When the Azure Horizon Expedition opened their eyes, they were in the middle of a clearing, surrounded by an extremely dense forest. The trees that reached over 100 meters tall easily had purplish trunks, their leaves a strangely translucent red color.
The grass under their feet was not short, reaching over the knees for an average human. This grass was, in turn, blue-colored, nothing like the leaves of the trees. This made it quite easy to spot the fallen leaves settled in between the flora.
Kaelen looked around and behind them, and when he did so, he was startled. In the middle of the clearing, a few kilometers from them, they could see a rather modest city, at least in comparison with the current Golden Sap City.
Still, this city had 30-meter-tall walls, with powerful-looking guardian trees around them. There were buildings that poked out of the already soaring walls, and one being who caught everyone's attention.
Ashylle's black wings flapped in surprise. "Is that… Lady Heavenly Willow?"
In the middle of the small city, a towering World Tree with an almost 500-meter height stood proudly. Her feminine body, drooping branches, and blue-pulsing energy veins gave enough hints to show that she was a smaller version of the Heavenly Willow.
"Lady Heavenly Willow!" Ashylle, somewhat excited, shouted, earning a scowl from some of her team members. After all, they didn't know if this smaller Liu Shu was an ally.
"Hm…?" A gentle and slightly youthful voice reached them. It was similar to the one they knew, but with a youthful touch. "How did you appear in my domain?"
Kaelen grabbed Ashylle's hands, his tone deep. "Love, stop. Let me take the lead. Remember where we are."
It was not good to voice that they were inside a
The best way to conquer a Dungeon was to listen to it and follow its script. Otherwise, unexpected variables could tear everything down and wipe out entire groups.
Ashylle opened her mouth, but she eventually nodded. Even if she wanted nothing more than to fly over and check on Liu Shu's well-being, she held back.
Kaelen glanced at the World Tree in the distance and spoke softly. "Excuse us, Lady World Tree, we are Explorers who have encountered this city while traversing the forest. If it is not too much of a problem, we would like to have some shelter."
The World Tree spoke with some admiration. "You were able to survive in the
Kaelen pushed, his eyes solemn. "Please, state your terms, Lady World Tree. We do not intend any harm."
The World Tree turned to look at them, and they saw her ponder for a bit. Then, she sighed. "Alright, I'll try trusting you. Either way, we need more fighters or we will collapse soon. My condition is the following: You can stay in my Veilroot City, but you must protect it with us."
When they heard that, they received a system pop-up.
[You received
[Description: The world around Veilroot City is crumbling down, and the Veilroot beast clan has managed to find this concealed paradise. The scent of a World Tree is extremely tempting for their leader, the
[Objective: Protect the World Tree.]
[Failure Condition 1: Collapse of the
[Failure Condition 2: Death of the World Tree.]
Kaelen quickly skimmed through the quest details and nodded to the World Tree. "I understand, Lady World Tree. Our team will be delighted to help you defend until we are required to leave."
The World Tree spoke to them with a delighted tone. "Really? Thank you, Explorers. You come to aid us in great dire times, and for that, I am eternally grateful. Please, this way."
The group saw a root appear from the grass, creating a path toward the city. Kaelen and the others nodded and followed it, entering the city.
Once they crossed the city, they had expected a city similar to Golden Sap City, but it was quite different. The only tree structures were the Living Wall around them and the Guardian Trees on them. The rest was crafted like a normal human city, using non-living structures.
A simple look at the inhabitants showed that no one was above Level 90, making it quite clear that they couldn't rely much on the people of the city.
Glasira, an envoy that resembled an elemental spirit, spoke in an ethereal tone. "Leader, I do agree that the inhabitants are not that strong. However, there must be something else. This city, while small compared to our… home city, is quite vast. It's probably about 2 kilometers across, and the population is about 100,000."
Kaelen nodded. "We don't know when the attacks start, so be attentive. With our speed, we should be able to gather once anything wants to attack. For now, spread out in groups of five and explore the city. We might find
Everyone separated and went to search for information.
Ashylle spoke to Kaelen with a sigh. "Sorry, Dear. I've gotten too agitated since I entered this place. I just can't help but feel anxious."
