“What is it?” Yvlena asked waiting for Risel to speak, the blonde elf went silent after she had spoken, Yvlena was slowly growing impatient but kept that thought to herself as Risel composed her thoughts.

  “Rael was searching for a cure to the Miasmic sickness.” Risel said, lifting her head to look at Yvlena, the pink haired elf sighed, she already knew that.

  Viseli the Titan of the Eastern path and good friend of Rael’s had also been suffering what she had come to know as Miasmic sickness. It made her erratic, causing her to lose her memories and attack anyone who crossed paths with her.

  “I know, he was searching for a cure for his friend.” Yvlena said.

  “That’s not all. He came to me searching for a great and mysterious alchemist, the same one that made some of the potion recipes we know today.” Risel explained.

  Yvlena gasped, she recalled seeing a description of a mysterious alchemist or something like that on some of the recipes she had, if Rael was looking for someone like that then Risel was the best person to ask.

  “And what did you tell him?” Yvlena asked curiously, was this another sign pointing her towards Alfinheim or Alquisia? The world outside of Bloom Haven so far had been scary, with little room for respite. She understood now why professional players practically lived in the game.

  Risel shook her head.

  “I don’t know where that person is and his name has been lost to time as well, especially for a small town like Bloom Haven, the only person who would know would be Adiri.”

  Yvlena’s eyes widened, the Adiri specs was one of the best items she’d bought in game, and to find out the person who made it is still alive and well was a surprise.

  This had to be the game’s version of a legend right? She didn’t read the item’s description at the time she’d bought it but now wouldn’t be such a bad idea.

  “The same person who made the Adiri specs, you mean he or she’s still alive?”

  Risel nodded, pleased by Yvlena’s interest in her words.

  “That’s right and she moves around and is pretty much impossible to find but Rael wanted to try anyway.” Risel explained.

  Stolen story; please report.

  [Story of the Harvest Guardian 20% completion]

  [Congratulations

  You’ve reached 20% of a world quest]

  Yvlena ignored the message for now, surprised that the information she had acquired had brought her closer to the path of the Harvest Guardian, she would check the rewards after she was done talking with Risel.

  “I see, then what would have brought him here? The path to the nearest city, Rosenheim, couldn't have been closed off yet. He set off when Soren was still a little kid.” Yvlena said to herself.

  “I don’t know either.” Risel admitted, she placed her hands on her waist and looked up at Yvlena. “My only guess is an outbreak must have started in the Verdant Vale and Rael wanted to treat the people.”

  Yvlena pondered her words. If that was true, then Rael must have come to the Verdant Vale looking for patient zero of the sickness. But didn’t he know the root cause was the Great Verdant Tree?

  “I think we need to find out more about the Verdant Tree, Risel.” Yvlena said. She looked outside the window where she could see the tree in the horizon in all it’s polluted glory.

  If the tree produced any fruit and people ate fruit from the tree, then that could be the source of the Verdant Vale’s infection right? Yvlena reasoned her conclusion was enough of a theory to follow for now until she found out more information.

  ‘But where would I find more information about the tree? There has to be a library around the Verdant Vale.’ she thought.

  By now, Risel had hefted her pack over her shoulder once again and was ready to head into the deeper areas of the town.

  “I’m ready, let’s go and find those survivors.” Risel said, eyes brimming with fierce determination. Yvlena nodded, matching the resolve she found in the other elf’s eyes.

  This escort mission was getting out of control but it wasn’t a disaster so far. She could only hope it stayed that way, so far she had been able to fight off the creatures they had come across but what if she encountered something stronger?

  Yvlena decided she wouldn’t worry about that for now and only focus on what she could control. Since they were done talking she decided it was a good idea to read the messages.

  [Story of the Harvest Guardian 20% completion]

  [Congratulations

  You’ve reached 20% of a world quest]

  [Your efforts have altered the course of the world

  please collect your rewards]

  [Yvlena Acquired

  ***

  Rael’s Moon Scythe Piece

  Rose Ore x4

  Rose Manor Secret Room Key

  Butterfly earrings (Epic)

  Summoner’s ring (Rare)

  ***

  Moon Points x30000

  Moon Gems x2000

  Gold x300]

  Yvlena gasped softly, the rewards were a lot more than last time, she still hadn’t used the Heaven’s Feather from the last collection of rewards she had earned from her story quest.

  She blinked at the Manor Secret Room Key and remembered she already possessed one but didn’t know where within the Rose Manor it opened, another key wasn’t as issue but it would have been nice if it also came with a location.

  “Is something the matter?” Risel asked.

  “No, I’m fine let’s head into town.” Yvlena said, she would upgrade her Moon Sickle later with the scythe piece later and hand it over to Soren to fix up with the Rose Ore. She had a feeling she would be facing some very difficult challenges the moment she left Bloom Haven.

  Yvlena and Risel stepped out into the empty streets of the Verdant Vale, the elf scanned the area, watching for any danger than might slip past them as they came out.

  Finding nothing, the girls breathed a sigh of relief and followed the widest street they could find through the town.

  “So creepy.” Yvlena muttered as she walked, there was no sound save for the clacking of her and Risel’s boots across the stone streets as they walked.

  “I know.” Risel said, following Yvlena closely and keeping her eye out for any signs of movement. Even a face in the window would be more welcome than the atmosphere of the ghost town.

  Yvlena looked up into the sky and noticed they were getting closer to the part of the town shaded by the Great Verdant Tree, if her suspicions were correct this would be where a majority of the people would have lived and more likely where the people infected by Miasmic sickness would prowl.

  She called out her summons who had rested and were now ready to aid their summoner in battle. Yvlena turned to look at her party and nodded for them to follow her lead through the dead town.

  Support Moon Valley here