Cyclone confidently puffed out her chest, approaching the arguing trio. Although she didn't have a ridiculous charisma stat like Silver Blade, it was still enough to accept a normal quest.
The young woman waited until there was a brief pause before addressing the three people:
"Hey, hey! I just checked it, and you are right! The lake has no fish left! But instead of arguing, shouldn't we try to find out why that's the case? And perhaps do something about it?"
"An adventurer? No need to check. We all know what's happening. Those empire idiots have emptied the lake!"
The orc talked first, accusing the Rising Basilisk Empire. Immediately the old woman rebuked him angrily:
"Don't be ridiculous! We don't eat more than others! It was those mages from Aviar who dirtied the lake, making it unattractive for the fish."
"Stop accusing us, old woman! Obviously, the old meat brought by the orcs has killed the fish!"
The argument continued unabated. Cyclone's brow twitched as she tried it from another angle:
"Does anyone of you have some actual proof? Why don't we enter the lake together and figure out the real culprit?"
Finally, the trio fell silent. Hints of fear could be seen in their eyes. It was the young man from Aviar who first admitted something:
"It's not that we don't want to do that, but… others have entered the lake before and never came back."
"Yes, it is dangerous."
"Hmpf. We orcs are not afraid!"
As the trio sung a different tune, Cyclone nodded quickly, trying to convince them:
"People entered the lake but didn't come back? That sounds like a great danger. How can this be caused by dirt, overfishing, or old meat? Something else has to be going on!"
"Well…"
Watching the trio closely one might be able to realize that the previous accusations were only a facade. It was just their way to distract from the real problem. But now that Cyclone laid it bare, the trio couldn't ignore it.
"Hmm, you are not wrong, adventurer. But what can we do about it?"
Cyclone grinned confidently:
"Of course, you should ask us for help! My friends and I will brave the danger!"
The tall orc scrutinized the party before answering slowly:
"You do look quite strong. Perhaps you can give it a try."
"Well, we have no reason to refuse."
"I agree."
As the three NPCs agreed, a quest was generated for the players. It was a simple request to find the reason for the dead fish. Cyclone accepted quickly.
"Alright, adventurers. You can walk up the river for a bit. I have a boat there which you can use."
"You won't be coming with us?"
"Of course not!"
Cyclone eyed the pretentious orc. She turned around, murmuring a quiet 'coward'. The orc flinched but didn't answer.
Without delay, the friends followed instructions and walked along the river. They soon found a small pier with a few abandoned houses. It seemed the orcs used to process the fish here. Resting at the pier was a boat with a single sail which was big enough to carry a couple of orcs. As the party boarded it, it was a bit cramped but at least all ten players could fit in.
Loosening the ropes the boat drifted down the river by itself. A few fast currents hit the thick hull, causing the boat to sway left and right. While Quickstep had her fun, Cyclone soon leaned against the railing with closed eyes, doing her best to suppress her seasickness.
Fortunately, the boat soon entered the Lake of three corners and its movements calmed down. It drifted forwards due to inertia. The friends talked leisurely, glancing around to spot the reason for the death of all the fish. Since they were still following the compass, which pointed to the middle of the lake, everyone knew that it must have something to do with the void.
After a minute the boat approached the centre of the lake but there were still no signs of the void. Just as the party members began to have some doubts, the scenery around them changed from one moment to another.
A small island appeared out of thin air at the centre of the lake. It was barren, its surface covered in blood-red and grey stones. In the centre of the island was a small temple-like building. Its surroundings were teeming with infernals, mostly zombies with low intelligence.
"Woah, where did that come from?"
"Why did all these infernals suddenly appear?"
"Has this been there before?"
"It must have been protected by illusions!"
The players quickly figured it out as their boat approached the island. Soon, it shook, landing on a shallow rock. The boat came to a stop and the players jumped off.
Cyclone looked around, scrunching her face:
"I thought I would be happy having solid ground under my feet, but this island is really too bleak…"
"I agree. Let's clean up here and get back to the shore. The view was much better."
Right after Balm said that, a low burst suddenly shook the island. Violet void energy erupted from the small temple in the centre of the island, spreading in all directions before quickly dissipating.
"Well, I guess we know the source of the dying fish now. Does the quest say we need to do something against it?"
As if to answer the question the quest updated. Of course, it told the players to eliminate the source of the void energy. Joking around the players got moving.
The island was infested with infernals. There was no way to sneak through between them. Especially since the players were prevented from summoning their mounts on the island.
Thus, the party soon faced the first group of seven zombies. The monster were intermediate zombie servants, common monster of levels 48 and 49. For the current party those enemies posed no danger. They bulldozed through the hordes of zombies, gaining some EXP in the process.
After a couple of minutes, the players arrived in front of the small temple. An ominous air hit their faces, sending chills down their spines. Low, incomprehensible murmurs came from within the temple.
"Ok, here goes nothing…"
The party ignored the intimidating atmosphere and entered the temple. As soon as they stepped past the threshold, lingering void energy billowed around their feet, instantly reducing their HP.
Shocked, everyone looked around for a spot where it was safe to stand. They noticed that the void energy avoided an area only a few steps away from them. Without thinking, they rushed to safety before taking a closer look at the surroundings.
There was not much in the temple. The safe area was centred around a tall figure hiding behind a black cloak. Checking their status only returned a bunch of question marks. The figure was bent over what looked like a big magic circle constructed from multiple smaller magic circles. A few crystals pulsing with void energy were inlaid in the floor.
"Oh? Adventurers, you came at the right time..."
The figure spoke in a grating, condescending voice which caused goosebumps to appear on everyone's arms.
"Who are you? What are you doing here?", asked Quickstep while taking out her weapons.
"Me? Oh, I am just inviting a friend. I am sure he will be happy that you are here to welcome him."
"Tsk. As if we'd believe you! Stop now and leave or I will attack!"
"Well, that's not very polite. But don't worry. Give me one more second and I will fulfil your demands…"
Quickstep glanced at her friends. She knew that the mysterious figure was most likely some high-level NPC. But perhaps they could still stop whatever the figure was doing.
Unfortunately, the short delay was all the cloaked figure needed. They suddenly took out a new crystal brimming with void energy from below their cloak. With skilled movements they pressed the void crystal against one of the magic circles, whispering some incantations.
Immediately the magic circles all lit up together. Violet void energy flowed through them in a circle, quickly speeding up. A pressure was emitted from the magic circle which made it impossible to get close. The cloaked figure stood up, turning towards the players, showing them a black mask.
"My friend will soon arrive. I am sure you will have a good time together. I for one will listen to your demands and will leave here. Farewell! Hahaha!"
Letting out a bright laughter as if they genuinely found the situation funny, the cloaked figure's body suddenly turned ethereal. It began to shoot into the sky. The ceiling could not obstruct the figure as it disappeared from the players' sight.
"Get out here!"
Liam finally alerted his friends, who were still staring at the spot where the figure left. They flinched, hurriedly following the expert. The party escaped quickly. They had brought a few meters between them and the temple when an explosion suddenly rocked the island.
Pieces of stone turned into dangerous projectiles, shooting through the island. Some zombies were torn in half when one of the stones hit them. And where the temple had once been, a terrifying cloud of void energy now surged towards the sky, announcing the arrival of a frightening monster.