Chapter 145: Return
East of the Rogue Encampment, crossing the vast Plains like an ocean, then crossing the giant-like Misty Forest, lies a Golden Great Desert filled with a Mysterious aura. Although for the Rogue Encampment, that is already a distant Eastern Continent, the people there do not seem to orient themselves around the Rogue Encampment. They still habitually call their location the Western Kingdoms, and the capital of the Western Kingdoms—the Harbor City known as the City of Jewels, Lut Gholein—is a massive commercial city yearned for by Merchants across the entire Sanctuary.
Further east of Lut Gholein is a boundless ocean named the Twin Seas. Crossing this vast Twin Seas eastward leads to the Ancient City known as the Adventurer's Paradise—Kurast Docks. If the Rogue Encampment is the ocean of the Plains and Lut Gholein is the ocean of the Desert, then Kurast is the ocean of the Forest. Compared to the Tropical Primeval Forest there, the enormous Misty Forest is like a small child. Of course, there is another Statement: the Misty Forest is actually a part of it. The vast Tropical Primeval Forest bypasses the boundless Twin Seas and extends all the way to the distant west; the Misty Forest is just a small Tail of it. Naturally, no one can prove the truth or falsehood of this Statement, just as it is impossible to verify how large the Universe is.
South of Lut Gholein, in contrast to the water world of the Eastern Twin Seas, is a dry Death Desert. Similarly, no one knows where the center of this Desert is. Not a single Adventurer who has attempted to venture into the depths of the Desert has returned. It is said that in the innermost part of the Desert lies the Cemetery of the Horadrim, known as the Magic Tribe. The greatest Warrior in history, Tal Rasha, was actually a member of the Horadrim, and Tal Rasha's final burial place is said to be in the Horadrim Tomb. Over time, that place was again called Tal Rasha's Ancient Tomb by Adventurers.
It is said that Tal Rasha's Ancient Tomb hides the endless Treasure of the Horadrim. Even the most prized possession of the Horadrim—the Horadric Cube—is said to be hidden inside. For a time, countless Adventurers flocked there, but how could the Horadrim, renowned throughout the world as a Magic Tribe, easily allow others to covet the Tomb of their Ancestors? Even thousands of years ago, when Magic Civilization was unprecedentedly prosperous, there were no reports of anyone being able to Approach the Cemetery, let alone now. As for how the Horadrim enter and exit the outside world, this has always been an unsolvable Mystery across the entire Sanctuary.
In the depths of the Desert. The vast, boundless yellow Land is covered with sand dunes that rise and fall like great waves. The yellow sand stretches endlessly, and when a sandstorm rises, it becomes even darker, obscuring everything. Yellow clouds fill the surroundings, meeting the Sky above. The Sky hangs so low it feels like it's pressing down on your Head. Occasionally, when the strong wind stops, it's not a good thing either. Once the yellowish Sky tears open, it reveals a stark white, dazzling Sky. A scorching hot Sun, as large as a washbasin, hangs there, baking the entire Desert like a smoldering furnace. What you inhale through your nose and exhale through your mouth is nothing but scorching hot breath. Just standing here for a moment, you can see steam rising from your Body and hair. No amount of water helps.
The harsh environment proves that this place is at least a 10-day journey from the Lost City, the closest point in the Western Kingdoms to the Desert depths. This is already a Distance that Adventurers must be wary of.
Yet, in this oven-like place, several figures wearing Cloaks walk slowly across the high, convex hills like Ghosts in the Desert. Their light Footsteps on the sand make a "shasha" friction sound, confirming that they are definitely not illusions formed by a Mirage, but real Life.
"Big Brother, that guy Qiuludun seems to have gone back to the Rogue Encampment."
The cloaked man on the left pulled down the hood of his Cloak, which hung over his forehead, and said in a grating, hoarse Voice. Even he wasn't having an easy time in this hellish environment.
"That bastard?"
In the center was an upright and sturdy man. From his physique, he was most likely a Paladin or a Barbarian.
"What an ignorant and arrogant good-for-nothing. Forget it. If he wants to seek death, we can't blame him."
The sturdy man, called Big Brother, showed a hint of contempt in his eyes, seemingly having no good impression of the guy named Qiuludun.
"I hate that guy..."
From the skinny cloaked figure on the right came a similarly hoarse male Voice, but this Voice carried a ruthless, even disgusted, coldness.
"Reckless and bloodthirsty. I really don't understand why the Alliance would allow such a guy..."
