When a flash of radiant light shimmered atop the World Tree, the World Tree Fruit entered its initial maturation stage, bursting forth with a thick Life Aura that began spreading from within outward.
Perhaps it was that Life Aura, which held an almost instinctive allure for the Pitch Black Monsters.
Or perhaps it was common knowledge among long-lived monsters in the ancient Segus World that when the World Tree produced its fruit, it became relatively weakened.
When that trace of Life Aura spread across the pitch black land where Death Aura ran rampant,
the Pitch Black Beasts began to grow restless and agitated.
And though there was no command from the Demon King, some beast was the first to succumb to temptation, greedily spreading its wings and following its instinct to fly toward the top of the World Tree.
This behavior was like toppling a neatly arranged tower of tarot cards. The act of charging in and following immediately began to be crazily imitated among the group of Pitch Black Beasts.
At first, only some winged creatures took to the air, flying toward the World Tree to snatch the fruit.
But gradually, as their numbers grew larger and larger.
Some flightless Pitch Black Beasts, perhaps worried that other beasts would seize the fruit first, gradually found it harder to suppress the throbbing in their hearts.
They began following their instincts, tentatively approaching the edge of the World Tree’s root system.
At first it was just ten, then a hundred, but as the numbers swelled, the sheer quantity transformed into overwhelming momentum.
Driven by greedy instinct, soon the land-bound Pitch Black Beasts that had surrounded the World Tree, not to be outdone by those in the sky, began advancing toward the World Tree from all directions!
Thump~ thump~
Because the Pitch Black Beasts were overwhelmingly numerous and most were enormous in size.
As the beasts charged, for a moment, it seemed as if the very earth began to tremble.
But soon, that “seeming” became visibly real.
Because when the running Pitch Black Beasts stepped into the range of the World Tree’s verdant root system, the once-still ground seemed to come alive.
Thick vines burst forth from beneath the earth, and as if possessing independent consciousness, they began lashing out at the Pitch Black Beasts on their own.
The massive root tendrils were devastatingly lethal, carrying a pure white Life Aura that was the opposite of the black qi surrounding the Pitch Black Beasts.
Whenever these tendrils swept across a Pitch Black Beast’s body, they scattered the Black Qi and wrenched agonized howls from the beasts.
Even the Behemoths, with their astonishing defenses and bodies like small mountains, couldn’t withstand more than five strikes from the massive root vines. But because the Pitch Black Beasts were simply too numerous, despite such tremendous killing power.
As time passed, some Pitch Black Beasts began slipping through the roots’ defenses, successfully reaching the base of the World Tree and starting to climb upward from the bottom.
“Careful, watch the sky.”
“Second squad, head to the south side. Don’t let the beasts reach the top.”
“Little Sacred Beast, if you see a larger flying beast approaching, use Fireball on it.”
“Xixi, go fetch the Saintess now. Tell her to hide herself well. One of the Pitch Black Beasts’ targets is her too. Whatever you do, don’t let the Saintess run around.”
Standing atop the World Tree, serving as the Elf Race’s commander.
Lilia, who was simultaneously drawing her orange-glowing bow into a full moon shape and shooting down a pitch black Three-Winged Dragon while issuing commands, surveyed the entire battlefield below.
She watched countless beasts, scrambling and endless, surging toward the World Tree.
In times past, this would certainly be a good thing.
After all, the World Tree’s Life Aura would suppress the Death Aura surrounding the Pitch Black Beasts.
And the corpses of the Pitch Black Beasts would become nourishment for the World Tree, somewhat similar to players deliberately feeding kills in a game.
But now, standing atop the World Tree, looking down over the entire battlefield and observing the current situation, Lilia couldn’t help but murmur to herself.
“Judging from the current situation, Mother Goddess, this time after bearing the World Tree Fruit, your condition is somewhat better than last time. It doesn’t seem quite so powerless.” But that was the only good news.
As Lilia began to gaze into the distance, when she saw the Pitch Black Beasts surging toward the World Tree from all directions like ants,
her heart couldn’t help but feel a stir of panic.
Too many. There were simply too many.
The Pitch Black Beasts coming to seize the World Tree Fruit this time were easily more than three times the number of last time.
The battle had only just begun, and the pressure was already palpable.
With an assault like this, could the World Tree Fruit truly be defended this time?
And most importantly, the Demon King, the greatest threat to the World Tree’s former Sacred Beast, had yet to appear.
Just as Lilia unconsciously brought her fingernail to her mouth, a habitual gesture she made while thinking.
Perhaps it truly was Murphy’s Law in action.
The more you fear something, the more likely it is to happen. WU~~~
At that moment, a deep and long Horn Call suddenly echoed from within the ruined Demon King’s Castle.
Hearing that Horn Call, Lilia and all the Elves fighting on the World Tree were stunned.
Because they had dealt with Pitch Black Beasts for so long, they knew full well.
Whenever this Horn Call sounded, it meant the Pitch Black Beasts were about to launch a massive operation.
And in the very next moment, as countless Elves stared in shock toward the Demon King’s Castle,
Roar~~~~
A resounding Dragon’s roar suddenly erupted from within the Demon King’s Castle.
Then a black shadow burst through the wall from above the ruined castle, moving as fast as lightning!
In the blink of an eye, an enormous Dragon, pitch black as ink, soared into the sky.
It was utterly different from ordinary Pitch Black Beast dragon-type creatures, as if it had come from another world entirely.
What caught the eye first was its staggering body, practically a moving mountain, every muscle brimming with Strength, as if the slightest movement could shake the very earth.
Its massive frame was covered in a thick layer of black scales that shimmered with a mysterious light, hard and smooth like obsidian, radiating a sinister aura that made one’s heart tremble.
But the most terrifying of all were its crimson eyes, which revealed an indescribable arrogance and majesty. A single glance from them was enough to send a surge of intense fear crashing into one’s heart.
Without a doubt, this was no ordinary Dragon. This was the legendary Demon King!
And when the Demon King soared into the sky, as its gaze swept toward the World Tree,
upon spotting a small adorable figure repeatedly spitting fire, a burst of rage ignited directly within the Demon King’s vertical pupils.
Roar~
With another furious bellow,
the very next moment, the Demon King angrily led its Demon King’s Army charging toward the top of the World Tree.
However, the Demon King’s primary target was not that World Tree Fruit.
After all, the World Tree Fruit was still in its initial maturation stage, its nutrients not yet at their peak.
As for the Demon King’s target? It went without saying, reflected in those furious vertical pupils was the image of a young dragon whelp.
After all, put yourself in its shoes for this past month or so. If some brat used bombs to blow up the roof of your house every single day, would you be happy?
Today is the day of reckoning.
Little Fire Dragon, you’re finished!!!
Little Red Pupil: Nya~?