Nothing had changed…
Everything remained the same, and at the same time...
The tree continued to grow but had yet to show any signs of threatening the land, resembling an ordinary tree growing but with an extraordinary size.
Imagine a giant tree towering like a skyscraper, with a trunk so thick yet twisting and bending as if following an unseen current of wind. Its bark was pale, like the pale trees found in the world of Minecraft, giving off a cold and mysterious impression. Above, an arena was formed from the interwoven giant branches, yet the arena was surrounded by tall walls that blocked the view from the outside.
At the peak of the arena, a massive branch jutted upward, forming a structure like a sharp spire piercing the sky. At the top of this branch stood a mysterious orb. However, this orb emitted a glow of purple and red, giving off the sense of a magical force dominating the entire tree. The whole tree exuded an aura of power and mystery, waiting to be unveiled.
Some people had begun to notice, and some were terrified. The dwarven side had started evacuating local residents, while the human side had yet to take any action.
---
Elaina Arcveil:
"So, you intend to go home?" Akylaa asked, flipping through the pages of her book.
"It seems so. Hopefully, I'll have enough time to spend with my family," Elaina said anxiously.
She feared that while she was there, a summons might come — something she would be obligated to answer, potentially ruining her rare vacation with her family.
"What about the transmission? Has Rynex sent any information to us?" Elaina asked as she packed a few items into her bag, preparing to bring them along.
Akylaa shook her head from side to side. "None at all," she said softly, her eyes moving quickly across the text of her book.
Elaina exhaled in relief, but her feelings did not match the expression she showed; a lingering doubt remained — was it truly that no information had arrived, or was everything genuinely proceeding smoothly?
Akylaa closed her book with both hands. A few seconds after placing the book on the table, she stood up with her eyes closed. "So... when are you planning to leave?"
Having finished packing her essentials, Elaina zipped up her bag and turned to Akylaa with a smile. "Tomorrow morning, if all goes well."
Elaina would depart the next morning, possibly flying or using a teleportation gate, for she was someone with a high mana core on this continent — the Gladius, bearing an extraordinary title.
Tomorrow morning was also the best choice; if she delayed any longer, other problems might arise, preventing her from meeting her family at all.
"That's for the best. Rest well tonight." Akylaa headed for the bedside lamp, pulling the cord to dim the lights before walking back to her bed.
---
Leon Crimson:
"How about the weapons?" Leon asked firmly, his body standing tall as he questioned the soldier before him.
"Ready, sir. All good, General," he replied crisply, standing upright, facing Leon Crimson. Leon's gaze shifted toward the weapons.
M16A, an assault rifle but somewhat less effective on certain battlefields. Nearby, inside a locker, lay much stronger weapons with a far more imposing presence.
AWM (Arctic Warfare Magnum)
The AWM sniper rifle is one of the most legendary sniper rifles, renowned for its tremendous stopping power. Coated in black with a rugged design, the rifle features a long barrel and considerable weight, giving it stability and precision. Firing .338 Lapua Magnum or .338 Win Mag ammunition, it can shoot bullets at extremely high speeds with devastating penetration power — enough to pierce body armor and light vehicles. Its ergonomic grip and precision distance adjustment system make the AWM ideal for sharpshooters prioritizing long-range accuracy. Often deployed by elite forces for high-risk missions where precision over distance is crucial, this rifle leaves little margin for error.
M82B (Barrett M82B)
The M82B is a modified version of the famous Barrett M82 rifle. Also known as the Barrett .50 cal, this rifle fires the formidable .50 BMG (Browning Machine Gun) cartridge, famous for its brutal destructive power. The weapon is massive, with an extremely long barrel and a bipod for enhanced stability during use. The M82B's main advantage lies in its extraordinary range, far surpassing most other sniper rifles, and its deadly force. It can destroy hardened targets such as armored vehicles and even small aircraft. Though it delivers tremendous recoil, its accuracy at long distances remains outstanding, making it a fearsome tool on the battlefield.
Sako TRG M10
The Sako TRG M10 is among the most advanced sniper rifles today, often utilized by special forces and professional snipers. It is designed to fire various calibers, from .308 Winchester to .338 Lapua Magnum, offering flexibility across different combat scenarios. Its strengths lie in its modular design and training systems that enable precision shooting under varying weather and terrain conditions. With a highly accurate barrel and recoil stabilization system, the Sako TRG M10 delivers bullets at extreme speeds while maintaining incredible precision. Its high bullet velocity enables it to pierce nearly all types of body armor, making it lethally effective over long distances.
---
Wein Arcveil:
His breathing was unstable, sweat pouring from his face as his pores opened wide. Wein stared into the mirror before him, his hair disheveled and his eyes bloodshot.
Fine lines resembling worms traced along the edges of his eyes — disturbing at first, but they slowly retracted and disappeared from sight.
Wein was surprised by how his memories returned, though he was not entirely shocked, having experienced this a few times before; however, the long gap between episodes left him feeling unsettled.
Lifting his body, he placed his hands firmly on the table, staring at his work spread out over the blueprint.
He was startled, his eyes widening as he saw the sketch of a weapon — an extremely long firearm with a massive caliber — he had drawn the M82B onto the blueprint.
"No... this is incredible, but is the technology advanced enough yet?" Wein pondered over what he had created before deciding to send it directly to Professor Isaac.