Elf Kingdom: Game of the World Tree

The sword skill that shimmered with silver brilliance was incredibly dazzling, merging the figures of the female elf and the old half-beast into a complex intertwining.

The clashing of the longsword with the broadsword produced a ringing metallic sound, like raindrops, often accompanied by the roars of the half-beast, the gentle cries of the elf girl, and the cheers of the onlooking players.

The storm of power from their blows raised dust clouds, crisscrossing the ground with half-meter-deep cracks.

Those were the marks left by their combat.

Within a twenty-meter radius of their duel, an empty zone had formed, with no one daring to approach.

Although more and more players came running to watch upon hearing the news, they all stood far back, looking on from the perimeter, cheering or sighing, sometimes whistling...

But none of them had the guts to step forward.

The power unleashed by a silver professional was far beyond what the black iron rank could match.

Especially since this was a seasoned half-beast warrior of mid-silver rank!

And on the other side was the big shot ranked third in the combat power hierarchy among players—Moonlight Jasmine.

In truth, although she was ranked third, no one doubted Moonlight Jasmine's one-on-one fighting prowess was second only to the server's number one, Box Lunch.

That's because the second-ranked player was a little rich girl who only dominated everyone else with her equipment score...

But equipment score was only equipment score.

That wealthy little lady might have the best AoE ability across the server, but one-on-one PVP was a different story.

The shockwaves caused by the peak player clashing with a mid-silver NPC were naturally not something ordinary players could step into.

With the Red Sand Tribe already fallen, it was harvest time, and no one wanted to be swept away by the tremors from the big shot and sent straight back to the revival point.

Even the silver players drawn by the commotion merely watched from afar.

"This battle is between him and me; no one interfere,"

Moonlight Jasmine had told the other players before the fight.

She was fairly well-known across the server.

Many people were aware that this Valkyrie enjoyed one-on-one battles with formidable opponents and even fought without needing healing, so naturally, no one interfered with her at this moment.

Of course, this was also a sign of the girl paying respect to the half-beast.

And at the center of the battle, Moonlight Jasmine herself was thoroughly enjoying it like never before.

She hadn't experienced such a satisfying fight in a long time.

The old half-beast was strong, bringing back the thrill of life-and-death battles she felt the first time she encountered a demon beast in the wild.

Along with it, her previously gloomy mood gradually vanished into thin air.

Warm liquid dripped down her cheek from the wound she received in the fight.

Moonlight Jasmine already had quite a few wounds on her body.

The shiny, luxurious silver armor she wore was torn in several places by the blade, stained red with blood; one slash even nearly cut her in half at the waist, with the wriggling viscera faintly visible under the wound...

Yet Moonlight Jasmine's expression remained resolute, seemingly indifferent to her injuries.

Unlike others, she hadn't turned off her pain perception.

But her desire for battle had already sent adrenaline surging through her.

Her muscles were tense, her eyes focused solely on the fight, completely ignoring the pain; in fact, the faint sensation of pain further stimulated her nerves, making her even more excited.

Compared to Moonlight Jasmine, whose injuries were severe but who remained fervent in spirit, the old half-beast was actually in a worse state...

His leather armor was completely soaked in dark red blood.

Especially the hideous wound on his chest, with exposed flesh and visible ribs underneath.

The wrinkles on his elderly face slightly trembled, tinged with an abnormal redness.

Heavy panting escaped from the old half-beast's nostrils and mouth, sometimes expelling bits of pink frothy blood...

The broadsword in his hand trembled slightly, each move seeming to require immense effort, as though the girl's dazzling sword skills would overwhelm him the next instant.

Yet, like a pillar in the storm, he stood unwaveringly before the main tent, utterly immovable.

The old half-beast's gaze was calm, devoid of any ripple.

But his aura became increasingly erratic.

He was too old.

Really too old.

The once tall figure of the warrior had long been bent by time; though still strong, his back was slightly hunched.

The ravages of time no longer allowed him to exert his peak combat power. Whether in speed, strength, endurance, or recovery, he was far from what he once was.

Defeat was inevitable.

Another sword strike slash, and Moonlight Jasmine's figure flickered as she retreated, while the old half-beast let out a muffled groan, blood mist bursting from his body once more.

His figure appeared even older.

Around him, the cheers and fans' applause grew louder.

But Moonlight Jasmine frowned slightly.

"Why didn't you dodge that slash just now? What's in this main tent that makes you so persistent?"

She asked.

Just now, the old orc could have dodged the move she made.

But if he had dodged, the girl's sword skill would have hit the tent behind him.

In the end, the old half-beast chose to endure her sword directly.

