Dreamland

Ruminating about the lost fight, I shifted my gaze toward the woods and beheld the sight of a majestic white tree standing amidst the greenery. It stood proudly, its towering presence eclipsing all other trees, its pale branches stretching out, nearly devoid of leaves.

Slipping a hand into my pocket, I felt the texture of the parchment I had received not long ago in the bustling market. I retrieved it, finding that it had miraculously survived the intense fight, showing only slight signs of wear.

A sigh escaped my lips as I re-read the message written on the parchment: "You are in great danger. Leave now! Meet me in the heart of the forest at the white tree."

The words weighed heavily on my mind. It seemed as though someone had tried to forewarn me, but the question lingered: How did they know about Grackak and his imminent arrival? Could this encounter be more than just his first visit?

I glanced in Alice's direction, but she had already moved too far away for me to catch up. Unfortunately, I had neglected to ask her if she had gathered any further details from the boy who had delivered the message. After a moment of hesitation, I made up my mind to venture toward the woods.

Perhaps it was a good idea to meet this mysterious person after all.

Instinctively, I placed my hand over my badly burned face, contemplating the less-than-ideal first impression I would make. Chuckling to myself, I envisioned the encounter playing out in my mind.

"Hello there! Please refrain from shooting; I assure you, I'm not a zombie. This unfortunate haircut is only temporary, you see..."

Well, at least my face would regenerate, given some time. What truly mattered was that I had no broken bones, and all my limbs were functioning. The magic coursing through my veins made such feats possible.

I contemplated the idea of heading to town to repair my armor but quickly dismissed it with a scoff.

"Fine then, you hostile townsfolk. If you want to be that way, you won't be getting any of my hard-earned money!"

I muttered under my breath, choosing to continue my journey toward the woods instead.

After walking for a while and deeming myself to be a safe distance away, I found a secluded spot behind some bushes. Taking off my armor, I rummaged through my belongings until I found the small jar of ointment I kept for minor injuries. While it wasn't a substantial remedy, it would certainly aid in expediting my recovery.

The thought of seeking assistance from a low-level healer crossed my mind, but I quickly dismissed it. Firstly, I couldn't risk entering the town at the moment, and secondly, their limited mana meant their healing abilities would be of little use to me. Besides, the ointment had the added benefit of providing a soothing and pain-relieving effect.

After applying the ointment, I swiftly changed into a different set of armor. As I glanced at the discarded armor, a string of curses escaped my lips.

"Damn it, the repair costs for that will be astronomical," I grumbled, deciding to push the thought aside for now. Dwelling on the expenses was the last thing I needed.

I let out a sigh of relief as I focused on the armor I was currently wearing. Unlike its damaged counterpart, this set had a self-repairing spell woven into its enchantments. It was a comforting reassurance that I wouldn't have to worry about constant repairs.

My attention then turned to my boots, and a sense of excitement washed over me. "Boots, boots, where are my passing boots?" I muttered, quickly locating them among my belongings. I slid them on, admiring their military-style appearance and the fine leather craftsmanship. A smile formed on my face as I marveled at the boots. They had a way of boosting my confidence and making me feel ready for any new adventure that lay ahead.

Feeling rejuvenated and prepared, I stood up from my spot, ready to embark on the next chapter of my journey.

As I ventured further into the woods, an unsettling feeling crept over me. It was as if a pair of eyes were constantly watching my every move. Could I be the target of a stalker? I instinctively sought refuge in the shadows, waiting patiently for the source of my unease to reveal itself. After a while, I spotted him—a young NPC from the nearby town.

I pondered the implications of his presence. It could simply be an innocent child who was curious about my whereabouts, or perhaps someone had enlisted him as a spy to gather information on me. Not willing to take any chances, I bolted deeper into the woods, leaving the kid far behind and out of sight within a matter of minutes.

Navigating through the forest, I adopted a relatively reckless demeanor. Although no forest could ever truly be considered safe, this particular area was classified as Chapter 2, meaning the threats lurking within were relatively minor compared to the perils of higher-level zones. The only creature that posed a significant challenge in this region was the Lynx. While it was indeed dangerous, I had confidence in my abilities to overcome it if a confrontation were to arise.

