To the Depth of Abyss
Chapter 52: Until He Comes

"Cough! Cough!"

Randi got up after receiving the previous wave of devastating attacks. He didn't understand, where and how did the attack come from?

"Medic!"

Shawn with the Medical group came.

Luckily only 3 groups of Melee Hunters were close to the attack. So they can minimize the injuries received by the whole group.

"Randi!"

Elisa came to Randi, wanting to heal the leader of her group, but Randi didn't get badly hurt.

Randi identifies around to replace his men.

"Riko!"

Randi found Riko lying helpless.

"Boss?"

"Are you okay?"

"I think I broke some of my ribs."

Elisa immediately moved to heal her group members.

The conditions were truly shocking.

Shawn and the group of Archers saw how the Evolved Father Tree paralyzed their melee attacker within seconds.

Evolved Father Tree creates wood chips from his two hands. Then he threw the pieces down, the effect of which was like multiple bombs being thrown simultaneously.

Right now, the giant tree monster was on its way.

"Check once again where the giant old man is going!" Shawn ordered the observers.

Previously they confirmed that the giant tree monster was heading towards the gate village. But they shouldn't be too sure, since the Evolved Father Tree was a new boss type monster for Floor 1.

"Boss!"

Shawn went to look at the digital map the observers had opened.

"This is weird! Somehow Evolved Father Tree changed his direction 30 degrees to the east!"

That made Shawn thinking.

Evolved Father Tree's previous intention was to destroy the Gate Village settlement. However, all the residents of Gate Village have fled to the east, leaving the Gate Village empty.

"What was that giant old man 'true intention from the start -" Abyssal Citizens?

Abyssal Citizens who live inside the Station being protected by the Abyssal wall. But those who live outside only being protected by handmade wooden walls.

The difference between those two things is, the existence of those who live outside the station is not protected by Abyssal itself. That means they could be attacked by monsters that could attack them.

In the past two years, no monsters have been able to disturb the Gate Village. Be it Killer Bee or Queen Bull Hornet.

After the years passed, and the Big Update happened, Father Tree - the strongest monster from the 1st Floor - got buffed. Has legs and arms that allow him to walk.

"Messenger! Go east and warn Jordan about this!"

_____________________

Jordan is still waiting for any monsters to threaten his village.

"Jordan!"

Suddenly his men who were monitoring the refugee travel called him.

Jordan went up to the east tower, getting the sight of a large group of Bear Beasts coming out of the Giant Leaf Woods.

"Do they intend to chase the refugees?"

The refugees only guided by a few guards. The guards will not be strong enough to defend the refugees from attack.

Bear Beasts came out of their habitat, Giant Leaf Woods. It never happened before.

Jordan had to make a quick decision. "Run your wagons and deer! We will protect the refugees!"

"But Jordan, what about the village?"

"The house is okay without their master! But what's the use of a house without their owner who won't come home!"

The entire Gate Village Hunter raised their weapons and started their vehicles. Going to protect their unarmed families.

[Theory - Abyssal Boss Area]

[Abyssal Boss Area has the nature to attack groups / crowds within its range.]

Killer Bee's attack distance is 1km, so Killer Bee will attack a group within a 1km radius of it. Queen Bull will follow wherever who massacre her children.

Father Tree will only attack anyone within its root range. That goes for the regular Father Tree. But what about with a walking Father Tree?

Evolved Father Tree is taller than Giant Leaf Woods. It allowed him to see the entire 1st Floor.

Gate Village is not under Abyssal's protection. Because of that, all aggressive monsters in Giant Leaf Woods attacked the residents of the Gate Village.

Not only Bear Beasts, Bull Hornets also appeared when Jordan and all Hunters killed all Bear Beasts.

In front of all the monsters, a Messenger came to Jordan.

"Jordan! This is bad! Father Tree is after anyone outside the protection of Abyssal! "

"I knew it."

If that is the case, not only the residents of Gate Village, Plantation and Agricultural Villages in the Land Of Nod will also being threatened.

"Not only that!"

Several large steps exited the Giant Leaf Woods. The Messenger carried two large monsters behind him.

They are two Killer Bees who are also eyeing the unprotected Abyssal Citizens.

______________________

"Two Killer Bees appeared and chased the Gate Village refugees you said?! Freaking hell."

Shawn got a headache.

Their problem with the Evolved Father Tree has yet to see a solution. Another problem arises again to threaten the 1st Floor. Plus, suddenly the Evolved Father Tree took a Giant Leaf Tree.

"I have a bad feeling about that."

Shawn drew an arrow. His men did the same.

"Focus on the tree that is going to get thrown!"

Evolved Father Tree directs his throw to the east. The power used in the throw looks powerful.

"He will definitely target the Gate Village refugees! On my cue!"

Evolved Father Tree started swinging his arms upwards with one Giant Leaf Tree.

"Shoot!"

The Archers shot their arrows together. Destroyed the Giant Leaf Tree that the Evolved Father Tree had thrown.