The man who spoke first on the left agreed and added, but he was interrupted by "Big Brother" in the middle.
"Enough. Hawk, let Jean and the others fend for themselves. We just need to do things our way. Why say more?"
"..."
"This hellish weather is really... can we really find the Ancient Tomb?"
After walking for a while, the cloaked man on the left took a big gulp from a water pouch and complained.
"Who knows..."
The skinny figure on the right still replied with that brief and cold Voice. It was clear that he also disliked this hellish place.
"Let's walk a bit longer. If we still haven't found any Clues by then, we'll go back immediately."
The sturdy figure in the middle lowered his Head and thought for a while, then replied firmly. They had been walking for nearly half a month since departing from the Lost City. Food and Water Source were not a problem, but if they went deeper, the Town Portal Scroll they relied on to escape might become ineffective due to the excessive Distance. At that point, facing this Hell-like Desert, they would have nothing left but to wait for Death.
"Let's Rest for a while. We'll Depart in the evening."
Looking at the fiery red Sun rising higher and higher, the sturdy man walking in front wiped his sweat. Even they had to follow the Desert rule of traveling by night and resting by day.
"Alright, I'll go find a suitable place..."
The man on the left said happily.
As the boundless White Light in my eyes dissipated, the outlines of the Surroundings gradually became clear. That's right, this is the Waypoint I last used—the Outer Cloister. The gloomy and dark Sky over the Tamoe Highland, and the fresh Air carrying a faint scent of blood, were all desperately stimulating my nerve endings, causing the hot blood in my pulse to surge and boil continuously.
"Lord Fan, welcome."
The Sorceress and Rogue Soldiers guarding the Waypoint looked at each other in surprise, seeing only one person walk out of the Waypoint. After recognizing who it was, they showed a knowing Smile.
"It's probably going to rain soon. Would you like to Rest for a night before leaving?"
After exchanging pleasantries, the kind Soldier suggested.
I looked up at the Sky. Indeed, the heavy Dark Clouds were almost pressing down on my Head, and it was already approaching evening. The Soldier's Suggestion was very practical.
"Thank you for your Suggestion, but fighting in the rain seems to have a unique Flavor. So, I can only appreciate your good intention."
I smiled and said goodbye to them. After walking for a short while, I was already close to the Monster-infested Zone.
Looking at the small bushes swaying without wind nearby, and the slightly trembling Large Tree, I chuckled lightly. I took out a Mana Potion from my Belt and drank it. Then, Little Snow, Poison Creeper, Lazy Crow, Oak Sage, and the other four Ghost Wolves were Summoned one by one. *Cough*, having a high Skill Level isn't always a good thing; over 100 Mana points were almost not enough.
Little Snow, who hadn't appeared for a long time, cleared her Throat as usual, raised her Head, and opened her mouth wide.
"Awoo..."
A Wolf Howl piercing the Sky, carrying a fierce and bold Aura, echoed for a long time over the entire Outer Cloister.
"Shasha shasha..."
As soon as the Sound dissipated, Movement immediately arose in the Surroundings. Huge figures jumped down from the Large Trees in the Courtyard, and ripples spread out from the Grass and Garden, rapidly expanding towards us.
"Look what you've done."
I vigorously rubbed Little Snow's fluffy white Head. I have to say, the Feel was quite soft and smooth.
"Woo~~~"
Little Snow lowered her Head and whimpered a few times, then vigorously shook her Head, gave a Sneeze, and then panted heavily at me, wearing an exaggerated Expression that seemed to say, "Officers, run fast, let me cover the rear."
"I think you just want to swallow them all yourself. No way."
I saw through Little Snow's little schemes at a glance and rubbed her Head even harder.
Poison Creeper also exaggeratedly turned in small circles on the ground, showing its protest and contempt towards Little Snow. I didn't realize it was also a warmonger, but only after the Battle began did I understand that it wasn't warmongering, it was just craving food...
Several grayish-white figures were gradually approaching. Needless to say, these were the second evolution of Giant Beasts—Yetis. And those darting through the flower bushes and Grass were the third evolution of Bristleback Mice—Razor Spines. In the Monster Attack, everyone had only killed Low-level monsters, the most impressive being the Crippled Fiends in the Underground Passage. Seeing them, I felt as if I saw countless Experience points dancing in the Sky, almost bringing hot tears to my eyes. Good comrades, you are all good comrades.