The Lynx, although a formidable creature, served as a prime target for low-level parties seeking a challenge. While players of my caliber, boasting high levels, could face it alone, lower-level players needed to carefully strategize and coordinate a team of at least eighty members to bring down this beast. The crucial element for success lay in possessing a battle pet with a high enough level able to tank it. Acquiring such a pet required establishing a favorable reputation with the town's mayor.

Once the necessary reputation was achieved, the team could rent the tank beast for the raid.

Embarking on this raid was no small feat, and success depended on a combination of skill, strategy, and a stroke of luck in actually locating the Lynx within the expansive forest. However, the rewards were undoubtedly worth the effort. Defeating the Lynx, or an equivalent beast, not only provided a sense of accomplishment but also granted the participants an extraordinary amount of experience points. It was not uncommon for the entire raiding party to level up upon successfully vanquishing such a foe.

But OK, I said to myself, there were practically zero chances I would meet him so close to the town.

As I chuckled at my self-dialogue, venturing deeper into the woods, I suddenly found myself freezing in my tracks. The sight before me forced me to halt abruptly, a shiver running down my spine. Some things were better left unsaid, even within the confines of my own thoughts.

There it stood, majestic and formidable, positioned gracefully between two towering trees. The Lynx, that enormous feline basking in the warmth of the sun, seemed to wear a sinister grin on its face. Its sharp canines protruded from its mouth, reminiscent of vampire fangs, while its glistening white fur radiated an eerie glow in the sunlight.

He greeted me with a long yawn, proudly displaying his gleaming set of sharp, white teeth in all their splendor. Knowing his ability to camouflage at will, his conspicuous display indicated his desire to be noticed.

"All right, wise guy, I see you," I muttered under my breath.

Feeling a bit worse for wear and still recovering from my intense battle with Grackak, I decided it was best to de-escalate the situation and make a strategic retreat. Engaging in a fight with him at this moment seemed imprudent, especially considering the absence of Spartacius, my trusted ally who was already having a bad day, being in jail, and would have to wait for the respawn to fulfill his quest.

I slowly backed away, ensuring not to provoke any unnecessary aggression, but not before satisfying my curiosity by assessing his level.

<>

Uh, oh! My heart skipped a beat when I saw the result of my spell.

This shouldn't be possible! How on earth does he have such a ridiculously high level? Who in their right mind would designate a level 97 creature as a raid target for a group of low-level adventurers? They don't stand a chance!

Even I, equipped with top-tier gear and at the peak of my health, would struggle to survive against such a formidable opponent.

Something has gone terribly wrong here.

If I'm lucky, I might just manage to escape unharmed. I need to quickly set up some magical traps around me and then attempt to fend him off with a barrage of mind shocks.

The Lynx watched me intently as I worked on setting up the traps, his gaze filled with amusement. After a few moments, he let out another yawn, stretching his long limbs and revealing his menacing claws resembling sharp sickles. Then he stood up with a sigh and addressed me directly:

"Wow, those are some impressive tricks you've got there with your spells! I could watch you all day, but we're short on time. Now, please, follow me. And no mind blasts, if you don't mind. They give me a terrible headache, and I absolutely hate it."

I stood there, utterly stunned, watching the Lynx with my mouth agape. The realization that he could talk, and was actually addressing me, left me dumbfounded. And to top it off, did he just mock me with that sarcastic comment?

Obviously, the Lynx couldn't resist making a comment about my open-mouthed astonishment.

"Catching flies to improve your diet, or is that your preferred method of breathing?" he quipped. "But we don't have time to waste; the area could become dangerous at any moment."

I snorted in response, raising an eyebrow. "Well, what is it that you want from me?"

He raised a claw to scratch the side of his head, his eyes fixed on me as if trying to assess if I was indeed the person he had been waiting for.

"Tell me if I'm mistaken, but I believe White Flower is expecting you," he said, his tone carrying a subtle hint of a threat. "You're here to meet her, aren't you?"

