Crownjade Wood was a sprawling temperate evergreen forest, blanketing the lower slopes of a towering mountain range.
The forest was dominated by towering needleleaf trees—fir, pine, cedar, and majestic redwoods—while a grassy floor intertwined with dense briar patches created a maze of life beneath the canopy.
Though vast and brimming with ancient magic, only half of Crownjade Wood had ever been explored. The elves had built their hos in this familiar territory, weaving their elegant structures into the natural landscape.
But the other half of the forest remained off-limits, shrouded in mystery. The reason for this was a closely guarded secret, one the elves had kept hidden from outsiders for centuries.
However, with the upcoming competition attracting millions of visitors, the High-Elves had taken unprecedented asures to accommodate the influx.
They erected multiple Tier-9 Illusionary Magic Fields, expanding the forest far beyond its natural borders. The once-limited woodland now stretched into an endless realm, creating the illusion of even greater vastness.
Towns and villages within the woods seed to swell overnight, their borders stretching to house the countless adventurers, guilds, and spectators flooding in from across the world.
The elven capital itself, Eldrasil, the heart of the competition, grew larger by the day, constantly reshaping to accommodate the surge of visitors.
Streets that were once quiet and serene now thrumd with life, filled with rchants, warriors, and entertainers alike.
The elves took their role as hosts seriously. New buildings were erected at a relentless pace, towering high into the trees to provide lodging for the travelers. Vast fields were planted to ensure an endless supply of food for their guests, a clear sign that the elves intended to welco them with the finest hospitality their ancient kingdom could offer.
But even with all this grandeur, one thing remained unchanged—the elves' guarded secret about the untouched half of Crownjade Wood was still off limits.
Whispers of what lay within the forbidden territory stirred curiosity, but none dared venture beyond the invisible line that marked the unknown.
For now, the competition held the world's attention, but in the shadows of the uncharted forest, sothing far more ominous waited to be revealed.
Horizon and the others arrived at Lunaris Village, the first stop within the sprawling Crownjade Wood. Their carriage could only take them this far, but the village had already been equipped with nurous teleportation magic circles designed to transport competitors directly to Eldrasil, the capital city. It would save them valuable ti.
Of course, those who wished to explore or sightsee could bypass the teleportation circles and opt for the slower, scenic route, either on foot or by riding a Sylvaran. These graceful, reindeer-like creatures boasted sleek, silvery fur with intricate markings that mimicked the surrounding forest's foliage.
Known for their speed and agility, Sylvarans were massive, with long, thick antlers more formidable than those of normal deer. They were built for navigating the dense woods effortlessly, a sight unique to this part of the world.
"So, what now?" Lydia asked, stretching her arms. "We've still got over ten days before the competition officially starts. Should we explore a little first?"
"Walking from here to the capital would take five days," Cappy said, shaking his head. "Not to ntion the beasts and monsters roaming the forest. It'd slow us down. I don't think we should waste that much ti."
"But we could forage the forest, right?" Lydia pressed, clearly eager to explore and take care of so . . . business.
"We need to head to the capital first, find our last mber, and register quickly," Horizon cut in, his tone leaving no room for argunt. "After that, you can all do whatever you want in our free days."
"Good idea," Von muttered, though his face was unusually pale, and he'd been quieter than usual since they arrived.
Lydia noticed and raised an eyebrow. "What's wrong with you?" she asked.
Von forced a laugh and waved her off. "Ah, nothing. Just . . . excited to be back ho, I guess."
Lydia studied him for a mont longer, then shrugged. "Alright, let's get to the magic circle and sign up for the competition! Then we can start exploring Crownjade Wood!"
The village was bustling with activity—players, Eternians, rchants, and locals alike flooded into Crownjade Woods, either eager to participate in the competition or just there to witness the spectacle. Traders saw an opportunity in the crowd, setting up stalls to cater to the influx of visitors.
Lunaris Village, usually a quiet haven shrouded in an eerie serenity, now pulsed with vibrant life. The air thrumd with excitent and anticipation for the upcoming event, drawing in participants from every corner of the realm.
Horizon and the others wasted no ti and made their way to the Teleportation Magic Circle. In re monts, they erged in a vast clearing just outside Eldrasil City, a dazzling sight that contrasted sharply with the bustling Lunaris. Throngs of players and spectators poured in from the magic circle, their laughter and chatter creating a symphony of energy.
As they stepped into the clearing, Horizon and his companions couldn't help but notice the other groups arriving in impressive Low to High-Tier Silver Equipnt, their presence exuding strength and affluence.
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anwhile, Horizon and his crew felt sowhat out of place, like beggars in a royal court.
"Whoa, look at all these players!" Lydia exclaid, her eyes sparkling with greed as she envisioned future prospects for her business. Coins and glittering jewelries danced in her imagination.
Nyx scoffed, crossing her arms. "What's so great about those low-tier gear? They're all flash, no substance."
"We should swing by the blacksmith's shop in town to upgrade our equipnt," Von suggested, a hint of nostalgia in his voice.
"Good idea," Horizon agreed, taking the lead while Von and Cappy followed closely.
It had been years since Von last stepped into Eldrasil, and he was more apprehensive than excited, mories of past experiences bubbling to the surface.
The line at the grand gates of Eldrasil City snaked forward, guarded by vigilant Elven sentinels wielding high-tier detecting items that glimred with enchantnts.
As Horizon and his friends patiently queued, trouble ca knocking in the form of a rowdy group of players. It was the usual type—troublemaker players who thrived on causing chaos while the Eternians were the polite ones, appearing like the players were the original inhabitants of this world than invaders.
"You lot, scram to the back!" barked a player clad in Tier-5 Silver warrior gear, a smug grin plastered on his face. His words cut through the air, threatening to spoil the vibrant atmosphere that had just begun to settle.
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