation aura, but rather a protective shield.
The bullet spun upon impact with the shield, then slowly descended to the ground, while the pair had already dashed out of the shooting range.
The sudden emergence of the protective shield caused Athena to frown slightly. The opposition possessed more resources than she had anticipated; this might not even be the final surprise they had in store.
Each piece of equipment they wielded would be a lifeline in anyone else''s hands, yet here, they appeared to bemonce.
She lingered for a moment, waiting to confirm there was no further activity, before rising to stow her ck Friday back into her pack.
Pursuing a retreating enemy is foolish; given thebat prowess disyed by these two, it was unlikely she would fare well in a confrontation.
She contemted the Area 007, familiar with its mechanical manufacturing capabilities, and decided to check the area list.
...
Even with his wound now sealed, the faint scent of blood was still a lethal attractant. The once-timid withered treants, previously deterred by the threat they posed, were now surging forward.
Initially, Ebony Veil managed to outrun them with the enhanced speed granted by hisbat boots, but with an injured person in tow, his mobility was severely hampered.
As they ventured further, however, the energy consumption of the boots escted rmingly. Before long, their power reserves were nearly depleted.
Azure Dew had intended to assist, but was firmly restrained by Ebony Veil. Though the mechanical sphere controlled the wound, allowing him some temporary mobility, any excessive movement risked reopening the injury.
Despite having no torch in hand, Ebony Veil, in the midst of their sprint, waved his left hand forward, igniting sparks that appeared to materialize from thin air.
Before long, the tiny mes erupted into a massive fire circle surrounding him, expanding rapidly into the space around them.
The colossal ring of mes spread outwards, threatening to consume everything in its path.
One wave of treants fell to the ze, only to be swiftly followed by another.
In the shadows, a pair of crimson eyes watched intently, its barely perceptible breaths waiting for the perfect moment.
The chaos attracted even more hunters lurking in the darkness.
The creatures had long ceased their game of cards, gathering instead at the entrance of the shelter.
Though they could see nothing, their acute hearing caught the rhythmic sound of gunfire, instilling within them an overwhelming sense of tension and dread. They had no understanding of the events unfolding, only that they must remain vignt, fixated on the distance.
As soon as Athena descended from the upper floor, they recognized that the ordeal had concluded.
Meeting their watchful gazes, she nodded slightly, prompting them to turn and resume their card game without hesitation.
Settling onto the sofa, she activated her system panel and scrolled through to the Area 007.
Those two would likely rank highly.
As she had surmised, their avatars were pixted representations based on their real appearances. While they did not provide an exact likeness, they conveyed enough features to discern the individuals.
The long-haired male was the easiest to identify; he ranked second in the Area 007.
Like the Area 004, the Area 007 was a distinct area, confirming that their adversaries belonged to a significantly powerful faction, at least in terms of the number of survivors.
[Azure Dew]
Zone ID: 007 Independent Zone
Attributes: Cannot be viewed.
Description: Combat capability barely makes the top ten, yet in terms of overall strength, he could undoubtedly rank second or even surpass the first. Highly skilled in crafting various mechanical contraptions.
Upon finding the long-haired male, she scrolled down to discover the seventh rank belonged to Ebony Veil.
[ Ebony Veil ]
Zone ID: 007 Independent Zone
Attributes: Cannot be viewed.
Description: Action-oriented with exceptional closebat skills. Lacks personal ir¡ªhis greatest distinguishing feature.
It was unfortunate that she could only ess general information, yet having any details was better than none.
The withered treants became fuel for the mes, their bodies igniting and forming a colossal bonfire, interspersed with the remains of several defeated monsters.
The once-restless creatures retreated after the fierce battle, though it remained uncertain whether a second wave of monsters might be drawn to themotion.
Seated back-to-back near the bonfire, the two individuals tended to their wounds. Their clothing was tattered and stained with blood, bandages wrapped haphazardly around their bodies, a faint medicinal aroma lingering in the air.
With the scent of blood no longer conceble, it was only a matter of time before monsters were attracted to them. Thus, they decided to amplify the ruckus, using this form of intimidation to deter the creatures lurking nearby.
This approach proved effective.
Amidst the swirling sands, a palm-sized figure wearing a conical hat fell into a crevice in the earth, quietly climbing back to its feet, clutching a small scroll of parchment in its hand.
As it traversed the terrain, it caught sight of the distant glow.
Chapter 152: A Shift in the Sky
Chapter 152: A Shift in the Sky
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Chapter 152: A Shift in the Sky
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The lost soul gazed toward the distant glow, braving the swirling sands as it approached.
Though no bigger than the size of a hand, it stood unwavering against the relentless wind. The scent was strong¡ªa mix of monstrous musk, coupled with the unmistakable aroma of humans.
Its form slowly elongated, bones protruding as if desated, and its sunken cheeks deepened. With each hunt, it evolved. Where once its eyes were pools of inky ckness, a faint white ring now circled the edges.
This small addition¡ªa mere sliver of white¡ªgranted its powers a significant leap.
Dark threads, as ck as the abyss, swirled between its hands. They hovered ominously, ready to ensnare any prey the moment they were detected.
[Lost Soul]
Level: 6
Skills: Confusion, Intimidation, Misleading
(Cannot attack those protected by light.)
It soughtpanions, those who would journey with it.
Like a ghost, it drifted ever closer toward the flickering firelight. Its presence, peculiar as it was, made the withered treants part ways before it, allowing passage. As for the unfortunate creatures too ignorant to yield, they were swiftly devoured, their souls condemned to wander alongside it.
Then, it spotted two humans¡ªdelicious prey.
As the thick ck smoke dissipated, the enormous figure shrank once again to a size that could fit in one¡¯s palm, its grotesque face scrunched in displeasure, lips pursed.
Its once-majestic cloak, now tattered and scratched, was hastily withdrawn in a fit of anger. It dared not linger here and quickly turned towards the sanctuary of Athena.
The creature unfurled the parchment in its hands.
"The Sky¡¯s Shift."
It raised a tiny hand, wiping away the phrase. As it did, a new line slowly materialized. The action sent a shudder through its body, as if struck by a jolt of electricity, wisps of ck smoke curling from its form.
Yet, despite the difort, it hadn¡¯t crossed the boundary of what was forbidden, remaining within eptable limits.
The words reappeared on the parchment:
"Watcher Nearby, Campfire."
Frustration boiled within it, longing to scrawl the humans¡¯ exact appearance, even pinpoint the location. But s, itcked the authority to do so.
For the lost soul, its vengeful desire seemed utterly justified. It was valuable information after all¡ªwhat harm in altering it a little?
In the end, it was Witty who emerged victorious, collecting a mountain of treats, taller than itself.
As for the unfortunate oue, Paopao lost everyst morsel of its snacks.
Now, Witty curled up on the sofa next to Athena, a fluffy ck-and-white ball of fur, its back turned toward them.
Tap, tap, tap... knock!
The night visitor was in an ill temper, nursing wounds that still ached dully. Its grip on the parchment tightened as it seethed.
Athena set her book aside, rising to answer the door. Her gaze instinctively fell downward.
As expected, the lost soul, norger than a hand, stood there. She raised an eyebrow in mild surprise, for thest time they met, it had been the size of a thumb.
It seemed the creature had been busy, evolving significantly since theirst encounter.
This time, it didn¡¯t wait for her to extend her hand. Eagerly, it raised the parchment, urging her to take it.
As soon as Athena grasped it, the parchment reverted to its normal size.
"Watcher Nearby, Campfire."
Reading the line, Athena¡¯s first thought went to the two individuals who had just fled from Zone 007.
Normally, the messages the lost soul delivered pertained to monsters or environmental changes, yet this time, it brought news of people¡ªinformation she was already aware of.
She observed the creature closely. It, too, was watching her, silently assessing her reaction.
In the past, it would have grown impatient and left by now. But today, it lingered, quietly gauging her response.
Its usual ck robe was nowhere to be seen, reced by a dusty, greyed appearance. If she hadn¡¯t been so observant, she might have missed the faint cuts marring its small body.
Given the direction it hade from, and knowing its nature as a creature that thrived on deceiving others, why would it let two wounded humans slip away?
The truth was simple: it was still too young. Though intelligent, itcked experience in the treacherous games humans yed.
¡°Did you encounter two people on your way here?¡± Athena asked.
The lost soul''s initial reaction was one of stunned confusion, followed quickly by a disy of feigned bewilderment, as if offended by the question.
But this only served to confirm her suspicions.
She thrust the parchment back into its hands. As soon as it touched the creature, the parchment shrank once more.
"Write it as it was. No alterations." Her gaze was sharp, her tone cold.
The lost soul was absorbing knowledge at an rming rate. One day, it would grow into a true monster, master of deceit and temptation. When that day arrived, no contract would hold it bound.
Making deals with monsters was always akin to dancing with a tiger.
For now, though, Athena intended to squeeze whatever use she could from it.
Her thoughts remained unchanged. The lost soul''s description had always been simpler than that of other creatures. Its profile contained little more than its level.
Yet, its growth was swift. It was the only creature she had encountered thus far that could move freely in the dark, endowed with a unique affinity for shadows.
Upon realizing its trick had been caught, the lost soul''s first instinct was to flee.
But the sanctuary permitted its entry because of its contract with Athena.
Now, at hermand, it could just as easily seal it within, preventing any escape.
Sure enough, it smacked into the barrier.
Defeated, the creature reluctantly took the parchment and, with no other choice, rewrote the original message upon the nk page.
A fool¡¯s errand indeed.
Without real information, nothing would appear on the parchment. Athena wasn¡¯t concerned it would try to alter it again; as long as the information was useful, that was enough.
"The Sky¡¯s Shift."
As the sanctuary¡¯s barrier parted, the lost soul wasted no time in fleeing, vanishing into the night. Athena, having acquired the information she sought, paid it no further mind.
She lifted her gaze toward the skies. Compared to the deste earth, the sky seemed almost¡ normal.
Yet, that only deepened her unease. Even armed with this new knowledge, the path ahead remained shrouded in mystery. She couldn¡¯t see, nor could she grasp, whaty beyond the veil.
If there was one thing that stood out in all this strangeness, it was that blood-red sun¡ªneither warm nor able to banish the darkness.
It no longer rose, nor did it set, having reced both the sun and moon.
But for all its brilliance, it seemed nothing more than a beautiful ornament, bringing about no real change.
If there was any true shift in the sky, it had to be that.
Chapter 153: The Plan Changes
Chapter 153: The n Changes
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Chapter 153: The n Changes
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The crimson sun hung low in the sky, casting its glow over the barrennd, and all around was an eerie silence.
Perhaps it was merely a trick of her mind, but Athena felt as though the sun had taken on a deeper shade of red today, verging on ck even.
Clutching the parchment in her hand, she remained silent for a long time, her thoughts drifting back to the recent agreement she had made with Asks-The-Heavens.
[ Regional Chat Channel ]
¡°Surely we¡¯re not going out to confront 003 tomorrow?¡±
¡°Of course we are! We must go. Who knows if this situation willst two days, three days, or even a month?¡±
¡°As the saying goes, ¡®He who kills and burns takes gold for his belt.¡¯¡±
¡°That¡¯s mass murder we¡¯re talking about! How can you all joke about it so casually?¡±
¡°Who¡¯s the lunatic up there? Drag them out; monsters relish devouring those with twisted minds.¡±
¡°Are so many people nning to join in?¡±
Asks-The-Heavens¡¯s inquiries had drawn quite a crowd for this operation. News spread rapidly¡ªone person told ten, ten told a hundred. The chat channel was buzzing with excitement.
[ Big Dream sends you a message.]
The scalpel in his hand flipped deftly as he dissected the rabbit carcass before him.
Though he no longer required his surgical skills, he was determined not to lose his touch. Now and then, he would find something to practice on.
They had just finalized their ns for the attack tomorrow in the chat group.
Using some water nearby, he washed the blood from his hands. Big Dream usually didn¡¯t reach out to him without good reason; was there something urgent at hand?
Asks-The-Heavens opened his chat channel.
-¡°I¡¯ve just received some information.¡±
-¡°That thing in the sky is behaving strangely; its color has turned increasingly red. It¡¯s likely to undergo a second mutation very soon.¡±
-¡°If it continues to change before midnight tonight, I won¡¯t be going tomorrow. I suggest you all reconsider your ns as well.¡±
He read through this information with a furrowed brow. Although he was unsure where Big Dream acquired such extensive intelligence, he understood that her top ranking status was not self-assigned. She possessed resources he could not ess.
He looked up at the sun. Unless one paid close attention, it was easy to miss that it had indeed deepened in hue since yesterday.
In the current circumstances, attacks among regions were merely a matter of time. They were all vying for an advantage rather than simply adopting a defensive stance.
But if Big Dream had genuinely uncovered different information¡
Then perhaps their ns for tomorrow truly needed adjustment.
Not aplete overhaul, but they would have to wait until after midnight to see if there were any changes. This would indicate that the information Big Dream had received might not be entirely urate¡ªno precise timing to rely on.
If something were to happen, he would certainly inform his team.
''Let¡¯s hope for a peaceful night¡''
...
Athena rubbed her throbbing temples, then reached to remove the earthen wall outside the shelter. Compared to her earlier attempts at controlling the time, her mental strength had certainly increased significantly.
Asks-The-Heavens replied, ¡°I have a rough understanding of the situation and will await further developments to adjust our ns ordingly.¡±
There were no signs of confusion or questions from him; he epted this fact with calm assurance.
Interacting with Asks-The-Heavens was indeed a refreshingly pleasant experience.
At her sidey ten scrolls, acquired through trade with scroll guy, Potato, costing her ten silver coins. These were eleration scrolls; it was always wise to stockpile such items for future use.
It wasn¡¯t that Potato had been unwilling to trade before; the chance of sessfully reorganising duplicate scrolls was rather slim. Now, however, he had rushed over to her the moment he had new information to barter.
She dly epted all ten scrolls without hesitation.
Everyone had their secrets¡ªPotato¡¯s varied scrolls, Asks-The-Heavens¡¯s special abilities, and even those two individuals from area 007 whom she had encountered recently.
Her fingers gently stroked the ck-colored axe in her hand, its de glinting with a mysterious crimson light, subtly exuding an aura that sent shivers down her spine. Her gaze sharpened as if peering through the axe into an endless world.
As she moved her fingers along the icy surface and keen edge of the ck axe, she contemted her next journey to the goblin city.
Although she had made little progress in alchemy, she had mastered the explosive ball technique learned from Mu, yet crafting a quality or even perfect explosive ball remained a lengthy process with slim chances.
Additionally, the Moonlight Bow could be enhanced through the fusion of simr weapons; the ck abyss axe could likewise be improved. However, she had only found one weapon during her time with Uncle Gowther, leaving her without additional axes for fusion.
It was unclear if he had managed to forge anything noteworthy during this interval.
For now, she wouldn¡¯t venture there. Preparing enough food for a visit to the goblin city was essential, as theycked provisions, making food a far better medium formunication.
Inside the grand firece, a fierce fire zed, crackling and popping with life.
Beside it sat an exquisite candle, its tiny yet stable me gently radiating a warm glow.
While both emitted bright mes, their purposes were entirely different.
The fire in the hearth was meant to warm the room and create afortable atmosphere, its fierce heat dispelling the chill and invoking a sense of home.
Conversely, the primary function of the candle was to guard against and dispel darkness, serving as a key to the shelter¡¯s activation.
In addition to the mid-level candle currently alight, Athena possessed two junior candles. Others, however, were not so fortunate, as yet another candle¡¯s duration was about to expire.
The count of survivors had not ceased, and the next threshold was 500. Should their region¡¯s poption decline to that number, a new phase wouldmence.
Feeling rather bored, Athena sat by the fire, gazing through the circr wooden window at the sky, quietly observing its changes.
It had been a long while since she had attentively watched the sky like this. If only everything remained calm tonight¡ªit was a shame.
As she looked up at the sun, now so deep a red it appeared almost ck, a small dark spot emerged, rapidly expanding and threatening to engulf the sun.
Yet, in an instant, everything felt like an illusion. The sun was still the same vibrant crimson as before; it no longer bore the taint of ckness.
"I felt... empty"
Athena felt a wave of nostalgia wash over her. The clock had long since passed midnight. How many would notice this fleeting change?
"..."
''Many have died, and indeed, we too shall meet our end. I survive, yet there lingers within me that I have already sumbed to death. For reasons beyondprehension or maybe, hallucinations, what is the purpose behind all of this?''
If she hadn¡¯t been watching so intently and question everything since the day she awakened in this world, Athena too might have thought all was as it should be.
And that surviving is meaningless.
Chapter 154: A World-Wide Crisis Approaches
Chapter 154: A World-Wide Crisis Approaches
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Chapter 154: A World-Wide Crisis Approaches
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Not only was Athena unable to sleep, but Asks-The-Heavens and the first five members of his team, upon receiving Big Dream¡¯s message, found themselves wide awake as well.
Even the smallest, swiftest changes had not escaped their keen eyes.
In almost no time at all, their organised group and the regional chat channel erupted into a flurry of messages, despite the fact that very few were actually awake to witness it.
[ Regional Chat Channel ]
¡°The sun is acting strangely; ns have changed. Cancel the original ns!¡±
¡°The sun is acting strangely; ns have changed. Cancel the original ns!¡±
¡
A relentless stream of messages poured forth.
Athena opened the door to the shelter, standing in her courtyard once more.
She looked up at the enormous sun hanging above, surrounded by an expanse of darkness seemingly covering the entire world. To her, everything appeared normal; perhaps she was simply overthinking the situation.
Outside, the withered treants remained beyond the range of the defense towers'' attacks. Using a pile of wooden blocks stacked outside the shelter, she leapt and climbed to the rooftop, re-establishing her formation for ck Friday.
The cold, dark barrel of the gun pointed mercilessly at one of the treants.
With a gentle touch, Athena rested her finger on the trigger and pulled it decisively.
The bullet pierced through the shelter¡¯s barrier, soaring toward the distant treant. The tremendous force and destructive power created a massive hole in the trunk, splintering wood fragments in all directions.
The treant fell to the ground, yet Athena received no experience points for her effort.
Despite ck Friday¡¯s formidable attack power, which surely carried immense recoil, this time she found the action to be remarkably smooth, without any adverse effects.
The regional chat channel buzzed with sporadic messages, remnants from that group sent before they settled in for the night, and Asks-The-Heavens had yet to provide her with further updates.
Holding her shooting stance, Athena waited for a moment before three small creatures emerged from their hiding ces.
They appeared startled, as though awakened by the thunderous sound of the gunfire, still a bit dazed.
Athena regarded them with a cold indifference, stowing away ck Friday, only to produce an elegantly archaic bow and arrow, imbued with a mncholic beauty.
From her elevated position, she drew the bowstring taut, aiming at the trio through their panic-stricken eyes, and let fly.
The most uncoordinated among them, Paopao, was struck; the wound still oozed blood as it cried out pitifully. Yet, s, there was no trace of sympathy or softness in Athena¡¯s heart.
She took aim once more, her arrow directed at them again. Paopao¡¯s pudgy paw snatched at the arrow¡¯s tail, dislodging it and tossing it aside, the bleeding wound having already healedpletely.
Beside it, Mikmik and Witty were no longer in disarray. Instead, their gazes turned steely, fixated on Athena as if she were a delectable prey.
They countered her actions with remarkable agility, attempting to leap onto the roof tounch an attack.
The arrow that had originally aimed at Paopao shifted direction, now targeting Witty mid-air. It had no time to evade and was struck, crashing back down to the ground.
Athena¡¯s arrows flew with unyielding precision. In such close quarters, while she wouldn¡¯t im to hit every shot, her sess rate was high; the next arrow was released toward Mikmik, who barely dodged, losing momentum in its jump and failing tond atop the roof.
Without a moment¡¯s pause, she continued releasing arrows, and the once-active trio now found themselves unable to seize even the slightest opportunity.
¡°Transform back!¡± shemanded, her voice carrying a subtle edge of anger. Yet this slight shift in her tone only heightened the trio¡¯s will.
They dodged frantically to avoid the iing arrows, even pushing one of their own into the path of fire, while the others seized the chance to scale the roof.
Their actions were decisive, but their expressions¡ªfull of mockery, innocence, and pleading¡ªmade Athena feel utterly nauseated.
Atst, Witty found a moment of opportunity and leapt upwards.
With its little furry head tilted innocently, it resembled a harmless rabbit, and it called out to Athena, seeking her favor.
However, in that moment, it was terrifying; half of its flesh was ame, while the other half rotted away.
A small turret materialized above its head,unching a shell directly at Athena. She widened her eyes at the sight, leaping down from the rooftop without hesitation.
This base had dismal defense capabilities; a single shell obliterated much of the floor, sending debris flying and leaving behind a mere ruin in the blink of an eye.
That cursed rabbit emerged from the wreckage, the cannon still aimed at Athena.
Mikmik, beside it, vanished from sight and surged toward Athena, attempting to slice through her neck with its razor-sharp ws. Paopao, too, had grownrger, charging at her with reckless abandon amidst a cloud of mist.
Meanwhile, Witty cared not for itspanions¡¯ well-being,unching a second barrage of shells toward Athena.
She leapt to the side, her left foot carving a half-circle on the ground, sending dust and debris into the air. A fragment of stone struck something nearby, and her ck abyss axe was soon at the ready.
The first strike missed, but she quickly redirected the axe, swinging it down upon Paopao¡¯s shoulder.
Ignoring the pain, the colossal bear sought to pin her in ce with its massive ws. Yet, with a backflip, she narrowly evaded and drew back her axe, just as another shell came crashing down.
A tremendous explosion rocked the area, sending the two creatures at the center into a spray of gore, while Athena was caught in the bacsh of the st.
The ground where she had once stood now bore a massive crater littered with bits of flesh. In the distance, the rabbit tilted its head, confused, and fired again.
Athena sprinted towards it, the scattered remnants of flesh behind her converging once more, reshaping themselves.
They retained the forms of Mikmik and Paopao, but now their bodies were riddled with cracks, grotesque and horrifying, stitched together from the remnants of flesh.
Clearly, the rabbit was the mastermind behind this; though the reason why this illusioncked a system evaluation remained a mystery, Athena knew she had to attack first.
For should she falter, they could take her life at any moment.
A swift resolution was essential; the longer this dragged on, the more concerning it became. These monsters had begun mimicking the abilities and skills of the trio.
At first, when she attacked them, they could only imitate the small creatures¡¯ appearances. Now, they were employing their tools and skills as well.
If this was an illusion, what awaited her beyond its confines?
The shelter was under relentless assault, a colossal, indistinct beast looming atop it, seeking to tear through the vexing barrier.
The defensive towers continued their barrage, and even Witty was manning its tiny turret in the fight, yet none of it had any effect.
The others, gathered around Athena, attempted to rouse her, but their efforts were in vain.
Chapter 155: The Shattered Mirage
Chapter 155: The Shattered Mirage
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Chapter 155: The Shattered Mirage
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Within the illusory realm, Athena found herself in quite the predicament. The creatures around her had not only transformed to mimic the forms of her three little allies but had also mastered their abilities.
Had that been the extent of it, Athena might have merely found it an annoyance. However, no matter how many times she destroyed these impostors, they would restore themselves as if untouched. The lunar power of her Moonlight Bow, usually so effective, seemed to barely graze them. The creatures shaped as a cat and panda were particrly vexing, disrupting her every move. The cat, with its ability to vanish at will, was proving the most troublesome of all.
Refusing to waste her strength endlessly on these resilient foes, she focused her attention on the rabbit.
Among the trio, the half-decayed, half-fiery rabbit was by far the most peculiar. Athena knew these creatures couldn¡¯t be truly immortal; it had to be that she simply hadn¡¯t uncovered their source. Her hunch was that the rabbit might be the keystone to breaking free from this twisted realm, the true essence binding the illusion together.
After a decisive strike that took the panda¡¯s head clean off, she found herself a mere three meters from the rabbit, who made no move to flee. Its crimson eyes gleamed with a mocking glint, its miniature turret retracting as it observed Athena with what seemed to be scorn.
Repeated close-range bombardments had left the area in shambles. Shattered stones and debris from relentless battles peppered her skin with cuts, reminding her starkly that, while this may be a mirage, death here would mean death in reality.
With a burst of speed, Athena''s legs propelled her forward, gripping her axe as though it were death''s own scythe.
The rabbit sneered. Small and swift, it had evaded her with ease, leaping away whenever she came close. Yet Athena¡¯s efforts to pursue only drained her further. Every passing second within this illusory world siphoned her mental strength. Should her will power wane entirely, she¡¯d sink irreversibly into this illusion, never to wake again.
Unperturbed, the rabbit toyed with her, its agile hops always enough to elude her swings. Though maintaining the illusion drained its energy, the thrill of taunting its prey seemed well worth the cost.
In yet another leap, a sudden gale grazed past it¡ªAthena''s foot.
In a moment of sheer disbelief, the rabbit found itself in mid-air, frozen in shock as Athena¡¯s powerful kick sent it hurtling through the air. It sailed with the speed and force of one of its own shells, streaking towards an abandoned pit where it crashed with an earth-shaking thud.
A massive dust cloud billowed up, engulfing the area in a swirling haze that obscured everything. Athena¡¯s kick had been a formidable one, and the rabbit¡¯s body, now mangled, showed signs of internal damage and broken bones.
¡°Meeeeeeee!¡± it screeched, its cry now grotesquely distorted, no longer the rabbit¡¯s voice at all. In response, the panda and cat creatures dissolved into pools of inky ck water, surging toward their wounded leader.
From beyond the shelter¡¯s boundaries, another identical cry echoed, signalling the same pain.
Observing that the rabbit¡¯s wounds failed to heal, Athena knew she had hit the mark.
These creature manifestations were nothing but burdens now, sapping its strength rather than aiding it. The rabbit¡¯s current state left it vulnerable¡ªanother strike might just finish it.
Athena had no intention of wasting time on the puddles. She dashed towards the sprawled rabbit, producing a small vial of violet liquid as she ran. Sttering half of it behind her, the first trickle of ck water that touched the liquid reacted violently, merging before letting out a tortured wail and evaporating right in front of the rabbit.
She hadn¡¯t used the potion before because, even if she had, the creatures would have instantly regenerated. But now, with the rabbit pinned down, it was a different story.
The violet liquid was none other than a distilled extract from a Purple Dream Bud- its usual dream-inducing properties transformed, now venomous enough to dissolve the dark pools that sustained these creatures.
With one of the pools gone, the other retreated, fearful of the same fate. Athena didn¡¯t hesitate to send more of the liquid toward her struggling foe.
The rabbit recoiled as droplets sprayed over it, its translucent body flickering. Had it been tangible, the potion might have torn into its very essence.
The potion passed through the creature,nding on the ground. With the rabbit¡¯s form phasing and fading, the space around them could no longer hold steady. The illusion trembled violently, its fabric fraying at the seams.
The entire world around her began to copse, shattering in a burst of force as it crumbled into countless fragments. Athena¡¯s form flickered, caught in the copse, until she was thrust back into reality.
A sharp dizziness overtook her as her eyes fluttered open, and with a start, she sat up, startling Gray, who stumbled backwards.
That wretched creature had chosen the most drastic of measures, detonating the entire realm in an attempt to take her with it. Although she¡¯d half-faded before the explosion hit, the st still jarred her mentally.
Just as she¡¯d regained her senses, a shrill, unrelenting scream assailed her ears. The toll of her recent ordealpounded with this fresh agony, leaving her reeling.
