Chapter 284: Somber stand-off (1/2)

”What the… What happened here?!” The voice of a masculine dark-green-skinned tall creature, covered in ritualistic tattoos from head to toe resounded from the doorway. He was shocked to see the state of the room they just stepped into. It was vastly different from what they were expecting.

Next to him on both sides, two similar-looking creatures albeit much younger weren't looking any better. The boy and the girl couldn't believe the carnage that was laid out in front of them.

The floor was covered in a sea of blood, gore, and organs formed small islands on the floor. Various, barely recognizable parts of beings that most likely have been the so-called leaders of the tribes could be seen. The splintered remains of various wooden furniture formed a small hump at the center.

The room and its residents were completely destroyed, the leaders of the tribes, the 13 leaders of the Horde were brutally murdered.

'Just who could have done this? The true leader? Just what could have happened here?' Aiden, standing behind his servants, was deep in thought, trying to make sense of this gruesome scene. What bothered him the most wasn't the fact that all the leaders are dead, thus his minions couldn't enact their much-deserved revenge on any of them, but the fact that something like this could happen without him even realizing it. His skills and abilities that made him think he was above the others, have received a tremendous blow. He had to realize once again, that he is just a kid and not the invincible, indomitable being he started to think of himself.

Suddenly his eyes perked up, the thoughtful expression was transformed into a somber, serious outlook.

He was shocked to hear the system's recognizable bell-like sound, warning him of the arrival of a new update. In the next instant, a text appeared in front of his eyes, informing him of something of great importance.

[The Optional Quest: Thwart the Invasion - Part 1 has been updated!

The Objective:  Find proof about a possible invasion of the hordes (0/1) has been updated.

New Objective: - Confront the Guardian (0/1)

Optional: - Overcome the Guardian's test and defeat him (0/1)

Due to the new objectives, Quest Rank has been updated!

New Rank: A-C]

However, this wasn't everything, there was another, much more important update to another quest.

[The Main Quest: The Secrets of the Demon Grotto has been updated!]

New Optional Objective has been added!

Optional: - Absorb the Guardian]

He was momentarily stunned after reading through both notes. The fluctuation of energy that came from the dark corner of this room, was indeed a being that was lying in wait. Most likely he was the reaper that reaped all these lives and robbed his servants of their chance at revenge. But why did the quests suddenly update? Why did this so-called 'Guardian' come? Is it related to what he and his minions were doing? Did the powerful entity that spoke to him, did all this? Did he cast away his brainwashed servants If so, what was the reason?

Still, based on the texts, the Guardian will be the answer to many of his lingering questions and doubts, however, he would first have to earn this right…

However, based on the difficulty of the quests, Aiden was sure it was going to be a tough fight even for him. Both quests are top-ranked, meaning that the dangers they carry would be high, even for him. He looked over the backs of his servants and sighed. What he was about to do, they wouldn't like, but there wasn't any other way.

With the somber, serious, heavy look on his face, Aiden stepped ahead of his minions, looking towards a particular direction in the far-right part of the room, towards the dark corner.

His lips parted, but before his words came, the group of four minions heard his somber tone resounding in their minds.

”Step back guys, the opponent is not someone you guys can take on yet. Return to the Minion Domain and wait for my commands.”

He flicked his right hand, as the familiar-looking portal showing the scene of a lush, vibrant green meadow appeared at the right side. Knowing well enough his first servant now, Aiden's voice came to their minds before they had the chance to argue.

”This is an order. This goes for you too Roas. I will call you guys when the danger has passed.”