Kaelen grabbed her hand reassuringly. "I know. You adore Lady Heavenly Willow, as she was able to help your parents greatly with her auras and buffs. Still, we must be sharp. This place is insidious. First thing we must try to understand is what this
Everyone nodded and searched for official buildings, entering them to ask for information.
After 3 hours, they gathered in an inn and began sharing information.
Kaelen spoke with a solemn tone. "We found out what the
Ashylle nodded. "We have guessed that this place is a wave-style defense quest. We will need to defeat increasingly difficult waves of enemies until we eventually face and defeat the
Glasira nodded. "We gathered different information. There is a barracks in this city. However, most of the soldiers are either injured or crippled one way or another. Clearly, we have arrived when the city is in its twilight moments. Still, if we can heal them, we might be able to add to the defense of the city."
Once she voiced her words, the system popped up again.
[Congratulations! You've discovered
[Description: After years of gruesome fighting, over 90% of veteran soldiers with decent strength have been crippled while protecting their World Tree.]
[Objective: Heal 0/100 veterans.]
[Reward: Healed soldiers will join the defense of the World Tree.]
[Special: Repeatable.]
Everyone smiled.
"Great job, Glasira. You triggered the quest!"
"This will certainly lessen our pressure."
While they were speaking, the World Tree's voice boomed out. "We are under attack. All combatants, defend our city!"
The group expected chaos to bloom in the city. However, they saw the opposite. Everyone moved swiftly, non-combatants entering their shelters while the rest rushed at their fastest speed toward the walls.
Kaelen nodded. "Let's go. We'll explore if there is more time later."
The group of 30 moved quickly, and Kaelen asked aloud. "Lady World Tree, directions!"
"East gate." The World Tree answered curtly and swiftly. Clearly, she was too occupied to answer any other way.
Kaelen's group rushed toward the East gate, arriving around a minute later. They jumped up, standing on the walls, and quickly looked at the people who would fight with them.
The numbers were around 300. 280 of them were between Levels 90 and 99, while the last 20 people were Level 100 on the dot. The Guardian trees, numbered 4 per gate, were Level 110, and the living wall was Level 120.
While they analyzed the allied troops, they were also paying attention to the enemies.
In the distance, near the edge of the clearing and right at the beginning of the purple-red forest, spatial rifts manifested one after another. The way the spatial rift opened was a sight to behold.
A giant claw pierced through space itself, moving down as if it were gutting reality. Behind the rift, they could see a terrifying purple feline eye. The size of the creature made the group of 30 feel palpitations.
[Level 120 Eternal Veilroot Panther (Boss Monster)]
Even when the panther's level was not very high, the pressure it radiated was terrifying. After the panther opened four portals, one for each of its claws, it stepped back, leaving them open.
Ashylle and the others were confused for a second, only to then see the tears show something that made their hearts palpitate. Ashylle looked at one of the tears and saw her own house behind it. The house was surrounded by almost 100 creatures, each of them Level 100.
"M-Mother, Father!"
Her emotions had already been on the edge, and seeing this, the woman flew forward before she even knew it.
Kaelen was also somewhat dazed by the spatial tear, as he saw his two children surrounded by five growling and salivating monsters. However, Ashylle's shout snapped him out of his reverie.
Seeing his wife speeding toward the portal, his face changed, and he quickly accelerated after her. "ASHYLLE! COME BACK! IT'S A TRAP!"
The woman snapped out of her reverie with Kaelen's shout. Even if she was stressed, she was someone experienced. So, she recovered her wits quickly.
However, she was already far from the rest of the group.
Suddenly, from the four rifts, over 100 creatures jumped out and rushed forward like ghosts and phantoms. The creatures were varied, some being quadrupedal tigers and lions, while the rest were humanoid catkin.
Their bodies shimmered with purple lights, some of them looking almost translucent as they merged with the surroundings.
[Level 100 Veil Tiger (Standard Monster)]
[Level 100 Veil Lion (Standard Monster)]
[Level 100 Veil Catkin (Elite Monster)]
…
Ashylle's face paled, and she quickly flew back. Her speed was fast, but as an Aethermancer, some of the panthers were quicker.
Soon, they were right behind her, the Veil Catkin using extended shimmering purple claws to strike at Ashylle's wings.
SLASH!
"AH!"
The woman tumbled, and Kaelen's face twisted as he raised his staff. "GET AWAY FROM HER!"