The Dreamer's POV

[Moments Earlier]n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

In the dense forest of the south, the dragon perched atop a gnarled tree, its emerald eyes fixed on the expanse before it.

Its thoughts, simple and primal, swirled like mist as it obeyed its master's instructions—watch, guard, observe.

The dragon's instincts were attuned to the rhythms of the forest, the rustling leaves, the whispers of wind, and the secrets hidden within the earth.

As time stretched on, the dragon's primitive thoughts occasionally wandered.

Hunger gnawed at its belly, and images of prey flitted through its mind. Yet, the bond between it and its master, Mikey, held strong, anchoring the dragon to its duty.

The dragon's eyes blinked lazily, its reptilian gaze scanning the undergrowth below. For hours, the forest remained still, its heart beating to a silent rhythm. The dragon's mind, though simple, sensed the anticipation, the waiting, as if the very air held its breath in suspended animation.

Then, a shift—a subtle tremor that reverberated through the earth.

~BWOOOOOMMMM!~

The dragon's eyes widened, its primitive thoughts coalescing into alertness.

Something was emerging from the depths of the forest, parting the dense foliage with a force that stirred the very essence of the woods.

The creature that emerged was a colossus, a treant of immense proportions. Its bark-covered form rose from the ground, its roots twisting and coiling like serpents. Harsh, whispering roars erupted from its wooden maw, carrying a sense of ancient anger and unknown purpose.

The dragon's senses heightened as it observed the treant's emergence, its heart pounding within its scaled chest.

A compulsion tugged at its consciousness—to inform Mikey of this extraordinary occurrence.

Yet, when it reached out through their bond, it encountered a wall of slumber. Mikey slept, his energy depleted, leaving the dragon torn between its loyalty and the instinct to protect its master's well-being.

What was it to do now? It didn't know.

While the dragon's thoughts churned in conflict, the treant was not idle.

From its towering form, it birthed wooden-like creatures, spawning life from its very essence. These creatures surged forward, a tide of primal forces that radiated an aura of malevolence.

The dragon's distracted mind failed to notice these new arrivals, its focus consumed by its internal dilemma. Protecting its master's rest seemed imperative, yet the treant and its spawns posed a potential threat to both Mikey and the world they inhabited.

As the wooden creatures surged onward, the dragon's gaze remained fixed on the spot where the treant had risen.

It struggled to reconcile its conflicting desires—serve its master's well-being or respond to the looming danger.

The bond that bound them held fast, yet the dragon grappled with the choices that lay before it, torn between its loyalty and the pressing urgency of the forest's whispering creature.

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[Time Left: 30 Days, 7 Hours]

<Current Number of Participants: 8,035>

"Haa..."

I leaned back against the rough bark of a tree, closing my eyes as I focused on reaching out to my dragon.

A familiar sensation rippled through my consciousness, a connection that transcended words.

Through that link, I glimpsed the forest from my dragon's perspective, the towering treant, and the eerie spawns that surged forth.

"So, what happened?" I asked, my thoughts resonating with the dragon's primitive understanding.

The dragon's response flowed into my mind like fragments of a puzzle, piecing together the encounter with the Whispering Treant.

A conflicted sense of duty and concern emanated from the dragon, and I couldn't help but sigh once I understood its simple yet genuine emotions.

'Maybe I should have put the Elite Shadow in charge. But the Dragon has the flight advantage. Plus, it's strong...'

I would have used both, but while I was asleep, my link with my minions was thinned. Controlling more than one at a time was impossible.

'Even now, with my mental strain, I can't have more than one minion summoned...'

I sighed, the weight of responsibility settling upon my shoulders.

"Keep watching the Treant," I instructed, my thoughts clear and firm. "If anything changes or escalates, inform me immediately, no matter what. Safety comes first."

I sensed a pang of remorse from the dragon, its loyalty and regret intermingling in the bond we shared. Another sigh escaped my lips, causing to shrug.

'I thought the minions summoned with <Fallen Foe> were simply lifeless chunks of meat. Somehow, that seems incorrect...' Find your next adventure on empire

I didn't have the strength to think about that now, though.

"There are more important things to consider at this point...'

As the dragon's presence withdrew from my mind, I opened my eyes and stared at the canopy above.

The night air was cool, the rustling leaves a soothing lullaby, but I couldn't find solace in sleep. The Treant's whispers would haunt my dreams, leaving me restlessly tangled in its web.

My mind whirred as I contemplated the situation. The Whispering Treant's appearance was no coincidence. It only surfaced when all the runes were collected, a harbinger of a dangerous confrontation.

'So, what should I do now?' I rubbed my temples, grappling with conflicting desires.

I didn't want to face the Whispering Treant just yet. Defeating it would most likely cause me to pass the Floor, despite me not completing the Quests involved.

I didn't want to take that chance.

Yet, the relentless whispers would ensure that sleep eluded me, making every second in this place a constant strain.

"What to do... what to do..."

With a determined exhale, I made a decision. I couldn't afford to be paralyzed by uncertainty.

There was only one path forward—complete the remaining Quests as swiftly as possible.

Fortunately, there were only three more Quests. If I hurried, I could complete them within 24 hours.

'With the Treant's ominous presence, procrastination is a luxury I can't afford.

I straightened, my resolve firm.

"I'll forego rest for now," I murmured, a mantra that grounded my determination.

'Complete the quests, prepare myself, and then, only then, can I face the Whispering Treant head-on.'

The forest's night seemed to listen, the trees swaying in a gentle affirmation. My gaze shifted skyward, the starless sky staring directly at me with the dim light it provided.

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[A/N]

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