............The branches of the Tree of Wisdom tightened around Commander Roland, Anki, and Brian, lifting them slightly off the ground. The air crackled with energy as the tree began to glow brighter, the green light from its leaves intensifying.Aarav watched intently, feeling a growing sense of anticipation.A low hum filled the air, resonating deep within their chests. The tree's branches pulsed with energy, and tendrils of light began to flow from the tree into the three warriors.Their bodies absorbed the energy, their forms outlined in a radiant glow. The tree seemed to be singing, its leaves rustling in a harmonious melody that echoed through the forest.Commander Roland gritted his teeth as the energy surged through him, feeling his muscles tighten and his mind sharpen. Anki’s eyes widened in awe, sensing the changes in her body. Brian clenched his fists, feeling a newfound power coursing through his veins. The tree’s energy was transforming them, elevating them beyond the
............"Ahhh... Damn it. How did they know we're hiding here? How did our cover get blown? Who messed up? Don't let me catch you, or I'll skin you alive and play ping pong with your marbles!" A robed man ran alongside four others, clutching the wound in his stomach, cursing loudly, filled with rage and bloodlust."BANG... BAM...!!""Ahhh... fuck... you...!" A sharp arc sliced through the air before one of the robed men fell, clutching his stomach, blood pouring from the wounds. He cursed before spewing blood and collapsing, lifeless."Damn it... damn it. How is this guy so strong? Wasn't the information that he's just an old man, retired from the scene? When did he become this powerful? Fuck...!" The robed man, still clutching his stomach, cursed and looked back, ducking just in time to avoid being split open like one of his fallen comrades."Sizzle... Sizzle... Zaap...!""Ohh... shit... Boom!" The robed man kept running, watching his men fall one by one like flies. He was the
............"It's no use beating myself up. I need to make this trash talk and give me information about the rest of his group. There's no way in hell I believe this scum was acting alone; there have to be more bastards like him!" Archbishop Deniel mumbled angrily. He wrapped the robed man in vines and started dragging him towards Amberdale City.A while later, he arrived at the massive wall made of mud and tree vines. Like Quartzgate City, Amberdale had a single entrance with a huge door guarded by several soldiers checking those coming and going. Unlike Quartzgate, this city wasn't crowded. Its dangerous location deterred ordinary people, so only those from the supernatural world ventured here. Even the residents belonged solely to the supernatural side.Passing through the gates after the guards recognized him, Deniel was greeted by the familiar sight of Amberdale. Despite this being his third visit, he was still struck by how the city maintained its medieval culture. Simple h
............The robed man remained silent despite being bound and stared down by the veteran. His eyes clearly showed that he had no intention of speaking to them; rather, he looked down on them, daring them to make him talk if they could."You're really brave, aren't you? Even after being bound, you have the audacity to look down on us. Hey, buddies, let's open this guy's skull. No need to hold back!" The old man sighed, gesturing to his companions and speaking in an unrestrained, angry tone, his temple twitching."...!"They began to chant softly, invoking ancient techniques to loosen the man's tongue by messing with his brain signals, making him experience pain worse than childbirth.Vines tightened around the man's limbs, and a heavy, insistent pressure began to build in his mind from the torture, urging him to speak.Back in the church,Archbishop Deniel continued his sermon, speaking of hope and resilience. "We are the guardians of Amberdale, protectors of the sacred balance b
............Deniel fought with a fierce determination, his every strike driven by the need to eradicate these vermin.The guards of Amberdale, though brave, struggled against the trained and dirty-fighting cultists.In the midst of the chaos, Deniel caught sight of a cultist leader, a tall figure with a sinister smile.Their eyes locked, and Deniel felt a surge of fury. This was the one orchestrating the attacks, the mastermind behind this group of cultists."You...!" With a roar, Deniel charged at the leader."Lightning Snakes... Ice Spears!" Deniel attacked relentlessly, not giving his enemy a chance to breathe."Boom... Crash...!" A thunderous noise erupted, sending dust and debris flying."Cough... cough...!" The cultist leader, caught off guard, staggered and coughed up blood, trying to stand his ground."Where?" Deniel demanded, his voice filled with fury. "Where are the other cultist bastards?"The cultist leader laughed, a chilling sound. "You cannot stop what is coming, Ar
............"Elder Thistlewood, Archbishop Deniel, please come in," Cedarwind greeted them warmly, stepping aside to let them enter.As they settled inside the cozy, herb-scented room, Cedarwind looked at them with a knowing gaze. "What brings you here in such haste?"Thistlewood exchanged a glance with Deniel before speaking. "Cedarwind, we are in dire need of your abilities. The city is under threat from cultists, and we need to track them down. We were hoping you could use your gifts to help us locate them."Cedarwind's expression grew serious as she listened. She nodded slowly, understanding the gravity of the situation. "I will do what I can. Give me a moment to prepare."She moved gracefully to a small, round table in the center of the room, adorned with crystals, candles, and various artifacts. As Cedarwind began to chant softly, the candles flickered, casting dancing shadows on the walls. The air grew heavy with anticipation, and Deniel felt a shiver run down his spine.Eld
............"Now, now, Elders. Let's calm down and hear the plan first. We can't recklessly charge at them knowing how dangerous they can be. I heard in the last fight more than half of the guards lost their lives against those Cultists, so we must avoid making the same mistake again," spoke up a tall woman with long grey hair worn loose, soothing the hot-headed old men before turning to Archbishop Deniel.She was Healer Ashgrove, a tall, thin woman with long, straight grey hair and a slight ashen hue to her skin. Her dark, reflective eyes conveyed depth and wisdom. She dressed in simple, loose-fitting dresses in neutral tones."Yes, obviously we have a plan, but first we need to meet up with Elder Thistlewood, who is keeping an eye on those Cultists!" nodded Archbishop Deniel, reminding them of the need to gather with Elder Thistlewood before explaining their strategy."Huh... so Elder Thistlewood is already there. Let's go, what are we waiting for? We don't know what those lunatic
............As the farm workers clustered around the fallen old man, a murmur of concern and confusion spread through the crowd. The seven elders, now blending seamlessly with the workers, began their subtle investigation, watching for any unusual reactions.Elder Thistlewood, keeping up his act, knelt beside the old man and gently closed his eyes. "This is a terrible day," he said with a grave voice, "We must find out who did this."Elder Thistlewood's only intent was to draw everyone's attention to himself, which is why he made the old man appear dead by using a delayed deep sleep spell. If anyone observed closely, they would realize the truth, but Elder Thistlewood instilled fear in others to keep them from approaching.Meanwhile, the other seven elders subtly probed the strangers present on the cattle farm by pretending to bump into them or accidentally slipping and falling over them. Each elder used their own tricks to assess each stranger."Hmm, oh... Everyone, don't worry.