Chapter 229
▪️THE TIRELESS CHOSEN ONES
In the real world, this summer event would only last for ten days, but within the game, it extended to an impressive 40 days, thanks to the mind-acceleration capabilities of Elven Kingdom.
And during the entirety of this event, players could look forward to doubling their experience and contribution points, as well as the exchange store items being sold at half the price.
In addition, various new tasks were also added, but the most exciting news was the introduction of the lucky draw system, which offers a tantalizing opportunity to acquire rare legendary golden equipments!
To put it in perspective, a piece of legendary golden equipment usually cost a hefty fifty thousand contribution points, even with discounts.
But now, for those willing to invest their time, the possibility of acquiring lottery tickets emerged. And with these tickets, even the poorest players would have a chance to acquire top-tier equipments!
In Elven Kingdom, equipment comes with level recommendations, but there are no actual strict level restrictions for equipping them.
It means that, even if a player hasn’t reached level 10 yet, they can still use iron-class equipment should they happen to get it. At most, this just means that one cannot fully exert the full effect that the equipment should have if they use equipment way above their current level.
Being widely acknowledged as the finest equipment, it’s clear to everyone that a Golden-class Gear significantly increases one’s personal combat abilities to its full potential.
For instance, Little Salty Cat whose fully decked out with a complete set of Golden Gear. Her defenses can’t be easily broken even by Boxlunch unless he himself use his own golden-class dagger.
Not only did they boast the most intricate designs and imposing styles, but they also possessed unique appearances and exclusive background stories, meticulously crafted by Evé.
Essentially, within Elven Kingdom, golden legendary equipment stands as a symbol of status, serving as an essential tool for anyone who wishes to flaunt and impress others.
For most players, owning one was really irresistible.
So, when the summer event was announced, most players couldn’t contain their excitement.
Whether it’s for leveling up quickly, improving personal strength, or simply getting their hands on golden legendary equipment, everyone’s motivation was thoroughly ignited!
Even the native elves, like Alice, found themselves baffled by the inexplicable fervor that had seized these Chosen Ones upon hearing of the Orc army’s impending assault on the Elven Forest.
In no time at all right after the summer event started, almost all of the Chosen Ones transformed into fanatic workaholics.
Life-oriented players worked tirelessly to complete every daily tasks assigned by the Goddess, one after another, without rest, while combat players rushed into the underground dungeon to hunt shadow monsters for days on end.
Even the laid-back Chosen Ones who owned business establishments in the city temporarily closed their shops to grind their levels…
Moreover the newbies also shouldered building materials, as they constructed defense fortifications around Florence or Black Dragon Castle.
Even the Construction Division of Moe Moe Committee halted their leisurely real estate development and under HootyBird’s leadership, they took on the task of “Defense Core Construction” and received the legendary core blueprint from the Goddess.
They were tasked to build defense cores similar to those in Blackrock City around Florence and Black Dragon Castle…
Of course, the blueprint had been streamlined to match the players’ efficiency and skill level as Evé doubted their ability to create defense cores as intricate as the one used by the dwarves.
Thus, she simplified the design.
Even then, crafting such complex magical equipment was beyond the capabilities of the players.
So in the end, HootyBird enlisted Li Mu’s help in bringing in skilled elderly elves well-versed in magical equipment manufacturing, such as Carlos Flame and Samuel Galewind, to assist in the construction of the defense core.
Meanwhile, in the central square of the city, where the Chosen Ones usually congregate for socializing and conversation, there has been a noticeable emptiness in recent days.
And as the night falls, even those Chosen Ones who frequent these bonfire parties have decided to do something instead, leaving Thranduil, who used to enjoy these gatherings, feeling somewhat disappointed.
All in all, most Chosen Ones nowadays were immersed in their hectic routines, as if they had transformed into tireless machines.
And when their bodies finally reached their limits, they’d pause briefly, sleeping for a few hours before waking up and swiftly returning to their tasks!
In the Chosen City, within the Temple of Nature.
“Great Mother above! What on earth did the Matriarch do to them? Why are the Chosen Ones working so tirelessly?”
Alice couldn’t help but mutter in astonishment after assigning another disheveled, bloodshot-eyed, yet incredibly spirited Chosen One to a new construction task.
It was insane!
Truly, utterly insane!
Ever since the Dark Dwarves visited the Elven Forest a few days ago, the Chosen Ones have been behaving as if they were possessed by an overexcited spirit, obsessively indulging in new daily tasks and hunting monsters almost tirelessly, as if only performing these tasks and hunting monsters occupied their minds.
They knew no fatigue, nor rest.
And even four days after the introduction of the so-called ‘Summer Event,’ the Chosen Ones are still going crazy about it, and it doesn’t appear that they’re letting off steam anytime soon.
Alice could still vividly recall that fateful morning four days ago…
Hundreds of Chosen Ones, for some unexplainable reason, chose to gather simultaneously in front of the Temple and the World Tree and began fervently praying to the Matriarch as if their very lives depended on it.
And for once they all seemed so sincere about it too…
These were not their usual empty prayers but instead pure, unadulterated devotion, which is shocking to say the least!
Alice had come to know the Chosen Ones quite well during these past six months. She knew that while they might have fought fervently for the Matriarch, they weren’t actually her religious followers. Their prayers were mostly just going through the motions, a mere formality with no genuine emotions…
However, given that the Matriarch didn’t seem to mind it, Alice herself didn’t say much either nor chastised them about their lack of belief.