Raising her left arm, she tugged back her sleeve, revealing faint scratches.
It appeared that injuries sustained within that twisted illusion had materialized upon her body here. Outside, mingling with the sounds of battle, came the unmistakable boom of shellfire. Rising from the couch, she pulled Gray to her feet and moved to the door.
The shelter¡¯s defensive turrets had not ceased firing for a single moment. Her three little allies, stationed around the turrets, adjusted the aim and scanned for any weaknesses in the enemy.
Upon spotting Athena, her small allies swarmed to her as though she were the fortress¡¯ cornerstone.
Her gaze fixed on the enemy, and her first impression was of sheer enormity. The creature loomed, towering nearly half the height of the shelter¡¯s barrier.
All turrets were trained upon it, yet the relentless assault seemed to leave it unscathed. wing at the barrier with massive hands, it shifted its entire weight to bear down upon the protective shield, eyes narrowing as it detected Athena.
A twisted half-humanoid creature, its lower body melded into a dense, viscous pool of dark water. Its enormous face pressed against the barrier, strands of seaweed-like hair clinging to its partially rotting, half-scorched visage.
Its disjointed eyes rolled wildly before locking onto Athena, its mouth opening in a feral howl. The sound echoed with such fury that even the cursed, withered treants, previously reluctant to approach, now surged forward in droves toward the shelter.
Chapter 156: Cataclysm-Class Threat
Chapter 156: Cataclysm-ss Threat
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Chapter 156: Cataclysm-ss Threat
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[Warning: Sanctuary Barrier Under Attack!]
[Warning: Sanctuary Barrier Under Attack!]
[Presence of an Ultra-High-ss Energy Being Detected!]
[Dark Minion]
ss: Cataclysm
Strength: ???
Defense: ???
Skills: ???
Only Known Skill: The creature can drag all human units within three hundred-kilometer radius into a hallucinatory realm, adjusting the realm¡¯s intensity to match the number of captives.
The entity only appears within the ckened Grounds!
The rapid system alerts left Athena reeling, unable to believe what she was witnessing. This wasn¡¯t the entity¡¯s original form; rather, it was one of the countless fragments the mother creature had split off, drawing them all into a nightmare dimension. Meanwhile, these fragments continued to assault the sanctuary barrier from the outside.
Previously, even when the sanctuary barrier came under attack, it never triggered such urgent warnings. But now, it had issued multiple red-colored alerts.
Athena recognized the temte¡ªthis was something on the level of a "Galore," a monster capable of catastrophic destruction, if not, stronger! If it weren''t for the sheer number of yers within three hundred kilometers diluting its energy, this creature might have already torn through the sanctuary¡¯s defenses!
No!
She and everybody else will die for sure!
The fragment fixated on Athena as though puzzled as to why this human had managed to break free of its illusion.
Her shelter boasted high-grade defenses, yet she wasn¡¯t certain they could withstand this onught for half an hour.
Looking up, she saw that the once-vibrant sky had darkenedpletely. The fiery red sun had vanished¡ªnot simply set, but entirely disappeared, devoured by the ckened void that consumed it!
The system¡¯s ominous purple text had warned her:
[ The entity only appears within the ckened Grounds. After the anomaly, the sun had turned a blood-red hue, and now it was obliterated entirely. ]
This ce no longer belonged to the contested war zone. It was something else¡ªsomething darker. The ckened Grounds.
The world had always been split into two vast domains, and their contested battlefield had always been positioned at the intersection of light and dark, where day and night endlessly shed. But now, darkness had imed this zone.
Their former battleground had already seen its victor dered¡ªthe dark. And that boded ill for every yer.
The frontline,posed of cities held by yers and nations alike, had shifted. Since Athena¡¯s departure from the Sol Kingdom, city after city had fallen, swallowed by darkness.
Day had lost. Yet again, it had yielded ground, forcing the frontline to recede. Now, the yers'' region itself had be the ckened Grounds.
"Damn it!"
What triggered this sudden esction in the dark¡¯s offensive?
If not for this unanticipated twist, creatures of this caliber shouldn¡¯t even be present here. The legendary Alfred had once held a fortified city against this level of threat, by sacrificing himself, what hope did she have against such a monster now?
For the first time, Athena felt the dreadful grip of terror.
Gunfire raged without pause, but with the withered treants crowding around her, spreading her firepower across them wasn¡¯t an option. She had to let them gather, hoping they wouldn¡¯t overrun her position.
Athena climbed to the second-floor rooftop and positioned ck Friday, her firearm, ahead.
Of her current arsenal, the ck Abyss Axe was unusable, and the Moonlight Bow¡¯s most powerful enhancement, the "Lunar Force," was ineffective due to the significant level disparity. Thus, ck Friday was her only viable option for physical damage.
[ Regional Chat Channel ]
"The sun¡¯s gone. Change of ns¡ªabort the original mission!"
Their messages had flooded the regional chat channel moments before, but no replies had followed. Everyone else was now ensnared in the hallucinatory realm, trapped between life and death.
The number of survivors was plummeting, dropping off a cliff.
[1231]
[1002]
...
Many were still lost in the realm, unable to discern reality from illusion, while others had already fallen to the monstrosities, their low-tier shelters overrun.
The world chat channel, inparison, was faring slightly better. Fewer yers remained active, but each seemed to be fighting for their lives with renewed desperation.
[ World Chat Channel ]
019: "For Godsake, where¡¯s the sun gone?! And what are all these monsters doing here?!"
053: "Too many of them, and they''re massive! Can our shelters hold up?"
036: "Help! What even is this? It¡¯s like a mountain! I¡¯m going to die here!"
060: "What¡¯s going on? System keeps sting us with warnings, and howe it''s only targeting our region? Did the yers in the first wave all get wiped out?"
The world had descended into utter chaos. Creatures around the shelters were surging with newfound power due to the change in the zone¡¯s nature. They advanced relentlessly, determined to obliterate these human structures.
Despite ck Friday¡¯s barrel heating up and her body trembling out of instinctual fear, Athena continued firing as the monsters of all sizes covers every nook of the barrier.
"Ah... ah..."
While trying to regte her fear and breathing, Athena had discovered that dipping ck Friday''s bullets in the Purple Dream Bud¡¯s nectar inflicted at least some damage on the entity¡¯s fragment. Each bullet spiraled through the air, slicing towards the creature with near-unavoidable force, striking its weak points. Yet, the creature¡¯s eyes and head seemed frustratingly out of reach.
Though the shots hadn''t pierced deep, they gradually caved in parts of the creature''s body which brought calmed to Athena''s nerves. Repeated fire caused a crack, ck blood seeping through. Athena seized the opportunity and fired relentlessly at the breach.
It seemed that the Purple Dream Bud¡¯s properties, akin to the monster¡¯s own hallucinatory abilities, amplified ck Friday¡¯s lethality, allowing it to break through.
Her arms throbbed from the gun¡¯s recoil, losing feeling. Despite her robust physique, a few more rounds would dislocate her shoulder¡ªor worse. But this was her only option. She couldn¡¯t let the creature continue its attack on the barrier or else- game over.
Outside, every bullet that struck the creature drove it into a frenzy, causing it to bellow in pain before renewing its assault with greater fury.
Shot after shot, it began trying to dodge the bullets.
But its immense body made dodging impossible.
Atst, the creature''s rage reached a fever pitch. No longer attempting to evade, it mmed its spiked hands against the sanctuary barrier, gripping it tightly and heaving upward.
BAAMB!! BAAMB!! BAAMB!! BAAMB!!
Earthquakes and shockwaves!!!
The ground around it sank as it pushed its weight down, forming a vast pit. It was trying to pry the sanctuary barrier out of the earth itself!
The barrier flickered in defiance, yet held steadfastly in ce.
Chapter 157: Is This The End?
Chapter 157: Is This The End?
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Chapter 157: Is This The End?
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[ Warning: Refrain from using ck Friday again; the weapon poses a risk of catastrophic failure. ]
¡°What now?...¡±
What else does she have at her disposal? Two Explosive Orbs? Not a chance! There were more than just this one creature lurking nearby; the sound of an Explosive Orb detonating in this dimly lit expanse would undoubtedly draw more attention. Who could say if another cataclysm-ss monster woulde charging in?
The Moonlight Bow, stripped of the Lunar Essence, was no more effective than the defensive towers below.
The Sanctuary Barrier looked as it always did, yet a moment ago, the system had caught her off guard with a notification.
[ Sanctuary Barrier Energy: 42% ]
Before she could ponder the implications, her gaze met those abyssal eyes, and an overwhelming terror seemed poised to engulf her once again!
[ Mental Assessment in Progress... ]
[ Assessment Sessful! ]
The illusions had already taken a severe toll on her mental faculties, and now a splitting headache threatened to shatter her concentration, as if the very nerves in her mind were on the brink of exploding.
The dark monster, previously roaring with rage, ceased its deafening screeches upon seeing Athena retract that peculiar elongated stick.
Realizing it couldn''t breach the Sanctuary Barrier, it took a step back.
Yet Athena harbored no delusions about its retreat; her instincts screamed that this was far from over.
Having distanced itself, the creature loomed like a miniature mountain in the gloom. It tilted its head skyward, unleashing a soul-shaking howl that echoed through the heavens, as though attempting to shake the very fabric of the world.
Without warning, it charged forward with terrifying might of a mountain!
Its colossal form colliding violently against the transparent Sanctuary Barrier!
BAAMB!
A thunderous sound erupted, sending tremors and shockwaves through the barrier. The surrounding monsters were flung far away, if not smashed into visceral pieces!
Athena felt her heart clench tightly.
However, this ginormous monster had no intention of giving up; it continued to batter the barrier, each collision reverberating through the air reaching the skies!
[ Sanctuary Barrier Energy: 22% ]
This could not continue. When the energy hit zero, the barrier would shatter.
While the Sanctuary Barrier was active, no other barriers could be deployed. Even if she attempted to switch to another barrier the moment the Sanctuary Barrier crumbled, it would offer little defense and would soon be shattered itself.
That instant of interruption¡ªbe it merely a fraction of a second¡ªcould prove fatal.
Once the Sanctuary fell, she would be a wandering yer. The system had not borated on the consequences, but it could only lead to a slow demise.
Taking a deep breath, she leapt down from the upper floor.
She needed to prepare for the worst!!!
In her garden, she gathered the little nt spirits still nestled in the soil and retracted all the trees.
Approaching the low wall, she gently touched the still-unfurling flower bud.
[ Retrieval Sessful! ]
A small green orb containing delicate new shoots emerged¡ªit was a thorn vine. Regrettably, such special items could not be stored in her bag space.
The nearby Grey seemed to anticipate Athena''s intentions, yet ncing at the fearsome creature outside and the trembling Sanctuary Barrier rendered her speechless.
She approached Prince and Princess, smiling as she neared them, and swiftly knocked both unconscious. Watching, she noted how Mikmik intended to imitate her.
The three little ones turned their heads, their first ferocious disys of baring teeth at her, refusing to submit.
[ Sanctuary Barrier Energy: 16% ]
No time left to dawdle!
¡°Grey.¡± This was the first time Athena spoke to her with such seriousness.
¡°Take them and go. I... I shall find youter.¡±
With a resolute gaze, she entrusted her belovedpanions to Grey.
She produced nearly all the remaining food and tree seeds, handing them to Grey, leaving herself with merely a day¡¯s worth of rations and 600 silver coins.
She couldn¡¯t leave, but they could.
The Goblin tribe was, after all, a treacherous group that dwelled in shadows. Their investment in Athena had undoubtedly stemmed from her being a third-world inhabitant, benefitting from the system with an exceptionally rapid growth rate, perhaps seeing her as a potential source for a ¡®great tree¡¯ in the future.
But Athena was not unique; she was merely one among many yers.
Yet should she be a wandering yer, how could the Goblins ever ept her, an alien among them¡ªstrong yet unstable, rich yet devoid of her third-world identity?
She wouldn¡¯t gamble, wouldn¡¯t wager on mere chance, nor on the hearts of others.
But Princess and the others were different. They were special beings, even having the chance for a second master recognition. They inherently possessed value; moreover, she had entrusted Grey with ample resources.
Only after confirming Athena¡¯s demise would the bond with the Goblin tribe be evident, allowing them to care for these little ones until her return.
She opened her system panel and flipped through her tomes; the Goblin page still glimmered with light, a sign that they remained safe.
[ Would you like to teleport to the Goblin tribe? ]
"Yes"
Athena expended a World Stone, and a familiar teleportation portal materialized within the Sanctuary.
The appearance of the teleportation array did not go unnoticed by the monstrous entity outside; its assaults became swifter and more frantic.
As the portal manifested, the system issued another warning.
[ yers are advised not to attempt escape while under attack in the Sanctuary! Failure toply will result in immediate ssification as a wandering yer! ]
¡°Go.¡± She maintained her usual calm gaze upon Grey.
But upon ncing at the little ones nestled in her arms, and then back at the three little ones and Athena, Grey found herself unable to voice her concerns; her throat felt parched. Their time together had barely spanned a month, yet it had been the most thrilling time of their lives.
Her father had told her many stories about the inhabitants of the third world, all ending in tragedy.
-No one survives.
Yet stories were but stories; they wouldn¡¯t be her reality, would they?
¡°Goodbye.¡±
She forced herself to remain spirited.
Athena uttered no grand farewells, nor did she expect any in return.
For she firmly believed that Athena would return, just as she always did after each battle, certain of victory.
Grey led the little ones through the portal, but due to exceeding the allowable number, Athena had to offer another World Stone, yet the portal remained unsealed.
She looked at the three little ones, who recoiled at her approach.
"Are you certain you won¡¯t go?"
Their defiance spoke volumes.
¡°Fine, we haven¡¯t the time to linger; it¡¯s your choice.¡±
¡°Just don¡¯t regret it!¡±
[ Sanctuary Barrier Energy: 10% ]
...
Since arriving in this world, Athena had witnessed too many deaths and too many sufferings. The poption in the region dwindled daily; she never believed herself to be particrly special, merely striving with every ounce of strength for the slightest chance at survival while utilizing the hints given by purple texts.
A mere moment- no more than one second- was not an opportunity given by enemies; it had to be seized.
Yet even if she managed to grasp it, it would only dy death, much like each defense tower mission; the goal was always to repel and exterminate the creatures.
Under the gaze of the servant of the dark, the small and fragile human stepped boldly out of their damned shell.
A piercing, shrillugh echoed through the heavens.
Chapter 158: The Destruction of the Shelter
Chapter 158: The Destruction of the Shelter
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Chapter 158: The Destruction of the Shelter
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It seemed to be a battle without suspense.
The monster''s gaze finally shifted from the shelter to the diminutive human.
Like a starving tiger pouncing on its prey, it charged toward Athena, intent on overwhelming her in the inky waters beneath it.
Athena stood atop the earthen wall. As the wall rose, countless withered treants shouted from below, attempting to drag her down.
Suddenly, behind her, a pair of transparent wings, akin to those of a giant bee, unfurled slowly. These wings shimmered with a crystalline rity, glinting faintly in the dim light.
As the wings spread, the surrounding air stirred, creating a gentle current that lifted her, allowing her to soar into the sky.
The monster charged toward her, and she, too, flew toward it.
Unanticipated was the sight of this human soaring through the air. Itshed out with its ws, aiming to knock her from the sky.
An hair, reminiscent of seaweed, elongated impossibly, reaching toward Athena and leaving her with nowhere to escape. With a deft twist, she evaded the onught; her wings were now an integral part of her being, a confluence of power that surged toward the creature, closing the distance.
The once wildly iling tendrils and ws ceased their frantic assault, now wary of harming their master and instead seeking to ensnare her.
In the midst of their intricate dance, their gazes met once more.
This creature was toying with her!
Yet Athena could not afford to dwell on such thoughts; there was no retreat left.
She hovered behind the monster, her form dwarfed by its monstrous size, her ck abyss axe resembling nothing more than a child''s toy in her hands.
With a fierce swing, she aimed to bring the axe down, but the monster suddenly expelled a surge of ck mist around it, a mass of writhing shadows that ensnared her arms tightly.
The protective snow armlets twisted and deformed under the immense pressure, but she gritted her teeth and struck downwards with all her might, her axe meeting the dense smoke.
Before the shadows could engulf herpletely, she retreated once more.
Her arms were already soaked in her own blood.
Following that, a torrential assault erupted from her-- a tempest of blows apanied by explosive fury. She swung her axe repeatedly, each strike infused with all her strength, as if to cleave the very heavens apart.
Through her relentless effort, she discerned a fleeting crack in the creature''s defenses and seized upon the opportunity, closing in on the wound she had previously inflicted.
Without hesitation, Athena plunged her ck axe deep into the monster''s wound, cutting downwards with every bit of power she possessed. The axe was smeared with the purplish essence of purple dream buds, and the gash released tendrils of ck smoke as flesh and blood disintegrated.
A howl erupted from the monster, its massive form quaking violently. Athena''s actions had thoroughly enraged it.
[ Mental Strength Check¡ ]
[ Check Failed! ]
[ Paralyzed, 1 second! ]
Athena stood dazed, her body locked in ce, while the monster''s ws surged towards her with the force of a tempest.
Suddenly, she was whisked away by something-- a peculiar creature with wings.
Yet, contrary to her expectations, the creature¡¯s invisibility proved ineffective here, as if it were inherently countered.
In yet another assault, it overwhelmed Athena, pushing her away. Her small frame was mmed to the ground.
Now free from the immobilization, Athena saw little hope. The only possible means to break the deadlocky in the explosive orbs.
But even those would not deliver a fatal blow from the outside; the creature¡¯s weaknessy in its head, specifically in the delicate eyes it so diligently guarded.
Since their battle began, it had not opened its mouth; instead, it emitted sounds from deep within its throat.
She attacked the wound repeatedly, yet her efforts yielded little benefit, leaving her battered and bloodied.
As bait¡
[ Calling forth the Servant ]
Darkness shall consume all!
Enemy debuff -30%; self buff +30%.
The sudden debuff hit her, sending her flying backward; several of her internal organs shattered, yet the strength beyond human limits allowed her to continue moving.
Determined to take a final gamble, Athena focused her energy, hurling her ck axe towards the monster¡¯s eyes. The axe spun through the air, exuding a fierce momentum.
The monster sensed the danger and raised its hand to block; the axe struck with tremendous force, causing blood to gush forth, while Athena copsed to the ground, her consciousness teetering on the brink.
The creature regarded the axe embedded in its hand, then turned its attention to the fallen Athena.
Victory was at hand!
With a swift motion, it swept its arm, and long hair whipped into the air, sweeping toward Athena! In the blink of an eye, her body was ensnared in the hair and drawn into its grasp.
Its fingers tightened like iron ws, gripping her fiercely and continuing to constrict! As its grip strengthened, every bone in her body creaked ominously, the sound sending chills down her spine.
Blood began to seep from her orifices, and the already unconscious Athena jolted awake, her body wracked with agony!!!
"ARRGGHHHHAAAAHHHHHH!!!"
Her screams pierced the air, sharp and agonizing!
The creature opened its maw, relishing the blood that dripped from her, before finally tossing Athena into its mouth.
In that brief instant, the tides turned once more, and her wings unfurled again.
[ Redemption ]
Type: Earring
Rarity: Extremely Rare
Description: A beautifully crafted earring, not only exquisite in appearance but endowed with formidable powers; never let its beauty deceive you.
Whenever you find yourself on the brink of death, it grants temporary protection, restoring health over time. However, defeat your enemy within one minute, or suffer severe bacsh, leading to instant death!
Her murky eyes instantly cleared, a single breath sustaining her.
She retrieved herst two explosive balls, preparing to deliver a fatal blow to the monster. The distance was perilously close, and the creature remainedpletely unguarded; she hurled the balls directly into its gaping maw.
Leaping beside its eye, she conjured arrows that pierced into its pupil, following swiftly with an explosive ball thrown into the abyss of its gaze.
The monster retaliated violently against the shelter.
With a tremendous roar, an explosion erupted simultaneously within its body and its eyes! The shockwave distorted the surrounding air, creating ripples that sent shivers down the spine.
Under the force of this overwhelming power, the monster was obliterated, its remnants scattering across the area. The spectacle was astonishing, resembling a spectacr fireworks disy.
Yet, behind this seemingly beautiful facade, danger lurked.
[ Kill the Dark Minion''s Avatar! ]
[ Shelter Barrier Energy: 1% ]
But the next moment¡ a colossal impact reverberated.
[ Sanctuary Barrier Energy: 0% ]
As Athena plummeted rapidly, she barely caught sight of another avatar''s silhouette and the shattered remnants of the shelter''s barrier.
Those fractured barriers floated down like leaves caught in a tempest.
Athena struggled to regain control, but she realized she had lost allmand of her body.
She barely had time to activate a new barrier; the bear, too, attempted to growrger but, like the creature, remained oblivious to life and death¡
The enormous form lunged downward, a massive ck sphere materializing in its grasp!
[ Shelter Barrier Shattered! ]
[ Shelter Under Attack! ]
[ The Shelter is Destroyed! ]
[ yer ''Big Dream'' is now a Wandering yer! ]
Chapter 159: Death Sentence
Chapter 159: Death Sentence
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Chapter 159: Death Sentence
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[ The wandering yer will lose all basic system functions! ]
[ As punishment, only penalty missions can be epted; one may revert to a normal yer once the umted mission value reaches a certain threshold! ]
Shey crumpled on the ground, unable to move a single muscle from yet another wave of impact. Blood seeped from her torned body, staining the cracked earth beneath her.
With her fading vision, she strained to pierce the encroaching darkness, where monstrous silhouettes loomed ever closer, a colossal shadow draped over her like a funeral shroud.
Beneath that oppressive shadowy the ruins of her once-vibrant home, now a graveyard of dreams. The very ground beneath her trembled as the shadow relentlessly ground thest remnants of her crumbling walls to dust, each fracture echoing like the final cries of a dying world.
All her efforts, every sacrifice made to preserve the sanctity of this ce, were now being trampled mercilessly before her eyes, a cruel betrayal by the very ground she had fought to defend.
Tears brimmed in her eyes, blurring the vision of her shattered past, as a deep ache of despair settled in her heart, threatening to swallow her whole.
She gritted, and ept it all.
As the sense of redemption gradually returned, Athena managed to catch her breath, striving to regain control of her body. At that moment, she finally grasped what the system had proimed.
[ Assessing¡ ]
However, the enormous shadow paid no heed to the dpidated remains of the shelter nor the bear creature beside it- lifeless.
Its gaze slowly shifted, eventually locking onto Athena. With great effort, she lifted her head, her eyes meeting those of the countless fearful figures surrounding her.
At that moment, a glimmer of light illuminated the ruins, growing brighter as it burst forth from the stone walls.
Charging through the darkness toward Athena was a rabbit.
As Witty fell, it hurried forward, employing the massive bee wings to propel itself, then set off in search of Paopao.
In its grasp, Witty clutched two items: one was the severely injured and unconscious Mikmik, and the other was Paopao, now reverted to its initial state.
Of course, on its back sat Athena, reminiscent of how it had previously heavedrge boulders. The stones obscured her petite form entirely.
As the monster approached, it paid no further attention to them, shifting its focus to another destination as if nothing had happen.
Athena was nearlypelled to spit out blood from its rough handling, yet she managed to swallow it down.
A trace of amusement flickered within her.
Fortune may have stripped her of her shelter, but at least she still possessed a single life.
[ Assessment... ]
[ Penalty mechanism postponed¡ ]
[ Special Mission: Contest of Peaks ]
- Proceed to the new battle zone.
[ Adapting¡ The teleportation array is now activating, having automatically consumed World Stone x2. ]
Without so much as a query or an exnation, the system autonomously opted for the most favorable choice. A teleportation portal materialized abruptly before Witty, which, caught off guard, plunged headfirst into it.
s, Athena was already gravely wounded, her mental faculties severelypromised as the system thrust her once more into this tumultuous vortex of the teleportation array.
[ World Chat Channel ]
053: ¡°Bloody hell, it seems the first thirty zones have been besieged by special-ss monsters; they¡¯re practically all lost!¡±
081: ¡°Hahaha! We¡¯re doomed! What sort of information has that guy shared? Battle zones, white ground, ck ground-- what kind of foolishness is this? Does it mean we¡¯ll never see daylight again? Ahhh!¡±
054: ¡°Flee? There¡¯s no chance of escape! That¡¯s not merely a monster; it¡¯s a powerful titan! Like a god! I can see it from here!¡±
071: ¡°Thank goodness our zone is at the back; I¡¯m suddenly feeling that the monsters outside our shelter aren¡¯t so numerous after all.¡±
076: ¡°Are we really to be trapped here for the rest of our lives?¡±
Within this gloomy, oppressive, and utterly lightless prison, a nauseating stench permeated the air. Each breath seemed to envelop one in the stench of decaying corpses. The only source of protein in this wretched ce was the myriad of writhing insects, crawling along the walls.
The woman¡¯s hands were tightly shackled by a specially designed pair of manacles, crafted with the sole intention of preventing her escape.
The cold, hard gleam of the cuffs cruelly bound her wrists, rendering her incapable of any free movement. Her legs were weighted down by heavy iron balls, making each step an arduous challenge, the dull thud of the iron against the floor mocking her helplessness.
Shey in a dazed stupor as cockroaches crawled up her pant legs, oblivious to the subtle tremor of hershes.
Then, without warning, her long-closed eyes flew open, filled with an unfathomable malice and icy intent! She exhaled a cloud of foul air, extending her bloodied hands to seize the insects upon her.
With a fierce grip, she crushed them effortlessly into a pulp, casting the remains aside without hesitation.
Athena¡¯s first reaction upon awakening was to survey her surroundings.
This was a prison, with a bed of straw beneath her. The wounds adorning her body had been crudely attended to; although the treatment was rather rough, it had been performed with a certain care.
She rose to her feet, the iron balls colliding with the ground, producing a muted ng.
Witty and the others were nowhere to be found, but judging by previous experiences with teleportation, they should be nearby-- she just didn¡¯t know how long she had been unconscious.
She had attempted to unlock her restraints, only to find them expertly designed, capable of restraining even her.
Could the system have sent her directly to a new battle zone? No, if that were the case, the first mission of the Contest of Peaks wouldn¡¯t involve proceeding to a battle zone.
The ces associated with her could not be the Sol Kingdom, as it had already been destroyed; it could only be the White Grand Empire.
Gazing at theyers of shackles meant to confine her, she realized the truth. In her quest toplete the mission, she had obliterated the current ¡®heir¡¯ of this nation without a second thought, fully expecting to return.
How ironic that fate had cast her as a mere prisoner.
Why had they not executed her outright but instead tended to her wounds? It appeared that the wealth of information cluttering her chamber was not entirely useless.
Those old geezers, torn between the desire to execute her and the fear that she might have hidden connections capable of leaking vital secrets, had opted for a cautious approach. After all, among the documents were certainly sensitive matters.
Having long controlled the darkest aspects of this empire, she had amassed a fortune. Who wouldn¡¯t feel trepidation? Who wouldn¡¯t be tempted?
As long as Athena remainedposed here, those old codgers would inevitably grow impatient and seek her out. Yet now, she was to be transported elsewhere, with no time to waste with them.
While she contemted how to contact them and devise a means to escape, a beam of light shone from outside her cell, apanied by the sound of footsteps as a warden led someone into her midst.
With an air of professionalism, her presence was marked by a sleek hairstyle, an ever-present notebook, and a steel pen affixed to her chest-- Yuris.