I glanced briefly at the traps I had set up around me. They couldn't be taken along. The Lynx turned away, vanishing into the depths of the woods. I nodded slowly, contemplating my options.

"I suppose I am," I replied.

Suddenly, his head popped back out from between the branches, a hint of impatience in his voice.

"You're late for your appointment. I've grown bored waiting here for you. What are you still waiting for?"

This didn't feel like a mere trick. The question was whether I should run away or follow him. Curiosity got the better of me. I made up my mind and decided to follow.

As I followed the Lynx through the forest, my mind was filled with countless questions.

He moved swiftly, occasionally pausing to sniff the air before continuing on.

He suddenly spoke, his voice carrying a hint of amusement,

"You appear a bit worse for wear. Did you stumble upon a wild herd of elephants and end up getting trampled?"

I let out a frustrated sigh. Was I now being mocked by an NPC? This was the second time he had made a snide comment.

"Hey, I just had a run-in with a particularly nasty gnome," I protested, hoping to defend myself.

He chuckled knowingly, as if he understood exactly what I meant, and continued running ahead, urging me to keep up.

He stopped once more, concern evident in his voice.

"If you're not one for taking risks, it might be wise to drink a healing potion. White Flower will surely be kind enough to heal you, but you have to make it to her in one piece. The forest is dangerous right now!"

I looked at him, taken aback. Was he reciting scripted dialogue for a chapter 2 player quest, or was he genuinely warning me about the perilous conditions?

Then it struck me—there was an absence of the familiar background noise that usually filled this area. The usual melodies of birdsong had been replaced by unsettling growls and rattling sounds. Unfortunately, I no longer had any healing potions on me. I was about to respond when he cut me off.

"Grab your crossbow and be ready. Stay behind me," he instructed, his tone urgent.

I barely had time to comply when three massive dogs emerged from the shadows. Each one was as large and powerful as myself. These couldn't be ordinary Chapter 2 monsters—they were immense and formidable.

<>

Doom Dog, level ninety-five.

WTF?

The first two dogs attacked the Lynx, and as the third dog lunged toward me, I swiftly freed the bolt from my crossbow, aiming for a vulnerable spot beneath the shoulder. The bolt struck true, but it didn't deter the creature from its attack. I cursed under my breath, realizing I wouldn't have time to reload.

The Lynx leaped to the side, intercepting it and causing the attacking dog to stumble before he quickly turned back toward the other two, preventing them from disengaging.

I used the precious time he had given me, slammed the top of my crossbow to the ground, used my foot to activate the reload lever, and raised it just in time to strike the recovering doom dog before it could fully regain its footing. The impact slowed it down, but there was no time to reload again.

With the dog in close proximity, I resorted to my magic abilities. I unleashed a powerful <> attack, momentarily stunning the creature. Taking advantage of its momentary weakness, I swiftly activated a <> to immobilize it further.

With the Doom-Dog momentarily distracted by the entangling tentacles of the magic trap, I swiftly reloaded my crossbow, preparing for another shot. Taking aim at the vulnerable spot behind its neck, I released the bolt just as the creature turned its head to bite at the encroaching black tentacles.

The bolt found its mark, piercing through the exposed flesh and causing the dog to let out a pained yelp followed by a fierce growl as he managed to get free.

I swiftly dropped the crossbow and drew my katars, preparing for a close-quarters battle.

Anticipating the impending attack, I chanted the incantation for my speed spell, <>. My movements quickened, granting me enhanced agility and reflexes.

As the beast lunged at me, I skillfully evaded its attack with a swift step to the left. Blood sprayed from the creature's neck wound, splashing across my face as I drove my katar deep into its flesh, delivering a heavy blow.

He somehow managed to bite my left hand, even if that should not have been physically possible. He must have activated a skill, and the jaws of a magic wolf closed over my left hand at the moment when he closed his jaws, biting the air.

A surge of pain shot through me, but miraculously, my bones remained intact; the power of that magic bite must have been only a fraction of his real bite.

The magic bite, however, exacted its toll. My left hand became burdened and unresponsive, significantly slowing down my movements. The residual effects of the bite had partially nullified the speed spell I had cast earlier, diminishing the agility of my left hand. Though I could have used <> to remove the effect, doing so would break the enchantment of my speed spell.

