Mists of Eldrak

The Mists of Eldrak, nestled within the expansive and treacherous realm of Drakoria, exuded an aura of enigma and peril. This vast expanse stretched across hundreds of kilometers, an ominous landscape blanketed in an eternal shroud of mist. Within its mystical depths, a realm of untamed power awaited, where mighty creatures of extraordinary strength and ferocity reigned supreme.

As one ventured deeper into the Mists of Eldrak, the very fabric of reality seemed to bend and twist. Towering volcanic peaks rose majestically, casting an eerie glow upon the surroundings, reminiscent of the fiery heart that pulsed through Drakoria. Here, the true scale of nature's grandeur was unveiled, captivating the senses with its awe-inspiring beauty and foreboding presence.

Yet, it was not only the breathtaking vistas that captivated the imagination, but the legends and tales that whispered through the ages. The Mists of Eldrak held stories of ancient secrets and lost treasures, whispered by those who had dared to venture into its misty embrace and returned with tales of wonder. But such rewards came at a great cost, for the beasts that roamed these mist-laden lands were among the most fearsome and powerful to be found in all of Drakoria.

It was a realm where the intrepid and the foolhardy alike sought to unravel the mysteries concealed within, driven by the allure of unimaginable wealth and the desire to conquer the indomitable. Only the brave, the cunning, and the prepared could hope to navigate the treacherous terrain and face the formidable inhabitants that guarded the riches hidden within the Mists of Eldrak.

In the midst of this otherworldly realm, where power and danger collided, the Mists of Eldrak stood as a testament to the untamed forces that shaped Drakoria.

It was a place of both wonder and terror, where legends were born, and the brave forged their destinies amidst the swirling mists and the ever-present challenge of the land.

Auric found himself still in the outer parts of this forest, aware of the monsters indicated by the red dots on his map. He knew, based on their grouping, that they were none other than the infamous Simian Swarmers.

These creatures moved together, not particularly fast but not slow either, renowned for their ruthlessness toward any intruder who dared breach their territory. Even the most powerful monster would be torn apart if it wandered unwelcome into their domain. To survive, the Simian Swarmers relied on their group dynamics, functioning as a community. Their keen sense of smell could detect the scent of prey from miles away, making them even more dangerous.

Auric's knowledge of the monsters native to the Mists of Eldrak came from the novel, it allowed him to make a guess about the approaching creatures when he saw the red dots appearing in a group. Amidst the outer parts of the forest, he was granted a keen awareness of the imminent threat and identified them as Simian Swarmers, exclusive to the Mists of Eldrak and often found in groups. His gaze fixated upon the crimson dots that materialized in the distance, and a shiver coursed down his spine. The sight sparked a flicker of recognition within him, a realization of the peril that loomed.

They exhibited a remarkable sense of unity, forged by their inherent need for communal existence. Their coordinated actions and harmonious cooperation rendered them an intimidating force to be reckoned with. However, it was their exceptional olfactory senses that elevated their menace to a whole new level, capable of detecting the scent of prey from miles away.

As the invading presence of Auric entered their heightened olfactory range, the Simian Swarmers erupted into a frenzy. A palpable rage emanated from their collective consciousness, as if an unseen switch had been flipped, igniting an instinctual drive to eliminate the intruder. With astonishing swiftness, they advanced towards their target, propelled by an unwavering determination.

Having deduced that the encroaching creatures were the Simian Swarmers, Auric decided to take a gamble. He formulated a plan where he would orchestrate a clash between the assassin and the monsters.

When the Simian Swarmers arrived at the location where Auric was concealed, their attention was drawn to a figure that resembled a black human shape—Duval, the assassin.

Clang!

The clash of steel reverberated through the air as Duval, the mater assassin imbued with the power of fire, found himself thrust into an abrupt and violent confrontation. His eyes widened in disbelief as the Simian Swarmers descended upon him, their numbers exceeding his expectations. Engulfed in a frenzied whirlwind of fur and claws, they lunged at him with reckless abandon, their agile bodies contorting with acrobatic grace.

