Chapter 12: Clash Beneath the Ancient Roots
The dense jungle grew darker as Mike and Jek pushed deeper into the heart of the Verdant Gate. They had followed a strange mana pulse unlike anything they had encountered so far. It was rhythmic, like the heartbeat of something ancient, slumbering, and dangerously alive.
Suddenly, the trees gave way to a massive clearing. The light filtered through an enormous crystalline canopy, casting shimmering reflections on the moss-covered ground. In the center stood a massive creature—part tortoise, part tree. Its shell was embedded with glistening mineral ores, and roots extended from its legs, anchoring it into the earth like a guardian.
Mike's heart skipped a beat. "This... isn't a normal elite monster."
"Ya think?" Jek muttered, eyes wide. "With four skills?
— Monster Status —
Name: Ancient Earthshell Guardian
Realm: High Elite Monster, Level 18
Strength: 170 | Physique: 195 | Agility: 135 | Mana: 180
Skills: Earthquake Stomp, Bark Shield, Mana Root Drain, Terra Pulse
Earthquake Stomp
Type: AoE (Area of Effect) – Earth Element
Effect: The Guardian rears up and slams both front limbs into the ground, causing a localized earthquake. Tremors radiate in a wide radius, dealing massive physical and earth-element damage while knocking back and stunning enemies for 1–3 seconds based on their resistance.
Bark Shield
Type: Defensive – Earth/Nature Element
Effect: The Guardian hardens its shell and outer bark, forming a layer of mana-infused wood. This reduces all incoming physical and magical damage by 40% for 15 seconds. Bark Shield can regenerate slightly if the Guardian remains stationary, making prolonged combat riskier.
Mana Root Drain
Type: Sustained – Nature Element
Effect: Roots extend from the Guardian into the earth, leeching mana from the surrounding area (including enemies within a 5-meter radius). This drains 5–10 mana per second from affected enemies while slowly restoring the Guardian's mana. If sustained for 10 seconds, it can temporarily seal mana abilities for 3 seconds.
Terra Pulse
Type: Burst/AoE – Earth Element
Effect: The Guardian channels energy from the earth, creating a pulsing shockwave that explodes outward in all directions. This pulse damages enemies and disrupts mana control, momentarily weakening enemy skill effects or canceling channeling abilities. Range: 8 meters. Cooldown: 20 seconds.
A treasure chest lay half-buried beneath its roots—no doubt an ancient relic cache guarded for centuries.
Jek swallowed. "If we even breathe wrong, we're toast."
Mike was about to suggest retreating when footsteps echoed behind them.
A lone figure emerged from the jungle, wiping sweat from his brow. Dressed in the uniform of Great Fire High, his sharp violet eyes and silver-edged scythe marked him clearly.
"Mike, huh?" Dane said, cracking his neck. "Didn't expect to run into you here."
Jek stepped forward. "What do you want?"
"I want to test something." Dane's voice was calm but carried the edge of electricity. "How did a mid-tier student from Green Ant High make it to the top 5? I've heard rumors, but I like seeing things with my own eyes."
ROAR!!!! The sound of the Monster can be heard. It seems it notices them..
SH*T !!! What's that? "Dane gasp"
Mike frowned. "There's no rule against helping each other take this thing down. Why not? Let's kill it. "
Dane raised an eyebrow. "Oh, I'll help. But once it's dead, we settle this. This is troublesome."
Jek looked between them. "Wait, what?!"
Mike nodded, lips a thin line. "Fine. We fight after."
Dane smirked. "Good."
Mike is indeed no choice that high elite monster is dangerous, yes, he has the strength to fight high-level monster even though his low level, plus it is good, they have level up earlier before coming here, reaching level 14, but that is level 18, a four difference. That's practically suicide. That's good the top one is here; with their strength they can defeat it.
The Earthshell Guardian stirred, sensing their presence. Its tree-like shell groaned as it rose, shedding clumps of soil.
"Jek, support. Dane, circle right. I'll take point," Mike barked.
"Don't order me around," Dane said, but still followed the plan.
Mike's Crystalline Sword flashed into existence. He activated Current Surge, blasting forward with a freezing wave. The Guardian countered with Terra Pulse, slamming the ground with a shockwave. Mike skidded to the side, crystal shards deflecting debris.
Jek slammed his palm to the earth. "Earth Bind!"
Mud erupted, wrapping the Guardian's front leg. It bellowed, shaking off the roots.
Dane appeared above it in a blink, lightning coiling around his scythe. "Energy Charge!"
He slashed down.
CLANG!
The blade glanced off the shell, sparks flying. "Tch. Tough bastard," Dane muttered.
The Earthshell Guardian reared up and slammed both front legs down.
Earthquake Stomp!
A tremor shattered the ground. Jek was thrown off his feet. Mike leapt, flipping in midair. Dane barely managed to dodge.
"Change of plan," Mike shouted. "We can't brute-force it. Target the mana roots. That might disable its shield."
Dane didn't respond—he was already moving.
Mike charged left. His Crystallization skill transformed water vapor into hardened crystal spikes, jabbing at the base of the Guardian's legs. The creature roared, rearing up to retaliate, exposing its underbelly.
"Now, Jek!"
"Way of Nature!"
Jek stomped the ground. A powerful shockwave burst forth, staggering the beast backward.
Dane flashed behind the Guardian, scythe glowing. "Paralyze!"
Electric current surged into its exposed roots.
The Guardian shrieked, staggering.
Mike saw his opening.
"Crystalline Sword – Piercing Arc!"
His blade gleamed with condensed mana, slicing deep into the base of its neck. A massive crack split its armor.