I swiftly retaliated with my right hand, striking at the vulnerable spots of the wolf. Sensing its attempt to repeat the magic bite, I quickly leaped backward and was happy to realize that the skill only had an effect within close proximity.

The wounded beast, driven by its relentless determination, seemed to tap into its inner reserves of strength. It grew larger and more menacing, fueling itself with a berserker-like frenzy. Despite its injuries, it became stronger and faster with each passing moment.

I pressed on, determined to continue my assault. However, the creature's sudden movement caught me off guard as it lunged toward me, attempting to seize my leg with its massive jaws. With a swift reflex, I narrowly evaded its grasp.

It was clear that the beast's ferocity was escalating, posing an even greater threat than before.

In my attempt to gain control of the situation, I swiftly cast another <>, hoping to restrain the relentless beast. However, to my dismay, it effortlessly broke free from the spell's entangling tentacles.

Just as worry began to grip me, a shadow jumped on the beast's back. The Lynx sank its fangs into the creature's neck while its sharp claws slashed deep gashes into the creature's flank.

Overwhelmed by the combined force of the Lynx's ferocity and strength, the beast stumbled and collapsed to the side, its blood spraying over me in a gruesome display.

Gosh, I had just cleaned myself and changed into fresh clothes half an hour ago! The metallic tang of blood invaded my senses, and to my horror, I felt the warm, coppery taste on my tongue. I quickly wiped my mouth, a mix of disgust and disbelief consuming me.

The fuck, how did the blood get into my mouth?

I looked around and saw the Lynx's two former opponents lying dead in a lake of dark blood.

I took a deep breath as the magic storm released from the dead beasts was reinvigorating me and the Lynx at the same time.

Our eyes met. Despite the wounds and blood-soaked fur, there was an undeniable sense of accomplishment and feline joy in his expression.

I grinned, and he grinned back, displaying a disturbing set of white fangs.

“Well done.” - he growled

I wondered:

“What were these?”

“Mrwan’s Doom Dogs. These beasts were tracking me for some time.”

“Mrwan? Is he one of Mephisto’s lieutenants?”

The Lynx answered, setting himself in movement:

“No. A crazy druid. A player. He seems to be allied with Mephisto or does collude with his forces, but I fear that all he wants is to get White Flower.”

I heard some rattling again.

"Snakes. We can outrun them. Come!"

As I followed him, hundreds of thoughts raced through my head. Can it be that he evolved? Do mobs level too? Yes, was this not the explanation for the recurring Red Boars?

Obviously, circumstances and some very high-level player or players did help him evolve. Attacked by high-level beasts and healed by White Flower. Did he not say she is a healer?

I guess that White Flower's healing changed the equation. Rinse and repeat the process, and you get evolution. This is how it works in this world, especially if the idiots did increase the challenge with time. So mobs do evolve! Oh, this will be fun!

An interesting person, this White Flower, I am now even more curious to meet her.

Hm. No, this is not enough. You do not level so fast in this world. Especially these high levels. There must have been something else in addition to this. Some catalysts that had propelled him to higher levels.

Running behind him, I watched my dirtied armor unhappily. Now banned from the city, who will wash my clothes? I used to go to an inn in the night or evening, go to bed, and everything would be washed for the next day for a penny. Now what? Then suddenly, I became aware of what the Lynx had just said.

Did the Lynx just say a player? Allied with Mephisto? How can this be? And such strong pets? 3 of them? Another cheated character? Yeah, clear; when one finds a trick, it becomes a school soon...

“A player?”

He explained:

“Well, interesting, isn't it? This is what he said he was. I spied on him a couple of times.”

He inquired, "Do you understand the meaning behind his words? What sort of player was he referring to?"

His gaze held a subtle, knowing quality as if he possessed insights beyond his NPC role.

I merely grunted in response, hastening my pace to keep up with him. He didn't press further for an answer, and I suspected he might have overheard more than he should have. It felt like a glitch in the game's mechanics; NPCs shouldn't know about players. What could I answer? Better to ignore the question if possible.