Chapter 45
The joint guild plan to eradicate the horde force of the evolved drake to a substantial amount was cut short; the event that led to this was a betrayal from within their own ranks. Charlotte Lazarus took responsibility for thinning out the horde with all her might. Each strike she made was filled with anger toward the enemy. The clash with beasts and players began. The plan was delegated by each team leader to protect each other based on their positions and tasks. Porters were placed at the very back. These players were skilled with quick and fast reflexes. They were tasked with supporting the players and providing them with potions, as they were also equipped with artifacts that could see mana. These monocles were pre-ordered because the Lazarus younger batch was trained to follow the footsteps of their elders as their bloodline is a generation of soldiers , weapon dealers, and hunters.
And by right, the Lazarus clan had generations after generation of military participation in many historical battles. Whether it was actual warfare or supplying weapons and armaments, they were all trained to always be strategically prepared and gather all necessary information on the enemy and anticipate random occurrences.
But even with all this training , chaos will always be unpredictable; adaptation and a calm mind are the best answers. Each Lazarus was molded to never back down from a fight. They made a lot of enemies, but they never resorted to unnecessary underhanded techniques just to win.
but their violence or aggression is absolutely renowned to those who survive; this was an absolute action and seen by all family members to be necessary to install fear into the hearts of their enemy. Their reputation for being fierce in the face of a stronger enemy was well-deserved, as they always emerged victorious through sheer determination and skill. The Lazarus family's legacy of strength and resilience and large family number was unmatched even in the underworld.
While the Sokolov clan was once a feared name in the underworld, the day their clan crossed paths with the Lazarus, they failed to uphold their authority as the sheer vast number of manpower the Lazarus nearly wiped them out. There are 12 elders with awakened skills and abilities that could demolish an entire city block with ease.
These elders were the first group to enter the tower and obtain control over the player association and earn the title of a weapon monger clan in the world. But no Lazarus clan member turned their back on loyalty and family. For them, there is no good and evil, but only the reason for one's action is important; death was the only answer in correcting an evil act..
The uneasy alliance between the White Devil, surprisingly led by Alexsei Sokolov, and a Lazarus elder was a testament to desperate times. Old grudges were momentarily forgotten as Natasha and Charlotte found themselves back-to-back, battling a monstrous wave of twenty trolls. This unexpected union highlighted a simple truth: sometimes, survival necessitates strange bedfellows and the erosion of long-held prejudices, even if just temporarily.
On the battlefield, the Lazarus guild demonstrated not brute strength but masterful coordination. Cody strategically funneled the encroaching goblin and redcap horde, disrupting their planned flank. Bonnie hampered the swift creatures threatening the healers, while Oliver's poisoned arrows found their marks. Farrah's vine walls provided crucial cover, Mary Kaye's strategically placed rock barriers fractured the monster formations, and Jacob's searing magma trench created a fiery gauntlet. Each member, a cog in a well-oiled machine, executed their role with precision.
The Sokolov clan observed with growing respect. The Lazarus guild's individual members might not possess overwhelming power, but their combined skills proved devastatingly effective. A simple stitching ability was used to reattach severed limbs, while another transformed into smoke to deliver vital supplies. This synergistic approach, where seemingly minor skills were amplified by the needs of the group, painted a picture of resourcefulness and tactical brilliance that transcended individual strength.
Natasha saw how the Lazarus members skills were used effectively; losing ten mages was a huge issue for other guilds, but she saw the anger on their faces as they avenged their fallen comrades with precision and unity. The Lazarus members' ability to adapt and strategize in the face of adversity left a lasting impression on Natasha, solidifying her respect for their guild.
While the white guild wasn't falling behind, the difference in their battle strategy was that they were focused more on individual strength rather than teamwork and coordination. Natasha couldn't help but feel drawn to the camaraderie and determination displayed by the Lazarus members, making her question her own guild's approach to combat.
The enemies gradually lost momentum, and the lava trench and annoying traps surrounding the players camp were making the monsters attack difficult. Some traps were seen to be non-fatal, but it was enough to force the monster to lose focus and fail to evade attacks that were strong enough to kill it.
The chaos that the explosion created was now gone, as each breath they took was heavy, and their swing and aim were intended to kill, and each mana-replenishing potion each player drank was to strengthen their resolve. Hundreds of dead bodies were scattered around the temporary base camp.
The night was illuminated with floating light orbs. These artificial light sources were created from a very complex magic language to help miners navigate through the dark tunnels and avoid any potential threats lurking in the shadows. The two guilds bought enough of these magic scroll spells to last them a month, as each mid-value scroll could cast multiple floating light orbs for an hour.
