After hearing the results of Ivy's efforts, everyone let out a breath of air. For once Cavilhaugh didn't have an outburst as usual and accepted everything for what it was. My guess, he was glad to not have to fight the floor guardian's champion while he would get to see the full might of my combat style.
I knew this much since he always seemed to study how I used magic and the celestial chords I chose for each evocation. I didn't really care since all mages had this type of lust for information. I mean, I sort of did the same thing with him when he summoned the Valkyrie, and when he uses his buff spells, so I considered us even.
After gathering our things, we headed to the core of the 3rd floor. The trip should take us about 2 days to arrive. Luckily, no monsters were attacking us. Otherwise it would take 4 or 5 days depending on how fierce the fight was.
During our travels towards the core, whenever we stopped, I took the time to repair everyone's weapons and armor. I wanted to ensure everything was at their peak and in pristine condition. Even if I was the only one who needed to fight, I would feel a lot more comfortable with everyone being in top shape in case things go south.
It was 2 and a half days later when we reached the core of the forest's edge. Only unlike what I had originally thought would be here, no trees, plant life or monsters were nearby. Not even giant roots of the floor guardian could be found. All we could see was a towering treant about 3 times bigger than Midgardsormr and 10 times as wide.
Like its smaller versions, this massive treant was sitting cross-legged. The treant noticed our approach but didn't open its eyes, instead something came plummeting from its branches. The object looked to be a man-sized fruit of some sorts. Boom! The fruit hit the ground 10-meters ahead of us and began to split from the inside.
After nearly 5 minutes, an Abyssal elf stood before us. Unlike the monsters we've been killing, this one appeared to be almost identical to a dark elf, but with pure red eyes and no pupils. The female monster stood nude before us with its voluptuous but slim and toned figure out on display.
Despite the erotic presentation, all I felt for the creature was restrained bloodlust. I could only imagine how many lives were needed to create this abomination. Ivy, noticing my seething fury grabbed my hand hoping to calm my rage.
To be honest, as an Ancestral elf, I was able to tell the creature was indeed not an elf but was made from the blood, flesh, and bones of countless elves from different clans. To make matters worse, I could for some reason hear wailing voices whenever I looked at the creature, only fueling my rage. Having Ivy with me did help control my desire to burn the abomination before me, but only a little.
Whereas the creature, seem to slowly gain awareness to its surrounding, and using the husks of the fruit it came from, wrapped its naked body before approaching us and speaking in the elven language,
"Greeting, challengers! I am the designated voice of the elder tree. I have been tasked with leading you to the appointed place of combat…"
"Spare me you attempt at civility, creature! Your very existence is an affront to all elven clans."
I replied in elvish while no longer withholding the radiation from my elven blood. Of course, the others were protected by the green stellar core but even then, they knew something was up given my demeanor and the anger in my voice. As a response, the creature being fearful of me shrunk back and replied,
"I mean no offense, ancestral godling. Please have mercy on this one. I am only meant to lead you to the meeting place." The creature whimpered as she knelt down, not daring to even glance at my feet.
"Then lead us to the appointed place. And pray, my wrath does not consume you and all you foul ilk." Saying no more, I withdrew my aura, and awaited our guide to lead the way.
I have never been so emotional in all of my lives, but seeing this creature, all I felt was anger. And yet, pity slowly began to fill my gaze as I beheld the creature before me. If this creature had not been a monster but an elf from a lost clan, I would have done whatever it took to ensure their survival, even if it meant taking them to the Ancestral Glade, but now I feel no such desire. I was about to put that thought aside when a message appeared in bold red,
"You have started the Race specific Quest: Lost lambs, New Shepard! This quest is mandatory and is linked to Main quest: Sins of the Forefathers.
-Have mercy, ancestors. Restore us to our former selves – penitent elf
Requirement
- Accept the Floor Guardian, Abyssal Treant's challenge
Objective
- Defeat but do not slay the floor guardian's champion
- Become the dungeon master
- Perform the lost ritual Ancestral Reconciliation (Ritual information has been added to you inventory)
- Completely purge the dungeon of all baleful energy and antagonistic forces
- Slay the Midgardsormr before leaving the dungeon.
Reward
- Restoration of the lost elven clan: Midknight Elves
- Moral Affinity: Good 24x OR Evil 30x (depending on user's affinity upon completion)
- Title: Master of Baronac Dungeon
- (Hidden from Nexus Admin) Clues to the whereabouts of the Nexus hub on Ohmdorra (1/5)"
(You have got to be kidding me!! Well, I'll be…) As it would seem, this treant somehow got a hold of lost Elven blood. It has been artificially incubating these clones for some time now. In so much, the system had issued a quest for me. I could ignore it… Nah, that's not my style. Once a quest has been issued, I will (reluctantly) complete it.
-End of Chapter