What is a peaceful life like?
Going out early, returning late, always repeating the same tasks.
Few would stop and pay attention to you for long. But… that doesn't mean everything you do is meaningless.
On an ordinary path, there are always people who reach heights no longer called ordinary.
That is truly a great achievement.
Achieving greatness is the inevitable path in this divine era, in a spectacle the gods are most focused on: the so-called "Heroic Race".
The gods long for the birth of heroes.
When the "Promised Day" comes, the world will need heroes to save it.
Thus…
Loki chose the [Hero].
Freya is still exploring.
And as for the former god of one of the strongest lineages, known as Zeus…
"The first time I saw him, I kept wondering what amazing stories his future would bring."
"I am his fan!!!"
These words were spoken by a boy named Bell Clawney when he was young, listening to his grandfather speak with hearty laughter.
At the time, the grandfather, dressed as a simple farmer, shoulder-carrying a hoe, sleeves caked with straw and dirt, had just finished telling him a story:
"The Argonaut Heroes"
Honestly, Bell didn't particularly like this story.
The protagonist, Argo, was constantly beaten by stronger enemies, failing from start to finish, almost like a ridiculous clown.
Yet, Bell loved this story and remembered it vividly.
The boy dreamed of becoming a hero.
His grandfather once said:
"Heroes, you see… they're meant to be that (foolish)."
"After all, only fools attempt foolish deeds. It's simple, isn't it? Hahaha~"
Young Bell didn't understand back then. Now, even if he wanted to ask seriously, there was no chance.
One ordinary afternoon, almost a year ago, a living person simply disappeared.
It was said he was attacked by monsters in the mountains and fell into a deep valley in panic. No body was found.
For over ten months, Bell lived in a haze.
The heroes' tales he once cherished gathered dust on the table.
After his grandfather passed, he went out to work daily, with neither time nor heart for hobbies.
Until today…
"Pff~"
A flash of crimson passed his vision.
Night had fallen.
A kind uncle, who had always cared for him, lived nearby. Now, his right arm was severed at the elbow by a monster Bell had never seen.
The village was under attack.
The uncle had been fighting alongside other villagers, using visibly worn weapons. Now, he lay on the ground, wailing in pain.
The monster showed no mercy. Instead, it drew the attention of nearby creatures.
A giant scorpion, roughly the size of a calf, entirely black with faint crimson patterns, raised its menacing tail, closing in on the target.
The boy, dreaming of heroes, was not far behind the villagers' defensive line.
At just fourteen, his small frame kept him from the front line. Yet at this moment, he wondered…
Though his mind was blank, and he had no time to think, his body moved on its own.
The boy darted like a rabbit, not recklessly, but instinctively.
He did what had to be done:
He scooped up the severely injured man and dragged him away from the monsters as far as possible.
His subconscious made the correct decision: save the person first!
But now, even the "one-person hero" he aspired to be was out of reach.
"Click-click~"
From behind, the scorpion's stinger struck. Like a charging spear, it aimed for the boy's back.
In panic, he glanced back and saw the threat enlarging before his eyes.
Then…
"Pff~"
His vision flooded with a strange red.
It wasn't blood.
Both the boy and the injured man he carried were flung backward.
A near-half-human-sized doll had been dropped from above just as the scorpion struck, acting as a protective airbag to take the lethal hit.
And now…
[Arrows like rain, ]
The doll's owner, still in midair, had already drawn her bow to full tension.
Endless Pyro energy condensed at the arrow tips.
Then, "whoosh", the arrows shot forth…
"BANG~"
Moments later, the arrows exploded midair, no, more accurately, split autonomously.
A single arrow became a rainstorm covering hundreds of meters ahead.
Moreover…
"BOOM BOOM BOOM~"
The entire area hit by the arrowstorm resembled a grenade barrage, with explosions ringing one after another.
During these blasts, the scorpion's stinger-piercing doll also detonated.
"BOOM~"
The explosion was larger than any single arrow, shattering the giant scorpion completely.
Then…
"Swish~ Swish swish swish~"
Monster bodies turned to ash, and magical stones fell one by one.
"Haa~"
The girl, dropped from the sky without warning, finally stood firm and exhaled.
"A large-scale Pyro arrowstorm enhanced by magic is powerful, but one use already consumed a third of my energy."
The red-haired archer sighed.
"I remember Lumine saying that in the Loki lineage, the elf girl Lefiya (Lv.3) has a 'Volley Fire Spear' that's even stronger, able to wipe out cannon dragons on the 59th floor."
"If only I had 'Fairy Reprise'…"
Before she could complain further…
"Now's not the time."
Two female allies descended, gliding with Wings of the Wind: Barbara and Diona.
As soon as they landed, Barbara ran toward the injured uncle.
Diona, with night vision, quickly spotted many scorpions nearby. She activated her elemental skill, putting a cat shield over everyone present for protection.
Then…
Unlike the previous Pyro arrows, a storm of Electro arrows rained down, clearing a mass of approaching scorpions.
Initially, Amber only called for the two support Genshin to assist. Seeing the danger below, she intervened immediately, leaving no time for planning.
Through the mental link, Lumine knew:
"Aether is still on the 50th floor. He's temporarily stopped leveling but will continue sending us energy."
Now, heading toward the scene with Riveria's squad, Lumine communicated to Amber:
"The situation isn't favorable. There are too many monsters. Start with wide-area elimination. If anything too strong appears, I'll switch Childe and Geo Archon into the fight."
"We're on our way."
"Understood!"
Short communication ended.
Meanwhile…
"It's still at least a week's journey to the edge of the Large Tree Labyrinth."
Lumine frowned, leading the squad with their magical lanterns.
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