Chapter 22: First Arrival at Bay Village
The blood-red moonlight illuminated the endless plains.
The winding Silvermoon River cut across it, originating from the towering Supreme Mountains in the north, flowing through the frozen tundra wastelands, passing through the dark forests, and nourishing the surrounding millions of square kilometers of plains.
Finally, it flowed gently and obediently into the ocean.
The faint sounds of insects blew in from the wind, watching the familiar village in the distance, listening to the babbling of the stream, Leon felt as if he were in another world.
"Finally back home!"
Warily glancing at the shaking bushes to ensure no aberrant creatures were hiding within, Old John shifted his gaze away and patted his shoulder, asking curiously:
"Is the salted fish from Bay Village really as delicious as you say?"
Mentioning salted fish, Leon proudly raised his head, pointing towards the endless plains to the east, and replied proudly:
"Our Bay Village is near the sea, and our salted fish are renowned far and wide for being fragrant and having a great texture, one can sell for five silver coins..."
"It's just that there are too many murlocs, too troublesome, our village can only go there twice a year, and each time we can't bring much back..."
Salted fish can make money, lots of murlocs!
Old John silently noted this information.
Although his steward Ralph would surely know everything about the tiny Bay Village inside and out, attitude is another matter.
One must humble oneself when asking for help.
As their gaze shifted from the two, Steward Ralph looked at Yaya, who had returned to her previous form, and silently lowered his head.
Such a special young dragon was completely different from the information he had.
As is well known, the more unique the appearance and abilities, the greater the potential for development.
"Is this part of the lord's plan? Or the arrangement of the mysterious lady?"
This thought was merely a fleeting one, quickly buried deep by Steward Ralph, his gaze catching his daughter diligently at her post, he whispered to Matthew:
"We've arrived, I'll arrange for Old John to scout the area first."
Matthew didn't make a fuss, approving of Steward Ralph's arrangements, who had already proven his capability.
But just then, a piercing roar spread through the air.
A red figure, over three meters tall, charged over under the moonlight.
It was enveloped in burning flames, yet unlike the aberrant murlocs that burned to death, it was vigorous.
Flaming tendrils stretched out from its back, dancing in the air, causing ripples of flame.
"Aberrant giant, elite, challenge tier 12+! Infected!"
Simple information, but it made Matthew squint his eyes.
He had never expected to encounter an aberrant giant in Bay Village, this peculiar species was rarely seen even in his past life.
The Crimson Moon could infect many lives, causing physical aberrations, but even twenty years later, just the initial influence of the Crimson Moon would hardly infect higher-tier life forms.
Before he could gather more information, Matthew suddenly saw, in front of the elite giant, a nimble figure, swiftly escaping.
However, the elite giant was faster.
Especially under the continuous illumination of the Crimson Moon, its aberration deepened rapidly, its original reason quickly disappearing, replaced by increasing physical strength.
The elite giant swung a black thick club, nearly hitting the figure several times.
Matthew could see that the petite figure, having exhausted too much energy, was almost unable to hold on.
"Leon, come back!"
Old John's familiar voice came, Matthew saw Leon rushing forward, and lightly touched the staff in his hand.
"Huff... Huff..."
Her lungs burned painfully, each breath felt like hot knives stabbing inside.
Her legs also throbbed with pain, the aftereffects of overexertion began to show, gradually slowing her dodging speed.
Rebecca's eyes showed a hint of regret, this terrifying creature, even if lured out of the village, would return as long as the Crimson Moon was not over.
Not just tonight, but possibly in the future as well...
Feeling the heavy whooshing sound behind her, Rebecca's previously drifting gaze became firm again, she struggled forward, nimbly rolling.
As long as she had breath, she would lead this creature away from the village as much as possible.
Splatter!
A wet mud pit made her legs go weak, unable to control her force, she fell headlong into the wild grass, the sharp grass cutting her cheek mask, creating a fresh wound, yet this pain was nothing compared to the despair in her heart.
Rebecca turned her head, just in time to see the all-burnt elite giant charging over, more than ten tendrils from its back reaching out to grab her viciously.
"No, even in death, I cannot become such a monster!"
Determination flashed in her azure eyes, Rebecca clenched her dagger, glanced in the direction of the village one last time, and bid her final farewell.
"Goodbye..."
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The exploding airflow burst forth, mixed with the stench of char, the giant hand that was close at hand suddenly retreated.
"Rebecca, how are you? Are you hurt?"
A hand grabbed Rebecca's shoulder, pulling her backward, the familiar call entering her ears, bringing tears to her eyes.
The voice of her older brother Leon!
The narrowly escaped Rebecca quickly shook her head, then sensed something and her smile turned bitter.
The crimson moonlight was equally deadly, she had been contaminated!
"Even so, I must take this creature with me!"
Before Rebecca could reignite her fighting spirit, a blaze of azure light flashed before her eyes, brushing past her hair, "whoosh", striking the chest of the oncoming giant, tearing open a fist-sized hole in its already muddled flesh.
"This..."
The much wiser Leon quickly pulled his somewhat dazed sister back.
He had noticed that his sister's sleeve and pant leg were torn, definitely exposed to the Crimson Moon's light, so they must purify her quickly, not forgetting to comfort:
"Our new lord has arrived, I now work for him, he has a purification potion, I'll ask for a bottle for you, let's go!"
"Roar...!"
The stench-filled roar echoed over the open plains, the elite giant chasing after Leon and Rebecca, its chest wound rapidly healing, its twisting tendrils constantly whipping, making crackling sounds.
This terrifyingly twisted image, a normal person seeing it once, would have continuous nightmares!
"Fuel ready, throw!"
A crisp and decisive voice spread, followed by the "crack" of a pottery jar shattering, black fuel spreading out behind Leon and Rebecca.
The mindless elite giant plunged into it, raising its club high, aiming to cleave at Leon's head!
Boom!
The rising firelight created a fierce shockwave, instantly engulfing the elite giant.
The burning serpents turned the dancing tendrils to char.
Its vitality was extremely tenacious, continuously regenerating after being charred on the surface, the severed pieces falling into the fuel, struggling wildly, continuously jumping until they turned to ash!
Over ten arrows sped away, mainly aiming at the giant's head, which resembled a torch.
Most were swept aside by its wildly swinging club, and a part lacked enough lethality, piercing the giant's skin but unable to inflict fatal damage.
Matthew stood up nonchalantly, his gaze sweeping over Leon, who had survived the ordeal, he raised his staff, pointing at the not-too-distant giant.
"Health left 6 points, it's my turn to act!"