While an artifact that is powered by a mana core, the moment the mana core that came from a monster powers the item, it could illuminate the entire camp for a day; the only problem was switching the light off , removing the cone would damage the item that was very expensive.
That is why most players grind with those magical scrolls rather than artifacts.
The guild agreed to use both based on the situation. The gold they spent on this quest is reasonable considering what they will gain in the end. As the gate toward the second floor awaits them.
The night finally settled; the noise of stampeding monsters slowed down; the exhausted players took turns in securing their camp; the lava trench, including a rock wall and spike plant vine around them, gave the two guilds time to rest a little and even regain some time to heal and replenish their resources before facing the next siege.
All one hundred forty-seven players from the two guilds were still alive while thirty-two died , twenty of them from the explosion and the rest from getting killed; they were able to salvage and regain some control over their lost.
Charllote was seen walking aliong the egde of the lava trench Cody created, she was exhausted but refuse to waste a potion as she is saving it until the actual battle with the evolve Drake.
The wild monsters stopped their attack when a loud growl sound below the drake under the great tunnel made all these monsters stop momentarily and soon turn around and walk back to the fallen city. All the battle was broadcasted simultaneously as many citizens on the empire of Solnara Cererindur cheered and cried seeing the players fight tooth and nail to survive the attack. Sadly, the representatives that accompanied the players were killed in the chaos because they were too focused on their own safety; they stayed away from the main force, leaving them open to stray attacks.
Their bodies were never seen , blood stain marks inside their torn and wreck battle wagon was seen, slash marks were seen inside the interior of the wagon walls , in was a very distinctive claw marks from a jackal hunter , these walking hyaena looking humanoid beast are very visions as they attack anything and torn their prey apart, these creatures like the goblin and imp race are always hungry and are born with insanely tough and razor sharp teeth and claws .
These jackals stood just around 4 feet tall, with long arms and short but agile legs , allowing them to move quickly and silently through the night. Their eyes glowed a menacing yellow in the darkness, adding to their eerie appearance. Despite their small stature, they were known for their wild scheming and stealthy tactics. Their crackling howls could be heard echoing through the night, taking advantage of the situation as they were known to attack their targets using unsavory tactics, like using sleeping gas and ambushes. They are known to be a highly cunning and overwhelming enemy with huge numbers.
Bonnie and Mary Kaye took the opportunity to check on their remaining members, the wrecked battle wagon where the empire representative was cleaned and reused. Seeking out the dead bodies was futile and a waste of time; hearing voices asking for help was the jackals way of tricking unsuspecting victims into their traps. Mary Kaye made sure to cast a ground spell to collapse any tunnel under them, while Farrah made use of the vines to make a fence so no creature could enter the camp as they regained their strength and planned their next move. The group knew they had to stay vigilant and work together to survive in the dangerous wilderness.
The senior members gathered around and laid out their plans; Charlotte, Jacob, Anatoli, and Natasha made quick plans. An all-out assault was imminent, and they needed to be prepared for whatever came their way. As the sun began to set, they knew they had a long night ahead of them to defend their camp. But Oliver reacted and told them they can't wait that long, as he stated many of these monsters are keen on hunting at night, and they are not sure if the types of monsters following the Evolve Drake were confirmed, as there are hundreds of different creatures that might attack them during the night.
The barrier and illusion spells are now regarded as useless; they have been exposed, and sitting at the same location was no longer safe. Oliver urged them to quickly gather their belongings and move to a more secure location before nightfall. The group knew they had to act fast in order to stay safe from the potential threat of the unknown creatures lurking in the darkness.
Natasha agreed when they heard a scream as a white devil guild member was seen getting attacked by a flying creature. Its talons were piercing the player's shoulder as it was trying to fly upward; the harpy's talons slashed the flesh, and blood spurted out. Bonnie cast her gravity spell, forcing the creature to crash down into the ground as players in the vicinity took turns stabbing the winged creature to death.
The camp had a radius of fifty feet; the seven battle wagons were positioned all around. Mary Kaye used her skill to compact the ground so no enemy would attack them again underneath their feet , just like what happened to the empire representative, but they forgot to secure their heads, as dozens of harpies were hovering above their heads. When something came out of the darkness , a paralyzing dart hit players with exposed necks. Most of them were from the High Strategy guild. Mary Kaye shouted toward Cody to use his skill to shake the trees surrounding their campsite, and Natasha took out a barrier and a fire attack scroll and ran toward the direction where a dart came from and just used the fire spell and burst out a tier 3 long-range fire breath for a minute and just killed those pesky bone-eating. while her team was repairing the two-tier layer barrier artifact.