But that day was really different…
She… for the very first time, saw genuine, heartfelt prayers from the Chosen Ones!
Hundreds of the Chosen Ones all knelt down in front of the World Tree or the Goddess Statue with excitement and anticipation, showing unprecedented devotion.
However, the contents of their prayers was rather peculiar…
Most of them were saying along the lines of “Goddess, please bless my ticket with luck” or “Goddess, may the RNG gods favor me today…” which really confused her.
And a few minutes later, a glimmer of light flashed in the hands of the Chosen Ones.
From her experience, Alice knew that it was another reward bestowed upon them by the Matriarch.
After receiving their rewards, the Chosen Ones would display an array of expressions, with some tinged with disappointment, while others bursting with excitement.
And the most exuberant reaction came from a Chosen One named “Transformer Ji Gang.”
In this elven warrior’s hands, a golden light appeared, revealing an exquisite pair of boots.
Afterwards, he jumped up in exhilaration whilst laughing heartily, and began running around the square with an ecstatic and proud voice that could be heard from miles away.
“Hahaha! I actually got it! I drew a pair of legendary golden boots!”
“Hahaha! ‘Acceleration,’ ‘Concealment,’ ‘Lightweight’! Three top-tier properties! What else? What else?!”
“Huh? These boots even have a background story…Let’s see… They’re legendary boots crafted for an elven hero by his lover…”
And after this…
The Chosen Ones worked even harder…
However, Alice was just as busy as the Chosen Ones.
These days, as the Chosen Ones began to vigorously complete their tasks, Alice, being the one responsible for managing daily tasks, also became so busy that she hadn’t had much rest for several days already.
Despite being a Silver Saintess and the naturally chosen Holy Maiden favored by the Matriarch, her energy surpassed even the most advanced Iron-ranked Chosen Ones.
Nevertheless, she still couldn’t withstand such relentless workload.
Now, she too had two large dark circles under her eyes, and her face looked haggard as well.
However, despite the hardship, Alice’s gloomy and worried mood due to the news of the Orc army had gradually eased under the influence of the Chosen Ones’ positive and diligent work attitude.
Some sought to bolster their own strength in preparation for the impending enemy, while others labored nonstop to fortify the defenses of the Elven Forest, constructing protective structures day and night.
So, as the Holy Maiden of Nature herself… what reason did she have to be discouraged about when even the Chosen Ones were working so tirelessly?
Sure, the Orcs might have a force of thirty thousand, but the Elves numbered over ten thousand!
Moreover… Alice also observed that as the Chosen Ones worked with unwavering dedication, it seemed to also awaken their latent potential, which significantly hastened their growth in strength.
In these past few days, Alice had witnessed numerous promotions among the Chosen Ones as a result.
If this trend persisted, then perhaps… when the Orcs arrived at the Elven Forest, they might truly possess the opportunity to mount a formidable defense!
Yet, Alice couldn’t help but notice that during the Chosen Ones’ busy times, the Godwarden Zero was conspicuously absent.
“Lady Zero… Perhaps she is engaging in rigorous training in preparation for the upcoming war?” Alice speculated.
She gave her cheek a gentle pat, setting aside her fatigue, and stepped out of the Temple of Nature.
Outside the temple, the Chosen Ones bustled about, diligently engaged in their tasks.
“Alice, you look quite tired. Don’t push yourself too hard. Take a proper break when it’s time to rest, ” a deep, resonant voice reached her.
At that moment, Alice raised her head and saw a towering two-meter-tall bald elf passing by the temple, carrying a large, translucent, special building material.
Alice was momentarily taken aback.
“Lord Berserker? Where are you headed?”
This tall imposing individual was none other than Oak Guardian Berserker, who had taken on his elf form through the magic of transformation.
“The weather is turning colder, and the Chosen Ones taught me a good way to protect the farmlands. I’m going to build something called a ‘greenhouse’ over at the farm, a structure that allows plants to grow normally even in winter,” Berserker replied in his transformed form as a burly bald elf.
“I see!”
Despite the Elven Forest’s extended growing season, it was not immune to the changing of seasons, including autumn and winter.
While areas near the World Tree maintained their lush greenery all year round, most other parts of the forest still experienced seasonal transitions, including autumn with its falling leaves.
A chill breeze swept by, carrying the distinct fragrance of the Elven Forest, causing Alice to shiver involuntarily. Her mental fatigue seemed to dissipate somewhat in the brisk wind.
“Achoo!”
She couldn’t help but sneeze.
Berserker glanced at Alice’s somewhat thin priestly attire and shook his head.
“Alice, it’s getting colder. You should wear something more warmer.”
Hearing Berserker’s words, Alice was momentarily surprised.
She subconsciously looked into the distance…
The vast blue sky stretched overhead, with its wispy clouds hardly obscuring the vivid azure canvas that lay beyond the horizon.
Far away, within the enigmatic depths of the distant forests, a radiant tapestry of golden hues had woven its spell upon the woodlands…
Unbeknownst to her, the days already reached November on Saigües.
And more than eight months had already passed since the Matriarch’s return.
“Indeed, it’s already autumn…”
Alice smiled.
“Late autumn to be exact,” Berserker nodded, hoisting his construction materials and slowly making his way.
Alice withdrew her gaze.
She drew in a deep breath, gave her cheeks a firm pat, and returned to the temple to resume her duties…
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