"Originally, it should have been just like what we experienced before. Without triggering specific conditions, it should have been an easy but somewhat complicated main quest. As long as we found the relevant clues, we could have solved it. There wouldn't have been so many unexpected events like this."
I picked up where I left off: "But now, because of those guys joining in, we not only face the complete breakdown of the clue chain, but also the pursuit of those spirits whose minds have been forcibly controlled."
Are we going to escape from here now?
I nodded, then shook my head, and once again set the tangled forest behind me ablaze, turning it into a wall of fire: "Although I think it's unlikely to succeed, we have to give it a try anyway."
The four common entrances and exits of the settlement had already been checked in the chaos. All of them were guarded by elves, mostly rangers with crocodile teeth hanging from their waists. If you wanted to pass through, you would inevitably have to fight them. In the heart of the settlement, the probability of being caught up by other elves and attacked from both sides was very high, so it was not worth the risk.
On the contrary, the ruins seem more reliable.
Although it was previously confirmed that the site was abandoned due to its distance, the basic functions are still intact. There are only regular four-person guards left in the surrounding area. The terrain is also sparsely wooded with walls of varying heights, which reduces the oppressive effect caused by elevation differences. From any angle, it is a reasonable place for defense and escape.
"The only thing to worry about is this mission."
Sheng said, "Because the description is full of personal style and doesn't mention any specific limitations, it's hard to figure out if the guy who caused this situation is digging some kind of pit behind the scenes, so we must be more careful." He paused and then added, "It's best to be mentally prepared that we won't be able to escape from here before the time limit expires and we will have to defend and counterattack."
The guy who created this situation is clearly expecting an even bloodier and more brutal scene. Who knows if he'll kindly allow us to escape this set? Even if we do escape, it's hard to say whether he'll expand the game's mission area to the entire forest maze outside, giving us an even more desperate experience.
But in any case, you should try it out first before making a decision.
"Anyway, we got what we wanted, even if it wasn't through the normal mission process." Sheng tried to cheer everyone up. "It's a bit of a shame we couldn't get the others, but at least we just need to hold on for another forty, no, thirty minutes now, and we'll be free from this damn mission..."
Just then, a muffled thud came from the bushes a hundred meters ahead. Immediately afterwards, something fell swiftly and lightly, raising its sharp blade high and gesturing in the distance.
The distance is too far. Even if Sheng and I act immediately, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to help in time.
"Feifei!"
I called out to the little creature hovering in the air, and Fifi, quickly understanding my meaning, swooped down with a magnificent dive, her long, elegant tail feathers gently brushing against the back of the elf's hand, who was raising his spear and poised to strike.
The next instant, not only the wooden spear held tightly by that hand, but also the opponent himself was burned by the sudden rise of golden-red flames, collapsing into a handful of dust emitting heat amidst silent wails.
It's hard to imagine the power of just a small flame, but now is not the time to worry about that.
We quickly changed direction and moved closer. The mountain, which rushed over, raised its shield above us, but arrows continued to pierce through the temporary defensive barrier I had set up and bombarded the mountain's defenses.
Damn it, have those crazy elves pulled out siege crossbows?
The figure falling from the tree was none other than Shadow Butterfly, who had been scouting ahead. However, Shadow Butterfly's face was deathly pale, with a few drops of blood splattered on her chin and clothes, likely due to significant internal injuries from the fall. A deep, open wound marred her left forearm, perhaps inflicted while defending herself against an attack, and her side was covered in large bruises, as if struck.
I pried open her clenched teeth, poured in the healing potion, quickly tore off a piece of her clothing to bandage and secure it, and then burned the wound to stop the bleeding. I immediately called out, "Sheng, you take charge of leading her. Be careful and steady. Although we've done some simple treatment, there's a chance she's injured her ribs and can't withstand too much jolting."
"Don't worry, I have the skills."
Having once again withstood a barrage of spears and arrows, Sheng tossed his head without a word, gently wrapping his wound with his long, thickened hair, and securing the Shadow Butterfly behind him. He looked like a larva about to emerge from its pupa.
Three or four more elves landed near us, enveloping us as they drew their wooden longswords. Although this reduced the pressure of being riddled with arrows, the continuous breaches of our defensive barriers left my head spinning. After barely managing to parry a few times, I quickly dragged the others away and fled.
The white ruins are not far away. After passing through a few more checkpoints for inspection and verification, we will be able to leave this muddy land and then find a smooth road ahead.
However, things rarely turn out that simply.
Just as we expected, the guards who stood up and approached from the distance were the same ones we had seen a few times before. Sharpened wooden spears were within reach, and four powerful bows were already fully drawn, ready to be fired.
This is an overwhelming and unstoppable attack. Frontal defenses will be pierced the moment of contact, and there is no way to escape through narrow passages. Even if you manage to escape, it will only be a slight change in aiming angle, which is as easy as taking candy from a baby for us who have already entered their range.
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