The gentle, sporadic ripples of the small waves caressed the shore, filling the air with a tantalizing hint of salt. One's gaze towards the horizon would reveal an expansive azure sea. Although the darkness of the night restricted the range of vision, even this limited view hinted at the vastness of the world.
From this viewpoint, it was easy to appreciate the immense scale of the ocean before them, encircling entire continents and linking far-flung lands across the globe. If one shifted a gaze slightly to the northwest, far in the distance, the initial town of Lemuria could be seen.
The mountain's slopes were not bountiful or verdant. The terrain exhibited a somewhat arid, brownish appearance, sparsely adorned with patches of grass. Despite the close proximity to the refreshing sea breeze, the few scattered trees that managed to grow boasted unusually thin foliage.
While this location held notable strategic significance, no nearby settlements were in immediate view. This wasn't to say that there were none at all. It was simply that human settlements flourished in more fertile and secure regions. Although the initial impression might deem this place desolate, any brave soul venturing closer would be greeted by the playful chatter of creatures inhabiting the mountainside.
*
[Normal] Lv.33 Alpine Cliffclimbers
[Normal] Lv.35 Highland Hooligan Baboons
[Elite] Lv.41 Elder Mountain
*
These creatures formed colonies, dwelling in significant numbers, with a spawning pattern occurring at regular intervals. This was one of the reasons why Siji mountain was considered unsuitable for human habitation. They restricted their activities within a specific territory, seldom venturing beyond. Additionally, there were other factors contributing to the deserted nature of this map.
The adventurers had yet to reach this location due to their current limitations. Despite the game being released two weeks ago, their exploration of the world map remained limited. The primary obstacle was the relentless threat of vampire hunting. Night after night, reports of casualties emerged, resulting in subsequent inspections by the elite guards during daylight hours.
However, unbeknownst to many, no players had fallen victim to the vampires in recent days. This peculiar absence of incidents was attributed to the vampires' preoccupation with other matters.
Here, amidst the rocks on the steep mountainside, Anubis leaped agilely, skillfully evading the pursuit of the Alpine Cliffclimbers. These creatures roamed in packs, their numbers formidable, but Anubis was not retreating from the battle; it was all part of a calculated plan.
On the other hand, Valeria soared even higher towards the approaching pack of monsters. As her gown's hood fluttered back, revealing her long, black hair dancing in the night breeze, she extended her hands in front of her, swaying gracefully from side to side. Living roots sprang forth, lashing out at the monsters, abruptly halting their pursuit. Floating above the ground, she intensified her strikes with even greater force.
Spread Inflicted*
The struggling Alpine Cliffclimbers, apparently being chased by dozens of living roots, ignited into crimson flames, casting an eerie glow. The fire spread rapidly, engulfing the clustered figures and appearing as if there were even more flames than before.
In the midst of the blazing inferno, Valeria dived fearlessly, her eyes glowing crimson as her vampire aspect emerged. Whatever she was doing within that inferno, only the mournful cries of the monkeys could be heard before they were reduced to ashes.
"The rest is mine to handle, Master," a voice called out from within the fire, even as Anubis had already flown past it, ahead of Valeria. The other Alpine Cliffclimbers descended from above, and while Anubis could easily defeat them individually, their spawning pattern in this area meant their numbers would continue to increase.
Therefore, he chose not to fight them solely for the sake of defeating them. Instead, his red, darting eyes followed the movements of the Alpine Cliffclimbers, anticipating their attacks. Anubis focused on parrying their attacks, inflicting minor damage with well-placed kicks and strikes to force them further down. This would draw their attention to Valeria down there, giving her the space to carry out her own purpose.
But for Anubis, he had a higher purpose in mind. Amidst the multitude of cavities, some larger than others, which served as dens for the apes, the Highland Hooligan Baboons emerged with boisterous laughter, seemingly mocking him.
Anubis had no reason to hold back anymore, as his targets were not in his way, and time was not something willing to wait for him. With his claws sharpened, crimson flames beginning to flicker, he launched them towards the enemies. Anubis delivered a powerful swing of his claws, forming an arc of almost 120 degrees.
The ground shook beneath them as Anubis's wide claws reached a length of almost six meters. They inflicted burns and left scorched marks on their bodies, while also shattering rocks and soil behind them.
Burn Inflicted*
Bleed Inflicted*
Looking towards a higher corner, there was a special area with relatively level ground, where the [Area Boss] should have been. That was Anubis's target, but for now, he needed to deal with the Highland Hooligan Baboons first.
Valeria could feel the vibrations and hear the falling pebbles from above as she witnessed the awe-inspiring flash of the master's claw technique. Feeling challenged, she tried to imitate it, executing a full-body rotation and a swing with her right hand. However, the outcome was nowhere near Anubis's level. It was just like her usual claw attacks, only hitting a single Alpine Cliffclimber.
Valeria's momentary distraction proved costly as the pixel remains of the monster she had just defeated obstructed her view. In that split second, a monkey emerged from the debris, lunging towards her face. Her heart raced as she narrowly evaded the attack, but the unexpected assault disrupted the rhythm she had established. The remaining Alpine Cliffclimbers wasted no time, launching their own simultaneous attacks.
Caught off guard, Valeria failed to notice that her vampiric powers had diminished, leaving her considerably weakened. This not only compromised her strength but also presented a more pressing issue. Despite her master's warning to stay alert, she had sensed the presence of another individual nearby.
To make matters worse, the figure was now in hot pursuit of Valeria, sprinting with remarkable speed.