Midas and his companions were hot on the trail of the corruption, their senses sharpened by the eerie presence that hung in the air. As they ventured deeper into the corrupted jungle, the signs of the malevolent force grew more pronounced. They came across other corrupted creatures - twisted versions of the once majestic animals that now roamed the land with a dark hunger in their eyes.
"This corruption is spreading like wildfire," Boreas remarked, his voice tinged with concern. "We need to find the source and put an end to it."
Midas nodded in agreement, his eyes scanning their surroundings. The once vibrant and lush forest now looked sickly and dark, the very life force drained from its once lively inhabitants.
"We're getting closer," Mori said, her hunter's instincts guiding them forward. "I can feel it."
And she was right. The signs of corruption grew more severe as they pressed on, the very ground beneath their feet tainted by its malevolence.
As they followed a trail of corrupted footprints, which looked surprisingly humanoid, they couldn't help but wonder who or what could be responsible for such a dark influence in the heart of the Endless Forest. The idea of people living in these treacherous lands seemed almost impossible, but the evidence was right before their eyes.
Their journey eventually led them to a clearing where the corruption seemed to concentrate.
Midas and his companions stared in disbelief at the eerie sight before them - a dilapidated manor standing in the heart of the corrupted jungle. The once grand estate was now a haunting shadow of its former self, with the twisted branches of corrupted trees reaching out like skeletal fingers, clawing at the very sky. An unnatural, sickly light emanated from within, casting an eerie glow that made them shiver.
"This place gives me the creeps," Neres muttered, his voice barely above a whisper.
Mori nodded in agreement, her eyes never leaving the manor. "I can taste the corruption in the air. It's so thick it's suffocating."
Boreas tightened his grip on his bow, his expression grim. "We have to be careful. There's no telling what we might find inside."
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As they cautiously approached the manor, they found themselves surrounded by a horde of corrupted shamblers. These twisted, grotesque versions of humans were once ordinary people who had succumbed to corruption, now driven by a mindless hunger for destruction.
Midas held up a hand, halting their eager advance towards the corrupted manor. "Hold on, we can't charge in blindly," he said, his mind already racing with thoughts. "This corruption is strong. As I said before, we need a plan if we're going to deal with it effectively."
Boreas and Mori nodded in agreement, realizing the wisdom in his words. "What do you suggest, Midas?" Boreas asked, his veteran instincts attuned to the need for a well-thought-out strategy.
Midas scanned the surroundings, his eyes landing on the corrupted shamblers "First, we need to thin their numbers," he replied. "We can't afford to be overwhelmed by their sheer force. Right now, we need to be quiet as a mouse.”
Neres chimed in, his eyes darting from one enemy to another. "Perhaps we can draw some of them away from the main group," he suggested. "That way, we won't have to face all of them at once."
Mori's keen hunter's mind picked up on Neres's idea. "We could create distractions, lure them away with well-timed arrows and stealthy movements," she said.
Midas's keen senses caught the faintest sound of one of his companions stepping on a twig, and he quickly motioned for his companions to stay quiet. Unfortunately, it was already too late. The shamblers turned their rotten gazes toward the intruders, their ghastly faces contorting into grotesque smiles.
"Well, so much for being quiet," Mori quipped, her voice laced with sarcasm.
With a loud battle cry, the shamblers charged at them, their movements erratic and wild. Midas and his companions fought with all their might, fending off the relentless onslaught. But the shamblers weren't alone - leading the charge were the Death Knights, towering figures clad in corrupted armor.
Midas identified one of them.
Death Knight, Level 28
Description: Death Knights are formidable corrupted warriors, once noble knights or skilled fighters who fell victim to the darkness of corruption. Now serving as commanders of the corrupted armies, they wield powerful and malevolent weapons, capable of dealing devastating blows. Their dark aura enhances the strength and abilities of the corrupted creatures they lead, making them a formidable force to reckon with. Extreme caution is advised when facing Death Knights, as their combat skills and cunning tactics make them a dire threat to any who oppose them.
"These must be the ones controlling the horde," Boreas shouted, shooting an arrow straight through the eye socket of one of the Death Knights. The arrow just bounced back.
Midas's Aegis of Stardust shielded them from the worst of the attacks, but it was clear that the fight was taking its toll. The hoard seemed endless, and for every shambler they defeated, two more took its place.
"We have to get to the source of the corruption," Midas called out, his voice determined. "The manor, it's the key!"