665 Eldritch Disturbances

[Side Story]

[Ragnar, Sumeri, Nikolai]

Ragnar's voice dropped to a whisper as he said to Sumeri, "We've got company, and it's not just any company. It's the Black Lion guild led by Invayne."

Sumeri nodded, her eyes fixed on the approaching guild members. "They're not here for a friendly chat, that's for sure."

The tension in the room was palpable as the two groups – Ragnar's team and the Black Lion guild – stood facing each other, neither side willing to make the first move.

It was a standoff, and the outcome hung in the balance, ready to tip in favor of the one who dared to act first.

"Wow, aren't you a stalker?" Sumeri quipped, her laughter cutting through the tension in the room. "You must be really insecure to follow me around like this. Afraid I might snatch Scar from you, just as you did to me?"

The onlookers exchanged knowing glances, eager for the unfolding drama.

Invayne rolled her eyes and chuckled. "Oh, come on now. Don't flatter yourself. It's not all about you, you know. We're here to clear the dungeon."

Sumeri raised an eyebrow, a hint of skepticism in her expression. "Is that so? With a hundred members and the dungeon already cleared on all levels? Who are you fooling?"

Invayne laughed, a sly smile playing on her lips. "Well, of course. We're also here to make sure to eliminate you while we're at it."

The hall echoed with the rhythmic clanking of weapons and armor as the members of Black Lion readied for the massacre. Their sheer numbers and imposing equipment sent an undeniable message of power.

Rather than being intimidated, Sumeri couldn't help but stifle a laugh. "Seriously? A hundred against three? You're really flattering me now."

A small smirk tugged at the corner of Invayne's lips. "I won't make the same mistakes others did. I intend to eliminate you this time for sure."

Sumeri met Invayne's gaze head-on. "You're making the same mistake as those who came before you. So, while I'm still asking nicely, why don't you scram the fuck off?"

Invayne's eyes narrowed, and she scoffed. "We'll see about that."

Invayne then stepped forward, commanding the attention of everyone in the room. She raised a hand, signaling for silence, and the hall gradually fell quiet.

"Listen up," Invayne addressed the other players, her voice dripping with authority. "We're here to clear this dungeon, and we're offering an enticing proposition to those who want to join us."

A murmur of curiosity and interest buzzed through the onlookers, their focus firmly fixed on Invayne.

"We're offering substantial rewards, and any of their bounties and weapons are yours if they die. Don't be afraid. There are a hundred of us and only three of them."

The offer on the table was indeed enticing, and the other players began to murmur amongst themselves, weighing the pros and cons, the risks, and the potential rewards.

Their decision was swift, as one group after another chose to stand and join the ranks of Black Lion. The allure of the offer, with its promised rewards and bounties on World Conqueror's heads, proved too tempting to resist.

Ragnar exchanged a quick glance with Sumeri. "I think you've really gotten under her skin."

Sumeri simply chuckled. "I told you we should have taken care of these players earlier."

Stepping forward, Sumeri then addressed the remaining players, her voice firm. "Listen up. Those who choose to stand down and not interfere in this fight will be rewarded with their life. So chose your decision wisely."

The others exchanged glances, staring at Sumeri weirdly before they equipped their weapons, a significant portion of them aligning even more firmly with Black Lion.

Ragnar shook his head, his expression resigned. "You've managed to make them even angrier."

Sumeri shrugged, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "I did that on purpose."

"Sis, are you trying to be Ren?" Nikolai asked with a laughed.

"I don't know. That man could really rubbed on you."

A heavy silence descended in the air, a silence pregnant with tension, as both sides faced each other down. It was a standoff that could erupt into violence at any moment.

Then, Invayne's voice shattered the silence.

"Kill them!"

With a swift command, she teleported to a safe distance at the back line, her eyes fixed on Sumeri.

The tension in the room escalated, and weapons were raised, poised for combat.

Nikolai, who had been observing the situation with a wry smile, shook his head. "Sis, you really done it this time."

Sumeri met his gaze and grinned mischievously. "Relax. I got this."

"We can't take on hundreds of players at once," Ragnar said, though his voice was calm.

Sumeri nodded in agreement. "That's why Ren gave us these items for situations like this."

Black Lion was prepared to charge forward, their weapons gleaming menacingly. But before they could make their move, Sumeri acted swiftly.

With a deft movement, she retrieved the item that Ren had given them specifically for situations like this and activated it.

The item was no ordinary trinket; it was a legendary-grade artifact, powerful enough to turn the tide of even the direst battles.

It was none other than the [Yggdrasil Seed], a rare and mystical item that quickly grew into the mighty Yggdrasil tree.

Ren had received the item as a reward from the Queen of Elves herself, a token of gratitude for successfully protecting the elven and fey realm and safely returning her daughter.

The moment the seed made contact with the earth, a wave of magic rippled outwards from the point of impact. The ground trembled, as if responding to the seed's presence. The room was bathed in a soft, ethereal glow as the transformation began.

In a blink, slender roots emerged from the seed's base, reaching out and embedding themselves into the ground. These roots, adorned with intricate patterns and a faint luminescence, spread outwards like veins of life itself.

Silvery sapling began to sprout from the seed. It grew rapidly, its delicate branches extending upwards towards the ceiling. Leaves, vibrant and lush, unfurled from the branches, their edges edged with a gentle glow.

The players were stunned at the sudden scene, and they paused to take a look at the mesmerizing tree without even knowing it.