The aftermath of the battle was a somber affair. The village, already battered, was now in ruins. Smoke drifted from smoldering fires, and the once-lively streets were littered with debris, blood, and the quiet murmurs of survivors trying to regroup.
Rodensky, Emmanuel, and Izabella stood near the village square, their bodies aching and their spirits heavy. Even Rokura and Abaddon, proud and resilient as they were, lay sprawled out, their breaths heavy with exhaustion.
The villagers approached cautiously, their faces a mixture of gratitude and grief. An elderly man, leaning on a makeshift cane, stepped forward and bowed deeply.
"You have saved us again," he said, his voice trembling. "But at what cost?"
Rodensky looked at the man, his gaze softening. "We did what we could, but..." he hesitated, his voice faltering as he surveyed the devastation.
Izabella placed a hand on his shoulder, her presence steadying him. "The cost is always high, but lives were saved. That matters."
Emmanuel, leaning against his sword for support, sighed. "We're not done yet. The Black Snake Guild will be back, and we need to be ready."
---
The System Rewards
As they prepared to help with recovery efforts, the system's familiar panel appeared before them, its glow cutting through the dim light of the village.
[Quest Completed: Protect the Village from the Black Snake Guild]
EXP Gained: 10,000
World Tree Seed Obtained
Rodensky frowned as he studied the reward. The World Tree Seed floated in a small orb of light before him, its appearance both mesmerizing and enigmatic.
"What's this supposed to do?" Emmanuel asked, peering at the glowing seed.
The system provided additional information:
[World Tree Seed: A unique artifact capable of growing a tree with unparalleled power. Once planted, the territory surrounding it will be bound to you. Allies gain increasing boosts based on the tree's height. Choose its location wisely.]
Rodensky closed the panel and carefully stored the seed in his inventory. "Not here," he murmured. "The village is too vulnerable. We'll need to find somewhere safer to plant it."
The experience points also brought significant growth. The system displayed their status updates:
Rodensky: Level Up! New Level: 59(progression 10%)
Emmanuel: Level Up! New Level: 59(progression 15%)
---
Recovery Efforts
As the system notifications faded, the trio turned their attention back to the villagers. The priest was still tending to the wounded, her hands glowing with faint divine energy.
Rodensky joined her, using whatever potions and supplies he had left to assist. Emmanuel and Izabella began organizing the remaining challengers and villagers to repair the broken gate and secure the perimeter.
The night was long, filled with labor and quiet determination.
---
The Weight of Leadership
By dawn, the village was somewhat stable. The main gate had been crudely repaired, and the wounded were resting in makeshift shelters.
Rodensky sat under a tree at the edge of the village, the World Tree Seed in his hands. Its soft glow pulsed faintly, a reminder of its potential.
Izabella approached, her armor slightly dented but her spirit unbroken. "You're thinking about where to plant it," she said.
Rodensky nodded. "It's more than just a seed. It's a responsibility. Wherever I plant it, I'm tying myself to that place, to those people."
"That's not a bad thing," Izabella said. "You've already shown you care about others. That's why they look up to you. Why I..." She paused, catching herself. "Why I followed you."
Rodensky glanced at her, the weight of her words lingering between them. He gave a faint smile. "Thanks, Izabella. That means a lot."
As the sun rose, casting its light over the recovering village, the trio knew their journey was far from over. The Black Snake Guild was still out there, and the ruins on the map promised more challenges and dangers ahead.