Chapter 435: Different Main Quests, Crisis

Chapter 435: Chapter 435: Different Main Quests, Crisis

Hearing the cry of alarm, Seraphina Sullivan turned her head and looked beside her seat.

A little girl who looked to be only seven or eight years old was sitting there.

The little girl was wearing a bright red dress.

Right now, her little face was smudged with dirt, and her hair was a tangled mess.

Her large eyes were welling up with tears as she looked timidly at Seraphina.

"Can... can we really make it to the military Shelter?

Will... will that giant monster catch up to us?"

The little girl’s voice trembled as she clutched a tattered doll to her chest.

Looking into those eyes filled with dependence and fear, Seraphina felt something stir within her.

She hadn’t fully figured out her specific identity and situation in this instance, but faced with the question from such a vulnerable child, an almost instinctual sense of protectiveness and responsibility surged through her.

She reached out and gently ruffled the little girl’s somewhat knotted hair, her tone possessing a gentleness and firmness she herself hadn’t noticed.

"Don’t be afraid. We’ll definitely make it."

Perhaps Seraphina’s calm tone and gaze gave the little girl a sliver of security. She nodded forcefully and gripped the corner of Seraphina’s clothes tightly. Although tears were still swimming in her eyes, she at least didn’t cry out loud again. 𝘧𝓇ℯℴ𝓂

After comforting the little girl, Seraphina finally had a moment to focus her attention deep within her consciousness.

The system panel had already updated, clearly listing the missions for the [Monster Apocalypse] instance:

[Instance: Monster Apocalypse]

[Main Quest 1: Reach the military Shelter (Shelter No. 3).]

[Quest Completion Reward: Immediately gain permission to return to the real world.]

[Main Quest 2: Protect the girl in the red dress (Sharon Lynn) and ensure her safe arrival at Military Shelter No. 3.]

[Quest Completion Reward: Special Story Treasure Chest (Quality is related to the degree of protection provided).]

[Side Quest: Kill Blight Beasts]

[Quest Completion Reward: Based on a comprehensive evaluation of the type, Level, and number of Blight Beasts killed, a corresponding Grade of bonus Treasure Chest will be awarded upon return.]

Three quests: two were mandatory main quests, and one was an optional one for grinding points.

’Main Quest 1 is actually not a simple survival quest...’

Seraphina was slightly surprised.

In previous instances, "Survive for XX days" was pretty much the standard.

But this time, the objective clearly pointed to "Reach the Shelter," which meant this instance might have a clear storyline or phased objectives.

’Find the military Shelter, and... protect this girl in the red dress, Sharon Lynn.’

Seraphina glanced at the girl in red, who was nestled tightly against her, gradually closing her eyes and dozing off from exhaustion and fear.

’It seems this little girl is one of the key figures in this instance. At least, she’s crucial to my personal quest line.’

She began to quickly observe the situation inside the plane’s cabin, trying to gather more information.

The passengers were mostly silent or talking in low voices. Their topics invariably revolved around the recent perilous escape, their deceased relatives, and their worries about the future.

From these bits and pieces, Seraphina pieced together some information.

Several months ago, terrifying monsters known as "Blight Beasts" had suddenly appeared in this world.

They were enormous, possessed varied abilities, and had dealt a devastating blow to modern civilization.

The military and the remnants of the government were establishing Shelters to take in survivors and attempt to fight back.

This transport plane they were on was carrying one group of survivors who had been urgently evacuated from a fallen coastal city.

And she, Seraphina Sullivan, seemed to be just an ordinary survivor in this instance.

The transport plane flew steadily through the clouds, temporarily leaving the coastline and the terrifying figure of the Lord of the Ocean behind.

But Seraphina knew this was only the beginning.

In the world of "Monster Apocalypse," danger was everywhere.

She had to adapt as quickly as possible and ensure that she and the "quest objective" little girl beside her could safely reach the so-called "military Shelter."

She gently adjusted her posture to let the sleeping Sharon Lynn rest more comfortably, while her sharp gaze swept over every corner of the cabin, including the soldiers in tattered uniforms who, despite their exhausted expressions, were still trying to maintain order, as well as some other passengers who seemed to have a different air about them.

She had initially thought that some of the people in the cabin—those with tense expressions, calm demeanors, or scrutinizing eyes—might be Players like herself.

Seraphina discreetly used her Eye of Resume to scan them.

But the result was somewhat surprising—they were all ordinary people!

All of them were Native People of this "Monster Apocalypse" world!

’Not a single Player?’ Seraphina was a bit skeptical.

Was she the only Player in this instance, or were the others scattered around the world?

This was completely different from the instances she had experienced before.

Whether it was the Zombie Kingdom or the Divine Kingdom of Sweet Dreams, while Players weren’t necessarily clustered together, she would always run into a few.

This was the first time she had entered an instance area where she might be the only Player.

’Right, this is the first time I’ve actually entered an instance corresponding to my own Level (Level 4)...’ Seraphina mused.

She had previously stumbled into a higher-level instance world, like a Level 5 one, but that was a special situation, and she had been sent back early by someone using a special method. She didn’t understand the normal matchmaking mechanism for high-level instances.

’Could it be... that for Level 4 and higher instances, the mission model has changed?

It’s no longer about Players clustering together for confrontation or cooperation, but more about integrating into the instance’s world to complete more complex, story-driven missions, either alone or in small groups?

It’s even possible that... each Player enters a "parallel instance" within the same world, but with different times, locations, or quest lines?’

’No!’ Seraphina quickly dismissed some of her guesses, refocusing her attention on the mission itself.

’There’s a problem with the mission itself!’

’Since the main quests are to protect Sharon Lynn and reach the military Shelter, and we’re currently on a military transport plane flying to said Shelter... if nothing happens and the plane lands safely, wouldn’t my quests be completed instantly?

That’s way too simple. It doesn’t fit the system’s usual style.’

Seraphina’s brow furrowed as a strong sense of foreboding rose from the bottom of her heart.

The system’s quests were never easy to complete.

The more straightforward a goal seemed, the more it usually meant that great dangers and variables were hidden along the way.

Sure enough, Seraphina’s premonition was soon proven right!

"AHHH—!! Everyone, look outside the window! What is that?!"

"Oh my god! It’s a monster! A flying monster!"

"It’s over! We’ve been targeted!"

"Pilot! Pull up! Dodge them!"

A scream of absolute terror shattered the oppressive silence in the cabin, followed immediately by an explosion of more gasps and cries!

Seraphina snapped her head toward the porthole, and her heart nearly skipped a beat!

In the clouds beside the transport plane, a dense swarm of black dots had appeared at some unknown point, and they were now closing in on the plane at an astonishing speed!