The Dreamer's POV

[Time Left: 30 Days, 7 Hours]

<Current Number of Participants: 9,211>

"Fshuuuuuuuu... youuuuuuu..."

As exhaustion tugged at the edges of my consciousness, I welcomed the solace of sleep.

However, almost as soon as I closed my eyes, a haunting symphony of whispers began to weave its way into my mind.

"Dooooo.... tooooooooo..."

Soft and elusive at first, like the rustling of leaves in a gentle breeze, they soon grew more insistent, their voices intertwining in a disconcerting chorus.

"Soooooo cooooooooollllld"

I turned onto my side, trying to escape their grasp, but the whispers persisted.

They seemed to echo from the very fabric of the forest itself. Each attempt to drift into slumber was thwarted by their persistent presence, and frustration gnawed at the edges of my consciousness.

"Giveeeeeeeeeeeee iiiiiiiiiiittttt..."

In the dim confines of the tent, the whispers took on a life of their own. They seemed to crawl beneath my skin, prickling my senses and sending an icy shiver down my spine.

I gritted my teeth, my frustration mounting, until I could bear it no longer.

With a huff of irritation, I pushed myself upright, the sleeping bag slipping from my shoulders as I emerged from the tent's embrace.

"What in the world? I can't have some rest?" I grumbled, smacking my lips.

My eyes, heavy and bleary from the battle between rest and the relentless whispers, scanned the clearing.

Dull moonlight filtered through the gaps in the trees, casting a silvery glow over the grassy expanse.

Yet, as I peered into the darkness beyond, a disquieting sensation crawled over my skin.

Movement—subtle yet undeniable—flickered at the edge of my vision.

'Huh? What's that?'

My heart quickened as I strained to focus, and then, I saw them. Glowing eyes, like twin embers of some ethereal fire, blinked in and out of existence amidst the dense foliage that encircled the clearing.

They seemed to move with a deliberate purpose, drawing closer with each fleeting blink.

Apprehension clawed at my chest, my breath hitching as I stumbled backward, my gaze locked on those luminous orbs.

The whispers swelled in intensity, their words now clear and discernible, a chilling mantra that almost induced a wave of panic within me.

"Runes... give back the Runes..."

The syllables reverberated through the air, a spectral chant that seemed to seep into my very bones.

I glanced around frantically, my mind racing to comprehend the situation I had unwittingly stumbled into.

"Haa... haa..." Fortunately, what would have been a maddening moment for me was quickly quelled by my <Visionary> Skill, allowing me to calmly analyze the situation.

'It looks like I'm surrounded. Those bright eyes staring at me... they must be the enemies here.'

Unfortunately, they didn't give me much time to completely analyze the situation.

The clearing pulsated with an otherworldly energy as the entities closed in, their eyes glowing like stars in the abyss.

Amidst the ever-present whispers, I heard more sounds suddenly echo around me.

~WHOOOOOSSSHHHHH!!!~

Spears and jagged wooden constructs hurtled toward me, slicing through the air with deadly precision.

'Hmm...' I watched as the projectiles arced toward me, remaining unfazed.

My skin tingled as the protective barrier shimmered, each projectile harmlessly deflected, its momentum disrupted.

Time seemed to slow as I calmly assessed the situation.

"<Dragon Eyes>"

The darkness that cloaked my assailants was no match for my <Dragon Eyes> Skill. With a subtle shift of focus, the shadows dispersed like morning mist, revealing the figures that lurked within.

Humanoid tree-like beings, adorned in primitive masks and crude garments, stared back at me with hollow eyes.

Their energy signatures danced before me, a mosaic of colors and patterns that I could decipher with ease.

'The energy levels are manageable. As expected, they're not very powerful.'

A smile tugged at the corners of my lips as I embraced the advantage granted by <Dragon Eyes>.

The Skill granted me immensely advantageous sight, allowing me to see things far away, with great detail. I could see through darkness as if it was daytime, and I could also measure the approximate level of energy of my target to learn the threat they posed to me.

"You guys are nothing..."

Drawing a deep breath, I stepped into the fray, my gaze fixed on the menacing figures that surrounded me.

With a thought, I summoned the <Advanced Grand Rock>, causing the luminous orb to hover at my side.

Its ethereal glow cast a soft radiance, illuminating the clearing in an otherworldly light.

With a swift motion, I propelled the orb forward, a streak of brilliance slicing through the air. Continue your journey with empire

~WHOOOOOSSSHHHHH!~

The entities attempted to react, but my next move ensured their efforts were in vain.

"<Dragon Cry>"

An intense sonic blast burst forth from my lips, instantly pulsating through everything around me. The ripple effect resonated through the very air itself, reaching beyond the clearing, and into the forest.

In an instant, the creatures froze, their forms rigid and unyielding as the sonic waves surged through their bodies.

Their primitive masks and garments offered no defense against the force that held them captive.

"It's over."

The <Advanced Grand Rock> hurtled onward, its glow intensifying as it neared its targets.

Impact was inevitable, and with a resounding explosion, the orb collided with the immobilized entities.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

The force of the collision shattered their forms like fragile glass, sending shards of darkness scattering in all directions.

The clearing echoed with the aftermath, the once-menacing figures now reduced to nothing more than fragments in the wind.

"Aaaand, we're done..." I murmured, smacking my lips as I tiredly looked at the sight before me, noticing as the last echoes of the blast faded into the night.

The energy that had once hummed with malevolent intent now dissipated, leaving only a calm serenity in its wake.

I stood amid the shattered remnants, a lone figure in the clearing, my breath steady.

With a final glance, I released the power of <Dragon Eyes>, allowing the darkness to once again claim its dominion.

"GIIIIIVVVVEEEEEE... IIIIIIIIITTT..... BAAAAAACCCCK!"

The whispers around me kept getting louder, and it became sickening at this point.

"What the hell?" I gritted my teeth, turning my head south as I glared in that direction.

"So this is the power of the Whispering Treant Boss, huh?"

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[A/N]

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