Re: Apocalypse Game
chapter-188

The name of Fey village had been nothing more than a whisper among players in Alan's previous life, shrouded in mystery and surrounded by rumors. Clues and cryptic text from various NPCs had hinted at its existence, but concrete information had always been elusive. As a result, Alan found himself entering this enigmatic place with no prior knowledge of what to expect.

What he was certain of, however, was that a quest that compelled a player to venture into such perilous territory, deep within undead-infested lands, was no ordinary quest. It bore the hallmark of a special hidden quest, the kind that held the promise of extraordinary rewards. Alan couldn't help but ponder whether this quest might ultimately lead him to the fabled legendary sword, Excalibur, a thought that ignited his imagination.

The Fey village itself was a quaint settlement, home to just a few hundred residents. As Alan's presence drew curious gazes from the villagers, he couldn't help but notice a mix of reactions among them. Some of the younger children appeared excited to see a newcomer, while the elderly villagers looked on with a touch of apprehension. It was a place where wonder and wariness coexisted, and Alan couldn't help but feel that he had stepped into a realm where ancient legends met the present reality.

What captivated Alan the most about the Fey village was the extraordinary flora that surrounded it. Countless roots, leaves, and mushrooms emitted wondrous bluish and green lights, casting a warm and enchanting ambiance over the entire place. It was a sight that seemed straight out of a fairy tale, and it gave the village an unmistakably magical atmosphere.

As Alan continued to explore, Guinevere, the female NPC, guided him to an elderly figure who appeared to be of great significance.

"Here is our chief," she introduced him.

The village's leader was a man with a long gray beard that adorned his tattooed face. His countenance bore a combination of wisdom and sorrow, which could be discerned by anyone who gazed upon him.

Guinevere briefly explained their encounter to the old man. The chief approached Alan with a sense of reverence, extending his hand to receive the sword.

"May I see the sword?" he requested. With the same reverence, the old man cradled the sword, as if he held the most precious object in the world. Then, lifting the sword high, he spoke in a voice filled with emotion, "The sword has returned."

The chief declared, and in an instant, the entire village knelt in profound respect. It became evident to Alan that the sword held immense significance for the Fey villagers. This realization filled him with a tinge of anxiety. He couldn't help but wonder if they intended to take the sword from him.

However, the old man reassured him, "Now that the sword is here, the village is saved!" His excitement was contagious, and the other villagers echoed his jubilation.

Despite the relief, Alan couldn't shake off his unease. The old man went on to explain that the village had been afflicted by evil spirits that cursed them, making it impossible for them to leave the forest. Now that he and the sword were present, the old man had a quest for him.

"Please help us rid of this curse and slay the evil spirits," the chief implored.

Alan, with a raised eyebrow, listened to the mention of evil spirits, realizing that this was likely the beginning of a chain quest. His curiosity piqued, he turned his attention to the notification that appeared on his game interface, signaling the start of a new quest.

The information in the game interface left him utterly astonished. The quests he had just received were of a substantial caliber:

[Hidden Quest Activated]

[Warning: The fey villagers need your help. Kill the evil spirits that occupy their shrine and lift the curse.]

[You received a B-level quest: Kill evil spirit]

[You received a C-level quest: Lift the curse]

Alan couldn't help but be awed by the quests that had unfolded before him. A B-rank quest was a significant challenge and a considerable reward in this round. With his three years of experience playing the game, he fully grasped the weight of the tasks he was about to undertake. Dealing with evil spirits instead of the usual undead was a significant leap in difficulty, and it would undoubtedly prove to be a formidable and demanding quest. The gravity of the situation settled upon him as he contemplated the trials that lay ahead.

"There must be some trick with this," Alan muttered to himself, his mind racing with thoughts of the quests ahead.

He quickly considered the other part of his quest that remained unfinished—the search for the Sword of Light. Hoping to gain more information, he turned to the old man and asked about the legendary sword.

The old man smiled and began to chant some words. Suddenly, the sword in his hand transformed, shedding its rustic appearance. Before Alan's eyes, the blade turned bright and began to glow, revealing a shiny, silvery surface covered with intricate runes.

"This is the Sword of Light," the old man said casually before handing the sword back to Alan. To his shock, as he accepted the sword, he noticed that the status of the weapon had changed, and it seemed to be imbued with a new power.

As Alan gazed upon the transformed sword in the old man's hands, he couldn't believe his eyes. The once humble King's Sword had evolved into something truly extraordinary:

[Excalibur]

[Type: Sword Weapon]

[Rarity: Legendary]

[Attributes: Damage 140 - 168]

[Effects: Magic resistance 30%, Defense Rating +50, Health regeneration 10% per minute] [Equipment Rating: 65]

[Able to Bring Outside the Game: No]

[Remarks: The legendary sword of Ancient Britannia]

[Prerqusite: Master in Sword weapon, Spirit E]

Alan's jaw dropped as he took in the awe-inspiring attributes of Excalibur. It was a weapon of immense power, with damage stats that far surpassed his previous sword. The addition of magic resistance, increased defense, and health regeneration made it a formidable tool for any warrior.

The realization hit him like a tidal wave. The legendary Excalibur sword had been in his possession all along, disguised as the King's Sword. Alan couldn't help but admire its beauty, especially its remarkable stats. In his three years of playing the game, only the lightsaber could come close to matching the power and prestige of Excalibur.

Alan's elation was quickly tempered by a nagging suspicion. Obtaining a legendary item, especially one as powerful as Excalibur, was no easy feat in the game. Such items were rarely acquired even at late rounds of the Apocalypse Game. The fact that he had stumbled upon it relatively early in the round raised doubts in his mind.

Determined to uncover the truth, he decided to question the old man further about the quest and its mechanics. As the details unfolded, Alan's suspicions were confirmed. The quest involved bringing the sword to the cursed shrine and piercing the "sword of light" into the sword shrine.

The pieces of the puzzle fell into place. It was highly likely that the sword had been lent to him temporarily for this specific quest. Whether he succeeded or failed, the sword would likely be reclaimed afterward. Alan couldn't help but feel a sense of disappointment at the thought of losing such a magnificent weapon.

As Alan considered various strategies to retain possession of Excalibur, he briefly entertained the idea of abandoning the quest and making a run for it with the legendary sword. However, before he could put this plan into action, he realized that the old man and a contingent of villagers were prepared to accompany him to the shrine, making escape impossible.

Upon reaching the shrine's location, Alan was met with a foreboding sight. The shrine was situated within a heavily guarded cave. The air grew damp and heavy as they descended further into the earth. Finally, as they emerged from the winding passageways, Alan found himself standing at the edge of an ominous underground lake. Its dark waters seemed to absorb all light, casting an eerie glow over the surroundings.

Before him stretched a narrow bridge, its structure resembling gnarled roots that stretched across the expanse of the underground lake. It led to a small, isolated island at the center of the cavern, dominated by a colossal, gnarled white tree. The tree's branches twisted and reached out like skeletal fingers, and its bark appeared to ripple with dark energy.