The Guardian's glow flickered. It let out one last roar before collapsing like a falling mountain.
Ding!
— Monster Defeated —
Ancient Earthshell Guardian (High Elite)
Points awarded: +100
A massive crystal dropped, pulsing with earth-element energy. A relic key shimmered from its remains.
"Holy hell," Jek muttered, collapsing. "We actually killed it."
But Mike didn't relax.
Dane stepped forward. "Impressive. That was worth the effort."
Mike turned. "So, it's time, then."
Jek stood, blood draining from his face. "You can't be serious! Mike, you're injured!"
"Stay out of this, Jek."
Dane walked into the center of the clearing, scythe resting on his shoulder. "I said I wanted to test you, Mike. Let's see what you're really made of."
Mike raised his blade. "Fine."
Jek cursed under his breath and stepped back.
Ding!
— Challenge Mode Activated —
Mike vs. Dane
All points on the line. Winner takes all.
Jek's eyes widened. "They're putting everything on this?!"
Lightning crackled across Dane's body. "I'm Tier 2 now. Don't hold back, or you'll be humiliated."
"Good," Mike said. "You're not the only one."
— Data Panel —
Name: Mike
Race: Human
Realm: Tier 2 [Level 15: 32/100]
Mana Heart: Crystalline Mana Heart (Hidden Water Branch)
Strength: 169 | Physique: 158 | Agility: 152 | Mana: 160
Native Skill: Crystallization
Skills: Mana Sensing, Current Surge, Crystalline Sword, Wave of Lotus.
– Dane's Data Panel –
Name: Dane
Race: Human
Realm: Tier 2 [Level 16: 65/100]
Mana Heart: Lightning Heart [Hidden branch of Fire Mana Heart]
Strength: 170 | Physique: 165 | Agility: 169 | Mana: 160
Native Skills: Lightning Nature (passive)
Skills: Lightning Ball, Paralyze, Energy Charge, Dark Transformation
Dane vanished in a burst of light. "Too slow!"
Mike activated Mana Sensing—Dane's outline shimmered left.
He pivoted.
CLANG!
Their weapons clashed—crystal against lightning.
Mike slid backward, breath heaving.
Dane smirked. "You're fast."
"You haven't seen anything yet."
A surge of mana exploded outward. A shimmering dome of crystalline energy enveloped the clearing like a Lotus.
"Whoa…" Jek murmured.
Inside the domain, all water particles condensed rapidly. Mike's power surged.
Dane frowned. "So that's your unique skill."
Mike's sword glowed. "You're slower in here. My element dominates."
Dane gritted his teeth. "We'll see about that."
He launched Lightning Ball, arcs crackling.
Mike sidestepped, crystal pillars rising to intercept. He charged, delivering a flurry of slashes.
Dane blocked with his scythe, sparks flying.
"Dark Transformation!"
Dane's body shimmered with violet-black lightning. His scythe split into two blades crackling with destructive energy.
He slashed, and waves of dark lightning tore through the domain.
Mike was knocked back, blood on his lips.
"Still think you can win?" Dane said, breathing heavy.
Mike smiled. "Yeah. Because I'm not done yet."
Crystalline Sword – Final Bloom.
A skill he comprehended throughout the battle.
His blade shattered, reforming into a multi-blade spear of pure crystal.
He hurled it.
Dane dodged—but too slow.
The spear nicked his shoulder, exploding in a burst of freezing energy.
His movements slowed.
Mike charged, reforming his sword mid-stride.
Dane raised his blades. "Let's end this!"
They clashed again—strike after strike.
Jek watched, stunned by the speed and intensity.
Finally, Dane swung hard—but Mike ducked and countered.
Crystallization – Shatter Point.
He struck a weak spot on Dane's armor.
BOOM!
The lightning armor cracked. Dane stumbled.
Mike didn't hesitate.
He slashed diagonally—
CRACK!
Dane hit the ground.
Silence.
Jek ran over. "You did it! You actually won!"
Mike stood over Dane, panting. "You good?"
Dane coughed, then grinned. "Yeah. You got me."
Your unique skills are very impressive, even though I'm higher level than you.
That's because I level up. If it is before defeating that monster, I can't win.
Ding!
— Duel Complete —
Winner: Mike
Points transferred: +890
New Total: 1780 points
Ranking Update:
1. Mike [Green Ant High] [Level 15] – 950 points
2. Grace [Great Fire High] [Level 15] – 1520 points
3. Luis [Blue Bird High] [Level 14] –1300 points
4. Jek [Green Ant High] [Level 14] – 1100 points
…
8. Dane [Great Fire High] [Level 16] –890 points
Dane sat up slowly. "You're stronger than I expected."
Mike offered a hand.
Dane took it. "You earned this. First place."
"I didn't want to be first," Mike said. "But I guess I have no choice."
Dane laughed. "Be careful. Great Fire High won't take this loss lightly."
"Now that you're ranked down", what are you going to do? Mike Asked.
"It is okay, there are 5 hours left, I can handle it, at least reaching the top three."
"Let's go, Grace. Dane waved his hand to Grace at the side."
"You are really troublesome" Grace pouted.
Mike turned to the relic chest. Inside, nestled among golden dust, was a scroll—sealed with a dragon's emblem.
"A legacy skill?" Jek whispered.
Mike picked it up and tucked it away.
As the sun began to dip behind the trees, painting the canopy gold, Mike looked into the jungle beyond.
"Let's have some rest, we already secured a spot, that's enough to think about fighting other participants, and gain a lot.
"I didn't come here to win," he said softly. "I came to survive. But if being strong is the only way to stay out of the spotlight… then so be it."
"Maybe being a side character," he muttered, "isn't an option for someone like him."