Grey didn’t imdiately grasp what Athena was saying, so she instinctively asked, "What’s happened? What’s the matter?"
Athena relayed everything she had just witnessed, still puzzled by the events that had unfolded. "What’s going on? I have no idea what's been happening lately."
Although everything around them had taken a turn for the unusual, neither of them had been hard. In an instant, it was as though the very life force had been drained from their surroundings, much like flowers wilting and withering away.
After hearing Athena's explanation, Grey beca visibly excited, completely forgetting about the ladle that had fallen into the pot. Grabbing Athena by the arm, her face lit up with enthusiasm as though she’d finally found soone to confide in.
"While you were away, I suddenly started seeing sothing inexplicable!" she exclaid. "There was this transparent object right in front of , but no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t touch it! It was just like the system panels my father used to ntion."
"It displayed a task called 'Withering,' and ntioned an area that would soon be open for exploration. However, it didn’t specify the exact ti." Grey shared everything she had firmly committed to mory, her expression growing serious as she looked directly at Athena.
"As soon as that notification appeared, I realized sothing was wrong with the base. That’s why I didn’t go out today. I stayed back and helped gather supplies with Witty and Paopao. We collected a lot of food, and we’d only just returned when you arrived."
Athena also noticed a troubling detail: when she wasn’t in the base, she didn’t receive notifications about tower defense missions. It reminded her of the regional battle—those outsiders were unable to receive the mission given to players.
While the beings within the base of the player could receive these notifications, they were limited to seeing only the mission details due to the lack of a system panel.
After Grey finished recounting everything, Athena received the mission. Apparently, it could be retroactively accepted, as long as one knew the general task.
As she pondered over this, Grey fished her ladle out of the pot, yelping as it burned her hand, yet she dutifully continued cooking, undeterred by the mishap.
[Warning: The current Tower Defense mission has been updated!]
[The updated content is as follows]
[Withering]
Mission: Survive
Mission Reward: None
Mission Penalty: None
Introduction: A previously unseen anomaly has occurred in the battle zone. Plants will wither and will not regrow for the foreseeable future. The area has now been opened to players, and you must do whatever it takes to survive. This anomaly doesn’t just affect plant life. Explore at your own discretion. The system will offer the maximum possible protection to ensure your safety.
Mission Duration: Unpredictable
Mission Start Ti: Unpredictable
[Regional Chat Channel is being updated and is temporarily closed. It will reopen in approximately two hours!]
Faced with the new mission, Athena could only sigh—opening the screen felt like getting hit with an instant critical strike. Although she already knew that the system wasn’t actively trying to create chaos but was itself struggling to predict the incoming changes, the rapid developnts left her unprepared.
The plants in the battle zone would wither, with no chance of regrowth, and that was just one aspect of the anomaly. The duration was unknown, and so was the starting ti.
Nothing is more terrifying than the unknown.
The first to lose control weren’t the players, but the creatures around them. Even the defensive barriers that the system usually used to protect and restrict them were now in a half-activated state. They could co and go freely, but high-level monsters were still prevented from entering.
Ignoring the bloodstains on her body, Athena sank into the soft, comfortable sofa. Not only had the regional chat been temporarily disabled, but even her friend communication function was cut off, leaving her with no access to outside information.
[Current return summary completed]
[Monster Defeat Mission Progress: 67%]
Mission Rewards: Black Iron Armor Set (3 pieces), 2000 experience points
Special Reward: Evolution
The White Grand Empire Athena had recently entered was just an ordinary part of the White Lands. There were countless empires in this desolate place—so stronger, so weaker.
Though the system had matched her randomly, Athena remained suspicious. Too many things had happened as soon as she arrived—starting with an attack by monsters, which led to the appearance of world energy. She couldn’t help but suspect that the system had deliberately placed her there.
Her last explosive orb managed to increase her mission progress by 5%, bringing her total to 67%. While her experience points remained untouched, her original three-piece Black Iron Armor Set had been reduced to only two pieces.
She took out the black gold staff she had acquired from Babron. The staff was weighty—heavier than an ordinary rod—with a glossy surface that felt comfortable to hold.
In addition to these spoils, she had brought back all sorts of odd trinkets that Mikmik had casually looted.
Only after returning did these items officially beco Athena’s property.
[Staff]
Quality: Rare
Category: ntal Attack Weapon
Description: When you wield this staff, your aura will shift, marking you as a person of considerable authority. Your words will seem more credible, and your actions will appear more reasonable and convincing.
[Silk Scarf]
Quality: Common
Category: Handkerchief
Description: Nothing special—just a beautifully designed scarf that feels soft to the touch.
[Crimson Tear]
Quality: Unique
Category: Offensive Gem
Description: Embed this gem into your weapon to randomly grant it an ability.
[Golden Water Ring]
Quality: Rare
Category: Storage
Description: More than just a symbol of status, this ring offers five square tres of storage and possesses water-like properties. It can take the form of a ring, bracelet, or any accessory you wish.
[Erald]
Quality: Common
Category: Gem
Description: A standard gem, but of good enough quality that you might find it appealing.
Mikmik’s habit of collecting anything and everything had unexpectedly yielded so decent finds. As for the handkerchief, Athena simply chalked it up to his quirky taste.
In addition to these items, she also received two cards—one of a Ratman and the other a half-grey card from the White Lands.
[Ratman]
Level: 10
Attack: 10
Defense: 11
Skills: Summon Rat Horde, Nurture Rat Horde
Description: You might consider him just an ordinary creature, but given enough ti and space to grow, you’ll find he can beco a terrifying force, capable of bringing utter devastation.
Athena had already experienced the Ratman’s abilities first-hand, so she didn’t bother examining the card further.
"Level 10 huh..."
By this ti, Mikmik and the others had returned. Grey’s al was ready, and she called them over to eat before they had to head back out for more work.
They discussed whether they could still catch rabbits or other small creatures today. As for plants, most of the vegetation here contained toxins. While the local animals had developed special digestive systems to handle them, Athena and her group had no such immunity.
Athena ate in silence, occasionally glancing at the pile of food they had managed to gather in the corner of the living room.
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