The Network seemed to be in favor of Chase’s plans regarding the Uchmute, as before they set out, a new quest appeared before him.
Primary Quest Granted:
Whose Planet Is This? – Defeat the Uchmute leader in single combat, without interference from your followers. Bonus: Make the Uchmute leader despair before dying. Rewards: +15 to all Characteristics. Bonus Rewards: +15% Primary Characteristic, +10% Secondary Characteristic, +5% Tertiary Characteristic.
The first part was straightforward, he just had to kill the leader in single combat, without the aid or assistance of his followers. That wasn't the part he was concerned about. It was the bonus objective.
What kind of an objective was making the person despair before they died? Plus, just how the fuck did the Network expect him to accomplish that?
Chase’s brow furrowed as he stared at the quest details shimmering in his vision. What exactly did the Network expect from him? The System was all about power, about growing stronger and better, but what was the point if it was used to do horrible things?
A cold feeling settled in Chase's gut, a grim reminder of the price they would all have to pay for this power, for the gifts that had been bestowed upon them. Was it worth the cost?
Chase shook his head, trying to dispel the disquieting thoughts. He needed to focus on the mission at hand. The task was daunting, but every quest he had completed so far had pushed him further, molded him into something more than he had been before.
~*~*~*~
The air was sharp with the scent of pine and the distant murmur of a flowing river filled the atmosphere as Chase made his way towards the Uchmute territory. His footsteps were silent on the moss-covered earth, three dokkalfar with him, ones he hadn’t had interaction with before this mission.
As they neared the border of the Uchmute main settlement, the environment subtly shifted. The trees grew denser, their branches twisting menacingly above, while shadows seemed to dance at the edge of his vision. Chase could practically taste the magic that had altered them.
The Uchmute were most likely responsible, but Chase wouldn’t rule out it being the result of something that the Network did.
Chase and the three dokkalfar moved swiftly through the dense underbrush, their cloaks blending with the shadows as they advanced. The forest was eerily quiet, the usual sounds of wildlife absent as they neared the fortress.
They were careful to avoid the narrow path leading up to the plateau, knowing it was heavily patrolled by the chimps. The other approach, the hidden path, was less known, but more perilous. It was also their best chance of getting close enough to the Uchmute stronghold without being detected.
As they approached the edge of the plateau, the hairs on the back of Chase’s neck rose, and he froze, gesturing for the dokkalfar to do the same. The three did so, raising their longarms to their shoulders and scanning the surroundings.
“Lord Newell, what is it?” one of the dokkalfar, Thorir, asked.
Chase didn’t answer right away, focusing on interpreting the sensation he was feeling. After a moment, he said, “We’re not alone, be on your guard.”
Another of the dokkalfar, Errsai, narrowed her eyes, peering into the shadows. “There is something unnatural in the air,” she whispered.
The third dokkalfar, Skeld, shifted his weight silently, scanning the area. “Could be a trap,” he muttered under his breath.
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Chase nodded slowly, feeling the weight of their scrutiny on him as he considered their options. The sense of danger had not diminished; if anything, it had intensified. The magic in the air was thick, almost tangible, like a heavy cloak draped around them all.
They proceeded with extreme caution, stepping lightly over the mossy ground. The dense canopy overhead filtered the sunlight to mere slivers, creating a dim twilight that made visibility challenging.
Suddenly, Errsai raised her hand, signaling them to halt. She pointed towards a cluster of bushes where shadows moved independently of the swaying foliage. The slight rustling sound confirmed her suspicions.
Without a word, Chase signaled for Thorir to circle around to the left while Skeld took the right flank. Errsai and he move forward, Chase with his pick and shield ready. The tension in the air was palpable as they prepared for whatever lurked ahead.
Chase crouched low, minimizing his profile as he advanced. Combat was where he felt most alive, most in control. The uncertainty of this particular situation, however, added an edge to his usual calm.
As they closed in on the bushes, the rustling stopped abruptly. Chase paused, signaling the others to hold their positions. Total silence enveloped them, broken only by the faint whistle of the wind through the leaves.
Then, without warning, a figure burst forth from the underbrush—a scout from the Uchmute tribe. His face was painted with intricate patterns that spoke of rank and his eyes were wild with alarm. Before he could shout a warning, Chase lunged forward, swinging his pick through the scout's chest.
