Chapter 244

Chapter 244

The druid was torn between using his magic. The situation was complicated; the invisible creatures weren't like aerial monsters that could be taken down all at once. If he acted recklessly, he might end up harming his own comrades.

But if they did nothing, their mission would surely fail!

Just as the druid was about to make a decision, his half-body lying on the ground sensed vibrations from the earth's surface.

Something... was coming...?

The Druid instinctively assumed another wave of monsters was approaching. He gasped and pushed the flawless young man, who was still healing in front of him. "That's it, hurry up and run! Don't just stand there!"

The flawless young man didn't budge. "Are your legs healed?"

"Fine, fine, just go already!"

"You're lying. You can't move at all."

"Why are you so stubborn?" The Druid was perplexed. He roared, "Hurry up and leave! More monsters are coming!"

The flawless young man paused, then immediately looked up, scanning their surroundings. This time, the monsters were visible to the naked eye, as a black tide gradually drew closer to them.

As the creatures approached, their thick, branch-like tentacles, drool-drenched maws, and towering, robust frames, resembling war machines, caused the young man's calves to tremble uncontrollably. He bent down, attempting to lift the stunned Druid onto his back.

"Quick, quick, let's go! We must run!"

"I'm blind, right?"

"Probably not, I saw them too."

"Those don't seem to be hostile forces."

"No, that's one of Lane's kin! We met in the Divine Realm before!"

The Druid recognized the figure as an ally, not an enemy. This realization immediately drained his strength, preventing him from lifting the injured youth. By then, the vibrations from the ground were imminent. All the invisible beasts halted their slaughter, watching the approaching War Behemoth with caution.

The Perfect Youth trembled violently, instinctively stepping in front of the motionless druid. With a sense of despair, he closed his eyes as the Black Tree Men approached.

Yet, the anticipated pain did not come.

Amidst the warm breaths of fellow players, the flawless young man opened his eyes in confusion. He watched as the black monsters passed by them. The Druid laughed heartily, "Don't worry, they're allies. They've come to help us!"

"Woof, woof, they're kin sent by Lahn!"

"Perfect timing, I thought we were done for."

The Druid also breathed a sigh of relief. By now, with the aid of magic potions, his broken leg was almost healed. He moved it around and stood up. He observed the black treants accurately swinging their massive black tentacles at invisible beasts, wondering how they managed to locate them.

Regardless, it seemed that this group was saved.

At that moment, he noticed that not all the Blackwood creatures had halted; quite a few had rushed into the caverns, likely heading elsewhere. He quickly sent messages to the other teams on the forum.

Druid: Hold on! Reinforcements from Lahn are on their way! Try to move closer to the teleportation point!

Crazy: Easier said than done when you're the closest to the cave, qwq

Each Perfect Human settlement was situated at varying distances from the caverns. Places like Blackrock Town were exceptions, being relatively close, while it took a full three hours to reach from Ocris City.

Regardless, they had to endure until help arrived!

Not Crazy firmly pulled out a rocket launcher, alarming the players around him. "Sis, calm down, sis! This is definitely going to affect us!"

"We have to break through quickly, or the monsters around us will only multiply... If you get hit, it's bad luck. Move aside now!"

The players on the front line felt a chill run down their spines and didn't dare look back. They immediately dove to the ground on either side.

"Boom!"

The rocket cleared a path ahead of them, and Not Crazy shouted, "Go, go, go! Don't hesitate, don't look back! Those who can, carry the wounded!"

...

"Our reinforcements are almost here. Follow this direction and meet up with them as soon as possible!"

...

"Everyone, try to stay in the inner part. We'll protect you!"

...

"Stay put! Look at those monsters outside. One wrong move and we're done for!"

At this moment, players feared not dying in battle or encountering even more formidable creatures or malevolent deities. Their greatest dread was internal chaos, with people running amok, even retreating, losing rational judgment in the midst of the panic as they blindly followed the crowd.

In the case of Black Cat's team, although Black Cat's burst of energy had helped them avert the initial crisis, it had also led to their leader's downfall. Matcha Latte swiftly moved in, using her body to shield Black Cat from view while maintaining a composed gaze towards him.

"Psychoanalysis: Failed"

Black Cat spoke through the team channel.

Black Cat: I can't hold on any longer. I'm losing control, feeling like I might turn on you. Finish me quickly.

Black Cat: I'll be right there. You take charge of the team in the meantime. Whatever you do, don't let the Perfect Humans fragment.

Matcha Latte: Understood.

With a determined bite on her lip, Matcha Latte, using her body as a cover, swiftly drew out a surgical knife and plunged it into Black Cat's temple, ending his life. She then pulled out the blade and sorrowfully laid Black Cat's body on the ground.

However, they didn't manage to progress far before, unfortunately, encountering the second wave of attacks.

This time, it was a creature that leaped from the river, its body resembling a fish and its legs like multiple centipede limbs. It charged at the formation while crossing the river, akin to Earth's flying fish relentlessly attacking. Squeals of terror immediately echoed through the ranks of the Perfect Humans. Most were thoroughly frightened.

The ones who had already reached the halfway point could only grit their teeth and press on under the players' escort. However, those at the back of the line, the Perfect Humans, lost their courage. Witnessing the riverbed turn red, they finally broke down, screaming as they scrambled back towards the city.

"Don't, there's something up ahead! Jimmy, don't go!"

In his panic, he failed to notice that strange creatures had been closing in on their path. Seizing the opportunity of a prey presenting itself, the creature extended its blade-like tentacles for an assault.

Jimmy's eyes reflected the approaching tendrils, overwhelming regret filling him. Before he could react, a powerful tug pulled him backward.

Someone had dragged him behind, shielding him from the creature's attack. Bullets rained from their rear, signaling Matcha Latte's arrival.

She had kept a watchful eye on the rear of the group, returning to defend after escorting another batch of Perfect Humans across. The words of the Black Cat about preventing the Perfect Humans from panicking and dragging everyone to hell flashed through her mind. It was better for the players to take on the role of the villain...

However, what she saw upon arriving was not a fleeing Perfect Human but a golden-haired man, drenched in blood with several bloody holes in his chest. He must have intercepted an attack meant for someone else.

"Mayor... Why did you save me?" Jimmy looked at his savior in disbelief. With such severe bleeding, even a potion might be too late.

But this was the Mayor of Orkris City, a high-ranking figure he didn't even qualify to meet. Why would such an important person come to his rescue?

"Our council exists for the sake of our people..." The councilor took a deep breath. As he saw Matcha Latte approaching with a gun, his wandering gaze shifted back to Jimmy. "This is... the choice of us, the Perfects. There's no turning back now..."

Jimmy met his gaze, his lips trembling. His inner cowardice seemed to be laid bare, but that was just who he was; he always regretted whatever decision he made.

Now, however, he finally understood that some choices left no room for remorse.

Matcha Latte gave the councilor a complicated look, sighed, and pulled Jimmy along.

Jimmy didn't resist. At first, his steps were unsteady, but they soon grew firm, and he no longer needed Matcha Latte's support to walk.

He kept his head down and moved forward, undeterred by the attacks. It wasn't until they crossed the river that he turned back for a glance. He saw the path they had taken stained with blood, as if paved with the blood of the Perfects. Along the way were the corpses of monsters and their own people. The man who had sheltered them for over a century was fading from sight.

Just like the vanished city of Ocris.

From this point on, there was no going back.