Chapter 398: A shock too great

"Where are we going?" Eldrian asked after using mana sense again and confirming that she appeared to be a true kitsune. Naturally, he had no idea what to look for. However, her mana seemed normal.

"Naturally, you deserve a reward for this contribution. Besides, it appeared that you truly lack some proper armor."

Eldrian scratched his head embarrassedly as he realized he had never even taken of the broken pauldron from the attack a few days ago. Finally, he loosened the straps and the remaining scales fell to the ground. 

As they walked Eldrian looked at the quest log to see if he finished any of the goals. He was unsure if he was happy or upset at what he found. 

[Quest Updated]

'Not a good sign...' Eldrian knew from past experience that this normally meant things just became more complicated. 

[Quest: Undead Invasion]

[Quest Giver: Taurus Kingdom]

[Quest Rank: Epic]

[Quest Description (Updated): The undead have failed to push the kingdom out of the forest, yet the kingdom is still in dire straits as they are now pressured on two sides.]

[The undead's foothold in the kingdom is as strong as ever and more and more reinforcements are arriving in the forest as the armies of Taurus become exhausted. While a massive first battle had been in the favor of the kingdom, it had only given them some time. Time they had dearly needed. But time is not all that they needed.]

[Quest Goal 1 (Still in progress): Help in stopping the undead from gaining a foothold. The bare minimum to call this is a success is by ensuring Pyknos forest does not fall to the undead. {Difficulty: SS}]

[Quest Goal 2 (Updated) - this step has turned out to be more complicated than first believed. It has been turned into two new steps.]

'What the?' Eldrian had no idea this was even possible.

[Quest Goal 2.1 (Completed): Find the method in which the corruption is spreading. {Difficulty: S}]

[Quest Goal 2.2 (New): Find the source of the corruption. {Difficulty: SS}]

[Quest Goal 3 (Updated): You have found a way to weaken and push back the corruption. However, that is not a way to fully destroy it as the source is still unknown. As is the way to deal with it.]

[Quest Goal 3.1 (Completed): Find a way to stop the spread of the corruption. {Difficulty: S}]

[Quest Goal 3.2 (New): Find a way to destroy the corruption. {Difficulty: Epic}]

[Quest Goal 4: Ensure that the king does not die. {Difficulty: S}]

[Quest Goal 5: Do not succumb to those aiming for your life and soul. {Difficulty: Epic}]

[Quest Rewards: Every goal has its own rewards, completing multiple might exponentially increase the rewards.]

[Quest XP Reward: 10 levels, as long as Goal 1 is accomplished.]

[Reward Goal 1: Silver Emblem & Official Recognition]

[Reward Goal 2.1 (New): Wait to be given the rewards]

[Reward Goal 2.2 (New): Gold Emblem]

[Reward Goal 3.1 (New): Wait to be given the rewards]

[Reward Goal 3.2 (Updated): Magical grade Tier 6 armor set and weapon]

[Reward Goal 4: If direct action - Knighthood and choice of reward]

[Reward Goal 5: Title - Devils' Bane] 

'Shit, right the king.' Looking back Eldrian shrugged as he remembered that not only was he surrounded by people Tier 8 and over, the old king was even Tier 10. 'He should be far safer than me.'

With this settled Eldrian had again turned to the quest description and could finally take in what the update actually meant. And this was more shocking than anything else. He even forgot to walk once it hit him. 

"What's wrong?" Kohaku asked, Eldrian so deep in thought that she did not even get a reply. 

'No way! This can't be! The system messed up!' Eldrian was absolutely shocked, and that was when he recalled how Joren had said that they couldn't surveil legends.

'Don't tell me-' He choked and even forgot how to stand and breathe. Falling to the ground Eldrian felt like the world made no sense. It took him a few seconds to calm down and try to come to a more rational explanation. One that didn't mean that the quest was futile and everyone would die. 

'It must just be the way I managed to discover things. Yes, that must be it. It must be it!' Eldrian shouted this repeatedly as he tried to calm down. 

He was tempted to leave right there and then, take his friends and run. Because the following thing he recalled made the tight rope he was on (mentally) even more unstable. 

'Fuck! If it is a legend then we are all in danger. Elizabeth and the others too!' Eldrian had grown quite close to the odd group and the thought of them all dying or being paralyzed froze him just as much as the thought of Vivian or Kydone dying. 

'Right, there are security measures. If a legend comes close to us we will be automatically ejected from the game. Right, right right right. That must mean I am just being insane.' Eldrian finally managed to take a breathe, shocking Kohaku who had thought that he had been poisoned. Yet she could find nothing wrong with him. 

At this time a flame also suddenly appeared before the two. Seeing that Eldrian was in no state to act the assassin knew this was his best chance. The dwarves also had to be extra careful in the camp and were much further from Eldrian compared to when he was outside. 

However, a kitsune had instincts nearly on par with Kydone's. The latter had already darted out of the commanders' tent, ignoring their shouts and curses. 

Kohaku had no idea why she felt immense fear and danger, however, she did not wait to figure it out. Without a second thought, she grabbed Eldrian and started to run. Her true form taking over. 

Amber fur covered her body and eight tails sprang out of her kimono. Lighting arced between the tails as a cloud of dust filled the air. The lighting did not damage her fur nor her clothing, instead, it perfectly arced between them. Her fur was a perfect conductor for it.

Her action was also not thought out, she was running so fast that the dust in the air was destroying Eldrian's body. Yet, the fear filling her clouded her mind and made her run even faster. 

The assassin was left stunned at what had just happened, by the time he had managed to climb out of his flames the two were already 40 meters (44yd) away. Even more shocking, by the time he managed to catch up and try to attack another shadow flashed by. Striking at him and sending him skidding back as the dwarves also arrived. This time prepared for his abilities. 

Immediately they summoned massive balls of fire, making sure to rid every corner of shadows while pressuring the cloaked figure to not allow him to form his black flames. 

They had learned something from each of his attempts. His flames required time, nearly 3 seconds to form and allow him through. Shadows however allowed him to instantly disappear. 

They did not plan to let him get away this time.