Ancient zone ?

Eloise came to her senses soon after.

''For the terrain to change so quickly... isn't that an ancient zone? '' She murmured

An ancient zone was a zone that existed since the beginning of times, a gift that their ancestors delivered to them, where one could get some opportunities. Almost all of them were controlled by Angels and Demons.

''Most probably.'' Jean replied. "Though I don't know why it has activated. I don't remember ever hearing about that zone. So we may assume it's the first time it has appeared. Otherwise, this wouldn't serve as a battlefield.''

''Maybe the energy released allowed it to awaken?'' These zones could actually serve for multiples generations as they regenerate constantly based on precise timings. One of the explanations put forward was because of the energy: to create such opportunity need enough energy, generally causing the zone to be deprived of it. ''The zone was still normally energized, so it was probably dysfunctioning ?''

'Or it might also be related to that artifact.' she thought about the system

''Whatever it is isn't the question we should ask urself right now. Not everyone has been found yet, and the surroundings are still unknown.''

''Right'' Just as she prepared to move, she heard the system.

[Your war option menu has been updated. a quest related to your role has been added]

[Cleppe's bloc (squadron) - 108 men (81 in your group)

Captain: Jean. 107 troops, 63 of whom are directly under his command.

1st Lieutenant: Alain. 26 troops, all under his command.

2nd Lieutenant: Benjamin. 16 troops, all under his command.

Mission: Prevent the supply of the 3rd road (canceled as more than 10% of the troops had died)

Mission: Make sure that you survive. Reward: Heal.

Note: Each enemy killed will bring 10 energy units, each enemy captured will bring 50].

[C Rank Quest: A great leader - part one.

Get out of there with as many soldiers as possible, and their recognition

10% = Title 'Survivor of Hell'

35% = 1000 energy units

50% = 10 000 energy units.

75% = (unknown)

90% = Grants you an upgraded copy of one of the 7 legendary artifacts.

100% (current survivors having met you) = Genius Tactician: direct ascension for your village.]

Eloise panicked a bit. Though the system has always been good with its rewards, there was always a logic involved. Her easiest quests would give an extremely satisfying reward but as the difficulty increased, so did the rewards.

'One of the 7 legendary artifacts?!'

Coming just behind the mythical ones, they were the strongest, and each one brought unimaginable benefits. The legend even said that if you gathered all of the 2 mythical artifacts, the 7 legendary artifacts, and the 13 epic artifacts together, even a guard may defeat a saint.

Eloise shuddered in anguish before pulling herself together. She would fight to the death if she had to, but... there had to be a reason. 1/3 of Nirl's soldiers were already dead which pained her heart. Unable to save them, she had to think about the future of the survivors.

'I hope they are okay.'

...

Only 14 people from Nirl were there, along with 52 soldiers from Cleppe and 13 soldiers from Balbigny (Benjamin's village). Fortunately, Alain and Emilie were among them.

Ema and Lucas weren't part of the dead one. Still, she didn't have any information about them. As for Adrien and Corinne, they were lucky to have survived.

After a few hours of rest and a prayer to the death played by Emilie, the group set off.

...

After following the different paths, they arrived at a giant door with the following words on it:

[Salle numéro 1 : ''Vers la sortie'' - test votre grandeur et coopération contre des dangers. Moins il y a de monde, plus il y a de récompenses. Mais faites gaffe à votre karma !]

''Does anyone know the ancient language?'' Jean asked.

''I do.'' Emily replied, starting to translate. ''Room number 1: "To the exit" - a room that tests your collective fighting strength. The goal is to survive, and not the rewards. ''

''I see, thank you,'' Jean replied. ''What do you think we should do?'' He asked this question to the entire squadron.

''Whatever your orders are, we will accept them.'' Despite the situation, the soldiers from Cleppe remained calm.

''Who I am to order you to live or die? I'm not even a good strategist. I need your help so that we can all survive together, I'm counting on you.'' He bowed his head to them.

''The supplies won't last long if we don't do anything. So I suggest we give it a shot.''

''I agree.''

''Rewards are available, right? How couldn't we go!''

The group was unanimous.

'I need information anyway,' thought Eloise.

''Emilie if you can -'' Jean asked

''No problem.'' She directly boosted the whole group and their strength increased by about 5%.

Clutching his shield with one hand, he opened it with the other.

The room was empty.

''Let's go.'' The group ventured in.

Once they had all entered the room, the door closed. There, they saw fifty demons appear in front of them - their black uniforms gave them away.

[Only a group will be allowed to leave alive] an unknown voice spoke directly into their heads.