The swirling magic of the World Gate faded as Velkharion stepped into Asgard. A cold wind greeted him, carrying with it the distant echoes of howling wolves and the faint scent of frost-touched pine. Marcus, now known to the game as Velkharion, paused for a moment to take in the surroundings. Asgard was unlike Alfheim—a realm of towering mountains, endless skies, and harsh, unforgiving beauty. Snow-capped peaks glittered in the distance, while icy plains stretched as far as the eye could see.
Marcus opened his map, scanning for nearby zones. With time to spare before the guild raid, he decided to head toward the Frostbound Expanse, an icy wilderness known for its rare loot and challenging mobs. It was the perfect place to test the full extent of his new classes—Dryad King, Arboreal Sage, and the recently unlocked Arcane Paragon(changed Arcane Verdant something something to this).
"Alright," Velkharion muttered, gripping Crimson Fang as he set off. "Let's see what this place has to offer."
The Frostbound Expanse was a sprawling tundra dotted with jagged ice formations and frozen ruins. The air was biting, and visibility was often hindered by swirling snowstorms. As Velkharion trudged through the icy plains, he encountered a small camp of Frostwraith Goblins, weak monsters known for their frost-based attacks and cowardly tactics.
The camp was poorly guarded—just a handful of goblins huddled around a flickering fire, their crude weapons glinting in the pale light. Marcus smirked, deciding to make quick work of them.
Activating Flame Surge, he sent a torrent of fire rushing through the camp, incinerating two goblins instantly. The remaining goblins screeched in terror, scrambling to flee, but Velkharion was relentless. He followed up with Mystic Jab, his Martial Arts skill, landing a precise strike on the leader and sending it sprawling into the snow.
Damage Dealt with Flame Surge: 110 Magic ATK per target.
Damage Dealt with Mystic Jab: 90 Physical ATK + 20 Magic ATK.
Within moments, the camp was cleared, its crude tents and scattered loot all that remained. Marcus sifted through the items, picking up a few minor treasures:
Frostbark Amulet: Grants minor resistance to frost damage.
Bundle of Iceglass Shards: Crafting material.
Goblin Rune Pouch: A small pouch containing low-grade frost runes.
Satisfied, Marcus stood and prepared to continue his grind. But before he could take another step, he heard the crunch of footsteps in the snow.
A group of humanoid figures emerged from the swirling snow, their forms cloaked in heavy furs and armor. They were a mix of species—elves, orcs, and even a tall, reptilian figure among them—all radiating an air of hostility. The leader, a muscular elf with icy blue tattoos etched across his face, stepped forward, his axe resting casually on his shoulder.
"Who are you?" the elf demanded, his tone sharp. "Velkharion, huh? Never heard of you. You new here? Probably one of those world-hoppers trying to prove something."
Marcus frowned, sensing the tension. "I'm just passing through. Cleared the camp, that's all. I don't have time for this."
The reptilian figure hissed, its voice low and mocking. "This is our turf, stranger. You can't just wander into the Frostbound Expanse and claim kills without paying tribute."
Velkharion sighed, already regretting this detour. "Look, I'm not interested in your petty territorial disputes. Find someone else to bother."
The elf's eyes narrowed, his grip tightening on the axe. "You've got some nerve, outsider. Let's see if you're all talk."
Before Marcus could respond, the group attacked, weapons drawn and spells flaring to life.
Marcus didn't flinch as the first attacker—a dual-wielding orc—charged at him with a guttural roar. Velkharion sidestepped the wild swing and countered with Spiral Kick, the spinning strike sending the orc flying into a nearby snowdrift.
Damage Dealt with Spiral Kick: 75 Physical ATK.
Two spellcasters, a frost mage and a wind shaman, began channeling attacks from a distance. Marcus activated Arc Lightning, the chain spell leaping between the two and disrupting their concentration.
Damage Dealt with Arc Lightning: 90 Magic ATK per target.
The elf leader lunged at him next, his axe swinging in a wide arc. Velkharion raised Blossom Shield, absorbing the brunt of the attack before countering with Verdant Sovereignty. The summoned Dryad Guardians swarmed the battlefield, overwhelming the attackers with AoE spells and precision strikes.
Damage Dealt with Verdant Sovereignty: 120 Magic ATK per target.
Within moments, the group was defeated, their weapons and spells no match for Velkharion's overwhelming strength. He stood amidst the fallen, his expression calm but weary.
"You should've left me alone," he muttered, kneeling to inspect their belongings.
Among the loot, Marcus found an unusual item—a Blue Map etched with faint, glowing runes. It appeared to depict a hidden zone somewhere in the Frostbound Expanse, but the markings were cryptic, and the destination was unclear.
Item Acquired: Runed Blue Map
Description: A mysterious map leading to an unknown location in the Frostbound Expanse.
The map intrigued Marcus, but before he could investigate further, a notification popped up on his HUD.
Message Received: Kingsalamander
"Hey, Dawn. We're gathering at the Hall of Eternity. Raid's starting soon. Don't be late."
Marcus sighed, slipping the map into his inventory. "Guess this will have to wait," he muttered, turning his gaze toward the distant mountains where the Hall of Eternity awaited.
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