[ Quest Issued: Eliminate the Blood Eagles and save the humans. ]
[ Reward: 10x Sky Crystals + 1x Divine Crystal ]
Aegis's gaze narrowed slightly.
Only he had received this quest.
From Felix's hurried explanation, Aegis learned that others had been issued entirely different objectives. Most were simple extermination quests. Kill Blood Eagles. Gain BC. No mention of rescue. No emphasis on consequences.
That alone told him everything.
The System had already predicted the worst outcome.
It had calculated that those fools, blinded by greed, would not retreat in time. That chaos would spiral out of control. That countless lives would be lost.
And so, it chose him.
It wanted Aegis to step in.
To shoulder the burden.
To risk his life fixing the consequences of others' stupidity.
Aegis exhaled slowly.
Given his position, the logical choice was simple. Leave. He owed them nothing. He had no followers to protect, no reputation to maintain, no moral obligation to play the hero.
He had never asked to be one.
He was about to dismiss the quest and continue on his own path when his eyes stopped at a single line.
Divine Crystal.
His pupils constricted slightly.
A detailed description unfolded.
[ Divine Crystal (SS): Improves God Physiques, granting immense divine energy. Performs body and soul cleansing, effectively strengthening the recipient on all levels. ]
Aegis felt his own heartbeat.
A Divine Crystal was not just rare. It was absurdly rare.
For someone with a God Physique, its value was immeasurable. It did not merely increase energy reserves. It refined them. It purified the body. It strengthened the soul itself.
It was the kind of resource that could change the foundation of his existence.
Aegis closed his eyes for a brief moment.
This was not about saving people.
And it was not about heroism.
The System knew exactly what bait to use.
When his eyes opened again, they were calm. Cold. Decisive.
"So that's how it is," he murmured.
He looked toward the distant nest, where greedy fools were already stepping closer to disaster, unaware of the storm they were about to awaken.
Aegis turned slightly, water essence quietly gathering around his feet.
Felix stiffened, noticing Aegis move.
"You're going, your grace?"
Aegis did not answer directly.
He took a step forward.
If the System wanted him to intervene, then he would do it his way.
Not as a savior.
Not as a hero.
But as a force that would make the Blood Eagles understand one absolute truth.
This sky was no longer theirs alone.
On the other hand:
Sylus and a few other groups managed to snatch several eggs after successfully distracting the Mother Eagles.
Carrying the massive eggs on their shoulders and backs, they were over the moon. Excitement drowned out exhaustion, and visions of flying mounts and absolute dominance filled their minds.
Then a terrifying screech tore through the air.
"SKREEEE!"
Every movement froze.
All rround them hundreds of massive Blood Eagles descended at once. With wings beating in perfect unison they surrounded the intruders from all directions.
The wind pressure alone made it hard to breathe.
Their hawk-like eyes locked onto the puny humans who had dared to invade their home.
The sky darkened even farther.
Among them, one Blood Eagle stood out the most.
Its wingspan dwarfed the others, its feathers darker and thicker, its presence suffocating.
Even without attacking, it was unleashing an overwhelming pressure.
Then a system notification flashed before every people.
[ Target Identified: Blood Eagle Leader ]
[ Power Rank: Baron (D) ]
Sylus and the others gulped.
"Its another Baron Rank, boss. We're done for," someone whispered in terror.
"Shut up!" Sylus barked, though his hands trembled uncontrollably. "We can't cower away right now. There are thousands of us humans, and only hundreds of them. We can defeat them."
His words spread quickly through the crowd.
"Yes. He's right."
"We outnumber them."
"If we retreat now, we lose everything."
Confidence began to rise, shaky but growing. Fear was slowly buried beneath desperation and greed.
Weapons were raised. Skills began to activate. Magic circles flickered to life.
The Blood Eagles watched silently.
Then the leader tilted its head slightly.
Another screech followed, deeper and more resonant than before.
In an instant, the formation tightened.
The surrounding Blood Eagles moved as one.
What followed was not a battle.
It was a massacre.
Their talons ripped through the humans' rib cages like butter.
Blood spurted. Screams erupted.
"Ahh… help!"
"I don't want to die!"
The Eagles were merciless. After devouring one victim, they immediately moved toward the next.
"Wind Blade!" Sylus roared as wind gathered around his arms.
The compressed air blades shot forward, and struck into the Baron-ranked Blood Eagle.
But the bladed dispersed against its feathers, leaving behind nothing more than a shallow scratch.
The Blood Eagle barely reacted.
Its crimson eyes moved toward Sylus, appearing cold and disdainful.
Sylus's confidence shattered.
His breathing became erratic as he staggered backward.
Then he spotted her.
His eyes darted toward Bella, who was standing from a higher branch watching everything below coldly.
"Bella, you have to help me!" he shouted desperately.
Her eyes narrowed, but she didn't respond. She heard him clearly, yet she chose to remain silent.
"Lady Skadi, shouldn't we help? All of them will die!"
Her followers urged her to help, but her response was strict: "NO!"
She commanded to continue upward as if the chaos and the suffering of the humans had nothing to do with her.
"Bella, I know you're searching for that person. And I know where he is!" Sylus shouted again.
Bella's movement paused again.
Her gaze bore into Sylus, as if trying to find any falsehood in his words.
But before she could speak, a massive claw slammed down from above.
Boom.
Sylus was crushed into the ground, blood spraying from his mouth as his bones cracked.
"Damn it!" He screamed in agony.
He was barely conscious.
The Blood Eagle raised its talon again.
With the last of his strength, Sylus roared:
"If you don't help me Bella… you'll never see that person ever again!"
Bella's composure broke. She immediately descended like a storm of ice.
Just who was this person she was looking for?