Chương 183: Chapter 181 - [Right Place, Right Time]

"I don't like this. It's been too quiet lately."

"Shut up, stop jinxing it." The Cataclysm Abyss had turned quiet as of late. Juniper wanted to say that it was because the sweeping adventurers had cleared it out. Her Epic just kept telling her to stay here. Which was odd. Normally it would tug her in a specific direction whenever they were down here. She turned to their guide.

"Can you sense any of your kind here?" The creepy elongated creature next to them silently stood there, perhaps as afraid of them as they were of him. He shook his head slowly. Juniper tried to push her Epic skill around. It was frustratingly annoying to deal with sometimes, though she tried every waking moment to level it. If she could master it, she believed it had the potential to be one of the most powerful Epics in The Realm. [Right Place, Right Time] That was the name of her skill. And it gave her… nothing.

Juniper sighed.

"We'll stop here. I don't like it either but my skill's telling me here is where we need to be." They were at mile two of the Cataclysm Abyss. Somewhere on the eastern side of things. Not that dangerous of a place but also not quite somewhere where she wanted to hang around either. Maybe an adventuring team will flee this way and we'll need to save them. Sometimes her Epic actually did stuff like that. She'd already saved plenty of teams and Unwanted Elves in the past month to prove it.

Thousands of Fourthers had come in and swept the upper three miles of the Cataclysm Abyss. Chasing down the feral Unwanted Elves and trying to convince them to come with them to meet the rest of their kind. It made sense that even the Cataclysm Abyss couldn't fight back against a coordinated effort of motivated adventurers. Especially since quite a few teams were working with both the Leafstalkers and the Unwanted Elves themselves. Everyone saw this as a ticket to gain real meaningful achievements towards a class.

Though not quite enough of them were willing to delve further than the third mile dividing line. Getting lost was a real problem down there and the chances of cave collapses were too high. And now it looked like most of the top three miles of the Cataclysm Abyss had been cleared. There were so few rescues these days that most fourthers had already left. Moving on to find other work in other sectors. Everyone was low on manpower these days and the bidding for work, even for fourthers, had started to rise.

Juniper wanted to keep saving as many as she could. She still had no problem finding pockets of Unwanted Elves, especially with her Epic. Not even Valee with her skills had come close to their team. Though it really brought to question why [Right Place, Right Time] was so strongly telling her to stay here. That question only lasted for another two minutes. A slight tremble was the first sign. Though all of them dismissed it immediately.

It wasn't too surprising, adventurers were more than capable of making noises like that from a distance. That was until Florin, their [Rogue] shouted out.

"[Dangersense]!" That brought them all to attention. Even the Unwanted Elf knew what it meant. They all took positions, the Unwanted Elf finding a crevice and squeezing itself in, staying completely still. Juniper called out to her [Rogue].

"What's it saying and where?"

"I don't know! It's too loud for me to give a direction." Juniper focused, trying to activate her skill. It could be a bitch to make work sometimes. Especially in dangerous situations that had multiple places that could be the right place. Though this time it had no problem. This was the only right place and the right time. THUD! The ground jolted up at the three mile dividing line. A crack turning into a small mound. THUD! THOOOM!

An enormous pale arm broke out of the oppressive dark, drawing attention from every adventuring group around it. They all were agape at the monstrosity that was rising, higher… and higher. A pale arm of a giant. Crafted out of stitched together flesh, squirming with hundreds of smaller limbs attached to it. Most of them wielding some sort of weaponry. The hand slammed onto the ground, shaking the entirety of the Cataclysm Abyss. Then it started pushing–and a shoulder began to break out from the ground.

Juniper saw a team get overwhelmed by the shadows, the [Rogue] barely grabbing their [Mage], throwing a flashbang to clear the shadows. A team was too close to the titan, they were fleeing—and one of the smaller arms threw a sword. The [Rogue] tried to get out of the way but a shadow grabbed his ankle just in time. That was all it took. The spinning blade sliced through the [Rogue], cutting him in half as his team members screamed out his name. Juniper took out her phone and switched it to emergency comms.

"THIS IS JUNIPER! CODE BLACK! CODE BLACK! EVACUATE THE TRIAL OUTPOST. EVACUATE THE CAMPS. SEND REQUESTS FOR ALL FOURTHERS! WE HAVE A REALM SEVEN—" There was an explosive twang as someone fired from above. A black crossbow bolt flew, so powerful that purple crystals of raw mana trailed behind it. Juniper recognized the shooter. It was Shadowstrider, one of the few realmer made relics he had carried to slay Artigan.

