Overlord: Enter The New World

The early morning glow filtered through the windows of the Thistlewood Tavern, casting warm light on the polished wooden tables. Marcus sat in a corner booth, logging in as Dawnfyr just moments before. His hulking Forest Ogre figure seemed to dwarf the humble tavern surroundings as he waited for Zephyrion, sipping on a mug of herbal tea provided by the barkeep.

It didn't take long before the Flamebeast Slayer arrived. Zephyrion's avatar was as imposing as ever—his fire-themed armor radiated faint embers with each step, and his molten hammer hung across his back like a warning to anyone who dared cross him. Yet, his expression was calm, almost friendly, as he made his way to Marcus.

"Dawnfyr," Zephyrion said, sliding into the seat opposite him. "Glad you came."

"Couldn't ignore a message like that," Marcus replied, gesturing to the mug of tea in front of him. "Care for a drink? The barkeep says it's their specialty."

Zephyrion chuckled, waving off the offer. "Maybe later. We've got bigger things to discuss."

Marcus leaned back in his seat, crossing his arms. "All right. What's this world event you mentioned?"

Zephyrion's expression grew serious. "Word's been spreading across the server—something big is brewing. Players have reported strange changes in mob behavior, especially near corrupted zones. Rumors say it's connected to a World Enemy, but no one's confirmed anything yet."

Marcus's mind raced. The mention of a World Enemy wasn't new to him, but hearing it from another player added weight to the looming threat. "And you think it's tied to the Dryad Queen?"

"It's possible," Zephyrion said, his tone cautious. "Whatever's happening, it's affecting areas tied to nature magic. I figured you'd want to know, given your… unique circumstances."

Marcus raised an eyebrow. "You mean my subclass?"

Zephyrion nodded. "Word about you is getting around, Dawnfyr. Hidden dungeon conqueror, Slayer titles, that Dryad subclass… You're making waves, whether you like it or not."

Marcus sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Great. Exactly what I wanted—more attention."

"Look," Zephyrion said, leaning forward, "I get it. Standing out in a game like this can be a pain. But if this event's connected to your hidden quest, you'll want all the information you can get."

Marcus considered his words carefully. Zephyrion might've been a rival, but his insight was valuable. "What do you propose?" Marcus asked, his voice measured.

Zephyrion smirked. "A temporary alliance. We pool our resources, tackle this event together, and figure out what's going on with the World Enemy. Once it's over, we go our separate ways."

Marcus hesitated for a moment before extending a hand. "Deal."

The two shook hands, sealing their pact with a firm grip.

After their conversation, the two players began laying out a plan. Zephyrion shared reports from other players about corrupted zones becoming more active, with mobs growing stronger and more aggressive. The nearest affected area was a dense swamp region known as Mireth's Hollow, just south of Thistlewood Rest.

"It's crawling with corrupted creatures," Zephyrion explained. "Perfect for grinding XP and gathering intel."

Marcus nodded, pulling up the map. "And if it ties back to the World Enemy, it could lead us closer to the Dryad Queen's location."

Before they set off, Marcus decided to make a quick stop at the marketplace to stock up on supplies. He purchased additional Firebane Elixirs to counteract heat-based damage and a stack of Crystaline Cure Drops to recover from potential status effects. Zephyrion, meanwhile, adjusted his loadout with equipment geared toward AoE damage, ensuring they could clear large groups of mobs effectively.

The swamp was a stark contrast to the peaceful charm of Thistlewood Rest. Thick, greenish fog clung to the ground, and the air reeked of decay. Mangled trees with twisted branches loomed over the murky water, their roots forming jagged traps for any unwary travelers. The sound of croaking and growling filled the air, signaling the presence of hostile creatures lurking just out of sight.

"Cheery place," Marcus muttered, gripping the hilt of Crimson Fang.

Zephyrion smirked. "You get used to it. Stay sharp—the corrupted mobs here hit hard."

The two hadn't walked far before the first wave of enemies descended upon them. Rotbark Crocodiles, massive swamp predators with glowing red eyes and venom-coated scales, burst from the water, snapping their jaws with terrifying force.

"Here we go!" Marcus shouted, activating Blossom Shield to reduce incoming damage as one of the crocodiles lunged at him.

Damage Taken: 45 Physical ATK (reduced by Blossom Shield).

Damage Dealt: 80 Physical ATK (Crimson Fang).

Zephyrion waded into the fray, his molten hammer smashing into the ground and releasing a shockwave of fire that engulfed the crocodiles. His AoE attack paired well with Marcus's precision strikes, allowing them to clear the wave with minimal damage.

Zephyrion's Damage Dealt: 70 Fire ATK per target (AoE).

Marcus's Damage Dealt: 75 Physical ATK per target (Quick Slash).

As the last crocodile fell, a system notification appeared:

Experience Gained: 1,500 XP.

Marcus glanced at Zephyrion. "Not bad for our first fight."

Zephyrion grinned. "Let's see how long we can keep this up."

As they ventured deeper into the swamp, the mobs grew stronger, their corrupted forms more pronounced. Venombloom Spriggans, plant-like creatures with acid attacks, emerged from the trees, while Blackmire Serpents slithered through the water, striking with blinding speed.

Marcus relied heavily on his Dryad subclass abilities, using Verdant Cascade to deal consistent AoE damage and Nature's Grasp to immobilize the more aggressive enemies.

Damage Dealt:

Verdant Cascade: 120 Magic ATK per target (AoE).

- Nature's Grasp: Immobilized target for 7 seconds, +40 Magic ATK.

Zephyrion's fire-based build proved equally effective, with his molten hammer leaving trails of lava that burned enemies over time.

The two worked in sync, their teamwork allowing them to tackle mobs that would've overwhelmed most players. But as they approached the heart of the swamp, the environment itself seemed to shift. The fog thickened, and a faint, ominous hum echoed through the air.

"This feels… wrong," Marcus muttered, his voice low.

Zephyrion nodded, his grip tightening on his hammer. "Corruption's getting stronger. We must be close to something important."

Marcus and Zephyrion stand before a massive, corrupted tree at the center of Mireth's Hollow. Its twisted roots pulse with dark energy, and its branches stretch unnaturally toward the sky. At its base, a swarm of corrupted creatures gathers, their eyes glowing with malevolent intent.

Marcus grips Crimson Fang, his determination unshaken. "This must be the source. Let's take it down."

Zephyrion smirks, his hammer igniting with molten energy. "You're on."

Join my Patreon to support my work and read chapter in advance patreon.com/Writing_when_bored