Overlord: Enter The New World

Dawnfyr stood at the edge of the defeated Corrupted Treant Elder, the dim green light of the Shard of Verdant Memory pulsing faintly in his hands. It felt warm, alive almost, as though it carried a fragment of something far older than the corrupted swamp that had surrounded them. Marcus tilted his head slightly, his thoughts racing.

"What is it?" Zephyrion asked, his molten hammer still resting casually on his shoulder. His expression was calm, but his eyes flickered with curiosity.

Marcus turned the shard over in his hands. "It's tied to the Dryad Queen quest," he replied, his deep Forest Ogre voice laced with both certainty and intrigue. "It might be a clue to where she's being held… or how to free her."

Zephyrion nodded, his gaze flickering toward the corrupted tree's remains. "Looks like you're carrying more than just a fancy subclass, huh? Keep me in the loop, Slayer. Something tells me this shard is connected to the bigger picture."

Marcus chuckled, slipping the shard into his inventory. "You got it. Now, let's get out of here before the swamp decides it's not done with us."

The journey back to Thistlewood Rest was quieter than Marcus expected. The path was clear, but the lingering unease of the corrupted swamp weighed heavily on him. Something about the Shard of Verdant Memory felt significant—not just in relation to the Dryad Queen quest but to the growing influence of the World Enemy across Alfheim.

As the village came into view, the soft glow of lanterns lighting the wooden pathways brought Marcus a sense of comfort. Zephyrion parted ways at the outskirts, leaving Marcus to reflect on the shard in solitude.

Inside the inn, Marcus logged off for a break. He needed time to consider his next moves—upgrading his skills, focusing on leveling up, and perhaps diving deeper into the shard's mysteries. But something told him that his journey was only getting more complicated.

Marcus stretched as he stepped out of the gaming pod, rubbing the back of his neck. The warm glow of the city sunset bathed his penthouse, the familiar hum of distant traffic grounding him after hours of immersive gameplay.

He grabbed his phone and saw a message from Jake waiting for him.

[Jake]: How's the grind? Need an emergency gym session to stretch out your sore gamer muscles?

Marcus smirked, quickly typing back:

[Marcus]: You're on. Meet me in thirty. No excuses this time.

The gym was a welcome change of pace. The familiar clang of weights, the rhythmic thud of treadmills, and the occasional grunts from other gym-goers reminded Marcus of the physical world—a stark contrast to the fantastical dangers of YGGDRASIL. Jake, his ever-competitive gym buddy, wasted no time challenging Marcus to a series of increasingly ridiculous workouts.

"So," Jake said between reps, his tone teasing, "you gonna spill the beans on what's got you so hooked on the game lately? Don't tell me you've gone full dungeon crawler."

Marcus laughed. "Something like that. Let's just say it's a lot more complicated than grinding mobs."

Jake raised an eyebrow but didn't press further. Instead, the two friends finished their workout, the camaraderie carrying Marcus's thoughts away from his digital exploits—at least for a while.

Later that night, Marcus logged back into YGGDRASIL as Dawnfyr, ready to dive back into his quest. His first stop was Elder Caedrin, the wise elf who seemed to hold the answers to many of his questions.

The elder sat under the same ancient tree in Thistlewood Rest, his expression grave as always. Marcus approached, presenting the Shard of Verdant Memory.

"You carry a piece of the Verdant Queen's past," Caedrin said, his voice tinged with reverence. "This shard is more than a clue—it is a fragment of her essence, torn from her during the battle against the Corruption."

Marcus frowned. "So what am I supposed to do with it? How does it help me free her?"

Caedrin reached out, his hands hovering just above the shard. "There are places in this world where memory lingers, where the Queen's essence might be awakened. The shard will guide you to these sanctuaries, where her presence can grow stronger. Seek them out, and you will uncover the path to her salvation."

A new objective flashed across Marcus's screen:

Updated Objective: Locate the Sanctuaries of Verdant Memory. Progress: 0/3.

Marcus clenched his fists, his resolve solidifying. "Looks like I've got my work cut out for me."

With his goal clear, Marcus set his sights on leveling up further. If the sanctuaries were tied to the Dryad Queen's essence, then whatever trials awaited him there would demand strength and skill far beyond his current level. He opened his world map, marking potential grind zones near the edges of Thistlewood Rest.

The first location that caught his eye was Shattered Pine Ravine, a rocky forested area teeming with Cliffhowl Stalkers and Ravine Wyrms. Both mobs offered excellent XP and posed a decent challenge for his current build.

Marcus grinned, tightening his grip on Crimson Fang. "Time to get to work."

The Shattered Pine Ravine was a stark contrast to the serene forests around Thistlewood Rest. Towering cliffs loomed overhead, casting long shadows across the rocky paths. The howl of the wind echoed through the narrow passageways, blending with the distant growls of the Cliffhowl Stalkers lurking in the area.

Marcus wasted no time. Activating Fearsome Aura, he stepped into a clearing where a pack of stalkers prowled, their sleek, wolf-like forms shimmering with faintly glowing runes. The first stalker lunged, its claws raking through the air as Marcus countered with Quick Slash, landing three consecutive blows.

Damage Dealt: 80 Physical ATK per strike.

Damage Taken: 35 Physical ATK (claw swipe).

The second stalker circled to his side, its glowing eyes narrowing as it prepared to pounce. Marcus activated Blossom Shield, reducing the damage as the stalker's claws scraped against his armor.

Damage Taken: 25 Physical ATK (reduced by Blossom Shield).

With a swift counter, Marcus unleashed Sylvan Strike, the spectral blade tearing through the stalker's side.

Damage Dealt: 90 Physical ATK + 40 Magic ATK.

The rest of the pack fell quickly as Marcus activated Verdant Cascade, his AoE vines sweeping across the clearing and ensnaring the remaining stalkers.

Damage Dealt: 80 Magic ATK per target.

MP Cost: 60 MP.

As the last stalker collapsed, Marcus checked his XP bar. "Almost there," he muttered, a small grin spreading across his face. "Just a bit more grinding, and I'll hit Level 15."

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