Athena regarded her coldly. Given the woman¡¯s status, it was improbable that she had emerged unscathed from the aftermath of Athena''s incarceration. Her current radiant appearance suggested but one possibility.
¡°Prisoner No. 32, your execution is scheduled for tomorrow. Is there anything you wish to say?¡± Yuris inquired, her gaze unwavering.
Chapter 160: Walking Out of Prison
Chapter 160: Walking Out of Prison
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Chapter 160: Walking Out of Prison
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Athena was hardly taken aback by the implications in her words. She was, at this point, in so much pain that she leaned against the wall for support.
¡°Is that so? Did you just decide this and inform me, or has it been announced nationwide already?¡± she inquired with a faint, dry tone.
Yuris gestured to the jailer, who had been standing silently at the side, and with a deliberate pace, she stepped forward, opening the door to the cell.
Upon seeing her attire, it was clear that Yuris had been promoted to the position of Deputy Director. Yet, the question remained- who had been appointed the Director? After all, the Eagle w Bureau could not function without a leader.
¡°It was merely Babron''s instruction for me to inform you,¡± Yuris said with measured calm. ¡°You may interpret it as you wish.¡±
She stepped into the cell, her footsteps measured and assured. Her gaze lingered on the iron bars, and with a small jangle of keys, she selected an old-fashioned one from the bunch and unlocked the window. The dimly lit cell, deprived of sunlight for what seemed an eternity, finally saw a sliver of light.
¡°Well, after all, some exnation must be given to the public,¡± she murmured.
Athena¡¯s voice carried a note of grim eptance. ¡°This was indeed my mistake, wasn¡¯t it? I am more than willing to offer all my wealth, all my treasures and collections, and volunteer to be transferred to the frontlines, to the warzones. I am prepared to make my final contribution to the Empire.¡±
At this, Yuris visibly flinched, a small tremor running through her hand as she turned her head, staring at Athena in surprise.
She had not expected such an abrupt capittion. It was wholly uncharacteristic of this person before her, whose temperament had always been far from malleable.
But Athena was in no mood to engage in the petty power struggles of these elderly officials. She had a task toplete, and time was of the essence. She needed to reach the warzone and carry out her first mission with urgency.
Had her past evaluations not reached an S rank, the system might have stripped her of all yer capabilities. It was this ranking, however, that had triggered the special mission from the system- the only chance she had now.
"I can pass along your message," Yuris replied, her tone neutral.
Yet, she did not leave immediately. She simply stood across from Athena, gazing at her intently, as if waiting for something, or perhaps, for nothing at all. The silence stretched on, the atmosphere thick with unspoken tension and awkwardness.
¡°...¡±
¡°I am grateful for your guidance and the life you saved, but my loyalty will always lie with the Eagle w Bureau,¡± Yuris stated firmly, her eyes locking with Athena¡¯s, no hesitation in her gaze.
Though she did not believe she had done anything wrong, a sense of guilt gnawed at her. It was this that motivated her to say these words. Even now, she could not fathom why her superior had made that sudden decision.
Nevertheless, if Athena was truly willing to make this concession, the frontlines were in such a desperate state that the higher-ups would likely ept her offer without resistance.
For reasons unknown, there had been explosive outbreaks across the entire front, and things were bing tight all over. If Athena was willing to relinquish her amassed fortune and data, and offer herself as a prisoner to be sent to the warzone, drained of all her utility, that was precisely what they had hoped for.
As for the public¡¯s perception, the official line would be that their Director, misled by some monstrous influence, had fallen to such a state. After all, how else could one exin such actions?
Of course, the corrupt Director would still face the appropriate judgment and be sent to the frontlines. As for the prince, no objections would be raised on his end.
Finally, as she had done before, Yuris gave Athena a standard bow, then exited the cell. She gestured to the doctor standing nearby, signaling that it was time for the medical treatment to begin.
The doctor entered and began assessing Athena¡¯s injuries, moving with practiced care. After confirming the severity, she raised her right hand, palm glowing with a soft green light. This energy seeped into Athena¡¯s wounds, revitalizing them with a faint but undeniable life force.
However, this treatment was far from gentle. It felt like being sliced slowly with a dull knife, each movement a fresh wave of agony.
Athena gritted her teeth, enduring the pain in silence, her eyes fixed on the doctor¡¯s busy form. She knew that if she was to face the uing trials, recovery was crucial.
When the treatment finally ended, Athena could feel her condition improve, but only partially. The worst of her injuries had been tended to, preventing permanent disability, but she was far from restored to fullbat readiness.
She tested her limbs, finding some lingering pain but enough mobility to move freely. The healing had been precisely calibrated- not enough to restore her battle capacity, but just enough to allow her to function.
After her bandages were changed, the doctor left, and the jailer returned to lock the door again.
Athena was still confined to her cell, but now, for the first time, there was a window through which she could glimpse the outside world.
Not long after, the jailer returned once more, this time under the guise of secrecy. He held a meal, a nket, a chair, and a water cup- essentially, everything that could be found in the vicinity was brought in for her.
He opened the door once more, though it was against protocol, and ced everything neatly beside Athena. Then, he gave her an expression that was more pitiful than sorrowful, offering a low, awkward bow before stepping back out of the cell.
With the chair now at her disposal, Athena no longer saw any reason to remain seated on the sparse straw bedding.
She knew that in a matter of hours- two at most- she would be released. The time would be sufficient for a short nap.
Witty was equipped with both a small turret and massive bee wings, rendering it more than capable of carrying out operations. Once she was freed, Witty and the others would likely make their move. The bear grass ball, Paopao had the worst injuries, and conventional treatment wouldn¡¯t suffice to heal it.
Athena did not touch her food. Instead, she leaned back in the chair, closing her eyes, resting her mind. Hours passed, and then, outside, amotion broke the quiet. The door to the cell creaked open.
¡°We meet again,¡± a familiar voice echoed, and Athena opened her eyes to find Carter standing there.
¡°It seems you¡¯ve made your decision,¡± Carter said calmly.
¡°The higher-ups have approved your request. You are free now, and...,¡± he paused, ¡°You are not being sent as a prisoner but as the leader of a special operations team, deployed to the frontlines. Rest assured, your team members have been carefully chosen.¡±
Athena¡¯s eyes widened in surprise for a brief moment, but the shock quickly passed, reced byposure.
She had not expected Carter to still be alive. He appeared more mature now, though life had not likely been kind to him.
After all, his earlier foolishness and recklessness had been of use at times, and his own strength was nothing to scoff at.
¡°I will do my best,¡± she said as she rose, stretching her limbs.
Though she had been given this position, she suspected the team would consist of condemned criminals and other troublesome individuals- likely ast-ditch effort to assign her some troublesome tasks.
¡°Good. Your gear and team will be waiting for you at the base,¡± Carter said, nodding.
The jailer, upon Carter¡¯s signal, rushed over and hastily unlocked her shackles.
The heavy chains ttered to the floor with a dull thud, the noise startling the insects scattered around the cell. They scurried away in panic, vanishing in a sh.
Chapter 161: Departure
Chapter 161: Departure
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Chapter 161: Departure
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As they walked along the passage, not a single other prisoner was seen. The entire prison seemed deserted, with hardly a few cells to be found.
It appeared that this was a facility designed for holding a very specific kind of individual- a rather special group, if one will. How fortunate.
They proceeded down the long, dimly lit corridor, and the heavy iron gates were opened, revealing a fortress-like exterior guarded by stern sentries.
Carter had been walking behind Athena, but now he had moved alongside her.
"We¡¯ll need to wait for the others. They''ll be here soon," Carter said, his wordsced with barely contained frustration, which he made an obvious effort to suppress.
Such haste. It seemed those others were just as eager to leave, likely fearing theplications that could arise the longer they tarried.
We? It seemed Carter had been left behind once again, which exined his current anger.
Amunications officer approached at this moment, giving Carter a nod before, to his disbelief, addressing Athena directly, ¡°Please, Chief,e with us. It¡¯s time to prepare your belongings.¡±
¡°What?¡± Carter¡¯s eyes widened in astonishment. ¡°You¡¯ve got to be mistaken! I¡¯m the one in charge of this operation!¡±
The officer regarded him with an impassive gaze, then stated tly, ¡°This is an order from above. Please don¡¯t make things difficult.¡±
Carter immediately fell silent, an apology on his lips as he realized there was no point in arguing. He had no desire to return to that ce again.
Athena followed the officer as they departed. Carter stood rooted to the spot, a heavy weight pressing upon him as he mulled over his next move. He nced towards where Athena was being led, wondering exactly where she was going.
If it weren¡¯t for his family still needing him, for the sake of his own pride, he would have long since chosen to end it all. They said he was here to keep an eye on Athena, but who could truly say what might transpire along this path?
He had never despised his own nature so much as he did at this moment. Had he been a little more astute, perhaps a little sharper, his fate might have been quite different.
Athena nced at therge, conspicuous group surrounding her and nodded.
¡°Please, Mr. Carter, wait until the team is assembled. Then, make your way to the city gates and await further instructions.¡±
¡°¡Yes.¡±
Such a spectacle in escorting her- it was as if they were announcing to those watching in the shadows that she was not in danger. Packing up her belongings was a matter of formality, really- a means to have her personal items transferred into their custody.
The group acted much like they were escorting a prisoner, though in truth, Athena did indeed find herself in the role of one.
The crowd that passed by regarded her with hushed whispers, their conversations constrained by the presence of the stern guards. Even the usual chatter was suppressed by the weight of her reputation.
The journey was uneventful, though it seemed that the usual carriage stationed outside had been removed. They instead led her directly into the Eagle w Bureau, where it was conspicuously empty.
It seemed that Yuris had taken the rest of the staff on a mission. What had urred, she couldn¡¯t be sure.
Once inside her office, it was clear that nothing had changed. Everything remained just as it had been- exactly as she left it. Even the stack of documents she had carelessly ced on the desk before her departure had not been moved an inch.
The men brought in arge stack of files and ced them before her- documents rting to properties and financial transfers, all requiring her signature.
Without hesitation, she took up the pen and signed her name with a swift, fluid motion.
One of the men, wearing white gloves, neatly arranged the papers before pushing up his sses.
¡°All done, now, please, Madam Athena, open the hidden door.¡±
¡°Hmm?¡±
These men surely didn¡¯t believe there was some form of security mechanism they were too afraid to touch, did they? Sometimes, those at the top made things far moreplicated than they needed to be.
She understood their caution, though; after all, to the outside world, she was considered something of a madwoman. Who would leave a room such as this unsecured?
With little fanfare, she opened the concealed door before them, leading them into a small chamber. She watched as they meticulously carried her things out one by one.
As Athena surveyed the tiny room, a wave of nostalgia crept over her. It was strange, seeing everything emptied. This was the first room she¡¯d entered, and it would be thest one she left.
As everything she worked hard so far has gone away.
The room was soonpletely cleared, and she was instructed to be thest one to leave. Standing at the door was one of the men, waiting for her.
He had been standing there for a long while, watching her closely. When it became apparent that she was neither going to take anything nor say anything, he asked, ¡°Don¡¯t you need to contact anyone to let them know you¡¯re still alive?¡±
His words were well-spoken, but she saw them for what they were- nothing more than a hollow courtesy.
¡°I don¡¯t need to. They only need to know I¡¯m still breathing.¡± Athena rubbed her sore wrist, the injury still not fully healed. Yet, picking up the ck Abyss Axe, whichy nearby, was no trouble at all.
Having confirmed that Athena had no other actions in mind, the man said, ¡°Chief Athena, please, follow me.¡±
She nodded in acknowledgment and followed him out of the Eagle w Bureau.
They made their way to the city gates, which, though usually quiet and deserted, were now teeming with people.
It wasn¡¯t long before she spotted an old acquaintance- Babron.
If the Babron she hadst seen had been a bold and ambitious schemer, this version of him seemed to have aged prematurely, his once-proud demeanor now giving way to a more wearied, drained expression.
Athena did not believe for a moment that his current state was the result of living too luxuriously after vanquishing a great foe.
No, after all, he had invited the wolf into his den- one disguised in sheep¡¯s clothing. After eliminating external threats, internal strife was inevitable.
So, she had assumed Babron would avoid meeting her, yet here he was, making the long journey to see her personally.
He still held his ck cane, though it was notablycking the gem that had once adorned its top.
Upon seeing Athena, he broke into a wide grin, the people apanying him following suit in a wave ofughter.
They showed no care for her expression or the weight of her gaze.
¡°Chief Athena, your willingness to go to the frontlines in such a time of national crisis is truly admirable!¡±
¡°But the road to get there may not be so peaceful. Please, do take care!¡±
If one were unaware, they might have thought that Athena and Babron were old friends.
Athena could already predict the headlines in tomorrow¡¯s newspapers. She didn¡¯t need to see them to know what they would say.
After all, this wasn¡¯t the first time such a scene had unfolded. The surrounding reporters were numerous, and the crowd watching the spectacle was no small group.
Babron was quite adept at manipting public opinion.
But all of that was hardly the reason for his personal visit. As he handed her a set of official documents and armor, he also offered a small object- an exquisitely crafted trinket, bearing the imperial seal of the White Grand Empire.
Athena epted it without hesitation, aware that it would bring with it some reliable new allies as well as crucial paperwork.
With the farcical farewell ceremony concluded, Athena¡¯s group, now a total of fifteen, finally set off.
Chapter 162: Journey to the Frontlines
Chapter 162: Journey to the Frontlines
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Chapter 162: Journey to the Frontlines
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Naturally, each city within the White Grand Empire possesses a teleportation array. However, there are no teleportation arrays set up between the imperial capital and the other cities. This precaution is in ce to prevent monsters from exploiting these arrays tounch direct attacks on the capital, as well as to thwart any ill-intentioned individuals with ulterior motives.
The only teleportation arrays avable are those under the sole control of the royal family, and of course, such resources are not something someone like Athena would ever be permitted to use.
The good news, however, is that the nearest town is only a day¡¯s journey away. If they travel quickly, they should reach it within a day. From there, they can pass through multiple teleportation points to reach the frontlines.
Athena¡¯s group consists of two guards from Babron, one from Carter, and the rest are major criminals on death row.
¡°Aaaah! Why aren¡¯t we moving faster?¡± onerge man shouted. d in a prisoner''s garb, he was a hulking figure, his strength unmistakable. His hands gripped a massive hammer.
His face twisted with anger as he shot an irritated nce at Athena.
¡°A woman who¡¯s wounded? Ha! I could turn you into pulp with one swing of my hammer! Hahahaha!¡± The bald, muscr man burst intoughter, as though he had already imagined the scene in his head.
The others remained still, seemingly unfazed by the situation. They had spent years confined to a dungeon and were curious to see what exactly made Athena worthy of leading them.
They had three days to reach the war zone, and the less time they spent on the road, the better. These men were trouble, otherwise, she would not have been assigned to handle them.
Not only were they criminals, but this assignment also entangled them in the interests of the major families, making the situation even moreplicated and difficult to handle.
But Athena had no intention of indulging them. She had been instructed to take them to the frontlines- not to babysit them until they arrived.
Suddenly, the man¡¯s boisterousughter cut off abruptly, as though someone had choked him. His face contorted with disbelief as Athena, like a phantom, appeared in front of him, her speed so swift that he had no time to react.
In the blink of an eye, Athena struck. With precise, calcted movements, she seized the man¡¯s hands, which were still gripping the hammer.
With a sharp crack, his wrist joint was easily dislocated, and the massive hammer slipped from his grasp, falling to the ground with a loud thud, sending up a cloud of dust. The man groaned in pain, his body trembling uncontrobly.
He stared at Athena, his eyes wide with fear. His heart raced with terror. This was no mere opponent- Athena could kill him in the blink of an eye if she so desired.
An old man with a head full of grey hair and a hunched back stepped forward. His teeth had long since fallen out, and his voice was weak, almost breathless.
¡°Captain, this big fellow might still be useful. Don¡¯t kill him.¡±
Athena had no intention of killing him. It was merely a lesson, a show of force.
The bald, muscle-bound man trembled, his body shaking in fear. He tried to move his arms, but there was no sensation. He waspletely powerless.
The rest of the prisoners stood frozen, shocked by the suddenness of Athena¡¯s actions. Without a word, she picked up the fallen hammer, stowed it in her spatial bag, and continued walking.
It was no different from snatching something from under someone¡¯s nose, yet no one dared to speak up.
¡°Move quickly,¡± shemanded coldly, ncing back at the others, signaling them to hurry up.
The men had been sent to apany her, but curiously, no horses or means of transportation had been provided for their journey.
They hurriedly caught up, the disarmed bald man trailing behind. With Athena¡¯s approval, the old man began to heal the man¡¯s wrists, using a gentle green light to restore them.
The bald man, still wincing, watched in disbelief as the old man¡¯s healing powers took effect. He had not expected to encounter a healer here.
Once healed, the muscr man silently walked at the rear, no longer daring to ask Athena for his hammer back.
As they traversed the vast forest, they noticed something odd: there were no wild beasts in sight, no attacks, despite the fact that they had been traveling for hours. It was as though the creatures deliberately avoided them, which naturally raised suspicions.
Could it be that their numbers alone were enough to ward off danger?
While the others may not have known the reason, Athena was well aware. The truth was, the small creature, Witty, had been following them for some time.
Witty, too cautious to approach, had remained hidden until it saw Athena deal with the muscr man. Only then did the little creature feel assured that its leader was not in danger.
Witty emerged from the grass, its white fur gleaming in the sunlight. The group was initially startled, but when they realized it was just a rabbit, they rxed, lowering their guard.
To their amazement, the rabbit hopped towards Athena, leaping into her arms as she embraced it affectionately. Witty, content in her embrace, nestled against her, its soft furforting as they continued their journey.
As they pressed on, Witty led Athena to the others- Mikmik and Paopao. And so, a rather unsettling scene unfolded. The infamous ¡®demon¡¯ was surrounded by animals, unknowingly drawing the attention of those nearby.
...
[ Regional Chat Channel ]
¡°The people are all dead? No? At least make some noise then.¡±
¡°We¡¯re not dead yet, but it¡¯s only a matter of time.¡±
¡°Even if we survive, most of us are now wandering yers, so we won¡¯t be able to ess some features.¡±
¡°Have you all epted the quest?¡±
¡°I knew it. Not all of us are on the same quest, are we?¡±
In almost thirty regions, disasters struck simultaneously. Half of the yers became wandering yers, while a select few- around a thousand- had taken on quests rted to the war zone.
Each quest was different, each teleportation point unique, yet all of them inevitably led to the frontlines.
A man with long hair and a ck-dpanion were back to back, having been teleported here a day ago.
While confined to their room, they counted the misfortunes that had befallen them these past days.
¡°Wow, can those monsters even be dealt with by mere humans?¡±
¡°Although the shelter mysteriously disappeared, at least we survived.¡±
¡°Yeah, it¡¯s a fortunate misfortune. We almost became wandering yers.¡±
¡°Ah, I wonder if we¡¯ll encounter any other yers. What is this absurd quest, anyway? Do we have to fight for a mountain top?¡±
Ebony Veil grumbled, still irritated by the ordeal. He had barely escaped Athena¡¯s wrath, and just when he thought they could wait out the night and survive until morning, they were inexplicably dragged into an illusion.
When they opened their eyes again, the shelter, once thousands of kilometers away, was gone- destroyed by the system. They were now on the brink of bing wandering yers.
The twists of fate led them here, and now they were nothing but expendable pawns in the system¡¯s grand scheme. Forced into the role of meat shields, they had no choice but to follow the quest.
With no shelter left, they were stranded, vulnerable, and bound to a dangerous mission- bing little more than cannon fodder for the system.
Chapter 168: Entering the City
Chapter 168: Entering the City
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Chapter 168: Entering the City
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The city gate guards, sitting atop their watchful posts, appeared unusually wary. The ragtag group of individuals approaching not only bore grim expressions, but also wore the unmistakable attire of prisoners.
Given their appearance, it was hard not to suspect that they might have escaped from some distant prison. Upon closer inspection, the figure of a swordsman and one donned in military garb stood out.
The guard quickly motioned for hispanion to alert the captain, while he stayed stationed at his post.
"Halt!" he bellowed, his voice strong andmanding, his eyes narrowing in an attempt to intimidate the approaching figures- Athena and herpanions.
His throat felt tight, and a cold sweat began to form as a wave of nervousness gripped him. "Did you hear me? I said stop!"
Athena, standing some distance away, calmly presented her official documents. The golden seal on the papers was clearly visible even from afar, glowing with unmistakable authority.
"Prisoners? Escorting criminals?" The guard furrowed his brows in confusion. There had been no prior notice about this. He was taken aback, his mind racing to understand the situation.
As he waited for them to approach, the captain came hurrying out, his clothes disheveled, reeking of alcohol.
Athena stepped forward, signaling to the others to remain still. She handed the captain her documents, offering them with a calm but determined gesture.
Despite the captain¡¯s disheveled appearance, the seal on the document caused a flicker of rity in his hazy mind.
"From the Imperial Capital?" He nced at the papers briefly, then gestured dismissively. "Fine, fine. Get on with it!"
His tone was dismissive and impatient, clearly uninterested in the matter. After a cursory nce, he seemed to understand enough of the situation: a group of hardened criminals were being sent to the frontlines as expendable cannon fodder. He found the whole affair perplexing.
A troublesome bunch of lowlifes... "Ugh, whatever," he muttered. "Don¡¯t dawdle. Head straight for the teleportation array!" He waved his hand dismissively, clearly eager to rid himself of the responsibility.
The guards behind him were visibly annoyed by his careless manner. A few even wanted to p the captain into sobriety, but seeing Athena¡¯sposed demeanor, they held back. She collected her documents and walked past him without a second thought, and the prisoners followed in silentpliance.
The city captain¡¯s gaze lingered on the group, and his eyes locked onto one female prisoner. Her figure- well, it was hard not to stare.
But the re he received from the woman made him shiver. His heart raced, a mixture of guilt and anger coursing through him.
"What are you staring at?" he growled, standing straighter in an attempt to assert some authority. "Keep your eyes to yourselves, or I¡¯ll gouge them out! A criminal should look like one!"
To his surprise, the bald, burly prisoner behind him shed a grin- a terrifying, unsettling smile. The captain¡¯s body, still heavy with alcohol, nearly copsed under the sudden fear. He swayed, his knees buckling, only to be saved by another guard nearby.
It wasn¡¯t until Athena and her group had passed by that the captain finally wrenched himself free from his supporting guard, cursing under his breath.
"A bunch of mad dogs... Don¡¯t let me see you again!" he spat, fury in his eyes.
The passersby had assumed Athena and her group would be stopped at the gates, but to their shock, the captain simply waved them through without hesitation, not even sending anyone after them.
One mother, muttering angrily about the ipetence of the guards, hurried her child along, eager to reach home.
But in her haste, she tugged too hard, and her child stumbled, falling to the ground.
Athena quickly stepped forward and helped the child to his feet.
The mother, panicked, reached for her child, attempting to pull him back, her voice shaking as she managed a forced, "Thank you."
But Athena¡¯s grip was like iron. The mother, despite her frantic efforts, couldn¡¯t budge. Fear started to rise in her chest as she realized the strange strength of the woman before her. She was ufortable, her anxiety heightening, but she forced herself to remainposed.
"I... I don''t know what to call you," the mother stammered, not sure how to address her benefactor.
"Don¡¯t worry," Athena reassured her, her smile softening. "I was just wondering, where is the city¡¯s teleportation array?"
Seeing the mother¡¯s panic, Athena loosened her grip slightly. The woman managed to pull her child away, exhaling a deep breath of relief.
"Oh, it¡¯s just straight down this road, then turn left at the square. You''ll see it soon enough," the mother exined, her voice now noticeably faster, a sense of urgency creeping into her words.
Just as she turned to leave, pulling her child along, Athena stopped her once more.
With a gentle smile, she asked, "And where might I find a good restaurant nearby?"
After all this time on the road, it would be nice to get a proper meal. She still had enough money to eat well for several days.
The mother, startled by the request, could hardly believe it. These people- still hungry after all that? Were they nning to stay the night?
"Keep going straight, and you¡¯ll see a big red sign- it¡¯s called ¡®Moza Rello.¡¯ Their food¡¯s the best around here," the mother replied quickly, eager to be rid of the group.
Atst, Athena smiled and nodded, releasing the woman to her relief. The mother snatched up her child and rushed off, muttering to herself as she went.
Athena watched them go, wondering why the woman seemed so frightened of her. She had been calm and polite, yet the woman had reacted as though she were a monster. It reminded her of her time in the Sol Kingdom, where people had treated her with more sympathy, even thinking she was fragile.
She shook her head. How odd.
Turning to herpanions, she called, "Stay close. Don¡¯t wander off."
The group gathered behind her, nodding in agreement. The burly bald man, who had been the most intimidating of them all, now appeared to shrink back in difort.
A small creature, a sprite of sorts, flitted back to her shoulder, chirping happily as it nestled into ce.
At the same time, inside the city, the scene shifted. Someone had just returned to their quarters and, barely inside, stepped on something sharp. Letting out a yelp of pain, they looked down to see a spiky fruit underfoot.
Cursing under their breath, they angrily threw it out the window, only to sit down- and immediatelynd on something else sharp.
"Ah!"
Among the prisoners, a woman with untidy hair concealed her face, but her figure- still graceful despite the ragged appearance- did not go unnoticed. Her hands, caked with dirt, moved in strange gestures, as if performing some silent ritual. Her lips moved in constant motion, her voice almost imperceptible.
"Strange," she murmured softly, her fate already intertwined with misfortune. What was going on? She hadn''t even moved yet.
Chapter 163: Entering the City
Chapter 163: Entering the City
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Chapter 163: Entering the City
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The city gate guards, sitting atop their watchful posts, appeared unusually wary. The ragtag group of individuals approaching not only bore grim expressions, but also wore the unmistakable attire of prisoners.
Given their appearance, it was hard not to suspect that they might have escaped from some distant prison. Upon closer inspection, the figure of a swordsman and one donned in military garb stood out.
The guard quickly motioned for hispanion to alert the captain, while he stayed stationed at his post.
"Halt!" he bellowed, his voice strong andmanding, his eyes narrowing in an attempt to intimidate the approaching figures- Athena and herpanions.
His throat felt tight, and a cold sweat began to form as a wave of nervousness gripped him. "Did you hear me? I said stop!"
Athena, standing some distance away, calmly presented her official documents. The golden seal on the papers was clearly visible even from afar, glowing with unmistakable authority.
"Prisoners? Escorting criminals?" The guard furrowed his brows in confusion. There had been no prior notice about this. He was taken aback, his mind racing to understand the situation.
As he waited for them to approach, the captain came hurrying out, his clothes disheveled, reeking of alcohol.
Athena stepped forward, signaling to the others to remain still. She handed the captain her documents, offering them with a calm but determined gesture.
Despite the captain¡¯s disheveled appearance, the seal on the document caused a flicker of rity in his hazy mind.
"From the Imperial Capital?" He nced at the papers briefly, then gestured dismissively. "Fine, fine. Get on with it!"
His tone was dismissive and impatient, clearly uninterested in the matter. After a cursory nce, he seemed to understand enough of the situation: a group of hardened criminals were being sent to the frontlines as expendable cannon fodder. He found the whole affair perplexing.
A troublesome bunch of lowlifes... "Ugh, whatever," he muttered. "Don¡¯t dawdle. Head straight for the teleportation array!" He waved his hand dismissively, clearly eager to rid himself of the responsibility.
