Dawn crept steadily across the horizon, painting the open plains with hues of gold and orange. Viktor's party pressed northward, guided by a singular goal: reaching the city of Vaite before it succumbed to ruin. Despite the serene landscape, the atmosphere was heavy with unease. The once distant hum of danger now loomed closer, gnawing at Viktor's mind like a relentless shadow.
His heart thumped steadily in his chest, driven by a lingering fear that something far worse was yet to come. The initial waves of chaos felt like a cruel prelude rather than the full orchestration of the system's apocalyptic design. Was this truly all the system would unleash and call an apocalypse? His instincts refused to believe it. The system's grim warnings still echoed in his thoughts, and his unease only grew stronger with each step forward.
Little did he know how justified his fears were.
He then remembered his maxed luck stat, thinking back if he had experience any situation where it came active or passive. Because he still does not have any such gasp concerning it due to the chaos that have been ongoing since he opened his eyes from his rest.
The team had been resting for bits at night with always having one person awake for look out except the little elina who had the luxury of getting a full sleep during their rest periods. This was too little, but no one could complain. Even Viktor himself was not comfortable with the military schedule he set for them, but that was the only way they could make it there in time.
Across the world, gates pulsed ominously, spitting out an endless horde of monsters. The night had birthed an insidious tide, and by dawn, countless creatures roamed the lands, their numbers seemingly without end. In every direction, humanity's strongholds braced against the monstrous onslaught, fighting desperately to maintain a fragile line of defense.
But the situation was not particularly dire in Vaite.
A gate stood at the far end, almost at a city length towards the east of vaite, glowing with a sinister energy that pulsed like a beating heart. All in the underground muster point watching the monster as they spew out.
Unlike the gates at the very end of Verdantra, which Viktor and his companions had narrowly escaped, this one had already begun spewing forth a relentless flood of low-tier goblins.
These creatures, barely taller than a child, had green, leathery skin stretched tight over wiry frames. Their twisted faces bore expressions of savage glee as they scrambled forward in droves, weapons crafted crudely from bone and jagged metal clutched in their clawed hands. The goblins spilled out of the gate like water bursting through a dam, their high-pitched screeches echoing across the plains.
Despite their weak individual strength, their sheer numbers made them a formidable threat. The system's defenses stationed at the city perimeter held firm for now, but cracks were beginning to show under the strain. Energy barriers flickered and buzzed as the goblins hurled themselves against it without hesitation. The air crackled with tension as defenders braced for what seemed like an inevitable breach.
Back on the northern path, Viktor's group remained unaware of the immediate threat looming ahead. All they could do was press forward, the wind carrying faint echoes of distant chaos. The plains stretched endlessly before them, with nothing but grass and sky as far as the eye could see.
"We've been traveling for hours now," Lydia said softly, adjusting her pack as she walked beside Viktor. "We should be getting close to Vale soon."
The city of vale was a neighboring city to vaite which was just a few hours away by foot.
Viktor nodded but remained silent. He kept his eyes on the horizon, scanning for any signs of approaching danger. The plains were deceptively peaceful, but he knew better than to let his guard down.
Rian, walking a few paces behind them, wiped sweat from his forehead. "I hope the city isn't already overrun by the time we arrive," he muttered, half to himself. "The system's been quiet since dawn. Too quiet."
The quiet unnerved them all. The lack of immediate threats only heightened their sense of dread, as though something monumental was preparing to descend upon them without warning.
Meanwhile, Luca moved through a separate path on the eastern route, maintaining a slow pace toward Vaite. His mind was a swirling vortex of thoughts as he navigated the terrain, acutely aware of the shifting energies around him. The system had delivered no further messages for days, and the silence felt oppressive.
"This can't be all," he thought grimly. "The system wouldn't stop at a few monsters and expect us to call it an apocalypse."
But the sight that greeted him as he crested a low ridge drove his grim suspicions into stark reality. In the distance, he could make out the glowing gate near Vaite's borders and the relentless tide of goblins pouring forth. Even from this distance, the sheer number was staggering.
"Damn it," Luca hissed under his breath. "What is this."
The sheer amount was just a view you look at and remain in shock, but still he kept his fear thinking of what it is that he was going to do, having remembered that "elina would be on her way here with those players".
Picking up his pace, he made a pause and started looking around to find Viktor's group if possible. As much as he preferred working alone, even he recognized the necessity of allies in what was shaping up to be a battle of endurance against an unending tide of monsters.
Back at the city, defenders manned the fortified walls with grim determination. Arrows rained down on the goblins, and bursts of elemental magic scorched the frontline.
Despite their efforts, the goblins continued to swarm forward, driven by a mindless, insatiable hunger for destruction.
Captain Theron avalanche, a seasoned soldier and leader of Vaite's defense forces, stood atop the central command post, barking orders to the frontline and the mages. His armor gleamed dully in the morning light, battered from countless skirmishes but still functional.
"Hold the line!" he shouted, his voice cutting through the chaos." Reinforcements are on the way. We just need to buy time like we have been doing!."
A nearby mage, her hands glowing with arcane energy, turned to him. "Captain, the barrier's failing faster than anticipated! If this keeps up".
The barrier was said to hold up for 5 days if the goblins that were coming out remained around the power level there were now, but unforeseen circumstances were bound to appear.
"It won't," Theron interrupted sharply. "We'll hold."
Despite his outward confidence, even he couldn't ignore the grim reality. The system's warning was clear, this was only the beginning. If low-tier goblins were this overwhelming, what would come next?
He thought to himself as he continues barking orders to keep their spirit up.
Back on the northern plains, Viktor, and his group finally caught sight of Vale walls in the distance. Relief washed over them momentarily, but it was quickly replaced by a renewed sense of urgency as they spotted smoke rising from the city's edge.
"We need to hurry," Viktor said, quickening his pace.
Lydia and Rian followed closely behind, their expressions grim. The sight of the distant battle rekindled their determination. Whatever awaited them in Vale, they knew one thing for certain, there was no turning back now.
As they drew closer, Viktor's unease deepened. The system's silence continued to weigh heavily on him. He couldn't shake the feeling that something far worse lay just beyond the horizon, waiting for the right moment to strike.
For now, all they could do was prepare for the inevitable and hope they reached the city in time and find solace amongst others. But deep down, Viktor knew this was only the beginning. The true apocalypse was still unfolding.