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‘It looks similar to that necklace,’ Alister thought, referring to the Overlord’s heirloom. Both items had a similar silver lizard-like design, this one curled around to form the ring with a small pink gem in its maw.
‘Must have been crafted by the same artisan or something. I’ll ask Terra later if it becomes important,’ he thought.
With a deep breath, Alister slipped the Ring of Focus onto his finger. The moment the ring touched his skin, a cool sensation spread through his body, followed by a strange sense of clarity. It was as if a veil had been lifted from his mind, leaving it unusually clear and focused.
His eyes drifted towards the others again, and he noticed a small change in the way he saw them. Each of them seemed to stand out more, their presence more defined. It was as if he were seeing them for the first time.
‘It feels… different, but nothing has changed yet, so I guess I’m supposed to designate the memory I want to forget, like the system said.’
He closed his eyes, focusing on the memory he wanted to suppress-the shadowy figure, the uneasy feeling of dread. He concentrated on pushing them away, deeper and deeper into the recesses of his mind.
The ring warmed up slightly around his finger, responding to his will.
It was as if a part of his consciousness had been gently extracted, leaving a void where thoughts and memories once were.
As the weight of the unknown began to lift, the shadowy figure, the recurring nightmares, the nagging feeling of something missing all of it seemed to fade into the background of his mind.
For the first time in what felt like days, Alister felt calm. His mind was clear.
It felt like an unknown weight had suddenly been lifted from his shoulders, so much so that he involuntarily closed his eyes, allowing sleep to overtake him.
As he drifted off to sleep, a small smile crept onto his lips. Maybe, just maybe, this was the beginning of the end of his troubles.
?
[00:30:00 left for daily quest completion!]
[00:20:00 left for daily quest completion!]
[00:10:00 left for daily quest completion!]
[00:00:00!]
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[Daily quest failed!]
[Penalty calculating……]
[Considering conditions under quest failure…]
[Penalty determined!]
[Penalty Quest: The Weight of an Overlord’s Mantle!
Description: The player has failed in his role as an Overlord. He has failed to keep getting stronger, to carry the hopes of his people, and to obtain the strength to realize their dreams.
As such, the player needs to understand what happens to those who follow a weak Overlord or one who fails to perform his duties.
Quest completion condition: The player will be made to mentally experience the 9th Draconic War as a general who will die due to the incompetence of his lord. In death, the player would wish such a thing would never repeat itself.]
…
The moon hung high in the night sky, casting it’s silver glow across the barren, cracked earth of the wastelands. The air was filled with dust, and a faint rumble could be heard in the
distance, signaling the approach of a horde of monsters.
The Reapers Guild had taken their positions, each member ready for the incoming monsters.
Their dropship had landed on a high rocky surface, providing a nice vantage point over the surrounding area. From here, they could see the monsters, twisted bodies of dark energy and raw muscle, charging at them from the horizon.
Kael stood at the front, his eyes looking around the battlefield as the wind whipped his hair. His voice was calm as he called out over the comms.
“Everyone, you know your positions. Stick to the plan, and let’s make this quick. No need to
prolong their suffering.”
Rex, the towering titan of a man with steel-bending Talent, slammed his fists together, the ground beneath him trembling as he grinned.
“Ready to break some bones, Captain.”
Aria was already moving, her fingers moving across her console as she synchronized the
group’s communication.
“I’ll keep our systems in check and monitor the battlefield. No surprises today.” Mira adjusted her headphones, a playful smirk on her lips as she twirled her glaive, a spear
like weapon with a large photon blade attached to a staff. Her talent enhanced speed.
“Let’s make this fun, shall we? I could use a little entertainment.”
Kai stood slightly apart, flipping his daggers in his hands as he focused on the incoming monsters. His eyes glowed faintly with his green mana as he tightened his grip around them,
ready to spring into action.
“Just give the word, and I’ll be wherever I need to be.”
Jin was already in position on a higher ridge, his sniper rifle assembled and ready. His eyes
glowed with intensity as he focused, scanning the horizon for any signs of movement. His
talent, Blast impact, ensured his shots packed an extra punch.
“Targets in sight. On your mark, Captain.”
Kael raised his hand, signaling for silence as the first wave of monsters approached.
“Aria, give us a scan. What are we dealing with?”
Aria’s holographic display displayed a series of data as she spoke, “Looks like a horde of Warped Behemoths. They’re fast, strong, but nothing we haven’t handled before.”
Kael nodded. “Good. Rex, you’re up. Keep them contained. Mira, cover his flanks. Kai, be ready
to clean up any stragglers. Jin, pick off the leaders. I’ll engage the main force and support as
needed.”
Rex grinned, his muscles bulging as he stomped forward, slamming his hands into the ground. The earth responded to his will, with massive steel barriers erupting from the ground, forming a makeshift fortress to funnel the monsters into a kill zone. “Let’s see them
get through this!”
Mira dashed alongside Rex, her glaive spinning as it whistled in the air. As the first monsters charged, she ended them with swift strikes as she swung her weapon in a wide arc, her glaive
cutting through flesh and bone easily.
“Come on, you ugly brutes! Let’s see what you’ve got!”
Blood spraying all over her tech suit.
Kai was already making his move, his body vanishing in and out of sight as he teleported between the monsters, his daggers flashing in the dim light.
He swung his daggers in a vertical arc, slicing through tendons and arteries with speed, causing the creatures to collapse before they even realized he was there.
“Too slow,” he said as he disappeared in a blink, reappearing to take down another target.
Jin’s voice came through the comms.
“Leader at two o’clock, 800 meters out. Taking the shot.” A soft hiss echoed as his sniper rifle fired, the bullet soaring through the air before striking the Warped Behemoth leader right between the eyes. The creature stumbled, its movements halted as it collapsed in a massive
boom.
“Target down.”
Kael charged into the fray, his sword blazing as he struck down any monster that broke through the team’s defenses.
His movements were smooth and well controlled, each strike perfectly timed to maximize
damage.
“Keep the pressure up. Don’t let them regroup!”
Rex maintained the barriers, keeping the monsters contained while Mira moved around him,
her glaive carving through the horde.
Kai continued to teleport across the battlefield, picking off any creatures that attempted to
flank the team.
He grinned as he pulled a particularly stubborn monster towards him, slicing its throat before
teleporting away to avoid its collapsing body.
“Another one bites the dust.”
Jin’s rifle cracked again, another Warped Behemoth leader falling to the ground with a bullet
through its skull.
“Clear on my end. Moving to the next target.”