The guards behind him were visibly annoyed by his careless manner. A few even wanted to p the captain into sobriety, but seeing Athena¡¯sposed demeanor, they held back. She collected her documents and walked past him without a second thought, and the prisoners followed in silentpliance.
The city captain¡¯s gaze lingered on the group, and his eyes locked onto one female prisoner. Her figure- well, it was hard not to stare.
But the re he received from the woman made him shiver. His heart raced, a mixture of guilt and anger coursing through him.
"What are you staring at?" he growled, standing straighter in an attempt to assert some authority. "Keep your eyes to yourselves, or I¡¯ll gouge them out! A criminal should look like one!"
To his surprise, the bald, burly prisoner behind him shed a grin- a terrifying, unsettling smile. The captain¡¯s body, still heavy with alcohol, nearly copsed under the sudden fear. He swayed, his knees buckling, only to be saved by another guard nearby.
It wasn¡¯t until Athena and her group had passed by that the captain finally wrenched himself free from his supporting guard, cursing under his breath.
"A bunch of mad dogs... Don¡¯t let me see you again!" he spat, fury in his eyes.
The passersby had assumed Athena and her group would be stopped at the gates, but to their shock, the captain simply waved them through without hesitation, not even sending anyone after them.
One mother, muttering angrily about the ipetence of the guards, hurried her child along, eager to reach home.
But in her haste, she tugged too hard, and her child stumbled, falling to the ground.
Athena quickly stepped forward and helped the child to his feet.
The mother, panicked, reached for her child, attempting to pull him back, her voice shaking as she managed a forced, "Thank you."
But Athena¡¯s grip was like iron. The mother, despite her frantic efforts, couldn¡¯t budge. Fear started to rise in her chest as she realized the strange strength of the woman before her. She was ufortable, her anxiety heightening, but she forced herself to remainposed.
"I... I don''t know what to call you," the mother stammered, not sure how to address her benefactor.
"Don¡¯t worry," Athena reassured her, her smile softening. "I was just wondering, where is the city¡¯s teleportation array?"
Seeing the mother¡¯s panic, Athena loosened her grip slightly. The woman managed to pull her child away, exhaling a deep breath of relief.
"Oh, it¡¯s just straight down this road, then turn left at the square. You''ll see it soon enough," the mother exined, her voice now noticeably faster, a sense of urgency creeping into her words.
Just as she turned to leave, pulling her child along, Athena stopped her once more.
With a gentle smile, she asked, "And where might I find a good restaurant nearby?"
After all this time on the road, it would be nice to get a proper meal. She still had enough money to eat well for several days.
The mother, startled by the request, could hardly believe it. These people- still hungry after all that? Were they nning to stay the night?
"Keep going straight, and you¡¯ll see a big red sign- it¡¯s called ¡®Moza Rello.¡¯ Their food¡¯s the best around here," the mother replied quickly, eager to be rid of the group.
Atst, Athena smiled and nodded, releasing the woman to her relief. The mother snatched up her child and rushed off, muttering to herself as she went.
Athena watched them go, wondering why the woman seemed so frightened of her. She had been calm and polite, yet the woman had reacted as though she were a monster. It reminded her of her time in the Sol Kingdom, where people had treated her with more sympathy, even thinking she was fragile.
She shook her head. How odd.
Turning to herpanions, she called, "Stay close. Don¡¯t wander off."
The group gathered behind her, nodding in agreement. The burly bald man, who had been the most intimidating of them all, now appeared to shrink back in difort.
A small creature, a sprite of sorts, flitted back to her shoulder, chirping happily as it nestled into ce.
At the same time, inside the city, the scene shifted. Someone had just returned to their quarters and, barely inside, stepped on something sharp. Letting out a yelp of pain, they looked down to see a spiky fruit underfoot.
Cursing under their breath, they angrily threw it out the window, only to sit down- and immediatelynd on something else sharp.
"Ah!"
Among the prisoners, a woman with untidy hair concealed her face, but her figure- still graceful despite the ragged appearance- did not go unnoticed. Her hands, caked with dirt, moved in strange gestures, as if performing some silent ritual. Her lips moved in constant motion, her voice almost imperceptible.
"Strange," she murmured softly, her fate already intertwined with misfortune. What was going on? She hadn''t even moved yet.
Chapter 164: Feasts Of Bandits
Chapter 164: Feasts Of Bandits
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Chapter 164: Feasts Of Bandits
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The streets seemed to part as Athena and her group strode forward. Not a word needed to be uttered; the crowd instinctively gave them a wide berth, leaving an open path as if nature itself obeyed an unspokenmand.
As foretold by the woman they encountered earlier, a grand crimson sign soon came into view- a beacon of opulence towering above its surroundings. Lavishly adorned and shimmering in gold, it stood a level higher than anything nearby, making it impossible to overlook.
At the entrance, a cluster of smartly dressed attendants were stationed, ready to greet guests. However, the arrival of Athena¡¯s party caused a visible ripple of unease. Their unusual attire, coupled with theirmanding presence, made them impossible to ignore.
One brave soul among the staff stepped forward, determination faltering as he attempted to intercept them.
Before he could speak, a graceful figure emerged from within the establishment- a woman dressed in regal splendor, her every gesture exuding poise. Her well-maintained features wereplemented by a gentle smile, and her soft gaze seemed to diffuse the tension at the door.
¡°What seems to be the matter?¡± she inquired in a calm, melodious voice, each word steeped in refinement.
The attendant, momentarily thrown off bnce, quicklyposed himself. Bowing slightly, he exined, ¡°Madam, these... individuals wish to enter. However, their attire- ¡± He faltered, his voice trailing off as he nced at the group again. Clearly, he found themcking the decorum expected of patrons here.
The implication hung in the air: they looked more like troublemakers than diners.
The elegant woman, however, merely shook her head with a serene smile. ¡°It¡¯s no issue,¡± she said, her tone unwavering. ¡°Let them in.¡±
Turning to Athena and her entourage, she added warmly, ¡°Please forgive my staff¡¯s inexperience. Doe in.¡±
With that, she pivoted on her heel, her figure gliding effortlessly as she led the way back into the establishment.
The hesitant attendant hesitated no longer, stepping aside and holding the door open with newfound enthusiasm, motioning for them to enter.
...
Athena cast a fleeting nce at the sign and hesitated. A ce as extravagant as this was bound to attract trouble, either in the form of unwee scrutiny or an exorbitant bill. She wasn¡¯t particrly inclined to stay. But a fleeting glimpse of an emblem- a family crest intricately embossed on the entrance- made her pause.
The Babron family.
A spark of curiosity ignited within her. Without a word, she led her group inside.
...
The interior of the establishment was a study in contrasts. Though the exterior screamed mboyance, the decor inside was understated yet undeniably elegant. Every detail whispered of aristocratic taste: paintings graced the walls, soft carpets muffled their footsteps, and the furnishings were arranged with meticulous precision.
Despite their unseemly appearance, none of the other diners reacted with hostility. In fact, a few cast meaningful, almost knowing nces their way, as though entertained by the sight.
The woman herself personally escorted them to a private room, gesturing politely for them to be seated before withdrawing to a nearby sofa. There, she perched gracefully, her silence respectful yet ever watchful.
...
Athena scanned the menu briefly before ordering a modest selection of dishes- just enough to feed herself and the three younger members of her group. She made her choices swiftly, handed the menu back to the waiting staff, and leaned back, her demeanor casual yet alert.
However, when the dishes began arriving, it quickly became evident that someone had altered her order.
The table was soonden with an overwhelming spread of delicacies, far exceeding what she had requested. The tes, each a masterpiece of culinary artistry, glistened with vibrant colors and meticulous presentation. The sheer variety and quantity transformed the round table into a feast fit for royalty.
Athena nced sharply at the woman seated on the sofa. Thetter responded with a polite smile, as if entirely unaware of any impropriety.
But before she could speak, Athena shrugged off the matter and picked up her chopsticks, plucking a drumstick from the nearest tter. ¡°Might as well eat,¡± she muttered, digging in with deliberate nonchnce.
Herpanions followed suit, diving into the meal with ravenous enthusiasm. The room quickly descended into chaos, with dishes being passed, ttered, and nearly overturned in the frenzy. It was a scene more befitting a band of starving bandits than dignified guests.
The woman¡¯sposure faltered ever so slightly, her smile twitching at the edges. Still, she said nothing, unwilling to interrupt. It wasn¡¯t until they finished that she gracefully rose, re-entering the room with several attendants to clear the table.
...
As the dishes were being removed, the woman opened her mouth to speak- only to be preempted by a loud cough from Athena¡¯s group.
An elderly man in their midst, who moments earlier had been a meek and quiet presence, mmed his hand against the table. Rising to his feet, he jabbed a finger toward her.
¡°What kind of service is this?¡± he bellowed, voice dripping with indignation. ¡°Look at these dishes! Are these what we ordered? And you- you dare to start clearing the table before we¡¯ve even finished? Do you think you can just shoo us out likemon riffraff?¡±
The attendants froze mid-motion, caught between their duties and the tirade. All eyes turned to the woman, who remained as still as a porcin statue, her gaze cool but unyielding.
¡°Enough of this farce!¡± she snapped, her voice losing its earlier veneer of warmth. ¡°Did you truly think you could eat without paying? Consider yourselves warned- do not mistake our hospitality for weakness.¡±
Her change in tone was like a crack of thunder, and the air grew tense. The attendants stepped back, their movements hesitant as her entourage began to close ranks behind her.
Athena leaned back in her chair, a faint smirk tugging at her lips. ¡°We didn¡¯t n on skipping out. If you¡¯d simply served what we ordered, none of this would¡¯ve been necessary. But since you¡¯ve gone out of your way to make thisplicated, well...¡± She gestured dismissively.
The woman¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°Ruffians like you shouldn¡¯t even set foot in this city. Do you truly think you cane and go as you please?¡±
Her words were met withughter from Athena¡¯s group, low and mocking.
¡°Madam,¡± Athena said, her voice icy, ¡°if you think you can keep us here, you¡¯re wee to try. But let me warn you- there¡¯s only one way this ends, and it won¡¯t be in your favor.¡±
The air crackled with unspoken tension as both sides prepared for the inevitable sh. In this gilded pce, it was no longer a matter of who held the upper hand, but how swiftly the tables would turn.
Chapter 165: The Kidnapping Of The Mistress
Chapter 165: The Kidnapping Of The Mistress
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Chapter 165: The Kidnapping Of The Mistress
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The elegant woman before them stood with unshaken poise, herposure undisturbed by the sight of Athena and her group. She seemed utterly unimpressed, even with their numbers. A dozen men? She had faced far greater assemblies before, and this was hardly enough to faze her.
Slowly, she raised her hand, her slender fingers idly stroking the intricate ring on her finger.
¡°Having enjoyed my hospitality, shouldn¡¯t you settle your debts?¡± she inquired with a honeyed tone, her gaze roving over Athena and herpanions like a merchant assessing livestock. ¡°You¡¯re all strong and capable, so perhaps you could stay and repay me... gradually.¡± Her smile wasced with irony as she continued to study them, gauging their worth.
To her, they were mere nobodies. If they had been of importance, word would have reached her in advance. This group bore the telltale signs of outsiders, likely outcasts with no critical purpose. If she could squeeze something out of them, she would.
Athena, standing at the forefront, studied the woman just as intently. Her brazen demeanor hinted at a position of power, or at least wealth. Thevish surroundings certainly suggested as much. Wealthy people hadworks, and thoseworks could prove useful- especially in the cities ahead.
¡°Madam, I¡¯m afraid we¡¯ll have to trouble you toe with us,¡± Athena said with a calm authority. She reached into her bag and withdrew a document, flipping it open just enough for the seal to sh under the light. The crest of the Babron family shimmered briefly before the woman¡¯s eyes.
The woman¡¯s nce was fleeting but enough to confirm the seal¡¯s authenticity. She knew the Babron crest well. However, her instinct told her this was no official matter. Why would they mention such a thing now, out of nowhere? The timing was far too suspicious.
Raising her hand, she moved to demand the document for closer inspection, but before she could utter a word, Athena moved. Her step was swift and precise, closing the distance in an instant as she reached to restrain the woman.
The sudden motion threw the guards and attendants into a frenzy. Weapons were drawn, and chaos broke out as Athena¡¯s prisoners, sensing an opportunity, leapt into the fray.
des shed, and the air filled with the sharp cries ofbat. The woman¡¯s guards, though well-trained, struggled to match the ferocity of the prisoners. These were no ordinary criminals- they were once influential figures, shadowy operators, or dangerous yers in their respective spheres.
Each had been cast out, their pasts too troublesome to resolve cleanly. For them, the battlefield wasn¡¯t just a punishment; it was a chance to reim their former glory.
The battle escted quickly, and as blood was drawn, some among the prisoners lost themselves in their primal instincts. One gaunt man, his eyes wild with mania, fought with terrifying zeal. Laughing maniacally, he lunged at a guard, his bony hands wrapping around the man¡¯s throat in a deadly grip.
¡°No killing!¡± Athena¡¯s sharpmand cut through the chaos. She had no intention of escting matters to a point of no return. A scuffle was one thing, but bloodshed invited unnecessaryplications.
Her words were barely heard as she advanced toward the woman, who watched her approach with a confident smirk. The woman¡¯s eyes gleamed with an air of superiority, certain that she could handle this interloper in a matter of moments.
However, the first strike she threw was met with an unyielding resistance. Her arm recoiled sharply, the force of impact sending a jarring shock up her arm. Before she could recover, Athena¡¯s leg swept low, striking her knee and forcing her to the ground.
The woman found herself kneeling, her movements sluggish with pain and disbelief. A heartbeatter, Athena¡¯s hand closed firmly around her throat.
The guards froze in ce, their weapons poised but useless. The entire exchange had taken but a moment, and now their mistress was at the mercy of this formidable woman.
Athena turned, her icy gazending on the manic prisoner who still held the guard in his grip. ¡°I said, no killing,¡± she repeated, her voice like tempered steel.
The prisoner faltered, his deranged grin fading under hermanding presence. Reluctantly, he released the guard, who copsed to the ground, gasping for air.
Athena returned her attention to the woman beneath her grasp. ¡°Madam,¡± she said, her toneced with mock civility, ¡°I trust you understand your position now?¡±
The woman, still kneeling, red at the floor, rage smoldering in her eyes. But when she lifted her gaze, her lips curled into a practiced, disarming smile.
¡°Such drastic measures for a misunderstanding,¡± she said sweetly, her voice syrupy and demure.
But Athena was unmoved. She was not the sort to be swayed by false charm.
¡°It¡¯s a simple request,¡± Athena replied with a faint smile, one that carried the weight of an unspoken threat. ¡°Why don¡¯t you guide us to the cities ahead? After all, fate has brought us together.¡±
The woman¡¯s teeth clenched behind her smile. Not only were they using her as a hostage, but they intended for her to lead the way.
As she opened her mouth to respond, Athena shoved the document closer to her face, forcing her to read it.
The woman scanned the text quickly. At first, she dismissed it as a forgery, but as her eyes roamed further, her heart sank. The seal was genuine, the words unmistakably official. The document authorized their passage, yet its veiled purpose was clear: they were being sent to the frontlines as expendable assets, their crimesbeled as economic vitions.
Her mind raced. Was this some cruel jest by a higher authority? Regardless, she was now caught in their web. These weren¡¯t ordinary prisoners, and underestimating them further would be a mistake.
For now, her life was in their hands, and she had no choice but toply.
¡°Ah, I see now- it¡¯s all been a misunderstanding,¡± she said, her tone shifting to one of nervous charm.
¡°If you wish to proceed to the next town, I¡¯ll ensure everything is arranged immediately,¡± she offered with a forced smile. ¡°The transport circle will be prepared at once.¡±
Athena¡¯s sharp eyes caught the lie beneath her words. She was stalling, hoping to rid herself of them as quickly as possible.
¡°That won¡¯t be necessary,¡± Athena said, her voice smooth but firm. ¡°We¡¯d prefer your personalpany.¡±
The woman¡¯s leg was injured and useless, making escape impossible. Athena¡¯s gaze swept the room,nding on a burly, bald prisoner.
¡°You,¡± she called. The man straightened instantly, understanding hermand. Without hesitation, he stepped forward and hoisted the woman onto his back.
The guards hesitated, their instincts to intervene crushed by the woman¡¯s raised hand. She had no intention of worsening her predicament.
And so, carried by her captors, the woman swallowed her pride, her thoughts filled with quiet fury and desperate ns for revenge.
Chapter 166: Wanderers
Chapter 166: Wanderers
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Chapter 166: Wanderers
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As the old adage goes, "family scandals should not be aired in public." Everyone understood this truth, though it was seldom spoken aloud. Thus, the elegantdy- renowned for her impable reputation- had chosen a secluded and well-insted location to confront Athena and her group. However, contrary to her expectations, she found herself utterly outmaneuvered.
Her bodyguards, wary of both retaliation and exposure, dared not act recklessly nor spread rumors. To the onlookers, it appeared as though thedy had willingly apanied Athena and herpanions. This slight anomaly went unnoticed; in this region, her esteemed standing was beyond question, and no one dared suspect otherwise.
Despite her relentless efforts, employing every ounce of her eloquence, thedy¡¯s honeyed words fell on deaf ears. She enumerated potential advantages and dangers, employing every rhetorical strategy at her disposal, yet Athena remained as unmoving as a stone. Even attempts to sow discord among herpanions were met with indifference.
Her resolve was unwavering: thedy would apany them, whether she liked it or not. Frustration pushed thedy to the brink of despair. What drives this woman? she wondered. Is she mad? Why this obsession with dragging me along?
Regret gnawed at her. Had I known, I would¡¯ve simply barred the door today.
...
Guided by thedy¡¯s reluctant cooperation, Athena and her group soon arrived at the teleportation array. Situated in the za¡¯s center, it was marked by several towering stone pirs encircling an enormous teleportation stone. Guarded by four knights and surrounded by a defensive array, it was a fortress that few would dare challenge head-on.
In earlier times, Athena might have considered brute force. But now¡
Thedy, restored to her usual poised self, stood at their side. Her earlier injuries had been treated mid-journey by the elder in their group, only for Athena to force-feed her a pill soon after. The initial dose sent her body into spasms of dread, cold sweat pouring down her back as her heartbeat raced uncontrobly. A second pill alleviated her distress, but the warning was unmistakable: her life hung entirely by Athena¡¯s thread.
She could never forget the chilling promise Athena had whispered: ¡°Stay with us, or the antidote won¡¯t matter. Your end wille regardless.¡±
Steeling herself, thedy adopted her typical regal demeanor, striding confidently toward the knights guarding the teleportation array. Her every step radiated authority, her family¡¯s emblem pinned conspicuously to her chest, glinting in the sunlight. The mere sight of the emblem was enough to silence questions; those who knew her feared her reach and influence too much to interfere.
Within moments, she had the array activated. No papers or official seals were necessary; her word wasw. Athena confirmed the array¡¯s destination through her system before leading the group onto the tform. Though visibly reluctant, thedy stepped into the array with them, her resentment etched into every line of her face.
Light enveloped the array as the teleportation sequence began. One by one, the group vanished into its glow. Unlike the seamless transfers facilitated by the system, this teleportation felt clunky and archaic to Athena. It stirred a sense of unease- was this crude inefficiency merely a w of the technology, or something intentional?
[ Contest of Peaks ]
Difficulty Level: LV4
Proceed to the new battle zone.
Penalty: Be a Wanderer.
Reward: None.
Time Limit: 3 Days.
In the eerie silence of the forest, heavy breathing echoed unnervingly. A man adjusted his blood-smeared sses, the lenses obscured by crimson streaks. While his improved constitution no longer required corrective lenses, the sses had evolved into a critical piece of his toolkit.
Wiping the grime away with his filthy sleeve, he revealed a tactical advantage- these sses granted him a ten-meter omniscient view, disying theyout of his surroundings and the precise movements of nearby life forms. Before himy the colossal corpse of a creature, its threefold size dwarfing him. Its viscous ck form pulsed unnervingly, blood still seeping from its monstrous remains.
"Goodness," he muttered, clutching his side. Pain coursed through his body- a testament to his encounter with the creature. He and Athena had faced its wrath, though fate had spared him from the brunt of its fury. The creature, impervious to his attacks, had ignored him entirely.
Realizing his futility, he had retreated. But even now, in the destion of thends covered in darkness, survival was an uphill battle. These monstrosities grew increasingly active, their strength climbing with each encounter. His own reserves had dwindled to nothing.
Finally afforded a moment''s respite, he opened his system interface and scanned his dwindling friend list. Most of the names had gone gray, denoting the dead or missing. A few werebeled as "Wanderers," stripped of their basic functions. His region''s poption had dwindled to a mere hundred survivors.
A unique mission greeted him upon logging in. Though hecked Athena¡¯s raw power, his unique abilities had prompted the system to assign him a vital task:
[Assemble]
Objective: Seek out Wanderers lost across thends and form a new team.
- Penalty: Be a Wanderer.
- Reward: None.
- Time Limit: 3 Days.
The system¡¯s methods puzzled him. If losing their Shelters condemned yers to the Wanderer status- deprived of essential system functions- why then assign such aborious task? Surely, restoring those functions would expedite their survival.
The Shelter acted as their anchor in this world. Without it, even the system struggled to locate them. To assemble the remnants, it had to designate specific yers for the job. As the mission weighed heavily on his mind, he worked tirelessly to patch his wounds and send messages to any remaining survivors, hoping to rally even a few allies.
[ World Chat ]
075: "Most regions are either wiped out or reduced to Wanderers. The monsters are advancing fast."
059: "Gather everything you can. High-value items- PM me!"
062: "Can we abandon the shelter and run? I don¡¯t want to die here!"
036: "Without a Sanctuary, you¡¯ll die faster. Trust me."
053: "Anyone else see this? Our Sanctuary Shield¡¯s fully up, and there¡¯s¡ a city across from us?"
053: "What the hell! I¡¯m serious- a city! They¡¯re firing cannons at something. Are there other survivors in this world?"
Chapter 167: Arrival at the Frontline
Chapter 167: Arrival at the Frontline
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Chapter 167: Arrival at the Frontline
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The town in the distance seemed like it belonged to an entirely different world. Though it shared the same expanse ofnd, it stood bathed in daylight¡¯s glory, a stark contrast to the murkiness that surrounded them.
Its brilliance, magnified by the relentless barrage of cannon fire, painted an almost surreal tapestry. Yet, despite its dazzling appearance, their adversary across the way was no less than an invincible monstrosity.
Athena had long since acquainted herself with the stark realities of this world. For most of the yers, however, this was their first glimpse of the world''s true visage.
The concept of ck Lands (ck zones), White Lands (white zones), and battlefronts (war zones, battlezones)- they were encountering these for the first time. And for the first time, they were realizing that this world was not designed with them as its protagonists.
Their eyes widened in collective astonishment as they gazed upon the town before them. It was a vision straight out of antiquity: towering walls stood resolute, imposing in their majesty, while its grand gates exuded an air of indomitable strength.
This town radiated an aura of ancient mystique. Every stone, every tile bore the wear of countless years, embodying the passage of time in a way that had been invisible to them until now.
So there were others alive in this world- living, breathing humans beyond their insr understanding. Their first reaction was shock, disbelief tinged with a profound sense of disillusionment.
As these tumultuous emotions ebbed, a flicker of joy emerged. With the barriers lifted, they were free to leave their dreary confines.
If there were survivors in that town, did it mean they could escape this nightmarish existence? Could they flee into the light, find sanctuary in other towns, and resume a normal life?
This electrifying thought swept through them, stoking a fervent hope. They imagined a life unshackled from the need to fight monstrous abominations. Stronger city-states could fend off the terrors for them, sparing their fragile shelters from constant peril.
¡°Good heavens¡ Is this real?¡± gasped a gaunt man with sallow skin, his eyes fixed on the scene across the expanse.
Once an unremarkable,w-abiding citizen, he had struggled since arriving in this hellish reality. Despite his best efforts, he had failed to ascend the ranks of the yers, perpetuallynguishing among the lowest echelons.
Though his life had been fraught with hardship, he had clung stubbornly to survival. Now, as he beheld the ancient town in the distance, he felt the faint stirrings of hope- a glimmer of dawn piercing the suffocating darkness.
His second-level shelter stood no chance against the relentless onught. Escape was his only option.
His resolve was unwavering: flee the shelter, sever ties with the system¡¯s cursed missions and ever-mutating crises, and grasp at any semnce of salvation. Yet, he was no fool. Watching the ongoing battle- where titanic monsters shed against relentless cannonades- he knew now was not the time to act.
He would wait. Once the city-state defeated the creatures, he would make his move. He was prepared to sacrifice everything- his wealth, his pride- to secure asylum within its walls.
But his hopes were dashed. In the eyes of countless desperate onlookers, the city-state that represented salvation proved incapable of repelling the horrors. Under the barrage of artillery fire, the monstrous beast- sporting only two pairs of wings- remained steadfast, an immovable force.
Legions of foot soldiers poured from the city¡¯s gates, valiantly holding the line against the smaller, innumerable creatures below.
Then, the behemoth roared- a guttural, deafening cry that reverberated across the battlefield. From its gaping maw surged a blinding ray of violet energy, streaking across the sky like a thunderbolt. The beam struck the city''s formidable barrier, its surface rippling under the impact.
To everyone¡¯s horror, the once-impervious shield began to erode, a cavernous ck void spreading outward. Within moments, the mighty barrier was reduced to a tattered remnant, teetering on the brink of copse.
With the defences breached, the monstrous colossus unleashed another searing violet beam. This time, it tore through the city¡¯s fortifications with merciless precision, obliterating everything in its path.
As waves of creatures flooded into the city, a burst of radiant light red from within the stronghold. But the light barely had time to surge before it was smothered by yet another purple ray.
Within half an hour, even from a great distance, the devastation was palpable. Screams and chaos engulfed the once-proud city-state.
The light was extinguished.
...
Though there had been several disruptions among her group, Athena had swiftly subdued them with her usual unyielding force.
She had, by now, gained a keen understanding of the peculiar individuals under her charge. Among them, five stood out as particrly notable.
One, of course, was Carlit- an unwilling addition to her entourage, forcibly assigned to apany her.
The second was an aged man with snowy white hair. A formidable physician, his skills inspired awe, but his expertise in toxins marked him as a figure to watch closely.
Third was the bald man. Even without his warhammer- confiscated by Athena- his immense physical strength was undeniable. His resilience rendered him impervious to ordinary weapons, and he could, with his bare hands, carve out a crater in the earth.
Fourth was a lithe woman who concealed her face behind a curtain of hair. Her allure was tempered by an unsettling reticence. It was only through watchful vignce that her true nature- a sorceress adept in curses- had been revealed.
Finally, there was the wiry man whom Athena had prevented frommitting murder. While his physical strength was unremarkable, his agility and mastery of the de were unparalleled. He wielded his dagger with an artistry that bordered on sorcery.
These five were far from innocent. Their hands were stained with the blood of countless lives, both wicked and virtuous.
As their journey progressed, Athena marvelled at the tangled web of power and wealth that bound them together. Kidnapping the noblewoman had proven a prudent decision.
Her beauty, coupled with the emblem of the Babron family she carried, had smoothed their path in countless ways. Officials barely nced at their documents; in one particrly chaotic town, they had even been granted immediate ess to a teleportation array.