A vortex tore away half of the titan's wrist, aimed perfectly so that the weight of the arm would break away from the hand. For a moment, Juniper's heart rose. Perhaps this would buy them enough time— Then the shadows of the Cataclysm Abyss began to fill the gap. Crawling inky black arms grasped each other, forming long chains that acted as replacement sinew for the missing flesh. The titanic arm resumed to put force back into pushing against the ground, as if nothing had happened.

Then the flesh started to regenerate in front of their very eyes." What the fuck." Unlike her [Rogue], Juniper had no time to curse."

"REALM EIGHT RAIDBOSS TIER. WE NEED ALL HIGH LEVEL REALMERS STAT. EVERY SINGLE FOURTHER FOCUS ON EVACUATING THE UNWANTED. REGENERATION, THROWING WEAPONS, MELEE CAPABLE EVEN UP CLOSE." It turned out that the Cataclysm Abyss hadn't been pushed back by the adventurers at all. It had simply drawn back to gather a stronger fighting force. An unstoppable force in a fourth realm leveled zone. Juniper's Epic placed her in the only location that could be considered the right place and the right time.

The perfect vantage point to report back to the outpost but not be in the way. [Right Place, Right Time]. It meant that there was no hope in them fighting that thing. There was no difference she and her team could make that would slow it down a meaningful amount. The Titan's head broke out from the ground, a monstrous face, so similar to the Unwanted Elves. Silently staring up into the gray skies. As if waiting for that moment, the Cataclysm Abyss came alive.

Rumbling and skittering noises echoing out from crevices all over. Then, for some reason the Flesh Titan turned its eyes towards them. No, it was looking at their Unwanted Elf. He was holding his ears and shaking his head violently. It sent a shiver down Juniper's spine. Unwanted Elves went still when they were afraid. This was something else entirely. As if in response, the Flesh Titan roared in sudden, shaking fury. A tidal wave of shadowy hands burst forth from the hole it was rising from.

Crawling arms and hands dragging their clumped mass across the ground. Going right towards them. Towards every single adventurer with an Unwanted Elf with them. As if demanding they be brought back. Then the Flesh Titan stared up. It was as if it could sense the creatures that made up most of its flesh. A beacon shone too brightly up in the land above. A camp, a survivor's camp, crafted, created, devoted to uplifting others of its kind from the Cataclysm Abyss.

Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings. Finding its true quarry, the Flesh Titan reached up, its hands capable of doing the same tricks with the earth like the Unwanted Elves. Softening the dirt so it could push its hand into the wall, then hardening it to provide a stable handhold. The Flesh Titan began to climb. The Unwanted Elf began sobbing, its hands over its ears, rocking back and forth.

As if it could hear the hateful words echoing out from the spectre of their sire. Did you really believe some plucky savior would pull you up and make you into something that you weren't? Did you really think you could rise from the abyss and turn into something else? Hah. It was a nice dream, wasn't it? But now, it's time to come back. Gently into that good night. Where you know you belong. ======================================================== Valee tightened the bindings on her arms for the third time.

The enchanted wrappings she stole were a huge pain in the ass. Bind them too tight and there'd be a slight delay when she activated them. Bind them too loosely and they'd unravel from normal everyday movement. She thought she had got it perfect this time. She was in full gear. Armed to the teeth, emergency artifacts hung by her neck and belt. A proper dragonslayer tier relic was on the sink. It was an emergency teleportation spell.

Her plan was to hold onto that relic and use artifacts to block any and all attacks thrown at her during the delay. Her father had lent her all of these things with only a little bit of prodding. She would have to do a public image tour with him but that was arguably a cheap price to pay. Well, anyone else would have said so. She was almost tempted to risk it without preparation. But she had chosen otherwise, and now she was going to have to pretend to the public that she had a great relationship with her dad.

She'd never thought she'd regret being popular again. Gone were the disappointed stares when she had changed her species from a half elf to an orc. Valee was now one of the leading Fourthers protecting a new species of Realmers. A beacon of righteousness that clearly showed that House Dubois' teachings were of upstanding quality. Gone was the idea that Valee would be just another mediocre [Rogue]. Now she was one of the fourthers with the highest potential.

The one that showed the most promise out of any of Dragonslayer Dubois' children. So far. Valee stared at the mirror, hating that she had to compromise with her father. He hadn't even asked what all the equipment was for. The only bit of concern he showed was to remind her that relying on these too much would impact her achievements. Not that he was that concerned. These artifacts were adventurer made. They wouldn't work in leveled zones.

No, Valee was not in Sector Four, she was in her father's Pied-à-Terre in San Kingsgrove. She had been here for a few days now. Practicing with her artifacts, double checking her body's capabilities compared to being in The Realm. If it sounded like overkill then you had no idea who she was meeting. For Valee was meeting a blacklister with a two hundred thousand realmcoin bounty on his head. Someone who was crazy enough to admit that he was challenging the Witch Tyrant.

