Abyssal Terra / 1st Floor
Giant Leaf Woods /
New Year / Morning
~~~~~~~~~
Boom!
Boom!
Boom!
Boom!
A giant creature that exceeded the Giant Leaf Woods walked from the North to the Northeast.
Every step it made created an enormous sound and reverberated across the Floor. Even the people at the East Station could hear the giant monster's footsteps.
_____________________________
West Station / Station Center
The people gathered in fear. Waiting for the announcements given from the higher-ups of 1st Floor Abyssal Hunters. They were the Gold Hunters.
South Guild Hall /
"I knew this would happen!"
Lucas pounded the table, furious.
Next to Lucas is Shawn. The third Gold Hunter who settled on the 1st Floor. Then next to Shawn sat a newly young Gold Hunter, Randi.
Three of the four Floor 1 Gold Hunters held a rapid conference because of the events that were taking place.
Abyssal Hunters that included in the 3 Gold Hunter group are mostly in the balcony to get a clearer vision.
Shawn is a quiet man. "Course we all know it would come. That every year, updates will occur." Not that he's a good person, tho. "But unfortunately our juniors are too hasty in doing things without understanding the systems."
That harsh statement certainly aimed at Randi's group.
[Abyssal Update -]
[The routine Abyssal improvements that occur every turn of the year.]
[The upgrade can be in the Terra, Monster, or Event aspect.]
[Terra's Aspect Enhancement - is an upgrade that occurs within the Floor. It could be the addition of a new area or expansion of the Floor area.]
[Monster Aspect Upgrade - is an upgrade that usually adds new monsters to a Floor. It could be the addition of an Area Boss, or a new type of monsters.]
[Event Aspect Enhancement - is an upgrade that adds a new Event, be it an event that brings good or bad luck to Abyssal Citizen.]
Now the question is, does the giant monster currently walking in Giant Leaf Woods fall into the category [Monster Aspect Enhancement] or [Event Aspect Enhancement] category?
Because the monster was so big, it exceeded the Giant Leaf Woods in height. If that monster were included in [Monster Aspect Enhancement], Abyssal Hunter would have to face them every few times a year.
However, it would still be better if it was included in the [Event Aspect Enhancement]. Because most likely, that event will only occur once a year.
Randi bowed his head to everyone. "I'm truly sorry for this unexpected incident."
Big Update triggered by one thing. A Floor that had become too easy for the Abyssal Hunters.
Over the past half year, Randi's group has done many Area Boss Raids in Giant Leaf Woods. That's what triggered the Big Update on Floor 1.
Ars did all the raids. Randi and his group are only substitutes for the superior existence of Ars. Unfortunately, the superior person wasn't at the scene. He's on the 2nd Floor, minding some business with White Wood with him.
So Randi had to take care of all matters relating to Ars as a replacement.
Behind Randi's men, Elisa stood trembling. She did not expect that all the raids they carried out would bring about a source of disaster for the 1st Floor.
"You should know already because you're an Abyssal Hunter who -" Lucas started talking nonsense.
"We know we are wrong and we will not escape. But the problem is - " Randi tried to make a statement even though he not being heard.
When the atmosphere heated up, the investigation team finally returned.
On the meeting table, they showed a 3d hologram of a giant monster.
"As we can all see," one investigator explained. "The monster that is shaking the Giant Leaf Woods is a walking Father Tree!"
The 3d hologram shows a tree monster that has a human-like face and body.
"It's almost over 70 meters high! And he has hands and feet!"
"He's like the Ents, only 10x bigger," said random Abyssal Hunter.
Everyone agreed to that statement.
Lucas has a question. "Is he still like the Father Tree we know? Or is this a new monster with unknown attacks and triggers?"
"We've tried to attack him," answered the investigation team. "But our Archer can't hurt that giant old man at all."
"To break through a strong defense," Shawn added. "You have to give strong firepower. Lucas?"
Lucas gave a nod of understanding.
Lucas stood up, drew his sword, then pointed at Father Tree's 3d Hologram.
"For now, we call this monster the Evolved Father Tree! Investigators, do you know where this gigantic thing is walking to?"
One investigator opened a 3d hologram map program showing the entire Giant Leaf Woods area.
"Walking Father Tree is coming from the north, then heading southeast. But we believe, that he will go eastward, to a place where there is a lot of life."
Gate Village.
Shawn got a speculation. "We still don't know whether this walking Father Tree walking is an area boss that appeared because of the [Bad Omen] hook, or he is the event boss whose existence threatens the entire Giant Leaf Woods. One thing is for sure, there are many steps we have to take. "
The first step is to send a team of two people to bring this news to the 2nd Floor. This team departs at 9 o'clock according to the scheduled gondola lift departure. However, it took the team 6 hours, 3pm to be exact, to return and bring reinforcements.
"That way, no matter what, we have to fight and wait for reinforcements to arrive."
The second step is to contact the Gate Village, which Father Tree is targeting.
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Abyssal Terra / 1st Floor / Giant Leaf Woods, Gate Village
The village stops towards Giant Leaf Woods.
Population: 200 People Max
Fighting Status: Not allowed
Authority: Jordan (Gold Hunter)
"[Hello, Jordan!]"
Jordan picked up the phone from Lucas.
"Hey, Lucas, what's rocking this Giant Leaf Woods?"
This telephone technology is only available 2 on the 1st Floor. Gate Village and West Station Communication Center.
By relying on a tower as high as 100m, and utilizing the [Abyssal Terra's Mana Stream], this long-distance communication could be applied.
"[A Father Tree is walking towards your village!]"
"What do you mean by walking Father Tree?"
"[As the name suggests, Father Tree, who has arms and legs, is heading towards the Gate Village! You better evacuate your residents as soon as possible!] "
Jordan looked out the window. All the residents of the Gate Village have prepared themselves to leave the village. At that time, they were waiting for Jordan's orders to carry out the action.
"Very well, I will send all my residents to the east. But I refuse to leave this village."
"[Of course we won't leave the village. We've sent a team to go to the 2nd Floor and ask for help. After this, we with a large group of 48 hunters will go to try to hunt down that giant old man!]"
Jordan smiled at the news. "Well, I'll catch up with you when all my residents successfully evacuated."
"[Understood, Roger!]"
Lucas shut off their communication.
Jordan goes outside with news. "A giant monster is heading this way! That means we have to flee to the east!"
The news spread fear to everyone. It has been a long time since the most peaceful Floor in Abyssal Terra has had no catastrophe threatening their lives.
"Will this village be destroyed?!" asked a resident.
The question represented the concerns of all citizens.
Jordan showed a confident smile in answer to that question. "Do not be afraid! I will stay and protect this village!"
The residents smiled at Jordan's statement. Except for one little man.
"Dad!"
It was Jordan's 4-year-old boy.
"Are you going to fight?" asked the boy.
"Why? Are you worried? Your father is a Gold Hunter, and a follower of the Staff Saint! Just because a giant monster comes, dad won't lose!"
"But..."
Jordan took time to stroke his son's head. Then the boy's mother came.
"Junior, let's go."
Jordan's wife picked up and carried the Junior. Before that, she looked at her husband.
"Be careful."
"I will."
The wife gave Jordan a goodbye kiss on the cheek, then went to evacuate with the group.
All residents left in carts heading east.
Jordan saw a scene that he had not felt in 8 years inside the Abyssal Terra. Then someone's figure made him ask.
"Are you going back, or are you going to keep quiet to let all these things happen, Satria?"