The impact sent the scout sprawling, the life draining from his eyes. The other three dokkalfar reacted swiftly, fanning out and taking defensive positions. Chase quickly assessed the situation, his mind calculating their next move. They couldn't afford to linger, and a swift, decisive retreat was their best option.
“Move,” Chase ordered, his voice barely above a whisper. “We need to get out of here before the Uchmute send more scouts.”
The dokkalfar nodded, and they began moving quickly through the forest, avoiding the paths and sticking to the dense undergrowth. Their footsteps were silent, their forms blending seamlessly with the shadows.
The urgency was a palpable force among them as they retreated, pushing their bodies to move faster through the tangled underbrush. Chase’s mind raced with strategies and plans, the recent scuffle having alerted him to the increased dangers they now faced. The Uchmute were not only formidable opponents but also deeply connected with the wild magics of this land, something that could tip the scales in an unexpected manner.
As they distanced themselves from the initial encounter site, Chase allowed himself a brief moment to evaluate their approach. He would have to be more careful and alert if he wanted to succeed. There was still much work to be done.
Chase and the dokkalfar pressed forward, moving with swift and surefooted steps through the dense forest. The trees grew taller and thicker, their branches entwining above, forming a canopy of leaves and shadow. The air grew heavy with the scent of moss and pine, and the constant whisper of the wind through the trees.
Finally, they reached the base of the plateau, and started climbing the rock wall that led up to the Uchmute stronghold. The terrain was steep and treacherous, but the four of them managed it without difficulty, utilizing dedicated climbing hooks on their gloves.
As they approached the summit, the forest fell eerily silent, the wind dying down and the shadows growing thicker. Chase's instincts screamed at him to be wary, and he knew the others felt it too, their postures tensing and their hands itching for their weapons.
Fortunately, they managed to climb to the top of the plateau without any trouble. Which made Chase all the more nervous. This was going too well, a single, young scout, no traps, no resistance. He wasn’t going to say it out loud, he didn’t want to tempt fate, but it was honestly a bit too easy.
The plateau itself was a sprawling expanse of grass, moss, and ferns, dotted with clusters of trees and bushes that had been warped into a twisted tangle. The Uchmute had chosen their location well, a natural fortress perched atop a high vantage point.
In the center, a massive tree rose, its branches spreading out over the entire area, giving the Uchmute leader and his followers the high ground. The tree's roots dug deep into the plateau, reinforcing its defenses. Within the tree, was a structure that reminded Chase of images he'd seen of a Japanese castle.
Chase's eyes narrowed as he studied the structure, trying to discern any sign of movement or weakness. The tree-castle loomed, an imposing blend of natural and constructed defenses that spoke volumes about the Uchmute's ability to manipulate their environment.
Knowing that approaching directly would be suicidal, Chase quickly devised a plan. He signaled his team to spread out, making use of the terrain's natural undulations for cover. They moved silently, communicating with subtle gestures honed by countless missions together.
“The main entrance will be heavily guarded,” Chase whispered to Errsai, who nodded in agreement. She pointed towards a smaller, less obvious path that led towards what appeared to be a secondary entrance – possibly for supplies or discreet exits.
“It’s our best shot,” she murmured back.
Chase led the way, keeping his body low and his movements fluid, the dokkalfar scouts doing the same. His mind remained sharp, aware of every slight noise, every shift in the wind. As they neared the secondary entrance, their pace slowed even further, each step calculated to avoid detection.
The path twisted through the underbrush, leading them deeper into the shadows cast by the Uchmute stronghold. The air grew cooler as they moved closer to the structure, and Chase could almost swear he could feel eyes watching them from within the tree-castle.
They soon reached the secondary entrance, a small wooden door set into the side of the tree. It was barely wide enough to fit a single person, and its dark, weathered wood looked like it had seen better days.
Chase gestured for Skeld to take the lead, the tall dokkalfar crouching low and pressing his ear against the door, listening for any sounds. After a moment, he turned and gave a nod, signaling that the coast was clear.
Slipping his lockpick into the keyhole, Thorir worked his magic. In a few minutes, the four of them were inside, moving through a dark, silent corridor. Upon reaching the end, Skeld pressed his ear against the door, before clearing it as well. Thorir unlocked it, and the four proceeded into a dark room.
The bad feeling that Chase had been experiencing flared, along with a bright light above them.