Realm of Myths and Legends

Chapter 1174 Enemies Approach, Endless Blossom Array

”Youʼve given me a lot to think about. I will take my time trying to find a suitable approach. Once again, you have my thanks, Palace Master Izroth.” Valkyria said as she expressed her gratitude.

ʼOh? She caught on fast. Of course, having knowledge and knowing how to implement it are two different things. Itʼs still a step in the right direction.ʼ

Izroth shook his head and replied, ”Soon or later, you and everyone else will have realized this. I merely opened the door a little earlier.”

Suddenly, Izroth narrowed his eyes as he sensed numerous presences closing in from every direction on the Ore Cave.

”Theyʼre here.” Izroth said unhurriedly.

”Itʼs a little later than the reports mentioned. I stationed some of the Lotus Guard inside the Ore Cave in case anyone manages to slip through. The rest are holding their positions. Zinnia will be in charge of operating the magic formation. As the section leader stationed in Kifa Karsts, she will have the authority to activate the magic formation in case of emergencies.” Valkyria explained.

”Section leader Zinnia has a good head on her shoulders. She should have no trouble operating the magic formation. Now, shall we sit back and enjoy the show?” Izroth commented.

Currently, Izroth and Valkyria were unable to be detected by others through normal methods. This was due to the Hidden Presence Talismans provided by Valkyria that erased their presence and entered them into a mode of stealth. As long as they were not moving around, their location should remain hidden to others.

A few moments later, the trees and bushes in the forest around the Ore Cave shook as several players walked out from the east, west, and south parts of the surrounding forest.

At first, there were only a handful of players; however, as time passed by, the numbers quickly increased. From ten to fifty, from fifty to one hundred, from one hundred several hundred.

In the blink of an eye, more than five hundred players stood menacingly several meters away from the Ore Caveʼs entrance.

There were six players who stood at the forefront of the large group of players, five males and one woman with varying classes.

”Sleeping Gardenia is become increasingly bold these days. Not only do they dare kill the members of my guild, they also want to swallow an entire Ore Cave alone. Itʼs wishful thinking at best.” One of the male players at the head of the group, Denier, said mockingly.

Denier was a high ranking core member of the top guild Defiant. After hearing about the humiliation the members of his guild suffered and the discovery of the Ore Cave, he personally led a group into Kifa Karsts.

”That bastard Defeaning Silence... If he just contacted me from the start, we could have been the ones to claim it for ourselves. Now, everyone else also has their eyes on this place. Iʼll deal with him after we settle matters here. How annoying.” Denier thought to himself.

”Hmph, itʼs nothing new. Sleeping Gardenia, those arrogant women—they have always been full of themselves. This time, they will have to pay a proper price for looking down on our guilds.” The female player at the front of the group who went by Snow Blossom said.

Snow Blossom was a core member of Mist Palace. The long standing feud between Sleeping Gardenia and Mist Palace was no secret. The two guilds were like oil and water. Naturally, Snow Blossom could not stand the sight of Sleeping Gardenia keeping such treasures all to themselves.

Stood next to Denier and Snow Blossom were four other players from their respective top guilds.

Hirogen from Broken Exile, Uraga from Hollow Tempo, Wipeout from the Headhunter Syndicate, and Ace of Saint from Blue Oasis.

The roughly five hundred players that accompanied them was a combination of individuals from their guilds stationed in or near the Kifa Karsts. There were even a few members of their subsidiary guilds in the mix.

The Ore Cave was certainly something to covet; however, the reason why the guilds gathered such a large force in response was due to the presence of Valkyria and the Lotus Guards. If not, why would they need to send such a large combined force just to deal with a few members of Sleeping Gardenia?

”The Lotus Guard coming to this place was unexpected. But, based on the information we gathered, there are no more than fifty members of the Lotus Guard present. If itʼs that much, while weʼll suffer some losses on our side, in the end, they can only be overwhelmed by our numbers.” Hirogen stated with a cold gaze.

”Then, what are we waiting for? Letʼs hurry up and take over this Ore Cave and claim it for ourselves.” Wipeout said eagerly.

”Ha, some people really are shameless until the very end. After recent events, does your Headhunter Syndicate even deserve to stand here next to us?” Uraga scoffed.

”What was that you bastard?! You dare say that again?!” Wipeout scowled.

”What? Everyone knows the Headhunter Syndicate is a shell of what it used to be thanks to the owner of the Mystical Realm Palace and the bounty he placed on the members of your guild. You should be grateful that the time period of collecting the bounties on your head has ended. Otherwise... Heh.” Uraga smirked.

”Iʼll kill you!” Wipeout shouted as a tome appeared in his hands and the mana around him surged.

”Just try it then! Iʼll make sure you live up to your name!” Uraga burst into a fit of laughter as he removed the wooden staff from his back.

”Enough! We didnʼt come here to fight each other! Weʼre here to claim the Ore Cave! If you two want to fight, do it after we accomplish our goal!” Ace of Saint said as he stepped in between Wipeout and Uraga.

”Youʼre too serious. It was just a light-hearted joke. Hahaha.” Uraga said as he glared at Wipeout.

”Hmph! Just you wait...” Wipeout muttered under his breath as the mana around him settled down.

”Idiots.” Snow Blossom thought to herself.

”Since you guys are down barking at each other, shall we discuss have to proceed?” Hirogen said indifferently.

He then continued, ”According to those from Defiant who discovered this place, there is only one way in and out. Since the Lotus Guard is nowhere to be seen outside, theyʼre probably planning to create a bottleneck inside the Ore Cave to hold us off. We also donʼt know what kind of movement Sacred Beasts and Cross Haven will make, so letʼs finish things up quickly. After that, weʼll discuss how to divide the Ore Cave amongst ourselves. In order to avoid confusion, I will take the lead. Those who donʼt like it are welcome to sit out. Of course, they also wonʼt receive a cut of the Ore Cave. So, are there any complaints?”

Hirogen spoke with a heavy air of authority about him. Sensing the atmosphere, no one spoke up to object.

”Since thatʼs settled, weʼll start the assault. Letʼs send a group in to-” Hirogen started; however, he halted his words as he felt the ground beneath him tremble violently.

”What is this?! An earthquake?!”

”Where there earthquakes in Kifa Karsts?!”

”Hey, watch where youʼre falling!”

”Idiot! Donʼt bump into me! Canʼt you even stand properly?!”

As the earth trembled, the group of players grew rowdy as many had trouble maintaining their balance.

Suddenly, the earth ceased its shaking as everyone tried to gather themselves.

”What the hell was that?” Wipeout frowned.

”This is the first time Iʼve heard of an earthquake appearing in Kifa Karsts. Itʼs strange.” Snow Blossom commented with furrowed brows.

”Hm? This smell... Where is it coming from?” Hirogen said as he sniffed the air with a cautious look in his eyes.

”Now that you mention it, I smell it too. It smells sweet...” Uraga noted.

Out of nowhere, one of the players in the large group felt something fall onto their head. He reached up felt something unusual as he took it into his hand to see what it was.

”A cherry blossom petal? Thatʼs weird. There arenʼt any cherry blossom trees around here. Where did this come from?” The player said to himself as he scratched his head in confusion.

”?!” All of a sudden, a cut appeared across the palm of the playerʼs hand as he quickly let go of the cherry blossom.