Chapter 12：No Retreat

Starfall Lake.

The lake was formed by the Power of Star. However, due to some unknown reason, the lake was very dangerous. It contained a violent and chaotic magical force. The closer to the middle of the lake, the more terrifying the power was. If anyone touched the sticky liquid that was flowing out from the holes in the star, then they would be instantly torn to pieces by the ferocious magical power.

Apart from the magical power that it seemed to release, everything else seemed to be no different from an ordinary lake. However, in reality, the bottom of the lake was filled with a chaotic undercurrent. If anyone fell into the water, they would be torn apart by the undercurrent.

Magical beasts did not dare to approach the lake because they were simply unable to withstand the raging magical power there.

Even as human beings, Drouin and the others began to feel a bit of physical discomfort.

Throughout the history of the Starfall Lake and the Starfall Forest, there had been countless textual researchers in the game who tried to do research and make deductions based on the historical background of the game. However, up until Sean had arrived in this world, no one had been able to come up with a clear answer for why the star fell there. Nonetheless, no matter how much people had argued, there was one fact that all the research players agreed on: at the bottom of the Starfall Lake, there was an entrance to a rank five classed dungeon. However, the conditions of entry were relatively difficult.

In the game 'Miracle,' dungeons were divided into two categories. There would be ordinary dungeons and classed dungeons. Anyone would be able to enter ordinary dungeons, as there was no obvious restriction on such dungeons. Dungeons such as underground dungeons and regional dungeons, they were both ordinary dungeons. Also, the "Wandering Darkness" dungeon that Sean had completed previously was part of an ordinary dungeon. The dungeons could be seen all around the world.

As long as people felt that they were strong enough, then it was okay to go challenge the dungeons with very high-level creatures. There were no restrictions on entering or leaving.

On the other hand, the classed dungeons were not as easy to enter. These types of dungeons were somewhat similar to the 'Prosperous World,' a relics dungeon in the game. There was nothing specific about the dungeons, but only after having completed the relevant tasks would it then be possible to enter those types of dungeons. For example, if a dungeon only allowed a person at rank five to enter, then anyone who was at rank four or was already at rank six would not be able to enter this dungeon. Someone at rank six could only enter the classed dungeons that had a requirement of rank five or above.

Therefore, whether a class or the class above was required had to be carefully identified by the players in the game. If they were not careful, it was possible they would miss the dungeons.

At the moment, noting about the Starfall Lake had anything to do with Sean and the others. Sean had no intention of causing any more trouble there. He just told everyone to not get too close to the Starfall Lake and then let them have a rest however they wanted.

Sean had realized that if the team did not get enough rest here, then they would not be able to continue the rest of the journey. Also, while he looked at the appearances of the Wind Striped Black Wolves that were still surrounding them, Sean knew very well that there was no way out for the group. If they did not pass through the entire Starfall Forest, then everyone in the group would probably die here.

Even though everyone felt a bit uncomfortable because of the violent magical power of Starfall Lake, it was indeed a rare chance for them to calm down and rest. A short while later, the most exhausted guards had fallen asleep and started to snore. Immediately after, Halle, Cecilia, and the archer also could not stop their physical and mental fatigue from taking over and also soon fell asleep. However, Sean was not very comfortable when he looked at the color on Cecilia's face.

When he thought about it, he realized that the violent magical power being emitted from this Starfall Lake was indeed very terrifying. It was not something good for Cecilia's amazing talent.

Sean, Drouin, and Old Pete were the only ones who were still awake, and they watched their surroundings warily.

One of the professional rewards of Old Pete, who was a veteran, was that his physical and mental strength consumed within a battle was 50% less than normal. In other words, even if everyone had fallen, Old Pete would still have the strength to fight. Also, after reaching above rank three, he was able to activate his professional talent. With the rise of his class, professional talent could be selected again or strengthened. However, Sean was unclear which of the professional talents Old Pete had chosen.

The military sword Old Pete had was lost earlier, on the night when the Wind Striped Black Wolves had attacked them. But even so, Old Pete's combat power was extremely strong with just his long spear. That had the additional benefit of the fact that when he was facing the attacks from the pack of wolves, long weapons were much easier to use than short weapons.

Old Pete sat down on the ground, then tore off a piece of dried meat and began slowly chew on it.

Seeing the action from Old Pete, one of the Wind Striped Black Wolves let out a low roar. It could not resist its impulse to rush forward any longer as it dashed past the warning line that terrified the wolves. The wolf ran towards Old Pete, wanting to make Old Pete into dried meat to eat. However, before the Wind Striped Black Wolf was able to rush at Old Pete, numerous blue fluorescent lights rushed into its body, as if they had been attracted by something. Then, the body of the Wind Striped Black Wolf swelled up, almost as if it were a balloon.

Bang!

At the loud noise, everyone woke up from the surprise. However, before anyone could react, a rain of blood fell from across the sky, splattering them all in the red liquid.

Along with the countless pieces of flesh, Old Pete was covered in the filthy blood. However, it did not stop him from chewing the dried meat in his mouth. It looked terrifying, but his eyes were looking very serious, "These magical wolves have a high sense of discipline. Even like this, we can only attract one to come over to us."

The dried meat that Old Pete was chewing on was the flesh of the Wind Striped Black Wolf that they had defeated in the past few days.

