If they got struck by that pulse during fights, things could get ugly.
The Old monsters and others were fighting against the Griminion Emperors, so if they were interrupted, they would die. And even though he could revive, it was better to prevent deaths.
Almond re-summoned them to their places once the pulse passed through.
[Emergency Quest: Kill the invader from the outside at all costs]
The woman appeared before Almond and the gang as she blinked curiously. "You are the creatures getting nurtured by the nasty tree? Nice to meet you." ᴛʜɪs ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɪs ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ʙʏ NoveI[F]ire.net
'Is she really from the same place as that guy's voice I heard?' Almond's eyes glinted. He was intensely curious, but if he spoke something unwanted and the Grimworld Tree caught on it, he would be done.
At that point, it wouldn't matter how strong he was. He was still weaker than the Grimworld Tree, which could entirely erase him. He hadn't broken past the roots from which he was born and nurtured.
And so, he couldn't afford to initiate a fruitful conversation with this Hollowstar woman.
"Outside? Like what kind of outside are you talking about?" Big D asked.
"Hoho, you are a curious cat, I see. I would love to tell you, but I am being expelled right now, you know?" the woman smiled. "This Grimworld Tree doesn't want my avatar to stay here for long. It's trying its best, but latching onto this bubble here and developing it is rather interesting and threatening to our alliance outside. Hence, our goal is to destroy it."
"You know it might actually benefit you if we succeed," the woman grinned. "Unfortunately, you will die in the process. So, let me wreak some havoc before I leave."
'We got some good information, folks. But she is going to attack,' Big D spoke in the soul network.
The woman suddenly attacked, her speed instantly breaking past Hyper Speed 3 and entering the Hyper Extreme.
Only Almond and Big D could sense things and react at that point, and the danger bells were ringing crazily in them.
'Fuck, don't die!' Big D couldn't help but panic. If Almond died, it would be over! He quickly cast a defense over Almond, Lily, and Admiral Rudra as a starlight veil covered them.
But as if the woman knew Almond was more troublesome, she targeted Almond.
Her thin tails flashed with a million slashes, shredding onto Almond's body.
Almond scattered like mist as if he were just a mirage.
'Oh my,' the woman's eyes glinted, and she turned. 'You are fast.'
Almond was behind her, his sword's blade gleaming coldly with a stream of his prime energy.
His eyes were utterly calm yet intense as he poured into his everyone.
'You are strong, but you are still here.'
'This concept…' The woman's eyes glinted. Her hand's large nails clashed against the sword.
But they were instantly sliced as the sword went for her neck and sliced it off.
"Ayo…" the woman's head floated beside her as she blinked and smiled. "That's a deadly sword made from some deadly powers and…you cut away my resistance."
Almond sheathed his sword and smiled. "I could sense it, so I could sever it."
The woman's body and head were faintly glowing, and she appeared stiff.
"What's going on?" Lily blinked as she looked at the woman. Something wasn't right.
"She is breaking down," Admiral Rudra raised his eyebrows.
"Yeah, I'm frozen now and breaking down," the woman rolled his eyes. "This guy here severed the connection of this avatar with my main body and the support I was getting. Grimworld Tree locked me now, and I'm dead. Well, not really dead since this is just an avatar."
"Can you tell me about the third layer?" Big D asked. "If you know."
"Third layer? What's that?" the woman tilted her head and blinked. "For me, there's just this massive tree, and I was supposed to go in today to wreak havoc. Although I guess I might have arrived at a different place than the one I was supposed to go in, since this avatar is suppressed way more than it was supposed to be."
Almond thought of something. "So I guess you were supposed to enter the third layer to wreak havoc, but instead arrived here in the second layer."
"Don't know the layers stuff, but I get it somehow. It's the system this tree created here for its nurturing project," the woman grinned. "You might not know, but you all are just-"
Instantly, the woman vanished, and only faint smoke remained.
"What? We are just what?" Big D scratched his head. "Damn, she could finish the sentense."
However, Almond's eyes flickered. He knew what she was going to say.
But he didn't dare to say it out loud.
[ Emergency Quest completed. The rewards have been given according to the contribution. ]
Rank 1 (97%): Almond — Creation Spark Clay
Rank 2 (3%): Big D — Resource Box.
"Here, give to whoever that needs it," Big D handed over the Resource Box to Admiral Rudra.
"I couldn't do anything, but that woman was in Hyper Extreme speed, right?" Lily wryly smiled.
"Indeed," Admiral Rudra nodded. "We can perceive it slightly, but reacting is hard. How's the progress to create assets regarding that coming along for you?"
"Slow, but steady," Lily said before she elbowed Almond. "This guy here achieved it fast thanks to his space, tsk."
"Want to help you with the assets?" Almond grinned.
"No need, brat. We'll make ourselves."
"Anyway, let's finish this up," Big D said. "Lily, you get those two ships."
"I'll help down there," Admiral Rudra said as he scanned the battlefield. There were still thousands of monsters and corrupted humanoids who had lost their minds and were attacking chaotically at anyone who wasn't corrupted.
Each person was running and hitting since they were outnumbered, but Regalons were performing well.
Almond also joined in to kill, but Big D just chilled as he didn't want contribution points.
In the end, the disaster was averted, and everyone gained contribution points according to their performance.
Mystic Shop appeared as a function in everyone's mind. It had resources of various elements, items, stat increasing resources, dimension dives, revivals, and so on.
Once things settled down, Big D called the Regalons to a hall.
"I was about to call you all anyway, and then Hollowstar appeared."
"What's the matter?" Almond asked.
Suddenly, everyone saw another presence appearing and saw a woman in a noble red-black dress with a hand fan in her hand.
"Madam Ruby. It's been a while," Lily said as she waved her hand with a smile.
"The matter is simple," Big D said and waved his hand. "It's time to enter a top-tier chaotic dimension."
A large portal opened up behind Big D.
"And it's better that we depart right away. Krala, you don't need to come. Just handle the matters of Earth and Regalon's Wrath to make sure other Regalons and people are managing their work."
"Alright." Krala smiled and turned to Almond. "Then please, my lord. Send me back."
Almond waved his hand, sending Krala back to Earth before he turned to Big D. "We are ready to depart right away. No need for delays."
'It's also time I experience death once more and talk to that guy.'