After hearing Moonlight Jasmine's question, the old half-beast didn't answer.

His gaze remained calm, yet a rare smile appeared on his aging face.

That smile held a subtle tenderness, a persistent determination.

Such an expression surprised Moonlight Jasmine.

Yet the old half-beast slowly raised the rusty blade in his hand, once again pointing it at Moonlight Jasmine.

His other hand trembled as it stretched out, palm up, with his four fingers bent, softly beckoning the girl.

"Let's fight...!"

His voice was hoarse yet carried a defiance and a sense of heroism.

However, everyone could sense that he was exhausted, that he had reached the end of his strength.

The cheers from the players gradually faded away.

Even their eyes on the old half-beast changed.

Everyone's expressions grew serious, a sense of admiration slipping into their gazes.

This was a true warrior!

Even if he was an NPC, even if he was an enemy players must defeat...

Moonlight Jasmine was also slightly moved.

Her gaze became increasingly solemn.

She raised her longsword, and a dazzling moonlight gathered behind her, an intense aura rising from her body continuously...

"This is my most powerful skill, my trump card, the fifth-tier skill—'Star Moon Cross Slash.'"

"I haven't completely mastered it yet."

"Let me send you on your way with this skill."

She earnestly said.

The old orc smiled faintly.

Then, he moved actively.

He raised his rusty broadsword, letting out a furious shout, charging toward Moonlight Jasmine.

Moonlight Jasmine's expression turned serious.

Radiant moonlight gathered behind her, transforming into countless stars, illuminating the battlefield beautifully.

Then she leaped, charging toward the old half-beast as well, swinging her longsword.

Brilliant starlight consumed everything, and the dazzling glow made many instinctively close their eyes.

When they opened their eyes again to look at the battlefield, the fight was over.

The old orc still held up the rusty blade.

But it was ultimately left unfallen.

Moonlight Jasmine's sword tip had already pierced his chest.

"You lost,"

the girl said.

And then, she withdrew the sword.

The sword blade pulled from the old orc's chest, bringing a shower of blood.

The old orc staggered a few steps.

Only by propping himself up with the rusty blade did he barely maintain his posture.

He struggled to lower his head, seeing the crimson spread constantly at his chest.

"Yes, I… lost…"

he said hoarsely.

However, Moonlight Jasmine frowned.

Because she knew that her slash just now should have shattered the old orc's heart.

Logically, he should have been blood-gushing, directly dead by now.

However, for some reason, although the old orc was gravely wounded and dying, he still clung to his last breath...

What was supposed to be impossible was occurring at this very moment.

And seeing the old orc's gaze filled with concern and longing, Moonlight Jasmine's heart stirred, and she spoke:

"Do you have anything else you want to say?"

Hearing her question, the old half-beast struggled to lift his head, his expression showing slight surprise.

But soon, it turned to a state of relief.

He didn't directly answer Moonlight Jasmine's question but struggled to open his mouth, saying:

"The mistakes... are ours... we are willing... to pay the price..."

"The True God... abandoned us... She is unworthy of being the deity of the race... this is also... our... price..."

"But they… they know nothing…"

"Please... spare them..."

Them?

Moonlight Jasmine was slightly stunned.

Them?

The other players were equally puzzled.

And at this moment, a cold wind blew, tearing open the already shaky door of the main tent from the fight's shockwaves, revealing the scene inside.

Dozens of young half-beasts were lying on the ground.

Their eyes were closed tight, breathing steady.

Not asleep but rather knocked out or stunned.

At this moment, the players suddenly understood everything.

They looked at the old half-beast, again with different eyes.

Under the Divine's order, the half-beast striplings deserted their tribes.

The old and the weak had been left behind by them.

For them, the elderly were of no use, and the children could be produced again.

Because of this, quite a few players had mocked a truly cold-blooded race.

But now, everyone suddenly felt that some things aren't always absolute.

No matter how cold-blooded, warmth could exist within a species.

However...

Moonlight Jasmine was initially moved, but then her voice turned cold:

"You must know that half-beasts can never be forgiven. Did you think about sparing the elves when you tried to wipe them out? Did you foresee this day?"

"There is no innocence in racial war."

The old half-beast heard her and fell silent.

His expression grew more desolate.

"However..."

Moonlight Jasmine's tone changed:

"I can promise to spare their lives, but they must sign a contract as slaves, becoming vassals to the Elf Clan.

"Think of it as a form of redemption."

The old orc was slightly stunned.

Then, a bitter chuckle:

"I understand..."

With those words, a blood mist erupted from his chest.

His form shattered, turning into ashes...

Only a piece of blood-stained leather armor, and a rust-covered longsword, fell to the ground.