Someone who had ridden with an unknown dragonslayer that was capable of fighting off multiple top tier dragonslayers by themselves. Valee had thought it was all theater. All a joke until [Lancer of the Ages] got eaten. Then the Witch Tyrant truly manifested her full power in The Realm. Something had gone wrong, and she wasn't sure if she had prepared enough. But she was too damned curious as to what the hell had happened. So, Valee was in San Kingsgrove.

She had been here since the first time the mysterious adventurer's account had contacted her. It had given details that only Artigan or Zedart could know. But it could still be a trap. Even if it wasn't a trap, it was Artigan she was meeting. Being prepared for a dragonslayer dropping down on her was the minimum in her opinion. So Valee redid her bindings, then gripped the escape relic with her right hand. Her left hand hovering over an artifact on her belt.

The sudden message demanding him to meet me or he'd leave. It was like Artigan knew she was. Well, at least if something happens, it'll be my dad's place getting trashed first. – Two hours later. Her [Tremorsense] heard them first. Her [Enhanced Senses] spotted them shortly after. Three ordinary humans backed by a big old orc. Too old to be born on Earth. That wasn't what caught her attention. It was the fact that he was copying his friend's pace almost down to the breathing. When he got closer, she felt it.

The tightly wrapped aura preventing her [Tremorsense] from being able to completely peek through. It tried to show him as being a regular human. Maybe it'd be enough for regular adventurers without her abilities. No fear Epic but that would make sense. He probably hasn't learned an epic yet. I hope he hasn't learned an Epic yet anyway. The adventurer in casual clothes looked to the girl on his right.

"I was too busy making fun of Milo earlier, but Clara, what are you wearing?" The pretty girl was wearing a colorful shirt with 'Tyrant' splattered in the middle. It was… pretty old and tacky in Valee's opinion. But they were Americans after all, their fashion sense could be tolerated.

"What? It's the latest fashion."

"I thought that was the fashion decades ago."

"Well, it's coming back Ryan, get with the fashion times." …It had been a time since Valee had checked her favorite stores. Perhaps this was the current fashion, though likely only in America. She'd check her favorite designers in Paris later. The other younger dude who was glued to his phone looked up.

"They say that in times of uncertainty people look to something to hold onto. Probably why the Tyrant clothing is coming back." All three of them started at the person. This 'Ryan' and 'Clara' looked at each other.

"He definitely got that from someone online."

"Yup." Valee was starting to think it wasn't them. At the very least, she couldn't imagine this Ryan being the megalomaniacal blacklister. She still remembered how Artigan had wielded a sword made of enormous aura and laughed at the Witch Tyrant. For a moment, Ryan's eyes flickered over to where she was hiding. It sent a shiver down her spine. Then he went back to casually joking with his friends. It was him. Somehow Artigan had noticed her. Though he was still pretending as if he hadn't seen her.

"Why are you wearing a suit Milo?"

"Didn't you give enough shit earlier? Just get off it already, I like the way it makes me look."

"You're not the Secretary, stop copying her."

"I'm not! I just think I look good like this. It's time to grow up Ryan."

"What do you think, Clara, do you think our Milo is all grown up?" The Clara girl skipped out front, tilting her head at their companion. Milo was pretending to be casual and unaffected, but the rising blood pressure and bated breath said otherwise. Clara shook her head.

"Nah he's definitely trying to copy the Secretary."

"Screw you both." Was it really these people that were coming to meet her? She had known Artigan was just a false disguise but she… hadn't expected to be meeting a regular human and his friends. Despite her rising doubts, the four of them stopped by the front of her father's vacation home. Clara looked through the massive gates, her eyes widening at the driveway and the house in the distance.

"I can't believe Valee has a mansion in the middle of San Kingsgrove. This is like something billionaires have, right?" Valee cleared her throat.

"My father reserved the land the moment it stopped being a military installation. He got it for dirt cheap, relatively speaking." All three of them other than Ryan jumped up in surprise at the voice. Ryan just waved up at her, confirming he had seen her.

"Hey Valee. It's uhh me." The property had a row of 50 foot tall Italian Cypress trees dotting the driveway. Valee had been hanging off the middle of the one closest to the gates, overlooking any oncomers. She removed the camouflage blanket and leapt down. She clicked a button in her belt and the gates opened by themselves. Then Valee approached the four of them, pretty certain there wasn't a threat other than Artigan. Before she could react, a bubble enveloped them all.

No fluctuations in mana or a shift, it had appeared without her noticing. She had let her guard down. Her left hand went for the defensive artifact in her belt. Artigan put his hands up. Stepping between his friends and her.