Their travel time had been drastically reduced, and the few obstacles they encountered were swiftly ¡®negotiated¡¯ away.
...
At the teleportation array¡¯s exit, a striking noblewoman emerged first, her face etched with fury. Two pets hovered protectively around her, their eyes gleaming with intelligence. Behind her trailed a contingent of soldiers and a ragtag group of prisoners, an odd yetpelling ensemble.
Here, however, they were nothing extraordinary. After all, this was a warzone.
The frontlines teemed with all manner of individuals- desperate fugitives, unruly ouws, elite guards, and the strongest defence systems the world had to offer.
Baroness Babron Firol¡¯s gaze burned with hatred as she red at Athena. Along their journey, she had tried every trick in the book- force, threats, cajolery- but had failed to extract the antidote she so desperately sought.
Athena ignored her piercing stare, her attention drawn instead to the atmosphere of the frontline. It was always heavy with tension, but today, it felt particrly oppressive. Something was amiss.
Chapter 169: The Harbinger of Azure Flame
Chapter 169: The Harbinger of Azure me
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Chapter 169: The Harbinger of Azure me
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A towering figure astride a pitch-ck warhorse emerged from the mist of chaos. d in a tattered ck robe, a hood obscured his visage, casting a shadow that veiled his features.
With deliberate poise, the figure raised a skeletal hand and pulled back the hood, revealing a polished skull devoid of flesh. Yet, within the empty sockets burned two radiant blue mes, their intensity so fierce they seemed to sear the very air, making it impossible for anyone to meet his gaze directly.
The surrounding monsters instinctively recoiled from his presence, retreating to maintain a safe distance. However, Athena¡¯s onught showed no signs of abating.
He had just remarked on theck of higher-tier monsters when, as if summoned by his words, this formidable apparition materialized.
As Athena¡¯s eyes settled on the skeletal rider, an overwhelming aura of oppression and dread radiated from the figure. It felt as though the very air froze, heavy and suffocating.
With a subtle nudge of his heels, the skeletal rider sent the warhorse bolting forward like an arrow loosed from a bowstring. A ck blur streaked across the battlefield, the ground trembling beneath the beast¡¯s thunderous charge.
In an instant, the colossal steed bore down on Athena. Its muscr frame rippled with power, hooves pounding the earth with bone-rattling force. With a mighty snort, the horse reared, threatening to crush Athena beneath its irond hooves.
But Athena evaded the strike effortlessly. The horse¡¯s hooves mmed down, obliterating two hapless monsters that had failed to escape, leaving Athena unscathed.
The warhorse, standing nearly two meters tall at the shoulder, was an imposing sight. Paired with the skeletal harbinger¡¯s towering three-meter frame, the duo dominated the entire area with presence alone.
Seeing his steed fail to trample its target, the skeletal harbinger cast a disdainful nce at Athena. His hollow eyes burned with icy contempt.
With long, spindly fingers, he stroked the warhorse¡¯s mane, calming itsbored breathing.
Around them, the battlefield remained a frenzy ofbat, the air thick with the stench of blood. Yet an eerie stillness enveloped the space between Athena and the skeletal harbinger, as if an unspoken pact had cleared the area.
All eyes turned toward them, a mixture of dread and hope flickering in the gazes of the onlookers. Victory for Athena could shift the tides of battle, galvanizing their faltering morale.
Even those deserters who had abandoned their posts earlier were now gradually rejoining the fray, driven by a fragile spark of hope.
Athena inhaled deeply, her eyes sharpening with steely resolve. She tightened her grip on the ck Abyss Axe, its de gleaming ominously. The skeletal harbinger regarded her as a mere insect, but Athena refused to bow to his arrogance.
The harbingergrowled, a guttural sound that reverberated through the battlefield. It was a low, menacing roar, a warning meant to cow his adversary.
How dare such a feeble creature direct murderous intent at him? Unforgivable!
The dignity of the skeletal harbinger was sacrosanct, and his wrath was absolute.
The blue mes in his eye sockets zed brighter, the oppressive aura he exuded growing so suffocating that even his warhorse began to tremble. It pawed at the ground nervously, as if seeking escape from the crushing pressure.
But Athena stood her ground. She advanced steadily, each step imbued with unwavering determination. An intangible aura began to emanate from her, one that seemed to defy the skeletal harbinger¡¯s overwhelming presence.
A confrontation so immensely strong and demanded everyone''s attention!
The warhorse quaked between them, its once-powerful legs faltering under the strain of the two immense auras.
Sensing the shift in momentum, the skeletal harbinger finally moved. From beneath his ragged cloak, he drew forth a massive sword with a single sweeping motion. His left hand gripped the reins tightly, while his right hand brandished the de, ready to cut down his challenger.
Athena dodged his strikes with nimble precision, her own attacks targeting the vulnerable joints of the warhorse¡¯s legs.
If she could bring the beast down, the harbinger would lose his advantage in mobility.
Her strikesnded true, eliciting pained roars from the warhorse. Yet it endured, its unyielding spirit surpassing her expectations.
She quickly noted a pattern: while the harbinger¡¯s strength was formidable, his movements were slow, encumbered by his towering frame. Exploiting this weakness, sheunched a relentless series of calcted strikes at the warhorse.
The skeletal harbinger retaliated with sweeping arcs of his greatsword, forcing her to divide her focus between evading his attacks and crippling the steed.
Finally, after a grueling exchange, Athena saw her chance. With a precise thrust, she drove her de into the warhorse¡¯s knee joint. The beast buckled under its weight, its bnce shattered.
As the warhorse copsed with a tortured neigh, the skeletal harbinger leapt clear, abandoning his mount without hesitation.
Wasting no time, Athena delivered a series of brutal strikes with her axe, ensuring the warhorse would not rise again.
The skeletal harbinger regarded the scene impassively, as though the loss of his steed meant nothing. To him, the horse was but a disposable tool.
Athena smirked bitterly at his indifference. How typical of these creatures, she thought. Their arrogance was their undoing, a hubris born from the belief that they were the world¡¯s rightful rulers.
She stepped onto the fallen horse¡¯s carcass, using it as a springboard tounch herself toward the harbinger, who stood watching with disdain.
With a thunderous crack, their weapons shed once more. Sparks flew as their respective auras collided in a violent dance of power.
This time, Athena¡¯s strike forced the harbinger to take a step back. A shallow fissure marred the pristine surface of his ribcage.
The blue mes in his eyes flickered momentarily before roaring back to life, fiercer than ever.
The azure fire spread rapidly, engulfing his entire skeletal frame and flowing seamlessly into his greatsword. He stood aze, a ghastly figure emanating spectral light, like a harbinger from the depths of the underworld.
Raising the me-wreathed sword high, he charged at Athena with renewed ferocity. The air around them swirled violently, whipped into a frenzy by his movements.
The azure mes licked at her axe as their weapons met again, and an unbearable searing pain coursed through her body- not physical, but deep within her soul.
It was as though her very essence was being scorched by the unearthly fire.
Chapter 170: The City Gates
Chapter 170: The City Gates
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Chapter 170: The City Gates
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As the eerie blue mes continued to spread rapidly over her body, Athena swiftly retreated.
Watching her pull back, the harbinger exuded an air of excitement- as if it had already imed victory.
The battle could not afford to drag on for too long; any dy would only serve to the detriment of the human side, for behind the gatey an endless horde of monsters.
Athena wished to bypass the troublesome harbinger and seal the city gates, but judging by the harbinger¡¯s posture, it seemed unwilling to let her go.
Though the blue mes could scorch one''s soul, they did not cause tangible harm. Yet the pain was real- intensified to a degree several times beyond what one would experience in normal circumstances.
When the mes enveloped one¡¯s body, it was as if the excruciating agony would drown the individual in mere moments, potentially leading to a mental copse. This, it seemed, was the true nature of the attack- a psychological onught.
If one intended to fight, the blue mes would inevitably creep closer, ensuring that their foe''s efforts would be in vain.
However, since it failed to inflict permanent physical damage, there was, in some ways, little to fear.
Before the harbinger could fully revel in its perceived victory, Athena charged once more. Unafraid, the harbinger swung its greatsword, the blue mes dancing along its de with fierce intensity.
[ Tranquility ]
Tranquility Lv10 allowed Athena to rapidly regainposure at any moment. While in battle, it provided resistance to all forms of mental affliction. Outside ofbat, it increased various efficiencies by 45%, with a cooldown time of two hours and a duration of two hours.
If avoiding the blue mes and the pain they inflicted was impossible, the solution was simple: ignore it, and press onward.
Athena attacked again. Lifting her ck abyss axe, she swung fiercely at the skeletal harbinger.
As the greatsword collided with her ck abyss axe, the blue mes, seemingly alive, crept through the gap and began to spread over her.
In an instant, her body was consumed by the same blue mes as the harbinger¡¯s, quickly engulfing her entire form.
The mes, wild and untamed like a burning inferno, surrounded her. A boundless pain surged through her- a mental anguish so intense that it could crush a person within moments. Yet, her gaze remained resolute, unshaken, her grip on the axe unwavering, as though she were untouched by the agony itself.
The harbinger faltered for but a moment. It knew its own powers all too well.
The blue mes that enveloped Athena seemed more like an ornate suit of armor than a source of pain. Strangely, she appeared unaffected- her expression unchanged.
This, for the harbinger, was a shock. A fleeting moment of fear gripped it, for even the briefestpse in focus on the battlefield could prove fatal.
When Athena¡¯s eyes locked onto the skeletal harbinger, the pain within her transformed into something else.
The ck abyss axe arced through the air, a blinding and forceful strike.
A shower of sparks erupted, but this time the blow did notnd on the greatsword- it struck the harbinger¡¯s shoulder instead. While the strength of the harbinger¡¯s bones was formidable, it was only so strong. The bones at its shoulder shattered, crumbling into pieces.
The tremendous force of the blow sent shockwaves through the air. On one side stood the eerie, ominous skeletal harbinger; on the other, Athena, both engulfed in roaring blue mes, creating a chilling and bizarre image.
Had the harbinger not reacted in time, stepping aside just slightly, the axe would have struck its neck rather than its shoulder.
As the bones in its shoulder shattered, the blue mes began to weaken, retreating from Athena¡¯s body.
¡°Agh!¡±
For the first time, the harbinger felt true fear. Its shoulder shattered, it twisted its body, trying to escape Athena¡¯s grasp, swinging its sword wildly.
The harbinger dared not underestimate its opponent, for Athena¡¯s power was immense, each blow brimming with lethal intent.
However, just as it prepared to face Athena again, it found itself staring at an empty space.
Suddenly, Athena vanished from view, reappearing behind the harbinger.
[ Hunter ]
Hunter Lv10 amplified the strength in its legs, boosting speed by 50%. Every use came with a cooldown of 20 minutes.
With her ck abyss axe in hand, she swung horizontally with astonishing speed. The strike carried a chilling force, cutting through the air as if it would tear it apart.
The bones here were tougher than expected. Although fissures appeared in the bone, the axe did not cleave through it.
The harbinger howled in pain once more. At that moment, the monsters around them stirred, abandoning their fight with the humans, eager to converge on the scene.
It seemed that the harbinger sought to use the monsters as a distraction to flee, desperate to escape.
Athena, however, was relentless. She ignored the encroaching monsters, leaping from their backs with such force that some were crushed beneath her feet.
One axe strike after anothernded with devastating precision, relentlessly assaulting the harbinger.
The harbinger dodged swiftly, but the ck abyss axe moved too fast. In the blink of an eye, it was upon him once again.
Only just able to raise his greatsword in defense, the harbinger¡¯s injuries left him vulnerable. The axe¡¯s force was overwhelming, and a gap opened at his neck.
In that instant, the ck abyss axe descended like a streak of ck lightning, cutting through the harbinger¡¯s neck.
Bones shattered, and the harbinger screamed in agony, feeling the searing pain spread through its body. Its vision darkened as its body fell uncontrobly. The blue light in its eyes faded.
Athena¡¯s ownst remnants of me also dissipated.
Pain¡ intense pain. During the battle, she had intentionally suppressed it, but now, with her guard lowered, it was overwhelming. It felt as though she hade face to face with death itself.
Although Tranquility had helped her resist the mental effects of the pain, it could not block the physical sensation entirely.
Without the harbinger, the monsters around her began to stir in a frenzy. They quickly swarmed toward the fallen harbinger¡¯s body, eager to drag it away.
Athena collected the harbinger''s remains into her system¡¯s storage bag, unbothered by the chaos around her, and moved steadily towards the city gates.
The monsters posed no real threat as she pushed forward. After dealing with the few that obstructed her path, she reached the control center at the top of the city wall.
There were no soldiers left, nor anymand personnel who should have been stationed here. Only empty gun emcements remained.
Thanks to her previous experience in the Sun City of Sol Kingdom, she knew how to operate the machinery and close the gates.
Unfortunately, the sheer number of monsters gathered at the gates made it impossible to fully shut them. Halfway through, the gates jammed, unable to move further. The people below, not foolish, quickly shifted tactics,unching attacks at the monsters near the gates.
Chapter 171: Benevolent Lies
Chapter 171: Benevolent Lies
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Chapter 171: Benevolent Lies
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The chaos of the monsters, already in full swing, faltered for a brief moment under the relentless assault of the defenders.
In the mere span of that fleeting second, the city gates mmed shut with a resounding boom, effectively sealing off the monstrous horde outside.
Athena couldn''t help but feel a surge of relief; she had arrived just in time. Had she been even a littleter, she would have found the city nothing more than a deste, silent ruin.
The creatures within the city were either dead or had already fled. This left Witty emboldened, firing cannons without restraint, shell after shell ripping through the air.
What surprised Athena, however, were the prisoners who had apanied her. She had expected them to realize they were being used, perhaps fleeing at the first opportunity, but instead, they fought valiantly on the front lines.
With Athena¡¯s efforts, the gates were firmly closed, and the defensive mechanisms re-engaged sessfully. Without hesitation, she turned the turrets, aiming every cannon at the throng of monsters surging beneath the gates.
At hermand, a torrential barrage of artillery exploded forth, sending countless shells hurtling towards the mass of creatures below.
The sheer power of the sts stirred up a tempest of blood and gore, as the monsters were torn apart in an instant.
Yet, despite the ferocity of the assault, it was no match for the earlier onught. The limits of one person¡¯s strength became clear. Ultimately, it was the experienced taxi soldiers who would need to take control of the situation. And without the mages in the rear to provide support, there was only so much she could do.
She couldn¡¯t allow the monsters to remain beneath the gates indefinitely, though. A solution had to be found. The fleeing taxi soldiers had to be recalled, and soon.
The creatures struck by the cannonfire let out shrill, agonising cries as their bodies were shredded, their blood and flesh scattering in every direction.
However, more monsters pressed on relentlessly, undeterred, their numbers seemingly endless.
Each shell imed a few lives, but the tide of beasts continued to swell, unyielding.
The bombardment persisted, unrelenting.
[ System Notification: Congrattions, yer! Mission 2: Eliminate 200 Monsters Complete! ]
[ Challenge Level: Lv. 9 ]
Objective: Defend the City
Penalty: Be a Wanderer
Reward: None
[ Notice: All remaining missions will take ce in a new battle zone. yers are strongly advised not to leave. Failure toply will result in mission failure! ]
Upon seeing the mission notification, Athena¡¯s heart sank. Though the monsters before the gates were troublesome, they were hardly insurmountable.
The system''s transmission of this mission could only signify that something far worse was approaching.
She had barely arrived at the frontlines and already faced this chaos. In an attempt to gain a better view of the situation ahead, she used her dark vision goggles.
She had intended to resolve the battle with the monsters quickly, but as she descended to lend her aid, her eyes were drawn to several protective barriers in the distance.
They weren¡¯trge, but they stood out, shining brilliantly, scattered around the area, stretching on without end.
Athena instantly recognized them for what they were- system-provided sanctuary barriers.
Throughout the war zone, there had always been fortified cities belonging to various nations, but she had typically traveled to these locations through teleportation via the World Stone.
Now, with darkness steadily encroaching upon humanity''s territories,st bastion of light, the positions of the war zones were constantly shifting. The once-hidden protective barriers around cities had evaporated, like fog clearing away, revealing their true nature for all to see.
Suppressing her unease, Athena descended into the city once more and rejoined the fight. With her efforts, the pressure on many of the defenders was greatly reduced.
Without the continuous stream of iing monsters, their numbers began to dwindle, though many had still perished in the struggle.
After an extended period of unyieldingbat, the fighting eventually ceased. Most had sustained injuries, some of them grave, yet only Athena seemed untouched by the bloodshed- though the crimson stains that covered her were not her own.
Immediately, reconstruction began. Since they had chosen not to flee, it meant they had opted to stand with Athena.
The first priority was to recall all the fleeing taxi soldiers. Simply asking them to return would be futile, so a more forceful approach was adopted. Some were captured and brought back by force, before being handed over to Babronflio for interrogation.
They were then told that the Babron family had dispatched them to take control of this city-state. As for the documents, the trembling individuals did not dare to inspect them closely. However, they could not miss the golden seal stamped upon them.
Given what they had witnessed with their own eyes- Athena¡¯s formidable strength- there was no room for doubt. They knew they had been spared from execution, and this leniency was seen as the greatest mercy.
This small group of prisoners was tasked with finding the next batch of deserters, initiating a cycle that would eventually bring Athena face-to-face with the majority of the fleeing taxi soldiers.
From among them, she selected a few of the more astute-looking individuals to inquire about the situation.
It soon became clear that this city-state, much smaller than others, had once been an ordinary settlement.
However, in recent days, something had changed. The nearby city-state had been obliterated, presumably by an enormous monster.
In the wake of this catastrophe, the city¡¯s leadership and military personnel were dispatched to the front lines, though they were unable to halt the monster¡¯s advance, resulting in the death of all involved.
Adding to their misfortune, several of the remaining leaders had fled, taking what little funds remained for the city¡¯s defense and vanishing to other regions.
Some mercenaries, desperate and unpaid, had chosen to open the gates, leading to the chaos now unfolding.
Fortuitously, the monster that had attacked the previous guardian city had refrained from continuing its assault, sparing them- for the moment.
Thus, the scene Athena had arrived at today was set into motion.
ording to the timeline, the city had fallente yesterday afternoon, and the rebellion had erupted early this morning.
This ruled out the possibility that the Babron family had anticipated the event and sent her here beforehand. It could only be described as a fortuitous coincidence.
Everyone had regarded them as the first wave of reinforcements, believing that Athena¡¯s arrival meant salvation. She did not correct them.
For now, her attention was fixed on the protective barrier she had observed in the distance, yet she was careful not to lose focus on her current mission.
She began to direct the defenders, urging them to return to their respective posts. Unexpectedly, the elderly medic was not only skilled in healing; he had once held a simr leadership role. With his help, the weight of responsibility on Athena¡¯s shoulders lightened considerably.
The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and
continue reading tomorrow, everyone!
Chapter 172.5: The Steel Abomination
Chapter 172.5: The Steel Abomination
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Chapter 172.5: The Steel Abomination
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Though there were fewer soldiers than anticipated, the remaining forces were still sufficient to maintain the city¡¯s defense system. What was trulycking, however, was the crucial magic firepower- the mages.
These mages, who held a high social status, were never in danger ofcking ces to take refuge. As soon as the crisis began, they had already fled without a trace.
Of course, the teleportation array to other cities had already been altered by Babron to a one-way passage- entrances only, no exits.
When Athena took control of the city¡¯s defense system, she received a notification from the system. It was the city¡¯s blessing.
[ Congrattions! You have acquired the temporary skill: Battlefield Map! ]
[ Congrattions! You have acquired the temporary skill: Mobilization! ]
A strong, high-energy entity was approaching: [Special Entity Detected: Mechanical Flying Dragon, Iron Behemoth!]
Before she could even fully process the temporary skills she had received, her attention was drawn to the purple text that appeared before her eyes. She had only three hours left to prepare.
The Mobilization skill, without any level requirements, fired up her spirit with impassioned words, rallying the troops'' emotions. The courage value of her team spiked by 5!
As for the Battlefield Map, how could apetentmander ignore theyout of the battlefield? With this map, she could conjure a three-dimensional representation of the surrounding terrain and discern the enemy¡¯s distribution.
Courage, as intangible as it was, could unexpectedly bolster one¡¯s strength. To acquire those 5 extra courage points, Athena quicklyposed a mental outline.
Gathering everyone around, she spoke words she never thought she would say in her lifetime.
"I am the representative sent by the Babron family, a warrior from the Imperial Capital, and I now officially take charge of this city."
"I cannot promise that no one will be sacrificed, but I can promise that every sacrifice will be meaningful!"
Taking a deep breath, she continued, her tone steady, "We are about to face a terrifying monster, one perhaps even more dreadful than we can imagine. But we must remember, we are not alone. There are stronger powers supporting us from behind."
Though her speech was stiff and devoid of emotional depth- only rising and falling in pitch- it still managed to boost the courage of the team by 5 points.
The soldiers, initially anxious, found their confidence restored. Their morale, once wavering, had risen to an all-time high, all thanks to her fiery rhetoric.
Had it not been for the prisoners who apanied her, and the traitors brought along by Babron, knowing the truth of the situation, they too might have been swayed by her words.
But as it stood, they were in the same boat now. If Athena truly seeded in fending off this onught, they might indeed take control of the city- at least, that was the hope for now.
With the speech concluded, Athena activated the Battlefield Map. Only she could see it, disying theyout and an overview of the various locations.
This was the first time she had truly realized that this was a tower defense game, and that their previous experiences in the shelters had only been minor skirmishes.
In fact, her strategy was entirely different from the usual- others relied on defense towers to deal with the monsters. Yet due to a misstep in skill selection, her individualbat abilities far exceeded those of most defense towers. In their shelter, she was the main force, with the towers serving as mere support.
Now, the situation was quite the opposite.
The map slowly materialized, and their location was revealed as a small city-state. By clicking, Athena could view her side¡¯sbat strength and setup.
Not far off, a dense cluster of blue lights shimmered, with one particrly prominent blue orb standing out.
She focused on it. This was a military force slowly advancing toward them- a horde of Iron Behemoths.
These monstrous creatures were covered in thick metallic shells that gleamed coldly, as if assembled from countless iron tes into towering giants. Their heads were grotesque, twisted, with eyes glowing red- eyes filled with malice and a hunger for ughter.
Each of these behemoths wielded massive weapons- sharp greatswords, heavy shields, and enormous war hammers- marching forward with a heavy, thudding gait, sending a chill through anyone who heard their footsteps. Their presence radiated an oppressive, chilling aura, as if demons from the very gates of Hell, bringing with them unrelenting death and destruction.
Above them, a mechanical dragon circled ominously.
The dragon was enormous, its bodyposed of metal and electronicponents, emanating a terrifying power. Its wings, when fully spread, could obscure the sky. Its eyes, red and unblinking, fixed upon Athena, as if aware of her gaze.
[ Battlefield Map Deactivated! ]
Due to their mechanical nature, fire-based attacks were nearly useless against them. Currently, only water-based and ice spells, which could slow the enemy''s movements, were effective.
Although physical attacks were difficult to prate their defenses, repeated strikes could still cause some damage.
While the thieves who had fled with the city''s wealth might have escaped with their treasures, the defensive measures were beyond their reach. Therefore, the war reserves remained intact.
Without hesitation, Athena ordered the fire-based towers to be reced with other elemental ones.
The absence of the mage team put them at a disadvantage. Since Athena needed to remain in a highmand position, she couldn''t join the battle directly.
Her gaze fell upon one of the prisoners, a woman with a graceful form- an enchantress.
Enchantresses had the unique ability to bypass enemy armor, shields, and other physical defenses, directly affecting their foes.
Her abilities were especially useful against the Iron Behemoths, but she was but one, while the monsters numbered in the hundreds, if not thousands.
Yet, she could still prove to be the key to victory. Behind her stood a magic-enhancement tower that amplified the power of magic for fifty mages. Though this effect applied solely to her, the boost could be pivotal in this fight.
Time wore on, and the fearsome army drew ever closer.
The rallying speech had proven invaluable, for when the enemy finally reached the city walls, the sheer force of their presence was undeniable.
Their march was in perfect unison, each step resounding with ominous weight, shaking the earth beneath them. The pressure bearing down on the defenders was palpable, threatening to crush the spirits of any whocked resolve.
Far off, Athena continued to monitor the sanctuary shields. One by one, they began to crack, their integrity fading for reasons unknown.
Chapter 171.5: The Steel Abomination
Chapter 171.5: The Steel Abomination
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Chapter 171.5: The Steel Abomination
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Though there were fewer soldiers than anticipated, the remaining forces were still sufficient to maintain the city¡¯s defense system. What was trulycking, however, was the crucial magic firepower- the mages.
These mages, who held a high social status, were never in danger ofcking ces to take refuge. As soon as the crisis began, they had already fled without a trace.
Of course, the teleportation array to other cities had already been altered by Babron to a one-way passage- entrances only, no exits.
When Athena took control of the city¡¯s defense system, she received a notification from the system. It was the city¡¯s blessing.
[ Congrattions! You have acquired the temporary skill: Battlefield Map! ]
[ Congrattions! You have acquired the temporary skill: Mobilization! ]
A strong, high-energy entity was approaching: [Special Entity Detected: Mechanical Flying Dragon, Iron Behemoth!]
Before she could even fully process the temporary skills she had received, her attention was drawn to the purple text that appeared before her eyes. She had only three hours left to prepare.
The Mobilization skill, without any level requirements, fired up her spirit with impassioned words, rallying the troops'' emotions. The courage value of her team spiked by 5!
As for the Battlefield Map, how could apetentmander ignore theyout of the battlefield? With this map, she could conjure a three-dimensional representation of the surrounding terrain and discern the enemy¡¯s distribution.
Courage, as intangible as it was, could unexpectedly bolster one¡¯s strength. To acquire those 5 extra courage points, Athena quicklyposed a mental outline.
Gathering everyone around, she spoke words she never thought she would say in her lifetime.
"I am the representative sent by the Babron family, a warrior from the Imperial Capital, and I now officially take charge of this city."
"I cannot promise that no one will be sacrificed, but I can promise that every sacrifice will be meaningful!"
Taking a deep breath, she continued, her tone steady, "We are about to face a terrifying monster, one perhaps even more dreadful than we can imagine. But we must remember, we are not alone. There are stronger powers supporting us from behind."
Though her speech was stiff and devoid of emotional depth- only rising and falling in pitch- it still managed to boost the courage of the team by 5 points.
The soldiers, initially anxious, found their confidence restored. Their morale, once wavering, had risen to an all-time high, all thanks to her fiery rhetoric.
Had it not been for the prisoners who apanied her, and the traitors brought along by Babron, knowing the truth of the situation, they too might have been swayed by her words.
But as it stood, they were in the same boat now. If Athena truly seeded in fending off this onught, they might indeed take control of the city- at least, that was the hope for now.
With the speech concluded, Athena activated the Battlefield Map. Only she could see it, disying theyout and an overview of the various locations.
This was the first time she had truly realized that this was a tower defense game, and that their previous experiences in the shelters had only been minor skirmishes.
In fact, her strategy was entirely different from the usual- others relied on defense towers to deal with the monsters. Yet due to a misstep in skill selection, her individualbat abilities far exceeded those of most defense towers. In their shelter, she was the main force, with the towers serving as mere support.
Now, the situation was quite the opposite.
The map slowly materialized, and their location was revealed as a small city-state. By clicking, Athena could view her side¡¯sbat strength and setup.