"Where in the world did these countless creatures come from?!" Duval exclaimed in frustration, his voice drowned out by the deafening symphony of battle. With precision, he parried and evaded their attacks, his weapon engulfed in flames, desperately struggling to hold his ground against the overwhelming swarm.

However, as his gaze surveyed the chaotic scene, a sense of despair washed over him. The horde of Simian Swarmers seemed inexhaustible, their relentless assault showing no signs of waning. Duval recognized that this war of attrition was one he couldn't possibly win. Exhausted from his previous fights, he had nearly depleted his stamina and mana. Furthermore, daybreak was fast approaching.

With a heavy sigh, Duval understood that he had no choice but to retreat.

He cast his eyes towards the small hill where Auric had sought refuge, and his gaze met Auric's trembling form.

Chuckling, Duval remarked, "Quite the stroke of luck you have there, kid. It seems you won't meet your end at my hands today. Well, good luck dealing with these monsters," he said, throwing a leather pouch towards the hill before vanishing from the scene. The pouch burst open upon impact, spraying liquid everywhere, some of it landing on Auric, who shielded his sister, Ellie, with his own body.

The crimson liquid, emanating the distinct scent of iron, was unmistakably blood. Its presence in a particular area captivated the attention of all the monsters, diverting their focus there.

Duval, employing his master rank assassination skills, had vanished without a trace, leaving behind a swarm of monsters facing the young boy.

Perched on a branch atop a tree, rays of sunlight fell on Duval's face. "Tsk, it's morning already. It appears I won't be able to witness his demise. Well, drenched in blood as he is, even if he manages to survive the Simian Swarmers, there is no way he'll escape the clutches of the other monsters," he muttered, standing up. " Seems like the mission is complete, haaa lets go back. I need some drinks and rest."

"Good luck with a swift death, kid," he chuckled, his voice fading into thin air as he disappeared again without a trace.

Back to Auric, his mind raced at full speed, desperately searching for a way to escape—himself, or at the very least, Ellie.

< System, is there any means of escape? Quickly! > he implored, his urgency palpable.

[ Currently, I have not discovered a viable exit, but please wait a moment longer as I continue my efforts ] the system responded.

Upon hearing the system's update, Auric's heart sank. The realization of their dire predicament settled heavily upon him.

'There seems to be no other choice,' Auric thought resolutely.

Still with his back turned to Ellie, who trembled with tear-filled eyes, he whispered, "Ellie, I will draw the monsters' attention away from you. When I give the signal, run."

There was no alternative. Auric intended to divert the aggression of every monster, fixating their attention solely on him. Once Ellie safely made her way out of the cave, he planned to execute his skills, [ shadow sneak ] with [ lightning steps ], traversing towards her carrying her to safety.

Though undeniably a reckless strategy, circumstances allowed no room for alternatives.

"N-No, brother! Please, stay! Don't leave me! I'm scared!" Ellie sobbed, tightly clutching Auric's back while tears streamed down her face.

Meanwhile, the monsters relentlessly attempted to reach Auric. Hindered by their massive frames, they failed to breach the cave, resorting to extending their arms in a desperate attempt to pull him out.

Auric countered their advances with electric jolts, employing his [Shock] ability. However, after a while, it seemed to lose its efficacy.

"Ellie! Listen carefully! You must be strong! We must escape, or we'll perish here. When I draw their attention and signal you, run! Trust me, I'll reach you swiftly. Don't worry," Auric reassured her, though Ellie clung to him, her reluctance evident.

Auric let out a deep sigh, realizing the necessity of being resolute with Ellie in this critical moment. Survival took precedence.

Inhaling deeply, Auric steeled himself for what lay ahead. With the aid of [ Lightning Steps ], he propelled himself out of the cave, stunning a Simian with a powerful blast of electricity.

He positioned himself on the opposite side of the cave entrance and taunted the monsters with defiance.

"You damned fucking monkeys! Come here you bitches!! Let me whoop yo ass today!!" he bellowed, casting [ spark ] on a nearby monster, which made its fur burn, fueling its rage.

"KEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!"