"Whoa–whoa. It's just a privacy bubble. We've come unarmed. Sorry I didn't realize you'd be so jumpy." Her hands didn't leave the artifact on her belt. Valee knew her privacy bubbles. This one had to have been relic tier, or close to it. Something that dragonslayers would use. She cursed herself for lowering her guard. Though none of that showed on her face. She glanced at the others.

"Who are they?"

"My team. Civilians. Well, Barry over there is an ex-adventurer." Clara tilted her head.

"Are we really civilians if we're in your team Ryan?" Artigan turned around.

"Good question. I'm saying yes because it keeps you guys safe." … Artigan… or rather Ryan had a team. Valee had forgotten he'd mentioned that. She just wasn't expecting them to be civilians. Nor had she expected them to be so… normal. Well, she was used to flippant adventurers doing silly things to keep each other entertained. That was her definition of normal. Clara the pretty human girl looked around the foyer in unabashed wonder.

The broken armor pieces and weaponry on display was too gaudy for her liking but this house really hadn't been refurbished in awhile.

"Oh my gosh this is so nice, and you just call this a… a uh."

"Pied-à-Terre. A vacation home." Apparently the way she was talking was a bit too much. Clara leaned over and whispered into Ryan's ear.

"You said she was chill. Why does she look like she's ready for war?"

"She has [Enhanced Senses] Clara. Probably [Tremorsense] too." The girl flushed though her heartbeat didn't really change. While it was odd, Valee couldn't help but focus on something else.

"How do you know I have [Tremorsense]?"

"Well isn't it pretty obvious? It's a precursor to [Adaptive Terrain]."

"That doesn't mean I could've picked up a precursor by now." Ryan scratched his neck.

"Our encounter in the tunnels. You warned Zedart to go ahead of time to handle Rax. Something like that while being so far down? It can't have been [Enhanced Senses] alone." Valee clicked her tongue in annoyance. She still remembered when Artigan had ambushed her team by himself. She had tried to keep her skills ambiguous since then and the realmnet was still arguing whether she had [Adaptive Terrain] or a variant of that. Artigan, or Ryan seemed a little thrown back by her stiff behavior.

"Is everything alright?"

"The last time I saw you, you and a dragon were attacking the City of Defiance. Then the [Lancer of the Ages] gets eaten and you disappear, only to reappear leading a new species of people that were fleeing from the collapse of their home. Then I have a mysterious adventurer account tell me that I have to meet you in Sector Five to help the Unwanted Elves but can't say what it is. You tell me if everything's alright."

"Did Shara not tell you what happened?"

"She fed me a lot of dragonshit is what she did."

"Oh right, I guess I forgot to tell her that she can trust you. Didn't Zedart tell you?"

"He didn't know shit. He just trusted your plan without knowing anything else that was going on."

"Oh, I guess I didn't explain everything to him. Huh."

"Yeah, he's a stupid moron that everyone looks up to because he's got the stupid [Swordsman] class."

"Yup, that's Zedart alright." ==================================== Sector Four… The code black sirens were wailing atop the fifth Trial outpost. Everyone had evacuated, though that didn't mean they were safe. The Unwanted could be seen in the distance, running, hoping they could get out of the leveled zone in time. They weren't going to make it. Especially the children. Though from calculated estimates, even the adults wouldn't make it out if this Flesh Titan could run. So… they had to buy time.

Shadowstrider had used another vortex bolt to make the titan fall from halfway up. While it had bought them precious time, it still wasn't enough. Other adventurers had tried shooting it down from the sides but all they did was give the flesh titan more pointy weapons to throw. They couldn't bring it down. They were only fourthers after all. If you got too close, the countless arms on the titan would start throwing weapons at you while the shadows would rise up and hold your ankles at the worst time.

One team that had tried their luck had been completely wiped out. Their corpses were dragged back by the shadowy hands and brought to the flesh titan. You could still see their faces stretched out in horror over one of its wrists. Their hands and limbs sticking out, holding their own weapons, ready to throw. Now, nobody else was willing to dare come close. Nobody except for a lone [Swordsman]. Zedart stood on top of the Cataclysm Abyss. He was staring down at the dark maw below.

A horrible titan of flesh rising rapidly, screaming into the sky. Hunting for those that had fled The Flesh Titan was climbing faster, learning to use its limbs better in open space. It was only half a mile away from where Zedart was. Close enough that the arms were getting ready to throw their weapons at him. How did you make sure the shadows couldn't appear from the ground and grab your legs to ruin your footing? It was simple. You jumped. Zedart hurtled towards the flesh titan.

A simple stupid [Swordsman] with nothing but a sword.