Sean had wanted to say something else, but right at that moment, a high-spirited wolf howl sounded in the distance. All the Wind Striped Black Wolves stopped and raised their ears as if they were listening to something. Immediately after, long and urgent wolf howls could be heard. All the Wind Striped Black Wolves turned around and left.

In an instant, all the Wind Striped Black Wolves that had surrounded the Starfall Lake had left. If it had not been for the pieces of blood and meat in front of them, no one would believe that they were about to be destroyed just a moment ago. An unnatural silence filed the area.

"The wolf king." The Sean furrowed his brows. A terrible feeling appeared in his heart.

If there was anything that was the most troublesome for Sean at this stage, it would be the Wind Striped Black Wolf King and the rank three Blood Flamed Lion King, as the two were both a BOSS at the lord level. The other demonic corpse was a BOSS from a dungeon, something that Sean and the others would have to face against. Therefore, no matter how troublesome it was, there was nothing Sean could do. There were only two BOSS creatures that were magical beasts. If it was possible, Sean did not want to provoke them.

However, from their current situation, this was impossible.

When all the Wind Striped Black Wolves had left, a giant wolf that was twice as big as a normal Wind Striped Black Wolf walked out from behind the trees.

The black fur on this wolf had the texture of meteor lights. On the surface, it did not seem to have the same obvious green stripes as an ordinary Wind Striped Black Wolf. However, in reality, the patterns were underneath the black fur. They were no longer exposed on the fur but instead were imprinted on its flesh. The Wind Striped Black Wolf only stood in front of everyone. It did not growl or show its teeth. However, everyone's faces changed, including Drouin and Old Pete. They could feel a strong sense of danger and pressure from the Wind Striped Black Wolf.

The Wind Striped Black Wolf King.

However, what had made everyone feel a little bit more reassured was that the Wind Striped Black Wolf had not stepped into the area influenced by the Starfall Lake. It stood far away and looked at everyone before it turned around and left. Everyone felt a bit of relief from this. If the Wind Striped Black Wolf King had rushed in towards them, they really would not have known how to deal with it. For Drouin and the others, the magical beasts inside the Starfall Forest that scared them the most were the Wind Striped Black Wolves. Physical attacks were ineffective in combat, which had made it very difficult for everyone to adapt.

"What is the matter with you?" Everyone was feeling relieved, but Old Pete noticed the abnormality on Sean's face. He did not like the face that Sean was making.

"We are being targeted." Sean's face looked very pale.

He was very clear that the Wind Striped Black Wolf King could enter the area influenced by the Starfall Lake without being directly exposed to the magical power as other Wind Striped Black Wolves had been. However, it had not chosen to enter. That meant that it was suspicious about something else. However, what was suspicious was not the size of the group. Judging from the results of the last two days, everyone knew that once they were surrounded by the Wind Striped Black Wolves, it would be a dead end.

Therefore, the Wind Striped Black Wolf King was suspicious of a person.

That person was Cecilia.

As a magician, she would also be affected by the Magic Tide. Of course, this effect was not unchangeable. It could be a bad thing or a good thing. Fortunately, the effect it had on Cecilia was good. Inside this Starfall Forest, she was able to display the strength of a real rank three magician. As for the current situation where Cecilia was close to Starfall Lake, her magical powers could become even more powerful. It was because of this that the Wind Striped Black Wolf King had not risked itself to enter the area to fight against Sean and the others. If it was held back, then techniques from Cecilia alone would be enough to kill it.

"Get up everyone. We don't have any more time to rest." Looking up at the bright moon in the starry night sky, Sean said gloomily. "We have half of the journey left. Thanks to the wild beasts, we have arrived here nearly three days ahead of schedule. Next, we will pass through the outpost ahead of us. As long as we can pass through there, then we will be able to leave this forest."

Hearing the words from Sean, a glimmer of unconcealed joy that appeared on everyone's faces. They had had enough of the encounters that had occurred within the past few days.

"But!" Sean cut them off before they could get too excited.

The word "but" had made everyone's heart jump. They braced themselves for the bad news coming.

"The rest of our journey will be more difficult than what we have encountered these past few days." The words left everyone in a daze. Of all the things Sean could have said, that was the one they were not prepared for.

Even more difficult? What kind of concept was that? They shuddered at the thought of more danger and exhaustion.

"Originally, my plan was to give all of you a good rest before setting off on your journey again. However, it is impossible to do that now." Sean sighed softly. "I will tell you guys this. These Wind Striped Black Wolves have all experienced the war between the Serian Kingdom and the Portoroa Kingdom. Also, their intelligence is pretty high. Without the tight rein of the wolf king, the Wind Striped Black Wolves would not seem to be very smart. However, once the Wolf King arrives, then within half an hour, this area will be surrounded by their eyes. When that time arrives, as soon as we walk out of the area influenced by the Starfall Lake, we will be attacked by countless Wind Striped Black Wolves."

"Our path to retreat is long gone, so we have only one road left. We need to set out now and step into the Land of Black Earth before the encirclement of the Wind Striped Black Wolves is formed."

"Black Earth!?" Cecilia exclaimed with shock. Her hands curled into fists at her side.

"The second half of our trip is in the Black Earth Domain?" Drouin's expression changed in an instant.