Not far off, a dense cluster of blue lights shimmered, with one particrly prominent blue orb standing out.
She focused on it. This was a military force slowly advancing toward them- a horde of Iron Behemoths.
These monstrous creatures were covered in thick metallic shells that gleamed coldly, as if assembled from countless iron tes into towering giants. Their heads were grotesque, twisted, with eyes glowing red- eyes filled with malice and a hunger for ughter.
Each of these behemoths wielded massive weapons- sharp greatswords, heavy shields, and enormous war hammers- marching forward with a heavy, thudding gait, sending a chill through anyone who heard their footsteps. Their presence radiated an oppressive, chilling aura, as if demons from the very gates of Hell, bringing with them unrelenting death and destruction.
Above them, a mechanical dragon circled ominously.
The dragon was enormous, its bodyposed of metal and electronicponents, emanating a terrifying power. Its wings, when fully spread, could obscure the sky. Its eyes, red and unblinking, fixed upon Athena, as if aware of her gaze.
[ Battlefield Map Deactivated! ]
Due to their mechanical nature, fire-based attacks were nearly useless against them. Currently, only water-based and ice spells, which could slow the enemy''s movements, were effective.
Although physical attacks were difficult to prate their defenses, repeated strikes could still cause some damage.
While the thieves who had fled with the city''s wealth might have escaped with their treasures, the defensive measures were beyond their reach. Therefore, the war reserves remained intact.
Without hesitation, Athena ordered the fire-based towers to be reced with other elemental ones.
The absence of the mage team put them at a disadvantage. Since Athena needed to remain in a highmand position, she couldn''t join the battle directly.
Her gaze fell upon one of the prisoners, a woman with a graceful form- an enchantress.
Enchantresses had the unique ability to bypass enemy armor, shields, and other physical defenses, directly affecting their foes.
Her abilities were especially useful against the Iron Behemoths, but she was but one, while the monsters numbered in the hundreds, if not thousands.
Yet, she could still prove to be the key to victory. Behind her stood a magic-enhancement tower that amplified the power of magic for fifty mages. Though this effect applied solely to her, the boost could be pivotal in this fight.
Time wore on, and the fearsome army drew ever closer.
The rallying speech had proven invaluable, for when the enemy finally reached the city walls, the sheer force of their presence was undeniable.
Their march was in perfect unison, each step resounding with ominous weight, shaking the earth beneath them. The pressure bearing down on the defenders was palpable, threatening to crush the spirits of any whocked resolve.
Far off, Athena continued to monitor the sanctuary shields. One by one, they began to crack, their integrity fading for reasons unknown.
Chapter 173: The Queen of War, Athena!
Chapter 173: The Queen of War, Athena!
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Chapter 173: The Queen of War, Athena!
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Among the throng of archers, Athena''s eyesnded instantly on an unmistakable figure.
The boy stood out sharply amidst the others, his ragged prison uniform still clinging to him. His short hair was an unkempt mess, but it was his eyes that captured her attention. One was an ordinary brown, while the other glimmered an unsettling green hue- a trait that marked him as exceptional.
The elder among them, a weathered man with an air of knowing, had once exined the boy¡¯s peculiarity. That green eye wasn¡¯t his own; it had been transnted, taken from some unidentifiable monster. The details of the creature remained a mystery, but its legacy was clear- it granted the boy extraordinary vision. This unnatural gift had honed his skill with firearms and bows alike, yet for reasons unknown, he had been cast into the same grim prison as the rest.
Even before Athena reached him, the boy tensed, his sharp instincts kicking in.
¡°Hey...¡± she began, momentarily faltering, unsure of his name.
¡°Noxus,¡± she finally said, her voice cutting through the din like steel. ¡°Come here.¡±
Noxus hesitated for only a heartbeat before slinging his bow over his shoulder and stepping forward. There was a wariness in his movements, a cautious tension borne from a life of mistrust. As he approached, Athena produced a sniper rifle seemingly out of thin air and ced it into his hands.
The boy¡¯s brows furrowed as he nced up at her. But her eyes, cold as winter¡¯s breath, betrayed nothing- no warmth, no malice, only an unyielding purpose. Swallowing hard, he nodded and lowered his gaze.
¡°Use it on the shield-bearers,¡± shemanded, her tone sharp and efficient.
Noxus didn¡¯t waste words. Orders like these didn¡¯t require exnation. With practiced ease, he inspected the rifle, his hands deft and sure, adapting to the weapon as though it were an extension of himself. Athena, despite her system-bestowed expertise with firearms, recognized his mastery; his proficiency was leagues beyond hers- perhaps even at a master¡¯s level.
He didn¡¯t fire indiscriminately. Each shot was calcted, targeting the key members of the shielded formations. As the shield-bearers copsed, their carefully constructed defenses crumbled into disarray. The remaining monsters, unprotected and exposed, fell swiftly under the coordinated assault of the other archers.
Noxus¡¯s speed was breathtaking, his aim unerring. Each shot was a precise execution, and his eerie green eye gleamed with an otherworldly intensity that sent shivers down the spines of those who dared nce at him. Inspired by his efficiency, the surrounding archers adjusted their strategies, working seamlessly to exploit the gaps he created. Within moments, theirbined efforts began to turn the tide.
Without the protective barriers of the shield-bearers, the enemy forces faltered. The soldiers on the wall, emboldened by the momentum, rained down artillery with renewed fervor. The relentless barrage of cannon fire reduced the monstrous horde to smoldering fragments of steel and ash.
If only they had ballistae, Athena thought bitterly. The battle could have been won decisively, without this exhausting struggle. But the city was no fortress- it hadn¡¯t been outfitted with the defenses of a stronghold.
Still, they were fortunate. The archers, disciplined and well-trained, wielded enchanted bows that pierced even the most resilient of foes. Yet the sheer number of iron behemoths overwhelmed even their best efforts. Some had already reached the base of the wall.
The barrage couldn¡¯t touch them now. Cannons were useless against the enemies directly below, and it was up to the defenders to adapt.
¡°Fall back,¡± Athena ordered sharply. Her archers retreated, switching roles to allow the heavy artillery to continue suppressing the advancing waves in the distance. The iron behemoths below, however, required immediate attention.
The creatures began scaling the walls, their razor-sharp ws gouging into the stonework as they hauled their hulking frames upward. Some disyed rudimentary intelligence, forming teams to boost each other¡¯s ascent. Others abandoned the walls entirely, charging toward the city gates. Their battering arms and crude weapons thundered against the wood and steel, echoing with rming force.
When their weapons splintered, they scavenged recements from the fallen, never ceasing in their relentless assault.
¡°Release!¡± Athena¡¯s voice, though calm, carried with unerring rity.
At hermand, the defenders hurled massive boulders down the walls. The makeshift projectiles crushed the climbers beneath their weight, shattering steel-like bodies and sending shattered limbs cascading to the ground. Hooks and chains followed, tearing into the creatures and dragging them upward before dropping them unceremoniously back to earth, where they were crushed again by falling debris.
For a moment, it seemed the chaos was under control.
"...?!!"
But then, the air shimmered with a sinister energy. Directly ahead, on the battlefield, a strange portal began to manifest.
It swirled like a ck void, tinged with streaks of crimson and violet, a pulsating anomaly that radiated malevolence and decay!
A sinister clump of energy that makes all forms of life recoil!
Athena¡¯s eyes narrowed, her gut twisting with unease.
The map disyed on her system interface blinked furiously in red. The icon representing the mechanical dragon- a fearsome foe that had remained stationary until now- flickered ominously. Athena¡¯s mind raced. The appearance of the portal and the dragon¡¯s activation could only mean one thing.
A boss-level threat was imminent!
The portal was dangerously close, so close that Athena could almost feel its malevolent heat of terror.
Its proximity threw the defenders into disarray, and panic rippled through their ranks. The once-imprablework of firepower faltered, leaving a gaping vulnerability.
[ Skill Activated: Mobilization! ]
¡°Do not panic!¡± Athena¡¯s voice rang out, steady andmanding. ¡°The creatures from that portal won¡¯t emerge immediately. We have time to deal with them. Focus your efforts on the enemies below!¡±
Her words were simple but effective. The trembling soldiers steadied themselves, gripping their weapons with renewed resolve.
[ War Queen, Detected! ]
The system notification zed across her vision.
War Queen: Cannot upgrade. When allies number greater than 3, grants +10 mental fortitude and Courage Buff. Whenmanding over 500 soldiers, soldiers gain immunity to mental attacks, Courage Buff, and +1 Strength.
Though the system¡¯s calctions were precise, Athena¡¯s situation was anything but straightforward. The soldiers were not officially her subordinates, and the prisoners- Noxus and the others- hardly saw her as an ally, let alone a leader. But desperation had a way of shifting loyalties. In their moment of fear, the defenders instinctively looked to her for guidance.
For now, that was enough.
[ War Queen Buff Applied! ]
A surge of calm swept through the soldiers. Their panic dissipated, reced by an unyielding determination. The firepower resumed, the walls once again bing a fortress of unrelenting destruction.
Athena stood tall, her fierce gaze fixed on the ominous portal ahead.
Chapter 174: Speed Scrolls
Chapter 174: Speed Scrolls
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Chapter 174: Speed Scrolls
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With the power bestowed by the War Queen skill, a strange force began to spread through the ranks of the army.
This force was like a spring breeze, gently caressing the bodies and minds of every soldier, bringing them a sense offort and rxation they had never felt before.
The previously tense and weary expressions slowly faded, and they attributed this miraculous change entirely to Athena.
In truth, they were not wrong.
"Quickly, re-establish the fire coverage!" Athena''s gaze was fixed firmly on the iron behemoths that relentlessly scaled the cliffs, as another barrage of rubble rained down.
At the same time, the artillery officers, tasked with providing covering fire, quickly readjusted themselves. Although the monstrous creatures had managed to close the distance considerably, it was not yet a desperate situation; the renewed barrage made their progress sluggish once more.
The creatures that were struck by the rocks crashed to the ground with dull thuds, yet none of them were in.
They scrambled back to their feet with astonishing speed, continuing their relentless charge. These creatures possessed an almost unnatural resilience, as though they could never be defeated.
But it was all an illusion. They were already battered and broken beyond recognition.
"Damn it! These bastards are far too resilient, and they have too much vitality," Athena cursed under her breath.
Though she knew the futility of it, her brow furrowed in frustration as she rubbed her temples.
Relying solely on the rubble and iron hooks would not stop these monsters; in the end, the victory woulde only throughbat.
"Cease the rockfalls! Arm yourselves!" Athena barked, her voice carrying a palpable authority.
At once, the soldiers seized their weapons, gripping them tightly with firm hands. Their eyes widened as they involuntarily swallowed, attempting to suppress the growing anxiety within them.
Their gazes were filled with vignce and wariness, their hearts pounding, breaths growing shallow. Yet they fought to maintainposure, ever prepared to confront the danger that loomed ahead.
The strange force continued to soothe them, bolstering their confidence and reinforcing their belief that they would emerge victorious- alive.
At that moment, the first monster¡¯s hand had silently reached the edge of the wall, its grotesque palm seemingly brimming with malevolent power.
However, at the critical moment, a brave and fearless artillery soldier leapt forward. With a sharp sword in hand, he fearlessly plunged it into the creature''s arm.
A sh of iron, and the monster''s arm was pierced through. The soldier swiftly jerked the de upward, sending the beast plummeting from the wall to crash heavily below.
Before he could savor the moment of triumph, before he could even boast to hisrades, a second hand, emerging from below, pierced through his chest.
In an instant, blood sprayed from his wound as he coughed up a mouthful of crimson. His sword ttered to the ground, and the blood sttered across the face of a nearby soldier.
But that was just the beginning. More hands reached out, flooding the area and catching the soldiers off-guard. There was no time for reaction, no time to think of a strategy.
These hands surged from every direction, as if an unrelenting tide, overwhelming them without mercy, intent on drowning them in a sea of bizarre terror.
The first monster sessfully climbed over the wall. Its eyes zed with a red light so intense that it seemed to burn the very air. Even without weapons, its fists and body were more than a match for any human.
The soldiers roared, hoping to muster courage. They threw themselves into battle with the monsters, and the prisoners led by Athena did not shy away from the fight either.
The scene above descended into chaos. Only the defensive towers remained steadfast, continuing their barrage at the front. But without coordination, the fire fell aimlessly, scattered and disorganized.
The frail man and Carlit weaved through the monster ranks, moving like bolts of lightning- swift and precise.
One wielded a dagger, the other a massive greatsword, cutting down their foes with unrelenting efficiency, easing the pressure on the soldiers.
Yet, even with such skill, the soldiers struggled against the relentless iron monsters, and pools of blood began to umte.
But there was no turning back now. They no longer had the luxury of retreat. Fear was the only thing they had left to conquer. Victory, or death, was their only choice.
Desperation was humanity¡¯s greatest catalyst.
The number of monsters continued to swell, and the casualties on their side mounted in direct proportion.
The longer the battle dragged on, the worse it became for them.
The boss fight had not even begun, and the creature with intelligence lurking behind the scenes seemed to be biding its time, waiting for Athena and her forces to be further weakened before revealing itself.
This thought suddenly reminded Athena of the scrolls she had purchased from Potato earlier- the Speed Scrolls.
Having used one before and found its effect satisfactory, she had instructed Potato to keep an eye out and had bought more.
She now possessed ten in total, but this wasn¡¯t a system-triggered mission, so she wasn¡¯t certain whether they could be used. There was no way of knowing whether they''d be useful now or in the future.
She had no time to ponder such things. Every opportunity counted, for every life was precious.
She drew out a scroll and tore it open in an instant.
[ Speed Scroll in use... Failure! ]
Though she had expected the result, Athena still couldn¡¯t suppress the chill that ran through her. However, she noticed that the massive teleportation array above had stirred slightly.
With furrowed brows, she pulled out the remaining nine scrolls, holding them together, and ripped them all open in one swift motion.
[ Speed Scrolls in use... Sess! ]
A long-lost smile spread across her face.
The enormous teleportation array above spun into life, seemingly pulling something in as it absorbed the surrounding energy. Below, the creatures were drawn into its vortex.
The iron monsters, sensing the shift, turned their gaze toward the array. Unfortunately, few soldiers could capitalize on this opportunity, for they too were drawn to the strange, overwhelming movement.
The difference was that the monsters were excited, eager, while the soldiers were filled with anxiety- though the strange unease was quickly suppressed.
The old man, hiding at the rear for safety, tirelessly tended to the injured soldiers. Based on his experience, he knew such teleportation arrays would not activate immediately. But whatever madness Athena had unleashed, she had somehow triggered it.
In an instant, he felt the urge to flee, but then realized that the teleportation array was sealed. Where could he possibly escape to?
A massive dragon w reached out from the array, and before the creature could fully emerge, Athena was already charging forward, her ck axe raised high.
Arge hole appeared in the wall from her explosive strike. The ck Abyss Axe sank deep into the dragon w, cutting through bone. A flood of blood poured out, as though a torrential rain had begun to fall.
Chapter 175: Victory?
Chapter 175: Victory?
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Chapter 175: Victory?
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The opposition seemed unprepared for such an abrupt turn of events. As the mechanical dragon¡¯s w sustained a grievous wound, the rate of its teleportation visibly elerated, a clear sign of its distress.
Its injured w, propelled by a final surge of force, swiped fiercely through the air, attempting to swat away the pesky human attacking it. Yet, it grasped nothing but wind, unleashing a sharp gust that cut through the battlefield.
In mere moments, Athena had rendered one of the dragon¡¯s wspletely useless.
Next emerged the metallic sheen of its head, a visage wrought with seething fury. Its eyes brimmed with an almost tangible hatred, a desperate thirst to obliterate Athena.
Following its head came the upper half of its colossal body. Seizing the opportunity, Athena vaulted onto its form, aiming directly for its eyes.
The dragon, infuriated beyond measure,shed out with its remaining w. How detestable was this human! Attacking while the dragon was still in the throes of teleportation? Such shameless audacity was beyond anything it had ever encountered.
From its zing eyes, Athena gleaned its turbulent emotions. Not smart enough, she mused. Itcked the cunning required to orchestrate the chaos around them.
And yet, where was the true orchestrator? The dragon''s back was bare- no visible signs of a controller. Scanning the battlefield yielded no answers, even as Witty sought in vain amid the chaos of thrashing enemies.
Damn it! Where could it be hiding?
The thought gnawed at her, but her hands never faltered. She danced across the dragon¡¯s massive frame, evading its relentless strikes while carving precise marks into its armored body like a madman. Each new wound became a testament to her effort to divert its attention.
After all, the dragon¡¯s immense strength meant that even a single blownding on the walls could result in catastrophic loss of life.
However, it didn¡¯t take long for the dragon to discern her intent. It ceased its futile attempts to strike her, knowing well that her assaults, though injurious, were far from fatal to its heavily fortified body.
Instead, its menacing gaze shifted toward the fortress walls.
¡°Activate Now!¡± Athena bellowed, sensing its change in focus. Sheunched herself skyward, twisting mid-air as her voice roared over the din below.
Yet, none of the artillery on the wall seemed aimed at the dragon. No turrets were directed toward its advancing form.
From behind the wall, a massive, spherical construct began to rise. Radiating an ethereal blue glow, it was encircled by two rotating metal rings.
At its core stood a woman d in prison garb, her long hair flowing as though alive. Her face, strikingly beautiful, was pale as porcin, her figure lithe and graceful.
She bore no semnce of a captive, let alone a mage. Instead, she seemed more akin to a celestial maiden descended from the heavens.
As she murmured arcane words and performed intricate gestures, an unearthly power surged forth from her body. Initially invisible, the energy became a vivid violet upon merging with the massive sphere, rushing toward the mechanical dragon with unstoppable force.
Encased in this otherworldly energy, the dragon found itself unable to carry out its destructive rampage.
Though unease gripped its core, the dragon remained physically unharmed. Its frustration mounted as it realized it had been outmaneuvered by humans.
Yet, an rming development soon caught its attention. The wounds inflicted by Athena earlier had ceased healing. Worse, the injuries seemed to widen, pouring forth more of its lifeblood.
Each gash now radiated an insidious aura, promising lethal consequences.
Vathalia has activated the Curse of Misfortune!
Skill amplified: Malice of the World!
As long as Vathalia maintained her focus, the dragon¡¯s demise was inevitable. But her trembling body betrayed the toll such power was exacting. She couldn¡¯t hold on for long.
It didn¡¯t matter. This was enough.
Each subsequent strike from Athena, no matter how shallow,pounded the dragon¡¯s injuries exponentially. Minor scratches became gaping wounds.
Even if the mastermind remained elusive, what did it matter? If all its soldiers and generals fell, the king would stand as nothing more than a lone piece on the board, powerless to resist.
The mechanical dragon writhed in desperation. Every movement exacerbated its injuries, and an oppressive force seemed to crush down upon it, rejecting its very existence.
Vathalia¡¯s ability was far more fearsome than Athena had anticipated. Seizing the moment, she unleashed a flurry of attacks on the dragon¡¯s weakened spots.
Howling in pain, the dragon thrashed wildly, shockwaves upon shockwaves almost ttening everything around, its agony driving it to new heights of fury.
But Vathalia¡¯s condition worsened. Her body convulsed violently, teetering on the brink of copse.
¡°Hold on!¡± Athena shouted, her voice a rallying cry as she redoubled her efforts.
Despite her relentless assault, the dragon clung to its monstrous vitality. Its rampage left the walls in disarray, scattering debris and iming the lives of soldiers and steel monsters alike.
¡°Deploy the second attack!¡± Athenamanded, her voice resolute.
Another spherical construct ascended, but unlike the first, this one exuded a feral, destructive aura. Within it, countless arcs of electricity coiled and sparked, converging into a singr, blinding sh.
A thunderous bolt erupted from the sphere, striking the dragon squarely.
With a final, deafening cry, the dragon copsed, its enormous body mming into the earth with a ground-shaking crash. Half the wall crumbled beneath its weight, leaving only its ruined, semi-mechanical corpse amidst the devastation.
Even in death, itsst act of defiance wrought havoc, annihting soldiers and monsters in the vicinity.
The scene was both awe-inspiring and devastating.
Though the loss of defenses was severe, the dragon¡¯s demise also eliminated a significant portion of the enemy forces. A bittersweet victory, but a victory nheless.
With newfound morale, the remaining troops surged forward, driven by the triumph over their towering foe. The belief that they only needed to dispatch the remaining steel monsters to secure victory pushed them to fight with unyielding determination.
Under a relentless barrage of artillery, the enemy was finally subdued.
As Athena and herrades began the arduous task of cleanup, no further adversaries emerged.
[ Congrattions, yer, onpleting Quest 3: Defend the Fortress. ]
[ Contest of Peaks ]
[ Difficulty Level: LV ? ]
[ Final Stage of the Contest of Peaks will unlock in three days! ]
The absence of the mastermind left Athena uneasy. Its retreat was suspicious- was it truly gone, or merely biding its time?
Her thoughts were interrupted by an unexpected arrival: other yers.
Their sanctuary barriers hadn¡¯t been breached- they had willingly deactivated them, summoned by the system to join the ultimate battle.
[ ept the new yers to proceed to the final stage! ]
The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and
continue reading tomorrow, everyone!
Chapter 176 | Arrival of Players
Chapter 176 | Arrival of yers
Beneath the city walls, chaos reigned. The ground was strewn with the mangled remains of monstrous corpses, their grotesque metallic forms staining the earth crimson. A vile stench hung in the air, potent enough to churn even the strongest stomachs.
Beyond the walls, the aftermath of relentless bombardment was unmistakable. The earth was scarred, cratered, and lifeless, the lingering smoke and the metallic tang of blood creating an oppressive, choking atmosphere.
Half of the city wally in ruins, reduced to jagged rubble¡ªa silent testament to the battle¡¯s ferocity. Amidst the destruction sprawled the lifeless corpse of a colossal dragon. Even in death, its imposing presence dominated the scene, daring anyone to approach.
Exhausted soldiers stood atop the surviving walls, their expressions a mixture of weariness and exhration. The reality of survival¡ªa rare luxury in such grim times¡ªslowly began to sink in. A wave of jubnt cheers erupted, spreading from one soldier to another. They had done it; they had achieved victory, their first true triumph.
Yet beneath the euphoria lurked an unspoken truth: this was a pyrrhic victory. Should another wave of monsters descend upon them, survival would be nothing but a fleeting illusion.
Athena surveyed the scene with a furrowed brow, her thoughts clouded with unease. The mission¡¯spletion brought her no sce. Instead, it served as a grim reminder of the challenges ahead. The next task loomed, its parameters shrouded in mystery. And the unknown, as always, was the most fearsome foe.
Far in the distance, the sanctuary¡¯s barrier had dimmed, its radiance lost. It stood as a haunting prelude to destion, devoid of any signs of life. Yet faint silhouettes began to emerge, inching closer to the city.
¡®yers?¡¯
Was this some machination of the system? Why were these individuals abandoning their shelters to converge here? And why weren¡¯t they ssified as wandering yers?
Unanswered questions swirled in her mind, each more perplexing than thest. But immediate concerns took precedence: how to handle these neers and integrate them into the fragile bnce of their operations.
Jubtion gave way to somber reflection. The loss of friends and family, coupled with the gnawing uncertainty of the future, weighed heavily on everyone.
Noxus, his weapon ck Friday now secured, approached Athena. Confusion flickered across his otherwise stoic face, a somber shadow etched into his features. Without a word, he handed her ck Friday. She inspected it briefly before returning it, silently acknowledging his indispensable contribution to their survival.
Breaking the uneasy silence, Noxus finally spoke, his voice low but firm. ¡°Captain, I spotted a group of scattered figures approaching.¡±
Given the circumstances, his concern was valid. Monsters had only just been repelled, and now another group was drawing near? The possibility that these were humanoid monsters couldn¡¯t be ignored. Their precarious state left them dangerously close to annihtion.
Athena¡¯s eyes briefly widened in surprise, not at the information but at his choice of address. ¡°Captain?¡± That was a first.
¡°No need to worry,¡± she replied with practiced calm. ¡°They¡¯re from the Third World.¡±
Her tone was deliberately nonchnt. For those entrenched in frontline operations, cooperation with the Third World wasmon knowledge. Yet for the average denizen of the city-state, such alliances were shrouded in secrecy. Among the prisoners she¡¯d brought here, most were likely aware.
She nced at Noxus¡¯s perplexed expression.
...Well, most.
¡°Perhaps you should ask that old man,¡± she suggested, gesturing toward an elder in their midst. She trusted the prisoners to weave their own exnations; it was human nature to fill gaps with spection.
But how to amodate these yers? The system had directed them here, implying their potential utility in future missions. Considering the city¡¯s battered defenses, any additional manpower was invaluable. She could only hope they wouldn¡¯t prove too troublesome. The antics she¡¯d observed in the world chat offered little reason for optimism.
Meanwhile, Starshine Five was among the first to arrive. When he first saw the city, his heart surged with anticipation, tempered by the fear of being gged as a wandering yer¡ªa wanderer.
The system¡¯s intervention was a stroke of fortune. A task had been issued, directing them to this very location. To Starshine, it felt like divine providence.
The battle raging in the distance hadn¡¯t escaped his notice. The intensity of the bombardment illuminated the night sky, casting an ominous glow. He had waited until the chaos subsided, prioritizing caution over boldness. Yet as he surveyed the aftermath¡ªobliterated monsters and smoldering ruins¡ªhe shuddered. Had those creatures targeted him instead, the oue would have been grim.
Hesitation lingered until other yers began to arrive. The presence ofpetitors spurred him into action. If this were anything like a game, there might be rewards for early arrival. A good position, favorable terms¡ªsuch advantages were too enticing to ignore.
The city gates, however, remained shut. As they deliberated their next move, the massive doors groaned open. Tentatively, they stepped inside, only to be met with cold steel¡ªspears pointed directly at their throats.
Encircling them were soldiers, their armor still slick with monster blood. The tension in the air was palpable, their sheer presence intimidating the neers. Not one dared move.
At the forefront stood a woman d in light armor, every inch of her stained with blood. She wielded a ckened axe, its edge glinting with malice. Her piercing gaze swept over them, cold and unyielding, exuding dominance.
¡°Wee, reinforcements from the Third World,¡± she said, her voice unexpectedly soft, betraying no hostility.
The yers froze, utterly bewildered. What manner of monster greeted them with such cordiality?
The yers, desperate for purpose and rity, clung to her words. They believed her to be the pivotal figure in this unfolding mission, and her authority went unquestioned.
Athena smirked inwardly. The details could be adjustedter. For now, the yers were under her control. Should any dare challenge her, she would make them regret their insolence.
But first came the most tedious task: rebuilding.
Chapter 177 | A Warmth In The Cold
Chapter 177 | A Warmth In The Cold
This victory did more than instill a sense of belonging in the people¡ªit filled them with newfound confidence, a belief that they could endure whatever warsy ahead.
With Filio¡¯s assistance, Athena had activated the teleportation array. Though the Imperial City was eager to learn the state of affairs, it would take time for any message to reach them. The array had been deactivated but remained under close surveince.
At the very least, this action had quelled any rash impulses among the popce. Their trust in Athena and herpanions had solidified.
While some chose to flee the growing tension, most stayed. This city, their home, held everything they cherished¡ªfamily, life, and memories. Leaving it behind was no easy decision.
Moreover, there was now hope¡ªhope brought by Athena herself.