Evolved Father Tree noticed the Archers, then shouted: "Ngooooooooooooh!"

Shawn had a terrible feeling about that screaming.

"Run away!"

The entire Archer fled by spreading to the side. Because the Evolved Father Tree was going to throw the fragments of his hand again - [Wood Chips Bombardment] - at them.

"Shit, we won't make it time!"

Crap, some of them would die from receiving that attack.

But from below, the Melee Hunter group wouldn't let their Main DPS being destroyed.

"[One Hit One Direction]!"

The Melee Hunters paralyze Evolved Father Tree's right leg. Makes the giant tree monster attack lose its original direction.

Evolved Father Tree who was on his knees did not lose his mind. The monster possessing [intelligence] most likely [6] point raised its right hand.

"Freaking run!"

The Melee Hunters' group retreated backwards.

But they won't make it away. Evolved Father Tree's right hand crushed the trees on his right, which led to the Melee Hunter group.

The Melee Hunter group could do nothing but run. Except for a brave new Gold Hunter.

"Randi!"

Randi ran at the very back. By holding the Bear Beast Blade in both hands, Randi will carry out the ultimate attack taught by his master.

"[Beast Claw: Double-twin Slash]!"

Randi cut through all the trees leading to the Melee Hunter group.

Those who ran, stopped, looked back, and amazed.

Randi stared at Lucas steadily. "Lucas, I'll be our defense! So don't hesitate to attack!"

[Beast Claw: Double-twin Slash] was a skill belonging to the Legend Hunter - Ranger of Giant Leaf Woods - which Lucas couldn't master.

Lucas was jealous, but still amazed. He couldn't refuse the offer from his junior.

"OK." Lucas agreed to the idea. "Observer team, guide us again!"

_____________________

Floor 1st / Silver Steel Mountain

Jordan has just finished two Killer Bees and is about to catch up with the refugees.

But before he could do it -

"Jordan! Queen Bull Hornet!"

- a Queen Bull Hornet flew out of the Giant Leaf Woods.

"Damn." Jordan was annoyed, but at the same time, he smiled with satisfaction. "Archer, get into position! Don't let that bitch get past us!"

____________________

"Shawn!"

The messenger Shawn sent is back.

"How is the condition of the refugees?!"

"They've arrived at Silver Steel Mountain! It takes another hour to arrive at the Plantation Village!"

That's great news for everyone. However -

"Shawn! Evolved Father Tree is 5km from the border of the Giant Leaf Woods!"

That means that giant tree monster will step on the east side of the 1st Floor.

Shawn began calculating the losses they would incur.

"We have to give up the Plantation Village. Jordan and his group will think of their own way to survive. Then we ... "

Shawn looked over at the exhausted group.

They had fought the Evolved Father Tree for about two hours, and the phantasm sun in the sky was already at its highest point, which meant it was noon.

"Randi, don't push yourself!"

Elisa is anxious about the condition of her party leader.

Randi sat leaning against a tree with both hands shaking. He had already cast [Beast Claw: Double-twin Slash] several times and exhausted both of his hands.

Their other four members - Dwi, Nanda, Riko, and Tito - weren't with them because the four of them couldn't continue fighting.

Elisa felt her chest tighten seeing Randi's condition. "If you continue to carry out those attacks, you will ...."

"Listen to me! Ladies and gentlemen!"

Shawn called the attention of all the Hunters who were still standing. When everyone's attention was on him, Shawn continued.

"That old giant tree monster is already 5km from the edge of this forest, and he's about to set foot on the eastern ground! There will be a lot of losses we will get before the reinforcements from the 2nd Floor arrive, one of which is, our lives!"

Everyone fell silent at Shawn's statement. However, none of them showed a surprised expression.

"All of you are the best Hunters this floor has! That means, we are the only hope that can count on to slow down that gigantic monster's steps! At least until the refugees from the Gates Village and Plantation Villages can enter the East Station!"

Abyssal Citizens are citizens of the Abyssal Terra nation. Abyssal Hunter is a soldier as well as a police officer who must protect their place of residence. That principle has existed since the 1st Floor being conquered.

"I won't force you to continue! So you can - "

"The fck are you saying!?"

Lucas interrupted Shawn's words. Everyone looked at that Gold Hunter, who got branded as having a slightly bad attitude.

But by then, Lucas was full of self-determination.

"Now is a good time to die with dignity! Isn't that right, gentleman!?"

"Yeeeeeaaaaaahhhh!"

All the weapon-wielding Hunters, most of whom were men, raised their weapons, agreed with Lucas.

Shawn accepted the determination of all his comrades.

"Randi!"

Lucas called Randi.

Randi took his two swords, which stuck in the ground, then got up with a little trembling.

"That's good. We still need your ultimate attack! At least until you can't do it anymore! "

"Don't worry. I can still do it all day long."

Randi had decided his mind. Elisa doesn't have the right to stop him, but still -

"Don't worry," said Randi softly. "I will hold on, at least until he comes."

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