A New World, an immersive game experience

Eldrian smiled as he watched the soldiers returning to the fort. The battlefield before the fort clear for all to see. Craters were everywhere and almost no tree was visible for a few kilometers. 

He smiled not because of the victory, but because it seemed the fight went well. The losses were certainly nothing to scoff at, but considering everything, it was quite acceptable. 

The tired soldiers all quickly found a place to rest and started treating themselves while those who had stayed behind rushed forward to help. Eldrian told Ceph to go and heal those he could, while he instead looked at the new system messages he had received. 

[Quest Updated: Undead Invasion]

[Quest Giver: Taurus Kingdom]

[Quest Rank: Epic]

[Quest Description (Updated): Attacking the undead corruption network along with your Zoe partner, you have angered the undead leader and caused the entire undead army to rush out in a desperate counterattack.]

[According to your suggestion, the soldiers had retreated instead of fighting, making use of all the arrays set up between the frontal camp and fort to weaken them before fighting before the fort along with the help of the magic tower to repell the undead after a few unknown dwarved had distracted the undead leader.]

'Quite the summary,'  Eldrian smiled and continued to read. 

[Quest Goal 1 (Completed): Help in stopping the undead from gaining a foothold. The bare minimum to call this is a success is by ensuring Pyknos forest does not fall to the undead.. {Difficulty: SS}]

[The undead have retreated and the siege on Pyknos forest has ended.]

[Quest Goal 2.1 (Completed - Rewards already given): Find the method in which the corruption is spreading. {Difficulty: S}]

[You found that this corruption was spreading through the ackley trees.]

[Quest Goal 2.2 (Completed): Find the source of the corruption. {Difficulty: SS}]

[You have found that the source of the corruption is a demon-undead hybrid named Vagus, you will need to relay this information to authorities to receive your reward.]

[Quest Goal 3.1 (Completed - Rewards already given): Find a way to stop the spread of the corruption. {Difficulty: S}]

[By removing the ackley trees in the forest, the corruption's spread has been halted.]

[Quest Goal 3.2 (Uncompleted): Find a way to destroy the corruption's source. {Difficulty: Epic}]

[You found an effective method in stopping the corruption spread and fighting it back, but you were incapable of doing anything to the one behind it all.]

[Quest Goal 4 (Discontinued): Ensure that the king does not die. {Difficulty: S}]

[The king has moved to another part of the kingdom and as such the danger to his life has changed.]

[Quest Goal 5 (Completed - Rewards already given): Do not succumb to those aiming for your life and soul. {Difficulty: Epic}]

[You have managed to not only survive the assassination attempts, but also personally ended the one behind them, Milgoroth.]

[Quest Rewards: 13 levels, 270 gold, official recognition - Count nobility rank, Tier 6 custom weapon or 1000 gold.]

<Rewards are less than total completion as that was not accomplished.>

[Already given rewards:]

[Chelona breastplate (Tier 4),  stama gauntlet (Tier 3), and 5 Tier 2 magic grade armors.]

'Not bad, though part 3.2 was really impossible.'  Eldrian thought as he read through it all and recalled the details of the undead's leader, Vagus. 

While Eldrian didn't have any insight into his attributes, those stats were just insane. Obviously there was no way that he would be able to deal with that. 

'Well, it doesn't matter much. I am just happy that the quest is finally done. Wait!' Looking at the other quest which was also part of this one, Fighting back. Eldrian realized that it was still there.

Though the last attack by Ceph had done some massive damage again.

[Quest: Fighting Back]

[Part 1: Completed]

[Part 2: Areas Cleared = 728/826 (687)] (AN: The (#) is the personal contribution) <Was - (398)>

[Part 3: Areas Cleared = 117/200 (117)] <Was - (54)>

[Part 4: Areas Cleared = 96/800 (96)] <Was - (4)>

Eldrian's smile grew as he saw this, quickly realizing just how massive a reward this was going to be.  'Should we just focus on clearing it, or should I try to learn something more from it now?' 

Eldrian ignored this question after just a few seconds and decided to also go help where he could. 

...

A few days had passed and most of the injured were now healed. The soldiers who had families were allowed to return to Kynigo after the commanders had confirmed that all that remained in the corrupted area of the forest were lower undead. 

Of course, the mission to clear the corrupted area was postponed for now as the kingdom tried to decide what it wanted to do with the remaining area. 

Walking through the camp, Eldrian headed to the healers' tent again. He had yet to find Vivian and was starting to worry that something might have truly happened to her. 

Luckily, on this day, his worries were eased as he saw her being treated in one of the tents. With the healers no longer needed as fighters too, they finally had enough time to treat injuries properly. 

However, Vivian didn't want to have her scars all removed. She had asked the healer to only heal those that would limit her health or mobility, and leave the others. She wanted them as a reminder that war was not kind. That war was not something she should think of changing on her own. 

She smiled as she saw Eldrian approaching her, jumping from her seat she moved to hug him. Eldrian fully embraced her as his heart flooded with relief.

After enjoying the hug, he asked why she still had the scars on her arms and cheek. He even followed the scar on her cheek with his hand without realizing it. 

"I realized why dad also kept his," Was her reply, she didn't elaborate. Instead, she just got back into her seat and allowed the healer to continue.

After a few more minutes the two left the tent, with Eldrian constantly asking what had happened. In short, she and everyone else had run according to their orders. However, things weren't that simple for everyone. 

Some areas of the wall were assaulted in mass by the lower undead, and her position was one of those places. In their retreat many had died. 

"I should have done something, but... I just ran." Her eyes watered and tears formed as she recalled that terrible retreat. "I felt so bad that I couldn't bring myself to return to the fort."

Eldrian didn't press her more and instead just held her as the two returned to one of the inns. There, Ceph was eagerly waiting for them while savoring some sweats he had gone out to buy. 

After some introduction, Eldrian started catching Vivian up on what had happened at the camp itself. 

"I'm sorry, I should have informed you before doing anything."

"No, you were right. Besides, I was at my post and I couldn't leave. Informing me wouldn't have helped."

Eldrian nodded and smiled, "Right, I heard that all the soldiers are going to get a massive bonus."

"Yes, but it is only massive compared to our salary." Vivian replied, her focus on the little kid beside Eldrian. Even though he had explained that the kid was actually an alicorn, Vivian couldn't quite accept it so easily. 

AN: A big thanks to everyone who continues to support this novel on WN.