Chapter 307: Honor Among Ashes
The last of the fleeing monsters disappeared into the rocky canyons, their terrified howls fading into the cold night wind. The battlefield fell silent, save for the heavy breathing of exhausted warriors and the soft crackle of Ignis’s dying flames.
The Dark Elves stood among the carnage, their yellow eyes wide with disbelief. Some dropped to their knees, hands pressed to their chests as if to confirm their own hearts were still beating. Others simply stared at the scattered corpses of the monsters that had nearly overrun their home.
"We... we survived," one of the younger warriors whispered, his voice cracking. "The village is safe."
A cheer began to rise, small at first, then swelling as more and more Dark Elves realized the truth. They embraced each other, tears streaming down faces streaked with blood and dirt. Some laughed, the sound hysterical, almost unhinged. Others wept openly, the weight of their fear finally releasing.
Azrynn stood apart from the crowd, her silver hair tangled and wet with sweat. Her bow hung limp at her side, her fingers still trembling from the constant firing. Her yellow eyes found Adam’s massive dragon form, still looming at the edge of the battlefield, his silver-veined scales gleaming under the pale moonlight.
She lowered her head.
"Thank you," she whispered, her voice barely audible over the celebrations. "Thank you for saving my people."
Adam’s form began to shift. Scales receded, bones cracked and reformed, and within moments, he stood among them in his human shape, his crimson eyes calm but weary.
He glanced at Azrynn, then at the celebrating Dark Elves.
"Don’t thank me yet," he said quietly. "We still need to make sure the temple stays inactive. This might not be the last attack."
Azrynn nodded, her expression solemn.
"I understand."
Ignis bounded over to Adam, her golden eyes sparkling with excitement. "Adam! That was amazing! Did you see how many I killed?!"
Adam’s lips twitched. "I saw."
Ignis puffed out her chest proudly.
Lilith glided toward them, Soulreaver vanishing into the tear in the air beside her. Her silver-white hair was slightly disheveled, but her expression was calm, almost serene.
"Not bad for a night’s work," she said, glancing at the Dark Elf village. "Though I’d rather not repeat it."
Isolde walked slowly toward the group, her new Crimson Blossom Crown still faintly glowing atop her brow. The single crimson flower at its peak pulsed with a soft, inner light, and her eyes, still bright with fresh power, met Adam’s.
"That was... different," she admitted. "The crown... it’s changed."
Adam studied her for a moment, then nodded.
"It suits you."
Isolde blinked, then looked away, a faint blush coloring her pale cheeks.
"...Thank you."
Ignis tilted her head, staring at Isolde’s new crown with wide eyes.
"Ooh! Pretty! Can I touch it?!"
"No."
"Just a little?"
"No."
Ignis pouted.
Adam’s attention was drawn away by a familiar chime in his mind. The system notification scrolled across his vision, blue light flickering in the corner of his eye.
The system notifications scrolled across Adam’s vision in a cascade of blue light, each one adding to the weight of the battle they had just survived.
[Multiple Monster Defeats Calculated!]
[Stone Basilisks: 12 defeated]
[Sand Worms: 3 defeated]
[Shadow Hounds: 28 defeated]
[Minotaurs: 34 defeated]
[Lesser Monsters: 47 defeated]
[Total EXP: +2,450 | +2,800 EP]
[Ding! Level Up!]
[Level: 82 -> 83]
[EXP: 595/780 -> 2,265/800]
[Ding! Level Up!]
[Level: 83 -> 84]
[EXP: 2,265/800 -> 1,465/820]
[Ding! Level Up!]
[Level: 84 -> 85]
[EXP: 1,465/820 -> 645/840]
[Skill Point Gained: +2]
[Total Skill Points: 20]
[Evolution Points: 6397 -> 9197]
[Remaining EXP: 645/840]
[Next Level Up: 195 EXP]
[Crown of the Hollow Glutton]
[+1 Soul Acquired]
[+12 Souls Acquired]
[+24 Souls Acquired]
[+1 Soul Acquired]
[+47 Souls Acquired]
[Total Souls: 1265 -> 1350]
Adam stared at the notifications for a moment, then his brow furrowed.
’Wait... that’s it? The Minotaur King didn’t give any EXP?’ His internal voice was sharp with disappointment. ’Looks like because Isolde isn’t part of my party... I don’t get anything from her kills. That’s... so frustrating.’
He let out a small sigh, running a hand through his disheveled hair.
’What a waste.’
He dismissed the notifications and looked up.
The Dark Elf elder was already making his way toward them, his aged face lined with exhaustion but his yellow eyes bright with relief. Behind him, more Dark Elves followed, their earlier hostility replaced by respect.
They stopped a few paces away, and the elder bowed deeply, his silver beard brushing against his chest.
"Outsiders," he said, his voice trembling with emotion. "You have saved our village." He straightened, his eyes glistening. "We owe you a debt that can never be repaid."
Adam crossed his arms, his expression calm.
"You don’t owe us anything. We helped because it was also our mistake."
The elder shook his head slowly.
"Perhaps. But still... we would honor you. Tonight, we celebrate. It is our tradition to hold a feast for those who protect us." He gestured toward the village, where the sounds of celebration were already beginning to rise. "Please... join us."
Ignis’s golden eyes lit up immediately.
"Ooh! A feast?! Adam, can we?! Please?!"
Lilith’s crimson eyes narrowed slightly, her expression remained impassive.
"We should rest and continue our journey soon," she said quietly. "We still need to find the Abyssal Bloom."
Adam glanced at her, then at the Dark Elves’ hopeful faces. The elder’s shoulders had sagged slightly at Lilith’s words, his expression flickering with disappointment.
Then the elder raised his hand, his weathered face growing serious.
"If it eases your concern," he said, "I will post my best guards at the temple entrance tonight. If anything stirs within that ancient place, you will be the first to know. On my honor as elder of this village."
Adam sighed.
"One night," he said finally. "We rest, we eat, and tomorrow we continue our search."
Ignis pumped her fist in the air. "Yes! Food!"
The elder smiled, relief flooding his weathered features. "Thank you."
Azrynn stepped forward, her silver hair still tangled from battle, but her yellow eyes were soft.
"I’ll make sure you have the best spots," she said quietly. "And... I’ll answer any questions you have. About the temple. About our village. Whatever you want to know."
Adam nodded.
"Good. Because we have a lot of questions."
