Chapitre 24: Chapter 24: The Whispering Grove
Chapter 24: The Whispering Grove
The conquest of the Bloodfang Den had invigorated the settlement. Spirits were high, and the sight of the tamed wolves patrolling the perimeter gave everyone a newfound sense of security. However, Adam had no time to bask in victory.
The system's objectives demanded swift progress. His next target was the Whispering Grove, an ominous forest shrouded in mist and ancient tales.
<System Alert:
New Target: Whispering Grove (Uncommon).
Defeat the Grove Guardians. Secure Magical Herb Nodes (x5).
Danger Level: B+.
Special Traits: Enchanted Territory, Illusion Warding.
Rewards: Unlock 'Mystical Agriculture Upgrades.'>
The Whispering Grove wasn't just another territory; it held the potential to boost the settlement's agricultural output significantly. But it was also notoriously dangerous, with illusionary traps and a tribe of treant-like beings, known as the Grove Guardians, defending its core.
Adam assembled his team with precision. Bren's defensive capabilities, Mira's agility, and Ethan's raw power would be instrumental. They also brought along the Bloodfang Alpha, now fully integrated into their ranks and outfitted with protective gear.
The group set out at dawn, trekking through rolling meadows until the air grew cooler, and a thick, silvery mist began to envelop them. The trees loomed taller, their gnarled branches twisting into eerie shapes.
<System Alert:
Territory Entered: Whispering Grove (Uncommon).
Hazards Detected: Illusionary Fog, Hostile Entities.>
Adam immediately felt the shift. His senses sharpened, and his ability Illusion Resistance (C) activated, allowing him to perceive faint distortions in the mist.
"Stay close," he warned, his voice steady. "This place will try to confuse and separate us."
As they ventured deeper, strange whispers filled the air, unintelligible yet unnervingly persistent. Ethan gripped his warhammer tightly. "This place gives me the creeps."
"Focus," Adam said. "The whispers are a trick. Ignore them."
The group encountered their first challenge when a section of the mist coalesced into shadowy figures. These illusions lunged at them, causing chaos as the mist warped their surroundings.
Adam activated Command Presence (B), his voice cutting through the disorientation. "Form up! These are just projections. Hit them hard, and they'll dissipate."
Ethan roared, swinging his warhammer through the nearest figure, which dissolved into smoke. Mira darted around, slashing at the illusions with her daggers. The Bloodfang Alpha growled, tearing apart the shadowy forms with its claws.
After what felt like an eternity, the whispers subsided, and the path ahead became clearer. Adam led the way, his Illusion Resistance (C) continuing to shield him from the grove's tricks.
The group eventually reached the grove's heart, a clearing dominated by a massive, ancient tree. Its bark glowed faintly, and its roots spread across the ground like grasping fingers. Around it stood the Grove Guardians—towering treants with glowing green eyes and limbs that moved with unnatural speed.
The battle was swift and brutal. Bren created a defensive barrier, blocking the treants' crushing blows, while Ethan's warhammer struck with earth-shaking force. Mira weaved between the guardians, exploiting weak points with precision strikes.
Adam directed the fight, using Beast Overlord (SS) to command the Bloodfang Alpha to target key enemies. The Alpha's speed and ferocity overwhelmed the guardians, tearing through their defenses.
When the last treant fell, the ancient tree let out a low groan, and its glow began to fade.
<System Alert:
Territory Conquered: Whispering Grove.
Resources Acquired: Magical Herb Nodes (x5), Grove Bark (Rare).>
Adam approached the tree, sensing something unusual. Embedded in its trunk was a crystalline seed pulsing with light.
<System Alert:
Item Detected: Seed of Renewal (Unique).
Compatibility with Mystical Agriculture Skills: Perfect.>
He carefully extracted the seed, feeling a surge of energy flow through him.
<System Alert:
Ability Unlocked: Mystical Agriculture (A).
Enhances crop yield and quality. Allows integration of magical properties into plants.>
As the mist began to clear, the grove transformed. The oppressive atmosphere lifted, replaced by a serene glow as sunlight filtered through the canopy.
Adam turned to his team. "We've taken another step forward. Let's head back. There's still more to conquer."
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone