The Will Of The World Tree

Chapter 18 Hidden Mission

Three earth days had passed since the start of the closed beta, equivalent to twelve days in the world of Segas.

As time passed, more and more of the three hundred players reached Level 10. Demacia was no exception; he had reached Level 10 as a Strength-type player a full day ago.

However, the experience required to progress from Level 10 to Level 11 far exceeded everyone's expectations. It required a staggering 10,000 points, whereas Level 9 to Level 10 had only required 3,000.

After several days of gameplay, players had essentially figured out the primary methods for gaining experience. Currently, it boiled down to two options: completing quests or "grinding" mobs.

Unlike other games, the special effects in this world were hauntingly realistic. The sheer gore was initially unsettling for many, but over time, most players became desensitized. After all, this was marketed as the ultimate "realistic" virtual game. For those who still found it unbearable, the system provided an option to pixelate blood and gore into a mosaic.

Upon reaching Level 9, the player base split into two distinct factions regarding progression:

The Conservatives: Players like Gugu Bird chose to stay within the camp, planning to rely on safe, steady quests to reach the Iron rank.

The Radicals: These eager adventurers chose to leave the 10-kilometer safe zone to test their luck.

While activities like woodcutting or killing weak creatures provided some experience, the inhabitants of the safe zone were far too weak, offering negligible rewards compared to quests. This led to a theory: once a player was strong enough, they should venture outside the safe zone to find powerful monsters that yielded massive experience.

This theory proved correct. A player named Lunchbox had recently led a team outside the safe zone and encountered a Level 9 Forest Python. By working together to slay it, they gained a significant amount of experience. When news of this reached the camp, it caused a stir, tempting many players to follow suit.

However, the majority still chose to follow the system's "Newbie Guide," preferring the safety of quests. As levels increased, the penalty for death became increasingly severe—no one wanted to risk a total reset. In fact, the "perverted" difficulty of the resurrection mechanic had already sparked outrage on the official forums, prompting the goddess Eve to consider adjustments.

Despite the risks, Demacia's curiosity won out. He had died several times before reaching Level 5 and had struggled desperately to catch up. Now, seeing Carl and Gugu Bird already sprinting toward the Iron rank, he refused to be left behind. He recruited three other Level 10 players to join his expedition.

The party consisted of three Strength-types and one Caster. Together, they ventured beyond the safe zone into the "Dark Zone."

As they left the protected area, the vegetation of the Elven Forest became denser and more difficult to navigate. Demacia's team hacked through the undergrowth with their weapons, eyes peeled for danger.

"There's way too much greenery here. It's a nightmare to walk through," one complained.

"It's a primeval forest, what did you expect?"

"Demacia, is your intel solid? Is there really a Forest Python here?"

"Trust me!" Demacia promised.

"I bought the info from Lunchbox for one Sun Fir tree. He saw it with his own eyes."

Since the Elven Kingdom lacked a formal currency, players currently relied on bartering. However, Eve had already designed a "Contribution System" to serve as currency, which was set to unlock once players reached Level 11.

Unbeknownst to the group, a pair of bright, piercing eyes watched them from a few hundred meters away. It was Basaka, the Oak Guardian.

Basaka was hidden in the gaps of ancient trees, clutching a shivering Goblin in his hand. He had caught this Level 10 creature on the outskirts of the ruins of Florence and had already beaten it half to death. He held the Goblin like a helpless chick as he monitored the players' movements.

Demacia and his team, unaware of the observer, continued their conversation. "How far out are we?" "Nearly seven kilometers past the safe zone." "Shh, keep it down. This isn't the safe zone. If we run into an Iron-rank mob, we're toast."

Suddenly, Demacia's expression shifted. His pointed elven ears twitched. He signaled for silence and whispered with suppressed excitement, "Quiet! I think I hear something!"

The group froze, weapons drawn, hearts pounding. "Ya-ya-ya-ya!!!"

A shrill, wretched scream erupted from the brush ahead, startling a flock of birds. "It's right in front of us..." Demacia said grimly.

Suddenly, the bushes burst open. A scrawny, green-skinned creature charged out. It wore tattered rags, its face was contorted in terror, and its bloodshot eyes looked maddened with desperation as it sprinted toward them.

"A... a Goblin?!" they shouted in unison. The Caster quickly used an Appraisal skill. "Level 10! But it's heavily injured!" "It's unarmed!" "It looks feral! Is it not afraid of us?"

Demacia's eyes flashed with excitement. He swung his heavy blade. "Who cares? It's free experience! Don't let it get away!"

The players lunged forward. To their surprise, the Goblin didn't even try to dodge. It ran straight into their blades, seeking death as a form of liberation. As it died, a look of relief washed over its face.

A hidden War Priest ability activated, causing the Goblin's body to age rapidly and crumble into ash.

Simultaneously, the system notified the four players that their experience had been delivered.

The players stood in a daze.

"Why didn't it fight back?"

"It was like... it was trying to die."

"Yeah, like something was chasing it..."

"Someone help me up, I'm a bit lightheaded from the blood..."

"Wait, what's this?"

One player knelt and pulled a shimmering object from the ashes. It was an irregular, pale-green crystal pulsating with a mysterious energy.

"A drop? Is it a gemstone?"

"I can't appraise it. Maybe it's a quest item?"

Before they could investigate further, a massive shadow fell over them. The trees parted as a thirty-meter-tall giant stepped into view.

"Holy crap! What is that?"

"An Ent?" Demacia's eyes widened.

"It's an Oak Guardian! We found the Oak Guardian!"

"The rare NPC?"

"Yes! I've seen screenshots of him!"

Demacia put the pieces together. "No wonder the Goblin was running for its life... it was being hunted by him." Then, he paused, his face paling. Had they just stolen a kill from a giant NPC?

The players gripped their weapons, ready to bolt. They knew the NPCs in this game weren't like standard scripted bots; they had personalities and tempers. Looking at the thirty-meter-tall, weathered exterior of the Guardian, they weren't sure if he was the "friendly" type.

However, the Oak Guardian stopped. He performed a slight, dignified bow, traced a natural symbol over his chest, and spoke in a deep, gentlemanly rumble:

"Noble Chosen Ones, I thank you for eliminating that wicked thief. As a token of my gratitude, I shall grant you one appropriate request."

The players stared at each other, stunned.

"Thief?"

"He means the crystal?"

"A request?"

Demacia suddenly slapped his thigh in realization.

"You idiots! A hidden quest! This has to be a hidden plot trigger!"