The return to the village was far from the victorious celebration they had anticipated. As Rodensky, Emmanuel, and Izabella approached, the sight of the shattered gate sent a chill down their spines. Bloodied bodies—both challengers and villagers—littered the ground. The remnants of the once peaceful village now echoed with the muffled cries of the injured.
Near the village square, a priest knelt, her hands glowing faintly as she healed the wounds of a battered villager. Her face was pale, her voice trembling as she answered Rodensky's urgent question.
"We were attacked by the Black Snake Guild… hours ago," she said, her voice breaking. "They're the ones who enslaved the villagers before. We managed to drive them back, but…" her voice faltered as her gaze fell on the bodies of fallen challengers and villagers. "They said they would return… with reinforcements."
Rodensky's jaw tightened as he turned to Izabella. "Who are they?"
Izabella's expression darkened. "The Black Snake Guild is a rogue group of challengers. They'll do anything to get what they want enslavement, murder, you name it. Their philosophy is simple: survival of the fittest. Their leader is a Beast Master with a massive black snake as his primary pet. But…" She hesitated.
"But what?" Rodensky pressed.
"There are rumors," Izabella continued. "That he has another beast, a trump card he keeps hidden. If those rumors are true, we're in for a fight unlike anything we've faced before."
---
Preparations for Battle
The villagers scrambled to rebuild barricades and fortify their defenses. Rodensky and Emmanuel, though exhausted from the ruin, knew they had no choice but to prepare for what was coming. Rodensky summoned Rokura, who emerged in a brilliant flash of light, its wings flaring with power.
"Rokura will be key to this battle," Rodensky said, stroking the lion's crystalline mane. He glanced down at the hatchling pup, Arcturus, nestled in his subspace. "But not the pup. It's too soon for it to fight. I'll keep it safe to grow and gather energy."
As they prepared, the system suddenly activated, displaying a task visible only to Rodensky:
---
Task Received: Protect the Village
Objective: Defend the village from the Black Snake Guild and eliminate all threats.
Reward: 10, 000 XP and the World Tree Seed
Description: Wherever you plant this seed, it will be acknowledged as your territory. The taller the tree grows, the greater the boost it grants to you and your allies when fighting within its bounds.
---
Rodensky's eyes flickered as he read the details. The potential of the World Tree Seed was immense, but this was not the time to decide where to plant it. For now, he tucked the seed into his inventory, focusing instead on the immediate threat.
"The system seems to have high expectations of you," Emmanuel teased, noticing the slight pause in Rodensky's demeanor.
"Let's hope I can live up to them," Rodensky replied, his tone grim.
---
A Fragile Calm Before the Storm
As night fell, the village was eerily silent, the tension thick in the air. Emmanuel sharpened his blade, his fiery dragon, Abaddon, coiled protectively nearby. Izabella, now donned in her shining paladin armor, offered words of encouragement to the villagers. Despite the fear in their eyes, her calm authority gave them strength.
Rodensky stood at the edge of the village, Rokura by his side, its massive wings folded tightly. His gaze was fixed on the horizon, waiting for any sign of the enemy.
"Why do you care so much?" Izabella asked softly, stepping beside him.
Rodensky didn't look away. "Because someone has to. People like the Black Snake Guild can't be allowed to destroy lives unchecked."
Izabella studied him for a moment before smiling faintly. "You have a strong sense of responsibility. That's rare among challengers. Most are too consumed by power."
Rodensky turned to her, meeting her gaze. "Power means nothing if you don't use it to protect others."
Izabella nodded, her respect for him deepening. "Then let's make sure we win this."
---
The Battle Begins
The sound of distant movement broke the silence. The Black Snake Guild had arrived, their ranks bolstered by reinforcements. At their head was a tall, imposing figure, his black snake coiled menacingly around him.
Rodensky gripped his weapon tightly. "This is it. No holding back."
The battle for the village and the future of its people was about to begin.