Using the authority granted by her position, Athena seeded in convening discussions with the craftsmen and specialists to negotiate the steps ahead.
The first priority: bolstering their firepower systems, followed closely by reconstructing the city walls.
As she studied the battle map, Athena noticed an unusual stillness in the surrounding area. If the system held any reliability, this silence could mean only one thing: an impending attack in three days.
Three days. Such a brief span of time¡ªtoo tight, too narrow. Under normal circumstances,pleting all these tasks within such a timeframe would have been sheer folly.
But these were not normal circumstances. Athena did not expect perfection; even incremental improvements would suffice.
With confidence, the artisans assured her they would work tirelessly to aplish their tasks.
At this point, all she could do was ce her trust in them¡ªalong with the necessary funds, of course.
And so, the rebuilding and reorganization began in earnest. As for the yers who had arrived, Athena did not hesitate to assign those with special skills to the effort, effectively turning them into a pool of freebor.
Over a hundred yers had arrived, scattered in small groups. Each one was, effectively, worth thebor of three ordinary workers¡ªa timely arrival, indeed. Naturally, Athena kept a close eye on them, searching for those with unique abilities.
What troubled her most, however, were not the new recruits but the surviving taxi soldiers¡ªthose who had been gravely wounded. The medical supplies at their disposal were woefully insufficient for the staggering number of injured.
Despite having sent the elderly man to the infirmary for treatment, the urgent need for more medical care remained a pressing concern.
The true horrors of war were not confined to the battlefield buty in its aftermath¡ªin the infirmary. It was there, in that grim ce, that the brutal truth of war became apparent.
The woundedy sprawled on the floor or seated in chairs. Some had lost limbs, others their sight or hearing. Many had been so grievously harmed they seemed unrecognizable.
These soldiers bore terrible injuries, their bodies swathed in bloodstained bandages. The groans of pain were incessant¡ªheartbreaking in their unyielding nature.
Their oncefortable clothing clung to their wounds, as if fused with the very fabric of their flesh. Every attempt to remove it was an agonizing ordeal, a cruel reminder of their suffering.
Yet these soldiers did not falter. They gritted their teeth and endured the endless pain, clinging to the faint hope of recovery and the dream of returning to the fight.
Before entering, Athena had rehearsed countless words she might say. But as soon as she stepped into the room and met the soldiers'' eyes, she found herself at a loss for words.
Some of them forced weak smiles, attempting to greet her with what little strength they had left.
She was not a leader in the traditional sense. Yet, after this battle, these soldiers saw her as one. They had entrusted their lives to her, theirmand, and their trust. They believed she could lead them to happiness, to victory.
Though she knew she had not given a single order that could be deemed wrong, and though the situation could have been far worse, the sight before her moved her.
Athena had witnessed countless deaths, yet in this moment, seeing these wounded men stirred something deep¡ªa flicker of warmth within her cold heart.
She couldn¡¯t help but wonder: if circumstances had been different, if her ns had been just a bit more wless, perhaps fewer of them would lie here, suffering.
Outside, the celebration of victory raged, yet inside, it felt like a hell where death itself passed judgment.
As she looked over the wounded taxi soldiers, Athena knew they were brave, undaunted warriors.
She stepped forward and ced her hand gently on one soldier¡¯s shoulder. ¡°You are all valiant warriors,¡± she said softly. ¡°Do not lose hope. We will do everything we can to help you recover.¡±
¡°We¡¯ve won this battle! And we will win the next one!¡±
Though it was difficult for them to move, they summoned enough strength to respond to her, though none employed any special abilities in doing so.
Athena retreated to a quiet corner to collect her thoughts, only to be interrupted by the unmistakable sound of Paopao barging in, arge chicken leg in hand, looking at her with a confused expression.
¡°Go on, eat. I¡¯ll be here a while longer,¡± she said with a soft smile.
Without a word, Paopao turned and left, his footsteps echoing. Athena noticed two younger ones hesitating to enter behind him. She smiled warmly.
...
[ World Chat Channel ]
051: ¡°Wow, not only did we discover a city state, we entered it and triggered a mission! But honestly, I¡¯m exhausted. All we¡¯ve been doing is moving bricks!¡±
051: ¡°We¡¯ve got the corpse of a giant dragon here! I can¡¯t even imagine¡ I¡¯ve never seen anything like it before!¡±
076: ¡°The city state here seems open to us too.¡±
059: ¡°What the heck? Why isn¡¯t it avable to us?¡±
088: ¡°We¡¯re going to die! Our area¡¯s under attack!¡±
...
A girl in a magic cloak struggled in the swamp, while a boy dressed in a simr cloak frantically tried to pull her out, to no avail.
True Heart couldn¡¯t bear to watch any longer. He pulled out a potion, dropped two drops into the swamp, and finally managed to free her.
¡°Why didn¡¯t you use this earlier? I had to deal with all this myself!¡± Magic King grumbled as he dragged his sister out.
As soon as Witch¡¯s Cloak was removed, she cast a purification spell on herself, feeling a sense of relief. She didn¡¯t stop her brother, but neither did she join in.
Nearby, a person riding a massive ck snake rolled his eyes. ¡°Idiots,¡± he muttered, patting the ck phosphorous snake beneath him and signaling for it to hurry.
True Heart adjusted his sses, his expression tightening. He decided not to engage with the lunatic; he had no time for such nonsense¡ªhe needed to find more yers.
As others fled toward the battle¡¯s edge or the white zone, they found themselves being pushed further into the ck zone, searching for other yers along the way.
No one knew what the system had in store for them.
Chapter 178 | Trust, Attribute Enhancement And Maxed Skills
Chapter 178 | Trust, Attribute Enhancement And Maxed Skills
In the end, Athena attended the victory banquet. As themander of the operation¡ªor "captain," as some referred to her¡ªit was essential for her to be present. Such asions were vital for boosting morale.
The atmosphere was jubnt, a stark contrast to the recent battle they had survived. Revelers drank excessively, their voices resonating withughter and lively conversation. Starshine Five, who hadn¡¯t ceased talking since the event began, was moved to tears by the food. It was so delicious that it evoked memories of meals he hadn¡¯t had in years, the taste of proper sustenance that had long eluded him.
Around him, many participants were visibly exhausted, their energy spent. Yet they too partook in the feast. A few, however, seemed distracted, their thoughts preupied with other matters.
Athena, having been persistently approached with drinks and conversation, quietly withdrew from the banquet halfway through. The mechanical dragon¡¯s carcass, massive and imposing, was far too valuable to be left unattended. With skilled technicians on hand, breaking it down through conventional methods was out of the question; the potential loss of materials was too significant.
Unconsciously, she found herself wandering to the dissection area. There, several burly men were measuring and analyzing the dragon¡¯s remains with tools whose purposes were unclear. As Athena approached, one of the men¡ªa middle-aged individual with a white cloth tied around his head¡ªimmediately strode towards her.
¡°Commander Athena! Hahaha, in all my years, I¡¯ve never had the chance to dissect such a colossal beast. Today, I can truly say I¡¯ve learned something new!¡± he eximed, wiping his hands on his clothing as he drew nearer.
¡°Rest assured, we¡¯ll handle this swiftly. The dragon¡¯s body contains countless precious materials. Once we¡¯re finished, everything of value will be delivered to you,¡± he assured her.
After a brief exchange, during which Athena was updated on the progress, she quietly returned to her quarters, the weight of exhaustion settling over her.
The recent departure of the former leader had left the estate vacant. Athena, having earned universal respect through her aplishments, was encouraged to reside there. She had no objections. The estate was vast, with many rooms to choose from, yet she opted for one of the rarely used guest rooms instead of the master suite. Traces of the former owner¡¯s life lingered faintly, remnants she nned to addresster.
The most excited inhabitants of the estate were Paopao and hispanions. After their ¡°friendly exchanges,¡± they had, under Mikmik¡¯s leadership, imed thergest and most luxurious master bedroom. The three little ones turned the room into chaos, rolling and tumbling within it.
Athena reclined on her bed and opened her system panel. Despite thepletion of several group-oriented tasks, she hadn¡¯t received immediate rewards. However, the missions had yielded valuable results. The monsters she had in, though not entirely by her hand, still contributed to her experience thanks to her allies¡¯ efforts. The recent defeat of the Dark Minion¡¯s clone had also granted her a significant experience boost. Even the weaker monsters added enough experience to make a noticeable difference.
[ Experience: 3453 ]
With each close call and subsequent survival, Athena felt herself growing stronger, her ability to endure improving through every trial. She enhanced her attributes again and focused on upgrading her skills. Just as she prepared to level all her skills to ten, she realized she could only upgrade two.
[ Skill Breakthrough lv10 requires 1000 experience ]
After some consideration, Athena chose two skills:
Attachment and
Hunter.
[ Skill Breakthrough in Progress... Combining yer-rted information... Skill changes sessful! ]
Name: Athena Ravencroft
Experience: 513
Title: Proactive Warrior
Race: Human
Gender: Female
Attributes:
-
Strength: 10 (Up by 2.7)
-
Speed: 10 (Up by 2.7)
-
Agility: 10 (Up by 2.4)
-
Mental Power: 10 (Up by 1.6)
Skills:
-
Attachment lvmax: Attach strength to a weapon, adding 10 points of damage per attribute point. When mental power is infused, merge with the weapon, controlling it freely within a 50-meter radius.
-
Hunter lvmax: Exceptional dynamic vision with advanced tracking and counter-tracking abilities. A natural hunter, instilling fear in prey. Based on a strengthparison, a sessful judgment stuns the enemy for one second.
-
Boneless lv10 (Up by 5): Greatly enhances body flexibility, enablingplex movements and subtle facial bone adjustments.
-
Tranquility lv10 (Up by 5): Instantly calm yourself, resisting mental negative effects inbat, and increasing efficiency by 45% in nonbat periods. Cooldown: 2 hours. Duration: 2 hours.
-
Queen of War: Cannot be upgraded. Grants teammates (exceeding three) +10 mental power and courage. Whenmanding an army of 500+, soldiers gain immunity to 50% of mental attacks, a courage buff, and +1 strength.
[ Attribute points can no longer be increased through experience! ]
...
This was the most significant enhancement Athena had experienced, yet it urred without bacsh. Unlike the usual agonizing transformation of bones or meridian awakening, this process felt almost mundane, leaving her with a warm, pleasant sensation and no difort.
Curious, she picked up a silver cup without using any skills. With a light tap, two small holes appeared in the cup. Her newfound strength was evident, abination of her intensebat experience and the high-quality food she had consumed.
Over 500 experience points remained, yet she found no immediate use for them. ¡°Attributes can no longer be increased through experience¡±¡ªa statement she hadn¡¯t encountered since her attributes reached five points. Could the same limitation apply at ten? The possibility seemed likely. Previously, she had unlocked further progression with the golden card¡¯s challenge. But upon checking, that path was no longer avable.
She had intended to enter a simtion forbat practice to solidify her strength but realized she had only a handful of silver coins remaining, the rest entrusted to Grey as a deposit. Though she had collected many World Stones, only one remained, and she couldn¡¯t afford to waste it.
Athena retrieved the
Heart¡¯s Desire from her bag. The mirror¡¯s surface gleamed brightly, its rity undiminished. Yet as she stared into it, her eyes widened in shock. The reflection staring back was unmistakably hers¡ªbut her hair was now silver.
Chapter 179 | Switching Factions
Chapter 179 | Switching Factions
Athena felt her hand tighten involuntarily around the mirror. She stared at her reflection in disbelief.
In the blink of an eye, the mirror reverted to showing her usual appearance. Yet she knew it wasn¡¯t a trick of the ss. Just moments ago, she had caught a glimpse of a streak of white in her hair.
She had originally taken out the artifact Heart¡¯s Desire to consult it about her ns for improving her attribute points. Instead, it had delivered an earth-shattering revtion.
Her body felt better than ever, with no signs of illness or weakness. But this inexplicable sh of white hair had unsettled her deeply. Whatever questions she had about her attributes could wait until tomorrow; she needed to address this anomaly now.
Unfortunately, the mirror''s inscriptions swirled and shifted chaotically, resolving into nothing but smudged, indecipherable marks. Atst, one faint word emerged:
Good.
Good? What could possibly be good about abruptly turning gray-haired overnight? Though her appearance had returned to normal, the fleeting change left her bewildered. Try as she might, she couldn¡¯t fathom how this was anything to celebrate.
If it isn¡¯t harmful, there¡¯s no point dwelling on it. Athena¡¯s pragmatic side took hold. If worse came to worst, she could live with white hair. Such things didn¡¯t trouble her for long.
She rummaged through her bag and took out a shimmering golden package, thest unopened one she had saved. Outwardlyposed, her hand trembled slightly as she approached it, and her heart raced faster than during any battle she¡¯d fought against monsters.
The golden package opened with deliberate slowness, revealing¡ another box.
This box was unlike any she had seen before, split evenly into stark ck and pristine white, as if embodying two extremes of power. Its surface was adorned with intricate, mysterious carvings, not mere decorations but ancient runes. Further encasing the box were countless fine iron chains, their origin unknown, as if sealing the object within against the world.
The sight exuded an aura of solemn mystery, stirring a powerful curiosity within her to unlock its secrets.
It was uncannily reminiscent of the fabled Pandora¡¯s box.
Just as the thought crossed her mind, she snapped to her senses, quickly tucking the item back into her system¡¯s inventory. Instantly, that peculiarpulsion dissipated.
...
[ Congrattions, you have obtained: Whisper x1 ]
Whisper
- Quality: ???
- Category: ???
- Description: The murmur of the world¡¯s oldest entities. Do not use it unless absolutely certain. Legend has it that merelying into contact with these whispers grants boundless power, immense wealth, supreme authority¡ªor potentially death. You may even be the next Whisperer. Everything depends on your choices and the whims of fate.
...
ck and white¡ Two extremes, ancient and enigmatic. It could be nothing other than the celestial dichotomy unique to this world. Unlike the sun and moon of a normal realm, this world evoked only stark contrasts: day and unyielding darkness.
Regardless of its association, Athena felt confident that this box was no benevolent artifact.
Better to leave it for now.
Even in her system inventory, the box¡¯s chains writhed ceaselessly, though fortunately, it showed no signs of escaping.
Not only did I not get anything useful, I may have just unleashed an ancient-level burden.
Ever since stealing the bald man¡¯s twin hammers, Athena hadn¡¯t considered returning them. To her surprise, the weapons resonated with her ck Abyss Axe, much like the colossal sword she had taken from a defeated skeleton.
It was reminiscent of when her Moonlight Arrow had fused with another bow.
Now, with all three weaponsid on the ground, she cautiously moved them closer to the ck Abyss Axe. Sure enough, the axe¡¯s shaft began to tremble faintly.
...
- Quality: Excellent
- Category: Heavy Weapon
- Durability: 50/50 (Repairable, non-upgradable)
...
[ Earthshatter Twin Hammers ]
- Quality: Excellent
- Category: Heavy Weapon
- Durability: 50/50 (Repairable, non-upgradable)
...
[ Detected: Compatible weapons can merge with ck Abyss Axe. Proceed? ]
"Yes"
Under the system¡¯s influence, the twin hammers and greatsword slowly drifted toward the ck Abyss Axe. Despite their resistance, the weapons¡¯ struggles were futile. Over time, the repulsion between them lessened, and they drew closer until they touched.
Gradually, the three weapons melted into a pool of ck liquid, like molten metal imbued with life. The fluid pulsated, emitting an eerie glow, as if sentient. It flowed steadily into the ck Abyss Axe, fusingpletely.
When the process concluded, the axe erupted with unprecedented brilliance. Its de gleamed with a frigid, razor-sharp light, exuding an aura of intimidation and irresistible dominance.
...
- Quality: Extremely Rare (Unique)
- Category: Growth Weapon
- Durability: 50/50 (Repairable, upgradable)
- Skill: Devour¡ªWounds inflicted by the ck Abyss Axe cannot heal naturally. When injuries ovep excessively, the corrupted wounds spread, causing secondary damage until the enemy is consumed.
...
Within the Guardian Fortress, there was no darkness. But beyond its wallsy endless night.
Big Bear, trembling, nearly let out a cry when she stepped on a withered twig.
The forest had long been overrun by treants of various sizes, but this group stood apart. Jet-ck, their bark bore grotesque faces. Even in stillness, they radiated a chilling menace. Fortunately, they appeared dormant for unknown reason.
The elderly man leading the way shot her a disapproving re before continuing deeper into the forest. asionally, alert monsters nced at them but made no move, sparing Big Bear despite herpanion¡¯s presence.
¡°Are you sure about this, Elder One?¡± she whispered nervously.
[Special Condition Detected. Hidden Trait Unlocked!]
[Change Guardian Faction? Yes/No]
Chapter 180 | The Players
Chapter 180 | The yers
The Goblin Tribe was known as the renegades of darkness, but not all goblins embraced betrayal.
Once, an elder known simply as Gambore had a name, and in his prime, he was the leader of the Goblin Tribe. However, his reign was marred by ack of leadership skills. A single mistake plunged him into irredeemable ruin.
When the Goblin Tribe chose to defect and flee from darkness, Gambore stayed behind. He firmly believed he was in the right.
What others perceived as the endless terror of darkness was, in his eyes, a brilliance far surpassing daylight.
¡°Elder Gambore? Elder Gambore!¡±
A panicked and uneasy female voice snapped him back to reality.
Big Bear could feel the oppressive atmosphere in this ce. Every creature around her was far more powerful than she was, and the barely concealed pressure emanating from them filled her with dread, making her want to turn back.
Her instincts screamed retreat. The shelters in her region had almost all been destroyed. For the first time, her abilities had failed her. That monstrous being, relentless and unstoppable, had targeted her shelter.
Just as she believed all was lost, Gambore had appeared and whisked her away to safety.
The brush with death left Big Bear breathless. No matter how many times she experienced it, the feeling of her life slipping away never became any less terrifying.
To im she was unafraid would be a lie.
At that moment, Gambore asked her, ¡°Do you want to change the way you live?¡±
¡°Do you want to be on the winning side?¡±
Shortly afterward, she received a strange special mission from the system. What was even more bizarre was that ever since epting the mission, no monster had dared to attack her.
Gambore had pressed on relentlessly, leading her to a peculiar ce surrounded by towering ck spires.
The area teemed with all kinds of monsters. Finally, Big Bear realized what felt so off about this ce¡ªit was a mirror image of a human city, but its inhabitants were not human. They were monsters.
As she neared the base of the city walls, a system prompt shed before her eyes:
[Special Condition Detected. Hidden Trait Unlocked!]
[Change Guardian Faction? Yes/No]
Was this the so-called path to victory? If she refused, she would likely meet her end here.
[Yes]
[Warning! Warning!]
[yer Big Bear''s Guardian Faction has been changed! Please note: Your selected Guardian Faction is¡ªDarkness!]
[Guard your faction. Be loyal to your faction. Crush the opposing faction!]
[yer Big Bear¡¯s Guardian Faction can no longer be changed! Your data is being erased¡]
...
"Ah!"
A disheveled woman mmed her head onto her desk, her bloodshot eyes seething with hatred and frustration.
Her desk was cluttered with countless files, documents, and a meticulously arranged schedule of tasks yet to be tackled.
Ultimately, she let out a pained groan of anguish.
Bing a leader was far harder than Athena had ever imagined. And this time, she didn¡¯t even havepetent aides by her side.
The chaos engulfing the city presented countless challenges, far more than she had anticipated.
Repairing the city walls wasn¡¯t merely a matter of stacking stones. These defensive structures required intricate craftsmanship andplex methods to restore.
The three days allotted for the task were woefully insufficient. Despite their best efforts, they had only managed to produce a subpar recement.
She had spent the days inspecting progress in various departments, mediating minor disputes, mourning fallen soldiers, treating the wounded, and finding homes for yers.
Three days. Three relentless, spirit-crushing days. Even amidst this grueling schedule, she still carved out time to craft her explosive spheres.
The city state¡¯s material reserves paled inparison to the resources her loyal giant bees had once scavenged for her in the ck Forest.
Even so, she managed to produce forty-seven explosive spheres. Her improving skills showed in the quality: thirty-one were of standard grade, while sixteen were of superior quality.
With one hand propping up her weary face, she forced herself to rx. Once she felt marginally restored, she began methodically tidying up her appearance.
Her hair, a disheveled mess resembling that of a madwoman, was the first thing she fixed.
Today marked the third day. Tomorrow was the battle.
For three days, she had tirelessly prepared, refining ns and strategies. Now, atst, it was time to test the results of her efforts.
Taking a deep breath, she left her room.
The resources had been replenished, and the troop strength bolstered. While the city walls couldn¡¯tpare to their former glory, they were functional enough to serve their purpose.
Her deployments were in ce. All she could do now was pray that everything went ording to n.
As she approached the camp of wounded soldiers, an old man emerged, walking unsteadily. The intense workload of the past few days had left him on the verge of copse.
No one truly enjoyed work.
Even as he moved, the elderly man pounded his aching back with a gnarled hand.
Though Athena wasn¡¯t particrly close to him or the others, casual conversation with them wasn¡¯t a problem.
His hair was snow-white. Athena had asked for his name several times, but the cunning old man always evaded the question. Since it wasn¡¯t an urgent matter, she hadn¡¯t pressed him further.
¡°Captain Athena,¡± he addressed her.
Although she had been promoted in the city''s hierarchy, the group of prisoners who had followed her here still referred to her as Captain Athena.
¡°Are you really sure we can trust those people?¡±
Though aged, his eyes remained sharp, scrutinizing her with unwavering intensity, as if trying to discern any hesitation.
Athena raised an eyebrow. This was the fourth person to ask her that question in recent days.
From the beginning, it seemed, ordinary residents were indifferent. But those privy to the truth harbored an ingrained distrust, even hatred, for the yers¡ªthose third-world invaders.
Human nature often reacted with fear and unease toward the uncontroble and the unknown. But their aversion to the yers went far beyond that. It was a resentment deeply rooted in something else.
Some of these individuals had never encountered third-world yers, while others had only heard rumors. Yet their reactions were strangely unified.
To them, yers were utterly untrustworthy andpletely unusable.
Athena wasn¡¯t a native of this world, and she couldn¡¯t understand their perspectives. Neither could she afford to speak carelessly.
The mistrust toward yers had been evident in the Sol Kingdom, and it persisted in this new nation.
Even during her journey to the goblinnds, their hostility was apparent. It suggested one chilling possibility: she and her allies were not the first yers to step into this world.
So, where had the original yers gone? Why had the world seemingly erased all traces of their existence?
Just what exactly is the reason why she and others are transported in this world?
Chapter 181 | The Masked Entity
Chapter 181 | The Masked Entity
As Athena''s thoughts deepened, confusion and uncertainty grew like abyrinth unraveling before her.
¡°I understand,¡± Athena replied, her voice unwavering as always. From the very beginning, their stances had diverged.
Was she implying that she understood their untrustworthiness and would remain vignt? Or that she understood his proposition, regardless of its intent? Either interpretation sufficed.
The old man gave her a long, prating look, his brows furrowed deeply like a sagging character. Finally, he shook his head, sighed, and walked away.
Athena was unsurprised by his reaction. It was exactly as expected.
She instinctively opened the battlefield map again, hoping for any new developments. Though she held little hope in her heart, a faint thread of expectation lingered.
Yet, the moment she activated the dynamic map, the disyed scene stunned her.
The map¡ªa kaleidoscope of chaos¡ªshowed an area obscured by darkness where the terrain shifted relentlessly. Hills fractured and split open, giving birth to an unending flood of red dots pouring forth from the abyss below.
The sheer scale dwarfed anything they had faced before. This was no ordinary swarm; it numbered not two thousand but possibly three thousand monsters. The figure was staggering¡ªtriple theirst encounter.
...
[sh of Peaks]
Difficulty Level: ??
Final Phase: sh of Peaks
Mission Reward: All that was lost shall be reimed.
Mission Penalty: None.
Description: Victory cannot be achieved through mere defense and retreat. Defeat your foes and press forward. Take the offensive to turn the tide. Seize the mountain buried in darkness to im victory!
...
Athena stared at her system interface, momentarily speechless.
The system had too much faith in her¡ªa mission with an incalcble difficulty level, dropped squarely in herp. Conquering a mountain entrenched in darkness?
Even with the vast resources currently concentrated within the stronghold, they were uncertain if they could even hold the city against such monstrous numbers. To think of mounting an offensive?
For the yers, venturing into the darkness without specialized tools was tantamount to suicide. Yet, despite the swelling anger coursing through her, Athena swiftly called over a taxi soldier, ordering him to alert all outposts and prepare forbat readiness.
The yers scattered throughout the city shared a collective expression of shock and confusion.
...
[Faction Mission]
Faction: White Grand Empire (Defend the Stronghold)
Mission Rewards: Shelter Upgrade Kit x1, High-Quality Weapon x1, Gold Package x1, Silver Package x10, Silver Coins ??? (based on performance)
Mission Penalty: Death
Description: Do everything in your power to protect your faction. Do not desert your post. Follow orders. You are now soldiers, and soldiers obeymands!
...
"Follow orders?" It meant defending the stronghold together. They weren¡¯t fazed by the penalty of death; after all, if the city fell, their chances of survival were slim anyway.
What baffled them most was the unusually generous mission rewards. The rewards were absurdly enticing.
Athena stood atop the city wall. Behind her, the empire¡¯s banner fluttered proudly in the wind. Soldiers moved with precision, each performing their assigned tasks with practiced efficiency.
Though a faint undercurrent of tension lingered, it wasrgely reced by calm determination.
Turrets swiveled, aligning their barrels toward the distant horizon. The enemy was yet unseen, but the red dots on the map blotted out half the disy.
Beyond the visible 50/50 radius, darkness reigned, imprable and absolute.
Despite her growing familiarity with the stark contrast between this world¡¯s daylight and darkness, the dichotomy still unsettled Athena. Two extremes¡ªlight and dark¡ªperpetually vying for dominance over thend.
The monsters continued to amass but showed no immediate signs of attack. This lull did not ease their vignce; instead, it heightened it.
Three days had passed. Surely, someone had already sent word to the Imperial Capital about their plight. By now, the capital should have received the news. But what would their response be?
Perhaps when the first stronghold was assaulted, someone had already set out as a messenger. Was that courier now racing toward them?
The corpses of in monsters were scavenged for their most valuableponents. Anything else was destroyed¡ªreduced to ashes through the simplest, most brutal methods.
Shards of broken armor and stones left behind were strewn across the outer walls, serving as obstacles to hinder enemy movements. Unfortunately, they still hadn¡¯t discovered a suitable recement for earthworks. Once again, they would have to rely on the turrets¡¯ firepower to erect icy barriers.
Seconds ticked by in an atmosphere so heavy it felt suffocating. Yet outside the walls, everything remained eerily calm, mirroring the previous two days. No new movements appeared on the map.
Despite the system¡¯s issued orders, was it possible these monsters wouldn¡¯t act until the following day?
Just as Athena pondered, her gaze fell upon a small shadow.
It wasn¡¯t a shadow creeping out of the darkness; it had simply appeared. There was no warning, no prelude. It emerged abruptly at the boundary between light and dark.
The area was imperceptible to ordinary eyes. But for Athena, equipped with dark-vision, it stood out starkly.
The map revealed nothing of its presence. The system gave no alerts.
Yet, the moment it appeared, Athena¡¯s instincts screamed!!!
The figure bore a humanoid shape but exuded none of the traits of humanity.