Five Yetis, one of which was Elite Rank, and numerous Razor Spines. In an instant, they had entered Attack range. With a few "swish swish" sounds, the Razor Spines, relying on their ranged Advantage, shot over ten blood-red Spines towards us head-on. The numb and itchy pain quickly brought back the Feeling of Battle.
Without me saying anything, Poison Creeper instantly submerged into the ground and sneaked towards the flower bushes. I, on the other hand, faced the Elite Rank Yeti. Little Snow and the others also had their own Targets—dealing with these Monsters didn't require all five of them to cooperate.
The Yati Chieftain took rapid strides, its huge figure pouncing towards me head-on. Fast, so fast, completely not on the same Level as the clumsy Giant Beast. I watched the smashing Fists with slight discomfort, my Body instinctively tilting to the side.
"Boom..."
The Yeti's Fists brushed past my right arm and smashed heavily onto the hard black-brown stone bricks. The solid floor bricks immediately let out a harsh Sound, and several fine cracks spread out from the small dent smashed in by the Yati Chieftain's Fists.
Huh, dodged it?
Looking at the fist-sized dent beside my foot, although it was just a relatively slow-moving Yeti, being able to dodge its Attack so perfectly was enough to make me happy for a while. For a Druid with low Dexterity, achieving such perfect dodging is indeed a Technique that requires skill.
What is perfect dodging? It's not the method of simply jumping away forcefully when seeing an enemy Attack. Even a Sorceress could probably do such a simple Movement. True melee dodging is about using the smallest Movement and range to dodge the enemy's Attack. The smaller the dodging range and the finer the Movement, the lower the Influence on the Body's Sense of Balance. Maintaining good body coordination while dodging, and delivering a swift blow to the enemy who hasn't reacted in time at the fastest Speed—this is a major basic point of Defense Counterattack.
Of course, it's not necessarily true that the smaller the dodging Movement and range, the better. Nothing is absolute. If the enemy's Movement and reaction are relatively slow, or if you rely on your own high Speed and high Dexterity, you can also make dodges with a larger range, pulling open a certain Distance before attacking. This is because a larger Distance is conducive to charging, which can exert a greater Damage Value from the Weapon.
However, having said that, if your own Attack Speed is relatively fast, dodging with a smaller Distance at the beginning might allow you to Attack twice consecutively. In short, different people have different views; everything must be judged based on the comparison of both sides' Strength. There is never an unchanging Tactics in this world.
While I was thinking about Kashya's words, the blue Long Dagger with 4-10 Damage that I casually took out did not stop at all. At the moment of crossing paths with the Yeti's huge figure, I slashed it heavily across its waist and ribs. 44 Strength was already enough for me to exert the Long Dagger's Attack Damage to a higher level, at least between 7-10.
A finger-deep Bloodstain immediately appeared where the Long Dagger had passed. The Yati Chieftain let out a cry of pain, but its Defense was also impressive. Within a few seconds, the Bloodstain had completely healed, leaving only a shocking pool of blood on its waist.
"Roar..."
Having failed to land a successful blow and instead being preempted by its Opponent, the naturally brutal Yeti let out a Roar. Its only smooth mouth puffed up like two tender white Buttocks, and its thick, short neck made its Head look as if it were embedded between its shoulders. Its amusing appearance made it look both ferocious and comical.
With a rapid turn, its thick and long arms swept horizontally with the momentum like a rotating crane arm. I immediately decided and bent down, lowering my Body and lunging forward, attempting to dodge its sweeping arm Attack while also slashing it again on its waist and ribs.
Unfortunately, my Body didn't manage to lower enough. With a "swish" sound, an intense friction pain immediately came from my Back. Fortunately, with my current 44 Strength, the Yeti's Attack did not cause me to fall into any Negative Status Effect, so I seized the opportunity and hacked it on its shoulder. Having failed to successfully dodge was one thing, but if I couldn't even trade blow for blow, then I was truly worse than my previous standard.
Alas, I failed this time, I sighed.
Just as Kashya said, even the most basic Defense Counterattack is not something that can be achieved overnight. The more basic the skill, the more effort it requires. It seems it will take some more time to achieve it like Instinct.
I briefly glanced at the other battlefields. Poison Creeper was skillfully moving back and forth among the Razor Spines, teasing them into spinning around in confusion. Getting excited, it even swallowed a Razor Spine of suitable size with a gulp. As for Little Snow and the others, they advanced and retreated with order, coming and going like the Wind. Their exquisite Techniques and Tactics seemed like their innate Instinct, making me extremely envious.