Chapter 192: The Raiding And Grinding [1]

[Monthly Bonus Chapter 2]

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"So, what about the places we can take over more easily with our combined forces?" Adrian asked the chiefs.

Brakkar was the first to respond. "To the west of our forest, there is a grove known as the Twilight Thicket. It is home to a group of forest spirits and creatures, but they are not as powerful as the creatures of that cursed temple or the other treasure sites. With your help, we can take control of it and secure its resources."

Gnarl hissed in agreement and gave its own reply. "And to the south, there is a series of caves known as the Echoing Hollows. They are inhabited by a tribe of earth elementals, but they are not as formidable as the spirit wolves or the water spirit. It would be a relatively easier conquest with your power."

Adrian checked the map provided by the game, and both the Twilight Thicket and the Echoing Hollows were marked. They were within reach and seemed like viable targets for a quick and decisive victory.

"Good," Adrian said, his eyes glinting with determination. He reached into the storage ring provided for the event and pulled out a Shadow Crystal, holding it up for the chiefs to see. "Do you know about this? Have you seen anything like it?"

Brakkar and Gnarl leaned closer, examining the crystal with interest. Brakkar shook his head. "I have not seen such a thing before, but it radiates a dark power."

Gnarl's eyes narrowed. "It is unfamiliar to me as well, but I sense it is a source of great energy. How did you come by this?"

Adrian smiled slightly. "These are Shadow Crystals, the currency of power for my abilities. With enough of these, I can even summon a peerless and powerful dragon to enhance our forces. If we conquer these places, we might find more of these crystals or other resources that can aid us."

The chiefs nodded, understanding the significance of the crystals. Adrian made his decision. "Send a team of intelligent monsters to search for crystals like this. Meanwhile, we will start with the Twilight Thicket. It is the nearest of the two, and taking control of it will give us a time advantage. Follow me."

Brakkar and Gnarl nodded, rallying their forces. Adrian took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the finals landed on his shoulders. He knew he couldn't raid the temple now, given its unknown dangers, but the Twilight Thicket was a calculated risk he was willing to take.

Their journey to the Twilight Thicket took about ten minutes. As they approached the grove, Adrian couldn't help but marvel at the beauty of the place. The trees were taller and more majestic than any he had seen before, their leaves shimmering with an ethereal glow. The air was filled with the soft whispers of nature, creating a serene and almost mystical atmosphere.

He wondered if this place was really a stimulating world, not a real place.

As they neared the entrance, a colossal figure emerged from the thicket. It was an elder forest spirit, a giant tree with a face etched into its bark. Its branches extended like massive arms, and its eyes glowed with an ancient, knowing light. The elder spirit had clearly sensed their arrival and was ready to meet them.

"Welcome, intruders," the elder forest spirit intoned, its voice deep and resonant, echoing through the grove. "I am Eldrin, guardian of the Twilight Thicket. State your purpose here."

Adrian didn't beat around the bush. He stepped forward, his gaze unwavering. "I am the Warlord, Aelion the Shadowbinder. We are here to offer you a choice: submit to me and join our cause, or face the consequences."

Eldrin's eyes narrowed slightly. "And what if we do not wish to submit? What fate do you propose for us then?"

Adrian's eyes glinted coldly. "You don't want to think about it," he replied, his tone leaving no room for doubt.

There was a moment of tense silence as Eldrin considered Adrian's words. Finally, the elder spirit spoke, its voice heavy with resignation. "Very well, Aelion the Shadowbinder. We will submit to your command. However, you must understand that the creatures under my care are not combatants. They are peaceful beings who seek only to live in harmony with the forest.

They cannot aid you in your conquests."

Adrian thought for a moment, then nodded. "I understand. In that case, I have another task for you. I want your creatures to search and collect crystals like this for me. Additionally, send scouts to nearby locations to check for any unusual phenomena, like my sudden appearance or monsters being killed in large groups."

Eldrin seemed relieved by the alternative task. "We can do that. The creatures of the Twilight Thicket are skilled in gathering and scouting. They will serve you in this capacity."

Adrian smiled, satisfied with the outcome. "Good. Then let's get to work. I will return after half an hour. And I will be expecting good news and things."

"Yes, Warlord." Eldrid replied. "I will start right away then.

The next second, the elder spirit, Eldrid's body shook a few times and suddenly disappeared from its spot.

Brakkar and Gnarl, along with their elite followers, watched the entire exchange with a mix of awe and newfound respect. The way Adrian handled the elder spirit had left a significant impression on them.

Brakkar was the first to voice his thoughts, a grudging admiration in his tone. "You dealt with that spirit effectively, Warlord. I did not think it would submit so easily. Considering its power and love for its underlings."

Gnarl nodded in agreement, his serpentine eyes gleaming with approval. "Your approach was indeed efficient. You have proven your strength and intelligence, Aelion the Shadowbinder. We are fortunate to have you as our leader."

Adrian acknowledged their praise with a curt nod. "Good. But I don't need flattery but results. Since we have secured the Twilight Thicket without conflict, this will save us our time. Now, we march towards the Echoing Hollows."

The chiefs and their followers rallied behind Adrian, their spirits buoyed by the recent success. The journey to the Echoing Hollows began, the group moving with high speed and determination.

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(A/N: I hope you will get a few answers you wanted to know from the upcoming chapters.

Anyway, here is the bonus announcement:

I will mix a redemption code in the next chapter for both Nebula and Stellar Tier updated chapters. You can use it to claim 10 Fast Passes. You can redeem it on the webnovel app's profile redeem section. It is only usable for 9 times, 1 time for one user. So be ready and quick.

Wait for it then! ???? )

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