Layers of ragged, ill-fitting clothes covered its body, stained with dark splotches of blood¡ªa patchwork of scavenged remains from countless victims. ck gloves concealed its hands, and its face was hidden behind a grotesque wooden mask.
The mask¡¯s craftsmanship was crude, its features twisted into an unrecognizable caricature. The narrow slits for eyes formed an eerie, perpetual smile, sending shivers down her spine!
The figure took a single step forward, its foot crushing the shards of stone beneath it into dust.
From the moment she saw it, Athena¡¯s sense of unease heightened. This creature wasn¡¯t ordinary. It seemed to be surveying the stronghold¡ªa puppeteer controlling the chaos from behind the scenes.
Though the distance wasn¡¯t far, it wasn¡¯t close either. Yet Athena¡¯s instincts red with rm.
Without hesitation, she raised her Moonlight Bow and loosed an arrow straight toward the humanoid figure.
Simultaneously, artillery fire zeroed in on its position. But as soon as the barrage struck, the figure vanished without a trace, as though it had never been there at all.
Chapter 182 | Tower Defense Game! City Defense Against 3000 Monsters!
Chapter 182 | Tower Defense Game! City Defense Against 3000 Monsters!
As the fleeting figure vanished into the shadows, Athena felt her heart tighten.
That brazen intruder¡ªso unreservedly exposing themselves here¡ªseemed utterly devoid of fear. Amid the high-strung atmosphere, the battlefield map in Athena¡¯s hand showed the ominous red tide advancing like waves, surging steadily in their direction.
Noxus still gripped Athena¡¯s
ck Friday, a weapon that had proven to be a devastating asset. In his hands, its full potential could be unleashed.
¡°They¡¯reing,¡± Athena¡¯s voice was low and resolute, yet her eyes betrayed a weight she could not conceal.
The soldiers at her side hung on her every movement. A taxi soldier nearby turned immediately, rying the message to the others, his face etched with worry and unease.
Athena¡¯s gaze pierced the darkness, locked on the encroaching threat. Taking a deep breath, she turned to the assembled troops.
Over 3,000 monsters were bearing down on them¡ªa crushing pressure for anyone. Just three days ago, they had endured an unprecedented battle, yet here they stood again.
Orders were issued, and the soldiers moved swiftly, snapping into battle-ready positions. Each soldier clutched their weapons tightly, their faces marked with determination and courage.
Standing behind the gunners, Athena exuded a presence that brought a measure of reassurance to her troops. It wasn¡¯t merely hermands or her formidable War Queen skill but her very charisma that inspired them.
As time dragged on, the tension grew palpable. Only Athena¡¯s battlefield map revealed the advancing horde, leaving the others to wait anxiously in uneasy silence.
Atst, a faint sound stirred in the distance. Something was approaching. The yers gripped their weapons, silent prayers echoing in their hearts.
Compared to regr taxi soldiers, every yer was an elite. Not because of superior training or remarkable skills, but due to their peculiar abilities and the myriad unique items they carried. If a vanguard was needed, yers were always the first choice. Athena had made no exception.
Among the yers, a few couldn¡¯t hold their tongues after a few drinks, spilling their tasks with unabashed honesty. Despite the difficulty of her own mission, Athena knew the yers¡¯ lot was no less harsh.
Pushing their limits to defend the city, the yers were essential to her strategy. Athena meticulously prepared vtile Fireburst Orbs,pressing them to their limits for maximum destructiveness¡ªa perilous 150% of their normal power.
These orbs, buried strategically outside the city, were coupled with barrels of gunpowder and incendiary agents beneath the earth, forming a deadlywork in the darkness. Dozens of yers with stealth and survival skills were stationed nearby to operate in the shadowy terrain.
With a visibility range of only 50 meters, detonating such explosives carried risks. The walls they had painstakingly repaired could be caught in the sts. Thus, the task fell to the yers.
Suddenly, a shadow darted through the gloom, followed by more, emerging like phantoms. They charged toward Athena¡¯s forces with terrifying speed.
Starshine Five¡¯s eyes widened, a fierce resolve surging within him. He raised his weapon high, roaring, ¡°For victory! Charge!¡±
Before anyone could echo his rallying cry, several yers mounted their steeds and dashed off, dividing into three teams and heading in different directions.
Athena observed their movements closely. The horde, once fixated on her forces, splintered as the teams drew them away, lured into pursuit by these brave provocateurs.
Adrenaline surged through Starshine Five as he sprinted, his body burning with heat. Each yer carried city-provided protective mechanisms, but they all knew their survival hinged on running as far as possible.
Reaching a safe distance, Starshine Five turned, pulling an object from his pouch and hurling it backward with all his might. Simultaneously, simr actions yed out across the three teams. Almost as if choreographed, the explosives were triggered in unison.
The resulting explosions were cataclysmic. The earth quaked as if the apocalypse had arrived. Fire erupted into the sky, illuminating the heavens in crimson and orange. Towering columns of smoke billowed upwards, forming massive ck mushroom clouds that consumed the horizon. The air grew searing, suffocatingly hot.
Within the st radius, the monsters were obliterated, their bodies reduced to fragments. Flesh and blood rained down, apanied by the nauseating stench of charred remains. Creatures once terrifying in their might were annihted by the raw, unfathomable power.
In the aftermath, silence reigned. The battlefieldy in eerie stillness, as if life itself had been erased. Yet, the next wave of monsters was already advancing, unrelenting. The scarrednd bore three colossal craters, a grim testament to the devastation.
Though the yers had underestimated the magnitude of the sts, they managed to escape unscathed. Athena, ensuring their survival, had equipped them with the best tools avable.
Back in the city, the yers returned safely, shaken but alive. The craters, now gaping barriers, trapped and severed the advancing horde, forcing them to funnel into narrower pathways.
The explosions had achieved their purpose. The monsters¡¯ forces were fragmented, their advance slowed. Even from afar, Athena and her troops felt the tremors and heat. The first phase of the battle n had seeded brilliantly.
The lead wave of monsters, those who had trailed the fleeing yers, now emerged into sight.
¡°Fire!¡± Athenamanded.
The response was immediate. Taxi soldiers unleashed a relentless barrage of cannonfire.
Chapter 183 | Unfair Strategies
Chapter 183 | Unfair Strategies
The sky zed crimson under the unrelenting bombardment, as countless shells descended with overwhelming force. Beneath this fiery onught stood the focus of today¡¯s battle¡ªthe Dark Elves.
To those who had encountered them, the Dark Elves were grotesque beings cloaked in darkness. Their charcoal-ck skin was cracked and arid, resembling scorched earth. Slender, wiry limbs supported their diminutive frames. Their facescked refinement, featuring downward-nted eyes and gaping mouths that oozed a sickly green saliva. Each held a crude wooden staff, exuding an aura of repulsion.
The sight of them was enough to evoke instinctive disgust.
But something felt off. Noticing this, Athena, themanding officer, ced a firm hand on the shoulder of a nearby soldier.
¡°What are you seeing?¡± she asked, her toneced with authority.
The soldier, jolted back to awareness by her touch, shook his head vigorously before describing what he¡¯d witnessed.
¡°She¡ she was exquisite,¡± he stammered, his eyes zed as if caught in a lingering trance.
The soldier¡¯s voice trembled as he painted an enchanting picture: skin of deep amethyst, hair cascading like a luminous waterfall down her back, glimmering with a subtle violet sheen. Her eyes, enigmatic and fathomless, seemed to hold the cosmos. d in an elegant ck robe that billowed like butterfly wings in the wind, she wielded a slender wand adorned with a radiant gemstone, pulsating with potent magical energy. Her presence was maic,manding attention and reverence.
Yet the image was a lie.
The Dark Elvescked the elegance and allure of true elves. What they possessed was an illusionary ability to project such beauty. Their real strengthy not in formidable defense like the metallic monstrosities from the previous assault but in their agility and speed, coupled with a mastery of minor spells and potent illusions.
Below the city walls, an ethereal figure appeared¡ªa vision of unparalleled beauty, tears streaming delicately down her face as she pleaded, her sorrow palpable.
Under the continuous barrage of cannon fire, she crumbled, shattering like a fragile jade figurine. Yet, even as her figure fell, another arose in her ce. The visage was identical, a hauntingly beautiful apparition beseeching mercy under divine radiance.
Some soldiers faltered, trapped in the illusions. Guilt seeped into their hearts, gnawing at their resolve.
¡°Why are we doing this?¡± whispered one. ¡°Why must we kill them? Are we truly justified?¡±
Their determination wavered. Thoughts spiraled, questioning why they deserved to live while these exquisite beings perished. The darkness in their hearts festered, urging them to lower their weapons and shut down the artillery.
Only the yers remained immune, a grimace of revulsion on their faces.
¡°The prettier the illusion, the uglier the truth,¡± muttered one.
¡°Don¡¯t look!¡± Athena¡¯s voice boomed, augmented by a skill that made it irresistiblymanding.
Her words sliced through the illusion¡¯s fog. Even those captivated found themselves instinctively obeying, mping their eyes shut despite their lingering reluctance.
With their eyes closed, the soldiers continued firing. The Dark Elves were too numerous to miss. Yet, even as the illusions dissolved, cold sweat beaded on their foreheads. The temporary reprieve brought rity, but the root problem persisted.
The illusion would seize them again the moment their eyes reopened.
¡°The only solution is to kill them,¡± Athena muttered grimly.
This ability was insidious. No matter how steely one¡¯s will or robust one¡¯s mental fortitude, the illusion targeted the core of human emotions. It didn¡¯t simply seduce; it presented an irresistible reality, leaving the rest to human weakness.
The situation was dire. Athena devised a desperate strategy: soldiers would open their eyes for only three seconds to aim and fire before cycling to the next group. Any soldier ensnared by the illusion would be shaken awake by the yers.
As the artillery barrage continued, Athena observed the battlefield. Though the Dark Elves¡¯ physical frailty made them vulnerable to explosions, theypensated with their relentless numbers. Each shell imed dozens, but more emerged, spilling forth like a tide. Their hypnotic illusions remained a thorn in her side, but the army was managing¡ªfor now.
After nearly an hour ofbat, Athena began to feel a glimmer of hope. The defense was holding better than expected. She reasoned this wave might be deliberately weaker, preparing them for an even greater challenge ahead.
Then, the ground shifted. Her optimism shattered as she noticed something rming.
The number of Dark Elves was increasing.
¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± she muttered, quickly activating the tactical map. The previously obstructed pathways hadn¡¯t been cleared. Instead, the creatures had begun to fill the trenches with the bodies of their fallenrades, creating makeshift bridges of flesh and bone.
¡°They¡ they¡¯re using their own dead?¡± she eximed, a chill running down her spine.
Indeed, this wasn''t tower defense game anymore but one without rules, and nastiest strategies reigns supreme!
As the pathways filled, the trickle of enemies grew into a deluge. The Dark Elves¡¯ numbers surged, doubling the pressure on the defenders. Meanwhile, their illusions continued to hinder the soldiers, and the scales of battle tipped precariously.
To worsen matters, the Dark Elves began to wield their staves in earnest. What had seemed like decorative props now unleashed devastating power. They moved in unison, their motions weaving intricate patterns as they channeled energy. Small, pitch-ck fireballs erupted from their staves, striking the ground with explosive force. Though diminutive in size, these projectiles left charred craters where theynded.
One, then two, and soon an unrelenting hail of fireballs bombarded the walls. The air grew thick with acrid smoke, and the earth beneath the defenders turned to scorched wastnd.
Chapter 184 | The Scales of War!
Chapter 184 | The Scales of War!
The dark elvescked the climbing prowess and immense strength of the metallic monsters. Scaling the walls was beyond their capability. Their most viable strategy was to breach the walls or force the gates open. If their relentless bombardment with those sinister ck spheres continued, it was only a matter of time before they pinpointed the wall¡¯s weakest spot¡ªthe hastily repaired section from thest battle.
The sheer number of monsters surging forward seemed endless. Athena knew the walls must not be breached at any cost. Should they close the distance, disaster would be inevitable.
Behind the monstrous horde, the dark elves advanced in a dense, unbroken wave. Though theycked the overwhelming menace of the monsters, their endless numbers invoked a bone-deep dread¡ªa grim reminder of hopelessness, stretching as far as the eye could see.
Their magical ck spheres corroded whatever they touched. The walls ckened instantly upon impact, the surface scorched and pockmarked. If not for the wall¡¯s uniqueposition, it might have already crumbled under the relentless assault.
Despite fierce artillery fire from Athena¡¯s forces, the advancing monsters¡¯ proximity rendered cannons less effective. Arrows and boulders became the primary weapons, but obstructed sightlines hindered precision, slowing the kill rate. The defenders couldn¡¯t keep up with the monsters¡¯ relentless advance.
Moreover, the umtion of firepower heightened the fire element¡¯s activity, strengthening the magical attacks of the dark elves. The scales of battle were tipping.
Suddenly, amidst the chaotic barrage, the battlefield fell silent. Cannon fire ceased, and an eerie stillness enveloped the scene.
The monsters, still charging under heavy artillery moments earlier, hesitated. Confusion flickered across their grotesque faces. The abrupt cessation of cannon fire was unsettling. Yet the pause fueled a dangerous assumption: the humans had exhausted their munitions. Greedy and malicious glints ignited in the monsters¡¯ eyes. Their assault grew frenzied, driven by the tantalizing prospect of victory. They surged forward, convinced the walls would soon fall.
In their excitement, the illusions cast by the dark elves faltered. For a fleeting moment, the enchanting beauty masking their true forms dissipated, revealing grotesque visages. This brief glimpse of hideousness nted seeds of doubt in the hearts of the bespelled soldiers. The once-entranced defenders now regarded the dark elves with suspicion and unease.
Amid the monsters¡¯ intensified assault, the defenders¡¯ cannons began to turn, their movements deliberate and measured. The pause had not signaled ack of ammunition; on the contrary, it heralded the debut of a devastating new weapon.
Soldiers opened a pristine crate and carefully loaded a shell into the cannon. The projectile hummed ominously as it slid into ce. For a tense moment, it seemed as though the cannon might burst from the sheer energy coursing through it. Then, with a thunderous roar, it fired.
The shell detonated amidst the monsters, unleashing a series of explosions. Sharp iron fragments, forged from the remains of defeated iron golems, shredded through the enemy ranks with the force of bullets. Even those lurking at the wall¡¯s base, previously safe from cannon fire, fell victim to the deadly shrapnel.
Shells were loaded and fired in rapid session. The defenders spared no effort, their relentless assault thinning the enemy ranks. For a fleeting moment, Athena entertained a wry thought: the ammunition division deserved a feast for their sleepless dedication. She quickly refocused, steeling her mind for the battle.
Although the citycked traditional mages, Athena had conscripted any yer with even a trace of magical affinity. The pause in artillery fire had allowed the monsters to regroup, but the defenders¡¯ initial barrage had bought precious time, reducing the enemy¡¯s numbers and easing the pressure for the next phase.
Athena knew the repaired barriers wouldn¡¯t hold indefinitely. The second wave of the monsters¡¯ assault would be even more ferocious. But she was ready to unleash her trump card¡ªa newly developed explosive weapon.
¡°Mage squad, prepare your spells!¡± shemanded.
The mages responded in unison, chanting incantations that filled the air with vibrant, crackling energy. mes, frost, and lightning surged forth, devastating the enemy lines. Ice walls rose to create abyrinthine prison, funneling the monsters toward a single vulnerable point. However, the effort strained the mages, many of whom struggled to maintain the spells¡¯ potency.
Some spells faltered, transforming into weak, watery orbs that barely hindered the enemy. Yet even imperfect spells had their uses. Drawing upon the city¡¯s wells and underground reservoirs, the mages redirected vast amounts of water, merging their magic to form a colossal tidal wave.
¡°Focus the water flow!¡± Athena ordered. The magesbined their efforts, summoning a torrent that surged forward like a mighty dragon. The wave crashed into the monsters, drowning many and scattering the rest. The defenders seized the opportunity.
¡°Attack!¡± Athena shouted.
With renewed vigor, the soldiersunched their counteroffensive. Cannon fire resumed, magical spells illuminated the battlefield, and arrows rained down like deadly hail. The battlefield¡¯s tide began to shift, and the scales of war, once heavily weighted against them, now hung in tenuous bnce.
Chapter 185 | A City of Monster Nests
Chapter 185 | A City of Monster Nests
A colossal deluge surged forward from the horizon, akin to a tsunami in its scale and ferocity. The torrent, carrying an aura of unstoppable destruction, seemed intent on consuming everything in its path.
This overwhelming scene resembled a legendary flood, a catastrophe of mythic proportions. But amidst the roaring waters churned countless monstrous forms, grotesque and nightmarish.
These creatures were a patchwork of horror: some had limbs twisted into unnatural shapes, while others bore deep gashes from des. They tumbled and iled in the waters, struggling against the torrent''s force, but escape was futile. Their anguished screams mingled with the thunderous roar of the flood, creating a cacophony of despair. The illusions they once projected had shattered, revealing their true, hideous selves to all.
Chaos reigned. Even the most seasoned mercenary troops, hardened by countless battles, wore grim expressions as they faced this surreal spectacle. The hideousness of the creatures defied description¡ªan ugliness so profound that it made one wish to look away, not out of fear but revulsion.
Yet, at themand of Athena, the soldiers'' resolve did not falter. Their steel-eyed determination cut through the repulsion.
The metallic missiles previously loaded into their turrets were swiftly swapped for ice-infused ammunition. With precision, the frostden shells erupted in a volley, each projectile streaking through the air like bolts of wrath. They raced toward the encroaching waters, striking with unerring uracy.
Upon contact, the furious floodwaters froze solid in an instant. The rolling waves transformed into glistening sheets of ice, halting their advance entirely. Struggling monsters within the waters were caught mid-motion, their writhing forms rendered immobile, encased in ice as if petrified in time.
The ice spread relentlessly, creeping outward with an insatiable hunger. It devoured every drop of water it touched, crackling and snapping as it grew. The frozen tide fused with the surrounding icebergs, forging a seamless cial expanse. What had been a maelstrom of chaos nowy silent, a frigid wastnd.
The icy in sparkled like a massive mirror, reflecting a blinding brilliance under the sun. Beneath this cial veneery the grotesque forms of countless monsters, their bodies frozen in their most pitiful states.
From high above, Athena and her troops looked down, stunned by the sheer magnitude of what they had achieved. It was an unprecedented feat, the kind of phenomenon that could only ur in this extraordinary world.
The dark elves, stripped of their illusions and numerical superiority, now posed no significant threat. Without waiting for further orders, the artillery crews reloaded their weapons, their efficiency honed by the urgency of war.
The battle was no longer an act of survival but one of inevitability. Time alone would finish what they had started.
As the artillery fire once again lit up the skies, the scene took on an almost surreal beauty. The vibrant explosions painted the heavens in fiery hues, evoking the image of a celebratory fireworks disy rather than a desperate struggle.
The battlefieldcked the presence of a boss-level entity; the only anomaly had been the masked creature glimpsed at the beginning. Yet, that enigmatic figure had vanished without a trace, leaving behind a foreboding sense of unfinished business. This battle was not the climax but merely the prelude to a far greater conflict.
When the fighting finally subsided, silence descended like a shroud over the field. The only evidence of the ferocious struggley in the battered city walls, riddled with bullet holes and stained with blood, and the scorched earth outside the gates, left ravaged by relentless bombardment.
The air was thick with the acrid stench of gunpowder, a suffocating reminder of the carnage that had unfolded. Victory, though achieved, felt heavy. The jubnce of triumph was tempered by an undercurrent of unease.
The city, once a secondary outpost, had now be the nation''s first line of defense. This newfound responsibility meant that battles like this one would only grow in frequency and intensity. The monsters woulde in greater numbers, with higher ranks, and with new, unpredictable dangers.
For the soldiers, this victorycked the exuberant joy of their first triumph. Instead, it carried the weight of grim determination. They had seeded today, but the war was far from over.
Athena silently tallied the gains. If she survived the final stages of her current mission, the shelter''s upgrade to Tier 5 would no longer be a dream. The corpses of high-level monsters collected during thest round of fighting had already exceeded the required quota. Adding today¡¯s harvest, the total would be astronomical.
But the limited capacity of her inventory forced her to make tough decisions. Some lower-grade items would have to be discarded to make room.
When her shelter was rebuilt, it would stand as a monument to unparalleled achievement. Yet, a pang of regret gnawed at her. If she had managed to secure the dark servant sigil during her earlier encounter, her gains would have been even more staggering. But survival had been her priority then, and preserving her life had been victory enough.
The uing repairs to the city would require a massive effort. The one small constion was that their next battlefieldy beyond these beleaguered walls. At least the already crumbling defenses would be spared further devastation.
Yet, the task ahead was daunting. They would have to assault the monsters¡¯ stronghold directly.
[sh of Peaks]
Difficulty Level: ??
Final Phase: sh of Peaks
Mission Reward: All that was lost shall be reimed.
Mission Penalty: None.
Description:
Seize the mountain buried in darkness. Capture it, and victory shall be yours! What lies beneath the peak that has summoned such hordes of monsters? im it, and all shall be revealed. The darkness will once again yield to the light.
[ Prepare well. The mission willmence in three days! ]
...
As Athena retreated from the battlefield, the system¡¯s quest panel updated. The map revealed the towering mountain that had birthed countless dark elves. Remarkably, the peak now appeared unscathed, as if its earlier fractures had never existed.
But beneath the mountain loomed an unsettling revtion: a city, once vibrant with monstrous activity, now eerily deste. Its emptiness exuded a quiet dread.
The city was not filled with traditional buildings but sprawling nests. Thergest, carved from wood, stood at its center, serving as a base.
As the masked creature entered, a shadowy figure emerged beside it. A single tentacle, twisted and imbued with malevolent intent, coalesced into a humanoid form amidst a swirl of ck smoke.
"Ah, our defeated stray returns. Ross, your subordinates have all been annihted, haven¡¯t they?" The figure¡¯s voice dripped with derision, its words a dagger of mockery.
The masked creature, Ross, turned sharply. With a swift motion, he grasped the tentacle and crushed it, erasing its existence in an instant.
Yet, as the tentacle dissipated, its master¡¯s voice lingered, taunting. "Don¡¯t forget the main event. Plenty of new recruits have joinedtely. Who knows? You might be reced."
Chapter 186 | The Puppet
Chapter 186 | The Puppet
The tendril grasped in his hand disintegrated, dissolving into wisps of ck smoke that seeped through his clenched fist. The masked figure''s grip did not waver. Instead, it tightened further, knuckles whitening under the strain before he mmed his fist violently against the wall beside him.
"Those despicable leeches! How dare they think they can rece me!" he snarled, his voice a guttural rasp, dark and oppressive.
This muttered deration seemed to rekindle his resolve. After all, they were merely subordinates. Receable. Expendable. One batch gone meant another could be summoned¡ªonly a matter of time. It was nothing worth fretting over.
He moved cautiously to a wooden table nearby and picked up a small carving knife. The mask concealed any expression, but his eyes gleamed with an unusual intensity. Lowering his head, he fixed his gaze on a half-finished wooden puppet lying on the table, devoting his full attention to the work.
With precision, he gripped the knife tightly and let its sharp tip skim the puppet¡¯s surface. Each stroke reshaped the wood, refining its contours and intricate details. Gradually, the puppet took form under his skilled hands, its lifelike appearance emerging as time wore on.
His movements became more fluid, a rhythmic dance between de and wood. The fervor in his eyes hinted at obsession, an all-consuming passion as though he were creating a new version of himself.
After painstakingbor, the puppet¡¯s form became unmistakable. Its features were sharp and humanlike, its silhouetteplete. The final step awaited: carving a mask identical to his own. This would be the most critical and defining touch.
When the mask was finished, the puppet¡¯s eyes suddenly snapped open. It stirred, lifelike yet lifeless, its gaze empty. Despite its animated appearance, there was nothing behind those eyes¡ªno soul, no will.
The masked figure regarded his creation with a blend of rapture and mania. Slowly, he removed his own mask, revealing a swirling void where his face should have been. Reaching up with deliberate movements, he inserted his hand into his eye socket. His fingers found a soft, yielding orb, which he gripped firmly and pulled free. The eye detached with a soft "pop," apanied by a faint squelch and the sound of fluid trickling.
There was no pain in his expressionless visage, as though this act of self-muttion were trivial. Blood streamed down his face, painting his maskless countenance crimson, but he remained unmoved, indifferent to the gruesome scene.
Holding the still-warm eye, he ced it before the puppet. Miraculously, the eye shrank and melded into one of the puppet¡¯s sockets, fusing seamlessly. The puppet now possessed two eyes: one authentic, the other artificial. Yet, there was no discernible difference between the two.
For the first time, the puppet came alive.
Its form began to expand, its body reshaping to mirror the masked man¡¯s stature. It parted its lips and, after testing several sybles, uttered its first words:
"M-Master, what are your orders?"
The masked man¡¯s manic fervor cooled slightly. A half-finished product, he thought. The puppetcked autonomy, incapable of independent thought. Still, it would serve its purpose.
"Guard this ce," he ordered.
Themand, though simple, was treated by the puppet as sacred. It stood rigid, awaiting further directives. The masked man paid it no additional heed. Among the remnants of the dissipated tendril, a ringy on the ground. He retrieved it, slipping it onto his finger. With three taps on the ring¡¯s diamond, a portal materialized before him. Without hesitation, he stepped through.
The puppet possessed only a third of the masked man¡¯s power, but it would suffice as a temporary guardian. If the masked man faced any misfortune, he could still return through the puppet.
...
Hope Medallion
Category: Medallion
Attributes: Guardian, Daylight
Quality: ???
Description: A relic of a lost kingdom, still remembered by those who refuse to forget. Hailing from the Kingdom of Sol, the final guardian¡ªunbowed by darkness. In times of shadow, it shields against encroaching darkness.
...
This ornate medallion, while beautiful, was once little more than a sentimental tokenmemorating the departed. When Athena received it from Alfred, it triggered no system prompt, nor did it disy any significant properties. She assumed it was an ordinary keepsake.
Until today.
As her mission unfolded, the medallion stored in her system backpack began to change. It emitted a faint glow, akin to fireflies.
Athena held the medallion in her palm, her fingers brushing over its surface repeatedly. Even without its transformation, she would have found another way to venture into the darkness, but its newfound properties solved one problem while presenting others.
The first challengey with the mountain central to her mission. Other than it being the origin of the monsters, little was known about it. Its ability to divide and house creatures marked it as both extraordinary and dangerous.
Her exploration team would likely face significant reductions. For the locals, entering the darkness was unthinkable, ingrained in them since childhood. Theycked the means and power to survive it.
Among the yers, a few could temporarily venture into the darkness, but most were ill-suited for prolonged operations. With three days remaining before the mandatory mission activation, these preparatory days were crucial.
Scouting could begin early, possibly even triggering the mission ahead of schedule if conditions allowed. Vit might be suitable for recon, but unexpected events could ur. The subsequent assault, however, remained the focal point.
As she weighed her options, Athena realized the optimal solution was her going alone.
Among those capable of entering the darkness, her strength far surpassed the rest, making her the most likely to survive and escape danger. Yet her unique identityplicated matters. The yers were fickle. The prisoners she brought were equally unreliable. As for the soldiers¡
Their loyalty remained uncertain.
If Athena chose to leave the city to investigate, she would need to prepare for every contingency.
Announcement At The End of Volume 3
Announcement At The End of Volume 3
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