"Why do I keep feeling like soone is watching from the shadows, making my back feel cold?"
Helena frowned, the sensation of being watched making her particularly uneasy.
With Exiled Immortal having lost aerial control, Helena had taken on the role of the team's eyes.
As a hunter, her instincts were rarely wrong.
John turned around, lowering his voice to a whisper that only a few could hear, "We are likely being watched by the elves who ambushed us earlier."
"So what do we do? Should we try to find them?"
"We can't act rashly for now. The Elf Queen's power is formidable, probably much stronger than General Delvia. It's not wise to make her an enemy."
The elves were not as easy to deal with as Lord Calia.
If you showed hostility, the Elf Queen would not care about your player status; anything that threatened the existence of the elves would be eradicated by nature itself!
With this in mind, John continued, "If we get a chance, we should try to negotiate with them. If not, we must proceed with caution. In the [Deep Forest], the elves are a force we can't avoid. If relations turn sour, we might miss out on many opportunities."
"Sigh, how troubleso. Does this an we'll always have to build good relations with NPCs whenever we enter a new area?"
"Most likely, yes."
This is the charm of [Apocalypse].
To players, NPCs are just lines of code, re tools. But to NPCs, aren't players just passersby?
The purpose of this design is to make players constantly aware that every decision they make will have corresponding consequences, even affecting their very lives.
...
Deep in the Forest.
Watching John and his companions move steadily forward, the scout team grew increasingly anxious.
Whether by coincidence or fate, John and his group were heading straight toward the elves' sanctuary.
If they weren't stopped soon, they would inevitably intrude upon it.
"Elowen, what should we do? The Queen forbids us from acting on our own. Are we just going to watch them enter the sanctuary?"
"Absolutely not!"
Elowen's brows furrowed as he glared intently at John's back. She spoke coldly, "Lorien, return to the sanctuary imdiately and inform the Queen of the situation. We'll delay them for now. No humans are to approach the sanctuary until the Queen decides what to do!"
"Be very careful. Those humans are strong!"
"Don't worry, we'll be fine."
As Elowen spoke, he drew an arrow from his quiver and nocked it, aiming at Helena's back.
"Watch out!"
Before Elowen could even release the bowstring, Helena seed to sense the danger and quickly ducked behind a tree, shouting, "There's hostility!"
"Elven scouts! We an no harm! The earlier incident was a misunderstanding. We're willing to make ands!"
John raised his hands high, exposing himself in the clearing.
Seeing this, Exiled Immortal and the others couldn't help but feel a surge of anxiety for John.
Though they knew John had acquired equipnt that could absorb damage, there was no guarantee that luck would always be on their side.
"Oh stars! Shine down and protect all beings! Starbeam Shield!"
Lily chanted softly, and a gentle barrier ford in front of John.
"Intruders! This is elven territory. Leave at once, or we shall fight to the death!"
"Don't shoot! Please listen to ! We unintentionally trespassed on elven territory. We are rely passing adventurers who happened to co here. We can leave!
Earlier, we hard your companion, and we are truly sorry. Here is a token of our apology."
As he spoke, John glanced at Exiled Immortal. Though reluctant, Exiled Immortal took out [Lord Michel's Breeze Armor] and placed it on the ground.
Sensing the gentle wind elent emanating from the armor, Elowen, hidden in the shadows, furrowed his brow and beca even more alert.
"Humans are known for their deceit and treachery. We do not need your offerings. Take your belongings and leave the forest!"
"It was you who attacked us first, launching an ambush. We were rely defending ourselves. Now I have shown you enough sincerity. Is this how elves treat their guests?"
"You are intruders, not guests! Leave imdiately, or face the consequences!"
"Damn it! We've been polite enough. Why do you keep nagging? John, I say we take him down!"
Affected by the negative status of his equipnt or perhaps irritated by the elf's unfriendly attitude, Exiled Immortal's patience was wearing thin, and his mood was worsening.
"No, if we conflict with the elves, we can't complete the second class change."
John shook his head gravely, still unwilling to give up. He continued, "We can't leave. Calia has encountered a Goblin Invasion. A large number of goblins have appeared suddenly, and Calia cannot fend off such a vast number. We ca to seek aid!
Indeed, we are intruders, but compared to the mindless goblins, I believe a wise race would make a better neighbor.
You must understand the principle that if the lips are gone, the teeth will be cold. If Calia is overrun by goblins, do you think the elves can remain unaffected?"
"The elves fear no enemy!"
"If you truly are unafraid, why hide in the forest?"
Bullseye.
Gazing at John's calm expression, Elowen found himself in an internal struggle.
The Goblin Invasion of Calia city didn't need verification, as they had already dispatched several scout teams to investigate the situation.
The grotesque and foolish creatures had launched a frenzied attack on human territories, a highly unusual event.
John's words had undeniably planted seeds of concern.
"Why should I believe you?"
"Because right now, I'm still trying to persuade you rather than kill you. You're right in front of , in the treetop. The scent of an elf is easy to recognize."
Hearing this, Elowen's heart tightened.
During the conversation, she had changed her position several tis to confuse John and his companions.
Yet, this human had pinpointed her location, proving he had a way to track her all along but chose not to attack.
Once they lost their ho-field advantage, elves were known to be significantly weaker in combat.
"...You've convinced ."
Finally, Elowen put away his arrow and leaped down from the treetop, walking slowly towards John.
It must be said, elves were indeed a beautiful race.
With fair skin, delicate features, a well-proportioned body that combined strength with grace, and those particularly noticeable pointed ears, they were truly striking.
"However, if you wish to et the Elf Queen, you will need to bind your hands. The elves can no longer afford any risks."
"No problem."
John agreed imdiately, without even a thought of bargaining.
Gaining the elves' goodwill was already a significant achievent.
As for binding their hands, it made little difference to John and his companions. John had already shared a small trick with Helena and the others.
Whenever players disconnect from the ga, their status bars are refreshed upon re-login, clearing all negative statuses, including but not limited to poisoning, bleeding, and paralysis.
Unless inflicted with a fatal wound like Qing's, which leads to unavoidable death, a simple disconnect and reconnect can solve many issues.
This is why there are areas and zones where disconnection is not allowed.
Following Elowen's instructions, John bound his hands with vines, finally letting out a sigh of relief and revealing a gentle smile.
"I'm glad I could convince you. I really don't want to be at odds with the elves. Also, regarding the earlier unpleasantness, here is so compensation. Please accept it and give it to the elf who was accidentally injured, as a sign of my sincerity."
"...You better not be up to any tricks."
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