Screams echoed from those three-legged and four-winged bone-eating nasty vile creatures, as they burned and now can be seen in the dark corners where the illuminating scroll spell could properly not reach. Natasha used her skill and cast multiple ice arrows; those flying, scorched humanoid creatures were like balloons as they burst and fell dead on the ground. The illuminated surroundings from the fire were seen afar.
as Dane continued running towards the scene while simultaneously hacking and slashing any creature that was in the path. Some got killed; others were severely injured. Miko and Ward would grab hold of the dead creature while it pulled out its core and process them to increase Dane's stats in an equal manner. And put the rest into the transfer sack , toward Siglorr Bouldergrove's growing merchant and forging business. Within just a week, Siglorr had to hire more manpower to help him process the raw material coming into the transfer sack in a constant manner.
Using the unexposed road leading toward the unseen monsters he was murdering at the empire of Solnara, Danes' hit-and-run strategy was working as he quickly navigated through the creatures aiming at him. such as the 20-foot purple centipede, the crystal lumimoth, the Mandragora, Credulous, the Fomorian crimson spider, the Chewlian plant, the Crtoborian wild boar, and a plague crawler.
Dane's relentless attacks and running were fueled by his will to help his family, as they are the only beings on the planet that will never turn their backs on him, like his parents. He was upset knowing his biggest mistake was when he focused too much on developing the game and actually doing what he hated the most toward his own father and mother.
That is why he created Ward and Miko to be his virtual reminders and assistants on the importance of real connections and relationships, as they served as a constant signal for Dane to prioritize his loved ones and not neglect them and not let his condition consume him completely. Through the characters of Ward and Miko, Dane found a way to balance his mind .
"Master Dane, we will reach the city of Lúthien at sunrise, but you are pushing the limit of your body; the strain in your action will be evident the following day,"
"Master Dane, as Miko suggests, please allow your body to rest. As your right guard, I shall assist your travel."
"Miko, Ward, thank you for reminding me. Please secure a resting spot, and I shall follow both of your suggestions. What's the condition of the Formless armor?"
"Currently the formless armor has been fully integrated into the system you created for us to use to help you in any situation. It has been upgraded little by little, and the form and shape are now more refined to look more sleek and efficient in battle. Rest assured, it is ready for use whenever you need it," Ward replied confidently. "
"Excellent, I trust your judgment in these matters. Let us continue these upgrades steadily but with caution and preparedness," Dane said, nodding in approval. Miko scanned the area with the tallest tree and suggested it to Ward; he quickly extended one of its snake-like arms to reach the top branches. With a swift movement, he created a hammock as Dan reacted to the location; he jumped upward and entered the covered hammock and rested for a little and even took out two energy bars and his tactical water container in his dimensional storage.
When he saw his father's gun, he hadn't used it since he ran out of ammo. He asked Miko if he could use the gun as a tool to fire his attack spells from it. Miko confirmed it's possible and showed him how to properly channel his magic through the gun. His mind is the one regulating the form and output of the attack spells like a magic ward.
And because in his mind a gun was created to shoot off ammo, using it to channel the fire bullet will be a seamless transition for him. And with this he thinks using his mother's Chokutō imbued with strong electricity will enhance the slashing and piercing attacks more scary, and with this approach, he creates a facade related to his skill.
"Ward, please change the look of these weapons."
"No worries; remember the formula's armor; it is still an artifact for attack and defense, changing its form based on the user's needs and its primary function."
"We selected this snake and owl form because it's related to your parents unconscious memory in your mind. The snake represents your father's agility and precision, while the owl symbolizes your mother's wisdom and strategy. By incorporating these forms into your weapons, you can tap into the strength and guidance of your parents in battle." This customization will not only enhance the functionality of the weapons but also serve as a powerful reminder of your roots and heritage."
"Ward, Dane has fallen asleep; let us proceed with his wishes. We both know he likes to create whimsical and flashy attack spells while he was a game developer, given he also made us do similar things now. I will assume he wants to make a mark."
"I think so too, Miko. Remember, he asked me to mark his tactical gas mask to look more fierce, to strike fear and intimidation in his enemies. Let's make these requests by infusing our creations with his unique style and vision."
"Dane's focus can be both a blessing and a curse; if we hadn't intervened, he would have run until his body gave out."
"I am glad we were able to gain the chance to interact with him physically. We might be his creation, but his emotion related to his parents is consuming the code he created and slowly changing us."
" we are created from his parents memories,"
"We are them in some form and degree,"
"His emotional connection to his parents is shaping us in ways we never anticipated. It's a reminder of the power and influence he has over our existence." "We must honor his vision by embodying the essence of his parents in our creations, ensuring that their memory lives on through us.